Renall drops the rabbit and turns to me, growling something. Gently, he pulls my foot into his calloused hands and inspects it. He touches it. I hiss again, cringing as I sit down. His eyes widen, then narrow, and he’s growling at me again in a string of sounds and grumbles, but I get the feeling—he’s lecturing me. He looks exasperated, mixed with concern. Gravely concerned … over some blisters. Surely, this is the least of our worries right now. He grabs the rabbit fur and my shoes, still growling to himself. I’m at a loss for words as he starts measuring the rabbit pelt over my shoe. He looks at me, his green eyes narrowed, and huffs.
“Alright, you’re mad. I get it. My feet hurt and I didn’t tell you. I mean, I figured we had bigger things to worry about … and people were shooting at us. Sorry, I didn’t think a few blisters were that important.”
He snorts. Turning and holding up the rabbit pelt to the bottom of my foot. His face seems so hurt and concerned. Reflexively, my fingers reach out and touch his cheek. He stills. His eyes widen as they flick to mine, green and intense.
I swallow the lump in my throat, ignoring the yearning inside of me. I softly say, “We need a better way to communicate.” I point to my mouth in an attempt to mimic talking.
Faster than I can comprehend, he kisses me. His lips are on mine, his beard tickling my face as his tongue parts my lips. Oh Goddess. Not what I meant, but my mouth still returns his kiss anyway. My body reacts to him automatically. My nipples pebble, my panties grow wet with desire. A deep part of me wants him, craves him like I’ve never experienced before. His hand trails up my foot to my calf, my thigh. Heat pulses through me as his other hand grabs my face, pulling me deeper as he climbs over me, on top of me.
This is happening. Oh Goddess.No. No.Autumn, pull yourself together, you are not losing your virginity in a cave with a guy you’ve known for less than a day.It takes all the self-control I possess to pull my lips from his and draw in a deep, calming breath as I lean back. He pants on top of me, hands still cupping my face. I place my hand flat on his chest, putting some distance between us.
“I can’t,” I whisper, low and breathless.
He licks his lips, nods, and reluctantly leans back. His erection is back, but I try not to look. I lick my lips and there’s something on them. Blood. Rabbit blood. In my mouth.UGH, gross. I gag.
Renall snorts, watching me with an amused smile. Wiping my mouth again, the spell is broken. “I like the enthusiasm, but that is not what I meant.” I point to my mouth and shake my head. I motion with my fingers the action of talking.
He mumbles something but watches me. “Okay, we need a way to talk somehow since verbally is a struggle. Let’s try a form of hand motions.” I give a thumbs up and smile big and say a fake, “Okay.”
Then I twist my thumb down and frown. “Not okay.”
He nods, understanding flooding his eyes. Scooting closer, he holds his hand out and fists it. I help him get his thumb out and hold it upward.
“Okay.”
“Rro-kay,” he repeats.
Then I twist his thumb downward. “Not okay.”
“Ro-Ro-kay.”
“Yeah,” I smile. “Close enough.”
What else can I teach him? I look around, “Fire.” I point to the fire, and with my hands I turn my palm to me and wiggle my fingers. “Fire,” I repeat.
“Rire,” he says back, robotically wiggling his fingers.
“Yes,” I squeak.Finally, we are getting somewhere.
“Food.” I point to the rabbit and mimic chewing with my mouth. “Food.”
“Rrrd.” He tries.
“Fff–” I point to me biting my bottom lip. “Fffooood.”
Slowly he plays with his teeth in front of his lips before he says, “Fffrood.”
“Yes! Yes, Renall.”
His eyes glitter when I say his name. I pause to look at it. He looks as though he wants to kiss me again. Gods, I might just let him. My panties are still damp. He knows it too. He eyes me up and down for a few seconds, waiting expectantly.
“No, Renall.” I shake my head.
“No?” he repeats, his face falling.
“Colton, my brother, just died. I’m … I’m … just sad.” My shoulders slump.
He looks at me, confusion furrowing his brow. I sigh. “Colton …” I reach for the pants in my pack and hold it up for him to smell him, “Colton—my brother.” I point to myself.
