The Girl and the Lion (Sanctuary Book 1) Page 6

  Time seemed to slow as he gazed down at her. He’d told her to take the time to appreciate the beauty of their surroundings, but right then, she was the most beautiful thing in all of creation. She was his moment of calm in the storm.

  Dimitri took her gently by the arms and turned her around to face him. She gazed up at him, her eyes wide and curious. She was so gorgeous his heart hurt, unable to handle the feelings filling him up.

  He couldn’t hold himself back any longer. All thoughts of keeping things friendly evaporated. She opened her mouth to speak. But words weren’t what this moment needed.

  He smothered her mouth with a kiss.

  Chapter 7

  The kiss took her breath away, stifling whatever words she’d been about to speak. His lips were soft but urgent, as if he couldn’t control himself.

  The passion in him was surprising. Almost overwhelming. But it was thrilling, too. Knowing that a man as sexy as Dimitri wanted her made her feel desirable. She hadn’t felt that way in a long time.

  Sadie rose up to meet his kiss, matching his intensity. Her body drifted close to his in the water. His skin was warm against hers, just the way she’d imagined it. What she hadn’t imagined was the hard, hot length of him pressing against her.

  She’d seen him naked plenty, considering the short amount of time she’d known him, but feeling his thickness probing at her was a whole different experience altogether. It made her head spin with arousal, like she was drunk or tripping on some kind of drug. But Dimitri was more potent than any drug. More powerful and more intoxicating.

  She melted into him, savoring the sensation of his arms holding her close. He held her steady in the flowing water, making her feel safe and stable. The moment of peace he kept talking about finally made sense to her.

  All of the troubles looming around them felt far away. Still there, but they didn’t weigh on her like they had. The only thing in her mind was the feel of his lips on hers, the touch of his hands on her skin, and the warm ache throbbing in her core.

  Then she felt something else.

  A kind of nipping at her legs. It was quick and not painful, but there was definitely something going on beneath the water that had nothing to do with Dimitri. “What is that?”

  Dimitri pulled back from her. “What?”

  “Don’t you feel that?”

  “I’m feeling a lot of things,” he said, his voice a deep rumble.

  “No, there’s something in the water.”

  Dimitri paused. Then he laughed. “I think we just found our dinner.”

  “Yeah, too bad we don’t have any fishing gear.”

  “Who needs fishing gear? I’ve got this.”

  She raised her eyebrow at him skeptically. “Oh, is that right?”

  “It is. Just watch the master work.”

  Sadie shrugged and splashed her way to the shore. The sun felt warm on her exposed skin as she emerged from the cool stream. She turned to watch Dimitri in the water, wringing the water from her hair as she did.

  He watched her from his spot in the water. Eyes wide open, just like his mouth. A flush crept over her cheeks as she realized what he was staring at. She glanced down at herself. Her wet underwear clung to her like a second skin, leaving nothing to the imagination.

  A part of her felt self-conscious, but for some reason she didn’t cover up. There was nothing offensive about the way he looked at her. Not like when most guys ogled her. She liked when Dimitri looked at her, liked the genuine appreciation in his eyes. He looked at her like she was beautiful. What’s more, she felt beautiful when he looked at her.

  She found herself standing up straighter, pushing her breasts out in what she hoped was a subtle way. And she sucked in her stomach just a bit, trying to give him the best view of her.

  It seemed to work. Dimitri grinned at her. “You know, you’re very distracting,” he said.

  “You’re the one who is always walking around naked. At least I’m still wearing underwear.”

  He shook his head. “I know. I kind of wish you weren’t.”

  His boldness sent a shiver through her that had nothing to do with the cool water on her skin. “Aren’t you supposed to get us dinner?”

  “Right,” he said, tearing his gaze from her to look at the surface of the water.

  Dimitri stood stock still, his muscles tense, his eyes keen and alert. Then he plunged his arm into the water like a snake striking, almost too fast to see. His hand came out with a wriggling fish the size of his forearm. Its scales dazzling in the sun.

  “Ha,” he cried out, holding the fish up for her approval. “Told you I was the master.”

  Then he tossed the fish onto the shore by her feet. She jumped as it flopped around her, letting out a squealing laugh as she moved away. “Don’t throw your fish at me,” she said, still laughing.

  Dimitri laughed too. “I wasn’t throwing it at you. You’re just in the way.”

  He plunged his hand into the water again and pulled out another fish. “Heads up.” He tossed it at her again.

  She sidestepped the fishy projectile, laughing as she did. “I’m gonna get you for that.”

  He gave her a wide-eyed innocent look. “It’s not me. It’s the fish. I think they like you.”

  “Uh huh,” she said. “Well the next little fishy that lands near me is going back in the water.”

  “You’re no fun,” he said with a smile. “All right, check this out.”

  He poised himself over the water again in his hunting stance. His eyes flicked back and forth over the surface of the water, following the underwater movement of things she couldn’t see. Then he struck, this time plunging both hands into the water.

  When he came back up, he was holding a wiggling fish in each hand. He held them up triumphantly. “Did you see that? Were you watching?”

  “I saw. Are you trying to impress me?”

  He shrugged. “Maybe. Did it work?”

  She grinned. “A little.”

  “Just a little? Damn, tough crowd. Maybe I should throw them back.”

  “Don’t you dare!”

  “Fine. But only because you saved my life.”

  “Yeah, and it’s almost time for your next dose of tea. We should head back.”

  “As you wish.”

  He splashed his way out of the water. Sadie couldn’t stop herself from watching the dripping water glisten off his body. The cool stream had done nothing to shrink the massive equipment between his legs. Now that was impressive, she thought.

  And it wasn’t just the sight of his naked body. It was the whole thing. A big, burly man bringing her supper that he’d caught with his bare hands. There was something primal and satisfying about it. It triggered something in the cavewoman part of her brain, making him the most alluring man she’d ever laid eyes on.

  It wasn’t like she needed a man to take care of her, but there was something sexy about knowing that he could take care of her. He was strong and capable. If any man could get her out of the mess she was in, it was Dimitri.

  ***

  “It’s been a long time since a man made me dinner,” Sadie said, as Dimitri hovered over the fire, tending to the fish.

  “Yeah, well. Don’t get your hopes up. I don’t have a lot to work with out here.”

  Despite his modesty, the scent of the fish simmering in the pot over the fire was making her mouth water. Sure, she was hungry, but that didn’t change the fact that it smelled delicious.

  “So where does a guy like you learn to cook? You don’t seem like the domestic type.”

  He shot her an amused look. “What? Because I’m a guy?”

  “Well, not just that. You said the only thing you were good at is fighting.”

  He sat back and watched the fish sizzle. “Believe it or not, I learned this out in the field.”

  “Don’t they give you guys food?”

  He smiled. “Sure, but plans change. Things take longer than they’re supposed to. You get separated from the supp
ly line. You learn to adapt real fast.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know how you did it.”

  “Did what?”

  “I don’t know. Fight. Run into danger instead of away from it. Put your life on the line.”

  “Eh, it’s not so heroic as all that. Mostly what I thought about was the soldiers beside me. We were like brothers, and you look out for your brothers. I tried to make sure the men beside me would make it home, even if it meant I wouldn’t.”

  “Sounds pretty heroic to me.”

  He went back to tending the fish. “Maybe. But I’ve never thought of it that way. I wasn’t a hero, but I served with heroes. They got me through it. They took care of me.”

  “And now you want to take care of them?” Sadie asked. He looked at her questioningly. “With Garrett, I mean.”

  “Sure, I suppose. The bond didn’t end just because we made it home. If they need help, I’ll be there. And Garrett needs help.” He moved the pot off the fire, setting it down to let it cool.

  Sadie nodded. “It seems all of our problems lead back to the same source. Whoever Garrett got mixed up with, we need to find them. We need to stop them.”

  “That’s true, but this isn’t your fight. I got you into this mess. I’ll get you out of it.”

  Anger rose within her. “You’re not going to do this alone. It’s my problem, too. I’m a part of this. You’re not going to cut me out of it.”

  He scrubbed his hand through his close-cropped hair. “You’re a brave woman. I’ll give you that. But I can’t risk you getting hurt.”

  “I’m not some damsel in distress who needs protecting. Like it or not, I’m in this as deep as you. I can’t go back home. I can’t go back to the Sanctuary. I can’t go back to my life. So I’m going to help. I’ll do whatever it takes to put an end to this, once and for all.”

  “You don’t know what you’re asking. This is no joke.”

  Sadie stood up as best as she could in the cramped cave. “I know this is no joke. I was there when the bullets were flying. I was there when you were dying.”

  Dimitri exhaled heavily. “You’re right. But it doesn’t mean I want you in the line of fire again. If something were to happen to you, I couldn’t bear it.”

  She moved to sit beside him and put her hand on his arm. He turned to look at her, the firelight dancing in his eyes. The look of affection in his gaze was enough to break her heart.

  “Nothing is going to happen to me. And nothing is going to happen to you. We’ll take care of each other. And we’ll make it through this.”

  “When you say it, I can actually believe it. You know, I’m sorry I got you into this, but I’m glad we’re in this together.”

  “Me too,” she said breathlessly.

  He leaned down and kissed her, lighting a fire in her veins. Then he was on top of her, his dead weight pushing her to the cave floor.

  Dimitri had passed out.

  ***

  He felt someone slapping his face. His mouth had an acrid taste in it. He heard a sweet voice calling to him.

  “Come on, big guy. Come back to me.”

  His eyelids flickered open. Sadie was crouched in front of him, her face a shadow in the fire. “I could get used to waking up like this,” he said.

  “Well, looks who’s back. I know I’m a good kisser, but I’ve never made a guy faint before.”

  He smiled weakly. “What can I say? You make me weak in the knees.”

  “Flattery will get you nowhere. You still need to drink more of your medicine.” She brought the canteen up to his lips and dribbled some of the oddly bluish liquid down into his mouth.

  He grimaced at the taste but managed to swallow it. “This tastes like refried asshole.”

  She grinned. “Well, that’s how you know it’s medicine. Open up.”

  He took another swig, downing it quickly like a shot of liquor. “Couldn’t you at least mix it with something?”

  “I’m fresh out of mixers. I haven’t been able to make it to the grocery store. Now stop being a baby and drink.”

  He downed the last of it. Despite the taste, he could feel his strength returning to him almost instantly. The medicine coursed through his veins like a cool breeze.

  “Thank you,” he said, his voice stronger now.

  “Finally, a little gratitude. Such a good patient.” She booped him on the nose with her finger gently. “You’ve earned yourself a lollipop. Well, if I had one. How does cold fish sound?”

  He smiled. “It actually sounds amazing. I’m starving.”

  “Good. You need your strength.” She brought over the fish. “We’re fresh out of utensils. You’re going to have to use your hands.”

  “Fine by me.”

  Dimitri ripped a hunk of fish from the pot. True to Sadie’s word, it was cold, but the taste of it was like heaven. Not to mention it helped rid his mouth of the foul taste of the medicine.

  Sadie nibbled at her own piece of fish, watching him eat while she did. “It looks like you’re feeling better,” she said, sounding relieved.

  “I am,” he said between mouthfuls of fish. “That witches’ brew of yours is something else.”

  “Are you calling me a witch?”

  “Hell no, you’re an angel. And that shit tastes like hell but feels like heaven.”

  She seemed pleased with his answer by the look on her face. “See? You need me. How can you run off to battle without me?”

  He threw his hands up in surrender. “I’m convinced. I’m convinced.”

  “Good. So what’s the plan?”

  He shook his head. “First thing’s first. I need the antidote.”

  “Oh, come on. The medicine doesn’t taste that bad.”

  He grinned. “Almost. But I mean I need to be at full strength.”

  “Well, I told you, I don’t know how to make the antidote. That isn’t in my father’s files. Maybe if I had more time, access to my lab, I could figure it out.”

  “Yeah, that’s out. So that leaves one option. We have to get the antidote from the assholes who poisoned me. And to do that, we’re going to have to find them.”

  Sadie nodded. “So I guess that means our little vacation is over?”

  “We still have tonight. Then we take the fight to them.”

  Chapter 8

  Before he’d finished his second fish, Dimitri’s eyelids were already drooping closed. Sadie noticed, but didn’t say anything. The man needed his rest.

  Whatever fight was coming tomorrow, he’d need to be as strong as possible.

  His breathing steadied and softened. He looked so peaceful reclined against the curve of the cave wall. Her wounded lion.

  She’d only seen him shift once, but the man was amazing in either form. It was crazy how normal it had all become to her. The existence of shifters. Her father’s secret life. A bunch of assholes trying to kill her.

  She kept waiting for the freakout to happen. For her to break down and lose her shit. But it hadn’t come. Either she was stronger than she ever imagined or being with Dimitri made it all seem less scary. Or maybe all his talk about finding peace in the storm had rubbed off on her.

  Or maybe she was just too tired to take it all in.

  It had been a long couple of days, taking care of Dimitri, sleeping on the cold ground, and trying to survive in the woods. She’d been forced to worry about the problems right in front of her, not the problems of the future.

  The problem in front of her right now was making sure Dimitri was strong enough to get through whatever was coming next. She moved the pot of fish away from him. Then she gently pulled him to the ground, stretching him out on the soft bed of leaves that served as his mattress.

  His skin was cold to the touch. She could feel him shivering. The medicine was doing its work, but it took a toll on his body.

  She stirred the fire and added a few branches. The flickering flames were warm, but they didn’t seem to have any effect on Dimitri’s chills.

 
She didn’t dare make the fire any bigger. Not because she was worried about someone seeing it, but because a bigger fire meant more smoke. The cave didn’t have the best ventilation, and more smoke would make the cramped space suffocating.

  She turned to look at him, considering her options. The old fashioned way would have to do.