“All right, but be gentle—it’s really tender,” she said, holding out her injured arm.Shewasn’t sure if he understood her or not but when he used the big, puffy sponge on her, he was very careful.
After the bite wound was cleaned thoroughly, he dunked the sponge in water and squeezed it until a mountain of foam came out.Thenhe nodded at her.
“Come closer…Iwill wash all of you.”
Cassie thought of protesting, but there didn’t seem to be much point.Shestepped closer reluctantly and allowed the bigBeastKindredto wash her thoroughly all over—and he really did washall over—including her breasts and between her legs.
“Hey, you really don’t have to do that!”she protested as his knuckles brushed her inner thighs and the sponge scrubbed her pussy.Atleast he wasn’t trying to grab her, but he seemed intent on washingevery bitof her body.
“I’m sorry,”Severinsaid to her and she saw sincerity in his pale blue eyes.“Iswear he wouldn’t normally act like this.Hereallydoesthink you’re his mate.”
“Well,Ihope he doesn’t think he can do the rest of theClaimingPeriodwith me,”Cassiesnapped.Shewas mortified to be standing here naked while the bigBeastKindredscrubbed between her legs.
“I don’tthinkhe’d try that,” theBloodKindredsaid but she thought she saw uncertainty in his eyes.
At last,Ravikseemed to think he was finished because he nodded at her and said in that deep, gravelly voice,
“Sit…down…now.”
Cassie was more than happy to do so.Thewater in the deep tub nearly came up to her neck, so at least she was fully covered—except for the fact that her breasts kept wanting to float up to the top of the water.
They floated anyway because she was wearing float dots that she’d gotten when she lived on theMotherShip.Thetiny anti-gravity devices looked like little red jewels.Whenplaced on the underside of a heavy breast, they caused it to lift which madeCassie’sformerly drooping ta-tas to look surprisingly perky.
She’d loved the float dots from the moment she first put them on but right at the moment, she was wishing they weren’tquiteso good at their job.Shejust wanted to cover herself—she’d had enough of being naked in front of two strange males to last her a lifetime!
Of course, they were both very attractive—theywereKindredafter all—but they were too young for her and besides, she didn’tknowthem.Also, ever since she’d started perimenopause, her sex drive had completely died.Soit didn’t matter how good looking they were—she wasn’t interested.
But just as she was sure the bigBeastKindredwas done with her, he poured a bucket of water over her head.
“Hey…what…what are you doing?”she sputtered, pushing her wet hair out of her eyes and glaring up at him.
“Must wash your hair, my mate,” he said.“Please…relax.Iwill…take care of you.”
He took her firmly by the shoulder and had her lean back against the side of the tub.Thenhe applied a shampoo that smelled like someone had drowned a bunch of flowers in cherry cough syrup.
Cassie didn’t like the medicinal smell at all, but she had to admit, the bigBeastKindredgave an amazing scalp massage.Shecouldn’t help relaxing as he washed her hair, working the shampoo into a lather and rubbing it into her hair and scalp.
Slowly, her eyes closed and she felt some of the tension leaving her body asRavikworked on her.Shewas aware thatSeverinwas still looking at her with an anxious expression on his face, but she tried to ignore him.Shedidn’t like theBloodKindredmuch—he was too cold and clinical, she decided.Atleast theBeastKindredwas trying to take care of her.Atleast he?—
But her thoughts cut off completely asRavikpouredanotherbucketful of water over her head.
Cassie sat up, gasping and swiping at her eyes.
“Ugh!”Warnme before you do that!”she exclaimed.
“So-rry,”Ravikrumbled.“Mustwash soap out.”
“Yes, welltellme first next time!”Cassieexclaimed and then wondered if there was going tobea next time.Wasshe going to be stuck here, playing theBeastKindred’smate for long?
Even if you are, isn’t it better than being out in theDeadZone, waiting for anInfectedto bite you again or for the virus to take hold so you turn into anInfectedyourself?she asked herself.Atleast in here you have a chance—Severinmight be able to cure you before you turn.Hemight be a cold-hearted jerk, but he’s still a scientist and whatever he gave toRavikcertainly seems to be working.
Yes, staying here in the hidden bunker with the twoKindredwas definitely better, she decided.Evenif she had to playBondedMateswith the hugeBeastKindred, at least she was safe from being bitten again or torn to pieces.
So she didn’t complain whenRavikdumped yet another bucket of water over her head.Shejust sputtered quietly and wiped her long, wet hair out of her eyes.Andwhen he motioned to her and said,
“Stand, mate,” she stood obediently and let him help her out of the bath.Sheeven let him dry her off with a large towel and towel-dry her hair.Butwhen he tried to put his arms around her and pull her close to him, she put her hands on his broad chest and shook her head.
“No—let me get dressed again,” she said firmly.“I’mcold—Ineed clothes.”
