“Riding your face was perfection,” she said. “While I’d love to play with your cock and your hole, I’m not much of a penetration fan.”
“Well, I’m happy to take the bullet—or mechanical cock in this instance—any time you like.”
“Noted,” she said, a coy smile on her lips. “I left that in a drop site back in Tunbrae.”
“Not a terrible detour from Brynhurst,” I commented. “Might be able to make a stop before heading back home.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” she responded and settled back on her elbows.
“Did you not bring any blankets or cots?” I’d planned on renting bedding at the campsite, which explained my situation, but hers didn’t make as much sense.
She shook her head. “I’m used to sleeping on the earth.”
I raised a brow. “That seems terrible for the back. What if you get a muscle pull in the middle of trying to hunt a mark?”
She snorted. “I’ve managed so far. I stay limber.”
I hopped up and managed to collect a bundle of fallen leaves, which would make do to soften the ground a bit more. Then I grabbed my pack and put it in place for a makeshift pillow. Once I stretched out, I opened my arm in her direction. “Come on,” I offered. “I’ve got pillows here.”
She eyed my tits and rolled her eyes. “That’s a terrible line. But you’ve got pretty magnificent breasts, so I’m not going to turn down the chance to rest on those.”
I preened again. She was good for my ego. I’d worked hard to grow them, and they made me feel pretty, which I rarely got the chance to bask in. Most folks…well, they didn’t always see me like that.
Kali scooted in beside me and settled her head on my chest. The weight of her settled something needy inside me that was desperate for contact. Usually, I had Socks by my side, so I didn’t feel as lonely, even if I’d always wanted a partner. For a prickly mercenary type, Kali was a lot kinder and warmer than I’d anticipated, and I liked her dry sense of humor, opposite of mine.
“You’re not wrong,” she murmured. “You’re damn comfortable to cuddle with, and I’m not the cuddling type.”
“We could be conserving body heat if that makes it better,” I said.
Kali glanced up. “We’re right beside a fire in the middle of Midsummer. Don’t think heat’s an issue right now.”
I shrugged. “I’m a cuddler by nature, so I make no apologies.”
Kali snorted. “You’re ridiculous is what you are.” The way she said it though, with brazen affection, made my chest take flight with butterflies. I had camaraderie at home, and my friends loved me, but the singular way Kali looked at me caused hope to ignite like a wildfire inside me. Which was ridiculous, as she was a mercenary with her own life, and we’d just met earlier today.
Yet, I hadn’t experienced a connection this easy or deep in a long, long while, and I wasn’t ready to give it up yet.
I stared up at the sky, comforted by the warmth of Kali pressed against my side, of the quiet that settled between us like an exhale. The jarros trilled their nighttime melody, one that was all-encompassing, threading with distant bird calls. Wisps of all different colors sparkled through the trees, their gentle light softer than starlight yet no less beautiful. Kali’s breaths evened even if she wasn’t asleep yet. Someone like her, I imagined she didn’t rest easily.
However, I was exhausted from the day, comfortable right now, and I was happy to lead the way to slumber.
I closed my eyes, and within minutes, the world faded away.
Chapter four
When I woke in the morning, Kali wasn’t there.
My brows drew together, and I hopped up from where I’d been lying. The fire was out, and our belongings were packed up, but the sacks were still there. The freewhills sang through the trees, and pale, early sunlight cast through the dense trees in sparkling rays. I’d thought for sure I’d be the first one up, but maybe Kali didn’t sleep. Being constantly on the move lent itself to vigilance.
The crunch of twigs sounded, and I whirled around.
Kali approached with a sack full of reddish berries. I squinted, trying to figure out what ones they were.
“I figured I’d handle breakfast,” she said, lifting them up. “You’re more of a berry person, right?”
I picked up one of them and sniffed. Then I pierced it with my nail, and the juice ran out a slight purplish color. “First kidnapping and now poison?”
Kali paled. “What do you mean? They’re naturaliss berries, right?”
