Page 112 of Bride of Choice

“Kill me,” I panted out, dry heaving. “Take the leg- My head! Add it to the other warnings! I don’t care! Just kill me now!”

Through the corner of my eye, I watched him stiffen. Gopher was doing a wonderful job playing the heavy, snarling and snapping his jaws at Doogie when the male drew too close.

“Doogie stupid. Rothy hears… skin Doogie ‘live…” Berkr muttered as he left us be to yark in peace.

“I think I saw blood,” I garbled out, wiping at my mouth, causing Gopher to stand up and scare Doogie off.

“Is he gone?” I whispered, daring a peek at Gopher.

Gopher nodded and dropped down next to me. “How leg?” he asked softly, grimacing as he caught a whiff of me.

“That snake spit I drank is wearing off,” I muttered with a wince as I made to stand.

“Gopher find more,” he grunted out.

“I’d rather not,” I admitted. Reaching out, I gently grabbed his arm. “I don’t want to be alone.”

“Rek-” he started to say, but shut up at the look on my face. “Jo…”

“I know,” I said simply, letting his arm go, hands shooting up, nodding along for the sake of shutting him up.

Squinting off towards Doogie’s retreating, forlorn form, I gave my purse a pat.

Retrieving the water skin Gopher had offered, I made use of it and the powdered minty tasting leaves I kept on hand that I brushed my teeth with for a quick rinse.

“Jo?” Gopher rumbled out softly.

“I don’t-” Shaking my head, I sighed heavily. “I don’t want to do this, not right now.” Taking a much needed deep breath, I girded myself for him to pick me up but much as I tried I couldn’t hide how good it felt to be in his arms again.

“Rek stupid... but Go’ think- not bad male,” he grudgingly told me.

“Thanks so much for your opinion on a relationship you’re not involved in,” I quipped caustically, hoping my nasty ‘tude would shut him up.

“Bum-bum not good mate,” he hastily added.

“Don’t,” I softly warned him. “He’s saved my bacon more than I care to think about. Do not go badmouthing Snow Patrol to me.”

“Not good for Jo mate,” he stressed.

“Is this about the kissing thing?” I asked.

We were right on the edge of camp but everyone was so busy putting up a makeshift shelter for the night so the human amongst them didn’t freeze to death we might as well have been invisible.

“He only did that to shut me up.” With a long suffering sigh, I rolled my eyes. “That’s exactly why Odix did it. Pfft. And you all say I’m touches feelies.”

Something flashed in Gopher’s eyes, his chest starting to rumble deeply with it, but he squashed that shit real quick, just like he had that stupid lump in my chest.

“She tired. Give.” Rek motioned for Gopher to hand me over, walking right up to us to start snapping demands without preamble.

“I am?” My brows quirked.

“Yes,” he said simply.

“You heard the man, Gogo boots. I’m tired. Hand me over,” I snarked.

Gopher would have leaned in to press his forehead with mine but I jerked back, effectively rebuffing his attempt at affection.

Before Gopher could react, I leapt into Rek’s arms. Rek smirked with satisfaction, a brief snicker leaving him, aimed at Gopher, who bared his teeth at Rek, before we parted ways.

---