Page 52 of Claimed By the Alien Barbarian

Stunned, I could only blink at her for a moment. “You don’t need to do this.”

“You washed mine.” Her voice deepened. “My body too. I’m going to do the same thing for you.”

“You’re sure?”

“Nevarn.” A warning came through in her voice.

“Kerry?”

The smile she gave me sunk through my skin and soothed something deep inside me, a place no one else had ever touched. “I’m sure others have done nice things for you.”

“My mother when I was small. She’d stroke my brow if I was sick. My father used to take me hunting to show me how it was done. He helped me raise and train Faelest. My brother would play with me sometimes. He’s a few years older than me, and my grandfather took over his care when he was young to prepare him for assuming the role of traedor after our father was gone. But my parents died when I was twelve, so my grandfather worked that much harder with Firion, taking up most of his time.”

“What about you? He must’ve realized you might have to take the role of traedor if something happened to your brother or he didn’t want it.”

“Firion has always wanted to lead. I wasn’t sure, and my grandfather didn’t like that. He gave me basic instructions but mostly left me to raise myself.”

“And then didn’t believe you when Weela was murdered.”

I shook my head, not liking how this conversation was going. I could sense she felt pity for me when all I wanted was love.

Her brow remained tight as she studied my face before she nodded. “Alright. Let’s do your hair. Lean back.”

I did as she asked, closing my eyes as she gently wet and lathered my hair. She massaged my scalp, and it felt so good, a groan slid up my throat. After she’d rinsed my hair, she nudged me back to lean against the side of the tub. “I’m going to take care of you, Nevarn, because you deserve all that’s good in life and it starts right now.”

I wasn’t sure what she meant by that, but I enjoyed the feel of her hands on my body and the kindness in her eyes.

It was only when she tossed aside the washing cloth and climbed onto my lap that my eyes popped open.

Chapter 27

Kerry

What was it with these people pretty much abandoning a child of twelve to basically raise himself? If his grandfather was still around, I’d chew him out. Instead, my sadness for Nevarn was mixed with growing feelings of love, and I was determined to show him.

I kissed along his jawline to his neck and moved down to his chest. His nipples responded to a light stroke of my fingers, puckering, and I couldn’t resist running my tongue across them.

He moaned, and his cocks thrust up against his abs.

Moving down across his belly, I grinned when his skin quivered from my touch. Ticklish, eh? I liked that about this guy. He was sweetly vulnerable yet incredibly strong. Determined. And kind.

His body was perfect, even with scars networking his arms and thighs. Some might say they’d hardened him, but they showed me he’d lived.

“Where did you get these?” I asked, kissing one after another, gliding my tongue across his left then his right arm.

“Fights with others when I was young.” His words came out husky and a glance up showed his eyes gleamed with both lust and dismay.

“Practice for battle?”

“Sometimes.”

“What about the other times?” An edge crept into my voice, because I had a feeling I knew what he’d say. Damn them.

“Younglings can sometimes be mean.”

“You’re saying they bullied you.”

He shrugged and said nothing, and I got the feeling he was embarrassed by this.

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