Page 25 of Saving the Sautiitions

“He’s been administered a cure and is being monitored around the clock. He’s healing, but he’s weak.”

“This threat, is it against the village? Should we be worried for the children?” Atsatsa speaks up, gripping his spear tighter.

“No, we don’t believe the village is the intended target. Chief is the target, and if they take him out, they will go after Kari and me to take his place. I probably shouldn’t tell you all this, but how can I trust you to work with me if I’m not honest?” I shrug and meet each set of swirling eyes, putting myself on the line for them.

There’s a moment of pause before Terax steps forward, his fist thumping against his chest. “Thank you, Jeff. You have my loyalty, and that of my team as well.” The others follow suit, thumping a fist against their chests as they stare at me. I repeat the gesture and nod my head in thanks.

There’s a moment of pause as we all look at each other, waiting for the next step to be made. I clap my hands together and take a deep breath, “All right, let’s make a plan and get to it. We have a busy night ahead of us, and I need some rest.” I finish with a yawn, and they all chuckle before circling around, Terax using his spear to draw in the dirt at our feet as he directs his group of hunters. He looks to me for input when needed, and when we have a solid plan, we head out.

Chapter 17

Jeff

“Hello, everyone! Thank you all for gathering to celebrate the safe relocation of the Sautiitions to our village. Sadly, the chief and Captain Kari are unable to be here to kick this off, so I am going to attempt to handle it.” I chuckle and several people in the village do as well. I swallow as I try to figure out what to say next, but Willa takes over.

“Let us celebrate new friendships!”

The village cheers, “Yes! Praise the Great Mother!”

“Let us celebrate new neighbors!”

“Yes! Praise the Great Mother!”

“And let us rejoice in the wealth of our beautiful planet, in all that we are given, and all that we have to share! Let us celebrate!”

Cheers ring out and drums start beating as people disperse to dance, feast, and celebrate how they want. I look over the crowd and grin as I notice that a majority of the Sautiitions are covered in the fluorescent paint that Willa coated me in last time.

She pulls on my hand, smiling at me from the ground, and I step off the rock ledge to join her. “Come dance with me? I know we’re tired, but we could use a little celebrating too.” She pokes out her bottom lip in a pout and I simply melt. She’s too sweet to say no to.

“All right, one dance. Then we take some time to ourselves.” She squeals with joy and takes off toward the central fire, where others are dancing around. I stumble after her, laughing at her enthusiasm. She spins and twirls around me as I try to keep up, but honestly, I just enjoy watching her exude this amount of joy. I adore her carefree spirit.

I eventually wander away to grab a drink and relax. I stand on our porch as I watch over everything. It’s good to see everyone so happy. I look around and spot Terax, who nods at me. They’ve got everything covered for me, and I sigh, knowing that everything is handled.

When my eyes travel back to the fire pit, I’m captivated by Willa as she spins and twirls, her skirts and hair flying around her as she smiles brighter than the sun. When she slows, her chest heaving as she catches her breath, and her eyes land on me, it’s like the entire world stops spinning. She smiles that special smile just for me, the one full of love and sunshine, and I smile back, my heart racing in my chest.

She slips through the crowd, making her way to me. Our eyes never leave each other, and my heart picks up speed with every step she takes in my direction. You’d think I’d be over this overwhelming feeling I have for her by now, but that’s not true. I don’t think this feeling will ever be sated, and I honestly hope it never is.

She slowly steps up to meet me on the porch, her hands sliding up my chest to my shoulders. Her lips gently brush mine as her hands cup my face, and my entire body comes alive. I need her now. I grip her hips, spinning us so she’s pressed against the door as I grip the handle, pushing the door and us inside.

She giggles as I nip at her lips while walking her backward, kicking the door shut behind me. I walk her right into the bed, causing her to fall back onto her butt. She laughs as her hair bounces around her shoulders and I lean over her, forcing her to lie back on the mattress.

I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the sight of her beneath me like this, hair scattered around her, swollen lips, and bright eyes. She’s my wildest dreams come to life, and I need to remember that. I stare at her as my breath pauses, just taking her in and committing her to memory. Her head tilts to the side as she cups my cheek, worry seeping into her expression.

“You look so beautiful tonight. Watching you dance and smile, you glow with happiness, you know? I’m just amazed by you.” My words are hardly more than a whisper, but she smiles as she grabs my shirt, pulling me down on top of her, and I laugh as I fall.

“You’re sweet, but you know you don’t have to be such a romantic all the time, right?” She raises an eyebrow at me, and all I can do is stare. I swallow as she kisses me, her hands digging into my hair, gripping it tight as she pulls ever so slightly.

I growl as she nips my lip, and I grind my body against hers, her knee coming up beside me. I slide my hand up her leg, pushing her skirt up as I bite down on her neck. She moans as her back arches into me, and I lift my lips to her ear.

“Are you going to be my good little kitten? Listen to what I tell you?” My voice is low, gravelly with lust, which causes her to sigh and nod enthusiastically at my words. I chuckle and sit up, pulling out of her arms.

“Undress me.” I wink at her, and she jumps up, eager to do what I say. I feel a little guilty for a moment, like maybe this is some shit that Xenshay would have pulled on her, but I have to remind myself that if she isn’t living in the past, if she isn’t comparing me to Xenshay, then why should I? I watch her as she bites her lip, pulling up the hem of my shirt. Once it’s on the floor, I reach up and trace her lips with my thumb as she unties my pants, pushing them past my hips.

I stop her as she tries to drop to her knees. “Not yet. Take off your clothes.” She gives me a sexy grin and steps around me. I turn to follow her, and she shoves me onto the bed. I flop onto my back, my mouth hanging open at her bold gesture.

“If I’m going to strip for you, I might as well make it a show, huh?” She bites the tip of her finger and giggles when her eyes catch my dick twitch at the sight of her. She turns her back to me, shimmying her hips as she pulls her shirt over her head.

She glances back at me as she holds her arm out, dropping her shirt to the floor in a flourish. My teeth grind together as I try to keep myself still and not rush her through the process. I’m enjoying the show, no doubt, but I also just want to throw her down and rip her clothes off like a damn animal.

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