Page 31 of Green Ravens

Sawyer ducked his head. “You.”

“I suggest you think about something worthwhile.”

“You’re worth all my while.”

Oakley’s smile was shy and charming.

“Come ’ere, Cassanova.” Oakley poured some coconut water on a wide palm leaf. “Let me rub this on your burns. Coconut oil can help with burns. Let’s see if this helps.”

Sawyer went to Oakley and dropped to his knees between his legs. Submitted to his healer and warrior.

“Damn, Sawyer.” Oakley stared into his eyes for several charged seconds. “If you only knew…”

Oh, I know.

Oakley cupped his chin, then tilted his head up and to the left. The first touch of the smooth leaf to his cheek stung, but it wasn’t long before the coolness began to seep into his wounds.

Warmth radiated from Oakley’s touch. Even amid the discomfort, the chief’s concern and tenderness did crazy things in Sawyer’s chest.

The loudness of the jungle began to fade, and it was just the two of them.

Oakley not only tended to the burns of his body but of his spirit as well.

Chief Aiken Oakley

Once Sawyer’s charred skin was saturated with the fragrant water, they climbed the thick roots of the huge tree and balanced the best they could on two branches. Oakley pulled Sawyer close.

Sawyer was between his legs with his back pressed against his chest. He kept his arms around him and tightened his grip anytime Sawyer tensed at a nearby growl or shriek. He hadn’t fully relaxed since the tarantula dropped on his shoulder.

The sky was getting darker, and neither of them said much.

Oakley was so tired he felt he could sleep for a week straight.

If he was that beat, he could only imagine how Sawyer felt. But the other chief hadn’t bitched or complained one time.

“How are you feeling?”

Sawyer shifted and turned his head so his lips brushed Oakley’s throat.

The growly hum he released made his cock take notice.

“What does that mean?” He chuckled, nudging Sawyer’s left cheek.

“It means it’s the same answer it’s always been.” Sawyer sighed. “Achy and tired as fuck.”

“I understand, but I know you can hack it.” He gently grazed his thumb along the burns on Sawyer’s right side. “Your one tough sonofabitch.”

“I’d rather a few burns than death.”

“Yeah. If you were dead, we wouldn’t be able to come back with a new boat and hunt down every one of those motherfuckers who blew us out of the water.”

“Fuck yeah. And we’ll do it together. We’ll get us a—”

“Holy shit!” Oakley sat up so fast he almost knocked Sawyer out of the tree.

“What? What is it…? Where?”

He steadied Sawyer, gripped his chin, and turned his head toward the north.

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