Page 36 of Chieftain
"Scratch my ass," I grumbled, snatching the pack from the ground and putting it on the bench to better dig for supplies. "You've been stabbed."
“It is nothing,” Khaion snorted. “I have received many worse wounds. I heal quickly.”
The glance I shot him dripped with exasperation. Thankfully, Orzon packed for every emergency. The pack held water, cloth, emergency rations of jerky, several protein bars, and a small Medical kit.
“People die from wounds like this on Earth,” I grumbled, wetting a wad of alien gauze—which reminded me of a fluffy cleaning sponge.
“Humans are brave, but your bodies are weak.” Khaion snorted. “Your flesh breaks too easily.”
“I won’t argue with that.” Khaion’s pelted skin was thick, making the wound's edges look like ripped suede. Running my fingertips over his skin, I remembered my mother's green velvet cloak. It was exquisitely soft, and I spent hours stroking the plush fabric as a child.
I want to spend hours stroking Khaion’s skin as well… all over his body.
My fingers trembled against his skin, and I jerked them away. Damn, this twenty-something body with all its urges! Although, honestly, I couldn't remember being this lusty when I was twenty-something the first time. Those years were spent up to my neck in books, studying while trying to pass law school and the bar exam. I'd been cute but downplayed the fact to avoid the opposite sex. My father was a cop and worked two jobs to put me through college—making him proud was the most important thing. Other than my piece of crap ex, I only had one other serious boyfriend, and I didn't remember either of them making my body hum as Khaion did with a simple touch.
I focused on the wound, cleaned it thoroughly, and found something in the Medical kit that looked like a clear plastic Band-Aid to cover the area. Once adhered to the skin, the bandage transformed, edges sizzling as it melded to the wound.
“You are doing well. Were you a healer on Earth?" Khaion glanced over his shoulder, brow cocked.
"Healer," I snorted with a roll of my eyes. "No, but I raised two boys, so I know my way around a bandage. I wasa prosecutor on Earth. I’ve put people in prison for doling out wounds far less serious than this.”
“Prosecutor?” He said the word slowly, tasting every syllable. A deep furrow grew between his bronze brows.
“Do you not know that word?” I guessed at his expression. Since Khaion's English came from study rather than an implanted translator, his vocabulary might be limited.
"I do." The broad, muscular shoulders tensed fractionally. I thought at first it was from the discomfort of the bandage melding to his flesh until he added, "Aren’t those who prosecute deemed evil on your world as on mine?”
My hands fell away from the ministrations to his wound. Immediately there was an inch at my fingertips, a faint tingling sensation I knew would abate if I touched him again. I clenched my hands into fists, ignoring the feeling, and focused instead on the idea that Khaion thought I was some kind of villain back on Earth.
“I think you’re thinking ofpersecute.” I guessed. “On Earth, a prosecutor works for the justice system and punishes criminals," I told him, replacing the Medical kit in the leather pack and taking a spot beside him on the bench.
"Ahhh." A look of relief flickered over his face. "I understand the difference now. “The gold eyes narrowed on me appraisingly. “So, you are a peacekeeper like me.”
“Sort of.”
Khaion stretched, the muscles in his back rippling. He still issued a grimace of pain, but it wasn’t as severe. “My back feels better, thank you.”
I'd never been one for self-deprecation, but his expression of gratitude, the way his golden eyes swept over me, and the smile that curved his lips made me squirm. How he looked at me like I was a combination of priceless treasure and decadent dessert made my skin tingle. It also made other things tingle, but I wasn't ready to admit that. "You got stabbed protecting me. It was the least I could do," I said nonchalantly. "It's not like I can charge the Kerzak with aggravated assault."
Khaion shifted, which drew him nearer. He was in a relaxed pose—I was glad he didn't feel further discomfort. His broad, muscular chest looked inviting, and I could imagine sliding over a few inches to curl against him...
Good God, Emmy, get a grip!
“I am ashamed to admit, in my studies of your planet, I did not read much about your justice system—since in space, all are subject to Alliance law." At least Khaion didn't have his mind in the gutter like me.
“Well, on Earth, peacekeepers like you are called the police.” I crossed my arms as a signal to my body to behave. “The police catch the bad guys, and my job as a prosecutor comes in afterward. Even the guilty can present their side of the story in our justice system. I work on the police side and argue that the bad guy should be in jail for their crimes.”
“You argue for your job?” One dark brow rose slowly.
“I guess you could put it like that.”
“And you received payment for it.”
“Yes, I did.”
“You must be very wealthy on Earth.”
My mouth fell, and I considered begin offended until I saw the twitch of full tan lips trying to suppress a smile.
