Page 13 of Alokar
“I only caught two rabbits tonight,” he commented with a slight frown of disappointment, but then gestured toward a pile of small, round tubers nestled among the glowing coals. “But I discovered an abundance of these growing along the riverbank.”
“Not surprising, Wapato thrives in wet, marshy soil.” I used the charred end of a stick to poke at the wild vegetables, my mouth already watering at the thought of their distinctive flavor, which reminded me of a cross between a sweet potato and fresh corn.
Ewok turned his face toward me and flashed the grin that never failed to make my stomach flutter. That’s when I saw it.
His thick, wavy hair was unmistakably damp, dark tendrils clinging to the strong column of his neck. His flannel shirt also showed telltale patches of moisture—not the uniform dampness of perspiration, but rather errant spots and streaks that resulted from him hastily pulling it over skin that hadn’t properly dried.
What the actual fuck!
The realization hit me like a physical blow. He’d apparently bathed while he was away hunting. So why wouldn’t he get in the pond with me? My mind raced through every possible explanation I could conjure—none of them flattering.
Maybe he found me physically repulsive? Granted, my Native American heritage was obvious in my features, but I’d been told often enough by others to believe I wasn’t exactly hideous. Not to mention the way his gaze lingered on me, sometimes with an intensity that made me feel likethe most beautiful creature he’d ever encountered. Perhaps he thought me completely unhinged because I was so obsessively determined to track down Bigfoot? But he seemed every bit as committed as I was to hunting and destroying the monster that had torn my world apart.
“Do you think I should prepare a stew?” His deep voice jerked me abruptly from my spiraling inner monologue. He gazed at me with those warm brown eyes, smiling as he held up my small camping pot, its dented aluminum surface visible.
I wanted to tell him to take his damn stew and shove it somewhere anatomically uncomfortable, but my better judgment prevailed over my wounded pride. “Sure, it’ll be good with the Wapato.”
He nodded at my suggestion and flashed another one of those heart-stopping grins before beginning to tear the tender rabbit meat into bite-sized pieces.
“I’m going to check on Jubal and Bertha,” I announced, unable to sit still for another minute, confusion and hurt churning in my chest like a brewing storm. Ewok just nodded, oblivious to my upset.
The animals grazed contentedly on the watercress and sweet grass that grew in lush patches near the river’s edge. I’d carefully arranged my worn leather saddle and the canvas packs that Bertha dutifully carried atop a smooth boulder nearby. I retrieved a stiff-bristled brush from my saddlebag and began working it through Jubal’s coarse coat in long, methodical strokes, finding comfort in the familiar warmth of his sturdy body and his soothing, earthy, equine scent.
“Maybe I’m completely losing my mind,” I muttered, and Jubal’s ears twitched in response to my voice. “Maybe I’m so pathetically inexperienced that I’ve completely misread every signal.” Jubal released a knowing snort that seemed to agree with my self-assessment.
Bertha whinnied from where she stood nearby, as if offering feminine solidarity and commiserating that males were indeed strange, utterly infuriating creatures that defied all logic and understanding.
After ensuring both animals were properly settled for the night, I returned to the fire, now thoroughly convinced that I’d grossly misinterpreted Ewok’s protective behavior and that he simply accompanied me out of some misguided sense of duty to keep me from getting myself killed.
The rabbit stew was bubbling merrily in the pot, its rich, savory aroma perfuming the evening air, but even that delicious scent couldn’t completely mask Ewok’s distinctly masculine smell. An intoxicating combination of wood smoke, pine, leather, and something indefinably wild that never failed to make my pulse quicken.
“This is truly a perfect spot,” he said with obvious satisfaction, giving the stew a careful stir before touching the wooden spoon to his tongue for a quick taste test.
“It’s always been one of my absolute favorites.” Well, it had been until tonight. Now I would forever remember it as the place where Ewok rejected my invitation to swim together and made me feel foolish.
“If you decide against returning to school, perhaps you could make a living leading hunting expeditions. I’m genuinelyimpressed by your knowledge of the terrain and your natural instincts.”
“Thank you.” I couldn’t suppress the small smile that tugged at the corners of my mouth despite my wounded feelings.
Ewok moved away from the fire, settling beside me so close that if I’d shifted even an inch, my shoulder would have pressed against his side. The proximity made my skin tingle with awareness.
“I love it here,” he sighed with contentment, letting his gaze wander across the horizon where the dying sun painted the sky in brilliant explosions of molten gold and deep crimson. “I could stay here forever.” His eyes found mine, soft and impossibly deep in the flickering firelight. “Especially with you.”
What the actual fuck?
“Why didn’t you get in the pond with me?” The words burst from my lips before I could stop them, frustration and confusion finally boiling over.
Ewok blinked at me in bewilderment, his dark brows drawing together. “What do you mean?”
“When I went swimming in the pond, I asked you to join me, but you refused and went to hunt instead.” I reached out to touch the damp edge of his flannel shirt, feeling the lingering moisture beneath my fingertips. “But when you got back, your hair was wet and your shirt damp, like you had bathed somewhere else. Why didn’t you want to get in the water with me?”
Ewok’s gaze flickered away from mine, focusing intently on the dancing flames as if they held the answers. “I didn’t think it would be appropriate.”
“Appropriate?” It was my turn to be confused, at least for a moment, until a mortifying realization dawned.
“Oh, shit!” I hadn’t even considered the possibility. “You’re married, aren’t you?” The words tumbled out as embarrassment flooded through me.
“No,” Ewok chuckled softly, the sound rich and warm. “I am not mated—married.”
