Tallusian Nights [Xihirian Shifters 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Ciara Lake Page B

around them. “I’m enjoying knowing you.”
    “Yep, we’ve had a great time from the first moment we met.” Zalora laughed. His teasing eased her panic.
    “Never had a better time, lovely Zalora,” He held his hand up toward her. “I’m not kidding, so let’s go.”
    “Okay, Steval Kael Braeden, here I come. You’d better catch me.” Zalora shook her finger at him then did as he suggested and slid down the smooth side. When she opened her eyes, she was in his arms. The water was cold, making her shudder against him. Warmth enclosed her as he wrapped his arms about her. For sure, he was a furnace.
    “See, I caught you. I’ll not let you go now.” He spoke close to her face. Impulsively, she kissed his uninjured cheek. However, she was amazed his injuries looked much better. Dried blood remained, but he had definitely healed. His eye did not appear as swollen.
    “Don’t you dare let me go.” She playfully smacked his arm. “I’m not swimming in this gook.”
    “Don’t worry. I’ll not let you go. Not without a fight.” He pressed her into him. “Okay, let’s get to dry land.” He kissed her mouth briskly. “I want to kiss you more.”
    “Shame on me for being so bold.” She grinned. “It’s really not like me. But I’m always starting something. I tend to get into trouble at times. We have to survive this so I can kiss you some more. ” She ran her hand through his damp hair. “Your lip, even your eye looks so much better.”
    “I heal quickly. I definitely like your kisses. You can be bold with me.” He rubbed his face against hers. “I want to do more.” His actions and his statement made a surge of desire land in her gut. For now, it was overriding her fear of their very bad circumstances. Therefore, she openly welcomed her peculiar feelings.
    Dear me, I want to do more, too. What does he mean more? What does more mean? Is he talking about more kissing? A heat wave passed through her chilled body. I totally lost my last brain cell when we crashed. I’m near death, yet I’m wanting to do more things with him. Things I’ve never done before, but he makes me feel good. I hardly know him, and we could die. Her face heated, embarrassed by her thoughts. Her breasts were tender pressed against him. In fact, she ached all over from both the landing as well as her need to be closer to him.
    “Carry this bag with your backpack”—he handed her one of their survival bags—“then get up on my back.”
    “I can walk, if it’s not too deep.” She shook her head. “I hate riding you all of the time.”
    “Don’t worry.” His eyes twinkled. “You’ll make up for it.” He winked. “Maybe I’ll ride you? Anyway, you can’t walk through this. Just get on my back.”
    “Okay.” She climbed on him, confused as to why he winked. How can I make it up? How can you ride me?
    “Hold this”—he handed her his other bag—“so I can carry my gun to be ready for saraguys or whatever.” She did exactly as instructed. Val started his trudge through the swamp. He made good time pushing through the stinky water.
    “How can I make it up? I can’t carry you.” Val was slowing. They were making it to the shore. He paused. A quiver ran through his body as he was carrying her.
    “We’ll talk about it later.” He turned his head to look at her. Her face was close to his as she rode him piggyback. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll show you what I mean later.”
    “You’re cold? I can feel you shiver.” She rubbed his chest where she gripped him.
    “Yes, I’m cold, but that’s not why I shivered. When we get to shore, I’ll be okay. My uniform dries fast. I know you’re cold, too. Your clothes don’t dry fast. You’ll need to get out of them to get dried off.”
    “Yes, I know.” Her lips were close to his ear. Temptation to kiss his ear washed over her. At the same time, an animal’s howl echoed, bouncing off the trees. “Did you hear that?” Zalora’s legs tightened around