Kraven Read online

  “I’m not in the mood for sex, Kraven. I feel like a popsicle.” That is a total lie but say it like you mean it, she lectured herself.

  “I’m not going to fuck you.” His anger came across with his snarled tone.

  “Though, at least that would distract me from knowing we’re under a tree on the ground. I can make out the shape of it above us. There aren’t bugs, are there? Tree beetles? Ants? Oh God, please tell me there aren’t any flesh-eating insects common to this area.”

  “No bugs. It’s too damn cold for them. Spread your thighs for me now.”

  She did and when he came down on top of her, the feel of his warm skin sliding against hers made her gasp. “Where are your pants?”

  “Body heat works best skin to skin.” His upper body remained off hers. “Take off the tank for me.”

  She hesitated before wiggling around under him to get it over her head, then flattened back down as he spread totally on top of her. She knew her nipples were hard from the cold, that he had to feel them when they dug into his unbelievably warm chest, and she stifled a moan when he adjusted to get more comfortable on top of her.

  “Just relax.” He whispered the words near her ear.

  “You’re so warm.”

  “I know. Cold doesn’t bother me as much as it would you. Is this better? Are you warming?”

  She nodded and turned her face a little to press it against his neck. She breathed in his masculine scent, hating the way her body responded but knowing she’d be on board if he did try to take advantage of their intimate position. When he adjusted his big body on top of her one more time, something thick and stiff pressed against the softer flesh of her thighs. It became obvious what part of him touched her.

  “You’re hard? Really?”

  A soft growl came from him. “Ignore it. I am.”

  “I’m just amazed. In this cold weather I’d think you’d be shriveled. Everything on me is.”

  “So I feel.” He relaxed more on top of her.

  “Sorry. That happens when I’m freezing.”

  “Go to sleep, Bat.” He drew in a deep breath, nearly crushing her under him, and exhaled. “Morning is a long time away. I know you’re exhausted. Crossing that river had to be difficult with your weaker body.”

  “I’m not weak. I’m just not as strong as you. What do you do in your spare time? Lift weights?”

  “Sleep.”

  “What I wouldn’t give for a nice bed right now.”

  “I know. I promise I’ll get you to my cabin before tomorrow night. You’ll like it. Picture a big fireplace with real wood burning and a soft bed.”

  She definitely liked that image.

  Her headache had finally faded completely—and its absence brought clarity. “Why were you naked and covered in blood earlier?”

  He hesitated.

  “Kraven?” No way could he have fallen asleep that fast.

  “I ran into a few of your grandfather’s people.”

  She considered his answer. “Oh hell. You know you’re confusing me. I heard bears, not people.”

  “You definitely didn’t hear bears. They’re trying to take you to your grandfather. I won’t allow it to happen. I did what I had to, Bat. You’re safe.”

  Did he kill someone? There had been a lot of blood on him. More unanswered questions filled her mind. She should be afraid of him but she wasn’t. “Why were you naked?”

  “I didn’t want to rip my clothing when I shifted.”

  “Shifted?” She couldn’t resist asking.

  “Into my VampLycan form.” His tone deepened. “I’m too tired to spank you so watch the insults. I know you don’t believe me, but it’s true. Be damn happy I took out the one who came after you before he got close enough for you to see too much. You wouldn’t have liked the sight of a shifted VampLycan.”

  “It was a bear.”

  “Right.”

  “Or maybe a cougar or some type of lion.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  He’s so damn irritating. “I’m not going to get any answers from you that make sense, am I?”

  “No. You don’t want to hear the truth.”

  At least he wasn’t denying it. “Fine. I’ll let it drop because I’m so glad you found me and you’re warm.”

  He had the nerve to chuckle. “Rest.”

  The wind whispered through the trees above them and leaves rustled on the ground. The silence stretched and the weight on top of her became heavier. She didn’t mind though. Kraven had to weigh over two hundred and forty pounds but his warmth more than made up for the way she had to draw shorter breaths just to fill her lungs.

  A loud, short burst of sound filled the night.

  Kraven’s body instantly tensed over hers and his head lifted.

  Bat’s heart raced. “What was that?” Fear had her clutching his skin. “Are we going to be attacked by another animal?”

  “Shit,” Kraven groaned. “It’s nothing.” He relaxed on top of her, his face lowering again, and he pinned her flat. “Ignore it.”

  “What the hell was that?”

  “Your sister and my brother. He found her.”

  “Dusti?” She struggled to push him up, wanting to know if he was telling her the truth. She needed to see her sister. “What do you mean he found her? Was she lost?”

  Kraven pinned her tighter. “They’re camping nearby.”

  “Are they hurt? Do they―”

  “They had sex,” he stated harshly. “That’s what you heard. No wonder my brother was determined to stop. And it’s not as if we have much else to do while we wait for daylight.”

  Shock replaced fear. “Are you sure? Dusti and Drantos? Seriously?”

  “Think I’d joke about that? Trust me. I just hadn’t noticed their scents with my face buried in moss. And the two rocks on the sides of us help hide our scent, but they also block others from reaching us as fast.”

  “Scent?” She frowned but her grip on him eased. “Right. Your animal side. How could I have forgotten that?” She hoped he picked up on the sarcasm. “We should check on them.”

  “You mean I should, since you can’t see a damn thing in the dark. I’m not getting up. I’m comfortable and your skin is finally warm. They are more than fine. I’d say they’re both pretty happy at the moment.” He grunted. “At least someone is.”

  Worry distracted Bat from Kraven. Is he right? Did Dusti just have sex with Biker Bear? She had to admit Drantos was good-looking too, in a rough way, and she was sure attracted to his brother. They had near twin body sizes. It wasn’t normal for her baby sister to just sleep with some guy though.

  But then again, life lately had taken a drastic turn.

  She stiffened. “He wouldn’t force her, would he?”

  Kraven groaned. “No. He wouldn’t. Will you sleep?”

  “It’s just not like Dusti to have sex with a guy she barely knows.”

  “She’s not like you then.”

  Anger gripped her hard and fast. “No, she’s not, and don’t take that tone with me. I don’t sleep with a lot of men.”

  “I didn’t say you did.” He hesitated but then chuckled. “You wouldn’t be so damn tight if you fucked a lot of them…unless you just have the bad luck of picking ones with small dicks.”

  She slapped his chest with both palms. “Asshole.”

  “Bitch.” His body adjusted more over hers. “Want to rip my nuts off still? I think you’re a little fond of them now.”

  Anger burned. “You’re lucky I’m cold and you’re crushing me to keep me down. Just remember this, because you can bet your ass I will.”

  He chuckled again. “You have that attorney mind for retaining facts.”

  “Yes.”

  The silence stretched between them and Bat closed her eyes and tried to ignore the fact that Kraven was on top of her. They were in the middle of the woods, lost somewhere in Alaska. She’d survived a lot. Her sister was at least close. It gave her hope of seeing her soon.

&nbs