Bolt

21

KARA

Much later that night, Kara stood at the mouth of the cave. She watched the stars as they spun above her, illuminating the darkness. The cool desert breeze stirred her hair. She heard voices behind her and glanced over her shoulder.

Razia and Hashmat were sitting together, talking softly. On the other side of the fire, Elle and Bolt were talking. She was pleased to see that they seemed relaxed and happy. It would be healing for them both to overcome their past and have a good relationship.

She couldn’t stop thinking about his hands on her, the feel of his lips and tongue as they caressed her skin. She let out a long breath, trying to stifle a gasp. Her body was alive in a way she had never known. It was as if her skin was singing, her blood full of molten pleasure.

She had never let herself go like that before. It was true that most men did not affect her the way Bolt did, but she had felt aroused plenty of times before. This time was so different … As if she knew somehow that he was meant to be hers.

She took a few steps outside and contemplated the desert, letting her thoughts flow. These pleasurable memories were hers forever now. The only question was, did she want it to happen again?

Yes! she cried inwardly. Yes, and a thousand times yes!

But what then? What of the future? Bolt was a mercenary who had let his own family think he had died. He was a killer, a man of action that only felt alive when death was on his shoulder. Was that really the kind of ride she wanted to be on?

Would they be together forever, or would she have to choose between him and the life she wanted? Something urged her to get away from him now before it was too late. Another part of her knew damn well it was already far too late.

She wasn’t sure that she trusted him, even now. She hadn’t felt good about telling him the truth about the gem, but she had also been compelled to. He had risked his life to save them, and she felt that not trusting him was an insult to his self-sacrifice.

He deserved to know what it was that he was protecting. The value of the gem was putting them all in danger, but they had chosen it willingly. They knew it was worth the risk. Now that Bolt knew the truth, he could decide for himself, and it looked as if he had decided to stay.

She turned again and saw Elle and Bolt still talking. His sister being here was an incredible coincidence, or maybe it was simply fate. She could tell by the look on his face that he was pleased to be with her, that finding a connection to his lost family had healed a rift inside him.

Of course, he would fight to protect his own family. By the way Elle looked at him, she could tell that she trusted him, and since Kara trusted Elle, that should be enough.

When Bolt rose from the fire and came toward her, she turned quickly. She didn’t want him to know she had been watching him. She took a deep breath as she looked out over the night, and instead of feeling calm, she felt lightheaded.

“Kara?” he said, coming up behind her. “Are you all right?”

She turned to look at him and couldn’t stop the small smile that spread across her face. It only widened when she saw his own face brighten in response to her joy. Without thinking, she reached out a hand and ran her fingers gently down his arm to grab his hand and squeeze it gently. He squeezed back.

“What are you doing out here?” he asked. “You shouldn’t be so far away from the shelter.”

“I was just watching the night,” she said, looking out over the desert. From their place on the edge of the mountain, she could see far across the flat plains that lay below, the inhospitable country that was even more beautiful for its savagery.

“I think you should come inside,” he said. Kara saw a little frown on his face, crinkling his brow. She felt joy welling up inside her that he worried for her safety, yet at the same time, he wouldn’t dream of imposing his will on hers.

“I will,” she assented, walking back to the cave opening and the fire. She dropped his hand as they got closer, but she saw Elle throw her a certain look. If everyone didn’t know what was going on, they certainly were having a good guess.

“Let’s take a look at that wound,” she said, guiding him to where the packs were. He shrugged as he followed her.

“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

“I do worry about it,” she almost snapped. She cared about him and didn’t want to see him in pain — couldn’t he see that?

“Take off your shirt,” she said, her voice firm. He raised his eyebrows, and she almost laughed at his expression.

“You’ve never had a woman order you to take off your clothes before?” She laughed. He shook his head.

“Order? No. It’s a new experience for me.”

“It won’t be new after this,” she said teasingly. “It will become a regular occurrence.”

“Promise?” he asked, his serious expression playing against the mischievous glint in his eyes.

She touched him on the shoulder, and suddenly, the words disappeared. They looked into each other’s eyes, and the feeling that rose between them obliterated social pleasantries. Kara tried to speak and found she couldn’t. Her mouth was watering for his skin.