Therian Promise(18)

Kyle caught the radio and shook his head. “I’ll have Eli run a background check on him, see what he can uncover.”

She had no idea who Eli was and there were too many other questions she needed answered first, so she didn’t ask. She stood and brushed off her knees. “Can you still hear their vehicle?”

“Yep.” After smashing the second radio, he headed off through the trees.

She quickly followed, more than ready for the adventure to end.

The Jeep lacked any official markings, but it was stripped down and utilitarian, obviously meant for military use. Kyle slung the backpack onto the floor behind the driver’s seat then placed the rifle on top of the pack. After covering the weapon with his jacket, he climbed in and closed the door. Ava hurried to the other side and sat in the passenger seat.

The Jeep had left an obvious trail as it approached. Kyle shifted the vehicle into gear and took off in the opposite direction. Ava wholeheartedly supported the decision. If it was the policy of whoever sent the soldiers to ask questions at gunpoint, Ava had no interest in meeting them.

They found a swift-moving stream and followed the water downhill. Hopefully the stream would empty into a river and the river would lead them back to civilization. The grassy bank was just wide enough for the Jeep. Occasionally Kyle steered into the water to avoid a tree or rock formation. The vehicle dipped and swayed with nauseating force, but it was much better than being on foot.

The stream was a tributary just as Kyle had hoped. The river wasn’t much bigger than the stream, but the wide, rocky bed indicated a greater capacity. It also allowed Kyle to travel faster than he’d driven along the mountain stream.

They rounded a bend and found a charming railed bridge spanning the river. “It’s dirt, but it’s a road,” Kyle muttered as he carefully maneuvered up the steep embankment and onto the road. Continuing his downhill strategy, he wended his way along the dirt road.

Lengthening shadows and cooling air warned of impending twilight. After an hour or so, Carissa relaxed enough to stop looking behind them. The mercenaries were likely on foot and Kyle had destroyed their radios, but it was possible they weren’t the only team combing the valley.

She blew out a shaky breath and settled back in the seat. If the mercenaries had arrived a few minutes earlier, they would have been treated to quite a show. What was wrong with her? She’d never made out with a man she’d just met. Even if the primary purpose had been transferring energy, the method had been undeniably sexual.

A guilty flush crept up her neck and she looked at Kyle. His face was ashen, jaw clenched, and he gripped the wheel with both hands. “What’s wrong?” He looked even worse than he had before.

“Hunger’s back.” The throaty growl in his words sent a shiver down her spine.

Damn it. That’s what she was afraid he’d say. She looked around the secluded road for any sign of civilization. There was none, but even if they pulled over and tried again, why hadn’t the transfer worked the first time? “Can you…take more from me?”

“I might have to.” He groaned, clutching his abdomen with one hand while he maintained control of the Jeep with the other.

“Pull over and let me drive.” He didn’t argue, further proof his distress was real. She waited until they’d switched seats before she spoke again. “Are you afraid you’ll hurt me? Why don’t we just do it now?”

“I thought a snack would get me through until I could eat a proper meal.” He slumped in the seat, arms crossed over his belly, head resting back against the seat. “Apparently, I need more than a kiss can release. Without a trained feeder, I’d need a full-body connection.”

“You mean—”

“Sex.” His eyes squeezed shut as his body convulsed.

She watched in helpless alarm. Even if she was willing to have sex with him, he didn’t appear capable at the moment.

The spasm passed and he took a deep breath. “I need to be inside you to fully access your Therian energy.” He relaxed enough to open his eyes and added, “I know that’s not what you want.” He wiped his brow with his forearm then motioned toward the road. “So, drive. I’ll fight it as long as I can, but eventually my cat will take control.”





Chapter Three




“I need another beer,” Nate Fitzroy snapped and his youngest son Dhane scooted out of the vinyl booth and rushed toward the bar dominating the far wall of the dimly lit room.

“Was I ever such a kiss ass?” Bruce, the oldest of Nate’s three sons, asked as he tossed back a shot of whiskey. Bruce was ambitious and mean and couldn’t be bothered with pleasantries.