Red Run Read Free

patrol grinned and nodded, then broke down the small camp, washed the dishes and packed up the implements they had used to feed her.
    “Why are you here?” Her voice was plaintive.
    “Why, my dear Sophie, I followed you.” His grin was her only warning as he leaned down and kissed her, holding her head with fingers threaded through her hair and pulling her into him with his free hand.
    Her eyes widened as his mouth came down on hers, his scent enveloped her and the woodsy aroma was mixed with musk and male. He teased her mouth with his and when his fingers tightened against her skull, she parted her lips on a gasp. He teased her open lips with his tongue until she flicked her tongue against his in response.
    He groaned and the hand at her waist flexed as he explored her mouth with quick forays of his tongue. Heat pooled in her belly and it was long moments into the kiss when she remembered that his species was kicking hers off their home. She jerked back hard and he let her go.
    T’bir’s face had a feral look, the skin tight across his cheekbones and his eyes glittering. She remained in his grasp, panting for air. “We are not friends, we are not lovers, we are not even the same species. We shouldn’t do that.”
    A flash of anger ran across his visage and he stood, dumping her to the ground. “Get up and put your boots on. We will go and see your north country and then return you to the holding areas with the rest of your race.”
    She froze at the chill in his tone, but scrambled to get her boots on. The patrols were simply gone. There was no trace of them anywhere. Even the fire they had started for her comfort was gone. If her belly wasn’t full, she would think she had imagined the whole thing.
    The leather had stiffened next to the fire, but it was still damp as she laced the clammy boots back onto her legs.
    When she stood up, T’bir grabbed her by one arm and began to unceremoniously haul her through the woods.
    Sophie stumbled along next to T’bir as they strode through the woods at a frightening speed. She never imagined that the straight line was fastest when there was a forest in the way, but he proved her wrong.
    “Why? Why are you making us leave ?” Her breath was coming in gasps, the pace he set was far beyond her ability to maintain.
    “This is not your home.” He scowled at her and slowed slightly.
    “It isn’t your home either. When the colony ship landed here, they didn’t do it because they wanted to, they were out of fuel and this was the only suitable planet within reach.” Her throat was raw and burning with thirst. “Is there anywhere I can find a drink of water?”
    T’bir looked down at her in surprise. “There is a stream to your right, can’t you smell it?”
    She scowled and tugged on his grip. “No, but it would explain why I feel more humidity coming from that direction. Will you let me go?”
    He looked at her hand and let go, as if unaware he had been hauling her along.
    She took a few careful steps to her right and when the small trickle of water splashed over her boot, she dropped to the ground and lifted a handful of the liquid to her lips. It soothed her and she sighed happily, ignoring the cool breeze that was ruffling her skirt and chilling her thighs.
    * * * *
    He fought the urge to howl in frustration. The pose she was in was far too close to the Sethen prime mating posture for his peace of mind. The wrapping of her dress narrowed her waist, causing the flare of her hips to be exaggerated. Just the kind of target his hands had in mind.
    As she drank, he closed his eyes, trying to expunge the image of her hips in his hands and his cock deep inside her. With a desperate growl, he shifted to his four footed form.
    He crept up next to her and lapped at the water, inhaling her scent and imprinting it on his memories. Her trail had not done her justice, the vibrancy of her health and vitality came through in the sweet perfume of her flesh.
    His wolf form allowed him