Bronto's Revenge (Barbarian Lust, #2)(19)
Bronto shook his head and smirked. The baby dino didn’t appear frightened but it glanced at the kids as if thinking, What the f*ck?
“What’s going on?” Ivy asked at his back.
He glanced over his shoulder just as her delicate fingers rested on his lower spine. That simple touch set his balls on fire and he felt the familiar ping in his cock he’d experienced at the onset of a hard-on. Jesus, not now. Not while an escaped group of kiddos was on the loose. “Good morning,” he said, greeting her with a smile.
“Hi.” She stepped beside him and glanced around the yard. “My gosh. Are those the babies we saw yesterday?”
“I’m sure they are.”
A woman approached, arms extended. Bronto handed her the little boy, presuming she was his mother. If not he’d end up where he belonged. Every one of the little tykes resided in the secondary camp.
“Ivy, we’ve got to get these kids out of here,” he said. “Will you help, please?”
She nodded and followed him into the yard where he scooped up two more toddler-sized boys who waddled around like the dinosaurs, and he tucked one under each arm.
After the laughter and shouts died down and all kids were reunited with their families and sent home, he scoped the area for any stragglers. What he found instead was Wisteria squatted amongst the hoard of dinosaur babies, feeding them leaves from the palm of her hand and Vulcan storming toward her from the opposite side of the yard.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Ivy said.
Bronto dismally shook his head. “Your sister is definitely unique, love. Come on.” He took Ivy by the hand. “Let’s save her from the chieftain’s wrath.”
They reached Wisteria just in time to see her pouty lips quiver and hear her say, “We need to keep them safe from other predators.”
“No,” Vulcan said adamantly, crossing his arms at his chest, displaying authority as he glared down at her.
Bronto wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of those eyes right now.
“What about other dinosaurs? And…and cave lions?” Wisteria asked. “Bronto and Ivy had nearly gotten eaten by one yesterday. These babies don’t stand a chance in the wilderness.”
Bronto glanced at all thirteen dinosaurs as they began making soft chirping sounds. From the corner of his eyes he saw Tyran approaching.
“We’re not keeping them,” Vulcan flat-out stated.
“Just until they’re a little older?” she practically begged.
“And if their elders come looking for them? I’m not in the mood to mess with a herd of ten-ton animals.”
“I don’t foresee that happening,” Tyran intervened. “They’re diplodocuses. The mother obviously abandoned the eggs after she laid them.”
A brown, short-tailed rabbit hopped from the forest and stopped at the tree line. Wisteria gasped. “That is not a genuine hare,” she said aghast.
Ivy glanced at her curiously. “How do you know that?”
“Its eyes. They’re evil.”
When Vulcan stepped toward the rabbit it turned and jumped into the forest. The dinosaurs chirped and scattered.
“What are they doing?” Ivy asked as one hid beneath the table near the fire.
“Acting on instinct,” Tyran explained. “They’re seeking shelter from danger.”
One by one they settled in an inconspicuous spot. Or, as Bronto presumed, tried to. Most remained partially visible, though, by their long tails sticking beneath fern leaves and berry bushes.
“See, Vulcan,” Wisteria whined. “They’re scared.”
He studied her for a full two minutes before throwing his hands in the air. “Fine,” he grouched. “Someone build a pen. But don’t use the wood intended for the huts.” He turned and walked off. “And I’m not dealing with any jealousy issues from Birmon,” he yelled over his shoulder. “Nor am I digging a lake for your two-headed serpent.”
Wisteria and Ivy laughed but they clamped a hand over their mouths so as not to garner his attention and draw him back.
“Someone,” Vulcan added, “find that rabbit while I retrieve my rifle.”
All Bronto could say was, wow. Just wow. Not even twenty-four hours ago they’d agreed to kill the critters, now Vulcan decided to build them their own house. Though he had to admit, the little shits were pretty damn cute. Bronto doubted he could actually cut their throats or plug them with an arrow. If he couldn’t annihilate them, no way could Vulcan either.
The man was completely, thoroughly and without a doubt whipped. Bronto wouldn’t be surprised if Vulcan did return with a shovel. Although Bronto wasn’t one to pass judgment. If Ivy asked him to build her a palace, more than likely he’d ask her where to break ground. Thank God she didn’t know what a palace was. After last night she sure as hell deserved one.
Standing in the yard surrounded by fellow tribesmen was not the time to revisit episodes of last night. Damn. He shook his head and looked at everyone but Ivy. Hell, if she so much as glanced at him now he’d embarrass himself by popping a boner then he’d have to excuse himself politely and flee into the forest. Of course he could just scoot her off to his hut and make love to her again but it’d be rude to steal her away for his pleasure. Besides, Wisteria would know his intentions, as well as everyone else present. Well, Tyran.