Bronto's Revenge (Barbarian Lust, #2)(36)

“What type of problem?” he asked but Ivy chose to ignore him.

“I’m only going to say this to you once,” he said, stepping closer and lifting her chin. “I’m sorry.”

“You should be.”

“I’d never hurt you. I was driven by anger and tried proving a point by strong-arming you. That was totally uncalled for and I seriously regret it.”

“You should.”

“Envy is a relentless emotion. I admit I got carried away, but you should never have approached and offered Grunt help. I’m not sure I can forget those actions.”

She lowered her eyes to his mouth, which was a big mistake because she suddenly wanted to forgive him, wrap her arms around his broad back and kiss him until her lungs collapsed. “So, you’re apologizing without actually apologizing?”

His brows rose. “No.”

“Then I have—” She snapped her lips shut as Jade approached, holding her hands behind her back.

“What are you ladies up to?” he asked, eyeing Jade first then Ivy.

“Tampon malfunction,” Jade replied as she slowly brought her hands forward and opened her fist, exposing a new tampon. “You’re welcome to stay for the demonstration,” she replied, grinning ear to ear.

He shook his head. “I’ll pass. Thanks.”

“I need your help,” Jade said, addressing Bronto. “I need you to carry her.”

“I can walk,” Ivy snapped.

“No, baby doll, you can’t.” Jade glanced at the sky. “If we plan on reaching my hut by nightfall, we need Bronto’s assistance.”

“Fine.” If she could’ve stomped her foot she would have. She didn’t like being put in a situation where she had no choice.

As Bronto reached for Ivy, Jade grabbed hold of his upper arm. “Lift her gently and don’t jostle her around. She’s very uncomfortable right now. It might even be better if you drape her over your back so she’s not scrunched in your arms.”

“It’ll be fine,” Ivy huffed.

“Suit yourself, baby doll, but I don’t want to hear one whimper when that stiff cardboard digs into your insides.”

Bronto stopped short of lifting Ivy off her feet. He straightened and both brows arched. “Cardboard?”

Jade nodded. “A six-inch, cylindrical piece.”

Ivy said nothing.

Bronto shook his head. “Ivy, lie against my back.”

She did, then wrapped her arms around his neck. Instead of grabbing her legs and placing them around his waist he held onto her hands and let her dangle. Though it was better than trying to walk to the hut on her own, she felt foolish being toted through the yard like a pelt.

When they reached the doorway he squatted until her feet reached the ground so she wouldn’t have to drop. Then he turned and lifted her chin a second time.

“Go make yourself comfortable. I’ll wait here.”

She nodded as he opened the door.

“Okay, baby doll,” Jade said, resting her hands on the back side of Ivy’s shoulders and walking her into the hut. “In you go. Bronto, she’ll be out in a sec.”

He was still in the same spot when Ivy resurfaced, content, curious and ready to sort through their differences. Anything was better than what she’d just experienced with Jade. They were both women but wow, she was more embarrassed by the hands-on instructions than by the humiliating spanking Bronto threatened her with.

“Ready?” he asked, reaching for her hand.

She nodded and walked the short distance to his hut.

“Would you like something to eat or drink, Ivy?”

“No thank you.”

“Have you eaten this morning?”

“No, but I’m not hungry,” she said as she walked into his hut and sat beside the fire. She stretched her legs out and crossed her ankles. She watched from the corner of her eye as he sat down on the other side, resting his arm across his propped knee. Gosh, she must have made him really, really mad if he wasn’t even willing to sit beside her.

She sighed and trembled as if it were the first time they were alone.

“Are you still upset with me?” he asked. He drew a small stick into his mouth and chewed on the end.

“Not really.” How could she be? As much as she’d like to remain mad, she discovered it impossible. Now, being secluded inside his hut, she couldn’t keep her eyes off him and wished he’d move closer. “I understand why you’re disappointed with me. It took me a while to figure it out but I really do get it.”

“Ivy, you don’t know the fear I experienced when I saw you standing near Grunt.”

“I’m sorry. I saw no harm in what I was doing. Then. I don’t want to hurt you,” she said, pulling her knees to her chest. “I don’t.”

His lids narrowed as he stared at her from across the small fire. She bent her legs, lowered her cheek to her knees and stared back as intently. “Can I hold you?” she asked. “I missed you so much.”

As he stood, her heart fluttered to life and her gaze followed him while he walked around the fire pit. The instant he sat behind her she curled into his body and rested her head against his chest. She wrapped one arm around his back and stroked his neck with her free hand. As she listened to his soothing heartbeat, the dinosaur babies began yelping and squawking.