Bronto's Revenge (Barbarian Lust, #2)(8)

After Vulcan returned and handed her and Wisteria each a bowl of what resembled what Momma used to make and called potato-slosh, Ivy ate then stood to leave. “Wisty, if you need me, I’ll be in Bronto’s hut.”

Wisteria’s eyes rolled upward from her food. “Will you spend the night there?”

“If he’ll allow me to.”

Wisty smiled meekly. “Good night, Ivy.”

“Good night. I love you, Wisty.”

“Love you too.”

Vulcan stood beside Ivy and walked her to the door. “I’ll be right back, sweetheart. I’m going to walk with Ivy.”

Wisteria nodded while taking a bit of her slosh.

After Vulcan left Ivy outside Bronto’s hut she cautiously pulled the flap aside and quietly entered.

Bronto was by the fire, the firelight dancing over his skin as he lay asleep on his stomach, wearing only a loincloth. Her breath caught and her mouth dropped open at the power he displayed. His arms were folded beneath his head and muscles bulged on his back and thighs. Large black pictures of insects with claws and a curled tail were drawn on both shoulders and along his biceps. They were creepy looking yet so detailed they intrigued her in a strange way.

She couldn’t hear him breathing but his broad back slightly rose and fell. His dark hair was held together by some type of a string, and the thick, black tail lay draped down his spine.

She snapped her lips closed and swallowed, drawing air through her nose. Then she closed her eyes. She’d never imagined he’d hidden such a refined, masculine body behind his full-length furs.

She shrugged and opened her eyes to the comforting visual. Her belly flipped in circles as she soaked up Bronto’s body once more.

She squeezed her hands into fists, fighting the urge to reach down and touch his muscles. She dropped to her knees near his waist, studying the definition along his spine. His body heat radiated close to the ground and it embraced her legs. Little by little she lowered herself to the fur he lay upon. Would it upset him if he woke to find her lying beside him?

Why would it? It wasn’t any different than sitting snuggled on his lap or standing in his arms.

She curled onto her side, tucked her hands beneath her head and closed her eyes. In fear of waking him, she left a short distance between their bodies. The darkness behind her lids heightened her senses and she became keenly aware of his warmth and scent. The scent of a man. Even his shallow breaths reached her ears.

She sighed and relaxed, her body sinking into the thick, soft furs. It’d been a long time since she felt such comfort. At home in the stone cave nothing separated her skin from the damp, clay ground when she’d slept. Even after Sledge gave her father a stack of pelts and hides as payment for a future unity with Wisteria, Ivy refused to sleep on them. She’d not enjoy the solace they were intended to provide while her sister was facing a horrible life with the foul, filthy man. Wisty was worth so much more than that. Thankfully he’d met his demise and no longer posed a threat to her sister.

She yawned, her eyes watering behind her lids. Then she drifted into the haze that consumed her before falling sleep.

“Ivy?”

Were her dreams calling to her?

“Ivy?” a whispered voice repeated.

She opened her eyes and came face-to-face with Bronto. His hand lay on her cheek, his thumb stroking the area beneath her bottom lashes. “Hi,” she said. “I didn’t mean to impose.”

He smiled. “It’s fine.”

“I wanted to come here instead of spending the night with Jade.”

“Ivy-love,” he said, leaning forward and kissing the tip of her nose, “I said it’s fine. You don’t need to explain.”

Oh how she wished his lips would travel to her mouth. Was it wrong to wish that? Unfortunately she’d never been kissed. She blamed her momma for the inability to experiment because she’d sheltered and clung to her and Wisteria while they should’ve been exploring life.

“Your sister may murder me but I’ll take the chance,” Bronto said, grinning.

“She knows.” She also knew Ivy’s feelings for him and would never interfere. “I’m a grown woman. She didn’t question my actions.” Wisty actually tried explaining what happened between a man and a woman to prevent Ivy any embarrassment when the time came. She’d not care in the least what would transpire between Ivy and Bronto, if anything. It wasn’t as if Ivy came to his hut to mate, though. That wasn’t her purpose at all.

“I’m just speaking from a brother’s perspective. If my younger sister snuck into a man’s room, I might be tempted to beat him to death.”

Ivy laughed softly. “If anyone would beat you, it would be my momma. She’s very protective.”

“That explains a lot.”

“About what?”

He smiled. “Your innocence.”

“I guess so. Momma held on to me and Wisty too tightly. She lost eight of her twelve kids.” Since Boar’s demise it was now nine children Momma lost. But she didn’t know that yet. Neither Ivy nor Wisteria had the heart to tell her the other night that aliens had captured Boar and used him as an experiment. Sadly they’d done the same to Ivy’s father. How could they ever explain to their mom both men had died? “Her heart is broken.”

“Understandably so.”