faster recovery time than an earthling. The dose you got would have killed a human.”
“Then you’d better put an extra watch on the warriors’ wives. Aren’t a number of the two tribes’ wives earthlings?”
“Yes. I’d better call Mitch now.” He dialed the number on his smartphone. When Mitch answered, he told him what Averil had suggested.
Averil’s dad shut his phone off. “He said he’d put guards on all of them. He hadn’t talked with Jack and so didn’t realize the danger to them. Nothing is wrong with your brain, thank goodness.”
Cody waited, as he’d said, at the side of his truck. As soon as they came out of the hospital, he rushed to her side. When she got out of the wheelchair, he started to pick her up.
“Don’t you dare. I’m not wounded. I can walk, talk, and do tricks.” Her sarcasm had him smiling. Her heart quickened a beat.
“I know you’re well, darlin’, when you fight me. May I open the door for you or is that too much?”
“You may be a gentleman. If you know how to be one.”
“Ah, darlin’.” He grabbed his chest. “You wound me in the heart.”
This time she couldn’t help but laugh. She climbed into his truck, and as he closed the door, his hand brushed her arm. A sizzle of desire went straight to her pussy. Was an increased sexual desire a side effect of her illness? Averil watched him walk around and get in the driver’s side. She didn’t think so, but being sick had weakened her wall of defense against him and Payton.
She wasn’t sure if she wanted to build it back or wait and see what happened. Averil leaned her head back against the headrest and closed her eyes.
“Tired?” Cody asked.
“A little. Where is your house?”
“Closer to the mountains. We raise our own horses as a sideline, so we needed a lot of space.”
Averil glanced in the rearview mirror and saw her father following them. “Why is Dad going all this way?”
“So he and your mom will know how to get there to visit you. Also I heard you have a twin sister, Kira? She’ll want to see you.”
“Actually her name is Wakanda, but she was nicknamed Kira. It’s easier for people to say and remember.”
“Wakanda sounds Indian.”
“It does.”
He glanced at her when she didn’t say any more. She raised her eyebrows at him. “That’s all I’m telling you. If you want more information, ask her.”
Their home came into view with the mountains as a backdrop and the pastures ablaze with colorful wildflowers. The large cabin looked as though it were an integral part of the scene. A barn sat a good distance behind and in two fenced areas she saw several horses.
“Who trains them?” She motioned at the beautiful horses.
“I do. That’s my skill. I have a way with horses and ladies.”
“Are you saying we have something in common?”
“Both of you need special handling, a soft voice, a firm hand, and a loving heart.” He parked the truck in front of the cabin and then leaned on the steering wheel facing her.
“Hah, try a firm hand on me and I’ll belt you one.”
He didn’t comment. He got out and came around to her door. Before she could get out on her own, he put his hands on her waist and lifted her out and against his hard, muscled body.
His scent of sandalwood and citrus floated around her head. The heat from his body made her want to cuddle close. Her father slamming his door shut broke them apart. Cody chuckled until she stomped his toe and punched him in the stomach.
“Back off.”
“Yep, you are fully recovered.”
“I’m going home,” her dad told them. “Here are her cases, Cody. And one more thing, if you give her a difficult time, I’ll be back, and you’ll regret it. I was the third tribe’s boxing champ for ten years. I might use your body for a little practice.” He hugged Averil. “Take care of yourself.” Then he turned and left.
“Now I know where your violent side comes from, but he’s your stepfather.”
“He taught me and
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