Read Online Pieces of Three by Kim Carmichael - Free Book Online

heels.
    “What’s a poultice?” Her voice lowered and lost some of its edge.
    “It’s a mixture of herbs and other medicinal ingredients that are used to draw out infection or ease pain. I suppose it’s better than the poison I tried to infuse you with.” He tilted her head back and lifted his bowl, taking care to put his mixture on her wound. “Don’t move.”
    She held on to his arm for support.
    Porter reached into his pocket, pulled out a long strip of cloth and tied it around her head to hold the mash he made in place. “That should help.”
    “How did you know how to do that?” She didn’t let go.
    “I may not be a doctor, but I know my medicine.” He moved her hair aside.
    “I never said you tried to poison me,” she whispered. “I know you tried to help.”
    The way Porter gazed into Alyssa’s eyes told Julian his shipmate also wanted to get to know her better.
    “Let me take a look.” Julian joined them and put his arm around her.
    Porter backed up.
    Julian curled around her and took Porter’s place. “I think it will heal perfectly, we wouldn’t want anything to mar your beautiful face.”
    At his words her cheeks reddened and she let out a little gasp.
    “Let me add the final touch.” He leaned forward and in a completely human move, gave her a light peck on Porter’s makeshift bandage.
    The blush across her cheeks intensified and he sensed something else, not only her arousal but her confusion. She wanted both of them. His body still responded. If only they were alone he could quench both their needs.
    “Is there anything else I can do to help?” Her big eyes looked to his for answers.
    “Aside from giving us something to look at?” He grinned.
    She giggled. A sweet little chirp. “Seriously.”
    “I’m completely serious.” He winked. “What if you gather some of those big leaves I showed you before. They make nice ground covering so we don’t have to sit in the sand.”
    “I can do that.” She tiptoed toward the trees, looking back at them twice as she left.
    “Why are you sending her into a forest?” Porter pointed in the direction Alyssa took.
    “She is walking to a tree. My my, aren’t we a bit protective.” He flinched the second the sentence left his mouth.
    “You’ve never had anything to be protective over.” Porter threw his bowl aside. “You just want to get her all defenseless so can have your way with her.”
    “Like you don’t.” He stepped forward and seized the opportunity to make Porter see what he missed out on by always denying himself. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of. We’re animals, and we have cycles. Maybe we need to make the choice for her, or are you still not giving into your natural urges.”
    “She’s not an animal.” Porter turned away.
    “Why don’t you go get some fresh water? The walk will do you good.” He crouched down and began arranging the woodpile.
    In a flash, Porter came to his side and grabbed his collar, twisting it in his fist. “For the last time Mr. Politician, I don’t answer to you.”
    “You really need to go figure out a way to pound out your frustration yourself.” He chuckled. “Humans do it all the time. At one point they said it grew hair on their palms, but now they’ve decided it’s therapeutic. Maybe that’s the route you need to go.” Hell, if self-pleasure offered him any kind of relief he would be off in the forest as well.
    “I will die before I ever answer to you, and I will kill you if you touch her.” Porter shoved him away and stood up. “Make your camp yourself and listen to your own lies. There will never be another Lykos.”
    He fought the need to take Porter down, but he needed the medicine man in order to get off the island. “You know nothing.”
    “Live in your dreams.” Porter turned and walked in the opposite direction Alyssa took.
    “Better than living for a memory.” Rather than continuing his task, once more, he let the pressure loose, shifted, and went for a run,