Read Online Pride of the Veld by LE Franks - Free Book Online Page A

ruin coffee. I’m Italian! We have espresso in our veins!” His mock ire was ignored by Geo, who managed to rescue his pot in time to plunge it.
    “That might impress me if this was Italian roast. As it stands, unless you have a Frenchman in your pocket, you’re not much use to me. And frankly, if you do have a Frenchman in your pocket, it would explain a great deal about all the extra pairs of hands last night.”
    Danie burst out laughing at Andrea’s pout and passed tin cups over to Geo to fill. The beverage was dark and smoky, steaming hot. Geo loved it like this, though the metal lip tended to give a little kiss of pain with the first sip.
    Andrea pulled up another campstool to sit next to Geo. “Seriously, caro. How are you feeling this morning? I’m worried we tore something last night.” Geo could feel the heat rush into his face. Shit.
    “No, I feel okay. Sore, but no pain.” He buried his face into the cup to avoid discussing his anatomy further with this beautiful man. Instead, he occupied himself by staring at Danie as he worked an iron skillet set over coals from their overnight fire. They used an old camp stove grill, balancing it on rocks to hover six inches or so above the coals. Danie had found their supply of potatoes and onions, and the smell of them frying along with the unmistakable fragrance of bacon and biscuits toasting made Geo’s stomach gurgle loud enough for Danie to turn, casting Geo such a look of affection that his breath stilled in his chest.
    The early morning sun danced across the gold in the man’s tousled hair. Danie didn’t bother to do more than run his fingers through his short hair before rolling out of bed. Usually Geo would track him down later, running his own brush through it as he sat and drank coffee. This morning he had no idea where he’d even find his brush. The tent was a disaster, with half their things packed haphazardly in random tubs or bags. Geo hoped they wouldn’t need anything in a hurry, because he had no idea where to begin.
    Three plates of food appeared, balanced in Danie’s large hands, and Geo wiped drool from the corner of his mouth, hoping no one had seen him. He loved when Danie cooked for him. Danie handed out the plates, pulling a bottle of red pepper sauce from the side packet of his cargo shorts and passing it over to Geo.
    Andrea raised his brow in disbelief, choking as Geo proceeded to shake it over every inch of food on his plate. He scooped the mixture between the biscuit halves and started shoving the mess into his mouth. Geo tried to keep the food from flying out of his mouth as he and Danie laughed at the look of horror on Andrea’s face.
    “Drea, this is Geo’s secret. It’s why he hasn’t been swept up into another’s arms before now. One dinner out and they realize he was raised by wolves and has hollow legs. He will eat for days without gaining an ounce, and unless you want to lose a finger, keep your hands away from his plate.
    “Back at the compound his grandfather makes him dine in the kitchen, or if they have company he sends him out to eat in the kennels!” Geo paused long enough to flip Danie his favorite American salute. Andrea just cocked a brow and studied him like a bug.
    “So then it’s good for us that he’s part animal, in and out of bed.” He smiled and turned his attention back to his own food while Geo choked for real.
    Danie patted him on the back. “S’okay, Geo. You can eat anything of mine you want.”
    Geo glared at him. “Don’t know, sounds like you’re afraid I might bite you. Wouldn’t want you to run the risk of losing something. Think I’ll keep my mouth to myself, thank you.” He huffed and went back to eating.
    ****
    After breakfast, Geo made a point of tearing apart the tent, airing the bedding and repacking both Danie’s and his own bags. The medical kit was tucked just inside the tent flap where it belonged, and they’d taken the time to inspect both rifles. Andrea used this