Read Online Taming a Healer: 3 (Galactic Lust) by Kathleen Lash - Free Book Online Page A

disturbance at the entrance?”
    “A creature rushed inside. It posed no real threat. It was
slow and weak from the heat of the fire.”
    Nolan lowered the sword. “Clean yourself. The smell of its
blood is nauseating.”
    Gabriel placed his sword on the lip of the pool and
submerged his arms.
    The shaking in Sadie’s limbs worsened. Too little sleep, not
enough food and too many days spent in terror took hold. Her head whirled as
the room spun round and round. Screams stuck in her throat. “Matron, Darshal,
Moran, Anya.”
    Names and faces appeared in her mind’s eye. So many had
suffered. So many had died. Did any of her people remain? Could she be the only
one left?
    Strong, wet arms surrounded her, providing far more warmth
than the fire. Breath rushed over her face when Gabriel said, “Easy, shae-shondah .
You’re safe. No harm will come to you.”
    Her brain cleared and she forced herself from the stupor. “I
know that. I won’t make the situation worse. I promise.”
    When she would’ve pulled away, she found another huge, warm
body at her back. Nolan said, “You’ve been very brave, small healer.”
    She huffed. “I’ve hidden my cowardice. It has nothing to do
with bravery.”
    “Don’t discount what you’ve been through. By your own
admission, many of your people couldn’t bear what’d happened to your kinsmen.
They hadn’t the strength to live while everyone else died.”
    Some of their lives had been cut so short. Men, women and
children perished by the thousands. Surely Natura’s surface was shrouded in
blood. Although many caves littered the planet, only a handful had hot springs.
Only a small number of her tribe could’ve survived. A mere speck compared to
the thriving world she’d once known.
    She forced herself to draw deep, even breaths until the
tension and anxiety slid from her shoulders and neck. Wearily, she leaned
against Gabriel, allowing his scent and warmth to seep into her pores. Nolan
rubbed her back and soon the pounding of rocks above her head faded into
background noise.
    “I’m so tired, Gabriel,” she said, stifling a yawn.
    He cradled her head against his chest. “You need a few hours
of peace. Let me give them to you. Trust me to watch over you.”
    She’d been on guard and prepared for attacks from the
creatures for so long, she wondered if she could remember how to drift off into
untroubled sleep. For months, she’d driven herself to the point of collapse
before she’d rest. Her eyes closed and she released a heavy sigh. The cave,
hunters and creatures faded as a veil of black satin drifted over her.

Chapter Four
     
    Gabriel hovered between slumber and wakefulness, enjoying
the rare feelings of peace and contentment. Sadie grumbled and turned toward
him in her sleep. When she’d fret, he’d comfort her by pulling her close to
gently stroke her spine until she’d settle once again. Nolan lay close by, also
dozing before waking to check their surroundings. They’d both grown accustomed
to broken sleep over the years. Assignments on various planets forced them to
learn that falling into a deep slumber could cost them their lives.
    As Gabriel reminisced about his previous time on Natura with
Sadie, he again remembered how it’d felt to have her pressed against him,
kissing him. On the occasions when the Governance provided a woman for him, he
picturing the healer as he satisfied his sexual needs.
    Soft lips traced the side of his neck. Surrounded by the
warmth and scent of the healer as she nuzzled him, he could barely control his
reaction. His cock swelled enthusiastically as he fought to retain a clear
head. Surely she hadn’t meant to arouse him. He stroked her side and hip,
giving her a reassuring squeeze. She wiggled within his arms, moving closer
until the front of her body pressed flush against his.
    He shifted, trying to gain an inch of space. She simply
scooted closer. The blankets covering them slid down and an amazing smell
drifted from the