Read Online The Liger's Mark by Lacey Thorn - Free Book Online Page B

She tensed, one hand going to her shoulder, the other to her thigh. Had she dreamed it?
    The mattress dipped behind her, and it finally clicked she wasn’t alone. Arms wrapped around her, tugging her back against a massive chest and an equally impressive erection. Recognition set it as the animal inside her seemed to purr with joy and contentment. Gabriel. Furthermore, she was naked in the bed with him. She hated the way her body responded to him. Hell, she was lucky she hadn’t woken up humping his leg. Her head knew she needed him—to deal with the extreme fluctuations in body temperature, to deal with the awakening animal. Her heart wasn’t there, yet.
    “Where are we?” she whispered.
    “Cabin,” he murmured against her neck.
    “I’m not big on cabins, lately. Bad memories,” she said, rolling over onto her back and letting her gaze soak him in.
    “Yeah, well, you were knocked out, and we needed to move you somewhere safe until you woke up,” he stated with a grunt.
    “How long have I been out?”
    “Five days,” he said, and a shudder went through him.
    She jerked up in bed beside him, the sheet falling to her lap as she stared at him incredulously. “Five days?”
    He nodded, and she pulled the sheet up to cover her breasts as his gaze kept straying there.
    She glanced around the room. “Bathroom?”
    He pointed behind her.
    “I’ll be right back.” She started to reach for something to cover her, but her bladder was adamant that she hurry. He’d seen her naked before, anyway. She tried to clear her mind while in there, taking a few moments to wash her hands and splash cool water on her face before heading out to join him. She was still fuzzy and angry with her mate. Both were a bit hard to shake off. He held the cover back, and she slid in without comment. Her legs were a bit shaky. Better to sit than to fall.
    “What happened?”
    “They hit you with two darts,” Gabriel said. “You were like ice when I got to you. Scared the hell out of me.”
    She shrugged then, swallowing the nasty retort hovering on her tongue about not knowing he cared. Obviously, he did. He was here. When Holt had called for help, Gabriel had come. That had to mean something.
    “I hope I didn’t pull you away from something important,” she said instead.
    He sat up, and when the sheet fell to his lap, there was no missing the tenting of the material. She clenched her thighs as her pussy grew damp with need. Bastard. It wasn’t fair that she wanted him so much.
    “I’m learning just how unimportant some things are, and how much others really mean,” he surprised her by saying. “You matter to me, and when I thought I might lose you for good…” He shook his head. “It’s not a feeling I ever want to face again.”
    “What happened?” she asked.
    “I was hoping you could tell me,” Gabriel said. “Holt said he, Reed and Dusty were standing outside, talking and keeping watch while you rested. Four guys came out of nowhere, pinning them down with gunfire.”
    “Are they okay? How did I not hear that? Or anyone else? Oh, God! Were the police called?” Kenzie peppered him with questions as her anxiety grew.
    “No police,” Gabriel assured her. “These guys were well trained and well equipped. Your friend Dusty said they had silencers. Made it hard as hell for them to figure out where the group of hunters were firing from. As it was, it took precious minutes for Reed to move around and come in behind them. He’s pretty sure he shot one of them. That’s when they saw two men heading out of your room with you wrapped up and thrown over a shoulder. Holt immediately went after you. He kept them from taking you.”
    “Is he okay?” Kenzie demanded. She’d never forgive herself if he’d been hurt trying to get to her.
    There was a distinct rumble in Gabriel’s chest, and Kenzie knew he didn’t like her concern for another man. He’d have to learn to deal with it. Holt was her best friend, and that