Barbarian's Tease (Ice Planet Barbarians, #15)

by Ruby Dixon

Did I cry a lot in the beginning? Yes. But all my tears are dried up. I guess this is what they mean when they say survival mode kicks in. I think if more aliens landed and attacked, I wouldn’t even cry at that point. I’d try to figure out what it takes to stay alive. In the end, that’s all that’s important—getting to the next day.

After being held captive twice now, you start to keep an eye on every escape route in the nearby area. Just in case.

And if he’s expecting me to go to him and apologize for seducing him to save both of our lives? He’s going to be waiting a long, long damn time. Because I am not that girl. And I can hold a grudge for-motherfucking-ever.

Oddly enough, I thought my large boobs were going to paint a target on me, like they did back when I was in middle school and grew into double-D-cups long before the other girls filled out A-cups. Turns out that aliens aren’t much fans of big boobs, and I got rejected by more weird-looking alien buyers than the small-breasted girls. God bless my great big tatas.

Of the single men, Harrec is clearly enamored of Kate, and Warrek might as well be a statue. Only Taushen replies to my flirting, and it’s usually with a scowl. It’s clear that he doesn’t find me attractive and doesn’t like me in the slightest.

My khui is either flawed or too choosy. No, I realize bitterly. It is not the khui that is flawed, it is me. A khui always selects the best mate to make kits with a female. The fact that I have not been chosen tells me that there is something wrong with me that makes me a poor mate to any female. It is a thought that has eaten at me for turns. The one thing I want the most, I will never get, and I do not even get an explanation as to why.

It does not matter that our captors are what bring us together. After this, I will keep her in my furs and make her realize that she does not need to flirt with others to get what she wants. I will be the only one for her. I will tend to all her needs. I will be her male in all ways. She will need no other. She will look at no other. I will be hers and she will be mine, even without resonance. Let Warrek take Suh-mer. I have claimed Brooke as my own in this moment.

“I have ridges and a spur,” I tell her. “All for your pleasure.”

To think that he could be so rough—on demand, of course—a few moments ago and so incredibly tender now just makes me want him harder.

I wish I had a hangover, or fuzzy memories of last night. Something I could blame impairment on and say that it wasn’t me who called Taushen nasty and demanded that he pull my hair. Nope. I remember it crystal clearly. That was all me. A very aroused, not-my-normal-self me, but still me. Hoo boy.

“If I asked every time a human spat a word I did not understand, I would be asking all day long—” “Oh, dickface!” “—such as now,” he continues.

I’ve picked myself up off the floor before. I can do so again.

“I just think that the sa-khui are a good, pure people, you know? They don’t need technology or us humans crapping them up with our ideas like stealing and murdering and slavery. I worry we’re going to ruin them.”

There is no one that can resonate to Brooke. I am relieved, even though I am also angry at myself for being so possessive.

It does not matter that she is not mine in her eyes. I view her as mine and mine alone.

“Was it resonance?” Hassen asks. “You can share such things with us. We will know soon enough anyhow.” “If it was resonance, would Rokan not already know?” I snap. “He seems to know everything already. Ask him what I dreamed about last night.” “The enemy,” Rokan says simply. “You have not slept well since they arrived.” I choke back my protest, because he is right. Shocked, I stare at him.

“Speak. So it is not resonance, then? You would not be so prickly if it was. You would be strutting about, waving your cock as if it is the most clever of creatures for spawning a kit in a female, just like those two do.” He waves a hand at Cashol and Zolaya. I snort. “You did the same when your Mah-dee resonated to you.” “I did,” he agrees, good-naturedly. “I was so proud of my cock you would think it had dragged on the ground because of its size.”

“Take what you want. If you want Buh-brukh for yourself, claim her. Grab her and take her high into the mountains and bring her back when her belly is full of your kit.” “As you did my Li-lah?” Rokan asks, and his tone is deceptively mild. “How did that end up for you, my friend?” “Very well,” Hassen tells him, all smiles. “Because I saved her for you and mated her fierce sister who still attacks me as if I am to be conquered.”

There’s always someone around that can do those things better than me, and every time I try to help out, I get a “Here, Buh-brukh, let me do that.” But I make sure Harlow, Farli, and Liz all look fierce with intricate braids. A woman that feels pretty is a powerful woman, after all.

Sometimes it’s good to talk to another woman about your problems instead of your man. Your man is going to want to fix it. Another woman will listen sympathetically while you bitch and will take your side, no matter how wrong or crazy your side may be.

Taushen’s probably the person I’m closest to right now on this planet. Given the fact that he hates me, that’s a sad statement if there ever was one.

“I had a really nice time today,” I say to Taushen as we crest the hill. “And I’m glad I came here with you.” He glances over at me, eyes narrowed, and searches my face as if looking for something. After a moment, a slow, almost hesitant smile crosses his face, making his sulky features inhumanly beautiful. “I am glad to be here with you, as well.”

“I stole you.” “Stole me?” she repeats, emphasizing my words. “Why would you steal me?” “It is a tradition amongst my people that when one wishes to mate a human, you steal her away to convince her.”

“So what is this, then? You stole me because…?” “Because you are mine,” I tell her, surprised she has to ask such a thing. How does she not know this? Did I not tell her such things when we were together? “You belong to me.”

I pause, trying to think of the right way to say how I feel. My throat tightens and I can only glare. “You…mine.”

“Of course I am jealous,” I bite out, my tail flicking. “You smile at other males but never at me. You chatter and touch their hair, and ignore me. You touch their arms, but you hate my touch. You give your happy thoughts freely to others, and there are none for me. I want all of it. I want everything you have. I want your tears, your touches, your smiles, your frowns. I want it all, and I do not wish to share. I want to put you in my furs and devour you whole.

“I do not want you resonating to them,” I say fiercely. “I do not want any male near you. I want you as mine and only mine.” My voice lowers to a growl as I meet her eyes. “Mine, Brooke. Mine and only mine.”

But…it’s really nice to be wanted. More than that, it’s nice to be wanted so badly by someone that they’re willing to risk their neck for me.

“Because I do not wish to forget what happened between us.” The look on his face is earnest. “I know it was a terrible night for you, but it was the best night of my life. I will never forget it.”

It takes Taushen a little time to warm up to the concept of vacation. It’s almost like if he’s not busy for every minute of every hour of every day, some invisible force is going to appear and slap his hand, chastising him.

Preparing what looks like frozen roadkill can’t be worse than whatever they do to food at the chicken nugget factory back at home.

We share stories of our childhoods, I tell him all about my horrible ex-boyfriends, and he offers to beat them up if they ever show up as slaves.

“I come here when my heart is sad,” Taushen says softly. “And somehow, this place makes my spirit glad once more. That I can see such a place and touch it. That I can live where such a thing can exist, and then, perhaps, I think everything is not so bad.”

I’m the one who demanded friendship. I feel like I can’t change my mind now, even if I wanted to. I wanted freedom, and I got it. I wanted a friend, and I got it. Didn’t think I’d want more than that.

I’m single, remember? No one to watch my back.” I would watch it for her. “I will go to the ends of the land if you wish to. Anywhere you want to go, we will go.” Her smile curves her mouth, and then she gives a soft chuckle. Her sweet, happy, true chuckle that makes my chest ache with want. “What if you resonate?” “She can wait.”

It was my choice, and he’s given me what I wanted. For all intents and purposes, he’s moved on. Me? I’m stuck.

“How far away do you think we are?” I shrug, because I can make the journey last as long as it needs to. “If we run the entire time, four days?” Brooke stares at me. “How about if we take our time and sightsee and avoid running at all costs?”

“Bitch, please. You try and run in snowshoes.” She gives an adorably indignant snort. “Then we can talk about who’s sweating and who’s not.” “This bitch will be happy to take you for a bath, then.” A startled giggle bursts out of her, and my sac tightens in response. I am filled with longing for her. “Oh my god, that’s so cute. You called yourself bitch.” “Should I not? You called me bitch.” I move to the front of the cave to grab a bowlful of snow to toss onto the fire. “Bitch is insulting, but lovingly so.” Brooke chuckles. “Humans have strange language.” I ignore the way my heart hammers at her description. Lovingly so. “Drink your tea fast, then, bitch.”

I had two fathers, though only one resonated to my mother, and all three shared the furs together up until the khui sickness took them all from me.

Why, of all the hunters, did I have to get the khui that wishes nothing more than to slumber in my breast? Why will it not claim a mate? More importantly, why will it not claim Brooke? She is everything I have ever wanted and she holds my heart in her grasp. I need her. She should be mine.

Why am I so stupid? Why did I fall for a guy promptly after I friendzoned him? Is it me? Am I the problem here?

“How are you so sweet and so filthy at the same time?” “I am not filthy,” he murmurs, and lowers his head between my breasts. His horns are practically in my face, but I don’t care. I just want his mouth on my nipples. “My mate washed me, remember?”

A big, sexy man willing to do oral is like a unicorn in my experience, and if he’s willing, I’m going to take him up on the offer.

“They say there is no taste sweeter than the cunt of a mate,” he whispers, kissing a trail down my belly. “Do they say that? God bless your ancestors.” I wriggle underneath him, impatient. “They knew exactly what they were talking about.”

“Brooke? That sounds a bit more likely to me. I’m Angie.” She puts a hand to her lower back and stretches a little. “It’s nice to meet you.” “I’m sorry, I know it’s rude to bring it up, but…you already resonated?” I can’t help but ask, putting a hand to my own flat belly. “To who?” The look on her face grows sad, and she pushes a stray strand of hair out of her face before glancing away. “No resonance. This one was with me when I woke up.” And she rubs her belly again. “As for the father…I don’t know who—or what—he was.” Oh no.

“I understand you are angry, but I would do the same thing all over again. For Brooke, I will risk everything. She is my mate in all ways, and if you must exile me, do so.” The chief snorts, shaking his head slowly. “I have learned over these seasons that punishing for such things is impossible. It does not stop the actions, and as long as the female is happy, I see no reason to make matters worse.”

“That one is like Leezh, but without the charm,” he comments. “Leezh has charm?”

Vektal has always been sure of his place in our tribe, sure of himself, sure of everything. To see him like this makes me see him as…like the rest of us. A regular hunter with problems, as I am. We are one and the same.

“I do not care if the world knows that you are my mate. Let them see how proud I am of you.”

“I sure am beat now, though.” Liz snorts, her eyebrows going up. “Ain’t gonna be the only thing getting beat tonight, if you know what I’m saying.”