Angie's Gladiator (Icehome, #4)

by Ruby Dixon

"Angie Campbell." I extend my hand to him. "Short for Angelette,

I'd fucking kill for a pickle." Vordis's expression turns downright grim with determination. "Say no more." "Er, about what?" "I will hunt you this pickle," he promises. With another nod of his head, he glances down the beach at Thrand who has almost arrived. "When you see me next, it will be with pickle."

pause, scanning the faces here to assess who will be best to answer what sort of creature a pickle is, and how I can hunt one.

"Females," I say by way of greeting. "Your assistance is needed." One with brown hair frowns at me, while her black-haired friend ducks her head and giggles. "We have names, red boy."

"I do not care about your names," I say truthfully. "I am searching for a pickle. Speak where I can hunt such a creature."

"These females are mentally impaired, then?" "Jesus Christ," Bridget says. "Wow," Flordeliza adds. "Just…wow."

Tell you what, if you have a question about something, why don't you come ask me, all right? I will make sure it's explained properly. The girls are new to this planet and to dealing with aliens, and so they might not understand when you ask for clarification." So they are mentally impaired. I nod, my suspicions confirmed. "I wish to hunt a pickle for Angie," I tell her. "Tell me where I can slay such a beast."

"It's all just a misunderstanding. I'm sure Vordis didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Right?" I nod magnanimously. "I had no idea you were slow of learning." "Wait," Harlow yelps. "No—"

“If I cannot hunt a pickle, tell me how to be fast enough to get in her hole.” Harlow stares at me, her eyes so wide they look like blue pools. She takes my arm and tucks her hand into it. “You and I are going to go for a walk, and you’re going to have to explain to me slowly what you mean. Very, very slowly. Because I’m pretty sure I’m misunderstanding.”

I suddenly want to punch myself, if being wounded means she’ll put her hands on me once more.

Everyone's got their noses parked up your asshole. Privacy is a thing of the past.

"And I bet those red bastards would beg to differ. I'm sure they wouldn't mind making themselves an Angie sandwich."

“I mean that you are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen,” Vordis murmurs. “I do not care that you have a child in your belly or that you cannot resonate. I know that my eyes have only ever seen you.”

Strength does not always mean fists, my heart. Sometimes it means waking up to endure another day.”

I can’t help but stare as he reaches out to stir my fire with the bone poker and his arm flexes. His biceps are…delicious. Arm porn, I decide. Pure arm porn.

“I…Vordis, I’m not supposed to have sex for at least a few more weeks after Glory’s birth.” I look at her in surprise. “You are offering to mate with me? For a kiss?”

“He has said that he has nothing if he does not have you and Glory.” Me and Glory? Oh, sweet Vordis. He doesn’t want just me. He wants my baby girl, too. That beautiful, perfect, stubborn, delicious man.