A Civilized Mating Read Online Free PDF Page A

of the hut, grappling a few feet away. She watched them out of the corner of her eye and maneuvered out of Slash’s hold. He almost had her by the throat until she exploded into action.
    Kicking, shifting weight, and manipulating the tricky barbarian into a weakened position, she knocked him out cold. She didn’t stop moving and grabbed Fleen before he could attack Maht again. She tossed him against a tree, simultaneously slamming his thick head while telepathically pinching his sensitive nyal nerve, severing oxygen to his brain. He dropped like a stone. Well, more like a boulder.
    Before she could celebrate, Maht grabbed her by the shoulders and pinned her against a tree. No doubt he meant to be gentle, because he hadn’t used half the strength with her she’d seen him use on Fleen. But the jarring hit against the tree winded her.
    She wheezed, trying to catch her breath.
    “Female, you interrupt at your peril.” His eyes glowed, and a hint of red disturbed the pooling gold at the orbs’ centers. He took a deep whiff, then eased his grip. “What—”
    Before he could finish the thought, she headbutted him, and he slumped over and swore. She pulled her knees up and shoved, hitting the center of his steely abdomen. Then she pushed, physically and mentally.
    He flew straight up a good ten feet then came crashing down.
    He hit hard but rolled to his feet, stunned but not done. Jesus. What does it take to put this guy down?
    “Maht, Skye, no !” Lisa shouted.
    The distraction took Maht’s attention for the split second Skye needed to knock the big bastard back to the ground. She psychically drew from him with a skill she hadn’t realized she possessed. A few well-placed punches and he was finally out.
    She worked to catch her breath, feeling sore in places. Damn, but even at home against the best fighters she’d ever faced, she’d never been challenged like this.
    “What did you do?” Lisa shrieked, crying, and raced to Maht’s side. Fortunately, she’d taken time to don an overlarge shirt.
    “What?” Skye panted. “You’re welcome. Oh, no, I’m fine. Thanks for asking.”
    “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” Lisa started babbling, “I’m just… We’re mating. Mated, I think. God, Skye. I don’t know what to do. I need to go back, but I don’t think I can now. I love him—I think. And I might be pregnant.”
    “Whoa. What? ”
    Before Lisa could expound upon the craziness, more barbarians entered the scene. These two didn’t give off the ugly vibe Fleen and Slash had. But their intensity was palpable. Skye shook with the vibration of violence and sensed like calling to like, especially when she looked into the gaze of the taller of the two.
    “What is all this?” the shorter one asked. Shorter one. Ha. He still topped her by a good foot and a half.
    “A very good question,” Hottie the Barbarian answered. He wore authority well, and she had the impression he was of higher rank. She couldn’t be certain, but he felt more…dangerous.
    Both men wore standard barbarian gear, and heavens, but those loincloths really did reveal a great deal of sexy man-ass. When Hottie shifted, she couldn’t help noticing his front matched his back in the Holy Hannah department.
    Hottie’s lips quirked when he noticed her attention, and she swore under her breath, bemused that she couldn’t seem to control her libido around these people.
    His friend pointed at Lisa and grinned. “Maht’s mate.” He laughed at Lisa’s blush. “You have been well-pleasured, female. The look suits you.”
    “Zehn.” Hottie sighed. “We’ll figure this out back at home. You, female—” he motioned to Lisa “—come with us.” Then he crooked a finger at Skye. “You as well. We will settle this matter at home.”
    “I don’t think so.” Skye straightened and rested on the balls of her feet, buzzing and ready to go again. “Lisa and I are part of the resort. We’re offworlders ,” she emphasized. “We know you guys