An Apocalyptic Need Read Online Free PDF Page B

mouth shut and find his friend. Then they could put the rumors to rest. One way or the other.
    ~AN~
     
    Cari paced the length of her quarters, her hands twisting nervously before her.
    “Tell me what’s going on, captain. So I can help.”
    She glanced toward her prisoner, standing with both hands held loosely at his sides, a foot from the bars of his comfortable prison. He’d been watching her all day, his sexy brown gaze sliding over her with the kind of heat that made it difficult for Cari to perform her duties. But he hadn’t only watched her . She suspected he missed nothing with that curious gaze. A fact that did little to assuage her doubts about him. “Nothing’s going on, vassal. Nothing that concerns you at least.”
    He showed no emotion when she used the derogatory term, but she discerned a very slight tightening of his jaw.
    “A long as you insist on keeping me like a dog on a leash it does concern me.”
    A knock sounded on the door and it slid open. One of the Stellam’s guards carried a glass pitcher filled with her favorite, sweet wine inside and placed it on her desk, bowing shallowly before turning and walking out without speaking.
    Grimm gripped the bars with both hands, leaning slightly forward. “What’s the story on your lieutenant? He obviously wants you in his bed.”
    Cari shook her head. “He only wants to control me. He believes that is the easiest way.”
    Her sexy prisoner favored her with a slow grin that made her knees knock together before she straightened them. “Then I will add stupid to the list of his bad traits. Only an idiot would believe you would allow yourself to be controlled that way.”
    She turned away so he wouldn’t witness her pleasure at his words. “Alcott isn’t stupid at all. He’s just a little too sure of his own abilities.”
    “That must make things difficult for you.”
    She shrugged, refusing to let him weave a path into her heart. “I can handle him.” Cari poured herself a goblet of wine and sipped it, avoiding Grimm’s probing gaze.
    “I’m sure you can.”
    Something in his tone brought her head snapping around. “But?”
    “But you don’t. Handle him. Which makes me wonder why.”
    Cari expelled a frustrated breath before she could stop herself. “It’s complicated.”
    “I have nothing but time.”
    She shook her head. “It’s late, get some sleep. Tomorrow we may find ourselves in battle.”
    “Will you let me help?”
    “No.”
    “Why not?”
    She found his gaze, wondering if he would truly work to help her if she let him fight. “I’d think that was obvious.”
    Grimm shrugged. “Not really. As long as I’m captive on this ship, my continued ability to breathe depends on the ship’s survival.”
    Cari shook her head again, reaching up to rub the muscles of her shoulder, which had tightened to a painful state after her confrontation with Alcott.
    “You’re in pain?”
    She threw him a quick glance. “Nothing a hot shower won’t cure.”
    “I’d be happy to rub it, with or without the shower.”
    She grinned despite her best intentions. “Nice try.”
    His big hands slid along the bars, drawing her gaze. He touched the restraining metal gently, rubbing fingers along its length as if he were caressing a woman’s flesh. Cari suddenly found it hard to swallow.
    “I thought I was supposed to be your sex vassal. So far I have to say the arrangement has been a whole lot more vassal than I’d hoped and a lot less sex.”
    Cari laughed. “You’re incorrigible.” She shook her head. “Surely you’ve guessed by now that I’m not exactly the type to have a sex vassal…”
    “And yet you do.”
    “Yes.” Her eyes found him, slipped over the long, sculpted length of his body. He’d removed his shirt at some point…unbuttoned the top button of his tight jeans. His strong brown body was perfection. Hairless and smooth, his chest seemed to glow in the soft light she favored. A dark trail of black curls formed a line