Page 29 of Consumed By Fire
I squeal. “You did it.”
“Nearly there.” He gets down low and blows the moss, which catches fire. He adds twigs and then a couple of sticks and soon, the fire is roaring, the flames crackling.
“I’m impressed.”
“You need to keep it going while I get this ready for cooking. Throw a log on every so often.”
“I can do that,” I tell him.
He takes the deer carcass, moving closer to the river, and begins to cut it up using his sharp claws.
I do as he asked and throw a log into the fire every so often, watching as Octane threads chunks of meat onto long sticks, ready for cooking. The flames dance, and the thought of food makes my mouth water.
Octane finishes and leans the sticks against a nearby tree.
“I’ll be back,” he tells me.
“I won’t try to escape,” I say, for the record.
“I’ll catch you if you try, little Red, and I won’t be responsible for the consequences.” Once again, I feel that heavy feeling in my lower belly and between my legs.
Crap!
I hate it.
I know he didn’t mean to sound like he was flirting, but my body decided to take it that way. Like if I run, he’ll catch me and make me beg…on my knees…on all fours.
No!
I have to stop thinking of him like that.
Octane is the enemy.
He is an asshole. Except I’m struggling more and more to think of him that way. I think he’s ultimately a good man.
He hangs what is left of the carcass in a nearby tree, bringing me out of my thoughts.
It’s getting dark, but I can still see well enough as he wades into the water. I know I shouldn’t watch him, but I can’t help it. He is a vision of raw masculinity. My eyes follow him as he dips beneath the water, only to emerge seconds later, droplets cascading down his hard body. With strong hands, he washes himself before ducking under once again. As he stands up from the river, my breath catches in my throat – Octane is even more striking when wet. Water drips and splashes around him, accentuating every sculpted muscle of his body. Slowly, he makes his way back, shaking his head and sending water flying in all directions. My mouth goes dry as I realize I’m watching him too intently. He called me out last night for being aroused. I don’t want it happening again.
It can’t happen again. In fact, I’m dreading going to bed. I won’t think about it now.
I quickly throw two logs into the fire, which I have neglected for too long. I watch as sparks fly into the night sky.
The fire isn’t as big or as hot as it should be, but Octane doesn’t say anything. He stokes the charred wood and adds another log. Then he puts big rocks on either side of the fire, placing the meat sticks over the flames.
It doesn’t take long before the meat begins to cook. The scent of roasting venison fills the air, making my stomach grumble. Octane casts a watchful eye over the flames, occasionally turning the sticks to ensure an even cook.
The jungle around us seems to come alive. There is the sound of a distant roar. I look up, gasping, my eyes wide.
“What was that?” I husk out, my heart pounding in my chest.
Octane looks into the dark jungle. “Nothing to be concerned about, just some or other predator. Don’t worry too much about it. Dragons are top of the food chain. They won’t try anything. It’s the smell of the meat that will attract them.”
“A predator. What kind of predator?”
“You really are a city-dwelling dragon.”
“Yep, I am. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy being in my dragon form, but all of this jungle stuff is new to me.” My pulse quickens as I scan the darkened undergrowth, my eyes straining for any sign of movement.