Taming a Healer: 3 (Galactic Lust) (7 page)

“Forgive me, bitty healer, I’ve offended you. We won’t talk
about it anymore.”

Without a second’s hesitation, both he and Nolan moved
around the cave, performing tasks. Nolan steadily tossed more wood onto the
flames as Gabriel placed the pot of stew closer to the fire to warm. What did
she miss?

* * * * *

It couldn’t be more obvious to Gabriel his small healer
didn’t have much, if any, sexual experience. It made two facts exceedingly
clear. He must control himself until a rescue party arrived. He’d never forgive
himself if he scared or hurt an innocent such as Sadie. The second thing? He’d
never wanted anything more than to test her passion. In some strange manner, he
couldn’t help feeling as though she needed him. Certainly she had some inkling
as to what type of partner he’d be.

She took a torch from the fire and walked toward the back of
the cave, quickly disappearing into the antechamber.

“I see the look in your eyes, friend.” Nolan hadn’t wasted
time addressing the issue once she’d left. “It’d be best if you kept a distance
from
shae-shondah
.”

“I realize that,” Gabriel replied while stirring the stew.

“Any fool can see her inexperience. Are you rational enough
to keep her safe?”

His stomach and chest ached and burned. He suddenly wanted
to punch his partner in the face for questioning his judgment.

“If you need to release some energy, I’m more than willing
to accommodate you. Make your move.”

An open invitation to vent a portion of what scorched his
insides? No, he wasn’t irrational enough to come to blows with Nolan. Not yet.

“How bad is the pain?”

“Bearable. Better than before. It’s the cloud in my brain
that’s becoming a bigger problem.” He hated to admit any weakness, especially
to Nolan. But in fairness, he couldn’t hide the truth. Nolan would need to deal
with him and end the suffering if Gabriel lost his mind. It’s what they’d
agreed upon. It’s what would eventually happen.

“Perhaps our healer could help.”

“In what way?”

“Another healing session?”

“If she lays her hands upon me again, I’ll take what she
offers. In her mind, she still loathes me. Her body tells a different story. I
want nothing more than to answer her scented invitation, whether or not her
mind agrees.”

“You don’t mean what you’re saying.” Nolan tossed another
log onto the fire and dusted his hands.

“You’re not entirely yourself either. How long could you
tolerate her warm little hands lingering on your skin while that sweet,
enticing smell seeps from between her legs?”

Nolan’s gaze fell to the ground. He finally seemed to
understand. With each passing hour, Sadie’s safety with the two of them
dwindled. If Gabriel lost control and Nolan couldn’t or wouldn’t stop him,
Sadie would probably fare better with the beasts in the forest.

As Nolan walked past him toward the heated pool, he said,
“We won’t let it come to that, will we?”

Gabriel shuddered, picturing her flushed skin, reddened lips
and hard nipples. He closed his eyes and tried to think of something else.
Anything else. “Perhaps it’s time I try to decrease the number of beasts
outside.”

“Why would you do something so stupid?” Sadie asked, walking
toward the pot with a handful of fresh vegetables. After dropping them into the
stew, she straightened and gazed at him, expecting an answer. “You no longer
believe help will come?”

He couldn’t formulate an answer. Her presence distracted him
from rational thought. Did she still want him? Had she relieved herself in the
smaller cave and wiped the desire from between her legs?

“Gabriel?” Nolan asked, appearing beside him. “
Shae-shondah
asked you a question.”

“They’re gathering, probably for an attack,” Gabriel lied.
He’d agreed with her assumption only to keep her safe. It’s all he could think
of to do—take his sudden aggression out on creatures rather than her.

He wanted to hold her breasts in his hands to plump for his
mouth. He needed to smell, feel and taste her. He tried to picture the sweet
child she used to be. The long limbed, tightly muscled woman remained all he
could focus on.

“What’s wrong with you?” she asked.

Nothing, sweet Sadie. Nothing the warmth of your mouth
and pussy couldn’t cure.
Heal me!

“Gabriel?” She stepped toward him with an outstretched hand.

Her sultry scent wrapped around him, seeping into his pores.
He mustered the last shred of decency in his spinning brain and uttered,
“Bathe. Now.” Her mouth fell open and he fought the urge to fill the sweet
crevice with his tongue. “Now!”

Pain and distress filled her expression. Her shoulders
rolled slightly forward as she stepped back. He’d scared her. Hurt her.

His stomach knotted. Perspiration beads formed on his brow.
Should he console her? Ask forgiveness? Or should his harsh words remain, giving
her a clear warning to keep a safe distance?

She looked to Nolan for reassurance. Also turning toward
him, Gabriel gained a clear view of his partner’s expression. She’d find no
comfort there. Nolan grasped the severity of the situation. This wasn’t the
time to coddle or give reassurances. Nolan knew Gabriel struggled with every
fiber of his being to keep a grip on the waves of lust nearly controlling him.

Under normal circumstances, hunters indulged in sex the way
a starving man might receive a meal. That’s why a willing woman was never left
to deal with a single hunter. She’d remain safe while in the company of two
men.

“Please,” Nolan said after a prolonged silence, “bathe. I’ll
keep you company on the lip of the pool to ensure your safety.”

Confusion and embarrassment crept into her expression.
Without a word, she walked toward the water. Nolan held a blanket while she
undressed. Gabriel remained turned away, as not to accidently catch sight of
her exposed flesh. When he couldn’t stand the silence another second, he
twisted around to find Nolan seated on the stone surrounding the pool, Sadie
safely positioned near the edge, the water up to her neck.

Nolan listened to the sound of tinkling water behind him as
the healer bathed. He wondered if she knew hunters had a keen sense of smell,
especially around females. He also wondered whether
shae-shondah
knew
the perfume of her arousal was more stimulating than that of any other woman.

He couldn’t fault Gabriel for his intense response. Nolan
also battled inappropriate desires of the flesh when near the rare beauty. Her
lack of experience only tantalized his thoughts further. By the stars in the
heavens, he’d give a great deal to touch her soft skin and guide her to meet
Gabriel’s needs.

He knew her affections centered on Gabriel. But if she
accepted him sexually, she’d also have to tolerate Nolan’s hands and lips upon
her body. Nolan wanted nothing more. Arousing her, keeping her stimulated so
she’d feel no pain could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Gabriel stalked around the fire, resembling a caged animal.
Nolan could only imagine the pain, aggression and sexual hunger gnawing at his
insides. He couldn’t fathom how Gabriel kept himself from exploding.

The strong smell of
billaint
flowers filled the cave
as the healer scooped a small amount of soap from the container on the ledge of
the pool and washed. The women of Natura infused the flower oils with a dried
leafy vegetation to make soap. The light aromatic always lingered long after
shae-shondah
or her matron had left a room.

“I’m finished,” she said, her voice sullen and almost angry.

Nolan grasped the blanket, turned and spread it wide so she
could step into it. The splashing of water, the scent of a freshly bathed woman
and the heat from the pool made his hands shake slightly. As he gently dried
her, he realized he’d give his eyesight to have
shae-shondah
desire him
the way she wanted Gabriel.

He’d always been curious why the healer singled out his
partner. Most hunters resembled each other with similar builds, eye and hair
color. What had attracted her to Gabriel in particular? Without warning, she
snatched the ends of the blanket and rubbed her hair.

“You’re angry. Why?”

She stopped the aggressive wiping and gazed into his eyes.
“I love being told I stink.”

“You misunderstood. Your scent prior to the bath was most
pleasant.”

She studied him, looking for an answer to an unasked
question. It couldn’t be more obvious she didn’t understand.

“Arousal. We can smell it. Gabriel insisted you bathe to take
the temptation away.”

She blushed and rubbed the blanket over her hair. He reached
out and grasped her hand, stopping the harsh friction before she damaged her
scalp.

“You have some uncanny, extremely useless abilities,
hunter.”

He used his fingertips to swipe damp strands of hair away
from her face. “I wouldn’t call them useless. Once Gabriel settles down, he’ll
realize the fact that you laid with him and felt something more than contempt.”

She adjusted the blanket, pulling it tightly around her
body. “As if what I feel matters to him,” she said before walking toward the
back of the cave.

Could it be she had no idea how much Gabriel longed to atone
for the guilt he’d carried over the years? Hadn’t she figured out how important
it was to him to know she no longer hated him?

Nolan sighed, contemplating the situation and its
intricacies before realizing she’d forgotten a torch. He fetched one from the
fire and took the light to her.

She stood in the middle of the antechamber, shivering. He
walked to her belongings. “Come,
shae-shondah
. Find something warm to
put on.”

He held the torch and focused his attention in the opposite
direction so she’d feel comfortable getting dressed. Without warning, a massive
pain shot through his temples. His eyesight blurred and the cave darkened. The
next thing he knew,
shae-shondah
knelt before him, dressed and studying
him critically. The residual thumping in his brain created stars in his vision.

“Nolan? What happened?”

Nothing, sweet healer. Simply the progression of the inevitable.

She grasped his arm and pulled. “Come with me, back to the
fire. You’re cold and clammy.”

He struggled to stand. She wrapped his arm across her
shoulders and balanced him so he could walk. After only a few steps, the pain
receded enough that he could manage. He should walk on his own. She shouldn’t
try to bear his weight.

As they drew near the fire, Gabriel glanced in their
direction and immediately came to his aid. “How bad?”

“Like a laser to my temple,” Nolan replied, trying to sound
as if his scrambled brain wouldn’t dribble from his ear at any moment.

“Can you see?”

“Somewhat.”

Gabriel and the healer helped him to sit on a blanket near
the heat. Exhaustion washed over him in waves, sapping every ounce of strength.
He needed to shake the feelings off. Gabriel had battled the sickness for
months and never once fell unconscious. He too must be strong. Stronger than
he’d ever been.

“Lay him down,” she said.

Nolan struggled to remain upright.

Fight this!

“Gabriel, fetch a damp cloth from the pool to wipe the blood
from his eyes and nose while I prepare myself.”

Somewhere in the distance, he heard Gabriel say, “You’ll try
to heal him?”

“Of course I will. Neither of you are dying in this cave.
Not like this!”

A moment later, someone gently wiped his eyes.

“You’ve been through this?” she asked.

“No,” Gabriel replied. “There’s been pain, but I’ve never
bled. Do you know what’s wrong with him?”

“I will very soon. Make sure to stop me through the session
to give us water. No food,” she said as someone unbuttoned Nolan’s shirt, “just
water.”

Sadie battled the stiff muscles and fatigue. Nolan’s healing
wasn’t nearly as intense as Gabriel’s but it had taken a toll on her strength.
In truth, since she‘d fallen into the rapids, she’d been off-kilter and more
exhausted than she could ever remember.

“Relax, Sadie,” Gabriel crooned close to her ear.

Shivers raced down her neck. His breath and voice touched
spots in her no one else could reach. From the moment she’d met him all those
years ago, he’d fascinated her.

“Close your eyes, bitty healer. I’ll protect you.”

The muscles in her shoulders uncramped for the first time in
days as strong hands gently massaged the tension away. She couldn’t recall
anything so wonderful. Fingers gently rubbed her temples and jaw. Two sets of
strong, wonderful hands bringing her peace, contentment and utter relaxation.

“Lean into me. Let me support you. Trust me.” The deep
monotone words lulled her further into a place where no monsters waited to rip
her apart.

Her cheek came to rest against Gabriel’s muscled chest. She
inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of warm man, a wood fire and leftover stew.
For the moment, she couldn’t think beyond the tranquility to what might lie
ahead.

Warmth spread against her back and she stretched, enjoying
the sensation of utter safety while sandwiched by the hunters. How did she wind
up here, standing between them once again? Long fingers stroked the back of her
neck, easing the knots of tension, allowing her to forget everything but the
present. Fingertips brushed short lengths of hair from her forehead and cheeks.
Such lovely sensations.

Gabriel pulled slightly away and she began uttering a
protest when soft lips touched hers, beckoning her to open. She loved his
taste, especially when he slipped his tongue inside. Her heartbeat quickened
and hands ached to hold him close. She wouldn’t let him push her away. Not this
time.

He shuddered as her palms traced the length of his arms. The
moan that escaped his throat encouraged her to go further, touch more. This
time she’d somewhat received permission to satisfy a portion of her curiosity.
The vocalizations coming from him didn’t sound the least bit angry.

She’d always admired his finely honed muscles. In prime
health, how much bigger could he have been? She’d always longed to touch and
study him. So she did.

His breath quickened as his hands flexed, capturing her
hips. The sudden motion startled her and before she could pull back, warm
breath filled her ear. “Nothing to fear,
shae-shondah.
Touch him, feel
him, accustom yourself to his body. It’s all right. He’ll only take what you
offer. Nothing more. I promise.” Nolan’s hands rhythmically squeezed her upper
arms, offering reassurance as well as providing a distraction from the tension
gathering in Gabriel. She’d helped Nolan. She could tell from the strength in
his voice.

“You’re so beautiful and trusting,” Nolan whispered against
her ear again. “You’ve eased mine and Gabriel’s pain. Let us ease yours.”

I feel no pain
.

The words emerged only in her mind because Gabriel continued
kissing her gently, passionately, perfectly.

“You’ve wanted him. You still want him,” Nolan crooned in a
hypnotic, monotone voice. “We’ve discussed how we’ll meet your desire while
keeping you safe. We know what to do, sweet
shae-shondah
.”

“Mmmm,” emerged from her throat. She was unwilling to end
the kiss with Gabriel long enough to speak. Her mind spun and heart hammered
before bursting into flames.

The warmth of the fire touched her gently compared to the
heat given from the bodies in front and behind her. Gabriel’s skin beckoned her
to touch, explore, memorize. Naked! He stood before her completely naked, not
as a body needing healing, but as a man.

Her hands roamed his chest. She’d felt him before when she’d
tended him. The feeling now was different, disarming, arousing. Long groans
left his throat as his lips lifted from hers. His head strained back as his
eyes rolled to the ceiling. He gulped great amount of air. His discomfort was
nearly palatable. She wanted to soothe him but couldn’t decide how best to
accomplish it.

“Yes, he wants you,” Nolan crooned. “Look at him.”

Her gaze slowly caressed the magnificent man standing before
her. “He’s in pain.”

“Run your hands over his skin. Accustom yourself to his
scent. Ready yourself for what’s to come.”

As her palms passed over his chest, he arched into her
touch. The caress to his hard nipples seemed to have caused his reaction. To be
sure, she rubbed her thumbs over the nubs once again. He sighed before his
hands tightened on her shoulders. Could she have hurt him?

“Don’t be afraid,” Nolan said quietly. He tugged her gently
backward, against the heat of his clothed body. Opened palms ran from her arms,
to her hips and upward until he cupped her breasts. Oh, the tingling sensations!
It seemed strange, Nolan touching her flesh.

“See how it feels?” he asked, pinching her nipples slightly.

“Oh, yes.” She licked the dryness from her lips.

“Do you like when I pay attention to your breasts?” he asked
before pinching them again.

Her back bowed causing her belly to rub against Gabriel’s
erection. Somehow that made everything even better. Hotter. Gabriel grasped her
hips and pulled her more firmly against his heated skin. Back and forth, he
rubbed the length of his cock over her abdomen.

“Relax,
shae-shondah,
and spread your legs. We want
to smell your sweet scent.”

Her skin heated from more than the bodies of the men
surrounding her. No wonder they’d insisted she bathe earlier. They could smell
the moisture between her legs. The dreamlike quality of the moment began fading
as reality washed over her. Before she could pull away, Nolan used his boot to
nudge the inside of her right ankle, effectively separating her feet.

Gabriel held her hips and dropped to his knees.

Dearest Ayasha, the man’s face is mere centimeters from
my pussy!

Her stomach turned as her legs tightened.

“No one will hurt you.” Nolan kissed her neck.

She shrugged her shoulders, trying to gain a bit of
distance. He merely placed wet kisses at the back of her neck before nibbling
on the side. Bumps rose on her skin. Her nipples hard rubbed against his hands.

In between kisses and licks, he said, “We’ll be so careful
with you, I promise. Gabriel knows the gift you’re giving him. He won’t take
you carelessly.”

“Wait,” she said, her mind starting to clear.

“You’ve waited long enough. You want him and you’ll have
him.”

“I can’t. He can’t.” She couldn’t make the proper words form
with her breasts held in Nolan’s hands and Gabriel’s breath fanning her damp
pussy.

“Shhh, sweet healer. We know you’ve little experience. We’ll
make sure you’re hot, ripe and ready to receive him. Relax while Gabriel
prepares you.”

Prepares me?

The question stuck in her throat as long, thick fingers
gently separated the lips of her pussy. Before she could bring her legs
together, Nolan pulled her closer and placed his other boot at the inside of
her left ankle, spreading her pussy open. Protests died on her lips as
something warm and slippery slid into the crease.

By the stars in the sky, the man is tasting me!

“Oh, healer, your scent intoxicates me.” Although Nolan
remained fully clothed, she could feel the bulge from his erection nestled
against her back. That probably should’ve frightened her. Oddly, it aroused her
more.

“Nolan! What is he doing to me?” She panted and squirmed
within his embrace, stunned, scared and excited from the dance of Gabriel’s
tongue over her clitoris.

“Settle yourself, small one, and enjoy. He knows to go
slowly and gently with you. Don’t fret because of how tense he is. I’ll stop
him if he gets too rough. I’m here to protect you. I will. Gabriel will give
you nothing but pleasure this eve.”

The searing hot sensations rippling through her pussy,
abdomen and legs nearly caused her to collapse. Nolan supported her as
Gabriel’s insistent lips and tongue bathed her in heat. And oh, the wet noises
coming from between her legs!

Embarrassment started to surface but Gabriel effectively
licked it away. Her vaginal walls clenched tighter and tighter. Stars filled
her vision as the crackle from the fire droned in her ears. “Yes, dear hunter.
More. More!”

She grasped Nolan’s hands, forcing him to squeeze her
breasts. Her heartbeat raced and her legs stiffened until her toes curled into
the sand. The center of the cave opened into a colorful abyss of swirling
color. This would be her first climax with a man. Actually, two men. And she
couldn’t stand another instant of anticipation.

“Now, Gabriel, make her come,” Nolan said.

The pressure and dance of Gabriel’s tongue increased as
Nolan sucked on the side of her neck. An explosion erupted inside of her as
screams of utter completion echoed off the cave walls. Straining and jerking,
riding out the indescribable pleasure took hours, days, forever. Each pinch,
touch, stroke and taste from the hunters traveled to the eye of the pleasure
storm, ripping her apart.

Gabriel appeared in front of her, kissing her with the lips
and tongue he’d used to bring her pleasure. In between ragged gasps of air, she
kissed him back, not embarrassed by her own scent or taste mingling with his.

Soft words whispered against her ear barely registered.
“Have you been satisfied,
shae-shondah?
Is that all you wanted from
him?”

No!

The word stuck in her brain as she wrapped her arms around
Gabriel’s waist. She never wanted to release him. She must get closer! This
could be her only chance to be with Gabriel the way she’d always dreamed. As a
woman. His woman, if only for a brief time.

The emotion broiling in her stomach moved to her chest. She
could feel her palms begin to warm as if preparing for a healing. She needed to
focus, concentrate. If she had her way about things, something far more
intimate would happen between her and Gabriel.

“Sadie,” Gabriel said, framing her face with his palms.
“Your hands, they’re so hot.”

“I c-can’t stop. Not this time,” she whispered frantically.

“Feel him,” Nolan said quietly against her ear as he
massaged her breasts. He would give anything to be the man in front of her,
rather than behind. “He’ll stand still for you.”

Nolan recalled waking after the healing when Gabriel picked
her up, taking the warmth of her hands away. The scent of her desire lingered
in the air. Knowing she’d become aroused due to Gabriel’s nearness had no
bearing on what happened to Nolan’s cock. He grew as hard as the stone walls
surrounding them, wanting to answer the call of her body.

He swallowed and forced himself to concentrate. He owed his
clarity of mind to Sadie. He could do his duty and keep her safe. He would
maintain her arousal and keep Gabriel under control until they received their
fill.

Her body swayed gently between them. Nolan watched as her
small hands rubbed and firmly touched Gabriel. The soft moans escaping her lips
rang in his ears.

If only I were the one to excite her like this!

His hands strayed from her firm breasts, trailing her ribs
before coming to rest on her hips. Without thought, he bent his knees slightly
and pulled her backward a few inches so her firm ass nestled against his
swollen cock. She enjoyed the new position. Ever so gently she rocked against
him while leaning forward to taste and nibble Gabriel’s chest.

Instinct made him take notice of his partner. Gabriel drew
great gulps of air as he allowed
shae-shondah
to familiarize herself
with his body. He could only imagine the need riding him, having her pay such
slow and deliberate homage to his naked flesh. It took very little to bring a
hunter’s sexual need to full readiness. With any other woman, Gabriel would’ve
entered her and come by now.

This was different. This was special. This particular
situation would take time, patience, and endurance because although the healer
had become aroused, her hunger for sex probably didn’t rise as quickly as the
women who’d previously been provided.

Gabriel cupped her cheeks between his palms, turning her
face upward. He held her still as yearning, control and longing deepened the
creases beside his eyes. His nostrils flared, inhaling the scent of desire
rising up from the woman between them. He scanned her face. Nolan knew Gabriel
kept reminding himself who stood before him. Slowly, a hungry predatory gaze
illuminated his eyes.

“Gabriel?” Nolan waited for a response.

Gabriel licked his lips and droplets of perspiration rose on
his brow.

“Distance yourself, friend,” Nolan said. He could only
imagine the nearly wild urges racing through his partner’s body. Regardless, he
would make sure Gabriel didn’t scare her and accumulate further regrets where
she was concerned.

Sadie pulled her hands from Gabriel. Apparently she’d seen
something in his expression that frightened her. Yes, she also probably sensed
the change in him. With his muscles bunching, heavy breathing and greedy stare,
she probably understood loud and clear Gabriel wasn’t quite himself at the
moment.

Gabriel grabbed her shoulders. “Don’t pull away from me,
Sadie.” His low threatening voice caused chilled bumps to rise on her flesh.

Nolan wrapped his arms around her waist as he leveled his
gaze on Gabriel. “He won’t hurt you,
shae-shondah
. I’m here to make sure
nothing happens that you’re not ready for.”

She leaned an inch backward and he cuddled her to offer
reassurance. “Are you angry with me, Gabriel,” she asked in barely a whisper.