Big Man’s Claim by Wylder, Penny (new ebook reader TXT) 📕

flickering as Melody falls asleep in my arms. I don't want to go to sleep. I know the second I wake up all of this will end.

I'll get her to safety and she'll thank me, then we'll go our separate ways.

The urge to stay here like this just a little bit longer is overwhelming. The clear sky, the bright stars, the glowing moon, and this woman in my arms is too good to let go of.

What the hell is going on with me?

It's stupid to feel this way about a girl I don't know. It's stupid to let my heart beat a million beats for a woman who will turn into a memory tomorrow.

It's stupid to think that this will ever be more than a one night stand.

5

Melody

My eyes flicker open as the wind blows across my face lightly. It sends a chill through my body, rousing me awake. Birds chirp in the background, and I can hear the breeze ruffle the treetops as the haze lifts from my brain.

Bran's thick arm falls around me, warming me up like a wool blanket. Images of what happened the night before begin to flash through my mind. Butterflies flutter through my belly, and my cheeks flush instantly.

I can't believe I did that. I've never been so brazen before.

It was an experience like no other. He's confident, knows exactly how to touch me and make me feel incredible. A man who knows his way around a woman's body. And I loved every second of it.

I don't regret it at all. Not one second. I wanted him, I needed him, and I'm still smiling because of him.

Rubbing my eyes, I focus on his face. He's still asleep. Running the tips of my fingers around his face, his brows scrunch up and his eyes flutter behind his lids. His fingers grip my back, tugging me closer.

Blinking his eyes open, he grins. “Good morning,” he says as he brushes his fingers up and down my back.

“Good morning,” I answer with a smile of my own.

Our faces are close, the tips of our noses almost touching. His hand keeps moving, stroking me gently. His eyes drift between mine as he licks his lips. I can't stop my body from reacting.

My pussy is pulsing, my heart starts to slam around in my chest, and my nerves are sparking as every inch of my body is taken over. His nose sweeps across mine as he presses his palm against my cheek.

Running his thumb up and down the curve of my jaw, he strokes the pad over my bottom lip. My eyes are set on his, anxiously waiting for him to kiss me. I can see it in his stare, in the way he licks his lips and touches my mouth.

Lifting my chin slightly, he doesn't waste any time, taking my cue and pressing his lips against mine. His kiss is soft and sexy, making me moan almost immediately. My thighs rub together, anticipating his hands on my body.

Parting my lips, he slips his tongue in my mouth, twirling it around mine. This man takes my breath away. Inhaling sharply, I barely get the chance to swallow it down before his hands are in my hair and his tongue is dancing with mine.

Kissing him back just as hard, I swing my leg over his hip, pushing my naked body against his. His hand glides down my thigh, moving all the way to my ankle.

A sharp pain zips up through the muscle causing me to cringe and break our kiss.

“Ah,” I hiss, jerking my leg away.

“It's still that tender, huh?”

“Yeah, it still hurts pretty bad.”

Branson carefully takes my leg, moving his fingers cautiously as he gently squeezes around my ankle.

“It's really swollen. We need to get you back to town so you can get it checked out.” I can see the concern on his face as his fingers keep exploring.

The moment is gone. My ankle is throbbing, and the pain is shooting up my leg like a lightning bolt thrown by Zeus himself. The muscle in my calf tightens up like a rock and my ankle feels like a million razor blades are slicing through to the bone.

Branson grabs his pants and pulls them on. Climbing out of the bag, he shakes out my clothes. “They're good and dry now,” he says, tossing them to me.

Picking up his shirt, he shakes it out too, checking it over inside and out.

“What are you doing?” I ask giggling.

“Making sure nothing climbed inside during the night.” Chuckling, he gives me a wink and a smile. “I checked yours too. I know I don't want to get bit by something.”

“Are you afraid of spiders?” Smirking, I pull my underwear and shorts on. He doesn't answer, simply giving me a shrug of his shoulder. “Don't worry, if you ever get into trouble, I'll save you. I owe you one anyway.” Winking, my smile broadens.

“Good to know.” He bounces his brows playfully and grins.

I love his smile. I'm enamored by it. The way the corners pull up high, and he bites down on the tip of his tongue as a single dimple pops on his left cheek. Some people have great smiles, and others have a smile you can't forget.

Bran's smile is one that comes once in a lifetime. It's unforgettable, picture perfect, defiantly handsome, and sets my body on fire.

Putting on my bra, I put on my shirt, and climb out of the sleeping bag. I can barely put any weight on my foot. My ankle is so swollen it doesn't exist anymore. I let out a sharp breath as the pain shoots through me, and Buttercup jumps up from his sleep and is immediately at my side. I lean down to scratch his head, but the pain is distracting.

“Do you think you can walk at all?” he asks as he rolls the bag and secures it to his pack.

“I can try.” Hobbling around on the tip of my toes, I pace our camp site.