Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
He stopped beneath the shade of a broad-leafed tree where there was a convenient bench and sat with her in his lap. Gently, he titled her chin up so he could look into her face. Her cheeks were blotchy with tears, her green eyes wide and wet.
“Alexandra,” he said quietly, though his voice was rough with emotion. “Tell me what happened. How did you get yourself into that situation?”
She shook her head, covering her face with one hand.
“I—I don’t know. It was so stupid. I wasn’t thinking.”
He brushed her hair back from her damp, flushed cheek.
“No, tell me—I need to understand. You don’t just find yourself clinging to a tree with an alien beast trying to knock it down.” He raised his eyebrows. “Unless you’re a sleepwalker?”
She shook her head.
“No, I’m not. I…” Her lower lip trembled and she took a deep breath. “There was a baby animal in the pen—it came right up to me. It was so cute—like a little bunny with horns. It just wanted me to pet it.”
Brandt froze, his stomach knotting.
“So you went into a wild animal enclosure that was clearly marked as dangerous to pet a baby animal?”
She stiffened and nodded reluctantly.
“You don’t have to say it like that. I didn’t see the mother at first. It was so adorable and it pressed its little nose into my hand and I…I couldn’t help it. I slipped into the pen to see it better.”
He stared at her, stunned, then a low growl built in his throat.
“You put yourself in danger on purpose.”
Her tears spilled faster.
“No—not on purpose! I thought it was safe! The baby was so sweet. How was I supposed to know it had a mother the size of a grizzly bear waiting in the shadows?”
Brandt’s temper snapped as his desperate fear for her overflowed into anger.
“By using your head!” His golden eyes blazed as he glared down at her. “You could have been killed, Alexandra—torn to pieces in seconds. Do you understand that?”
“Of course I understand!” She swiped at her eyes, her tears slowing. “I never meant for that to happen. I…I didn’t think—”
“No, you didn’t,” he cut her off, his voice low and fierce. “You ignored a clear warning sign. You risked your life for a moment’s curiosity. And you nearly paid with your life.”
Her chin lifted suddenly, defiance sparking in her tear-reddened eyes.
“Well, excuse me for not knowing all the rules around here. It’s not like I got a briefing on Terian wildlife before we came here—you kidnapped me and dragged me here against my will! So I don’t have to justify a Goddamn thing to you.”
His jaw clenched so tight it ached. He had comforted her, worried for her, and now she dared to defy him? He wasn’t going to tolerate her “sass” as the humans called it for one minute more!
“Don’t you dare dismiss this as if it were nothing!” he growled. “You took ten years off my life, Alexandra. Watching you scream from that tree—thinking I might not reach you in time…”
His chest heaved, the image of her screaming and clutching the slender top of the tree flashing again in his mind.
You will not risk yourself like that again. In fact, I don’t think you should come outside again without me to keep you safe.”
“You can’t keep me a prisoner in there and only take me out to…to milk me!” Her arms crossed over her chest, her wet cheeks still flushed with anger. “I’ll go out whenever I want. And what are you going to do about it—lock me in my room?”
“No—I don’t think that would be an effective punishment,” Brandt said flatly. His decision crystallized in that moment. If she wouldn’t listen to reason, then he would make certain she learned through experience.
Before she could move, he scooped her up again, cradling her against his bare chest. She let out a startled cry, pounding her fists against his shoulder. “Hey! What are you doing? Let me down—I can walk!”
“No,” he said shortly, ignoring her struggles. His bare feet padded silent and sure over the mossy path as he strode up the metal bridge toward their chambers. “You’re not going anywhere until you’ve learned your lesson.”
Alexandra twisted in his arms, her breasts pressing against his chest, her hair tangling against his chin.
“Brandt! I mean it—put me down!”
“That’s Doctor Brandt or Sir to you.” He tightened his grip, glaring at her. “Enough. You’ve proven you can’t be trusted to keep yourself safe. That ends now.”
She glared up at him.
“You can’t just—just carry me off like I’m a child!”
He looked down at her, frowning fiercely.
“It’s true, you are not a child. But you behaved like one. And until you learn not to put yourself in mortal danger, I will treat you as such. I refuse to watch you risk your life again because you can’t resist touching something that looks ‘sweet and harmless.’ There are many dangerous in this universe that present that way—you must learn to stay away from them. ”