Stupid, crappy, inconsiderate body.
Grinding her teeth, she forced herself to her feet. She whimpered as the urge to sit back down overwhelmed her. I’ve got to go…
It really was not a choice. Not unless she wanted to embarrass herself.
She made her way slowly to the flap, and brushed it aside to find it early morning outside. But that wasn’t what held her attention.
With his back to her tent, Hauk stood near a small fire, holding a towel to his face. Stripped to the waist, he was absolute male perfection. Every bit of him… and she could see quite a percentage of that lush, rippling body. Never in her life had she seen so many highly defined muscles on one person. Muscles that were covered by a wealth of scarred caramel-colored flesh.
She frowned as she realized just how many scars marred his body. From his left shoulder down across his back were vicious burn scars. Those would be bad enough, but over them were a large number of claw marks, as if he’d been held down by a wild animal and brutally mauled. Numerous times. For a human, those scars would be bad.
For an Andarion, they were shameful. Their species valued beauty and strength above all things. Any kind of physical imperfection, except scars sustained in honorable battle, or tattoos designating military service or family lineage, could result in their being abandoned by their family and sterilized.
Even killed.
Was that why Hauk had never married? He was long past the age when most Andarions took mates. But with those scars, no female of his species would consider him desirable or handsome.
Nor would an Andarion female’s family give permission for a joining of bloodlines to someone who would be considered deformed on their world.
Lowering the towel, Hauk turned as if he sensed her presence. As he moved, she saw even more scars on his chest and arms. Some from knives and blasters, and others she could only guess at. But the one that really stood out appeared to be a diagonal claw mark over his left biceps and shoulder and down across his pectorals. From the depth and pattern, it looked as if it’d been done intentionally.
Maybe as a punishment?
The moment their gazes met, she saw clearly the shame he felt at having been caught undressed like this. He immediately dropped the towel and retrieved his leather shirt so that he could cover himself.
Completely mesmerized, she watched as he fastened the front and wound the intricate straps and buckles down his arms, leaving parts of his skin exposed while covering enough to give him protection without inhibiting his movements or holding body heat. In fact, the leather cloth was a strange mesh-like texture that gave as much protection as battle armor while venting the wearer so as not to overheat them while fighting.
Andarions certainly knew how to battle and design clothes for it.
In an almost bashful manner, Hauk stepped over his damp shaving implements to approach her. “I didn’t know you were conscious.”
She gestured toward the small copse of bushes. “I… um… you know.” As she started for them, she stumbled slightly and winced.
Suddenly, Hauk was by her side to help her.
“I can do it.”
He snorted at her bravado. “You’ve lost a lot of blood, and while I’m not a human medic, I’m pretty sure it takes more than a day for those kinds of injuries to heal.” He swept her up in his arms and carried her to the bushes, where he deposited her. “The kids are off, probably trying to kill each other, but in theory they’re supposed to be hunting breakfast. So you can take your time and not worry they’ll return soon. Experience has shown me that the whole concept of hurry has eluded them.” He indicated the camp over his shoulder. “I’ll get you some supplies and when you’re finished, if you want, I can help you wash.”
Again, she was mystified by him. “Why are you being so nice to me?”
“You’re injured.”
“But you think I tried to kill you. I can see it in your eyes that you still don’t trust me.”
Hauk shrugged nonchalantly. “Don’t take it personally. I trust no one. Not even me.” He gave her a charming, lopsided grin that was completely at odds with his massive size and intense stare. “Besides, you haven’t killed me yet.”
Cocking her head, she scowled at him. “That makes no sense. In any universe or capacity.”
He laughed deep in his throat. “To a human, probably not. In my culture, we tend to let overt attempted murder slide.”
And still it made no sense to her. “Andarions are supposed to be vicious warriors. I thought you killed over any insult.”
“Insults, yes, but we’re not Partinie, humans, or Phrixians. There’s no honor in attacking women or children, or anyone who’s weaker. That isn’t our way. Trying to kill me would be thought of as a challenge to my species – meaning you consider me a worthy opponent. So it’s not an insult. It’s actually a high compliment.”
As he walked away, she suddenly remembered Fain telling her something very similar when she’d been a child. “Andarions intimidate. We verbally and physically test everyone we meet. And we live to fight. But never against lesser opponents. There’s no glory in winning a fight when you know the other person is unequal to your challenge. Victory is only sweet when it’s properly earned. And that is when you’re either equally matched or your opponent has an advantage over you.”
For such a violent culture, there was also a strange beauty to their philosophy.
Hauk returned with a small pack that he left with her before he gave her privacy.
Once she was through, true to his words, he carried her back to the tent. He placed her on the ground beside the small bucket he’d been using to shave with when she’d first seen him. “The water’s fresh and warm.”
“Is this what you used to bathe?”
He shook his head. “There’s a river nearby, but the current is rather strong. You don’t need to be in it until you’re better.” He reached for the bandage over her stomach.
Sumi flinched instinctively, causing him to pull back. “Sorry,” she said quickly. “It’s not you.” That wasn’t entirely true. It was a lot him, but for some reason she couldn’t even begin to fathom, she didn’t want to hurt his feelings.
“I’m just checking your wound and the dressing. Don’t worry, I kept your honor while you were unconscious. The only part of you I’ve seen is what was exposed by the torn clothing during your fight and the assassin’s tattoo on your shoulder. I’ve looked no further.”
She gave him a stern, teasing glare. “What? You really didn’t cop a feel?”
“No.” His expression lightened as if he realized she wasn’t entirely serious. “But I was tempted.”
She bit her lip at his uncharacteristic admission. “I tempted you?”
His cheeks mottled with color as he looked away.
“Oh my God, Hauk, are you blushing?”
He scoffed. “Andarions don’t blush.”
“Oh, okay,” she said sarcastically. “I guess Andarions just have spontaneous cheek colorations that resemble human blushes.”
He snorted. “No, we don’t.”
Yeah, right. He was definitely embarrassed over his admission. “Good to know.”
Without a word, he carefully laid her down so that he could open her bandage and examine her wound. Sumi did her best not to think about the fact that no man had touched her this intimately in years. And never had one done so who was this handsome or this gentle. No wonder her sister had fallen so hard for Fain.