Primal Heat 05 - Darkness Reborn

gaze swept over her, and his cocky amusement fled, replaced with that same intense protectiveness she'd seen before. "What can I do?"
    She gestured at the fountain, her hands trembling, blood oozing from her torn up fingernails. "It's supposed to have water. I can't get it." She couldn't keep the desperation out of her voice.
    Kane strode across the crumbling village square and vaulted effortlessly into the fountain. He crouched beside her, his face intense and all-business. "Where does the water come from?"
    She almost cried with relief. He didn't bother with silly questions that wouldn't help. He'd instantly realized the danger of the situation to her, and he was focusing on what mattered. "From the earth. But it's not rising."
    Kane set his hand on her hair, a tender, soothing gesture that made her want to cry as he studied the fountain. His gaze was sharp and clear as he scanned it. "It's usually in the bowl?"
    She nodded. "I tried to chisel through the opening, but I couldn't get very far."
    Kane stood up and peered inside the bowl, then he shot her a look of respect. "You got pretty far."
    The tension began to ease from her body now that Kane was here. She wasn't alone. She had help, and quite frankly, she was too damned desperate to worry about whether that help was in the form of the world's greatest lover or the world's most deadly demon-tainted mass-murderer. If the man could get her water, then he could have whatever past he wanted, at least for the moment. "Well, I've always been known for my rock-chiseling skills. It's a girl thing."
    He raised his brows. "Impressive."
    "I know." She grimaced, unable to keep all of the trembling out of her voice. "Unfortunately, my skills seem to be declining. I couldn't pull it off."
    "I got it." He crouched beside her, and pushed her hair back from her face, his gaze intense. "But do me a favor and don't take off on me again. It was a bit of a pain in the ass trying to track you down." His voice was hard, but beneath it was an undercurrent of vulnerability, a man who had so much to lose and so much at stake.
    Like she was going to argue right now. Anything to get his help. Besides, it wasn't as if she was going anywhere at the moment. "Yes, I promise not to crawl the entire two inches away from you that I could manage before I crumble to the earth in a pile of sheer exhaustion and impending death."
    Amusement flickered over his face. "I swear, there's nothing like saving a woman from death twice to make it easy to manipulate her."
    She rolled her eyes. "You can't manipulate me. I made that choice because you look like some lost puppy dog at the thought of losing me, and I felt bad for you. And because I'm too weak to move anything but an eyelash." Despite her flirting, she couldn't suppress her discomfort at having to rely on him. She hated to put herself in a position where she would be in trouble if he turned on her, but she had no choice. Not right now.
    He cocked an eyebrow at her. "You pitied me?"
    She pressed her hand to her forehead, trying to quell the pain thudding through it. "Exactly."
    "Pity?" Kane grinned, even as he set his hand over hers and pressed lightly. She was startled to feel a surge of energy from him. "Well, damn, woman. I think that's a first. I was hoping for raw, unbridled lust keeping you hopelessly begging for another kiss from me, rendering you utterly incapable of doing anything but fantasizing about me and my incredible lovemaking skills."
    As his touch took away some of the throbbing pain in her head, Sarah shivered with desire, his words evoking memories of their lovemaking. Oh, the man had no idea what he did to her. She thought of the brand hidden beneath her long sleeves and stiffened, trying to pull away from his touch. Dammit. She had to remember to keep her distance, because the bond would try to pull them together. She couldn't afford to complete any more stages and tighten their connection, making it more and more difficult for her to protect herself from him when he finally turned. "You won't win me over—"
    "No." He gave her a long look as he grasped her shoulder, not letting her escape from him. "I can't imagine anyone could, but right now I'll settle for not having to spend another two weeks tracking you down." He gestured to her. "I might have to get a little violent with the fountain, so I want to move you out of range. Can you walk?"
    She shook her head, not even bothering to try to come across as some powerful woman.