Mated to the Beast of the Wasteland novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26 Refresh Your Memory

“Don’t be scared, Gillian. It’s not mine. It’s tainted beast blood.”

• S Free Coms

Merrick’s hand lifted, heavy but gentle, and settled on the top of her head. He stroked her hair like she was something precious.

The unexpected touch made her wrist jerk.

Warm water splashed directly into his face and streamed down his hair. Droplets cascaded down the bridge of his nose, slid along the curve of his lips.

A low breath escaped him. “Gillian. That’s hot.”

Her face flushed. She yanked the shower head away. “Sorry. Too hot?”

Merrick whispered, “It’s fine. I just didn’t know you liked playing with water.”

Gillian was speechless. Playing with water? I was startled.

“Merrick.” She took a breath. “After I get this bio-armor off you… can we talk? Seriously?”

Her expression was grave, like she had something important to say.

“Alright.”

Silence fell between them, broken only by the sound of water.

Her psionic power traced him meticulously-from neck to ankle-as she asked, “Your teammate said the suit’s malfunctioning. What happened?”

“Here. Cracked. A tainted beast bit through it.” His finger tapped his chest. A small, deformed bulge marred the surface.

“And that’s what caused the malfunction?”

She focused on the spot. The armor-disguised as gray-white mud-was seamless. Not a single gap.

How was she supposed to remove something with no seams?

Her small hand pressed against his chest, rubbing, kneading, trying to find purchase.

“You were inside its mouth when it bit you?”

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Chapter 26 Refresh Your Memory

“Are you worried about me, Gillian?”

+5 Free Coms

The question hung in the air. She didn’t know how to answer. Every response felt wrong.

A low groan escaped him. His hand-those long, sharp-boned fingers-closed over hers.

His skin was ice-cold.

She snatched her hand back.

He leaned in, too close now, eyes burning into hers.

“You can’t force it, Gillian. It’ll detonate.”

His breath ghosted over her ear, warm and uneven. That was why his men couldn’t remove it.

“Then how? My psionic energy can’t find a seam.”

He understood immediately what she needed. His voice was soft but clear.

“The codpiece.”

Their eyes dropped to the same place.

The armor opened there? She’d had no idea. Poverty, it seemed, limited more than just her imagination. She’d never encountered anything this advanced.

Gillian shot to her feet and killed the water.

“I’ll find a male medic. That would be more… appropriate.”

“Gillian.” His voice was calm. Earnest. “You’re the only cleric in the 9th Legion. A healer’s heart knows no bounds. You’re practically a doctor.”

His expression radiated sincerity. “You wouldn’t let me die, would you?”

“But I-”

A soft chuckle came. “Gillian. When you begged me to save you, you wrapped yourself around my waist without a second thought…”

Gillian clapped a hand over his mouth before he could finish.

“You make a valid point.”

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Chapter 26 Refresh Your Memory

Merrick blinked at her, clearly pleased with himself.

She made one last desperate attempt. “If you’re uncomfortable-”

His hand caught her wrist and pulled her down into his arms.

“Not at all. We’re legally bound, Gillian. We’ve seen everything there is to see.”

Their bodies pressed together. The air thickened.

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