The Abduction by Erin Durante Page A

crutch. He dipped his head toward her and then limped toward the hall.
    “Where are you going?” Samantha asked, wiping her nose.
    “Leaving you alone,” he said softly.
    “Why?”
    “Because I’ve upset you.” He let out a frustrated growl. “I have been stuck on a ship full of soldiers for too long and I don’t remember how to act civil like a normal person.”
    “You…” Samantha sighed , watching him struggle to keep his footing. “You don’t have to go.”
    “ Actually I do.”
    “Really, Rikist. Please stay.”
    Rikist guffawed. “You are crazy. You can flip on a—”
    He turned to look at her, and his crutch slipped on a small puddle of suds. He gasped as he fell forward, reaching out with his free hand to catch his fall. He fell on his wounded side with a thud. The crutch caught against the metal frame of his leg brace, trapping his arm.
    “Ah… fuck.”
    Samantha stepped forward to help, then covered her mouth with one hand and pressed her lips together.
    Rikist growled and struggled to roll over to his back , his face pained and frustrated. “It’s not funny.”
    “I know, I’m sorry.” A snort escaped, and Samantha closed her eyes tightly. Her shoulders bounced as she fought to keep silent.
    Rikist glared at her. He freed the crutch, shifted his grip on the end and swung it across the floor to hook behind Samantha’s heels and pulled.
    Samantha yipped as she fell back, landing hard on her butt and falling back against his chest. She glared sideways at him, and then elbowed him in the stomach. Rikist doubled over, chuckling, and she punched him in the shoulder before getting to her knees.
    “ Asshole,” she muttered.
    “ Why do you constantly refer to body parts?”
    “You stink.” She pushed on his shoulder as leverage to get to her knees. “When’s the last time you showered?”
    “ I do, don’t I?” Rikist snorted and shook his head, his eyes twinkling with humor. “I could use help with a sponge bath.”
    Samantha fought back a grin. “More like a tub of bleach.”
    Rikist smirked and winked at her. “Feel better?”
    She thought about it. “A little.”
    “Mind helping me up?” Rikist held out one hand.
    Samantha glanced between the clawed hand and Rikist’s anticipating face, and then used both hands to grab his forearm and hefted him to his feet. He swayed and leaned into her, one arm wrapped around her shoulders, and she pressed her body against his to hold him steady. Beneath the scent of sweat and medication rolled an exotic undertone of spices and sandalwood, and she breathed in deeply before tilting her head back.
    He smells so good I just want to roll around all over him…
    Rikist steadied himself and his hand lowered, resting at the small of her back. He looked down at her and their eyes met. His nostrils flared as he smelled her neck, and a low rumble began deep in his chest.
    Samantha swallowed. It was hard to think. “W-what… what were you trying to tell me, before…”
    Rikist closed his eyes. “Hmm?”
    “About inappropriate behavior?”
    Rikist’s hand gently pulled her closer, pressing their hips together, as his head dipped lower until their noses brushed and his loose hair fell against her flushed cheek.
    Samantha put a hand on his chest to maintain a few inches of distance. His heart raced under her palm, and it set something off deep in her belly, slowly turning her knees to jelly. She trembled, her own pulse in her throat, as she started to rise on tiptoe.
    Wait… what am I doing?
    “Rik… ” she whispered, barely audible. “Rikist.”
    Rikist froze, not even daring to breathe, as his eyes snapped open and he stared at Samantha from only an inch away. After a moment he straightened and shook his head, his face a mixture of surprise and regret.
    “Samantha…” Rikist swallowed, a deep blush set in his neck and cheeks. “I…”
    “Are you OK?” Samantha said quickly. “Can you stand on your own?”
    He hesitated, and then nodded,