Chapter 5

Jagati stormed out of the restaurant. Behind her she could hear Bas yelling at her. She angrily wiped the tears off her face. She couldn't believe he'd seen her like this. She wasn't mad at him, just at herself for placing herself in a position she knew would disappoint him. If I'd known going to the diner would result in this I would've said to hell with the credits! I hate the fact he saw me whoring myself!

"Jagati, stop!" Bas caught up with her and grabbed her arm.

"You can go straight to Hell." She jerked her arm away from him before continuing on down the sidewalk.

"Chhetri, please listen to me."

"Don't ever call me that again! I am not a noble warrior. I've whored myself for a few lousy credits. Now, leave me alone, damnit!" She took off at a run, her tears once again flowing down her face. Behind her, she could hear Bas curse as he took off after her. She barely made it a block before he caught up with her. One moment she was running and the next she was being lifted off her feet and tossed over his shoulder. She shrieked in protest until his hard hand lightly slapped her bottom.

"Settle down, chhetri," he warned as he quickly walked down the block with casual ease as if he didn't have a squirming woman draped over his shoulder.

"I told you not to call me that!" She pounded on his back in frustration.

She continued to curse at him, not caring who heard her. He ignored her except for the occasional swat when she nearly slid off his shoulder. He barely felt her blows, and didn't care if she hit him but he drew the line at her injuring herself.

Joe looked up from the car he was tinkering on when he heard Jagati cursing Bas. He stifled a laugh as he saw her draped over Bas's shoulder.

"I see you found her."

Bas stalked by him and headed through the garage and towards the connecting door to the house.

"Aren't you going to do something?" Jagati wailed as they passed.

"Why? We both know he'd never hurt you, Jagati."

He laughed as the screen door slammed behind them and cut off her curse. He shook his head and went back to work.

Bas stopped after he entered the room they'd shared the night before. He set her on her feet to only be belted in the stomach by her tiny fist.

"Was that supposed to hurt?"

"Oh, you!" She shoved his chest as hard as she could. He staggered a bit before landing on the bed. She stomped over to the closet and yanked it open. Reaching up she grabbed her clothes from the hangers, which made a clanking sound as they hit the back of the closet from the force of her jerks.

"Planning on going somewhere?" Bas sat up.

"Away from you!"

"Like hell you are!" Surging off the bed he headed towards her.

"I don't know what makes you think you've any say in what I do Bas. I'm a big girl. I no longer need your protection." She tossed her clothes into her bag.

Bas stared at her back in disbelief. Inside him, he felt something stir.

Mine!

With her back to him, Jagati didn't realize the imminent danger she was in. When she moved to the dresser he moved with her, timing his movements to hers. Turning around to leave, the last thing that Jagati expected to see was Bas standing inches away from her. She looked up at him and saw the fire burning in his eyes.

Maybe I shouldn't have taken such a vocal stand about this. He looks mad enough to paddle my ass.

"What?" Her eyes widened as he crowded her closer to the dresser.

"Mine!" Lifting her up and setting her on the flat top of the dresser, his whispered command sent shivers through her.

God he's strong! Lifting her hands, she braced them against his rock hard shoulders.

His hands squeezed her waist as he crowded even closer to her. She took a deep breath and let her hands slide down to his chest.

"Bas..." she started to protest as he dipped his head. Her eyes widened as her gaze locked with his. She could see the dark desire she now realized he'd kept carefully banked since he'd found her. Her gasp was smothered by his mouth when his firm lips covered hers. As he pressed his mouth awkwardly to hers, she realized he wasn't quite sure what he was doing. Is this the first time he's ever kissed a woman? Closing her eyes, she let the unfamiliar caress of his mouth against hers flood her system. Desire pooled deep in her belly as she became vitally aware of the differences in their bodies and just how perfectly they fit together. He stepped between her legs, and wedged his narrow hips between her thighs. She moaned before parting her lips and slowly coaxing him into doing the same with her inquisitive tongue. He arched against her, and then in response, thrust his tongue boldly into her mouth. As the kiss consumed both of them, Jagati wiggled closer to him, wrapping her arms around his neck as their tongues continued their erotic duel.

Bas groaned as he ripped his mouth away from the irresistible temptation of hers. Tipping his head back, he dragged a deep breath of air into his starving lungs. This movement left the strong column of his neck exposed to her. He hissed as Jagati pressed damp kisses against it before sucking on his rapid pulse. Arching in her arms, a long forgotten memory slammed into him...