Slowly, very slowly, she inched outside. Jade stood beside the fire pit with her back to the hut. She either waited for Ivy or looked for Rocko. She turned around just as Ivy neared and her mouth dropped open.
“Ivy, what’s wrong?”
“This tampon hurts. Bronto said they’re supposed to be comfortable. That’s why I wanted to try it.”
“You removed the wrapper, right?” Jade asked.
“Yes.”
“And,” Jade continued, nodding once gradually, “the cardboard?”
Ivy eyes broadened and darted around Jade’s face. “Cardboard?”
“Oh dear,” Jade murmured. “I should’ve been more specific. Come with me. No,” she yelped, holding up her hands, palms facing Ivy. “Better yet, stay right here.”
Ivy nodded and at the same time saw Bronto approaching from the direction of his hut. His hair free-flowed over his shoulders and chest and he looked as if he hadn’t slept all night. His blade was sheathed at his side so he might have stayed awake guarding the camp.
Despite the anger he’d caused, her heart pitter-pattered. She lowered her gaze to the fire before he caught her ogling him.
“Ivy, I need to see you,” he said. “Will you come with me to my hut, please?”
“She can’t. Not yet,” Jade replied. “We’re having a problem,” she yelled over her shoulder as she dashed into the supply hut.
“What type of problem?” he asked but Ivy chose to ignore him.
“I’m only going to say this to you once,” he said, stepping closer and lifting her chin. “I’m sorry.”
“You should be.”
“I’d never hurt you. I was driven by anger and tried proving a point by strong-arming you. That was totally uncalled for and I seriously regret it.”
“You should.”
“Envy is a relentless emotion. I admit I got carried away, but you should never have approached and offered Grunt help. I’m not sure I can forget those actions.”
She lowered her eyes to his mouth, which was a big mistake because she suddenly wanted to forgive him, wrap her arms around his broad back and kiss him until her lungs collapsed. “So, you’re apologizing without actually apologizing?”
His brows rose. “No.”
“Then I have—” She snapped her lips shut as Jade approached, holding her hands behind her back.
“What are you ladies up to?” he asked, eyeing Jade first then Ivy.
“Tampon malfunction,” Jade replied as she slowly brought her hands forward and opened her fist, exposing a new tampon. “You’re welcome to stay for the demonstration,” she replied, grinning ear to ear.
He shook his head. “I’ll pass. Thanks.”
“I need your help,” Jade said, addressing Bronto. “I need you to carry her.”
“I can walk,” Ivy snapped.
“No, baby doll, you can’t.” Jade glanced at the sky. “If we plan on reaching my hut by nightfall, we need Bronto’s assistance.”
“Fine.” If she could’ve stomped her foot she would have. She didn’t like being put in a situation where she had no choice.
As Bronto reached for Ivy, Jade grabbed hold of his upper arm. “Lift her gently and don’t jostle her around. She’s very uncomfortable right now. It might even be better if you drape her over your back so she’s not scrunched in your arms.”
“It’ll be fine,” Ivy huffed.
“Suit yourself, baby doll, but I don’t want to hear one whimper when that stiff cardboard digs into your insides.”
Bronto stopped short of lifting Ivy off her feet. He straightened and both brows arched. “Cardboard?”
Jade nodded. “A six-inch, cylindrical piece.”
Ivy said nothing.
Bronto shook his head. “Ivy, lie against my back.”
She did, then wrapped her arms around his neck. Instead of grabbing her legs and placing them around his waist he held onto her hands and let her dangle. Though it was better than trying to walk to the hut on her own, she felt foolish being toted through the yard like a pelt.
When they reached the doorway he squatted until her feet reached the ground so she wouldn’t have to drop. Then he turned and lifted her chin a second time.
“Go make yourself comfortable. I’ll wait here.”
She nodded as he opened the door.
“Okay, baby doll,” Jade said, resting her hands on the back side of Ivy’s shoulders and walking her into the hut. “In you go. Bronto, she’ll be out in a sec.”
He was still in the same spot when Ivy resurfaced, content, curious and ready to sort through their differences. Anything was better than what she’d just experienced with Jade. They were both women but wow, she was more embarrassed by the hands-on instructions than by the humiliating spanking Bronto threatened her with.
“Ready?” he asked, reaching for her hand.
She nodded and walked the short distance to his hut.
“Would you like something to eat or drink, Ivy?”
“No thank you.”
“Have you eaten this morning?”