Yesterday's Dawn - Hunters of the Ice Age

Her body felt soft under him, and her struggles excited him. He dipped his head and mashed his lips against hers.

Terah’s widened in disbelief and shock and then she struggled harder.

He broke off the kiss and looked down into those furious green eyes. “You are a fierce saber-toothed tigress,” he said. “Did you know that?” His voice was caressing and his gold-colored eyes were amused. “Such a fighter,” he murmured. He lowered his head and kissed her again; this time his lips were gentle.

When he raised his head, he saw that her lips still trembled from his kiss. He sighed. It had been a long time since he’d had a woman. Cala had died two winters ago.

“Come with me,” he said softly. Spearpoint’s idea to save the bride price faded. Now Mamut knew he wanted the woman for herself. He bent to kiss her once more. Frantically, she turned her head to the side so that he could not touch her lips. He chuckled.

Flori, the baby, whimpered. That one lament gave Terah newfound courage. She writhed under the big male’s grip and was able to free one wrist. She groped about on the ground and scrabbled up a handful of dust and gravel. She tossed it into his eyes.

With a yelp, he dropped her other wrist and rubbed at his eyes.

She tried to pull herself from under him, but he was too heavy and he firmly anchored her lower torso. Breathing heavily, she pushed at him, hoping that while he was blinded, she could get away. Alas, she still could not free herself. With both hands she seized the longest knife he wore at his waist and yanked it up. Her hands shaking, she held the knifepoint to the taut pale skin under his firm chin. “Do not move,” she said in a low voice.

Mamut froze, inwardly scolding himself for letting his guard down with this she-tiger.

Terah ordered, “Get off me.”