Free Resurgence: Green Fields book 5 by Adrienne Lecter Page B

putting out. Without that…” He trailed off, giving me a suggestive look, but when I just stared back he visibly deflated. “Too soon?” he guessed, sounding a little chagrined.
    “Nah, I was just wondering,” I mused. “If I can actually no longer taste anything, that means that your spunk might finally, for the first time ever, be something less than absolutely repulsive. See, there’s a bright side to everything.”
    His answering bark of laughter made me grin as I crawled over to our makeshift bed. “Give me a few more days,” I said. “When I’m no longer feeling like my body’s trying to self-destruct. And we should maybe pick up condoms along the way.” His eyes narrowed, and I didn’t miss the look of sadness in them before he got a grip on himself. Scoffing, I shook my head. “I’m not stupid. I doubt that after this shit going down I can get pregnant again. But there’s that whole trying not to introduce infection thing, and until I know for a fact that I can’t infect you, I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
    That was about as far as I got. The next moment, he was over me, leaning in for a deep, lingering kiss that certainly involved tongue. And saliva. I tried to push him away, but he wouldn’t budge. When he finally pulled back, my head was spinning a little, proving once more that I really wasn’t up for anything yet. Smirking, he plonked down on his side next to me.
    “See, now we’ll know,” he joked before he got serious again. “I’ve been bitten by zombies. I doubt that kissing you can get any worse than that.”
    “Gee, thanks.”
    “You know what I mean. But sure, we’ll get condoms. But not because I’m afraid I’ll catch anything from you.” He paused, checking the time. “I’ll take first watch. I’ll wake you up when I get too tired to be of any use anymore.” Which would likely mean that I would get to sleep through the night. I was tempted to protest, but ended up nodding before I curled up on my side.
    Exhaustion made it easy to tune out my thoughts, unpleasant as they got as soon as my mind started to shut down. I had too much to think about, and none of it pleasant.
    “Nate?” I asked into the gloomy darkness when sleep just wouldn’t come.
    I saw him tense where he’d taken up position next to one of the windows. “I’m here.”
    “Yeah, I can see you,” I teased, but it came out hollow. “Do you really think they’re out there, hunting for us?”
    His answering silence was more than I wanted to hear. “I’d love to say that it isn’t so, but honestly, after that hit at the factory I’m willing to believe anything,” he replied. “Don’t worry about it. The only reason they managed to pin us down was because they led us straight into a well-planned and executed trap. Now the only thing they know is where we were hours ago, and where we might drop by in a week or so. Remember how paranoid Wilkes and his guys were, even before that? I’d bet my life on the fact that in the meantime, they’ve turned their entire backyard into a gauntlet that’s virtually impenetrable. And we won’t make the same mistakes again.” He laughed softly. “Besides, they couldn’t catch us when you were driving like a maniac, high out of your mind. I think that sober and careful, we’re virtually invincible.”
    That I wasn’t so sure of, but his confidence helped ease my nerves somewhat.
    “Sleep,” he said, smiling. “Tomorrow everything will be just a little better. Trust me, it always is.”

Chapter 7

    Things weren’t exactly rosy when I woke up again, but Nate had been right—getting some quality rest helped. It was still dark outside but through the window I could see the sky start to lighten. Nate was leaning against the wall next to the other window, like a statue. A somewhat unkempt, not exactly fresh-smelling statue that tried hard to stifle a yawn. I allowed myself another moment of letting my sluggish mind come alive before I sat up and