Denis Cherie - Busy [Caveman Love 1] (Siren Publishing Allure) Page 5

  Everyone laughed.

  Gem looked around and didn’t see Og. He often joined the group, but tonight he wasn’t there and she was hurting. Didn’t he know she was about to be sold to another man?

  Gem wished she had not turned her head because her father was signing for her to return, “Now.”

  Gem sighed. “I must go now. My father is taking me to another valley to sell me. I don’t want to,” she hesitated, “marry, any man but Og.” Oh, no. She’d said it out loud. She covered her mouth and nodded her good-bye to her friends.

  Cia squeezed her arm. “It will be all right, Gem. You will not be sold to another. We will see you in a few passings of Tec.”

  The moment Gem arrived at her father’s fire, he wrapped a rough hand around her arm and tugged. “Hurry,” he signed.

  He signed to his mate they would return with two passings of Tec, but if it was longer, not to worry. He also promised to guard her only child. Nothing would happen to Gem. She was worth too much to lose or injure.

  Her mother’s eyes grew wet. “Be safe, my child,” her mother signed.

  “Yes, Mother,” Gem signed.

  “Be good. Do not make your father angry.”

  “No, Mother.”

  “Do not let him make you stay with a man you do not want.”

  “He will not listen.”

  “He will listen because he knows I will push him off the cliff if he does anything bad to my child.”

  “Tog,” Ret signed, “do not harm Gem. You will regret it forever. I will make your life worth nothing.”

  “Yes, woman. I understand.” He yanked on Gem’s arm again, and she dug in her heels. She did not want to go with him.

  Gem realized Og was back at his fire-pit staring at the wall. Something must have gone wrong today. It was obvious from the slope of his shoulders Og was brooding. His mother had not started his fire yet again, and there was no food roasting for him. He had to be starving. She should be taking care of him since his mother wouldn’t.

  “Now!” Her father was angry and his grip on her arm tightened.

  She looked at Og and then at her father and decided if she didn’t do as he wanted, her father would drag her by her heels. She was going to the other cave whether she wanted to or not. If she screamed, would Og save her?

  Tog yanked harder, and Gem gave in. Og was ignoring her, and her father was hurting her. She might as well see what the new man was like. Maybe he wouldn’t be so busy.

  “Do not worry about Og,” her mother signed. “I will make his fire and feed him. He will not suffer.”

  “Thank you, Mother.” Gem wanted to tell her mother more, but before she could, Tog gave her arm a good, hard jerk, and she was out the wide opening of the cave. She stumbled as he pulled her down the path to the valley floor.

  When she got her father’s attention, she signed she would follow, and he finally let go of her arm and pushed her in front of him so she wouldn’t disappear.

  When they reached the end of the path, he pointed, and they headed across the valley to a cave far away from their home cave.

  Tec was sinking behind the mountain, and it would be dark soon.

  Gem carried a tar and grass covered club her father had stuck in the home fire-pit before they left the cave. It glowed, giving them a dim light to find their way. It was growing cool, and Gem shivered.

  “Hurry, girl,” her father signed. “I want to get as far as we can before we set up camp for the night. I told Heg we would be at his cave after the morning meal.”

  They walked for what seemed like half the night before Tog found a camping spot by a small stream. Gem looked back toward their home cave but couldn’t see any light. They were too far away. Tec’s sons had built their tiny fires in the dark above them. Those fires were the only thing she could see.

  Tog waited impatiently for Gem to gather some small branches and dry grass. Her father was always so anxious it made Gem nervous. She could never please him. She next picked up some bigger branches and laid out the fire. First, she dug a hole as deep as her arm to the bend and as wide as her full arm. Then, she put in rocks to fill the bottom. Next, she laid out three pieces of coal and the grass, followed by the small branches and then the two thicker branches.

  Tog grumbled and mumbled the whole time she worked. He held the torch so she could see what she was doing but otherwise didn’t move to help. When the pit was laid out to his liking, he leaned forward and stuck the torch in and lit the grass. Before long there was a nice warmth surrounding them, and the plains didn’t seem so frightening to Gem.

  Gem scavenged more wood and laid it in a pile next to the pit. She would be responsible for keeping the fire going the rest of the night so her father could rest. He was a man and needed sleep. The meeting at the rising of Tec was an important one for Tog. Gem didn’t care. She was not going to mate with any man other than Og. No matter how much her father pushed her.

  Gem walked behind some large stones and made water, which she quickly covered with dirt so it wouldn’t bring any night animals to the camp. Her father did the same, and when he returned, he tied a long piece of sinew around her ankle and his. He did not want her slipping away in the dark.

  Tog held out his hand, and Gem rustled through the heavy sack she had been carrying. She pulled out a large piece of fur Ret had made by sewing small animal coats together and handed it to him. He wrapped the cover around his body, fur side in, and lay down close to the fire. Soon, he was snoring loudly.

  Far off in the distance, an animal screamed, and Gem shivered and moved closer to the fire and prayed silently to Tec for her safety.

  By the time Tec came over the top of the cliffs, Gem had the fire built back up and her father’s morning drink brewing. It hadn’t been easy to do without waking Tog since they were still tied together. She didn’t want to wake him too soon since he was as grouchy as an old bear in the mornings.

  Her mother had packed a sack of food for the trip, and Gem had made her father a morning meal. This time she ate while he slept so she didn’t have to worry if there would be enough for her this day.

  Tog woke, stretched, and untied the sinew. The moment she was loose, Gem ran behind the rock to relieve herself. It had been a long, uncomfortable night.

  After Tog ate, Gem cleaned the camp and banked the fire. They would stay at the same place on their way back to their home. She took her time, which was not a good idea since her father was very anxious to get on the way and was in a bad temper.

  Before she was ready, they were walking up the path to the cave where the new man waited and her father’s friend, Heg, lived. Was it his son who wanted her for a mate? She had seen Heg. He was ugly, short, fat, hairy, and wrinkled. What would his son look like? She didn’t want to think about it. Og was going to be her mate. No, he was going to be her husband.

  At the opening of the cave, Tog stepped in and dropped his spear. He signed for all to see he was a friend and there to meet Heg. His friend came forward and gave him a bear hug so all knew Tog signed the truth.

  Heg led Tog to his fire-pit, and Gem followed with her head down and her hands folded in front of her. She ached to stare around her and see if this cave was the same as the cave she came from. It probably was. It sounded the same as her home, but the smells were different.

  The sound of crying babies echoed off the cave walls. Smoke from fires made her eyes burn, and the smell of bad meat made her belly tighten. At least her home did not smell of old smoke and bad food. At her cave, natural air shafts drew the smoke away, and the women were careful to not keep food more than a day or two.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she spied several aged dwellers sitting at a fire-pit, wrapped in skins to stay warm. No matter what the weather outside, the caves were cool. Sometimes too cool, especially for the old, sick, or very young.

  The two men signed for a long time. Without staring, Gem tried to watch without being caught. The men’s fingers flew, and Gem only was able to understand a few w
ords once in a while. From what she could figure out, Heg’s son, Hot, was of age and ready to mate. He was tall, strong, and a good hunter.

  Tog asked if Hot could make many children, and Heg smiled, showing short, brown, broken teeth. Gem shivered. Heg was nasty. All she could do was hope his son wouldn’t be too terrible to look upon.

  A shadow fell over Gem and cut her off from what little heat she’d been able to absorb from Heg’s fire. Before she could stop herself, she raised her eyes and came face to face with a young man. Hot. It had to be Heg’s son, Hot.

  Gem sighed. Hot was almost as beautiful as Og. He was taller and darker with more body hair, sturdy, long legs, and a broad, muscular chest. His face was plucked clean of hair, and the dark, wavy hair of his head was clean and slicked back to show his face to advantage.

  He had a firm jaw, a full-lipped mouth, close-set ears, and a fine nose. He was easy to look upon. His lips twitched. He was trying not to smile. Gem couldn’t help but compare his body to Og’s, and the two men were similar in many ways except for the color of their hair and the size of their cocks.

  Hot wore a short, tanned hunting cover which wasn’t long enough to cover his large, dark cock. It was a fine cock, so large she doubted she could wrap one hand around it, much less suck on him. The skin hood protecting the knob of his cock was closed, but as she stared, the head of his cock came into view and a pearl of man-juice formed on the end.

  Hot seemed to like her.

  Gem folded her arms and frowned. She did not care how lovely his cock was. He was not going to be her mate.

  Hot knelt down in front of her and tipped her face up so he could look at her. His cock dangled, just missing brushing in the dirt. Oh, he was very large. Perhaps she had decided too soon not to mate with anyone besides Og.

  Hot stood and signed to her father, “She is pretty. Does she speak?”

  Tog shrugged and signed, “She speaks, and she signs. She cooks and keeps a clean cave. She is a good hunter and can build a fire in the blink of an eye. She is a good girl and will make a good mate.”

  Hot looked at her. “Open your covering, girl,” he signed.

  Gem shook her head.

  Tog grabbed her arm. “Do what he asks, girl, or I will beat you.”

  Hot shook his head. “No beating.” He stepped close to Gem, and she stepped back. He was too close and much too large. He took the front of her dress in his hands and pulled it open, revealing her naked body. Gem tried to cover herself, but he gently tugged her hands away and held on to them.

  Hot smiled. “She is good. I will taste her.”

  Tog put a hand on Hot’s arm. “Not before we bargain. She is untried and will stay that way until I get a good price for her.”

  Hot covered Gem’s body with her garment and stroked her arm. “Nice.”

  The three men sat around Heg’s fire-pit, and Heg poured out bowls of fermented roots called potatoes. Gem had tasted it once or twice, and it was strong and made her head feel funny.

  Gem slipped into the shadows and tried to watch all the flying fingers. So far it looked as if her father was not happy with the offer Hot had made of a mammoth skin and a tiger skin.

  Tog unrolled the mammoth skin and laid it on the floor. He frowned when he noticed several tears and matted fur. The tiger skin was even in worse shape.

  Gem put a hand over her mouth to cover her smile. Thank Tec her father thought she was worth a lot more than two ratty skins.

  Hot disappeared into his sleeping cave and returned with a large antelope skin. He unrolled it, but again Tog frowned and shook his head.

  Hot’s face grew dark, and Gem slipped farther into the shadows. She checked to see how close she was to the cave opening in case she had to run. Friends or not, it looked like the three men were about to start bashing each other with their clubs.

  Heg put a hand on Tog’s arm. “We are friends. We will not let my son cause us to fight.”

  Tog put his hand over his friend’s. “Good. I do not want to fight, but I will not give my daughter away for nothing. She is worth much more than these paltry skins.”

  “It might be better if you went on your way, Tog. I will speak with Hot, and if he makes some better captures, he will come to your cave to ask for Gem as a mate.”

  Tog stood, signed his thanks for the drink, grabbed Gem from her hiding place, and yanked her out of the cave. He mumbled and grumbled all the way to their campsite. He set a rapid pace, and Gem was glad more than once she had long legs or she would have been left behind by now.

  It was still light when the campsite came into view. Gem sighed. They were halfway home. She was anxious to see Og. She needed to reassure herself he was as beautiful as she remembered.

  Hot would have been a good mate to sleep with and fuck, but she had a feeling he was lazy and wouldn’t be a good provider. If he couldn’t tan skins well, he also couldn’t hunt well. His hunting skills showed in the damage to the skins he’d tried to use to buy her.

  Tog refused to sign with her. He was angry he hadn’t been able to sell her. Even if her mother would be happy, it would take Tog a few passings of Tec before he would forgive her for not being bought.

  * * * *

  It was good to be back at the home-fire. Her mother had greeted them with signings of joy and love. Even Tog had been given a bear hug, which turned his face dark red. Gem giggled. Her father liked being hugged by her mother whether he wanted to admit it or not.

  Ret had the evening meal simmering, and soon Tog was settled by the fire with a bowl warm in his hands. While he ate, Gem and her mother slipped into the shadows and signed. Ret tried not to laugh when Gem told her about Hot’s large cock and how he showed himself.

  Ret asked if Gem liked him and didn’t seem surprised when Gem signed her dislike of the man.

  Gem accepted a bowl of hot liquid to sip, and her mother continued to sign many questions about the journey. Gem tried to watch her mother’s hands and search the cave at the same time. She could not find Og.

  “Mother,” Gem interrupted, signing, “where is Og?”

  Ret shrugged. “I do not know. I saw Hoe go to his fire and open her skirt for him.” Ret kept her head down. Gem wanted to see what was in her eyes, but her mother hid her face.

  “Did he touch her?” Gem’s voice quivered. She bit her lip to keep from crying.

  Ret nodded. “He ran his hands over her ass and up her legs. He stood, and she rubbed her teats against his chest.

  Gem began to weep. No wonder he was too busy for her.

  Ret grabbed Gem’s hand. “To be honest, Gem, he seemed angry and did not go any further to pleasure Hoe. She put her mouth on his, and Og pushed her away.”

  “That is good, isn’t it Mother?”

  “Probably. I don’t think his cock was hard. I couldn’t see the front of his hunting skirt lift. You need to know Hoe tried very hard to interest Og. She laid on his bed and opened her legs. She squeezed her tits and moaned, but Og ignored her. He packed a sack and went out late in the dark the night you and your father left and has not yet returned. His mother is getting worried.”

  “I will go find him.”

  “No. You will not leave. He took his spear, club, and sack. I am sure he will be fine, and I’m sure he will return soon.” She patted Gem’s leg. “Do not worry. Og is brave and strong. He wants you for his mate. He will be back before Tec sets tomorrow.”

  “You know this as truth, Mother? He wants me?”

  “I’ve seen him watch you when you are not looking. Yes, he wants you for a mate, and he will not wait much longer before asking to buy you from your father.”

  “Do you approve, Mother?”

  Ret smiled and nodded. “He is very beautiful, strong, well-built, works hard, and wants you. It will not be long.”

  Tog growled and signed, “Stop signing. You are annoying me.”

  The women smiled at each other and moved farther into the dark. Gem couldn’t control her anxiety. She wanted him. She’d wan
ted Og for a long time. “Mother, are you sure he did not fuck Hoe?”

  “I’m sure. I watched closely. Hoe is not a nice girl. She steals men from their mates. I saw Og pack and leave before Hoe could get him down on the bear rug. On his way out the door, he stopped and signed to me he would return because he was going to buy you.”

  Gem was so happy she wanted to sing. Perhaps Lia would lead them in a song of jubilation tonight. Gem wanted to tell the world soon Og would be her lover, her husband.

  “I can’t believe he stopped to talk to you, Mother. Did he say anything else?”

  “No, my daughter. Just that you were his. What had happened with Hoe was none of his doing.” Her mother patted Gem’s knee. “Now, be silent and stay still so your father can eat.”

  When Tog was through with his meal, the women ate their meal and cleared away the remnants. Soon, all were curled in their bearskin rugs. Tog snored loudly, and Gem wiggled around trying to find a comfortable spot. Where was Og? She should be with him tonight. The trip to visit Heg and Hot had been a waste of precious time.

  With Hoe to entertain him, she was surprised he’d had time to stop at her home and speak to her mother. Perhaps he did care. The fact he'd talked to her mother gave her hope.

  Gem wondered it mattered to Og because her father had taken her to sell. Since he was always busy, she was surprised Og had stopped to speak to her mother. Even though he acted as if he didn't care, Og had noticed she was gone.

  At last Tec’s light began to creep into the main cave, and Gem rose and cooked the morning meal. After the family ate, Tog grabbed his spear and left, but not before grunting and rubbing his nose on Ret’s.

  Ret went out to dig up food hidden in the cold dirt while Gem spruced up their part of the cave.

  Later, she and Cia spent time sitting on the ledge outside the cave, talking about Gem’s visit with Hot and Heg.

  Cia was impressed with the size of Hot’s cock and asked many questions about his male parts. Gem described Hot as best she could using some of the new words and what signs were available.