The tawny man’s question drew her attention back to her companion, and her growing awareness of her own bedraggled appearance caused her face to grow hot. “I didn’t,” she answered simply, without looking at him. Her throat felt raspy when she spoke, likely from all that barking and growling. “I was born to a fishing family.” Her own honesty shocked her; normally she would have created some elaborate backstory for herself to take the place of her own sad, boring history.
“That was the best damn thing I’ve ever had in my mouth.” She met the man’s gaze that time with a crooked smile. “I’m fine,” she said, starting toward the meal with an excited gleam in her eye. She hissed as pain laced up her back leg when she took the step. “Or, I will be..” she conceded. She was going to be sore for a while, but she could worry over the bruises later. Now, it was time to feast. She chuckled at his compliment after swallowing her first bite. Persistence was not a quality she typically attributed to herself. “So who do I have to thank for making the most delicious meal of my life possible?”