this desert rose has thorns

Men made her much more nervous than women did, especially impressive giants like this one. She tried to keep her head, the most dangerous thing she could do was panic. One of the more important rules she lived by, but taking on the elements was the easier path to confronting a man like this. His dark blue gaze peered into her, but he didn’t make any swift movements or come after her. He had the added benefit of looking a little like Jupiter, one of the few men she’d been almost comfortable with. She certainly didn’t relax but Rava didn’t act rashly. She needed a drink and she needed to stay out of his reach, both objectives were simple but potentially difficult. She didn’t know what he wanted but she wouldn’t forget what she did.

His words were carefully chosen and didn’t win him any favors with Rava, he knew as well as she did she wouldn’t be going anywhere until she quenched her thirst. He was playing with her, and unlike the last man that gave her his fish and ignored her. She would have almost liked him had he not set up camp at the oasis. ”There’s not.” Rava answered quietly as she debated stealing another sip, but she couldn’t risk his long reach. She'd been caught too many times and now that she truly felt freedom the thought of being nabbed again made her feel sick.