tropical heat tf11.5 - cherry adair
TRANSCRIPT
TropicalHeatCHERRYADAIRfromtheRescueMeAnthology
ChapterOne
HurenCongoBasinCentralAfrica
ThebrilliantlightsoftheoperatingroomglintedoffthescalpelbeingheldtoDoctorElizabethGoodall'sslenderthroat.
Flatonhisbellyinthemainair-conditioningductdirectlyabovethem,SamPeltonaimedhisSigSauerbetweenthesoldier'sexpressionlesseyes.Thestate-of-the-art,multi-milliondollaroperatingroomwouldn'thavebeenunusualifithadbeeninalargehospitalinamajorcityanywhereintheworld.ButthisORwassmackinthemiddleofthejunglesofCentralAfrica.
"ObviouslyIwasbroughtallthiswayforareason,"Bethwassayingalittledesperately."Justtellmewhy.There'snoneedtothreatenmewiththescalpel."Whenshegotnothingmorethanablankstare,shedraggedinadeepbreath,heldit,thenletitoutslowly."Who'sincharge?You?"sheaskedtheguywiththeblade.
Yeah.I'dliketoseetheassholeincharge,too,Samthought,watchingthemthroughthesmallholeshe'dpiercedinthemetalduct.Thistop-secretcompound,deepintheHurenjungle,belongedtoPresidentSiphoNkemidilm.Whatwassodamnurgentthathe'dhadaprominentphysiciankidnappedfromabustlingmetropolitanhotelandflownthousandsofmilestohishiddencompound?
Somethingbig.Thecompoundwascrawlingwithheavilyarmed,camo-cladsoldiers.Moreofthemthanhadbeenreportedhereaweekago.Itdidn'tbotherSamthatthereweretwentytrainedsoldiersinresidence.Twentytooneweren'tinsurmountableodds.Hehadanarsenalofweaponsonhimandaheavierpack,fullyequipped,concealedseveralclicksawayinthejungle.Anothersmallerpackwashiddenjustoutsidethecompound.Hewasloadedforbear,withskillsanddeterminationtouseeitherhisweapons,orwhateverelsewasathand.Whateverittooktoexpeditethisrescuemission.
OneofthemenshovedahandfulofbluefabricatBeth'smidsection.Itdriftedtothefloorasshemadenomovetoacceptit,andinstead,glancedaroundthebrightlylitroomwithoutmovingherhead."DoesanyoneherespeakEnglish?"sheaskedwithadmirablecalm.
Theydidn't.Orpretendedtheydidn't.
Herred-goldhair,pulledupinitscustomarysimpleponytail,wasdisheveled,andheramberfrecklesstoodoutinsharpreliefonherpaleskin.Hereyesflickeredbetweenthemanholdingheratblade-point
andthethreestony-faced,AK-47-wieldingsoldiersflankingher.
Twomoreuniformswerestationedatthedoor.Aseventhman,presumablytheanesthesiologist,stoodhunch-shoulderedandmuteattheheadoftheoperatingtable,clearlytryingtomakehimselfasunobtrusiveaspossible.
Wasn'tgoingtosavehissorryass.Samwasready,willing,andfreakingabletoblowtheplacetosmithereensatthefirstopportunity.OncehehadBeth.Onceshewassafe.Droppingdownnow,gunsblazing,whilepersonallysatisfying,mightgetherkilled.Thatwasariskhewasn'twillingtotake.
Thesonofabitchwiththescalpelatherthroatwouldbethefirsttodie.
They'dsnatchedthewrongdoctor.Hisdoctor,goddamnit.Atleastthat'swhatSambelieved.Bethwasageneralpractitioner,andwhilehe,andtheentiretownofBrandon,Montana,thoughtshewasextraspecial,asfarasheknewshedidn'thaveanymoreskillsthantheseveralhundredotherGPsinattendanceatthesymposiumshe'dbeenattendinginCapeTown.Hesuspectedthetangosthoughtthey'dsnatchedplasticsurgeonLynneRandall.Andthesecondtheyrealizedtheirmistake,Bethwouldbedead.
Andbeforetheykilledhershe'dbebeggingtobedeadfaster.
HehadtogetherthehelloutofheresoonerthanASAP.PeoplesaidSamPeltondidn'thaveanerveinhisbody,thaticewaterraninhisveins.Butrightnowhewasasscaredashe'deverbeen.EverythingwasdifferentaboutthisopbecauseBethwasinthecenterofit.
Scalpel-dickjerkedhishead,indicatingthatoneofthemenpickupwhatSampresumedwerescrubs.ThepulseatthebaseofBeth'sthroatpoundedherstresslevel,yetshestillrefusedtoaccepttheclothing.Hersangfroidwasremarkable.ButthatwasBeth.Alwayscool,calmandcollected.
That'sit.Keepyourhead,sweetheartI'mrighthere.
Ignorethescalpelindentingherskin,Samtoldhimselfsavagely.Ignorethewayherfear,andthestarkwhitelights,leechedallthecolorfromherface.Ignorethesmudgesunderhereyes.Ignoretherapidpulsehammeringinthehollowofherdampthroat.
Ignore,Goddamnit,thefuckingscalpelpressedtohercarotid.
Todohisjob,hehadtoblockBethfromhismind.Sincehehadn'tbeabletodothatforthepasttwoyears,itwasn'teasy.Hemanagedtodoitanyway.
Sheswallowedhard,andthescalpelleftarazorthinlineofbloodonherneck.RightwhereSamhadbeencravingtokissherformonths.Andthatwasthelastfuckingtimehe'dresisttheimpulsetokissher.Assoonashehadheroutofhere,anditwassafeenoughtodoso,hewasgoingtokissBethlikeshe'dneverbeenkissedbefore.Tohellwithrestraint.Tohellwithwaiting.
Insteadoffreakingout,shereachedupandgentlytriedtopushtheman'shandawayfromherthroat.
Withtheslightshiftinangle,thethinbladecutaredlinebetweenherthumbandforefinger.Shecriedout,makingabigproductionsoallthesoldierscouldseetheblood.
Christ.Hadshedonethatonpurpose?
TherewasmuchfranticdebateinHureniastheytriedtofigureoutwhattodo.Herinjuryclearlyscaredthecrapoutofthem.They'dwantedtoscareher,theyhadnoproblemcuttingherinsmallincrements,buttheinjurytoherhandhadtheminapanic.Bethhadcalledtheirbluff.
Shecurledherfingerstightlyintoherpalm,thencradledherbleedinghandagainstherchest.Bloodstainedherskin,shockingandredderthananybloodSamcouldremember.MaybebecauseBeth'sskinwassopale.Hell.MaybebecausethiswasBeth.HisBeth.
Usingeverybitofcontrolandallofhistraining,heclenchedhisteethuntilhisjawached.Hemightnotbekillinganyofthem,buthewascountingtheminutesandchoreographingeverymove.
"I'mnotresisting,"shesaid,hervoice,tosomeonewhohadstudiedherformonths,slightlyuneven."I'mnotfighting.There'snoneedtohurtmeagain.Callwhoever'sinchargeandweca—"
Herwordswerecutoffwithachokedscreamasthemangrabbedherhair,usinghersassyponytailasahandle,yankingherheadback,leavingherarchedthroatnakedandvulnerable.
Lightglintedoffthebladeasheyelledhisdispleasure,hisangryspitsplatteringherface.
Sam'sheartdidadoubletapasthescalpelcarvedanotherthinredlineonthesmoothskin,thistimehercheek.Threegoddamnstrikesandyou'reout,dick.Coolit,hetoldhimself,almostjumpingoutofhisskinwiththeneedtoact.
Now.
ButhistrainingtoldhimthatwhiletheguywascuttingBeth,thecutsweresmallandnotlifethreatening.NottoBeth.Totheguymakingthem,itwasadeathsentence.Thesonofabitchwasn'tgoingtokillher,Samrationalized,sweatbeadinghisbrow.Thegruntwiththescalpelwasn'thighenoughupthefoodchainforonething,andforanother,someonehadbroughtadoctorhereforaspecificpurpose.Hopefullyhe'dfindoutthewhoandwhybeforescalpel-dickgotanymoreaggressivewiththatbladeandhewasforcedtokillhimsoonerratherthanlater.
IntelhadreportedthatNkemidilmwasn'tinresidence.HewasoffwithhistroopsfightingtheMallaruzionHuren'swesternborder.Hurenwasalsointhemiddleofabloody,andextremelyviolent,civilwar.Thebodycountwasskyhigh.Nkemidilmwasamegalomaniacalsadistandwasfightingwithdamnwelleveryoneinandoutofhiscountry.He'dtrainedinRussia,hisarmycarriedAmerican-madeweapons,andhehadabsolutelynoregardforhumanlife.Hisallieswerenobetter.
ThecoldairblastingaroundSamdidnothingtocoolhistempernordiditdispelthefearchurninginhisgutashewatchedthetableaubeneathhishidingplace.
NervousperspirationmadeBeth'screamyskinlookdewy,touchable.They'dletherremovethejackettoherblackpantsuit,andherlong-sleevedpinkblousewashalfuntucked,stickingtoherskinandsmearedwithdirtandblood.Evenmussedshewassexy.SheshouldbebackhomeinMontanainhersmallclinic,dispensingsuckerstodamp-eyedkidsandwearingtheall-encompassingwhitecoatofherprofession.Andgivinghimahardtime.
He'dtriedtalkingheroutofattendingthemedicalsymposiuminCapeTownwhenthey'd"accidentally"bumpedintoeachotheratthebanktwoweeksago.SouthAfricawasacountryinflux.Notsafefortouristsjustyet,andcountedasoneofthemostdangerousplacesintheworld.Yetinspiteof,orbecauseofhiswarnings,she'dgoneanyway.
Who'dtakenBeth,andwhatthehelldidtheywantwithher?No.NotBeth.DoctorLynneRandall.AllDr.Randall,safelysequesteredinalocalsafehouse,couldtellthemwasthatBethhadgoneupstairstopickupsomenotesforher.BethhadbeensnatchedmomentsafterenteringRandall'sroom.
ThankGodhispeopleintheCapehadbeensmartenoughtosquashthestoryfromthepress.Noneofthebadguysknewthey'dkidnappedthewrongwoman.
"Ifnooneinchargeiscoming,thenI'm—"
OneofthesoldiersansweredinHureni.Samdidn'tspeakthelanguage,andclearlyneitherdidBeth.
Justhereyesmovedassheaddressedtheanesthetiststandingacrosstheroom."DoyouspeakEnglish?"
Hegaveherablankstareandherattentionreturnedtothemanwiththebladeatherthroat,whowasstillyellingather."Ihavenoideawhatyou'resaying,"shetoldhimcrisply,raisinghervoicejustenoughtogethisattention.Herhandmusthurtlikehell,butshewasn'tpayingitanyattention.
Scalpel-dickyelledlouder,inchesfromherface.Louderdidn'tmeanshecouldcomprehendhimanybetter.
Thedooropenedandheshutuplikeatapbeingturnedoff.Therestofthesoldiersintheroomsnappedto,straight-backed,weaponsattheready-attention.SamalreadyhadtheSigaimedatthepotentialnewdanger.
Hisheartskittered.
Shit.
TheButcher.TauThadiwe.
Theterroristwascurrentlyoneverycountry'sCaptureDeadorAlivelist.Sixfeetseveninchesofsolidmuscle,withskinthecolorofdustyebony,andcurrentlydressed,unselfconsciously,inashortwhite
hospitalgown.Flip-flopssnappingonhisenormousfeet,hestrodeintotheroomsurroundedbyaphalanxofsoldiers.
IfanyonewasworsethanNkemidilmitwashisoldfriendThadiwe.ThetwomensharedanalliancethatwentbacktotheircoverttrainingdaysinRussiasomethirtyyearsago.ThecounterterroristgroupSamworkedforwasawarethatThadiwewasresponsiblefordoingalittleextracurricularworkafterhisandNkemidilm'sbasictrainingended.TorturewasbothThadiwe'sspecialtyandhispassion,andhe'deducatedHuren'sleaderinthefineartofpersuasionuntilbothmenwerefearedandreveredfortheirsadisticskills.
Themanwasanamoralpsychopath.Notonlywashechillinglygoodatwhathedid,herelishedhiswork.
Speculationhadbeenrifeabouthiswhereaboutsformonths.Andherehewas.Deepinthejunglewherenoonewouldthinktolook.ThadiweandNkemidilmhaddoneadamngoodjobkeepingtheirfriendshipofftheradar.Theyhadn'tbeenseentogethersince1996.
"DoctorRandall,thankyouforcoming,"ThadiwesaidinunaccentedEnglish.Samdidn'tknowifhefeltbetterorworsegettingtheconfirmationthatthey'dsnatchedthewrongdoctor.
ThadiweapproachedBethbutdidn'textendhishand,nordidheinstructhismentostanddown.Suddenlyhenoticedherstillbleedinghand.Hardtofuckingmisssincetheleftsideofherpinkblousewasstainedred.Thetangoscowled.
"Iwasn'tawarethatIhadachoice,"Bethsaiddryly."Pleasetellthismantoputthescalpeldown.I'mnothreat."
Thadiweturnedonthemanbesideherwhostillhadthescalpelatherthroat.
Move,Beth.Forfucksake,moveoutoftheway.
WithoutawordThadiwepulledtheHKoutoftheholsterofthesoldiernexttohimandshothismanpoint-blankintheface.Bethflinched,jumpingbackasbloodandbrainmatterspatteredthearea.ShemoveddirectlyintoSam'slineoffire.
Forseveralstunnedsecondsnobodymoved,then,hiseyesonBeth,Thadiwesnappedhisbeefyfingers.Oneofhismenrushedtohandhimahandkerchiefwhichheusedtowipethebloodoffhisface.Thewhitegownheworenowhadredpolkadotsalldownthefront.
Samknewwho,andhehadaprettygoodideawhy.Hepreparedtofire.MoveElizabeth!
"Myapologiesforthemannerinwhichyouweretransportedhere,Doctor,"Thadiwewipedhishands,thentossedthebloodiedclothaside."Mymentendtobezealousintheirinterpretationofmyinstructions."
Beth'sshoulderswerestiff,andshewasbarelybreathing.Itwasalmostbetternotbeingabletoseeherface.Samwantedtocurvehishandreassuringlyaroundhervulnerablenape.
"Whatisityouexpectofme,Mister—?"
"TauThadiwe,"hesaid,signingherdeathwarrant.WhateversurgeryhewantedBethtoperformonhim,hehadnointentionoflettingherliveafterward."Prepareyourselftodofacialreconstructionimmediately,Dr.Randall."
"There'snothingwrongwithyourface,"Bethtoldhimafterabriefpause."Ican'timaginewhyyouwa—"
Thadiwebackhandedher.Shestaggered,butquicklyrecovered.Tooquickly.Goddamnit,afractionofamillimetermoreandSam'sshotwouldhavetakeoffthetopofherhead.Thetango'shandprintwasalividredmarkonthecurveofhercheck."What—?"
"Unlesstheyareinreferencetotheprocedureormyhealth.Noquestions."
SamshiftedthemuzzleoftheSigthenecessaryfractionofaninchtoaimattheparallellinesbetweenThadiwe'seyebrows.You'reabouttodieofleadpoisoning,asshole.
TheneedtotakeoutthetangomadeSam'sentirebodyitch.Hewasreadytodrophimrightthere.Rightnow.Bethchosethatmomenttoshift,blockinghisshotagain.
Movetotheleftafewinches.Comeon,sweetheart.Justacoupleofinches.
"Youareheretodomyreconstructivesurgery.You'rethebest.That'swhyIensuredyouwouldattendthesymposiuminCapeTown."
"YouwerethesecretbenefactorthatpaidL—mywaytoCapeTown?Idon'tknowwhoyouare,butthereareeasierwaystoschedulesurgerythankidnappingthedoctor."
"Notjustadoctor.You,DoctorRandall.YouarethepreeminentfacialreconstructionplasticsurgeoninAmerica,areyounot?"
Bethstillblockedtheshot.ForChristsake,don'ttellhimwhoyouare,Samthought,wishingtohelltelepathywasofoneofhisskillsets.
"I'dbemorereceptivetoyourrequestifyou'dmadeanappointment,"Bethsaidcoolly,andSambreathedasilentsighofrelief.Smartgirl.Heshouldn'thaveunderestimatedher.
Thadiweclickedhisbeefyfingers,andoneofhismenhandedhimalargemanilaenvelope.Herootedaroundinsidetofindwhathewanted,thenhandedherseveralphotographs."ThisiswhatIwantmynewfacetolooklike."
Sheglancedatthepictures,herponytailbrushingthepink,blood-speckled,collarofhershirt,thensaidsmoothly,"Ican'tperformsurgerywithoutextensivelabtests,X-rays—"
"Thelabtestsweredonelastweek,asweretheseX-raysandphotographs."Hehandedhertheenvelope."Everythingyouneedishere."
HerponytailjerkedasshelookedupatThadiwe."Surelyyoudon'texpectmetodoitnow?"
"Iwouldn'thavebroughtyouhereotherwise."
"Butthistypeofsurgeryhastobedoneinstages.Overseveralmonths,surelyyouk—"Clearlyhewasn'tawareofhowlongtheproceduretook."Asyoucansee,Ihaveadeepcutonmydominanthand,"shetoldhimcalmly,holdingoutherinjuredhand.Bethwasleft-handed,notright.Butshewasplayingeverycardshehad."Obviouslyperforminganytypeofsurgerynowisimpossible."
"Yetyouwillmanage,Dr.Randall,orIwillnothesitatetokillyou."
Bethblinkedandcurledherinjuredhandtowardherbody.Thadiwemovedcloser,andSam'sfingerrestedagainstthetrigger,incasethesonofabitchmadeawrongmove."Ican't."
"Youcan,"ThadiweslowlyranhisfingeroverthecreasedfrowninBeth'sforehead."Andyouwill.Yourhusbandleavesforworkat6:15.HedropsyourbabyoffatAppleTreeDayCareIhaveyourmother'shomeaddressinHollywood,yourbrother'stoo—congratulationsonhiswife'spregnancy.Andyourgrandfather,well,itwouldbeashameifanythinghappenedtohimatthenursinghome—Inotherwords,DoctorRandall,ifyoufailtocooperatefully,Iwillhaveyourentirefamilyslaughteredbymorning.Allitwilltakeisonephonecall."
Sam'smouthtightened.Eventhoughthiswasn'tBeth'sfamilyThadiwewasthreatening,itwasLynneRandall's—adoctorwhowasguiltyofnomorethanbeingthebestinherfield.Beth'sfriend.
"Leavemyfamilyoutofthis.Allright.Yougivemenochoice.Yoursurgerywilltakeupwardsoftwentyhours."Shepulledoutsomeofthepaperwork,thentookamomenttoscantheinformation.
"Youhavehighbloodpressure."SheglancedupatThadiwe."Iappreciateyourstate-of-the-artOR,butwhathappensintheeventofanemergencythatIcan'thandlealone?We'reinthemiddleofthejungle,hundredsofmilesfromanywhere."Herhandwasleavingbloodstainsonthemanilaenvelope,anditmadeSamcrazytoseeherhurtwhenhewasrightthereandshouldhavebeenabletoprotecther.Evenfromherself.
"Therearedozensoffactorstoconsider.Areactiontotheanesthetic.Clottingissuesthatcouldcauseexcessivebloodloss.Underlying,undiagnosedpre-existingconditions.Eventhoughyou'vebeentreatingyourhighbloodpressure,there'sstillapossibilitythatyou'dstrokeoutfromthestresssuchacomplexmedicalprocedurewillputonyourbody.Especiallysinceyouinsistonhavingseveralproceduresdoneatonce.It'srisky.Veryrisky."
Sam'sestimationofherb.s.abilitywentup.ThetypeofsurgeryThadiwewantedwouldtakehalfadozenproceduresoverthespanofseveralmonths,nothours.Bethwasplayingalong,andbuyingtime.
"Howcloseisthenearesthospitalwithwell-trainedemergencyroomstaffandacompetentcardiologist?"sheaskedcalmlyassheflippedthroughThadiwe'spaperwork.
"Anhourbyhelicopter.You'dbetternotmakeanymistakes,DoctorRandall.Ifanythinggoeswrong,ifIshouldcometoanyharmwhileunderyourscalpel,mymenhaveinstructionstotortureyou.Youwilldieinagonyandvery,veryslowly."
Herheadjerkedup."Andyouthinkthatthreateningmewillscaremeintodoingabetterjob?"shedemanded,lettingherannoyanceleakintohervoice.Annoyance.Notfear."I'masurgeonandboundbymyownethicstodoyounoharm.Buttodothat,I'llneedtorestfirst.I'vebeenkidnappedatgunpoint,andtiedhandandfootforsixhours.I'llperformyoursurgeryinthemorningifyougivemeyourwordthatafterwardI'llbereturnedtoCapeTowningoodhealth.Dowehaveabargain?"
Christshesoundedcool.EveryoneintheroomknewthesecondThadiwegotwhathewantedshe'dbedead.
"I'llneedpost-operativecare."
"Kidnapanurse,"shesaiddryly.
"I'llgiveyoutwohourstorestandstudymyfile."
"That'snotenoughtime.MyGod,youwanteveryboneinyourfacerearranged.DoyouhonestlythinkthatstudyingyourX-raysandphotographsfortwohourswillbesufficienttime?Iwouldneverallowanexhausted,ill-preparedsurgeontodomajorsurgeryonmyface."
"You'rethebestintheworld."
"Bethatasitmay,I'mnotatmybestnow.Andyouwantthebestwhenitcomestothis!"Shehelduponeofthephotographs."Givemetenhours,andI'll—"
"Twohours."
"No.Youmightaswellsavetimeandkillmenow,thengoandkidnapanotherfacialreconstructionspecialist."Shethrusttheenvelopeathismassivebarrelchest."Butyouknow,andIknow,Mr.Thadiwe,thatlongbeforeyoufindanyoneelseofmycaliber,I'llbereadytodoyoursurgery.YoukidnappedmebecauseIamthebest.Don'tbestubbornlyfoolishenoughtorushme.You'llhavethefaceyouwantbythistimetomorrownight."
Thadiweglancedatthe$200,000Girard-Perregauxwatchonhisthickwrist."I'llgiveyousixhours."
"Eight.I'llbeready."
"Seven."
Bethsaidnothing.Silencethrobbedbetweenthem.Finallythemancaved,andhenodded."NotonesecondpastsevenA.M."
Sameasedhisfingeroffthetrigger.
ChapterTwo
AcallusedhandclampedoverElizabeth'smouth,wakingherwithaheartpoundingjolt.Whatthe…?
OneofThadiwe'sguards?
Godforbid,Thadiwehimself?Chillsofpureterrorchasedoverherskinmakingthefinehairsonherarmsandthebackofherneckstandup.
Shehadn'tmeanttofallsleep,buthalfanhouraftershe'dcometotheroom,thelightshadsuddenlygoneout.She'dfoughtexhaustionandlost.
Themanwhisperedsomething,butshecouldn'thearhimoverthethunderinginherears.Coldsweatreplacedthetropicalheatoftheroomasshestruggledtobreakfreeofthestronggagofhisfingers.Whoeverhewas,hishandcoveredhalfherface,makingithardtodraginabreath.Whatairshecouldsuckinsmelledofcleanmalesweatmixedwiththechemicalstinkofinsectrepellent.Hecouldbeanyoneofoneoftheguards.
There'dbeentwostationedrightoutsideherdoorwhenshe'dtriedtoleavetheroomjustbeforethelightswentout.Butthiswasn'toneofthem,notunlesshe'dtakenashowerrecently.Itdidn'tmatterwhohewas,she'dbeenscaredlongbeforethisguyhadshownup.Afraidthattheguardswouldaddrapetotheirlistofduties.
Elizabethfoughtharder.
"Shhh.Promisenottoscream,andI'lltakeawaymyhand."Therough-edgedvoice,lowandelusivelyfamiliar,wasnowonlyafewinchesfromherface.
Inyourdreams,pal.Thesecondshewasfree,shewasgoingtoscreamuntiltheentirehouseholdcamerunning.Andthenwhat?Shedidn'tthinkitlikelythatThadiwewouldcometoherdefense—althoughhemightshoottherapist.
Elizabethnoddedtoindicatecompliance,thensuckedinabreathinanticipation.
"Damn,yougivestubbornanewmeaning,woman."Hiswhisperwaslacedwithhumorashislips
replacedhishand,coveringhermouthwhichwasopen,readytoyell."It'sme,Sam,"hesaidhoarselyagainstherpartedlipsbeforethewarmslicknessofhistongueenteredhermouth.Hislipsmoldedhers.Hisfingerstangledinherhairholdingherstillashekissedher.Thekisswasn'tviolent,oraggressive.Butitwas—hungryinacontrolledwaythatpuzzledher.
Hewasagoodkisser.
Hetasted—Wassheoutofhermind?!Shetriedtoshuthermouthagainstthesensualinvasion.
"Ow!Shit,nobiting."
Withapalmtohisbristlyjaw,sheshovedhisfaceawayfromhers.TheonlySamsheknewwas—"SamPelton?"sheaskedincredulously.Pushingherhairoutofherfacewithherinjuredhand,shewincedasshesatup.
He—Sam—crouchedbesidethebed."Yeah.Don'tscream,forGod'ssake."
Theroomwassodarkshecouldn'tseeherhandinfrontofherface.ItwasweirdhearingSam'svoicehere,andsheconsideredthepossibilitythatshewasdreaming.She'dhadplentyofdreamsaboutSaminthelastfewmonths.Mostofthemerotic.Hispresencewassooutofcontextshecouldn'tmakeanysenseofit,andsittinginthepitchdarkwhisperingmadethedisorientationcomplete.
Shewasprobablyhallucinating.Thatwastheonlyexplanation.Samhadbeenaconstantpresenceinherlifeformonths.Aconstantfrustration.She'dseehimaroundtownsooftenthatshe'dwonderedifitwascoincidence,fate,ormaybelow-levelstalking.ButnotSam.Hewasacompletegentlemanatalltimes,evenwhenshe'ddroppedsubtlehintsafterherdivorcewasfinal.
Eitherhedidn'tgetsubtleorhedidn'twanther.Itdidn'tmatter,theendresultwasthesame,hersimmeringlustforhimwentunnoticedandunsatisfied.Whichiswhy,shesupposed,imagesofhistall,muscularbodyhauntedhersleepnightafternight.
Italsoexplainedwhyshe'dbehallucinatingabouthimnow,whenshewasprobablyonlyhoursfromdeath.Thadiwedidn'tstrikeherasastupidman.He'deventuallyfigureoutshewasn'tDr.Randall,ifhehadn'tdonesoalready.
Sheleanedovertoturnonthebedsidelight,hopingthepowerwasbackon,butbeforeherfingersreachedthelamp,Samclampedahardhandonherwrist,startlingasmallyelpoutofherconstrictedthroat.Hedidn'tfeelliketoosafe,toocontrolledSaminthedark.Hefeltdangerous,andedgy,andalittlescary.
"Itookoutthegenerator."Hiswarmbreathstirredthehairnearherear,whichmadehershudderreactively.Sohe'dbeentheonetoplungethecompoundintodarkness.NowonderThadiwe'ssoldier'shadbeenfreakedout.She'dheardthemrunninginthecorridoroutsideherroomastheytriedtofigureoutwhatwashappening.
ElizabethrubbedherwristasshepicturedSam'sfacewithitsbold,bluntfeaturesanddarkeyesthatgavenothingaway.Hewasn'thandsome,buthewassomehowcompelling.Maybebecauseshesensedthatwhatshesawwasn'twhohereallywas.She'dalwaysbeenfascinatedbythewayhemovedwithacontrolledstrengthandanedgyawarenessthatwasalmostpredatory.She'dneverbeenquiteabletofigureoutwhatmadehimtick.Althoughshe'dspentmanynightstryingtofigurehimout.
Notthatshewasn'tgratefultohavehimhere,oddasthatwas,buthewassuretobeevenmoreoutofhiselementinarainforestthanshewas.
"Whatareyoudoinghere?"shedemandedinhisgeneraldirectionasshegotoffthebed.Thiswentbeyondbeingneighborly.
"Rescuingyou."
Talkabouttheblindleadingtheblind.Herpoundingheartsoundedlikethunderinherears,andherrapidpulsemadeherhandache.
"ThankGod.ButhowdidyouknowIneededrescuing?"Whilesheclearlyneededhelp,Elizabethdidn'twantSaminvolved.Shedidn'twanthisdeathonherconscience.
"We'lltalkaboutitlater.First,takethisdoxycycline."Samplacedtheantimalarialcapsuleinherpalm."Water."Heheldaflasktohermouth.Elizabethtookthepillandswallowed.
Theflaskwasremoved."Strip."Hisvoicedeepenedashewipedadropofwaterfromherlowerlip.Sinceshewaslickingitoffatthesametime,hertongueencounteredhisfinger.Afrissonthathadnothingtodowithfearspiraleddeepinthepitofherstomach.Theybothfrozeforaheartbeat.Hiswarmbreathfannedhertemple,andtheheatofhisbodyseepedthroughthethin,dampsilkofherblouse.
Whileshe'dlovetohaveheardthosewordslastmonth,orevenyesterday,Sam'stimingwasoff."Strip!"Temptingastherequestwas,sheblinkedbackhergoodsense."Sam,areyouinsane?"
"Youcan'tgooutinthejungledressedasyouare.I'vebroughtyouachangeofclothes.Hurryandchange.Iwanttoputmedicationonyourcuts,andgetyousprayedwithDEETbeforeweheadoutside."
Withnoantibiotics,she'dmadedowashingthecutsasbestshecouldusingthewatersuppliedwithhermealtray.Anopencutinthisclimatecouldspelltrouble.Thatalmostmadeherlaugh.Howmuchmoretroublecouldshebein?
ElizabethcouldtellfromthelocationofhisvoicethatSamwasstandingveryclosetoher.Butshehadn'theardhimmovewhichwasabitunnerving.Hewaswelloversixfeettall,sohe'dbetoweringoverherownfivefoot,fiveinches.Theadrenalinerushhadn'tleftyet,andherbloodstillthumpedfranticallyinherears.Hewasstilldisconcertinglyclose.Sheswayedinhisdirection,andhishandsshotouttocircleherwaist."Steady."
Sheflushedandlockedherknees."Sorry.It'sreallydisorientatingbeinginthedarklikethis."Her
lipstingledfromtheirsharedkiss.Sheneverwouldhaveguessedathispassion,hekeptitwellhidden.
"Areyouafraidofthedark?"heasked.
"Oftheentiresituation."
"Yeah,wellI'mheretotakecareofthat."
Thetilefloorwaswarmandslightlystickyunderherbarefeet,andtheoverheadfanbarelymovedthethickairasshestoodthere,tryingtodecidewhattodonext."Myshoesaresomewhere.Ifyoucanbreakofftheheels,it'llmakerunningpossible.Betterthanbarefeetanyway."
"Weneedtobringthemwithus,butIbroughtyouapairofboots."
Shelockedherkneestopreventherbodyfromswayingtowardhimagain.Whatshewouldn'tdorightnowforareassuringhug.ButSamwasn'tatouchyfeelykindofguy.Heneverworehisemotionsonhissleeve.Atleastnotthatshe'dseen.Whichwastoobad,becauseshe'dbeenattractedtohimfromthemomentthey'dmet.Notthatshe'devergivenhimanyindicationofit.Theywereneighbors.Friendsinaway.Shedidn'twanttorockthatboat.
'"Here,letmehelpyou,"hesaidsoftly,slidinghishandsfromherwaisttothefrontofherblouse.Thebackofhisfingersbrushedtheupperswellofherbreastsasheefficientlyunbuttonedherblousebeforeshecouldprotest.Hismovementswerequick,butthefeelofhiswarmfingersstrokingallthewaydownthecenterofherbodymadeElizabethshortofbreath.Insanelyshewantedhimtopalmtheweightofherbreastsandrelievetheacheinherpeakednipples.Shewantedhimtokissher,andtouchher,anddoallthethingsshe'ddreamedaboutdoingwithhim.
"Youcankeeponyourunderwear,"hesaidsoftly,notsoundingasbreathlessandheatedasElizabethfelt."Everythingelsecomesoff."Hisslightlycallusedfingerscuppedhershoulders,thenpushedtheblouseoff.Theblousefelltothefloorbehindherwithasoftwhoosh.Hercheekswenthoteventhoughsheknewhecouldn'tseeheranybetterthanshecouldseehim.ThetemporaryspurtofadventurethathadbroughthertoAfricadidn'textendtoSamseeingherhalfnaked.HimTarzan,herJane.Not.Sheenjoyedthearmorofclothing.
"Whatdidyoubringformetowear?"sheaskedcuriously.Shecouldn'tbegintoimagineSampickingoutawoman'sclothes.UnlessitwassomethingslinkyinredfromVictoria'sSecret."Aloincloth?"
"Better."Hishandswenttothebuttonatthewaistbandofherblacksilkpants,thegrazeofhisfingersagainstherskinmadeherdrawinherbreath."Gettheseoff—"Ashespoke,heunzippedandtugged,andbeforeshecouldprotestthatshewascapableofundressingherself,thesmoothfabricfelldownherlegslikewater,leavingherinnothingbutathongandablush.
"Okay,stepintothefeetfirst."
SheletSamguidehermovementsfortworeasons:one,shecouldn'tsee,andheclearlycould.Andtwo,sheenjoyedthefeelofhishandsonher."Areyouwearingnightvisionglasses?"
"Yeah,butIcanclosemyeyesifyoulike."Hisvoicewastingedwithlaughter."Shy,Beth?
"Notusually,no.ButI'mnotanexhibitionisteither."Thefabricfeltodd,butsheobliginglyplacedherbarefeetwherehepositionedthemashekneltinfrontofher.Hiswarm,dampbreathfannedherbarestomachasheleanedforwardtopullthetightfabricslowlyupherlegsandhips.Elizabethrestedherhandonhisshoulderforbalance.
Henuzzledhertummy,byaccident,ordesign,shedidn'tknow.Shetriedtoignoretheflutteringinherbellyandtheheavyrushofherblood.Down,girl.
Afterherex,Rob,hadtoldherhewasleaving,she'dwantedherworldshakenup.She'dwantedadventure.Excitement.Shewanted,darnitall,tolivelifeinsteadofhearingorreadingaboutit.Shewassickandtiredofsafeandpredictable.Bothinmenandinherlife.Robhadbeensafeandpredictable.Untilhe'dturnedunpredictableandrunoffwithhisInternethoney.
Well,Elizabethhadwantedawildflingwithsomeoneinappropriate,too.Someonewhomadeherbloodrace,amanwhocouldmakeherbreathcatch.Shewantedoneofthosehigh-octane,alphamalesshelovedreadingabout.She'dthoughtSamfitthebilltoatee.Unfortunatelyhewasclearlynotinterestedinher.
Whichwaswhy,againstallsaneadvice,she'dgonetothemedicalsymposiuminCapeTowninthefirstplace.Yeah,shethoughtdryly.Lookhowwellthatturnedout.
Hepalmedherass,restinghisfaceagainstherbellyasheranhisfingerslightlyacrossherbehind.Heinhaleddeeply."God,yousmellincredible.Lemonandmusk.Icouldeatyourightnow."
Thefeelofhisexploringfingers,andthescaldingheatofSam'sbreathagainstherskin,wasmakinghersohotElizabethhadtobiteherliptopreventcryingout."Coolyourjets,sailor,we'reindeepshitrightnow.I'mpresumingbyrescueyoumeanremoveusfromthisplaceasfastaspossible?"Shetappedhisshouldertogethisattention,andwasappalledathowdisappointedshewaswhenheremovedhishandsfromherassandhismouthfromherstomach.Sheclearedherthroatandtookasmallstepawayfromhim."What'sthis?Somekindofbodysuit?"
"Madeoutofoneofthetoughestman-madefibersinvented."
"Sam,I'mgoingtodieofheatenclosedinthisrubberystuff.Letmeputmyownclothesbackon,and—"
"LockOutwillmaintainyourbodytempatninety-eightpointsixdegrees.It'llalsokeepthebugsout.Liftyourchin—"Hezippedherupalltheway.Thefabricwaslightweightandnotthatuncomfortable,evenifitdidcoverherfromnecktotoes.
"Boots."Heslideachfootintoaboot,thenlacedit."How'sthatfeel?"
Shestompedherfeet."Perfect."Howdidheknowhersize?
"Givemeyourhand."Cradlingherrighthandinhislargepalm,Samappliedatopicalliquidantibiotic,bythesmellofit,then,afterwaitingafewsecondsforittodry,coveredthewoundwithaBand-Aid."Thatshoulddoit.Letmeknowifitbothersyou.Icangiveyouashot."
She'dgiveherselftheshot,thankyouverymuch.Butitwasgoodtoknowhehadmedicalsuppliesshouldsheneedthem.
Thesalvefeltcool,andthetopicalnumbingimmediatelytookawaysomeofthepain."Thanks,"shewhispered."TheonlythingIhadwascoldwaterandthegranularsugartheybroughtmewithameal."
"Sugar?"Hisvoicecameupfromkneelevel,andshewonderedwhathewasdoing,andifhewasabouttotouchheragain.Herentirebodytensedinanticipation.Butbythesounds,hewasgatheringherclothes.Thensheheardazipperslide,thenafterafewsecondsslideagain.
Sheforcedherselftotakenicesloweasybreaths."Decreasedthebleeding,promotedclotting,andwhenpushcametoshove,theonlythingIhadtodiscouragebacteria."
Thescalpel'spenetratingcuthadleftafairlydeepgash,ripeforanaerobicbacteria.Inthishot,steamyclimateevenasmallopenwoundwasaconcern."Howdidyouknowaboutthecut?"
"Iwaswatching.Thatwasahellofabravethingyoudid.Lettingthatassholecutyoulikethat."
"Itdidn'tstophisbossfromdemandingIdothesurgeryanyway.Besides,I'mleft-handed."
"Yeah.Iknow.Thatwasn'tthepoint;itmusthurtlikehell."
"Lesspainfulthanthatguycuttingmythroat.Ishockedhimjustenoughtomakehimnervousabouttryingtocutmeagain.WhatareyoudoinginAfrica?"
Itwasthelastplaceshewould'veimaginedrunningintoanyonesheknew.EspeciallySamPelton.
Ateacherinawar-torn,third-worldcountryinthemiddleofajungle.Samappearedtobeanintelligentman,butshecouldn'timaginewhatthehellhewasgoingtodotoprotectthetwoofthemfromgun-totingsoldiersorarainforestalivewithfour-leggedpredators.
ApparentlyGodhadasenseofhumor.
"Sam,whatkindofteacherar—"
"Later,"hetoldher,stillspeakingsosoftlyshecouldbarelyhearhim."Hurry."
Shewasallforhurrying."TheybroughtmeinbyJeep.IthinkIcanfindmywaybacktowhereit'sparked—"
"We'rewalkingout.Throughthejungle,thendown-river.IhaveachopperwaitingtoflyusoutofHuren."
Thechoppersoundedgood."That'scrazy.Whywalkwhenthereareperfectlygoodvehicles—"
"IpushedoneoftheirJeepsamiledowntheroad,thenhidit.Therestaredisabled.Whentheydiscoveryou'veleft,they'llassumeyoudroveout.They'llspendtimefixingtheirvehiclessotheycangivechase.Bythetimetheygetaroundtodoingthat,you'llbewellonyourwayhome."
Hesoundedlikeheknewwhathewastalkingabout.Fromwhatshe'dseenwhenthey'dbroughtherhere,Thadiwe'scompoundwassurroundedbyimpenetrablejungle.Thenarrowdirtroadhadbeenheavilyguardedwhenshe'dbeenbroughtin.Elizabethhadnoreasontopresumethatitwasanydifferentnow."Howdidyouevenmanagetoge—"Getpasttheguards?Getintomyroom?Thosewerejustthemoreimmediatequestions.She'dleavethebiggies—likehowhe'dknownwheretofindher—forlater.
Hesilencedherwithtwofingerspressedagainstherlips.Shenodded.Hisfingerslingeredasecondortwo,thenwithdrew.
"Really,Sam,Ithinkweshould—"
Hetookherhandunerringlyinthedark."Ican'twaittohearwhatyouthink.Later."Heledheracrossthesmallroomtothewindow.Shetuggedathishand,tryingtoturnhimtowardthedoorinsteadofthepracticallyhermeticallysealedwindow."Bars."
She'dbeenexaminingthemwhenthelightshadgoneout.
"Notanymore."Atraceofamusementlacedhisquietvoice.
Shewasn'tsurewhichshockedhermore,thesatisfiedlaughtersheheardinhisvoice,orthefactthathe'dremovedtheentirewindow.She'dneverseenSamsmileinallthemonthsshe'dknownhim.Notonce.Andhewastheleastlikelyhandymanshe'devermet.Butthere'dbeenthreestrong,one-inchthickverticalmetalbarsonthesmallwindow,andalsoaninsectscreenboltedtotheoutsideoftheframe.Sheknew.She'dinspectedeveryinch.
ShetriedtoimagineSamyankingoutthewindow…Itdidn'tcompute.Yetsomehowhe'ddoneit,becauseastheyapproachedtheopeningshecouldsmellthefetidgreennessofthejungleandfeelthethick,hot,syrupyairagainstherskin.Sheshivered.
"Insectrepellent.Closeyoureyes,"hesaidbeforeapplyingaliberaldosetoherface,neck,andhands.
Shecould'veputthestuffonherself,butsheenjoyedthesensationofSam'sbighandsrunninggently
overherfaceandneck."Thanks."Mosquitoescouldgiveoneanythingfromanannoyingbitetoparasiticsleepingsickness.Shewasinenoughtroubleasitwas.
Takingherhand,Sam'sfingerstightenedaroundhers,hishandcoolanddryagainstherdamppalm."I'llgofirstthenhelpyoudown."
Bracingonehandagainstthewalltoorientateherself,Elizabethlistenedtotherustleofanimalsintheundergrowthandthesusurrusofleavesmovingintheirpassage.Tosaythatshedidn'twanttoventureintothejungle,inthedark,wasanunderstatement.
Butitwasthelesseroftwoevils.Still,shehadtheterrifyingfeelingthatshewasjumpingfromthefryingpanintothefire.
"Climbout,"Sam'svoicewaspitchedsolowshefeltratherthanheardit."I'llcatchyou."
Shedidn'tneedhelpclimbingoutofawindowthreefeetofftheground.Whatsheneededwas—Daylight.Atankthatcouldcutaswaththroughjungle.Abazooka,orsomeotherweaponthatwould—
Whatshehadwasateacher.HadSambroughtagunwithhim?Didheevenknowhowtousethedamnthingifhehad?Butevenifhedidhaveaweapon,itwouldn'tbemuchhelpoutherewheretheleastdangerousanimalswerepanthers,lions,andothercarnivores.Thadiwe'smenwereheavilyarmed,andmoredangerousanddeterminedthananyofthedenizensofthejungle.
Thadiwehadn'tgonetoallthattroubletokidnapandtransporthertogiveherupwithoutafight.He'dsendhismenafterherthesecondherealizedshewasgone.Bethconsideredandreconsideredtherockandthehardplace.Eitheror.IfshewentwithSam,shehadnodoubtwhatsoeverthatthey'dbecaught.AndThadiwe'sretaliationwouldbeswiftandviolent.
Thedangersofbeingrecapturedwouldmeansuredeath.Notonlyforherself,butforSamaswell.AndshewasdamnedsurethatThadiwewouldmaketheirdeathsslowandexcruciatinglypainful.Ifshestayed,therewasachancethatSamwouldreturnintimetopreventherdeath.Yetstayingmeantshe'dbeforcedatgunpointtoperformasurgicalprocedureshewasn'tqualifiedtodo.Afterwhich,shewasprettydamnsure,they'dkillheranyway.
Eitherway,theendresultwouldmeanherdeath.
Damnit.Shedidn'thavetheluxuryoftimetodebatetheprosandconsofhowquicklyshewasgoingtodie.
Stayorgo?
Howweretheygoingtofindtheirwayoutofthejunglewithouthelp?Bethhadnodoubtthathercaptorskneweverytreeandleafinthisjungle.SheandSamwouldn'tgetveryfarbeforetheywerecaughtandforciblyreturnedtothecompound.Howmuchbetteroffwasshenowthanshe'dbeenfiveminutesago?Twoofthem,againstGodonlyknewhowmanyarmedsoldiers.
"Stopover-analyzing,"hesaid,hisvoicepitchedsoshecouldhearhim."Trustme."
Shedidtrusthim—andhisabilitytoleadheroutofthismess.Teacherswereleaders,weren'tthey?Alittle.Maybe?Hopefully.Yes.He'dmanagedtotrackhertothemiddleofwho-knows-where.Mightaswellgowithhismisguidedbutappreciatedneedtobeahero.Samhadnoideawhathe'dlethimselfinfor.Knowingthatsqueezedherheartinsideherchest.
Havinghimhere,whileitwasterrificnotbeingalone,wasjustgoingtogetthembothkilled."Goandfindhelp,"shewhispered.ItmadesenseforSamtogoandgetreinforcements.Oneofthemhadtobepractical."I'llstallThadiweagaininthemorning."Practicalityhaditsdangers,andnowthatsheknewrescuewasathand,shewantedtogetawayfromheresobadlysheshookwithit.ButitmademoresensetolullThadiweandhismenintobelievingthatshewasgettingreadytodowhattheywanted.
Samjusthadtoreturnfast.
"Getyourprettyassouthere,doctor.Now."
Shehesitated.Unlikehersister,Kess,whomadesplit-seconddecisions,andwasrashtothepointoffoolishness,Elizabethspentalotoftimeweighingheroptions.ShewasaLibra,afterall.
"Doit,Beth."Itwasn'tarequest.
Fatalistic,shethrewherlegsoverthesill,thenslidintoSam'swaitingarms.Thefootingwasunsteady,andsherealizedshewasstandingonthebarredwindow,frameandall.
Hishandsclosedaroundherwaist."I'vegotyou."
Blindlyreachingout,shegrabbedontoSam'sforearmstosteadyherself.Hedidn'tfeelskinny,orflabby,atall,shethought,surprisedwhenhisrockhardmusclesflexedunderherfingersassheteetered.Shetriedtopicturethosemusclesbeneathoneofhisgraysuits,andcouldn't.
"Goodgirl,"hemurmured,asheslidhisarmsaroundherwaist."There'sjustonemorethingbeforewego."
OKGod."What?"
"This."
He'dkissedhertwice.Onceafewmomentsago,whenshe'dhadnoideawhothehellhewas,andonce,inbroaddaylight,inherofficeattheclinic.Amindblowing,knocked-her-socks-off,fabulouskiss,andthen—heleftforamonthwithnoword.Kesshadtoldhertostopmooningoveraschoolteacherandgofindcowboy.Orabroncoriderwithgreathipmovement.Oranastronautwhosekisseswouldtakehertothemoon.Kesswouldn'twaitforaguytomakethefirstmove.ButBethwasn'thersister.
Samspreadhislargehandacrossherlowerback,bringingtheotheruptocupherface.Ashebrushedhismouthoverhers,sheeagerlypartedherlips.Hetouchedhistonguetohers,andElizabeth'sheartthuddedhardashesuckeditintothehot,wetcavernofhismouth.God.Thisiscrazy…Shestoodontip-toestowrapherarmsabouthisneckanddrawhisbodyflushagainsthers.Thethinfabricofwhatevertheywerewearingwasalmostnobarrieratall.
Hisabspressedhardagainstherachingbreasts,andtheridgeofhiserectionnudgedtantalizinglyagainsthermons.Elizabeth'sbreathhitched.
Blank.Hermindwentcompletelyblank.Shecouldn'teventhinkassheblockedouteverythingbutSam,andkissinghimthewayshe'dimaginedkissinghimformonths.Asighofpurepleasureescaped,asSamtastedtheinsideofhercheek,thenranhisteethalongtheedgeofherteethbeforesuckingonhertongueandmakingheralmostsobwiththepleasureofit.
Abirdscreeched,andElizabethflinchedoutofthesensualspell.Therewereadozendifferentkindsofbirdsperchedinthetreessurroundingthem.Thereweresnakes,andwildpigs,andotheranimalsjustwaitingtohavethemforamidnightsnack.Andheretheywere—
Hiswarm,wettongueslidalongthelengthofhersbringingElizabethtoheart-somersaultingattentionagain.Hekissedherwithslow,deliberatecare.Hotanddeep,takingherfromzerotosixtybetweenoneheartbeatandthenext.Shetightenedherarmsaroundhisneckandrosehigheronhertoestobringtheirbodiesflushatalltherightplaces.Samangledherheadandkissedherlikehe'ddieifhedidn't.Hotterthanthekisshe'dplantedonhersixmonthsago.Ofcourseafterthatonehe'dhauledassanddisappearedforamonth.
Herhusbandhadpreferredclosed-mouthkisses,ifhekissedheratall.ThekissSamhadgivenherattheclinichadrevvedherenginesandmadeherwantmore.Alotmore.Butthatkisswastamecomparedtothis.Thathadbeenbanked.ThiswasSamunleashed.
Thestubbleonhisjawwasroughagainsthersmoothskin,andasurprise.She'dneverseenhimanythingbutimmaculatelysmoothshaven.She'dneverseenhimanythingotherthancontrolled.Ashemadelovetohermouth,hishandslippedlowertostrokeherbehindthroughthethinmaterial.Elizabethfeltsurroundedbyhim,engulfedinhistaste.Ashudderofrawdesirespiraledthroughher,bonedeepandprimitive.Histonguemimickedthesexact,makingherthrobandacheandpant,andcravethefeelofhishandsonhernakedbody.
Shewenthotalloverashedraggedherhipsbackandforthagainstthesolidridgeofhiserection.Herbrainshort-circuitedashistonguerakedacrossherteethbeforeplunginginsideagain.
Somehowshe'dknownitwouldbethisway.Thatshewouldfall,allornothing.She'dspentmonthsprotectingherheart.Whatawasteoftime.
Nothingexistedbeyondthetwoofthem.Notthedanger,notthepast.Shewantedhimtolayherdownrightthereandthen,unzipherfromthisclimate-controlledsuit,andtakeherrightthereonthemuddyjunglefloor.
ToosoonSamplacedhishandsgentlyonherarmsandpulledthemfreefromhisneck."Holdthatthought.Gottagetgoing."
Holdthought?Herbrainwasfilledwithimagesofthemrollingaroundoncleanwhitesheetsinadimlylitroom,andherheartbatteredatherribcagelikeawildbeasttryingtotearthrough.Holdthatthought?!
Thesoundsofthejungleonceagainintruded.
"Okay?"Athernod,hesaidsoftly,"Let'sputsomedistancebetweenthemandus.Ineedbothmyhandsfree.Grabontomybeltandhangon."Heguidedherfingerstothesmallofhisback,andshelatchedintohiswideutilitybelt,andhisbodyheatmadeherowntemperaturespike.
"We'regoingtohaulassonthree.Allyouhavetodoishangonandkeepupwithme.Saveyourquestionsandtrustme,okay?"
Trusthim?
Whowashe?
ChapterThree
Thejungleneverslept.
Nocturnalanimals,reptiles,andbirdsgrowled,slitheredorchirpedastheyweredisturbedinthedarkness.ThankstotheglowingvisibilityofhisNVGs,Samavoidedsteppingonapuffadderslitheringacrosshispath.Hissing,itinflateditsbodyinwarning.Samstampedhisbootedfeettohurryitonitsway.Theadderwashighlypoisonous,andwhileitmovedsluggishly,itcouldturnaroundandstrikewithlighteningspeed.
"Whyarewestopping?"Bethwhisperedagainsthisleftshoulderblade.
"Crosstraffic."Hewaiteduntilthetailoftheadderdisappeared.Hesmelledlemon-scentedBeth,andsex.Wishfulthinking.Afterkissingherithadtakenawhileforthecockstandtogodown.Hewasalwaysinanuncomfortablestateofsemi-arousalwhenshewasclose.Touchingher,kissingher,hadalmostputhimovertheedge."Allclear."Heresumingwalking.
Thedensecanopyofdeciduoustreesoverheadmadetheswampygroundoftheunderstoryrelativelyeasytonavigate.Still,thefewsmalltrees,man-highferns,bushes,andsnakingvinesandrootsmadeprogressslowandtreacherous.
Sofarhe'dbarelyusedthemachete.Ignoringthetugathiswaist,hebalancedtheHKMP5fullyautomaticsubmachinegunwithalasersightinhisrighthand.He'dpickedupthesmallerpackandwas
loadedforanythingthatthreatenedthem,fromanaardvarktoazebra,two-leggedmammalstoeverythingelse.Samhadabsolutelynoillusionsaboutneedingeverybitoffirepowerhecarried.
ItwasfortunateforhimthatcurrentlytherewasaskirmishontheborderbetweenHurenandMallaruza.Thetypicalbandsofrebels,soldiersfrombothsides,andsoldiersforhire,wereabsentthisfaraway.Usuallytheyroamedthecountry,destroyingeverythingandeveryoneintheirpathlikehumanlocusts.Lookingfortroubleandalwaysfindingit.Andifnot,makingit.
UnlessThadiwecalledinreinforcements,theoddswerecurrentlyinSam'sfavor.
Thadiweexpectedhissurgeontoreporttohisoperatingroomat0700.At0701he'dhavehismenfanningouttofindher.
"WeshouldgoandgettheJeepyouhid.We'dmakebettertime."Bethwhisperedhalfanhourlater,fingersstilltuckedinhiswaistband.Herstepsdidn'tfalterinthesultrydarkness,althoughherquietvoicedid.
"Ihaveaboatwaiting."Samgotaquickwhiffofthelemon-scentedsoapshefavored.UnlikelybeneaththeDEET,butimaginaryornot,thelemonfragrancebroughttomindeveryachingmemoryhehadofDr.ElizabethGoodall.He'dseenherseriousandprofessionalinhercrispwhitelabcoatathersmallclinicbackhome.Paleredhairtwirledupontopofherheadinsomesmoothintricaterollthatlookedasthoughonetugwouldbringtheentiremasstumblingdownherback.
He'dsalivatedseeingher—long-leggedandsexy,injeansandaskyblueT-shirt,thatshinyredgoldhairflowingoverhershouldersasshe'dwalkedbesidehimtogotoamovie.Inthatyellowsundressthatcuppedhersmallbreastsandbaredherprettyshoulderswhenhe'dseenherwithagirlfriendatthatlittleItalianplacesheliked.
Jesus.Shewassofuckingoutofherelementitwassurreal.Yetsomehowshestillmanagedtomaintainthatairofunflappabilitythatherpatientswereusedtoseeing.
Shewassodelicate,soearnest.He'dspentayearandahalfpussy-footingaroundher,bidinghistime.HewasreadyforBeth.Shewasn'treadyforhim.Notthen.Shewasasbeautifulandfragileasajungleorchid.IthadbeenloveatfirstsightforSam.He'ddecidedsheshouldbesurroundedbychildren;he'dpicturedher,ababy—his—athernakedbreast.He'dneverfeltthisalienblendoflust,love,tendernessandfearforanywomaninhislife.Hewantedherwithanintensityhe'dneverfeltforanywoman.Ever.
Itwasdamnedunsettling,hethought,shovingasideasix-footlongpalmfrond.He'dgonewaypastunsettledbytheunexpectedmixtureofemotionshe'dfeltforthiswomanfromthestartanddirectlyintodeterminationandastrangekindofpeace.
Aloudcroakingsound,followedbyagutturalrurr,rurr,rurr,soundedseveralfeettotheleft.
"Whatdoyouthinkthatis?"
"Colobusmonkey.He'sbeenfollowingusforawhile."Samcouldseethelittleguy'sbright,inquisitiveeyesasheswungbyhistailfromanearbybranch,waitingforthemtomoveon.
"Aslongasitisn'tadamnbird,"Bethmutteredunderherbreath,makingSamgrin.
Whileaportionofhismindwasawareofeverysmallmovementinthefoliagearoundthem,andhisearsengagedIDingeverynoise,asmallcompartmentofhisbrainwasreservedforflashingmemoriesofBeth.
AccordingtoherpatientsshewasanexcellentGP.Andsweet.Andinordinatelykind.Andcompassionate.Andattentive.EveryoneinthesmallMontanatownadoredDr.Beth.
SamhadtakenonelookatsweetDr.Beth'smarmalade-coloredhair,creamyfreckledskin,andbigbrowneyesandfallenforherliketheproverbialtonofbricks.He'dwantedtostripherandcounteveryfreckle.Unfortunatelyfiveminutesaftermeetingherhe'ddiscoveredshewasmarried.Fifteenminutesafterthathe'dgottenanearfulfromTraciatthedinerabouttheidiotshewasmarriedto.
They'dmarriedwhilebothwereinmedschool.BethandRobweremorelikefriendsthanlovers,whichSamfoundgoodtoknow.Robwasaniceguy,Tracitoldhim.Toobadhe'dfalleninlovewithawomanhe'dmetontheInternet.Dr.Bethwasbeingreallydecentaboutitanddoingwhatshecouldtoexpeditethepaperworktogetitoverwithasquicklyandquietlyaspossible.
Damngoodthing.BecauseSamdidn'tpoachonothermen'sterritory.NotthathethoughtforamomentBethwoulddoanythinghinkybehindherhusband'sback,evenifsheweretempted.
Samthoughtshadnothingtodowithsweet,orkind.Thesecondhe'dseenher,histhoughtshadturnedcarnal.Primitive.Hewantedherhardandfast.Hotandsweaty.Slickandslippery.Hewantedtohaveheronthecounteratthebank.Andonthehoodofhiscar,ontheflooroftheonlyhotelintown.Hell,hedidn'tthinkthatthey'dmakeittoabedthefirstfewtimes.
He'dmovedintoacondoafewblocksfromherhouseandwaitedforthedivorcetobefinal.OnelookatBeth,andhehadn'tbeencapableofstayingaway.Hadn't,Goddamnit,beenabletothinkofmuchelse.Heimaginedhernaked,havingheronherdeskinhercrampedlittleofficeatherclinictwodoorsdownfromthebank.Hepicturedhersmallhighbreasts,andimaginedthathernippleswouldbeasoftdelicatepink,likeherlips.
"Youhavereinforcements,right?"
Shewasastenaciousasabulldogandherlackoffaithstung."I'lltakecareofyou,don'tworry."Hewasaloneinthis.Itwasn'tasanctionedop.He'dcomeonhisown.Bethwasapersonalmatter.
"That'ssweet,Sam."
Sweet?Shedidn'texactlyexudeconfidence.Andwhyshouldshe?Asfarasshewasconcernedhe
didn'tknowoneendofagunfromanother.ElevenyearsinaprivatearmyguaranteedheknewhowtousetheMP5.Healsoknewsomeinteresting,andpainful,trickswithamachete.
"Butwhat'llhappenifyou'rebittenbyasnake?"shecontinued,slightlybreathlessnowthatshewasonaroll."Oreatenbyalion?"
Jesus."Oddsareagainstit."Hebetterstayhaleandhearty.Shestoodzerochanceofsurvivalaloneinthejungle.LessthanzeroifshewasreturnedtoNkemidilm'scompoundandthemanwhowaitedthere.
HeusedthemuzzleoftheMP5toflipacurious,andhighlypoisonous,bushviperhangingfromalimbintheirpath.Itlandedalmostnoiselesslyinathicketofvinesbeforeslitheringintotheunderbrush.There'dbetimetothinkaboutBeth'sdelectablebodylater.RightnowhehadtogetthemboththehelloutofDodgebeforeThadiwe'smencaughtup.
"Howmuchlonger?"
"Coupleofhours."Giveortake.Hecouldalmosthearherbrainworkingasshedigestedtheinformation.
"Don'tyouthinkI'dbebetteroffgoingbackandwaitingforyoutobringinsomehelp?"
Heheardhernervousness.Somuchfortrust."No,Beth,Idon't."Sammadesurehisbarelyawhisperwasimplacable."We'remeetingaguywithaboat.Don'tworry.I'llgetyououtofhereinonepiece,Ipromise."
Hestopped,andshesteppedrightagainsthisbacklettingoutalittlehuffofsurprise."There'sathree-foothighloginourpath.I'llgofirstthenhelpyouover."
Samflungalegoverthemossytrunkanddroppeddownontheotherside.Beth'sbreathingwasalittlefractured.Fear.Tuckingthemacheteintothesheathstrappedtohisthigh,heleanedoverthelog,extendinghishand.Notthatshecouldseeitinthecrackunderdark."Givemeyourhand."
Blindlyshehelditout.Grabbingholdofherwrist,Samgavealittletug."Upandover.Straddlethelog,thenslidedownonthisside."
Hercoldfingersfeltridiculouslysmallinhis.Herchilled,sweatyskintoldhimshewasscaredoutofhermind.Despitethat,shewaskeepingupandnotfallingapart.Notyetanyway.
Hegavealittletugtohelpherup,thenwatchedassheflungbothlegsovertohisside."Righthere,"hetoldherwhenshehesitated.
Sheslidintohisarms."Tha—What'sthat?
Shewaspressedagainsthissemi-erection."Don'tworry,"hetoldherdryly."I'mnotgoingtohavemywickedwaywithyou.Nothereanyway."
Shesmotheredalaugh."Notthat.That!'
That."It'sanMP5submachinegun."
Sheputherhandonhischest,thesmilestilltiltingthecornersofhermouth.Samwantedtokissherintheworstway.Thistimeheresisted.
Notthetime.Nottheplace.
"Doyouknowhowtouseit?"
Hehuffedoutalaugh."Yeah."Thefactthatherbodywasstillflushwithhisdidn'texactlymakehisthinkingprocesscrystalclear.Takingherhand,hesteppedback."Knowthatoutfitjustoutsideoftown?"
"Thatprivatemilitaryplace?"
"Counterterroristtrainingsite,yeah.Iworkforthem."
"You—workforthem?Ithoughtyouwereateacher?"
"Tacticalinstructor.Itrainspecialopsinweaponryforhigh-riskenvironments."
"ThankGod,"Bethgaveasmalllaugh,herreliefevidentandheartfelt."BetterthanI'dhoped.Myhighestexpectationwasthatyouexcelledatplayingpaintball."
"Iwouldn'ttrustyoursafetytoanyonelessthanonehundredpercentcompetent.IfIdidn'tthinkIcouldhandlethesituation,restassured,Iwouldhavesentinsomeonewhocould."
"Oh,God,Sam.I'mterrifiedoutofmymind."
"It'swarranted,sweetheart.You'reinabadspot.Butthistimetomorrowyou'llbeonyourwayhome,Ipromise."
"Adventureisn'tallit'scrackeduptobe."Bethslidahandaroundhiswaistandleanedintohim."Icouldn'thavemadeitpasttheguards.Andfrankly,sinceIhavezerosenseofdirection,I'mnotsurehowfarIwouldhavegottenifI'dmanagedtostealaJeepanddriveout.Howfaristheclosesttown?"
"Village?Tenmilesorso.Arealtown?Withtranspo?Ahundred."
Sheshuddered,andhisarmstightenedaroundher.Notromanticwithasemiautoinonehand,andamachetestrappedtohisleg.Buthe'dtakewhathecouldget,whenhecouldgetit.
"Icouldhavediedherewithoutanyoneknowing."
"Iknew."Onlybecausehe'dbeencalledbyoneoftheCapeTownoperativesminutesafterBethhadbeensnatchedfromthehotel.Whenhe'daskedthattheykeepaneyeonher,Samhadn'tspecifiedjusthowcloselyhe'dwantedherwatched.Closeenoughnottobekidnappedwouldhaveseemedlogical.Tohimanyway.ThankGodtheyknewwhotonotify.
Samhadsomeonefollowingthekidnappers'trailwhilehe'djettedhalfwayaroundtheworldtoretrieveBethfromhercaptors.
"ThankGod,"shesaidwithutmostsincerity.
"Ready?"
Inanswershetookholdofhisbelt,andSammovedout.
"ThatORwasstate-of-the-art,andequippedforanythingandeverything.Icanonlyimaginehowmanymillionsofdollarsitcosttoinstallthatwayouthereinthemiddleofnowhere."
"Couldyouhavedoneit?"
"Nobodycouldhavedoneitinhistimeframe.InterestingthathetargetedLynneRandall,butdidn'tresearchhowlongthatprocedurewouldtake.Andtoansweryourquestion:IfI'dhadtoperformthesurgeryIcouldhavedoneit,Isuppose.Butnotwell.ThelasttimeIdidthatsortofthingwasduringafive-monthrotationinmedschool.Plasticsurgeons—goodsones—arepartpractitioner,partartist.Ican'tevendrawastickfigure."
Samchuckled.Thadiwewasabuttuglyindividualalready.Hedidn'tseehowanythingcouldmakehimlookworse.
"Fortunatelyyouwon'tbedoinganysurgeries.You'llbeoutofthecountrybeforeherealizesyou'vegone."
"Fromyourlips…"
SamhadalreadyextrapolatedThadiwe'slocationtothenextaction.WithoutBethhe'dfindanotherdoctor.Somewhere.RightnowSamwastheonlyonewhoknewwherethesonofabitchwaslocated.He'dhavetoreturnandtakehimout.Butfirstthingsfirst.
GetBethdownriverbyboat,thendriveherthetenmilestothewaitingchopper.GetheronboardandonherwaytoCapeTownwhereaprivatejetwaitedtoreturnhertoMontana.
"Howsoondoyouthinkthey'llcomeafterus?"
"Longafterwe'regone."Nopointanticipatingtheworst.HefiguredhehaduntildaylighttoreachtheboatDesiwasbringingtoapreassignedlocation.They'dbecruisingdowntheCongoRiverbeforeThadiwe'smenrealizedshe'descaped.Threehours.Tops.
Theyneededfive.
ChapterFour
Agorilla,soundingoddlydoglike,barkedinthedistance.Awarning?Orwastheprimatemerelyheraldingdaylight?
Whileitwasstilloppressivelydark,Samcouldalmostfeeltherapidapproachofmorningastheanimalsstartedtostir.Soonthey'dbemovingtowardwater.Therewasanelephanttrailsomewherearoundhere,heknewfromhisearliertrekin.Walkingonthatopentrailwouldsavetime,butitalsomeantencounteringanimalswhohadthesameidea.
Mosquitoesandgnats,fliesandotherinsectsdidn'tgiveadamnifitwasnightorday.Theyswarmedanddivebombedthemastheywalked.Thegorillabarkedagain,andthistimeitwasansweredbyitsmate.Bethsteppedinclosertohim,herfingerstightonhisbelt.
Hechuckled.
"Goodgrief,Sam,"shewhispered."Howcanyoulaughatatimelikethis?"
"I'vefinallygotyouwereIwantyou."
"Kidnappedandrunningforourlivesinarainforest?"
"Alone.Withoutdistractions."
"Boy,youliveacrazylifeifyouconsiderthisaplacewithoutdistractions."
"Noex-husband.Noclinic.Afewtangosandafewplantsarenothing."
Shelaughed."Afewp—Crazyman."
"Thedivorcewasfinalayearfromlastweek,right?"
Shedidn'tsayanythingforseveralseconds."How'sthatrelevant?"
Samheldasideabranch,tuggingBethunderhisarmtoclearit.Insteadofreplacingherhandonhisbelt,heshovedtheNVGsoutofthewayontopofhisheadandturnedaroundtocurlherintohisarms."PlentyenoughtimetogetoveranylingeringregretsorMondaymorningquarterbackingaboutyourmarriage."Screwresisting.HavingBeththiscloseinthesteamydarknesswaslikewavingcrackunderanaddict'snose.
Resistancewasfutile.
He'dheldoffforafullyear.Hewasdonewaitingforhertocatchup.Sambrushedherlipswithhis.Shekepthermouthfirmlyclosed.Liftinghishead,hesaidsoftly,"Putyourarmsaroundmyneckandopenyourmouth."
"Mosquitoes,"shemumbled,tightlipped.
Hechuckled."Tonguesaremosquito-freezones,"heassuredher,nibblingathernowpartedlips,whichwerefirmandwarmandtastedlikepromise.Hetighteninghisarmaroundherwaistuntilherbodywaspressedflushagainsthis.Hell,shefeltgood.Betterthangood.Imaginingthembothnaked,Samclosedhiseyesandsavoredthemomentwhilearoundthemthedarknessseethedwithlife.Anddeath.
HedrankBeth'ssighanddeepenedthekiss,sweepinghistongueintothewarmrecessesofhermouth.Thefirststrokeofhertongueagainsthissentashudderdownhisspine.Hisbodywentfromagentle,bearablesimmer,toafulloutboil.
SamkissedBeththewayhe'dwantedtofromthefirsttimehe'dmether.Fullthrottle.Noholdingback.
Burrowinghisfreehandinherhair,Samtiltedherheadbackwhilehefeastedonhermouth.Herarmsslidaroundhiswaist,andshehuggedhimtoherwiththesameferocityhewasfeeling.Samrakedhisteethacrossherbottomlip,andshemadealowsoundofneedashistonguetangledwithhers.
Amacawswoopedbetweenthebranchesovertheirheads,squawkingloudly.Bethpulledawaywithahigh-pitchedshriek.
Hardlyflattering.
Samtightenedhisarmaroundherwaist,feelingthethump-thump-thumpofherheartagainsthisribcage."Keepitdown,sweetheart.Itwasonlyabird."
"Sorry,"shemuttered."Ittookmebysurprise.Ihatebirds."
Hebrushedakisstothetopofherheadandhuggedhermoretightly."Youhate—Howcanyouhatebirds?"
"They'relikeratswithwings."Herentirebodyshuddered.
Theplacewasaminefieldofvenomoussnakes,flesh-eatinganimalsandwarringtribesmen,andshewasafraidofbirds?Samshookhishead."Bettergetusedtothem."HepulledtheNVGsbackoverhiseyes."Thereareoverathousandspeciesintherainforest.You'dbetternotscreameverytimeyouseeone."
Goodthingshecouldn'tseethehundredsofbirdsperchedinthetreessurroundingthem.Threecuriousround-facedchimpshadbeenkeepingpacewiththem,swingingfrombranchtobranch,theireyes
gleamingwhiteinSam'sNVGs.Nowtheystoppedtowatch,tailsandfingerswrappedaroundbranches.
"Youcouldn'tbemoreoutofyourelementifyoutried."Samresumedwalking.Thewet,muddygroundandvegetationunderfootmadewalkingexhausting.Addtothatherstress,andfear,andsheneededabreak.Abreakhedidn'thavetimetogiveher.Amomentortwokissingwouldhavetodoasbothabreakandadistraction.
HewavedawayaswarmoftinymothsdancinginchesfromhisfaceandhopedBethwasn'tspookedbyeverythingwithwings."Remindmeagainwhycomingtodeepest,darkestAfricawasacoolidea?"
"Adventure."Thistimehervoicewasdry,butitheldafaintthreadofnerves.
Adventure,forGod'ssake.Hedidn'tremindherthathe'dpointedoutallthedangersinherentingoingtooneofthemostdangerouscountriesintheworld.AndSouthAfricawasacakewalkcomparedtoHuren."You'reluckyyouweren'tkilled.Nexttimeyouwantgoddamnedadventure,takemeuponmyoffer."
"Whichofferwasthat?Arideonyourmotorcycle?Ortherideonyou!Idon'tconsidersexanadventure.Sorry,Sam,butthatcan'tcomparewiththisexperience.OtherthaninbothinstancesI'dbesweaty.Possiblypanting."
"I'minsulted,"hesaid,amusedashell.She'dbepantingandsweatyallright.Hecouldn'twait."Youfindsexboringdoyou?"Astatementlikethatfromawoman,especiallythiswoman,waslikewavingaredflagatabull.
"It'spleasant,"shemuttered,dammingoneoflife'sgreatestperkswithfaintpraise.
"WithBobitwaspleasant."
"Rob."
"Becauseyouweren'tthatintoeachother."
"Weweremarried."
"Sexbetweentwopeoplewhowanteachothermorethantheirnextbreathcanbeexplosive."
"I'lltakeyourwordforit.I'vetakenlifefartooseriouslyupuntilnow.School,school,andschool.Openingmypractice,buildingmypractice.Longhoursattheclinic—I'vebeenlivinglifeinblackandwhite.IwantalittleTechnicolor."Shesoundedresolvedifnotenthusiastic.
"AdmittedlynotasmuchTechnicolorasbeingkidnappedatgunpoint,butsomethingafewnotchesdownfromthiswouldsuitmejustfine."
Samvowedshe'dhaveasmuchTechnicolorasshecouldhandle.Soon."Whatdoesyourfamilythink
aboutthiswildhairyougotaboutcomingtoAfrica?"
"Mysister'sbeeninMallaruzaforacoupleofmonths,andlovesit.IthoughtstartingoutslowlybygoingtoCapeTownwouldgivemetheflavorofAfrica.Ialsowantedtoexperiencethepeopleanddifferentculture—"
"Youwerekidnappedandtakentoacountryevenmoredangerousthanthefirst."
"Thankyouforremindingme.I'malreadyscaredoutofmywits.Ibetmysisterwouldloveeveryinsanesecondofthis.Kessisn'tscaredofanything!'
"Thenshe'samoron,"Samtoldherbluntly.Hehadn'tmetBeth'ssister.Butshesoundedlikeaflakewithadeathwishtohim.HehadnoideawhyBethwassodeterminedthatshecouldorshouldmatchhersister'srashbehavior.Especiallywhenshedidn'thavethestomachforit.
"Soyou'rethesaneone,andshe'dthewildone?"
"I'mtheboringdaughter,andKessistheboldone.She'salwaystakingexcitingvacations,whichiswhyIwantedtodosomethingboldforonce."
"ButwhyAfrica?WithyourloveofItalianfood,whynotItaly?"
"I'msavingthattogowith—"
"With?"
"Somebody.
"Who?"
"Idon'tknowyet,"shesaid,soundingcross."Someonespecial.Probablymysister."
Liar.Ifsheweregoingtogowithhersistershewouldhavedonesoalready."Whydidn'tyougowithyourhusband?"
"HelikedAmericanvacations."
"Yeah?Howmanyofthosedidyoutaketogether?"
"Weweretoobusygoingtomedschoolandstartingthepractice.ThereareplentyofplacesintheStateswhereyoucanlearnnewtechniques.Plentyofplacesthatareexcitinganddifferent.Didn'thavetobeAfrica."
"Didn'thavetobe.Butwas."
Hesetagruelingpacetomakeuptime.Whennecessary,heslashedapaththroughthevegetationwiththemachete.Gnatsandmosquitoesswarmedaroundthem,heardbutunseeninthedark.He'dmadesurethateveryinchofexposedskinwascoveredinDEET,butthechancesofgettingbittenanywaywerehigh.
ThankGodshewasabletokeepup,herhand,asmall,hardballofafistclutchingthebackofhisbelt.He'dalwayswantedDoctorGoodall'ssmallhanddownhispants,Samthoughtwrylyasheshovedalargeleafoutoftheway,thenhelditsoitwouldn'tlashback.Thiswasn'twhathe'dhadinmind.
Hewasawareofhereverybreathasshetrudgedalongbehindhim.Hewaspushingit,tryingtoputasmuchdistanceashecouldbetweenthemandthecompoundbeforetheyrealizedshe'dflownthecoop.Tryingtogettotheriver.Tryingnottogiveherthetonguelashingshedeservedforcomingtoawar-torncountryinthemiddleoffuckingnowheretoproveapointthatwasn'tevenimportant.
Arustleinanearbyshrubmadehimturnhisheadjustintimetoseethehorizontallystripedbuttendofanokapi.Thedeerlikeanimal,closelyrelatedtoagiraffe,dartedthroughtheunderbrushunleashingatroupeofchimps,whochattedandscreechedtheirannoyanceatbeingwoken.
Aglanceupatthejigsawpuzzlepiecesofcharcoal-coloredskynowvisiblebetweenthetreecanopytoldhimdawnwasonitsway.Oncethesunrose,theanimalswouldbeinsearchoffoodandwater,makingthemevenmorealerttopredators.WhichwaspreciselywhySamhadsetuptheextractionpointatthemostlikelyspottheyusedtodrink.
Theoriginalplanhadbeentoarrivehoursbeforethebeastsofthejunglecamedowntotheriver.Lettingtheactivityoftheanimalsmasktheirdeparture.Somuchforthatplan.
Changingstrategyashewalked,Samdecidedthathe'dparkBethsomewhereupriver,andgodownandgettheboatonhisown.He'dmovefasterandcould,ifnecessary,misdirectanyoneontheirtail.
Theywouldcomeafterher.Thadiwehadworkedtoodamnhardtogetaphysicianhere.Hewasn'tgoingtoletBethgowithoutafight.
Well,Samwasn'tgoingtogiveherupwithoutagoddamnedfighteither.
"Howdidyouknowwheretofindme?"
"Iknowpeopleinlowplaces."Hedidn'tbothermentioningthathe'dalmostpukedwithfearwhenthosepeoplehadinformedhimwhohadsnatchedBeth.
He'dcomeAfricatobringherbodyhome.
ChapterFive
Samhadsaiditwouldtakethreehourstogettotheriver.Surelythey'dwalkedforlongerthanthat?
WhileSammovedthroughthestygiandarknesswithalithepowerfulsure-footedness,Elizabeth'scalvesandlungsburned,andherskinitcheddespitethetemperature-regulatedsuit.ShewasdamnsureKesswouldn'tbehuffingandpuffing,mentallybeggingtostopsoshecouldsitdownandrest.No,hersisterwouldbeleadingtheway.Shemightnotknowwhereshewasgoingorhowtogetthere,Elizabeththoughtwithasmallsmile,butnoonefollowingKesswouldknowit.
TheonlyrealityinElizabeth'sworldwashergriponSam'sbeltasshestumbledblindlyinhiswake,stubbingherbootedtoesonrootsandvines.Andwhileshecouldeasilypicturehiminhermind'seye,thatimagedidn'tinanywaygelwiththemanwho'dcometorescueher.Withthemanwho'dkissedhersopassionatelyithadmadeherbloodracethroughherveinsandherhearthammer.
Shehatednotbeingincontrol.Andshehadn'tbeenincontrolofherownfatefromthemomentshe'dbeensnatchedfromLynne'shotelroom.
"How'sthehand?"
Itthrobbed,butthatwastobeexpected."Okay."
"Tellmeifitisn't.Don'ttryandbebrave.Aninfectionherecankillyou."
"I'madoctor,Sam.Iknow.Thankstoyou,it'sf—"
Suddenlyhispalmcoveredhermouth.Elizabethgulpeddownthereactivescream,butfeltitvibrateinherchestashewhisperedagainstherear."Shh.Company."
Shefroze.Oh,God.Shehadn'theardanythingoutoftheordinary.Ifwalkinginthepitchdarkthrougharainforestfilledwithsnakesandmonkeysandmorebirdsthananyonecouldimaginecouldbeconsideredordinary.
"Down."Hetuggedatherarm,bendinglowwithher.Hisvoicewassomuteditwasalmostmoreafeelingthanasound.Hisarmbrushedhersandsherealizedhewasremovingthepackfromhisback.Sheheardasoftthudasitlandedonthedampgroundnexttoher."Knowhowtofireagun?"hewhispered,hislipsagainstherear.
Elizabethshookherhead."Isewupholesinpeople,notmakethem."
"I'llgiveyouacrashcourse."
Sheshookherheadagain.Atinythrillofadrenalineswirledinherbelly.Abigbelieverinself-defense,she'dspenttoomuchtimeintheERtoactuallypullatrigger.Orsoshethought.Lifeordeath.
Despiteherrefusal,Samwrappedhernon-slicedhandaroundwhatwasclearlyabiggun.Averybig,veryheavygun.Herfingersclosedaroundtheribbedstock.Itfeltweird,foreign."I'dratheryoutakeit,"shewhisperedbackurgently.Itwasonlyassheflexedherstifffingersthatsherealizedjusthowtightlyshe'dbeengrippinghisbelt.
Sampositionedherfingers,histouchplayinghavocwithhergoodjudgment."Won'tneedit.Safety'soff.Pointandshoot.Fireseighthundredroundsaminute.Youwon'tmiss.WhenIcomebackI'llwhistlelikethis."Hewhistledasweet,sharpincrediblyrealisticbirdcall.Elizabethhopedtohellnobirdscametoseewhowascallingthem.
"Wait—you'releavingme?"
Screamingsoundedmorehumanethanaimingagunandtakingalife.Thescreamwasagainbuildinginherchest.Shetampeddownthefear.Sheneededtothinkrationallyandbealert.Beingscaredrightnowwasn'tanoption.Sheeasedintoaslightlymorecomfortablecrouchbymillimeters.
Nowsheheardthem.Footsteps.Leavesrustling.Breathing.ShewantedtopleadwithSamtohunchdownwithher,towaituntilwhoeveritwaspassed.Butsheknewhe'dbeproactive.
Hebrushedaquickkissacrosshernose,lightasabutterfly'swing."Staylow."Onesecondhewasrightthere,thenexthewasgone.Sheknewhe'dleft,notbecausehemadeanynoise,butbecauseshecouldnolongerfeelhispresencebesideher.
"Becareful,"shemouthed.
Theraucoussoundsofthejungleclosedinonher,asdidtheoppressivedarkness.She'doutgrownherfearofthebogeymaninherclosetlongbeforehertenthbirthday,butthisdarknessscaredthebejesusoutofher.Thedangersherewereveryreal.Andimminent.
Croucheduncomfortablyinthethick,inkydarknessElizabethwaited,herheartbeatsoundinglikethunderinherears,herjawclenchedtopreventcryingouteverytimesomethingcrawledoverherbarehands,orsomecreepycritterbrushedherface.Shetriednottoimaginewhatthatwassittinglightlyonhercheek,orwhattheweightwasontheinstepofherrightboot.Shebitoffthescreamthatsurgedupherthroatasabirdshotoutofanearbyshrubasifcatapulted.Dragginginashudderingbreath,sheheldituntilherheartsettleddown.Shewasdammedifshe'dhaveafreakingheartattackbecauseabirdflewpasther.
Betterthanthinkingaboutmentrackingherwithguns,mile-longcentipedes,poisonousants,poisonousfrogsand,ofcourse,amultitudeofpoisonoussnakes.
TheonlythingshehadbetweenherselfandallthosedangerswasSamPelton.Thethoughtwassowronglycomforting.
Fivemen.Camo.NVGS.AK47s.Welltrained.Cautious.Anddefinitelytrackingtheirmissingdoctor.Therewasnootherreasonfortheirpresence.Nonearbyvillagestopillage,andSamdoubtedtheywerehuntingforbushmeat.Thadiwewastoosophisticatedtoeatthelocalfloraandfauna,andthecompoundwasmilesfromanywhere.No.ItwasBeththatThadiwe'ssoldiershunted.
Damnittohell.He'dmiscalculated,andthey'ddiscoveredherabsence,andthehiddenJeep,hours
beforeSamthoughttheywould.RemovingtheKA-BARfromhistacbeltwithhislefthand,Samcircledaround,slippedinbehindthem.Matchinghisstepstothemanbringinguptherear,hemaneuveredupclose.Withnowarninghebroughthisforearmaroundandbeneaththeguy'schin.Pullinghimbackandoffbalance,Samstruckdirectlyup,intotheman'skidneys.Itwasaquick,silentdeath,thepainsointensethemancouldn'tscreambeforehedied.Samcaughtthesoldierashesoundlesslycollapsedagainsthim,andloweredthebodyquietlyintothebushes.
Samwipedthebloodiedknifeontheman'sshirt.Onedown,fourtogo.
Killingthesoldierhadtakenallofthreeseconds.Didn'tbotherSamrightthen,butlaterhe'drememberwhyhe'dgottenoutofcombatandintothetrainingside.ButfornowhehadabsolutelynocompunctionkillingasmanypeopleasittooktokeepBethsafe.
Hetookthesecondandthirdguysoutthesamecoldlyefficientwayashe'ddonethefirst.Thefourthandfifthmighthavebeenslowontheuptake,butthesecondtheyrealizedthattheywereunderattacktheygotwiththeprogramandbothrushedSamatonce.
Good.Noweaponsfiredtodrawtheattentionofanyotherhunters.Thefirstguycameathiminaflurryofwell-trainedarmsandlegs.Samblockedthefirstblowwithhisforearm,thenswiveledtokickoutatnumbertwowhohadcomeinfromtheside,hisAK47raisedtofire.Kickingout,Samgotridofbothmanandweapon.Thesecondguywentflying,strikingatreetrunkwithahollowthudthatsetoffaflockofbirdsinascreechingflutterofwings,ghostlythroughtheNVGs.Agroupofchimpsshotoutofthelowerbranches,screamingannoyanceastheyswungfrombranchtobranch.
Bendinghisarm,Samusedachoppingmotionfromtheelbow,hisentirebodyweightbehindtheedge-of-the-handblowtothefirstguy'sthroatashecameathimfulltilt.Hishandmadeasatisfyingconnectionjustbelowtheenemy'sAdam'sapple.Theguygaggedanddropped.
Theothersoldierwasalreadyuponhisfeetandchargingbackformore.WithaferalsmileSamsidesteppedthepunchtothejaw,grabbinghisopponent'swristwithonehand,andpulledhimoffbalance.Withtheotherhandheyankedofftheguy'sNVGs,thenmeltedintothehighbushestohisright.Themancameblindlyafterhim.Samstayeddeadstill.
Themanturnedinacircle,scarednow,babblingGodonlyknewwhat.Samcameuponhimfrombehind,wrappinghisleftarmaroundtheguy'sneck,bearingdownonhisthroatinaJapanesestranglehold.Onearmacrosshisthroat,theotheronhisshoulders,hispalmonthebackoftheman'shead.Pullinghimbackwards,Sampressedtheguy'sheadforward.
Theguytriedtograbhisballswithhisfreehand.TheLockOutsuitgavehimnohandhold.
Samstraightenedandgrippedthefrontandbackoftheguy'shead,thengaveaquicktwist.Ithadbeenawhilesincehe'dlastheardaneckbreakingatsuchclosequarters.Hehadn'tmissedthesound.Samtossedhimasideasheheardaloudscreamoffear.Thescreamwascutoffmidnote.
Beth.
ElizabethflungherselfintoSam'sarmsthemomenthecamethroughthetrees.Itwasbarelylight,butshecouldseehimwellenough,andGod,wasshehappytodoso."Oh,Jesus,Jesus,"shesaidhoarselyintohisthroat,herheartpoundingsohardshewassurehemusthearit."I'msorry,Sam.Thisgiantpig-likesomethingcameatme,andscaredthelivingcrapoutofme.IpromisedmyselfIwouldn'tscreamlikeagirlanddistractyounomatterwhat,butitranrightintomebeforeIevenknewitwasthere…Sorry,I'mbabbling."
Shelookedupathisface.He'dremovedthenightvisiongoggles,andthey'dleftaredmarkacrossthebridgeofhisbladeofanose.Hewasseveraldayspastashave,andthedarkshadowonhisjawmadehimlookwickedanddisreputable.ThesheenonthefrontofhisblackbodysuitElizabetheasilyidentifiedasblood.Shesteppedback,hergazetrackingacrosshisbodyforsignsofinjury.
"Areyou—?"Thematteblackbodysuithuggedhismusculartorsosothatshecouldseethesharpdefinitionofhistautpecsandcutabs,andthelonglengthofhismuscularlegs,andthebulge,somehowflattened,large,andprotectedbysomething.Shepicturedhispenistuckedneatlyinside.Herbodytightenedandhernipplesached.
"AmI?"
Hergazeshotuptohisface,andhercheeksfeltwarm."Hurt.Areyouhurt?"
"Iteachadvancedsurvivalskillstohighlytrainedcounterterroristsoperativesforaliving.I'mexcellent.Thanksforasking."Hegrinned,aflashofwhiteteethinhistannedface."Didyourrun-inwiththepiggiveyouanynicksorcuts?"
"Iscaredhimasmuchashescaredme,"shemuttered,searchinghisface.Shedidn'tneedtoaskhimifhe'dtakencareofwhomeverhadbeenfollowingthem.SeeingSaminhiswarriorgear,knifebeltedtohisthigh,thebiggun,hisdarkhairdampwithsweat,hiseyesglitteringasifhehadafever…
Goodgrief,ifhe'dlookedatlikethisbackhome,shewouldhavejumpedhisbonesatthefirstopportunity.Shegavehimamoreassessinglook."Howdidtheycatchupwithussofast?"
"ObviouslysomeonewenttoyourroomtocheckonyouafterIcutthegenerator.They'llsendmoresoldierswhenthoseguysdon'tcheckin."Hepickedupthebiggunandhispack."Weneedtomaketracks,"hesaid,threadinghisarmsthroughthestraps."Easiernowthatit'sgettinglight.Drinksomewateraswewalk."Hehandedherthecanteen,andElizabethsippedenoughwatertomoisturizeherdrymouth.
"Howmanymenwerethere?"
"Onlyfive."
Onlyfive.Samdidn'tseemtobeconcernedthatthosemenmightbefollowingthem,soElizabethpresumedtheywereincapacitated.Inthispartoftheworldthatcouldonlymeandead.
"Icountedseventeensoldiersatthecompound.IftheyrealizedthatIdidn'ttaketheJeep,doyouthinkthey'llsendallofthemafterus?MaybeweshoulddoublebackandreallystealaJeep.Whatdoyouthink?"
"Firstofallthereweretwentysoldiers.Andno.We'renotdoublingback.BynowThadiwehasprobablycalledinsomeofhispalNkemidilm'speople.Rightnowwehavetheadvantage.Untiltheyfindthosefiveguysbackthere,theywon'tknowyouaren'talone.Theythinkthey'rehuntingalonewoman,unpreparedforthisenvironment.That'sagoodthing,andtoouradvantage.Thoseguysdidn'thaveradiosoranycommunicationdevicesonthem.Stupid.Buthey,Ididn'ttrainthem.Sotocommunicatethey'dhavetohavegonebacktobase.Wehavealittlebreathingroom."
Hetiltedherfacewithafingerunderherchin.Hishardmouthcurvedintoasmile."Youlooklikehell."
"I'mperfectlyawareofwhatImustlooklike,"shesaidruefully.WhileSam'sruggedfacewasbugfree,shemustlookliketheCreaturefromTheBlackLagoon.She'dneverbeenvain,butrightnowshewasgratefulshedidn'thaveamirror.Godonlyknewwhatcrittershadgluedthemselvestotherepellentonherskin.
Heremovedaclothfromhispack,andappliedit—dry—tohercheeks."Thismustitchlikecrazy.Closeyoureyes.Letmegetridofthebugsatleast.GrabtheDEET—it'sintheleftsideofthebelt.Yeah,openitwhileIgetridofyourpassengers."
ElizabethstoodstillwhileSamcleanedherface,thenreappliedthechemicaltodeterthebugs.Shewantedtokisshim,butknewtheyhadtokeepgoingiftheywantedtogetawayfreeandclear.
Theblacknessofthenighthadlightenedtoadeepolivegreen.Nowmurkylimegreenshaftsoflightseepedthroughthedensetreecanopy.Itfeltasthoughtheywerewalkingthroughalgae-filledwater.Thebodysuitdidanincrediblejobkeepingherbodytempnormal,butherheadwasexposedtothethicksteamyheatandperspirationtickledherskinandattractedinsects.
Thejunglewasalivingentitysurroundingthem,thesmellofdeadvegetationandwetearthseemedtoseepintoElizabeth'spores.Thenoiselevelwashighernowthanithadbeenearlier,andshe'dlongsincegivenuptryingtoidentifyeverythingmakingsucharacket.Monkeys,insects,largeandsmallanimals.Andherownbreathing.Everytimeabirdcalled,sheflinched.Notonlydidshehatebirds,shediscoveredshewasn'tthatcrazyaboutsnakes,bugs,ormosquitoeseither.Beinginarainforestwasn'texactlythebestpickforafirsttimeGrandAdventure.
Anadventurershewasn't.Justbecauseshewantedtobefearlessanddaringdidn'tmeanshewashardwiredtobeso.She'dleavetheadventurestoKessandconcentrateonherfledglingpracticeinstead.
IfshemadeitbacktoMontanaalive.
ChapterSix
ElizabethbumpedintoSam'sbackashecametoastopmidstride.Shecamearoundtostandbesidehim.They'dreachedtheriver.ThankGod.Thewaterwasthecolorofbadpeasoup.Brownishgreenwithunidentifiablelumpsofvegetationfloatingonthesurface.Theairsmelled,notunpleasantly…green,andalittlelikeoverripefruit.Smalltreesandthickbrushcrowdedtheslopingbanks.HouseplantsBethgrewinlittlepotsinhercondowouldthriveandflourishtogiganticproportionshere.
Athin,brightyellowsnakeS'edonthesurfaceofthewater,dragonflies,theiriridescentwingsshimmeringinthesunlight,swoopedanddivedovertheirreflections,andtinyemeraldgreenbutterfliesswarmedenmassoverthebank.Apairofinquisitiveotterssatonanearbyfelledtreetrunkwatchingthem.
Thatwastheprettypartoftheriver.
Onthebankacrocodile—atleastsevenfeetlong,lazedinthesun,andfoursubmergedhippos,smallearstwitchinglaylikeenormousbouldersseveralhundredyardsupstreaminthecenteroftheriverwherethewaterwasdeep.Bothspeciesmovedlikegreasedlighteninginthewater.
Andtherewerebirds.Everywhere.Bigandsmall.Theyswooped,theydove,theyflutteredandtheyperched.TheysquawkedandchirpedandtweetedandgenerallyfreakedBethout.
Herethesunlightwasn'tbeingfilteredthroughthetrees,andbutteryearlymorninglightsparkledonthemurkygreensurface,whilethediaphanousdragonfliesdancedbetweenthelongreedsandgrassesliningthemuddybank.Ifonedidn'tknowthatthejunglepressingagainstitsserpentineshorelinewasfilledwithbirdsandcreepycrawlies,itwouldbeanidyllicpicture.
Shestaredatthepodofalmostsubmergedhippos.Onelifteditshead,itsridiculoussmallearspivotingasitcalledagutturalba-ho-ho-hoinalowbass.HipposweresaidtobethedeadliestanimalinAfrica,butitwashardtoimagine,watchingthemclusteredtogetherlikegiantrocksintheslowmovingwater,thattheycouldactuallyrunfasterthanahumanonland.Itwasunlikelythey'dattackwithoutprovocation,butElizabethmovedclosertoSamandhisnicebiggun.
"Shit."
"What'swrong?"sheasked,dry-mouthed,wavingawayadragonflyasitdivebombedherhair.
"Desiisn'therewiththeZodiac."
Elizabethlookedoutacrossthemurkysurface.
Thewholeexpanseoftheriverlookedemptierandmoredangerouswithoutrescueclosehadhand."Maybehewentupordownriver."
"Thisistheextractionpoint.We'reaboutfifteenminuteslate—butheshouldbeherewaiting."
"Areyousurehe'scoming?ItoldyouweshouldhavegonebackandstolenaJeep."
"Hemust'vegottendelayed.He'llbehere."
"Howlongdoyouthinkwe'llhavetowait?"
Samglancedaround,clearlyassessingthearea."Untilhegetshere."
Well,duh."Whatarewesupposedtodointhemeantime?"
"Sun'sup.Theanimalswillbedowntodrinkanytimenow.Weneedtogetoutoftheirway."
"Dowedodgethemandsayexcuseme?Dowewalk,ordowehavetofigureouthowtolevitate?"
"We'regoingtoclimbthattreeoverthereandstayoutoftheirway.It'sagoodlookoutpoint,andyouprobablycouldusearest'roundaboutnow."
"Andashower,andathickjuicysteak."
"Sorry.Noshower,noroomservice.Howareyourtree-climbingskills?"
"Onascaleofonetoten,onebeingtheleast?Zero.I'veneverclimbedatreeinmylife.NotsinceIwatchedKessbeinghauledawayinanambulanceafterfallingonherhead.Itlookedliketoomuchtroubleforthatamountofpain."
"Iwon'tletyoufall,Ipromise.Comeon,thislookslikeagoodtreehotel."
TheenormoustreewasrelativelyeasytoclimbwithSam'shelp.Thebrancheswereasthickasherentirebody,andvinesmadeconvenienttoe-andhandholds.Shemovedasfastasshecouldtopreventcrittersfromtakingatoe-holdonher.Samfoundaforkabouttenfeetoffthegroundthathungalmostdirectlyoverthewaterandeasedthepackoffhisbackontooneofthewidebranches.Openingitheremovedacircleofasimilarfabrictotheirsuits,butinsteadofblack,thiswasacamouflagepatternthatblendedwellwiththesurroundingvegetation.
"AFrisbee?"sheteased,leaningagainstthetrunkasshewatchedSamwork.
"Whenweplay,sweetheart,itwon'tbewithatoy."Withaflickofhiswristthecircleflippedandwrithedintoasmalldome-shapedtent."Viola!Yourroomisready."PlacingthesmalltenttorestontheVofthebranches,hequicklypoundedafewpegsintothebranchtosupportthelittlestructure,thenunzippedtheentrance."Takeyourbootsoff,drinksomewaterandtrytonap."
"Whereareyougoingtobe?"
"Backtrackingtobesurewewon'thaveanysurpriseguests.Stayinsidethetentandzipthedoorclosed.You'llbeabletoseeoutprettywell,andit'llkeepcrittersout.Ourrideshouldbehereshortly.
EvenifyouseeDesiandtheZodiac,stayput.Iwon'tbelong.Oh,yeah.Onemorething."
Samgaveheraquick,hardkiss.
"Ireallyenjoyyouronemorethings,"shetoldhimwhentheybrokeapart.Shewantedtokeephimsafelybyherside."Comebackandsayitagain."
"Ihavemorethanone'onemorething,'sweetheart.Climbin,I'llbebackinanhour."
Samreturnedtwohourslater.He'dmanagedtocontactDesionthesatphonehe'dretrievedfromthelargepackhe'dhiddenthedaybeforeneartheirrendezvouspoint.Theothermanhadbeendetainedinavillagesometwentyclicksdownriver."Detained"meantDesihadencounteredayoungwomanwhosefatherwasofffightingontheborder.DesiwasMallaruziandhewas,apparently,usuallyprettydependable.Unlessheranacrossaprettygirl.Samwarnedhimawayfromanyotherprettygirlsandsetupanewextractiontimefor1200hours.Hethenjoggedalmosthalfwaybacktothecompoundwithoutseeingevidencethatthereweremoresoldiersfollowingthem.
They'dcome.Eventually.
ButfornowtherewasnothingmorepressingthanbeingwithBethandconvincingherthatshelikedbeingwithhim,too.
Aftercheckingtheperimeterforanysignofman,herapidlyclimbedthetreeandunzippedthefrontflapofthesmalltent.Insidewasdimandrelativelycool.Bethwasasleep,herheadrestingonheroutstretchedarm.Howthehellhadhemanagedtokeephishandsoffherforayearandahalf?Justlookingathermadehisheartbeatfaster,andnotevenhisintensetrainingcouldcontrolthespeedofhispulse.Itwaslikeshewastheonespecificallymadeforhim,andhisbodyrecognizeditsmate.
Samremovedhisbootsbeforehecrawledinbesideher.Itwasatightfit,whichhedidn'tmindatall.
Helaylikeshewas,onearmoutstretchedtosupporthisheadashefacedher.Merginghisfingerswithhers,Samenjoyedthesimpleactofholdingherhand.Herswassosmall,andsoft,andincrediblyfemaleclaspedinhislargeroughpalm.
Shewasperfectlyrelaxed,herslenderbodyconformingtothethickbranchessupportingthefloorofthetent.Hescannedherface,soperfectinreposeandjustinchesfromhis.Shewasprettierwhenshewasawakeandherfeaturesanimated;asleepherbeautywasmoresubtle,butjustashearttwisting.Herbeautywasdeceiving.Shelookeddelicatewithherpale,freckledskinandamber-coloredhair.Butshewasastensileassteel.Samtouchedafingertothedarksweepofherlashes,dyed,she'dtoldhimonceunselfconsciously.
Hetrailedhisfingeroverhercheek,thenbrusheditgentlyoverthesweetcurveofherlowerlip.Shesmiledwithoutopeninghereyes."What'sthescoop?"sheasked,hervoicethickwithsleep.
"Desi'sbeenheldup.He'llbehereinafewhours."
Sheopenedslumberoussherry-coloredeyes."Whatwillwedowithourselvesfortwohours?"
"Morelikethreeorfour."
"Thatlong?Justthetwoofusinthislittletent?"Shebrushedhishairoffhisforehead,thenstrokedhisforeheadwiththepadsofherfingers.HertouchtraveledlikewildfirethroughSam'sblood.Sheshiftedsothatherhipsalignedwithhis.NothingbetweenthembuttwothinlayersofLockOutandanerectionthathadstartedeighteenmonthsago.
"Ihatebeingbored,don'tyou?"shewhispered,tracingthecreasesbesidehiseyes,thentheshapeofhisnose,thentraileddowntoBraillehismouth,hertouchsoftasair.
Samtuggedatthezipperatthebaseofherthroatandstartedeasingitdowninchbyslowinch.Herpupilsdilated."Intolerable,"hetoldher,hisvoicethick.
"Anycardsinthatpackofyours?"sheasked,herhandtanglingwithhisasshestartedpullingthezipperdownonhissuit.Thebacksoftheirhandsbrushedastheirmovementsmirroredoneanother.Eachzipperparted,onetoothatatime.
"Nope."Hebenthisheadthefewinchesseparatingthemandskimmedhismouthoverhers.Herlipspartedandshewelcomedhiminside.Shetasted…likeheaven.EverythingSamhadeverwantedwasrighthereinhisarms.
BethtouchedhislowerlipwiththedamptipofhertonguemakingSam'sbreathsnaginhischest.Hepressedhisadvantageandlickedback,tastingthesweetnessofhermouthasifhe'dneverkissedherbefore.Afterwaitingsolongforthis,hedidn'twanttorushit.Tampingdowntheprimitiveurgetotakeherwithoutfanfare,hekissedhertenderly,withallthepent-uplonginghe'dbeensuppressingforayearandahalf.
Hekissedherlingeringly,succulently,enjoyingthehelloutofthetastesandtexturesofhermouthandtheincreasinglyurgentsoundofherbreathing.Bethreciprocated,hercoolfingersstrokinghisface,ratchetinguphisneedforherevenmore.
Shebrokeaway,pantingslightly,aflushridinghercheekbones."Isupposeteachingmetofireoneofyourgunswilldrawacrowd?"
"Thefour-andtwo-leggedvariety."HeusedhisthumbandpinkytospreadthetwohalvesofthedeepVaparttoexposethevelvetyroundnessofherbreasts.Smallandplumpandabsolutelyperfect.Hernippleswerethesamepalecoralasherlips,andalreadyhardandresponsive,justwaitingforhimtotastethem.
Shespreadherfingersonhischest,kneadingthemuscles,thenslidherhandacrosshispecstohisnipple."Swimmingisprobablyoutofthequestion?"sheaskedassherubbedathumboverthesensitivepeaks.
Hepinchedhernipple,makinghermoanlowinherthroat,thenshereciprocated,doingthesametohim.Samgrithisteethatthesweetsensationandusedhiswristtopushherzipperdownanotherfewinches."Leeches."
"Nasty."Abovetheirheadsherfingerstightenedinhis,asherfreehandwonderedrandomlyoverhischest,combingthroughhischesthair,makinghimcrazy.Shelickedtheseamofhislips,thenwhisperedinasultryvoice,"Wannaplaydoctor?"
ChapterSeven
"Godyes."Hisvoicewashusky,hiseyesdarkwithdesire.Elizabeththoughthishandshookalittleashegentlytouchedhercheek."Youbethepatientfirst.I'vewaitedtoodamnlongtoseeyounaked.AndifyouputyourhandsonmenowI'llgoofflikearocket."
"Howlong?"
"Eightinches?"
Elizabethlaughed."Howlonghaveyouwantedtoseemenaked?"
"Eighteenmonths,sixdays,andnineteenhours."
"That'salmostaslongaswe'veknownoneanother."
"It'sexactlyaslongaswe'veknownoneanother."
Hernipplespebbledandached.Shewantedhimtotouchhersobadly.She'dimaginedhistouchonherbreasts,dreamederoticdreamswhereSamkissedherbodyeverywhere.Shewantedthat.Shewantedhim."Whydidn'tyousayanything?"sheasked,pressingherhandoverhiswhereitcurvedaroundherbreasttoshowhimhowshewantedhimtotouchher.Hedidn'tneedinstruction.Thepressure,thepullandcaress,wereperfect.Hekneadedandstrokeduntilherbreathcaught.
"Youweremarried."Hebenthisheadtotakeoneeagernippleinhismouth,thensuckedhardenoughtomakehermoan.Shespearedherfingersintohishairtoholdhisheadthere.
"Then,"hesaidhuskily,trailinghistongueacrosstheuppercurveofherleftbreast."Youweretalkingdivorce."Histeethsurroundedthenipple,teasingandtastinguntilElizabeth'shipscameupoffthefloor.Itwashardtodrawinabreath.
"Thenyougotthedivorce."Sampulledthezipperdownonhersuitasfaritwouldgo,thenskimmedhisflathanddownherbelly.Hisfingersslidbeneathherskimpybluecottonpantiestotouchher."Then."Hisvoicewasthickassheshiftedtoallowhimaccesstoherwetheat.Heslippedtwofingersinsideher,andElizabeth'sbreathsnagged."BecauseI'msuchafar-thinkingguy,Iwaitedafull,interminable,yearto
besureIwasn'tgoingtobeyourtransitionallover."
Shereacheddownandurgedhimtoexertpressurewheresheneededit."RobandIhadaveryamicabledivorce."Itwashardtothink,letalonetrytotalk."I—I—Deeper.Yes,likethat…Ahhh—Ididn'tneedat-transitionalguy.Butoh,God,SamIwantedyoutoo.FromthemomentIsawyou."Hewithdrewhishand,andforamomentElizabethlaytherestunned."Don'tstop!"
"Gottagetnaked.Now."Hefinishedunzipping,thenpulledthetight-fittingfabricoffhisshouldersanddownhisbody.
Afterashakystart,Elizabethstruggledoutofherstoo.AndtheonlywayshemanagedthatwastakinghereyesoffSam'scutabsandtheswirlsofcrispdarkhaironhistannedchest.Shewantedtolickhimallover.
"Imustadmit,"shesaid,sittinguptoyankdownthelegs—pretendingthattheywerehavinganormalconversationonlysothattheydidn'tjumpeachother'sbonesinstantly—"that—"God,theyweresoreadyforeachotherthatshewonderediftheymightjettisonoffthebranchessupportingthetent.Shewasinsuchahurrytogetnaked,herhandsshook.
"Whenmyhusbandtoldmehe'dmetsomeoneelseIwashurt."Shekickedtheentireblacksuitoffandturnedtoseehimwatchingher,hisdarkeyesgleaminginthefalseduskinsidethetent.Elizabethplacedbothhandsonhischestandpushedhimontohisback.Shefollowedhimdown.Usinghimlikeaveryhard,notparticularlycomfortable,mattress.Itwassheerblissfeelinghisskinagainsthers.
"Notagapingwoundhurt,"shetoldhim,nibblingapathfromhisthroattohischin,whilehislargehandsskimmeddownherback."Because,"shelickedthecurveofhislowerlip,"wedidn'thavethatkindofpassion.ButhurtthatafterI'dworkedsohardtomakeourmarriagework,he'dgoneoffandfoundsomeoneelse."Sheopenedhermouthoverhisandfoundhistongue.Shefeltasthoughsparklersfiredoffinherblood.
Whileshekissedherwaytohisear,hescoopedherhairoffherneckandstartedtastingthetendonsthere,makinghershudder."ThenyouwalkedintotheclinicthatdayinthemiddleofallmypersonaldramaandIforgoteverything."
Elizabeth'smindwentblankashistonguetracedaneroticpathupthesideofherthroatandthenswirledinsideherear.
"A-Allthattestosterone,ablackeye,yourarmbleeding.AndeventhoughIthoughtyou'dbeeninsomeskankybarfight."Shesmiledathisgrowlofmockoutrage."Ithoughtyouwerethehottest,sexiestmanI'deverseen."
"Yeah?"hewhispereddirectlyintoherear.
Sheshuddered."Oh,yeah."Ithadbeenlustatfirstsight."Ithoughtyouweren'tinterested."Strugglingtomakesenseofherfailingmarriage,buildinganewpractice,andpayingoffmonumental
medschoolloans,Elizabethhadbeenbroadsidedbyhervisceralandblatantlysexualattractiontoastrangerwhenherlifewasalreadyinanupheaval.She'dputSamawaytothinkaboutlateatnight.Andthinkabouthimshehad.Withthewayherlifewasgoingatthetime,shewasalmostrelievedthathehadn'tfeltthesameimmediateattractionthatshehad.Ifboththemfeltthesameway,sheimaginedthatitwouldhavebeenimpossiblenottoactonit.Byhisapparentdisinterest,Elizabethhadmanagedtostaytruetohermarriagevows,howevertenuousthey'dbeen.
Herbrainwasfogging.Samflippedherover.Itwasn'teasy,thetentwasbarelybigenoughforthetwoofthem.Heleanedoverher,hisfingerstangledinherhair,hisgazehot,histhumbmakinglazycirclesathertemple."ThatkissIplantedonyousixmonthsagodidn'tgiveyouahead'sup?"
"Itgavemepheromonesandbloodpressureup,"sheassuredhim,tracingthecurveofhissmile.Eventhoughherbodypulsedandthrobbed,andshewaswetforhim,theirlazy,we-have-all-the-time-in-the-worldconversationwasdrawingoutthefinishunbearably."ButthatwastheonlyindicationthatyouevenknewIexisted."
Hisfingersskimmeduptocupherbreastwhereitplumpedagainsthischest.Elizabethshiftedtogranthimaccesstohernipple.Hesqueezeditthissideofexquisitepain,thenstrokedhisthumbovertheerectpeak.Thesensationshotdirectlytoeverynervecenterinherbody.
"Youdidn'tnoticeIwaspracticallystalkingyou?"Hedemanded,kneeingherthighsapart.
"IdidnoticethatyouwereprettymucheverywhereIwas,yes.Butyounevercameoverandtalkedtome.Neveraskedmeout.YoukissedmeonceandthenIdidn'thearfromyouagain.Youdisappearedforamon—"
Heslippedinsideher.Hotandhard."Ah.Younoticed."
"Wait.Don'tmove,"shebegged,thesensationtoostrong,toosweet.Shewantedhimsomuchherheartachedwiththeneed.Herehewas,thismanthathadsetherpulsesracingforwhatseemedlikeforever.Herehewas,SamPelton,withhishipsspreadingherthighswideandhiswarrioreyesgleamingashelookeddownintohers.YesYesYES!
"OfcourseInoticed."Shetriedtospeakaroundapantasshestartedtorockherhipsagainsthis."OneminuteeverywhereIlookedthere—Ah—Thereyouwere,thenyoukissedmeliketherewasnotomorrowanddisappearedforamonth.Itwasenoughto…give…agirlafreaking…complex."
Hispenisflexedinsideher,andElizabethmoaned,thenbithimontheshoulder.Thepleasurehewasgivingherwasindescribably,bothsharpandsweet.Herbodytightenedunbearablyaroundhimashethrewbackhishead,thetendonsinhisneckshowinginsharprelief.
"Iwasoutofthecountryonan—op."SampumpedhishipsandElizabethmadeasoftappreciativesoundinthebackofherthroat,strokingherhanddownhisback,thendigginghernailsintohishardbuttcheekashehithisstride."AndIwaswaiting—I'mtryingtodrawthisout,sweetheart.ButI'mgoingtogoofflikeVesuviusinaboutasecondifyoudon'tstopmovingundermelikethat.Lierealstill—Iwas
waitingtheyearout."
Shecouldn'tkeepstill,everythingtheydidpushedherhigherandhigher,untilElizabethdidn'tknowwhereshestoppedandSambegan.Herinternalmusclescontractedaroundhispenisburieddeepinsideher.Hishandsweregentleashestrokedherbackandherbehindinstrokesthathemaybethoughtweresoothing,butwereinsteadmakinghercrazywithlust,love,andneedalljumbledtogether.
Sam'sbodywasafurnaceabovehers,sweatgluingtheirskintogetherasSamskimmedhishanddownherside,thentouchedherintimatelywheretheywerejoined.Sheshiftedslightlytogivehimbetteraccess,andthought,Wefittogetherperfectly,andsaidoutloud,"Yes,Godyes,Ilovewhenyoutouchmethere.Justlikethat.Just.Like.That."And—Iloveyou.
Elizabethlovedthetasteofhisskin,lovedthescrapeofhisjawagainstherbreast,lovedthesmellofhim.Lovedthesatinyfeelofhistannedskinandcrisphairbeneathhermaraudingfingers.
"Ifiguredafterthat—Hmm."Shebithisearlobe,andhegroanedhispleasure,soshediditagain.Shefelthisdesire,anditdoubledherown."Ifiguredthatyouweren'tfollowingmeatall.Itwasastringofco-coincidences.Youtookmydormantlibidofromstalledtooverdrive,then—poof.Youweregone.Whenyoucamebackitwasifthatkisshadneverhappened.Iknewyouweren'tshy,soIwasconvincedyoujustweren'tthatintome."
"Makenomistake,"hesaid,hisvoicerawwithemotionashisthrustsbecamemoreaggressive,asifhecouldn'twaitanothersecond.
Tohelltryingtopostponethis.Elizabethwasjustaseager.Sheneededitnow."Doithard?shetoldhim,wrappingherlegsaroundhisnarrowhipsandlockingheranklesinthesmallofhisback.Shewantedtodevourhim,andsetheropenmouthonthethunderingpulseonhisthroat.
"Iwasintoyou.IneverywayamancanbeintoawomanIwasin…toyou."Heplungeddeep,sendingthembothovertheedgeinashowerofsensationthatlastedalong,longtime.
Samkissedhershoulder."Ourride'shere."
"Hmmm."Shestretched,thenwrappedherarmsaroundhisneck."Ithoughtwehadalatecheckout."Shetookalittleniponhislowerlip."How'dyoumanagetogetdressedwithoutwakingmeup?"
"Specialopstraining.Upandat'em,sweetheart.Wehaveareservationatanotherhotel.Onewithasoftbed,andnoroommates."
"Woohoo."
HersmilezingedthroughSam'sbloodstreamlikeliquidsunshine.Wantingtomakelovetoheragainwasn'tanoption,unfortunately.Hewaslookingforwardtomakinglovetoherforhoursonendwithno
interruption,andwithoutbeingdistractedlisteningforthebadguys.
Theirtimewouldcometolazeinbedallday.Thiswasn'tthatday.
Lookedliketheyweregoingtogetoutofhereinonepiece.IfThadiwe'smenweren'tsmarterthantheaveragechimpandhadmanagedtoeludehim.Iftheygotdownriverunscathed.Ifthehiddenchopperhadn'tbeendiscoveredandsoldforparts.NoneofthosethingswouldhavefazedSambefore.HavingBethwithhimchangedeverything.
"Here."HehandedhertheDEET."Themosquitoesarehavingafreakingconventionoutthere."
Heslidtowardthetentopeningandyankeddownthezipper."I'llwaitoutsidetogiveyouroom."
"Stay.Ilovebeingintightquarterswithyou."
Livinginaone-mantentwithBethsoundeddamngoodtohimtoo,butheshookhishead."You'dnevergetdressed."Hehadtokissheronemoretime.Supposedtobequick,butshethreadedherfingersthroughhishair,andheldhimforakissthatturnedhiminsideout.He'dneverbeenmuchofakisser,butBethmadehimaconvert.Reluctantlyhebroughtthekisstoanend."Don'ttakelong,"hetoldher,lovingthewayhereyeslostfocuswhenhekissedher."Wehavetomaketracks."Hecrawledoutontothelimbtogiveherroomtodress,butlefttheflapupsohecouldwatchher.
Sheshothimasassysmile,anddrewtheLockOutoverherbodylikeaseasonedstripper.
Hedraggedhisattentionawayfromherrosybreastsandscannedthejunglearoundthem.Thadiwe'smenwouldbegettingclose.SamhadgoneoutfortyminutesagotoreconnoiterwhileBethslept.Justbecausehehadn'tencounteredanymoresoldiersdidn'tmeantheyweren'toutthere.Thadiwe'sminionshadplentyoftimetorealizethatfiveoftheirmenhadn'treturned.Samhadapersistentitchonthebackofhisneck.Heneverignoredhisintuition.Itwasgainedbyexperience.
"Canweframethetentwhenwegetbackhome?"Bethasked,comingthroughtheopeningfeetfirst.ShelookedsensationalinthetightblackLockOut,herbrighthairdisheveledaroundhershoulders,herprettyeyesalertasshefinishedpullingthezipperuptoherthroat.Samranhisgazeunobtrusivelyoverthecutonhercheekandthetwoonherthroat.Nosignofinfection.Thenslidhishandunderherhairandpulledhertohimforaquick,hungrykiss.
"Nah."Hesmiledintohereyes."We'llpitchitinthebackyardanduseitforourannualfamilyvacation."Hewaitedforareaction,butdidn'tgetone.HisgutclenchedbeforeheremindedhimselfthatElizabethwasgoodatmaskingherthoughts.Hewasn'tevensureshe'dheardhim,asaparrot,blueandyellowwingsspread—screechedoverhead.Sheflinched,andhewonderedwhatitwouldtaketogetheroverherfearofbirds.Onethingforsure,hedidn'thavetimeforitnow.
He'dalreadypulledoutthesupportpegsonthetent,anditwasasimplemattertocollapsethefabricandstuffitbackinthebag.Heheldupherfavoritesilkblouse,thepinkliberallyspatteredwithdriedbrownblood."Ineededtobringyouclothingsothey'dthinkyou'dwornitoutofthere."Heheldtheshirt
upinawad."Wanttotryandsavethis?"
Bethshuddered."Nothankyou.Imightneverwearpinksilkagain."
"I'llburyit,andtherestofyourclothes,then.Ready?"
"AsI'lleverbe."Shescootedonherbuttasfarasthetrunk,thenstoodtoclimbdowntotheground.Itwashotterthanhell.Hotandsteamy.Hercheekswereadelicaterose,andSamthoughtthatpinkwasn'tsobad.
Shesmiled."I'llbefinenotseeingthecolorgreenforawhile.ButI'llmissthetent."
ChapterEight
"Mboté!Mboté!Boss-man,"Desicalledwithashit-eatinggrinashepaddledadecrepit-lookingpirogueuptoshore.HelookedridiculouslylikeayoungDenzelWashington,andworeraggedcut-offcargopants,andaroyalbluevestwithredandyellowhousecatsprintedonit.Aroundhiscleanshavenheadhe'djauntilytiedagrayandgreenstripednecktie.Theentireensemblewouldmakeadamnfinetargetforanyoneonshore.Asifhehadn'tacareintheworld,Desijumpedoutoftheboatinthigh-deepwateranddraggeditclosertoshore.
"WhathappenedtotheZodiac?"Samasked.Hesuspectedheknew.Desihadsoldit,andeverythinginit,totherebelsforaprettypenny.He'dthenprobablyspentthe"mbongo"he'dgottenonhisnewladyfriend."Ineed…"Desilookedpitifulandmimedeating."Koliya.Yes?"
Theguywasastrappingthirtyyearoldinnodangerofstarving."Hell,no.TheZodiacwasn'tyourstosell."Desigavehimablanklook."Nevermind."Therewasnopointarguing."Let'sgo."
Samtossedbothpacksintothemiddleoftheboat.
"Everpaddledacanoe?"heturnedtoaskedBeth."DesiandIwillberowing,butitwouldn'thurtforyoutoknowhow.Justincase."
Justincase?Elizabethresistedturningherheadtoscanthejunglesurroundingthemforsnipers."I'vedonetherowingmachineatthegym,soIcanprobablyhandleit."
ShedemonstratedhertechniqueforSam,practicingintheairwhileheadjustedherleft-handgripjustafraction.
"Trythatagain—Keeptheoarasverticalaspossible.Good.Okay,let'sdoit."Shestartedtocrosstothewater,butSamputhishandonherarm."Nopointinusbothgettingourfeetwet.Here,I'llcarryyou."Sheexpectedafireman'slift,butSamswungherupinhisarms.
Itwasasillyromanticgesture,onesheloved.Godhelpher,Elizabeththought,shockedbythe
realization.Shelovedhim.He'dproventhathewantedher.Butthatwaslust.DidtheconceptofloveevencrossthemindofamanlikeSam?Sheseriouslydoubtedit.Hewasn'thardwiredthatway.Yethe'dmentionedasharedbackyard.Shewonderedifthatwasjustathrowawayremarkorifheactuallymeanttheyhadafuturetogether."YouTarzan,"shejoked,loopingherarmsaroundhisneck.
HeloweredherintothesmallcanoewhileDesihelditsteady."Hangontomeasyouputonefootin…nowcrouchdown,grabthegunwaleandtransferyourweightbeforeputtingtheotherfootin."
Shedidasheinstructed,withoutmishap,thankGod.Thesun,straightupandbroilinghot,beatdownonherunprotectedhead.Withoutaword,Samleanedoverandwithdrewablackballcapfromoneofhispacksandplaceditonherhead.
TheboatbarelyseemedbigenoughtoholdthreeadultsandSam'sheavypacks.
Samflungalegintotheboatandshotherasmileashecarefullyloweredhimselfbehindher."We'regoingtogetoutofhereinonepiece.Ipromise."
Firstthehat,nowheknewhowscaredshewas."Areyouamindreader?"sheaskedoverhershoulderassheadjustedthecaptobettershieldhereyes.
"I'mastudentofDoctorElizabethBennettGoodall.Okay,Desi.Let'sgetthepartystarted."Thetwomenstartedpaddlinginsloweasystrokesthattookthemouttothemiddleoftheriver.
Herheartdidalittlezig-zagatSam'sresponse."What'smyfavoritecolor?"
"Purple."
"What'syourfavoritefood?"
"Sameasyours.Italian."
"Favoriteicecream?"
"Vanilla.YoursisRockyRoad.Keeptothemiddleoftheriver,Desi.Betterchanceofbeingseen,butlesschanceofencounteringmostofthewildlife.Watchoutforhippos."Elizabethpresumedhewastalkingtoherandnottheirguide."They'reviciousandfast.Anddon'tputyourhandsanywherenearthewater.Snakesandcrocs."
"Ididn'tevenwanttoputmyhandsintheThameswhenKessandIwentonthatrivercruiselastyear.Believeme,I'llkeepmyhandstomyself.Thiswaterlooksalivewitheveryknownparasiteandcreepy-crawlyknowntoman."Shewasn'tsurewhichwasscarier,thecrittersshecouldseeorthoseshecouldn't.
"Canyouswim?"
"I'mnotgettinginthewater."
"Braceyourfeetonthesidesandbringyourpaddlesinandlockthem.There'swhitewaterahead."
"Whitewater?"
"Rapids."
"Thatwasrhetori—"Herwordscutoffwithascreamasthesmall,narrowpirogueslewedsidewaysinafrothofwhitewater.Shegrabbedthegunwalewithbothhandsandbracedherfeetasbestshecould.Hadn'tshebeentheonecravingadventure?Theadrenalinespikewaspurefear.
"Digdeepandholdon!"Samyelledoverthescalingthunderofthewater.Theboatpitchedsideways,goingdownatasteepangle."Forwardpaddle—hard!"
Themen'soarsweren'tinthewaterbecausetheywereridingonair.Itwaselectrifying.Terrifying,butheartthumpingexhilarating.Elizabethhungonfordearlife,andliftedherfacetothediamondsofsprayjettisoningaroundher.Ifshewasgoingtodie,shewasgoingdownwithafight.
Theboatcamedownwithabonejarringthump.Treesandbusheswentbyinablurofgreensandbrownsastheyshotdownstream,slewingsideways,bumpingandjostlingastheunrulywatertossedthemfromleveltolevelinuntidyincrements.Downtherapidsalmostontheirnose,thenjoltingthembackwardsuntilshewaspracticallyinSam'slap.
"Hangon.There'smore,"heshouted.
Elizabethnoticed.Therewasmorewhitewaterallright.Lotsmore.Thewaterfrothedhighoverthesidesofthepirogue,drenchingthemall.Maybeinsteadofbeingexhilaratedsheshouldbepraying.Shetriedit,butherbreathcaughtastheyglancedoffasubmergedrockandliterallywentflying.Down,down,down,overtherocksanddebristhatswirledandtumbleddownaseriesofcataracts.
"Holdon!Holdon!"
Thump,slam.Intoaflumewherethewaterracedaroundasharpbend,thendroppedsevenoreightfeetoveraledge.Elizabeth'sbreathcaught,andherheartstayedinherthroatastheboattippedandswayedwiththeforceofthethrashing,churningwatertossingthemaroundlikeachild'stoy.
Shewastooscaredtoclosehereyes,andtooterrifiednotto.Thismadetherollercoasterridesshe'dtakenasakidpaleintoinsignificance.
Theylandedwithabone-jarringskid,thenslidbackwardsoverashortdrop.
"Catchyourbreath,"Samtoldherwhentheyseemedtohavedroppedintoapoolofcalmbelowtherapids.Thelittleboatbobbedabit,thenglidedthroughthewater."You'vegotabouttenminutesbeforewehitthenextset."Heplacedhishandonhershoulder."Enoughadventureforyou,sweetheart?"
Elizabethturnedherheadtosmileathimthroughthewaterdrippingfromherhatbrimandoffherlashes."It'sfreakingterrifying.ButI'llrememberthisfortherestofmylife.Howdidyoumakeitupstream?"
"Pottage—Ah,shit.Desi,haulass.Now!Go.Go.Go!"
Elisabeth'sheartleaptintoherthroatagain.Nowwhat?Shespunaroundtofacefront."What—Oh,myGod."
Thadiwe'ssoldiers,gunspointingrightatthem,linedthebanks.Thethreeofthemintheboatweresittingducks.
ChapterNine
Kneeling,Sampaddledasfastashecould.Inthefrontofthepirogue,Desi'shandsandarmsglistening,achocolate-coloredblurashedughisoarsintothewater,pullingtheboatwithhim.Thadiwe'smenwerefiringroundafterround.Thousandsofbirds,inhundredofspecies,werecatapultedoutofthetreesbythenoise.Squawkingandcryingout,theyflewinatidalwaveofmulticoloredbeatingwingsupintothesunbakedair.
Samfeltaburnzingacrosshisupperarm.Itdidn'tslicethroughtheLockOut,buthefeltthesting.Ignoreit.Pull.Pull.Pull."Beth.Getdown.Lower,damnit."Bulletscrisscrossedoverhead,cuttingthroughthewater,orricochetingoffnearbyrocks.Beth'scapwentspinningovertheside,andSam'sheartfuckingstoppedinhischest."Beth?"
Shewasbentover,herheadonherknees."I'mokay.I'mokay,"sheshouted,hervoicemuffled.
Thadiwe'smenhadchosenwell.Therivernotonlycurvedblindlyrightaftertherapids,italsonarrowedtojustafewhundredfeetwide.Itwouldthenbeimpossibletomisstheboatoritsoccupants.Toreturnfire,Samwouldhavetostoprowing.Rightnowhewasn'tstoppingforanything,oranyone.Speedwasgoingtosavetheirasses.Speed.Andluck.
Thesoldierswererunningdownstream,tryingtokeepparallel.Fortunatelythebankwaslitteredwiththickvegetationanditwasn'tasmoothrun.Butitwasdamnwellimpossibletododgethatmanybullets.
Thepiroguesweptunderalow-hangingbranchwherealeopardwassunningitself,itsamberspottedbodysleekandlethallybeautiful.Thecatraiseditsmagnificenthead,anditsmusclesflexedbeneathitsglossyfurastheboatflewbeneaththebranch."Staywhereyouare,Spot,"Samwarned.That'salltheyneeded:apissed-offcatintheboatwiththem.
"Takeit,Desi,"Samyelled,waitingforDesitoadjusthisstrokestomakeallowancesforSamtakinghishandsofftheoars.ThesecondDesiwasrowingonhisown,SampulledouttheMP5andreturnedablastoffire.Twomenwentdown,splashingintothewater.Eighthundredroundsaminuteshadalotof
stoppingpower.
Hechamberedanother9x19mmParabellumammunitioncartridge.Thirtyroundsleftalotofholes.Hewascountingonit.Theroller-delayedblowbackmechanismoftheweaponfiredfromaclosed-boltposition.Whenthetriggerwaspulled,theboltwasalreadylockedforwardagainstthecartridge,whichreducedtheamountofmechanicalmovement,improvingaccuracy.AndSamneededeveryadvantagehecouldget.
Hegotanothermanmidair,astheguytriedtovaultoveralog.Twomorewho'dchosenwadinginthethigh-deepwaterlappingtheshoreratherthantheobstacleracethatwasthebank.Samgotthembothinonesweep.
Hesawthealternateviewoftheleopard'stailorheadorstreamlinedbodyasitranbehindthesoldiers,stealthyandwellhiddeninthebrush.Itwaskeepingwellback,buthaulingass,readytopounceshouldamanfallbehind.
Samknewtheyhadmaybeaminuteorthreebeforethenextsetofrapids.Notassteepasthefirst,butnavigationwouldrequirebothhisstrengthandconcentration.Therivernarrowedsubstantiallyrightthere,andthedropwasperhapstwelvefeetinahundredyardstretch.Therewasn'tachanceinhellthesoldierswouldmissthematthatrange.Sam'sheartracedwithanticipationasbulletsstrafedthewaterbesidetheboat.Severalhitabovewater,strikingthepiroguebutmissingthembyfractionsofaninch.
"WhatcanIdo?"Bethshouted,stilldoubledover.
"Nothing!"Jesus.Shewasenoughofatargetasitwas.Hedidn'twanthersittinguptotakestockofthesituation."Staydown!"Hereturnedfire.Gotanotherrazeonhisshoulder,hurtlikehell,butagain,didn'tcutthroughtheLockOut.Thebullethittheinsideoftheboat,inchesfromBeth'sback,makingSam'sheartleapintohisthroatandlodgethere.
Asmallchunkofwoodflewoff,hittinghimjustabovehiseye.Bloodtrickleddownhisface,blindinghimtotheleft.Shit.Hewipedhisfaceonhisshoulder,thenfiredintoagroupoffourmenclusteredonajutoflandjustahead.Thesoldierswentdownlikebowlingpins.
Afour-coursemealforthegiantcrocthathadslippedintothewaterafewfeetawayontheirarrivalandnowturnedbackinalashoftailandjawstocollect.
SamsawThadiweimmediately.Thetangotoweredoverhissoldiersbyagoodeightinchesandstood,legsspread,armsakimbo,ashismenaimedtheirweaponsattheapproachingboat.
Samshiftedthesubmachinegun,centeringthesightofthebetweenThadiwe'sclose-seteyes."Here'sthatfacialreconstructionyouwantedsobadly,asshole."
Thadiwe'sheadexplodedlikeawatermelon.
Excellent.SavedSamareturntrip.
Thesoldiersleapedintoactionasanothercrocwhippeditsheadaroundastheman'sbodycrashedintothetallreeds,halfin,halfoutofthemuddywater.Thewhitespumeflungupbythecroc'sfrenzyturnedcrimsonashedraggedthetangodeeperintothewater.
Thesoldierstriedtomakeupfortheirinattentionbyfiringoffabarrageofbulletswilly-nilly.Theirenthusiasmwasadmirable,buttheiraimsucked,evenatthiscloserange.Mostofthebulletsmissedtheirtargetbyseveralfeet.SamhappenedtoglanceinDesi'sdirectionasabulletslicedthroughtheman'supperthigh.Theinjurywasdeep,andbled.Alot.Theothermanfalteredforamoment,thenattackedthewaterwithhisoarslikeamanpossessedasthesoldiersgaugedthetargetbetterandstartednarrowingthegapbetweenhitsandmisses.
Elizabethsmelledthefamiliarmetalicscentofbloodoverthefruity/muddysmelloftheriver.Sam.SheliftedherheadjustenoughtoseethatitwasDesiwho'dtakenahit.Hewasrowinglikeamadman.Theoarsslicedthroughthewater,sendingupspraysanddropletsthatsparkledinthesunlight.Oneithersideoftheriver,meninuniformwererunningastheyfiredtheirweapons.Thenoisewashorrendous.Thesoldiersshouting,animalsscreaming,thethrashofthenarrowboatmovingrapidlythroughthechoppywater.Andbirds.Flyingaboutwildly,theircriesaddingtothecacophony.
NoneofthatmatteredtoBethrightthen.Desi'swoundwaslifethreatening.Hewaslosingtoomuchblood,waytoofast.ShegrabbedthesmallestofSam'spackswhichrestedbetweenherfeet.
"Staydown,forGod'ssake."
"Desi'sbeenhit.WhatdoyouhaveinherethatIcanuse—Ah.ThankGod."Sam'skitcontainedanewdeviceshe'donlyreadabout.A"WoundBullet."Aningeniousclosuredevice.
Haulingthepackwithher,ElizabethscootedonherbutttowardDesi.Theboatrocked,andallofthemyelledoutatthesametime.ShefeltforthedistalpulseatDesi'sankle.Weak.Buthereactedathertouch,whichwasgood.Hisskinwaswarm.Alsogood.
Whilesheknewitmusthurtlikeblueblazes,itwasanuncomplicatedwound.Nomajorarterialorbonedamage.Buthisleglookedlikemincedmeat.She'dneverusedaWoundBullet,butshe'dreadthearticlesinJAMA.
"Beth,getyourassbackhereandstaydown."
"Inaminute."Shewasn'tabouttotakecoverwhileDesiwaslosingbloodjusttwofeetawayfromher.
"Now,Goddamnit!"
Stayingaslowasshecould,Elizabethquicklyswabbedthewoundasshetriedtoremembereverythingshe'dreadaboutthemechanismshewasabouttouse.Theclosuredeviceconsistedofametalshaftwithinacylinderthroughwhichstandardsutureswerethreaded."Okay.Let'sseehowthisthing
works."
Sheunderstoodthebasicprinciple.Brilliant,really.Byturningtheinternalshaftwiththeuseofasimpletool,Elizabethinserteditintothewoundandappliedtensiontothesurroundingtissue.Shemaintainedthepressurebyperiodicallytighteningthesutures.Becausethetensionwasevenlydistributed,approximationsmoothlyfollowedthenaturalcontourofDesi'sleg.Thegaping,bloodywoundslowlyclosed.Wow.Samhadsomeverycooltoys.Blockingoutthenoise,shepretendedthatbulletsweren'tflyingaroundthem.Findingapressuredressing,shecoveredtheincisionasbestshecould;hislegwaswet,andshehadnothingtodryitwith.
"He'lllive,"Samyelled,soundingseriouslypissed."Getyourheaddown.Now."
Okay.Okay.Shegotherheaddown.
"Rapidscomingup,"hesaidalmostredundantlysincethelittleboatwasslewingandbouncingandboomerangingoffrocksandthewaterwasfrothing,splashingaroundthem."Holdon,"headdedalsounnecessarilyasElizabethroseindependentlyoftheboat,thenlandedonherbuttwithathunkthatjarredherteeth.
Desiwasbleedingthroughthebandage,butshecouldn'tdoanythingaboutit.Allshecoulddowasholdon.Andpray.
Sheunsnappedtheoarsbesideheranddugthemintothewater.BehindherSamcursed.
Betweenthethreeofthemtheymanagedtoruntherapidswithouttippingthepirogue.Andwithoutbeingkilled.Bysomefreakingmiracle,theyoutracedtheenemyandendedupincalmwaterwithnotasoldierinsight.
AllinalladamngooddayasfarasSamwasconcerned.TheydroppedDesioffatthesmallruralhospitalnearhisvillage,thenborrowedhisbrother's,brother-in-law's,sister's,aunt'strucktogetthemtowhereSamhadleftthehelicopterinasmallclearingjustoutsidethevillage.
"Youcanflythisthing?"Bethasked,limpingslightlyasshecrossedthesoggygrasstoagroupofmensittinginthreadbarelawnchairsnearby.Thefivemenroseastheyapproached.Desihadassuredhimthathisuncleswouldprotectthechopperwiththeirlives.Theydidn'tlookasthoughthey'dhadtoforfeitanybodypartsastheygreetedSamandBethwithwidegrinsandhandshakesallaround.
Samhadretrievedhiswalletfromthepack,andnowpeeledoffthelocalcurrencyinpayment."Mbongo,thankyouforprotectingmychopper."Heofferedthemoney,whichtheyacceptedwithbowsandgreatceremony.Althoughheknewtheydidn'tunderstandhisthanks,theygotthegist.Moneyinhand,theytraipsedacrosstheweedyfieldtodrivethetruckbacktothevillage.
"Iseverythingwhereit'ssupposedtobe?"Bethasked,eyeingtheBlackhawksittingincongruouslyinthemiddleofafieldbeingsurveyedbyfiverippedandtornpiecesoflawnfurniture,arainstormofcigarettebuttsonthedrydirtsurroundingthem.
"Looksgood,"hetoldher,ashedidavisualscan.Therotorswereintact,andthebodylookeduntouched."Don'tworry.I'llchecktobesure."Hetookherhandastheygotcloser.Theblackpaintgleameddullyinthelateafternoonsun."How'reyourlegs?"
"Musclecramps.I'mgood."Yeah.Shewasgood.Andexhausted.AndsofuckingbravethatSamwantedtothrowthelittletenttothegroundandcrawlinsidewithBethrightthereandthen.Notforsex,althoughGodonlyknewhewantedthattoo.Butjusttokeephernexttohisheart.Theimageofthemlyingtogether,inacooldimroom,heldenormousappeal.
They'dhavethat.
Andeverythingelse.
"Yeah,Icanflythisthing.Here."Heopenedthedoor."HopinwhileIdothepreflightcheck."
Heliftedherup,hishandslingeringonhernarrowwaistforasecondbeforehedepositedherintheleatherseat.
Fifteenminuteslatertheywereairborne.AndanhourlatertheywereintheBombardierChallengerbeingflownbacktoMontana.
Thecompanyjetwassleekandcamefullyequipped.Assoonasthepilotreachedcruisingaltitude,SamreleasedtheirseatbeltsandtookBethtotheaftcabinwheretherewasnotonlyaluxuriousbathroom,butalsoabed.
Samturnedherintohisarmsthesecondhe'dkickedthedoorshut."There'sabedbackhere."HisvoicewasthickashepinnedhertothewallandyankeddownthefastenerstogetheroutoftheLockOut."We'renotgoingtomakeitthatfar."Herbeautifulbreastsandtheslopeofherbellywereexposedashebitlightlyonthetendonsonherneck,enjoyingthewayherbodyshudderedinresponseandherarmscameuparoundhisneck,herfingersfistinginhishair.
Herskinwascoolandsoft,sosoft.Sammulti-taskedashebackedherintothebathroom,strippedheroutofthesuit,andkissedher,allwithoutmissingabeat."IwishIwereanoctopus,"hemurmuredagainsthermouth,freeingahandtoreachintoturnontheshower."ThenIcouldtouchyoueverywhereIwant,allatthesametime."
Beth'seyeswerefilledwithlaughterasshehelpedhimstripoffhisownsuit,madecomplicatedbecausehewassoerecttheskintightsuithadtobepeeledawaycarefully."It'saloooongflight."Shegavehimaglittery-eyedinspectionashekickedthesuitoffeachfootandsteppedfree."Youlooklikea—"
"Guywithahardon?"SamhopedtoGodhisreactiontoherwouldsimmerdownjustalittleinafewyears.Itwasdamneduncomfortable,nottomentionembarrassinghavingthiskindoferectionanytimehewaswithinfivefeetofher.Especiallyinpublic.Heswallowedalaugh.Christ.Thiswasnevergoingto
end.He'dbeninetyandshe'dwalkintotheroom,andhewouldn'tneedawalker.
"Oh,yeah."Sheplacedbothhandsonhischest,andpushedhimaheadofherintotheshowerstall,whichwasalreadyfilledwithsteam.
Herfairskinlookedincredibleagainsttheglossyblacktile—notthatSamwastakingtimetoadmirethescenery.Hismouthwentdryaslustsurgedandintensifiedtothebrinkofpain.Hebackedheragainstthewall,thenliftedherlegsaroundhishipsasthehotspraypoundedhisback.Armswrappedaroundhisneck,Bethgaveahelpfullittlehop,thentightenedheranklesinthesmallofhisback.
Heshudderedasheenteredhermoistheat.Theybothgroanedattheexquisitesensation.
"Oh,God,Sam.Thisfeels—Feels—"Unbearable.Wonderful.Intense.Hisbodywashotagainsthers,thehaironhischestabradedherbreastsdeliciously.Elizabethcapturedhismouthinahungrykiss,herowntongueeageranddemanding,herhipsmovingfranticallyagainsthis.Shelovedthetasteofhim,thesmellofhisskin.Shelovedthewayhisbodythrustintohersoverandoveragain,sothatshedidn'tknowwhereherbodystartedandhisbegan."Harder.Harder.Harder,"sheurged,herbackslammingagainstthecoldtileashesurgedintoherwithapowerandheatthatmadeherbodyshakeandshudder.
Hedevouredhermouth.
Thekisswentonandon.Hotandwet.Tongues,slickandinconstantmotion,slidandslitheredinamotionmimickingpenetration.Herbreathhitchedandcaught.Shemadeasoundinthebackofherthroatandshudderedwiththebeginningofahardfastclimax.
"Notyet,"Sammutteredthickly,withdrawingalittleanddragginginaharshraggedbreath,hardfingersgrippingherasscheeks."Not."Herammedhomeagain,bitingdowngentlyonherearlobe.
Elizabeth'sbackarchedasherbodytightenedunbearably."Yet."Hepulledout,slickandhard.Hotandgreedy.
Hebroughthertotheveryedge.Againandagain.Prolongingtheclimaxinacarefullychoreographeddancethathadherclawinghisbackasviolentrippleswrackedherbodymakingherpantandsweatandmoanhisname.
"Nownownow,"shechanted,tighteningherarmsandlegsaroundhimashepoundedintoher,thesweettorturealmostunbearable.
Inanswer,Samcrushedhismouthbackdownonhersashethrustinsideheragainandagain.Strongandrelentless,hecontrolledthespeedandintensityofhisthrustsasifhecouldreadherbody'severyactionandreaction.
Harderandharder.Closerandclosertogether,untilshecouldn'ttellwherehebeganandsheended.
Elizabethopenedhereyes,andSam'swerethere,alsoopen,waitingforher,consumingherwiththe
heatofhisgaze.Sheletherlashesfall,scaredhe'dseetoomuch.Iloveyou.Iloveyou,Iloveyou.Bloodthunderedinherears,roaringthroughherveinsinasweetblazethatlefthershakingandneedy.Sheheldhimwitheverywell-tonedmuscle,insideandout,asheplungedintoherlikeahard-drivenweapon.Hungerwasitsownrewardandcarrieditsowndemand.
ElizabethburiedherfaceagainstSam'sshoulder,butthatdidn'tmuffleherscreamastheyclimaxedtogetherhardandfast.
"I'manoodle,"shegasped,herlegsrefusingtounclasp.
"Sincewe'rehere,mightaswellmakeuseoftherestofthewater."Whichwasnowdecidedlycool.Itfeltgoodonherburningskin.Samreachedfortheliquidsoapinacontaineronthewall,andstartedwashingher,startingwithherhair.
Elizabethleanedherheadagainstthetiledwall,eyesclosedasheusedhislargehandtowashherfaceandthroat,thentrailedhisfingersoverhersoapybreastsuntilshemuttered,"Nofair,"andslidherlegsfromaroundhishipssoshecouldstand.Herlegsfeltevenmorenoodlelythanbefore.
Shepushedthebuttononthecontainerandgotahandfulofscentlesssoapinherpalm."Youareadirty,dirty,boy."
"Man."
Herhandsslickeddownhissides,thenhonedinonhiserection.Cuppinghislength,shesmiledashersoapyfingerstightenedaroundhim."Allman,allthetime,"sheagreed."Thisisgoingtotakemesometime,leanbackandcloseyoureyes.I'llletyouknowwhenI'mdone."
Sam'schuckledturnedintoagroanasElizabethskimmedherlipsfromhischestdowntohisrockhardbellyasherslickfingerswenttowork."Justsoyouknow,"shesaid,whenhermouthreachedthenestofcrispdarkhairathisgroin."Thisisunchartedterritoryforme,letmeknowifIdon'tdoitright."
InanswerSamtangledhisfingersinherwethair."You'redoingit—Jesus,Beth!"hesaidasshetentativelytookhimintohermouthandusedhertonguetomakehisentirebodyjerksatisfactorily."Per-fec-tly."
Justbeforehecame,Sampulledherup,andkissedher.
"Didn'tyouwantto—"
"Plentyoftime,"heassuredher,grabbinganotherhandfulofsoap.Heskimmedhislargehanddownoverherbelly,thenslidhisfingersdeepinsideher,bringinghertoasurprise,andimmediate,climaxbeforesheknewit.
"HolyMotherofGod.We'regoingtokilleachother."Shegaspedashewithdrewhisfingersandletherbodysagagainsthisasshefoughttoregainherbreathandherequilibrium."Givemeasectogetmy
breath,andthenlet'sgetoutofhere.IwanttomakelovewithyouinthatbedIdidn'tseeinthere."
Theytookturnswashingeachother,thenmadeloveagainslowly,thecoldwaterpoundingonSam'sbacksprayingherandmakinghershiverdeliciously.
Afterthelongestshowerinhistory,wherethewaterrancoldastheyranhot,hecarriedhertothebedwhereSamturnedthetablesonherashespreadherthighsandfeastedonheruntilshecriedoutmindlesslyandbeggedformercy.Thankfullyheknewwhentonottakenoforananswer,anddroveherovertheedgeofanunknownprecipiceuntilherbodywassoattunedtohisthatshecouldn'timaginebeinganywherethanrighthere,withhismouthbetweenherlegs,andthehumoftheplane'senginesthrobbingthroughherbodylikeanextrapulse.
Exhaustedastheywere,theymadeloveagainslowly.Thenagain,morequickly.Finally,tootiredtomove,theyslept,curvedaroundeachotherastheplanechasedthesun.
TheplanelandedatanairfieldElizabethdidn'trecognize,althoughsheknewwheretheywere.JustoutsideBrandon.Herstomachwasdoingflip-flops.Thiswasit.Elizabethundidherseatbeltasthesmallplanetaxieddowntherunwayandintoanenormoushangar."Nowwhat?"Shewastalkingaboutmorethanjustthenextfewmoments.
Thedoortothehangarclosedbehindtheplane,andtheywereplungedintosemidarknessjustbeforethelightsinthecabincametolife.
Sam'sexpressionwasunreadable.BackinMontanaforfivesecondsandhewasalreadythesameoldinscrutableSamPelton."I'mgoinghome,"hetoldher,shoulderinghispacksandstartingoffdowntheaisle.
"Oh."Herstomachhurt,butshedidn'tcomplainassherosetofollowhim.She'dexpecteditreally.Hopedthattheymighthaveafuturetogether,butknownthatwashighlyunlikely.Knownallalongthatshe'donlyhadhimtemporarily.Theknowledgedidn'tlessentheacheoflossinherchest.Itdidn'tmaketheprickleinhereyesgoaway.Sheswallowedthealmostunbearabledisappointmentasshedrankinthesightofhistallmuscularbodyjustafewfeetinfrontofherashestrodetowardthedoortotheplanewhichnowstoodopen.
Hepausedinthewideaisleandturnedaroundtofaceheragain,blockingherway.Reachingout,hecuppedherjawandElizabethheardthethud-thudasthepacksdroppedtothecarpetedfloorbehindhim."WhenIsayI'mgoinghome,ImeanI'mgoingwhereveryouare.Iloveyou,Beth.HavefromthemomentIlaideyesonyou.Iwanttomarryyou.IwanttotakeyoutoItaly,andmakelovetoyouinthesunshine,andinmoonlight.Iwantbabieswithyou.Andadog.Andagardenforthekidsanddogstoplayin,withroomforourtent.Iwantthewholepackage,DoctorElizabethBennettGoodall.Withyou."
Heartsingingwithhappiness,shewrappedherarmsaroundhisneck,lipscurvedinatriumphantsmile."Iloveyou,Sam."
"Marryme,"hewhisperedagainstherwaitingmouth."Ipromiseyoutheadventureofalifetime."
"Yes,"shesaidwhenheletherupforair."Whereveryouarewillbemyadventure.Let'sgohome,mylove."