Chapter 17

 

They took turns washing in the lake, while the other kept a lookout. Because Beast was worried that something would bite off his dick while he was in the water, he convinced Belinda they should keep their underwear on. It’d been partly true and partly out of desperation. He knew seeing her naked wasn’t going to do anything for his self-control, and he was already on edge when it came to the woman. One false move and he would fall.

They dried off on the edge of the lake, using the two parts of the ripped sheet.

“I can’t stand it,” Belinda said from behind Beast. “I need to wash my underwear too.”

He stilled. “You’re getting naked?”

“Yes. If it bothers you, don’t look, but I’m washing everything,” she declared. “I don’t know how well it will dry in this humidity, but I can’t stand the dirt anymore. We can camp here for the night, can’t we? I don’t think the otters will be back, but if we camp away from the lake, we should be fine. I don’t know what we’re going to sleep on, though. Do you think this water is safe to drink? It should be, shouldn’t it?”

He was becoming used to her incessant chatter when she was nervous. Sometimes, it even amused him, but right now, he was still focused on the naked part of their conversation.

“Are you sure about getting naked? Something might eat you.” Yeah, he really shouldn’t have put that thought in his head.

She laughed. “Don’t be daft. Now, do you think we can drink the water?”

Beast tried valiantly to drag his thoughts away from her stripping off the last of her clothes. He could do this. He could keep his eyes off her. It wasn’t hard.

“Not sure I want to drink water that had six huge, furry otters swimming in it,” he said. Good, he sounded calm. In control. He broke out in a sweat, as he realised it wouldn’t last.

“I don’t see any bamboo,” she said. “Our only option is lake water, and I can’t remember how to make a filter. Oh, maybe there’s a little stream going into the lake. We should look for one. Running water is cleaner than sitting water, isn’t it?”

How the hell would he know? As far as he was concerned, water came in two forms—out of a faucet and in a bottle. He heard the rustle of clothes behind him, then splashing in the water. Don’t think about her naked. Don’t imagine all that creamy, smooth skin. Don’t think about what she’d taste like. Don’t remember what she felt like coming apart in your hands…

“Are you even listening to me?”

No. He wasn’t. He was trying very hard to shore up his self-control, so that he didn’t lift her naked body and impale her on his now painfully hard cock.

“Sure. Filter. Water. Something about a…” Don’t say bed. Don’t even think about a bed. “…place to sleep.”

“Oh, John.” A warmth seeped through him at the way she said the hated name, as though it was something precious. He gave himself a mental slap on the back of the head, hoping it would knock some sense into him and stop him mooning over a Hollywood star. “I was too busy dealing with myself and excited to bathe. I didn’t look at your back. You’re all scratched and bruised.”

He was wrapped up in his own thoughts and wasn’t aware of her approach, until he felt her hand on his back. He froze, his whole world suddenly reduced to the delicate touch of her fingertips on his skin.

“That shirt was no protection for you on your slide down the slope.”

He heard the sympathy in her voice. Empathy over cuts and bruises he barely felt. Sure, he was a bit banged up, but it was nothing compared to what he endured during a fight. “It’s nothing.”

“It’s not nothing,” she said. “Do you have any idea how easily things can become infected in this environment? I don’t even have any antiseptic cream in my bag. Wait! I do have something that will help.”

She ran off, and Beast turned to see what she was doing. It was a mistake. The woman was indeed stark naked. In one split second, the blood that enabled coherent thought drained to his already hard cock and made it throb with desperation.

Satin skin flowed over curves made for a man’s hands to caress. Full breasts with dark pink nipples swung as she ran. And when she turned to dig something out of her tiny bag, Beast’s mouth fell open at the sight of her nipped-in waist, gently flaring hips and perfect heart-shaped ass.

An image popped into his mind. He saw himself coming up behind her, running his hand down her spine, pressing between her shoulder blades until her breasts were flush against his bed. His black sheets would make her pale skin glow. In a soft, low voice, he would tell her to turn her face until her cheek rested on the mattress, her golden hair spread out behind her. That way, he could watch her face as he grasped her hips, pulled her up and angled her to just the right position for him to drive into her. She would gasp and flex around him, sending agonising ripples of delight throughout his body, a sweet agony of sensation he knew would be his addiction. And then he’d withdraw, slow, smooth, controlled, and listen for that breathless moan she made when he built her orgasm with his touch. And he’d—

“John?” Belinda was standing right in front of him. Within arm’s reach. A frown puckering her brow.

He clenched his fists tight to stop from reaching for her. This was torture. Pure and simple.

“You’re naked.” The words were strangled, barely making it past his lips.

She shrugged. “You’ve seen me in underwear. This isn’t a big deal.”

“But. You’re naked.”

Now she seemed worried. “John, did you hit your head on the way down the ravine?”

Yes. But that wasn’t the reason he couldn’t think straight. No, that was the fault of the real-life siren standing in front of him. She was a temptation strong enough to lure any man to his doom. His eyes trailed down the graceful column of her throat, over her full breasts, across her flat stomach to the golden curls at the V of her thighs. Golden treasure that he’d touched but hadn’t seen or tasted—yet.

“John? Answer me. Did you hit your head?” she said slowly, as though testing his ability to reason.

He could have told her it was a waste of time. His reason had fled the moment he’d seen her naked. “You’re naked,” he repeated because, honestly, that was pretty much the only thought in his head.

“Yes, John,” she said softly.

She used the same tone doctors used when he’d woken up in hospital after a particularly brutal fight. She was worried, afraid of making his condition worse. Only she couldn’t make his condition worse. His cock wasn’t going to get any harder. It had reached its limit and was strangling in the confines of his pants. Damn, he wished he hadn’t rushed to get dressed.

Slowly, as though trying not to spook him, she put a hand on his arm. His whole body shuddered with her touch.

“We’re in the rainforest,” she said. “The Amazon rainforest. Can you remember my sister’s wedding? You were a guest because of your friend Joe, Julia’s new husband. And then we were kidnapped. We think it was a real kidnapping, but there are some doubts. Now we’re running for our lives and it’s quite possible we’re totally lost. Can you remember any of that?”

Yeah, it was time to step in before she started drawing diagrams of their predicament in the dirt with a stick. He took a step towards her and watched her eyes flare as the realisation that he was a man and she was naked in front of him hit her.

“I’ll tell you what I remember, Hollywood.” He moved his hands, one clasping her nape, the other the curve of her hip. It was almost as though they’d reached for her of their own volition. Beast couldn’t have stopped them even if he’d wanted to. She sucked in a breath, and the noise was heady, making adrenalin surge through his body. “I remember having you on top of me.” His voice dropped an octave and he saw her pupils dilate. “I remember the feel of your body against mine.” The tip of her tongue peeked out to wet her lips and, at the sight, his legs almost went out from under him. “I remember how wet you were and how you gasped my name when you came.” He stepped closer still, until his chest pressed against those hard nipples and her soft breasts flattened against him. “I remember thinking that we needed more.” He lowered his head, until his lips were against her ear. “Do you need more, Hollywood?”

Her reply was a little moan that ripped through his body. She clasped his arms, and he felt her tremble and sway against him.

“Tell me you need more,” he said against the shell of her ear, making her shiver.

“Please, John.”

“I’ll please you, baby. Promise,” he whispered, and then he angled her head and took her mouth with his.

 

 

Belinda wasn’t self-conscious about her body. Getting over being naked around people was something that happened pretty fast as an actress. The fact she had a bit of an exhibitionist streak helped too. When she’d decided to strip totally naked, she’d been thinking about washing her underwear. Mainly. In the back of her mind, a tiny voice wondered how John would react when he saw her naked. That same voice wondered if she could tempt him into carrying on from where they’d left off that morning.

She didn’t have to wonder any longer.

Because his reaction was blowing her mind.

His kiss was demanding, without words, that she give all of herself over to him. There was no hesitation. Belinda wanted everything that John promised with his touch. Strong hands caressed her body as John held her tight, leading their kiss. Taking her away from everything. Taking her to a place where only this mattered.

His chest was hot under her fingertips. Muscles rippled and flexed as she investigated him. The urge to sink her teeth into those muscles and feel their strength was almost overwhelming. She wanted to bite, to taste, to tease. She wanted to know every inch of him.

Her hands found the waistband of his trousers, and she quickly unfastened them. He groaned into her mouth as she tugged his clothes over his hips, freeing him. And then he was in her hand. Thick. Long. Hard. She shuddered with need.

“I want to taste you,” she said against his mouth. She did. She wanted him in her mouth. She wanted to trace the mushroom head of his cock with her tongue. She wanted to know his taste and exactly what kind of touch set him off.

He groaned. “Later. I promise. Later. But right now, I need to be inside you.”

She understood. She felt the same. It was as though every touch since they’d met had been foreplay.

“Yes,” she said, sighing, squeezing the hard, hot heat of his cock and feeling him pulse against her palm. “Yes.”

He kicked off his shoes and clothes as she held him tight. “You’re killing me, baby.”

“Mmm, but what a way to go, huh?” She lowered her head and nipped at one of his nipples. The strange swirling tattoo that covered his left pec danced under her touch. He needed more tattoos. He had a body that should be covered in art. And then she could trace every single line with her tongue. Mmm, yeah, more tattoos were a good idea.

Strong arms turned her and pulled her back against his body. She felt his hard length against her lower back and rubbed against him. “I want to touch you,” she said.

His hands came up to cup her breasts. Clever thumbs strummed her nipples. She let her head fall back to his shoulder and moaned.

“You touch me any more, baby, and this is gonna be over fast.”

That was okay with her. The thought of him losing control and being able to watch him explode was enough to make her shiver.

He chuckled and nipped her earlobe. “Put it on the list,” he said, as though he’d read her mind. “We’ll work our way through it once we’re somewhere safe. Somewhere with a nice big bed.”

“Promise?” She held his arms as he walked her forward, his hands teasing her breasts.

“Promise.”

She turned her head and nuzzled at his throat. He smelled musky. It was tantalising.

“This is gonna be fast, but I promise you’ll enjoy it and I’ll make it up to you later.”

“I like fast.” She just liked touching him. It was electric.

He chuckled and turned her head to kiss her hard. She was breathless when he released her. Desire-darkened eyes bored into her, and she saw her own need mirrored in them.

“Bend over and hold on to the tree, baby. The ground is covered in ants and there’s no way I’m laying you down on it.” He gently put pressure between her shoulder blades, to bend her over a fallen tree. “Once we’re out of here, I’m going to get you flat on a bed with black silk sheets and I’m going to take my time with every single inch of this glorious skin of yours.”

She flattened her back and arched her backside out towards him. He ran his hand down her spine and over the curve of her behind.

“That’s exactly how I want you.” His hands smoothed over her skin. It felt like tiny bubbles shimmering over her. “You’re so soft. How is that even possible?”

He massaged her hips and cheeks. All Belinda could do was close her eyes and sink into the sensation.

“Spread your legs, baby.” His tone had turned guttural.

She did as he asked, and his fingers moved over her sensitive entrance, making her writhe and moan.

“So wet, just for me.”

He seemed to be talking to himself, which was perfect, because Belinda was unable to concentrate on anything other than the wonderful sensation of his touch trailing through her sensitive folds. She arched her hips and pressed back into him, wanting more.

Her actions earned a deep, dark chuckle. “Don’t worry, baby. I’ll make you feel good.” His fingers sank deep inside her.

A desperate wail of a moan escaped her, and her head hung down. “Please, John, I need—”

She felt a fingertip circle her clit, and the ability to talk was torn from her. She gasped and arched and writhed against him. She was so empty, clenching on nothing when she needed him to fill her.

“John.” It was a wail.

“Okay, baby, okay.” He withdrew his tormenting touch to soothe her by stroking her back.

Belinda didn’t know whether she was grateful for the respite or desperate for him to continue.

“Damn,” he spat out as he clenched her hips. “We used all the condoms to store water.”

It took a minute for his words to register. Oh no, no, no, no. There was no way he was stopping. Not now. Not when she was desperate enough to lose her mind. “They’re still good. Just a bit…baggy. You can make it work.”

There was a second’s silence. “Hollywood, I’m not putting one of those on my dick. Even if I got one on, they’re stretched to hell and it could come off inside you. We have to wait.”

He started cursing some more.

“No!” Her mind raced. “I’m clean. At least, I think I am. I never have sex without a condom. Go ahead, shove it in.”

He barked out a hoarse, desperate laugh. “Be still, my heart. What about pregnancy? You want a baby Beast?” His tone was mocking.

For a second, everything within Belinda froze. Her mind filled with images. A little boy just like John, running around, driving her mad and going all alpha on the other kids in kindergarten. Yeah, that didn’t sound so bad. In fact, it made her heart clench with a sharp stab of longing.

“You can’t seriously be thinking about it?” John’s frustration had a calming effect on her. “Are you on birth control?”

“No, it makes me gain weight. I’m sure it’s the wrong time of the month to get pregnant.” She looked over her shoulder at him, relieved to see that he looked as desperate as she felt. The veins in his muscles throbbed with his fight to stay in control. He wanted her just as much as she wanted him. “John, please, I need you so bad.”

“Baby, you haven’t even asked if I’m clean.”

Her heart warmed—even in this, he was the protector. “Are you?”

“Yeah, I have regular check-ups.” His eyes tore from hers and went straight to the temptation in front of him.

“Please, John, please don’t make me wait. Don’t put this off. I need you now. I’m going to lose my mind if I don’t have you inside me.” Every single word was true, and she hoped he heard it, because in that moment, there was nothing on the planet except this man and feeling him inside her.

He let out a long stream of inventive curses before he grasped her hips and plunged deep inside her. Belinda sucked in air. Her body bowed. So big. So deep. He filled up the empty space inside her. A delicious invasion. A taking. An owning. She was one with him. Complete for the first time in her life, rather than empty and longing. She was always longing for something to fill her, to take away the cold, dark place inside of her. And now she’d found it. It was a blessed relief. A wonderful, intoxicating relief.

“You ready for me, baby?”

It took a second for her to realise he wasn’t moving. He was giving her time to become accustomed to him.

“Please.” It was a gasp of need.

He didn’t ask her again. Instead, he slid slowly out of her, letting her feel every inch of his long, hard length, and then he slammed back in. He kept up the same slow, brutal pace until her mind filled with a dizzying fog of desperation. Each plunging stroke drove her higher and higher, sending her spiralling off into the universe.

“Baby.” He sounded strangled. “I’m not going to last. You gonna come for me?”

She couldn’t answer; her mind was on the stars floating around her. It was on the great black void of peace she hovered in, as he tortured her with his touch, bringing her to the edge of ecstasy and keeping her there. She was on a precipice. Lost in sensation. Her body reacted on instinct, writhing against him. There was no coherent thought in her head, and she didn’t want there to be. Each slow slide of his shaft against her sensitive sheath sent bubbles and sparks throughout her body. She was lost to them. Lost to him.

“You’re going to kill me,” he groaned, and she heard his voice as though it were coming from far away.

He leaned over her, pressing his front to her back as his arm snaked around her. Fingers found her swollen clit and teased. She clamped down on him. His fingers pinched. And she exploded. The stars inside her head turned into a show of fireworks and dazzling lights. She heard a grunt and felt John tense behind her, his hands tightened on her hips and then he exploded along with her.

It was perfection. In that moment, there was nothing but Belinda and John, flying together. Joined in a way that made her believe she would never have to be alone again. It was sublime.

“Hey, Hollywood,” John said in a soft, deep voice. “You with me yet?”

Belinda blinked several times as she looked up at his smiling face. Her body was limp. Sated. Wrung out. It took her a minute to realise she wasn’t standing, bent over the fallen tree—instead, she was cradled in John’s arms, her knees draped over his arm, her arms around his neck. He held her close to his chest.

“How?”

“You were out of it for a bit there.” If he was making an effort to hide the smugness in his voice, it didn’t show. “You’re back with me now, right?”

She cleared her throat, wanting to put her cheek back on his chest and close her eyes. But she couldn’t. The noise of the jungle intruded, along with the reality of their situation. This was no lazy weekend retreat with a lover—this was a dangerous hike to safety.

“I’m okay. You can put me down. I can stand.” How he stood there, cradling her without showing any signs of strain, she didn’t know.

His dark eyes sparkled. “I think I’ll keep hold of you for a while longer.”

“You don’t think I can stand?” She was a little offended.

“Baby, you’ve been out of it for twenty minutes.”

“Oh.” She looked around as though searching for confirmation. “That’s never happened before.”

“Way to stroke a guy’s ego,” he said with a smile.

“Maybe it’s hunger?”

“And there she goes, deflating it all over again.” He started walking towards the water, holding her gently but firmly in his arms. “Let’s get cleaned up and then we’ll see about catching some fish.”

Now that perked her right up. “We need the mosquito net. I think we could use it as a net to catch some. Failing that, I thought one of us could bleed a little and see if we can attract some piranha.”

John stopped dead and glared at her. “That’d better have been a joke.”

Belinda thought it was best not to reply at all. With a grunt, he strode into the lake, taking her along with him.