Chapter Twelve
It seemed an eternity passed before reality set in. Clint’s body was pinning Sarah against the cave wall, the only thing keeping her from falling to the floor. When he finally slipped out of her, he felt an emptiness that went all the way to his soul. An unexpected feeling he didn’t want to explore. He moved back just enough for their eyes to meet, noticing hers were filled with a vulnerability he felt responsible for. He stepped away and turned to adjust his pants.
He was the first one to break the awkward silence. “You’d better get dressed. We need to start out.”
He ignored her slight huff. Well, what does she expect, a tender kiss or lingering caress? Words saying how great she is or that was the best sex I’ve ever had? Words of undying love? Undying love, huh! You had to have a heart to feel an emotion like love, and he didn’t have one.
Clint knew he was hard and unfeeling, through and through. In his line of work, not developing relationships is what kept him alive. Getting physically involved with Sarah was a big mistake, even if it had served a purpose. He knew from experience that women weren’t as protective of their emotions, especially with the men they were intimate with.
He walked away without another word, scooped up her clothes from the floor near the cave entrance and turned back to her. She was still standing where he’d left her. Naked and defiant, yet Clint could see emotion simmering in her eyes. He steeled himself from acknowledging it.
A fresh quiver of need slammed through Clint’s gut when his gaze dropped down her body. Determination not to let her get to him caused his jaw to clench. Fucking her had appeased the ache in his loins, temporarily, replacing it with something else entirely—something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. But he wasn’t about to dwell on it either. It wasn’t like him to lose control, and he should have never given in to the sexual drive his body demanded he satisfy.
But the lady knew what buttons to push to get a reaction out of him.
Women like her were the reason he was a loner. He didn’t have time for a wife and babies or the stability that came with what most folks called a normal way of life. He enjoyed what he did. There was nothing equal to the adrenaline rush that came with the excitement and adventure he often found himself in, even during the times when he’d come damn close to getting killed. Oftentimes, he wondered if there was anything out there that would make him want to change his life.
Sarah was the kind of woman who could easily make a man think about those things. If he wasn’t careful, he could easily fall into her trap, whether she was aware she’d set one or not. He was attracted to her; there was no denying that. Even now, when his mind should be on getting them off the island, he was thinking about how good it had felt fucking her. He had a feeling those green eyes of hers were going to haunt him for a good long time.
He met her eyes, unprepared for the vulnerability he saw in them. She was a tough cookie, but she couldn’t disguise the emotion brightening those cat eyes of hers. Was she going to cry? Damn! What did she expect from a man like him? He’d warned her, hadn’t he? It didn’t make him feel any better. He took his time walking back to her so he could drink his fill, giving her credit for standing there so bravely. Like the wronged virgin.
It occurred to him that Sarah wasn’t the kind of woman you could fuck and walk away from. He’d been careful over the years to take his pleasures with nameless, unconventional women who only wanted one thing from him, but Sarah was a different breed. She might be hotheaded and pissed him off quicker than any other female he’d ever come in contact with, but she was decent. Sure, she lost control for a moment, even enjoyed it, but why wasn’t she blasting him with that viper tongue of hers now that it was over?
He halted within inches of her. She reached out to grab her clothes, but Clint tightened his hold on them. She tried a second time, her eyes shooting lightning bolts when she didn’t succeed. She stubbornly remained silent, pride keeping her from asking. Clint grinned, purposely letting his eyes roam down her body and back up again, before finally releasing his hold. That was a mistake on his part. She had a body made for fucking. He turned from her, ignoring the urge to pull her against him.
Giving her privacy to get dressed, he walked outside the cave entrance, his sharp gaze searching the immediate area. He wanted to time the last part of their journey so they arrived at the makeshift air strip at the same time Stan did, or close to it. They only had another couple of miles to go before reaching their destination and Stan wouldn’t be flying in until one. Once they were on the plane, it was a short flight back to the states, and Sarah would be home again.
Out of his life.
Clint knew if they left the safety of the cave too soon, they could head right into trouble, with nowhere to go. He had a gun on him but doubted he’d get lucky again if he had to face a lone man.
Upon entering the cave, his eyes automatically went to Sarah where she was calmly folding his army blanket. She was on her knees, putting various items back in his bag as though she was packing for a vacation. Glancing down at his watch, he figured if they left now everything would fall into place.
“We need to go.”
“I’m almost done with the packing, darling.”
Clint didn’t miss the sarcasm in her tone or the flash of hostility in her eyes. She was itching for a fight. What she didn’t know was that it was a defense tactic put into place to put distance between them. He knew the signs, and he knew he could do one of two things—ignore the little witch until she calmed down and worked out whatever was eating her, or address the problem and nip it in the bud.
He chose to ignore it because he knew what the problem was. She was angry with herself for enjoying their hot and heavy episode and mad at him for something he either did, or didn’t do, afterward. Her cheeks were showing signs of color, only now it had nothing to do with desire, except maybe her desire to do him bodily harm. He smiled.
“Let’s get something straight,” she began, his smile obviously rubbing her the wrong way. “Don’t think you’ll get a chance to rape me again.”
Clint burst out laughing. “Angel, you were so fucking hot and ready for a good screwing it was all I could do to keep up with you!”
“Oh!” She looked around wildly and Clint had no doubt that if she found a rock within grabbing distance she wouldn’t hesitate to throw it upside his head.
“You’re mad because you can’t deny it.”
“You know what, Clint? You’re an asshole.”
He shrugged. “I’ve heard that one before.”
“Just be thankful I’m not a man, or I’d be cramming those words down your throat right now.” She got to her feet.
“If you were a fucking man, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.” He moved closer to pick up his bag.
When Clint got close enough to Sarah, she raised her hand, fully intending to lash out at him. But he saw it coming and stopped her hand in midair. His hand encircled her wrist, exerting just enough pressure to make it painful.
She released a sharp gasp and tried to pull away. “Damn you…” she hissed between her teeth.
“And here I thought we were finally getting along.” Their eyes clashed, each filled with a determination to dominate and subdue the other, both knowing there could only be one outcome. Obviously the stronger of the two, it wouldn’t take Clint much to have Sarah at his complete mercy…again.
“You can let go any time,” Sarah remarked, obviously conceding he’d won the battle. “I won’t try to hit you again.”
Clint’s eyes narrowed on Sarah, sizing her up for the moment while trying to determine if what he saw in her eyes was the truth. The atmosphere between them was charged with sexual undercurrents that wouldn’t take much to ignite into a full-blown catastrophe. Without half trying, the little witch was making him want her all over again.
After a few seconds, he expelled a heavy sigh and released Sarah, before he did the opposite and pulled her into his arms. “It’s going to be tricky getting out of here. We don’t have the cover of nightfall working for us. If any of Rodriguez’s men are out there, they’ll probably spot us before we see them. But once we reach bottom, we should be home safe.”
“What’s going to keep Raul, or any of his men, from coming after me, or Susan, once we get back to Florida?”
Clint didn’t hesitate in his response. “He’s not going to be interested in coming after you, or Susan.”
Sarah frowned. “You sound so sure of yourself. Why wouldn’t he? He thinks Susan has something that belongs to him.”
“Which is going to be returned to him, once I get you safely home.” He moved to the cave opening, pausing to peer outside before stepping through it. “Keep your eyes open and try not to make any more noise than you have to.”
Clint felt her presence behind him and smiled. He had a feeling that if she had a knife right now it would be sticking in his back. He continued walking. In spite of his words, the rough terrain made it impossible not to be more concerned with where they put their feet than with who might be at the base of the waterfall looking for them.
“If whatever he wants is going to be returned to him, why are we leaving the island like a couple of escaped convicts?”
He should have known Sarah wouldn’t remain silent for long. “Rodriguez can’t be trusted, that’s why.”
“What is it…?”
Clint rounded on her.
Sarah jumped back, her eyes widening as she came to an abrupt halt. “What have I done now?”
“Sarah, noise includes talking.”
“Oh, sorry,” she said with sincerity in her soft tone.
Clint took a moment to run his eyes over her face, grinning. Apparently, the dirt she’d been wearing most of the day before had protected her nose and cheeks from sunburn. Her lips parted, drawing his attention there. He felt a tightening in his loins, swearing beneath his breath when he realized she’d gotten to him. His eyes shot up to hers, seeing the confusion in those bright orbs.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Nothing.” He took a deep breath and released it slowly. “Let’s go.”
When they reached the bottom, Clint watched as Sarah paused long enough to look back at the beautiful silver waterfall. Her eyes filled, and as she blinked back tears, he swung away, not wanting to contemplate what they meant.