Chapter Four
It seemed a long time passed before Sarah finally heard Clint behind her. Not that she’d been worried—she knew he hadn’t gone to the trouble of rescuing her to turn her loose in the jungle by herself. She had no idea where she was going, and for all she knew, she could be leading them right back to Rodriguez. Thank heavens the full moon at least offered some form of light, but not enough as her next step landed in icy cold water. She let out a squeal of surprise and backed up at the same time.
Clint was closer than she thought. His hands fell upon her hips to keep from bumping her back into the water. “Didn’t you hear the sound of running water?”
She jerked out from under his hands, ignoring his arrogant chuckle. “Apparently not,” she said, deciding not to waste a scowl she knew he couldn’t possibly see. The man positively rubbed her the wrong way. What’s more, he seemed to be taking delight in it. “Why don’t you lead the way for a while,” she suggested in a sugarcoated voice. Maybe she’d get lucky and he’d step off a cliff, or something.
She crossed her arms and waited, surprised when he took a step into the same stream. She automatically reached out, to stop him. “What are you doing?” Hard muscles flexed beneath Sarah’s fingers, revealing the strength in his sinewy arms. She overlooked the spark of awareness touching him produced. That was a complication she didn’t need.
He could have easily pulled away and kept going, but he paused instead to look down at her. His voice laced with amusement, at her expense. “I’m crossing over.”
“I can see that.” She became extremely conscious of his virile appeal and the way his warm, solid flesh felt beneath her hand. “But why?”
Even in the darkness, Sarah could make out that he was grinning at her. To make matters worse, the crooked shape of his firm mouth was ultra-sexy. “To get to the other side, angel,” he said, in a tone one might use on a five year old, before pulling away.
She watched his dark outline as he walked through the flowing water as easily as if parading across smooth pavement. His steps were sure and steady, and it probably didn’t hurt that he at least was wearing boots. Glancing down at her inadequate sneakers, she fought the urge to take one off and toss it at his muscular backside. With her luck, it would float away with the current.
Releasing a sigh of resignation, she unwillingly stepped into the water. It didn’t take long before she realized he’d only made it seem easy. Why did he make everything look so simple while making her feel so inadequate? She had to struggle to find every foothold, her movements awkward and clumsy as she followed at a snail’s pace. In the civilized world, she was a self-confident woman, not afraid to go after what she wanted. She made decisions for herself and lived with the consequences.
Out here she was forced to put her life into the hands of a macho man because she was completely out of her realm. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear he was taking advantage of her incompetence. What added to the impossible situation was that Sarah found herself attracted to his alpha male charisma and not reacting to it very well.
She shot daggers into his retreating back, wishing that just once he’d falter or slip on the slimy rocks making up the bottom of the creek. Like she was doing now. His comment about being good at everything came to mind and only made her dislike him even more. Because it made her wonder about things she shouldn’t.
She started to slip, and cried out softly, managing to regain her balance before actually hitting the water. For a moment, she felt as if she was on a high wire, balancing her weight before falling. She strained to see through the shimmering depths to make sure she was on safe ground again, swearing she saw something else beneath the water. Something wiggling away.
She froze.
“Clint?”
“What?”
“There couldn’t be any snakes in this water, could there?” Her skin was already crawling with the thought. Snakes rated right at the top of her list of things she was definitely afraid of.
“Why? Do you see any?” He turned from the muddy bank he’d just stepped on; his harsh tone implying it was a definite possibility. “All I need is for you to get bitten by a fucking snake.”
“Damn you!” Sarah’s heart began to race, certain now that she’d seen one slithering in the water. Not thinking about the consequences, she took off in a panic-stricken run, slipping and sliding all over the place. There was nothing graceful about her movements. Getting as far away from the serpent as fast as she could was uppermost on her mind.
He wouldn’t have to worry about her getting snake bit, she was going to slip and break her neck first. As she stepped onto the muddy, slimy bank, her leg shot out from under her, propelling her right into him. His arms came out to catch her, the force of her fall catching him off guard. Suddenly, they were both crashing to the ground. He hit it with a grunt, his body cushioning the fall for her.
For the second time that day, Sarah was sprawled on top of him. She began to wiggle like an eel out of water, aware of the intimacy of their situation but she didn’t care.
“Just what the fuck are you doing?” Clint’s hands went to her waist as if to push her off. “Stop your damn wiggling,” he groaned.
Sarah ignored the deceptive calm in his voice. Too busy making sure she wasn’t lying in any of the sludge surrounding them, which meant remaining on top of him. She couldn’t help noticing everything about him was as hard as granite.
“I don’t want to get mud on me. Or snakes, or bugs, or anything else equally horrible,” she explained. Did any woman? Surely, he understood that.
“You don’t‒” his hard tone was filled with disbelief. “Are you for real? You expect to trek for three days across an island and come out smelling like a rose?” His snort reminded her of an angry bull. “Not likely, angel.” In one swift movement, Clint reversed their positions, putting Sarah on the bottom. “You’re going to get more than a little mud on you.” She cried in outrage but he ignored her, grinding his body into hers. “I want to make sure you’re as covered in mud as I am.”
Clint took hold of both her wrists in one hand, and using his other, grabbed up fistfuls of mud. He ran it beneath her collar and at the opening where her shirt rode up her waist. The more his weight bore her into the ground, the more it filled every nook and cranny.
Sarah felt every masculine inch against her. “Damn you!” Struggling against him was useless. “Get off me!” She arched her body in an effort to throw him off. He thrust against her to keep her in place. “You’ve proven your point asshole, I’m dirty enough!”
“Oh, I don’t know about that.” Clint pinned both her arms on either side of her head, making sure they were flat upon the muddy ground. He smiled down at her like a hungry wolf. “They say mud is good for the skin,” he commented outrageously. “Maybe I should strip you so you can fully benefit from the free spa treatment.”
Sarah could see the white of his teeth. “You do and it will be the last thing you ever do!” she promised, her voice tight. “Short of killing you, there are a number of ways I can think of to get even. Now get off me!”
On top of those thoughts, she was also wrestling with her own emotions. She couldn’t believe he was actually turning her on. Feelings left dormant were surfacing at a frightening speed, making her aware of her long-term celibacy. Feeling Clint’s hard cock jump against her, she unwillingly closed her eyes for just a moment, savoring the heady experience. Thankful he couldn’t possibly know what he was doing to her. Could he?
He suddenly raised himself off her body. She slapped at the hand he offered, getting angrily to her feet on her own steam. She didn’t bother trying to brush the back of her clothes off this time, knowing the mud would have to dry first.
“I hope you’re satisfied.” She couldn’t control the biting edge of her words any more than she could control the overwhelming urge to slap his arrogant face.
“If you think I’m satisfied, you have a lot to learn about men.” With that parting shot, Clint turned and started walking.
Oh! What an arrogant, overbearing asshole!
Sarah refused to lower herself to his level, quietly taking up her position behind him. Under the circumstances, it was probably best she not talk to him any more than necessary, or provoke him into touching her again. She had to get her own thoughts under control, unable to explain her unreasoning anger toward him. He’d rescued her and was taking her home, yet everything about him set her on edge.
Maybe it was because he was so…so sexual. Like an animal on the prowl for a mate, mean and hungry because he caught the scent. Yeah, that was the word she was looking for. He threatened her peace of mind. He was crude and harsh, but he represented every woman’s secret hero. Dangerous, strong, rugged, and protective all rolled into one big, hunky male. She was sure that beneath his warrior-like facade was a man who had strong scruples about right and wrong and acted accordingly.
She shook her head, realizing she was dwelling on him. Something Susan said to her once suddenly came back to her, about using anger against a man she was unwillingly attracted to. A survival tactic to erect an invisible wall between them, she’d said. Was her friend right?
She slapped at a flying bug as they trekked deeper into the jungle, where vegetation grew so close together it was almost impassable in some places. Some of the bushes had long spiky thorns that tugged at her clothes and hair and scratched her bare arms. They didn’t seem to bother Clint though, as he continued to lead them into the darkness with the instincts of a night predator.
Just when it appeared they were going to walk all night, he surprised her by stopping. Sarah watched him lift his arm and twist his wrist, positioning his watch just right beneath the light of the moon until he was able to see the time. “It’s almost two o’clock,” he remarked, squinting down at the dial. She couldn’t believe they’d been walking all those hours. “We need a few hours rest to keep up our strength, or we won’t be worth squat tomorrow.”
Sarah knew he meant she wouldn’t be worth squat. She had the feeling Clint could keep right on going until he reached the other side of the island. He wasn’t even breathing hard, and she bet his heart wasn’t beating like hers either. Her eyes examined what was going to be their campsite for the rest of the night, afraid to ask where they were going to sleep. The thought of sleeping amongst the bugs and whatever else was slithering on the ground wasn’t very appealing.
“I don’t suppose you know how to climb trees?” His tone was skeptical, revealing he thought he already knew the answer.
Sarah raised her chin a notch, her tone a little on the prideful side. “As a matter of fact, I do,” she said.
He chuckled. “Tomboy, huh?”
She smiled in spite of herself. “No. Susan’s boys are like nephews to me, and any self-respecting aunt knows how to climb a tree.”
“You’re just full of fucking surprises, aren’t you? Wait here.”
Like she had some place to go. Sarah watched him jump up to the first limb of the nearest tree. He disappeared from sight, climbing further into the thick greenery that blanketed the wide branches. She waited patiently, counting to a hundred before he jumped to the ground in front of her.
He was minus his duffel bag. “What were you doing up there?”
“Making our bed.”
Bed, singular. Sarah didn’t like the sound of that. But what she didn’t like even more was realizing exactly where their bed was. He couldn’t be serious. “I said I knew how to climb trees, not sleep in them.” She crossed her arms stubbornly.
“You’re in for a treat then,” Clint teased.
“I don’t think so. I’m not the adventurous type. Besides, I’ll probably fall out and break my neck, which is probably what you want in the first place.”
“Not a chance, angel. I’ll be right there beside you keeping you all warm and cozy.”
Great, Sarah thought to herself. He didn’t know, but that was going to be the hard part, falling asleep with a hunky hero lying next to her. Even if she didn’t like him, there was something about him that roused the woman in her. “That’s a comfort,” she said, yawning behind her hand. “I don’t suppose you’re hiding a king-size air mattress in your duffel bag?”
“Sorry. You’ll have to forego any creature comforts for tonight. Now give me your foot and I’ll give you a boost up.” He moved into position before linking his hands together.
She wasn’t stupid. She knew what he wanted. “Now wait a minute.” She was stalling for time and they both knew it. “Why do we have to sleep in a tree, anyway? It sounds dangerous.”
Clint released a sound of frustration, straightening up. “This is a jungle,” he began, in a tone Sarah bet was usually reserved for children or someone especially thick headed. “Along with bugs, spiders and snakes, there are wild animals out there. I’m sure there’s wild boar on the island. Wouldn’t surprise me if a pack of wild dogs or—”
“Wild dogs or what, cats?” she snorted with disbelief. “Next you’ll be telling me there are lions, tigers and bears out there.”
“Not the fucking domestic variety,” Clint said in a strained tone. Was he about to lose his temper again? “But most importantly,” he continued, his voice now taking on a quality of steel, “we’ll be able to see anyone coming long before they get here.”
His last statement took all the spunk out of Sarah, as it was obviously meant to do. “Oh.”
“Oh. Now give me your foot and stop wasting time. I’m tired.”
Without further comment, Sarah slipped her wet sneaker into his palm, placing her hand on his shoulder to brace herself for the boost up. He glanced up just as she looked down, and for a moment, his eyes were at level with her breasts. They slowly rose to meet hers.
“On the count of three.”
Sarah dismissed the rush of awareness heating her blood. Lord, what is wrong with me? For a moment, she’d wondered what it would be like having his mouth on her breasts. Maybe they should take their chances on the ground, where there was more room for them to move around. She was about to suggest it when Clint’s voice broke the silence.
“Grab the first limb and haul yourself up.”
She did as instructed, stretching until she reached the lower limb of the tree, barely, struggling with an effort to get a good grip. But that was getting her nowhere fast, except for scrapes and scratches from the rough bark. The next thing she knew Clint assisted by putting his hands on her rump and shoving her upward.
“Thanks,” she breathed, glancing up when he joined her on the same limb. “So, where’s our bed?”
“Eager?”
She didn’t take the bait. “No, tired enough to appreciate a bed anywhere, even if it means sleeping with you.”
A chuckle escaped him. “Just follow me, and for God’s sake, don’t fall. I don’t want to be stuck carrying you out of here with a broken leg.”
“Your concern is touching,” Sarah muttered, yawning.
They climbed until reaching a large fork in the tree, the trunk so wide you could indeed lie down on it. But it was only big enough for one person. Sarah examined the netted contraption he’d arranged. “You’ve got to be kidding.” Crazy was more like it.
“It’s safe,” he assured her. “I’ve used this device several times.”
She glanced back at it with a frown. “It doesn’t look very comfy.”
Clint actually laughed, the deep, rich timbre slicing through the forest on the wind. “It’s not supposed to be comfy, angel. It’s supposed to keep you from falling while you’re sleeping.”
Sarah’s eyes ran over it doubtfully. “I think I’d rather take my chances on the ground.”
He stepped onto the fork, lifting a section of the net he’d placed there. “It’s simple really. Come here.”
Surprisingly, she did as he asked, stepping closer to him. “Now what?” She wrapped an arm around a smaller branch to control her balance.
“Now you lay down. Our combined weight will hold down the net I’ve spread over the trunk. This half of the net,” he explained, indicating the piece he was holding in his hand, “will be pulled up and anchored on the other side of you, forming a wall against your back.”
Sarah glanced down toward the ground but couldn’t see through the branches and because it was dark. Nevertheless, she knew they were pretty high up. She looked back at the contraption, then at Clint again.
“You have to trust me, Sarah.”
“Trust comes from years of knowing someone,” she pointed out. “It’s something you earn.”
“Do you trust Susan?” he surprised her by asking.
Of course she trusted Susan! She answered him with a nod.
“She’s the reason I’m here,” Clint reminded her.
He had her. After several seconds of contemplation, Sarah cautiously lowered herself until she was situated in the split the way he wanted her. Noticing his duffel bag where he’d dropped it, she pulled it beneath her head to use as a pillow, leaving half of it for him. She peered up at Clint but he was already checking to make sure it was anchored securely.
Once he seemed satisfied with the results, he grinned down at her. “Comfy now, angel?” He dropped a blanket over her.
“Oh, yes,” Sarah yawned loudly, curling on her side. “Just make sure you don’t hog the blanket when you come to bed, darling.”
Sarah thought he hadn’t heard her until his voice drifted down to her. “You know angel, sooner or later your sassy mouth is going to land you in hot water.”
Sarah felt him drop down next to her, laying his head on the other half of his duffel bag but leaving the blanket alone. Good.
The last thing she needed was to be curled up beneath a hot blanket with a hot man.
****
Sarah had no way of knowing how long she’d been asleep when she scooted back against the hard, unyielding warmth at her backside. Then an arm came over her and a hand fell upon her breast. Warm air caressed the back of her neck and something hard poked persistently against her ass. Too numb with exhaustion to question it or where she was, she pressed back with a soft moan.
When was the last time she’d awakened in the middle of the night to the feel of a hard-on against her? Too long, it seemed. Somehow they must have fallen asleep on the floor because whatever they were lying on was uncomfortably hard. Perhaps while watching TV. She felt a nose nuzzle the hair away from her neck and then a mouth on her, kissing its way up to the lobe of her ear. He took the lobe between his teeth and tugged on it gently.
The hand on her breast squeezed, fingers tweaked her taut nipple, drawing another sigh of pleasure from her. The liveliness of his hard cock was driving her wild. Sarah began to squirm with hunger against him, straining with a need too complex to name. Her hand moved up to cover his, drawing his down her body to the fire building between her legs.
A low groan revealed his reaction to her move. A hand clutched over Sarah’s mound and applied pressure. She began to tremble and arched against the pleasure of being touched. Eyes closed, her hips began to undulate into the intimate caress. Wet pleasure flooded her loins and fueled her longing.
“There’s no way I’m going to fuck you in this tree and risk us falling out and breaking something.” He sank his teeth into her neck then kissed away the brief pain. Sarah didn’t care what he did. She just wanted to feel. She pushed her ass against his throbbing cock and was rewarded by his violent shudder.
She was slightly awake now, recalling where she was and with whom. She didn't care. “I want to come,” she whispered into the darkness. “I need to come.” She shivered. “It’s been so long…” her voice faded away as she drifted in and out of sleep.
The hand caressing her crotch moved. She opened her mouth to protest when she realized it had just moved to the top of her pants. Then, with lazy slowness, the snap was undone, zipper pulled down, and the material was nudged away as a hand slipped beneath her panties. It slowly inched its way to her pulsing pussy. A long sigh of pleasure escaped Sarah when a finger parted her pussy lips, slipped over her throbbing clit, and slid in deep. She began to rock her hips.
“That’s it, baby.” Sarah barely acknowledged the husky voice encouraging her to move. “I’m going to finger fuck you until you come.” Lips, teeth and tongue began to explore the exposed flesh above her T-shirt. “Damn you’re wet and hot down there.”
Sarah was too weak to comment, focused on moving her hips against his invading finger. He added another one. What he was doing felt so damn good and she felt a building orgasm race from all directions in her body toward her womb and the fingers pleasuring her. Her breathing escalated, and as a third finger entered her, he picked up speed. She noticed something else, too. He was grinding his cock against her ass, and groaning low.
“Jesus I want to fuck you right now…”
“Oh god…oh god…oh god…” Sarah lost all control when she climaxed. It was a powerful release that left her breathless and quivering wildly against Clint. The last thing she remembered, before the numbness of sleep claimed her, was his hand slowly withdrawing from her pants.