CHAPTER11
They repeated the same routine as the day before, stopping for lunch for about forty-five minutes before setting out again. Shane stopped more frequently to look at the map and check the compass but she didn’t know if he really needed to or if it was a ruse to give her a chance to catch her breath. She really needed to consider going to the gym more often when she got home.
Late in the afternoon, Shane stopped and looked around while he consulted the map.
“What is it?” she asked. Based on their spot last night, there didn’t appear to be enough room to set up camp where they were.
“Do you hear that?” he asked.
Kinley cocked her head. “Is it another helicopter?”
“No. It sounds like water. There’s nothing on the map, but it’s not like the jungle has been fully explored.” He shoved the map back in his pocket. “Come on, I think it’s this way.”
Water might mean a bath. Even rinsing off would be heaven.
They broke through the trees at the rocky edge of a wide river. A few feet up hill and up river, a ledge of rocks created a four-foot-high water fall in the otherwise calm water.
“It doesn’t look too deep,” Shane said. “We should be able to cross with no issues.”
Kinley looked up at the darkening sky. “Should we wait until morning when there’s more light?”
He shook his head. “I’d rather be able to dry our clothes and boots tonight than hike in wet socks and boots tomorrow. Trench foot and blisters are no joke.”
That made sense.
She followed him downstream until he found a spot for them to cross. Kinley picked her way across the hip-deep river, thankful for the moving water. Still water meant leeches. Leeches meant gross.
They walked back upstream to a small dirt-packed area close to the bank.
“This area is probably under water during the rainy season, but it’s a good place to set up camp for the night,” Shane said.
Putting up the tent was sweat inducing work and Kinley stared longingly at the river, the setting sun glinting off the water in the spots not shaded by jungle.
“What is it?” he asked.
“I’m contemplating taking a bath.”
“Go for it,” he said.
She didn’t have any eco-friendly soap or shampoo, but what the hell. Even just rinsing off would be heavenly. She pulled off her hiking boots without unlacing them, shucked her T-shirt, wet socks and shorts, then walked into the water while Shane laughed behind her.
She did not care and sank down to her chin with a sigh. It was heavenly. The water was cool and swirled around her limbs, carrying away the damp stickiness that had been an almost constant companion for the last few days.
On the bank, Shane gathered her discarded clothes and placed them in the tent before he stripped and walked into the water.
She bit her lip at the sight of him striding toward her naked, a half erection jutting out from between his legs. He stopped in front of her. The water only reached his upper thighs. His cock twitched as if seeking attention.
“You forgot to take this off.” He ran a finger under her bra strap.
“Skinny dipping felt indecent,” she said thickly. In the cool water, her nipples puckered almost painfully.
“Hmm. Tilt your head back and get your head wet.” His voice was low and rough.
She was soaking wet and it had nothing to do with the river. Holding his gaze, she dipped her head back and pulled the elastic from her ponytail. Then she lifted her head and slicked water away from her eyes.
Shane threaded his fingers through her hair at the base of her neck and massaged her scalp.
Her eyes slid shut and she groaned as his strong fingers rubbed her head. Moving her hands through the water, she found his warm, firm thighs, and opened her eyes. His hard cock was right in front of her.
