He huffed. “You assumed.”
“I had sex with you,” I barked.
“You loved it as much as I did.”
“No. I didn’t,” I lied. “I would’ve never let you do anal.”
“You really think it’s that easy?” Bram muttered, not quite meeting my eyes.
“I think you’re a liar.”
“Maybe I am. Maybe I’ve been lying to myself. Because if I wanted to be found, Jayne, I would’ve found a way out by now.”
I stared at him, heart dropping. “You lied to me.”
“No,” he said too quickly. “Maybe I just… didn’t want to leave. Not once I had you.”
We slept apart for the first time in weeks.
I laid there staring at the dark sky, thinking about air conditioning and toothbrushes and iced coffee. But the thought didn’t excite me. I didn’t want to answer questions. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I didn’t want to go back to being invisible. With Bram, I was everything. Desired. Needed. Claimed. Maybe captivity wasn’t a cage after all. Maybe it was the first place I’d ever belonged.
The next morning, we didn’t talk about our fight. Bram found the tire tracks. We spent a few hours following them until we spotted the remote resort.
“Fancy,” Bram remarked. “I wonder if Chris is waiting for you. Are you just going to go back to him?”
I wondered too.
10
A guard stopped Bram and I at the gates. He didn’t recognize me. I must’ve looked a fright after weeks in the jungle. I gave him my name and hut number, then explained we’d been lost.
“Should I notify the authorities?”
Before I could answer him, I spotted Chris in front of the main office. I yelled for him. He rushed our way, holding two coffees.
“Jayne, are you okay?” He looked Bram up and down.
Taking a coffee, I explained that Bram had rescued me.
“Thanks for taking care of my fiancée,” Chris said before he swept me toward our hut.
Looking back, I saw Bram pull out his wallet like he was trying to get a room of his own.
Chris got my attention. “I’m sure you want to shower.”
“Yes, and food.” I’d check on Bram later.
I ate first and then showered but couldn’t find any of my clothes. Chris gave me a robe and said Margo and George had flown home. They took my things with them.
“In case I needed to keep moving,” Chris explained.
“You planned to find me?”
“Of course. I was worried sick.” Chris stroked my upper thigh, a clear sign he wanted to make love.
“Sorry, I’m exhausted. And I’m on my period.”
“Of course. You need to rest.”
