19
The sun started shifting lowerin the sky by the time Marley and Mack reached the narrow river line, surrounded by droopy trees with limbs that stretched far out over the murky water. After tracking down the shore for about ten minutes, her boots sinking into the wet mud along the bank, they found a small clearing where the ground was covered in spongy moss and packed earth. The site was only about ten feet by ten feet, nestled between two giant trees with fat roots sticking up out of the ground, forming a sort of shelter. The spot provided natural protection with the roots forming a wall at their backs and the river at their front.
Marley went straight to the nearest root and plopped down, her feet throbbing, her legs aching and her tired muscles screaming at the abuse. Thanks to daily trailing, she was in excellent shape by any standards, but the lack of sustenance, the rugged terrain, and the long trek had exhausted her. Whether Mack might think her weak or not was now a moot point.
Mack stepped to the edge of the water, carefully scanning to the right and the left, something he seemed to do every second. The man was aware of everything. Their surroundings. The animals and few locals they’d come close to. More than anything, though, he was aware of her. Every time her foot got stuck in sludge, every time she slowed down or tripped over a knotted weed, Mack had been there instantly. His attention was both disturbing and delightful. “Does it look like we’re getting closer to our destination?”
“Closer, yes. Close enough to make it before sunset? No. We’re going to have to find a way across the river, and then there will be another couple of hours of walking after that. We need to make camp for the night, find something to eat so we’re strong enough to finish the journey tomorrow. Even after we meet up with the crew, we’ll still have a long walk out. We’ll need our strength.” Mack crossed his arms over his chest. His shirt was torn in a few spots and dirty, there was sweat streaming down his chest, and she knew from having followed him all day there was also sweat on his back.
But he still looked sexy as hell.
Marley glanced down at her own worn and ripped clothing. She looked like she’d been rode hard and put up soaking wet. Shit.
She got to her feet and crossed to the water’s edge, kneeling to splash some water on her face, attempting to scrub the dried blood and dirt away. She sat there for a moment, allowing the wrinkles in the water to smooth out so she could see her reflection. She’d never been really worried about makeup or hair too much—she’d been too busy being a mom and a pilot for that kind of frivolity.
However, with Mack standing so close, she suddenly started worrying about her knotted hair and swollen cheek. If they were stopping for another night she didn’t intend to waste it alone, but she wanted to at least make some attempt to freshen her face and hair before attempting to seduce Mack. What she wouldn’t give for a bottle of shampoo.
“I wouldn’t get too close to the water, wouldn’t want to wind up being somebody’s dinner, you know?” Mack said.
Marley jumped to her feet, searching for a crocodile or a giant python, only to see smooth unbroken water. “Dammit, Mack, the way you said that I was expecting to come face-to-face with a crocodile.”
He chuckled and tugged her close, sneaking an arm around her waist. Her skin immediately went hypersensitive and she slapped his chest, trying to push him away and pat down her wild hair at the same time.
He didn’t give her a chance, he buried his face in the hollow of her neck and inhaled deeply as if savoring the way she smelled – which couldn’t be good after the last twenty-four hours. “I don’t intend to let anyone eat you but me.”
Heat instantly flooded her thighs and her resistance melted. This man made her lose her senses. If he were planning a repeat performance of last night, she’d be happy being dessert. “Aren’t you tired?”
Mack leaned back and arched a brow. “Do I look like I’m tired?”
She followed his gaze down to the more than obvious tenting in his pants. She felt her eyes grow wide. “Really?”
Mack pressed himself against her, growling deep in his throat. “Don’t worry, I’m not a monster. I intend to feed you first.”
He nipped at her neck and then her earlobe, drawing a sharp gasped response. “Thank God, I thought you were withholding food for sex.”
“Oh no, honey, I’ll get you some supper, but I intend to have you for dessert.”
Her heart thundered in her ears as she stood there and reveled in the way his lips felt on her skin. Mack clearly wasn’t worried about how she looked, so she wouldn’t be either. She intended to savor him all night. Unfortunately, her stomach had other plans. It let out a loud growl and Mack chuckled again. “Definitely food first. Why don’t you stay here and rest? I’ll scout around nearby and see if I can’t scavenge up some grub.”
“Sounds wonderful, but I’ll come with you. I can help.” She tilted her head to the side as he gave her neck another nip, leaving an open invitation for him to continue.
“Rest now.” Mack pressed a hard kiss to her lips. “Here’s some water purification tablets. Rehydrate and relax. I don’t plan on letting you sleep much tonight.” He disappeared into the trees. As soon as he was out of sight, his presence became undetectable. He walked so silently, like he was used to sneaking up on people. She shuddered at the realization that stealth was exactly why he’d learned to move like that.
With a sigh, Marley went back to her root and sat down. She jabbed the tip of the knife into the wood next to her and allowed herself a moment of pure self-pity. She tried to keep up a brave front, but her feet were on fire. As gently as she could, she unlaced her boots and pulled them off, revealing her wet socks beneath. Almost scared of what she might find, she peeled the material back. Bright red blisters greeted her, along with toes and heels pruned up from being wet all day. The rest of her was nearly as waterlogged. She needed to dry off.
Marley eyed the water’s edge. If she kept an eye out for predators, she might be able to get a quick semi-bath to get some of the sweat and grime off her body before Mack returned. Still sitting, Marley unzipped the top part of her flight suit and shrugged it off, letting the material fall and bunch around her waist. She inspected the bandage, seeing dirt but no blood. Better to leave it in place, especially since it was the only thing protecting the wound on her arm from the elements. Besides, the cut didn’t even hurt anymore.
She thought about untying her ripped shirt, taking it off, and using it as a washcloth. She could always put the flight suit back on to cover herself, but the air was too humid. The shirt would never dry again before morning. Four angry red lines marked her chest where her attacker had ripped her shirt, mauling her skin in the process. Chills covered her body and the shadows around her seemed to stretch from the trees, reaching for her. Marley wrapped her arms around herself, wishing Mack would hurry up and return.
His presence was a buffer not only from the dangers lurking around, but also the bad memories lurking inside.
He’d steadfastly protected her and poked and prodded. And yet he sensed when she needed gentleness, too. Instead of trying to act all brave and manly, he looked at her like she was the only woman in the world, like he would die to protect her. He was the ultimate warrior. Brave and battle-hardened, scarred by his past . . . and yet, whether he was willing to admit it or not, he was just as lonely as she was. For the first time since the plane crash, Marley felt a small tinge of gratitude to her copilot. If he hadn’t betrayed her, she wouldn’t have gotten to know Mack. She might not have realized everything that was missing from her life.
And this might be their last night alone together.
Something vibrated against her calf. Marley grabbed her knife and braced her arm in the air, prepared to strike whatever creature had decided to crawl on her leg, but there was nothing there. Another buzz, and she let go of the knife, which clattered to the ground. She fumbled with the Velcro on the cargo pocket near her calf, jerking it open in a clumsy move with numb fingers, and yanked out her cell phone. Oh my God, it worked.
It was a text message. She quickly opened it and a colorful photo splashed across the screen. It was a picture of Maddie with her mother playing in the backyard of her parents’ house. Maddie was her life. Tears stung the backs of her eyes and Marley gently touched the screen with her fingers.
