TropicalHeatCHERRYADAIRfromtheRescueMeAnthology

ChapterOne

HurenCongoBasinCentralAfrica

ThebrilliantlightsoftheoperatingroomglintedoffthescalpelbeingheldtoDoctorElizabethGoodall'sslenderthroat.

Flatonhisbellyinthemainair-conditioningductdirectlyabovethem,SamPeltonaimedhisSigSauerbetweenthesoldier'sexpressionlesseyes.Thestate-of-the-art,multi-milliondollaroperatingroomwouldn'thavebeenunusualifithadbeeninalargehospitalinamajorcityanywhereintheworld.ButthisORwassmackinthemiddleofthejunglesofCentralAfrica.

"ObviouslyIwasbroughtallthiswayforareason,"Bethwassayingalittledesperately."Justtellmewhy.There'snoneedtothreatenmewiththescalpel."Whenshegotnothingmorethanablankstare,shedraggedinadeepbreath,heldit,thenletitoutslowly."Who'sincharge?You?"sheaskedtheguywiththeblade.

Yeah.I'dliketoseetheassholeincharge,too,Samthought,watchingthemthroughthesmallholeshe'dpiercedinthemetalduct.Thistop-secretcompound,deepintheHurenjungle,belongedtoPresidentSiphoNkemidilm.Whatwassodamnurgentthathe'dhadaprominentphysiciankidnappedfromabustlingmetropolitanhotelandflownthousandsofmilestohishiddencompound?

Somethingbig.Thecompoundwascrawlingwithheavilyarmed,camo-cladsoldiers.Moreofthemthanhadbeenreportedhereaweekago.Itdidn'tbotherSamthatthereweretwentytrainedsoldiersinresidence.Twentytooneweren'tinsurmountableodds.Hehadanarsenalofweaponsonhimandaheavierpack,fullyequipped,concealedseveralclicksawayinthejungle.Anothersmallerpackwashiddenjustoutsidethecompound.Hewasloadedforbear,withskillsanddeterminationtouseeitherhisweapons,orwhateverelsewasathand.Whateverittooktoexpeditethisrescuemission.

OneofthemenshovedahandfulofbluefabricatBeth'smidsection.Itdriftedtothefloorasshemadenomovetoacceptit,andinstead,glancedaroundthebrightlylitroomwithoutmovingherhead."DoesanyoneherespeakEnglish?"sheaskedwithadmirablecalm.

Theydidn't.Orpretendedtheydidn't.

Herred-goldhair,pulledupinitscustomarysimpleponytail,wasdisheveled,andheramberfrecklesstoodoutinsharpreliefonherpaleskin.Hereyesflickeredbetweenthemanholdingheratblade-point

andthethreestony-faced,AK-47-wieldingsoldiersflankingher.

Twomoreuniformswerestationedatthedoor.Aseventhman,presumablytheanesthesiologist,stoodhunch-shoulderedandmuteattheheadoftheoperatingtable,clearlytryingtomakehimselfasunobtrusiveaspossible.

Wasn'tgoingtosavehissorryass.Samwasready,willing,andfreakingabletoblowtheplacetosmithereensatthefirstopportunity.OncehehadBeth.Onceshewassafe.Droppingdownnow,gunsblazing,whilepersonallysatisfying,mightgetherkilled.Thatwasariskhewasn'twillingtotake.

Thesonofabitchwiththescalpelatherthroatwouldbethefirsttodie.

They'dsnatchedthewrongdoctor.Hisdoctor,goddamnit.Atleastthat'swhatSambelieved.Bethwasageneralpractitioner,andwhilehe,andtheentiretownofBrandon,Montana,thoughtshewasextraspecial,asfarasheknewshedidn'thaveanymoreskillsthantheseveralhundredotherGPsinattendanceatthesymposiumshe'dbeenattendinginCapeTown.Hesuspectedthetangosthoughtthey'dsnatchedplasticsurgeonLynneRandall.Andthesecondtheyrealizedtheirmistake,Bethwouldbedead.

Andbeforetheykilledhershe'dbebeggingtobedeadfaster.

HehadtogetherthehelloutofheresoonerthanASAP.PeoplesaidSamPeltondidn'thaveanerveinhisbody,thaticewaterraninhisveins.Butrightnowhewasasscaredashe'deverbeen.EverythingwasdifferentaboutthisopbecauseBethwasinthecenterofit.

Scalpel-dickjerkedhishead,indicatingthatoneofthemenpickupwhatSampresumedwerescrubs.ThepulseatthebaseofBeth'sthroatpoundedherstresslevel,yetshestillrefusedtoaccepttheclothing.Hersangfroidwasremarkable.ButthatwasBeth.Alwayscool,calmandcollected.

That'sit.Keepyourhead,sweetheartI'mrighthere.

Ignorethescalpelindentingherskin,Samtoldhimselfsavagely.Ignorethewayherfear,andthestarkwhitelights,leechedallthecolorfromherface.Ignorethesmudgesunderhereyes.Ignoretherapidpulsehammeringinthehollowofherdampthroat.

Ignore,Goddamnit,thefuckingscalpelpressedtohercarotid.

Todohisjob,hehadtoblockBethfromhismind.Sincehehadn'tbeabletodothatforthepasttwoyears,itwasn'teasy.Hemanagedtodoitanyway.

Sheswallowedhard,andthescalpelleftarazorthinlineofbloodonherneck.RightwhereSamhadbeencravingtokissherformonths.Andthatwasthelastfuckingtimehe'dresisttheimpulsetokissher.Assoonashehadheroutofhere,anditwassafeenoughtodoso,hewasgoingtokissBethlikeshe'dneverbeenkissedbefore.Tohellwithrestraint.Tohellwithwaiting.

Insteadoffreakingout,shereachedupandgentlytriedtopushtheman'shandawayfromherthroat.

Withtheslightshiftinangle,thethinbladecutaredlinebetweenherthumbandforefinger.Shecriedout,makingabigproductionsoallthesoldierscouldseetheblood.

Christ.Hadshedonethatonpurpose?

TherewasmuchfranticdebateinHureniastheytriedtofigureoutwhattodo.Herinjuryclearlyscaredthecrapoutofthem.They'dwantedtoscareher,theyhadnoproblemcuttingherinsmallincrements,buttheinjurytoherhandhadtheminapanic.Bethhadcalledtheirbluff.

Shecurledherfingerstightlyintoherpalm,thencradledherbleedinghandagainstherchest.Bloodstainedherskin,shockingandredderthananybloodSamcouldremember.MaybebecauseBeth'sskinwassopale.Hell.MaybebecausethiswasBeth.HisBeth.

Usingeverybitofcontrolandallofhistraining,heclenchedhisteethuntilhisjawached.Hemightnotbekillinganyofthem,buthewascountingtheminutesandchoreographingeverymove.

"I'mnotresisting,"shesaid,hervoice,tosomeonewhohadstudiedherformonths,slightlyuneven."I'mnotfighting.There'snoneedtohurtmeagain.Callwhoever'sinchargeandweca—"

Herwordswerecutoffwithachokedscreamasthemangrabbedherhair,usinghersassyponytailasahandle,yankingherheadback,leavingherarchedthroatnakedandvulnerable.

Lightglintedoffthebladeasheyelledhisdispleasure,hisangryspitsplatteringherface.

Sam'sheartdidadoubletapasthescalpelcarvedanotherthinredlineonthesmoothskin,thistimehercheek.Threegoddamnstrikesandyou'reout,dick.Coolit,hetoldhimself,almostjumpingoutofhisskinwiththeneedtoact.

Now.

ButhistrainingtoldhimthatwhiletheguywascuttingBeth,thecutsweresmallandnotlifethreatening.NottoBeth.Totheguymakingthem,itwasadeathsentence.Thesonofabitchwasn'tgoingtokillher,Samrationalized,sweatbeadinghisbrow.Thegruntwiththescalpelwasn'thighenoughupthefoodchainforonething,andforanother,someonehadbroughtadoctorhereforaspecificpurpose.Hopefullyhe'dfindoutthewhoandwhybeforescalpel-dickgotanymoreaggressivewiththatbladeandhewasforcedtokillhimsoonerratherthanlater.

IntelhadreportedthatNkemidilmwasn'tinresidence.HewasoffwithhistroopsfightingtheMallaruzionHuren'swesternborder.Hurenwasalsointhemiddleofabloody,andextremelyviolent,civilwar.Thebodycountwasskyhigh.Nkemidilmwasamegalomaniacalsadistandwasfightingwithdamnwelleveryoneinandoutofhiscountry.He'dtrainedinRussia,hisarmycarriedAmerican-madeweapons,andhehadabsolutelynoregardforhumanlife.Hisallieswerenobetter.

ThecoldairblastingaroundSamdidnothingtocoolhistempernordiditdispelthefearchurninginhisgutashewatchedthetableaubeneathhishidingplace.

NervousperspirationmadeBeth'screamyskinlookdewy,touchable.They'dletherremovethejackettoherblackpantsuit,andherlong-sleevedpinkblousewashalfuntucked,stickingtoherskinandsmearedwithdirtandblood.Evenmussedshewassexy.SheshouldbebackhomeinMontanainhersmallclinic,dispensingsuckerstodamp-eyedkidsandwearingtheall-encompassingwhitecoatofherprofession.Andgivinghimahardtime.

He'dtriedtalkingheroutofattendingthemedicalsymposiuminCapeTownwhenthey'd"accidentally"bumpedintoeachotheratthebanktwoweeksago.SouthAfricawasacountryinflux.Notsafefortouristsjustyet,andcountedasoneofthemostdangerousplacesintheworld.Yetinspiteof,orbecauseofhiswarnings,she'dgoneanyway.

Who'dtakenBeth,andwhatthehelldidtheywantwithher?No.NotBeth.DoctorLynneRandall.AllDr.Randall,safelysequesteredinalocalsafehouse,couldtellthemwasthatBethhadgoneupstairstopickupsomenotesforher.BethhadbeensnatchedmomentsafterenteringRandall'sroom.

ThankGodhispeopleintheCapehadbeensmartenoughtosquashthestoryfromthepress.Noneofthebadguysknewthey'dkidnappedthewrongwoman.

"Ifnooneinchargeiscoming,thenI'm—"

OneofthesoldiersansweredinHureni.Samdidn'tspeakthelanguage,andclearlyneitherdidBeth.

Justhereyesmovedassheaddressedtheanesthetiststandingacrosstheroom."DoyouspeakEnglish?"

Hegaveherablankstareandherattentionreturnedtothemanwiththebladeatherthroat,whowasstillyellingather."Ihavenoideawhatyou'resaying,"shetoldhimcrisply,raisinghervoicejustenoughtogethisattention.Herhandmusthurtlikehell,butshewasn'tpayingitanyattention.

Scalpel-dickyelledlouder,inchesfromherface.Louderdidn'tmeanshecouldcomprehendhimanybetter.

Thedooropenedandheshutuplikeatapbeingturnedoff.Therestofthesoldiersintheroomsnappedto,straight-backed,weaponsattheready-attention.SamalreadyhadtheSigaimedatthepotentialnewdanger.

Hisheartskittered.

Shit.

TheButcher.TauThadiwe.

Theterroristwascurrentlyoneverycountry'sCaptureDeadorAlivelist.Sixfeetseveninchesofsolidmuscle,withskinthecolorofdustyebony,andcurrentlydressed,unselfconsciously,inashortwhite

hospitalgown.Flip-flopssnappingonhisenormousfeet,hestrodeintotheroomsurroundedbyaphalanxofsoldiers.

IfanyonewasworsethanNkemidilmitwashisoldfriendThadiwe.ThetwomensharedanalliancethatwentbacktotheircoverttrainingdaysinRussiasomethirtyyearsago.ThecounterterroristgroupSamworkedforwasawarethatThadiwewasresponsiblefordoingalittleextracurricularworkafterhisandNkemidilm'sbasictrainingended.TorturewasbothThadiwe'sspecialtyandhispassion,andhe'deducatedHuren'sleaderinthefineartofpersuasionuntilbothmenwerefearedandreveredfortheirsadisticskills.

Themanwasanamoralpsychopath.Notonlywashechillinglygoodatwhathedid,herelishedhiswork.

Speculationhadbeenrifeabouthiswhereaboutsformonths.Andherehewas.Deepinthejunglewherenoonewouldthinktolook.ThadiweandNkemidilmhaddoneadamngoodjobkeepingtheirfriendshipofftheradar.Theyhadn'tbeenseentogethersince1996.

"DoctorRandall,thankyouforcoming,"ThadiwesaidinunaccentedEnglish.Samdidn'tknowifhefeltbetterorworsegettingtheconfirmationthatthey'dsnatchedthewrongdoctor.

ThadiweapproachedBethbutdidn'textendhishand,nordidheinstructhismentostanddown.Suddenlyhenoticedherstillbleedinghand.Hardtofuckingmisssincetheleftsideofherpinkblousewasstainedred.Thetangoscowled.

"Iwasn'tawarethatIhadachoice,"Bethsaiddryly."Pleasetellthismantoputthescalpeldown.I'mnothreat."

Thadiweturnedonthemanbesideherwhostillhadthescalpelatherthroat.

Move,Beth.Forfucksake,moveoutoftheway.

WithoutawordThadiwepulledtheHKoutoftheholsterofthesoldiernexttohimandshothismanpoint-blankintheface.Bethflinched,jumpingbackasbloodandbrainmatterspatteredthearea.ShemoveddirectlyintoSam'slineoffire.

Forseveralstunnedsecondsnobodymoved,then,hiseyesonBeth,Thadiwesnappedhisbeefyfingers.Oneofhismenrushedtohandhimahandkerchiefwhichheusedtowipethebloodoffhisface.Thewhitegownheworenowhadredpolkadotsalldownthefront.

Samknewwho,andhehadaprettygoodideawhy.Hepreparedtofire.MoveElizabeth!

"Myapologiesforthemannerinwhichyouweretransportedhere,Doctor,"Thadiwewipedhishands,thentossedthebloodiedclothaside."Mymentendtobezealousintheirinterpretationofmyinstructions."

Beth'sshoulderswerestiff,andshewasbarelybreathing.Itwasalmostbetternotbeingabletoseeherface.Samwantedtocurvehishandreassuringlyaroundhervulnerablenape.

"Whatisityouexpectofme,Mister—?"

"TauThadiwe,"hesaid,signingherdeathwarrant.WhateversurgeryhewantedBethtoperformonhim,hehadnointentionoflettingherliveafterward."Prepareyourselftodofacialreconstructionimmediately,Dr.Randall."

"There'snothingwrongwithyourface,"Bethtoldhimafterabriefpause."Ican'timaginewhyyouwa—"

Thadiwebackhandedher.Shestaggered,butquicklyrecovered.Tooquickly.Goddamnit,afractionofamillimetermoreandSam'sshotwouldhavetakeoffthetopofherhead.Thetango'shandprintwasalividredmarkonthecurveofhercheck."What—?"

"Unlesstheyareinreferencetotheprocedureormyhealth.Noquestions."

SamshiftedthemuzzleoftheSigthenecessaryfractionofaninchtoaimattheparallellinesbetweenThadiwe'seyebrows.You'reabouttodieofleadpoisoning,asshole.

TheneedtotakeoutthetangomadeSam'sentirebodyitch.Hewasreadytodrophimrightthere.Rightnow.Bethchosethatmomenttoshift,blockinghisshotagain.

Movetotheleftafewinches.Comeon,sweetheart.Justacoupleofinches.

"Youareheretodomyreconstructivesurgery.You'rethebest.That'swhyIensuredyouwouldattendthesymposiuminCapeTown."

"YouwerethesecretbenefactorthatpaidL—mywaytoCapeTown?Idon'tknowwhoyouare,butthereareeasierwaystoschedulesurgerythankidnappingthedoctor."

"Notjustadoctor.You,DoctorRandall.YouarethepreeminentfacialreconstructionplasticsurgeoninAmerica,areyounot?"

Bethstillblockedtheshot.ForChristsake,don'ttellhimwhoyouare,Samthought,wishingtohelltelepathywasofoneofhisskillsets.

"I'dbemorereceptivetoyourrequestifyou'dmadeanappointment,"Bethsaidcoolly,andSambreathedasilentsighofrelief.Smartgirl.Heshouldn'thaveunderestimatedher.

Thadiweclickedhisbeefyfingers,andoneofhismenhandedhimalargemanilaenvelope.Herootedaroundinsidetofindwhathewanted,thenhandedherseveralphotographs."ThisiswhatIwantmynewfacetolooklike."

Sheglancedatthepictures,herponytailbrushingthepink,blood-speckled,collarofhershirt,thensaidsmoothly,"Ican'tperformsurgerywithoutextensivelabtests,X-rays—"

"Thelabtestsweredonelastweek,asweretheseX-raysandphotographs."Hehandedhertheenvelope."Everythingyouneedishere."

HerponytailjerkedasshelookedupatThadiwe."Surelyyoudon'texpectmetodoitnow?"

"Iwouldn'thavebroughtyouhereotherwise."

"Butthistypeofsurgeryhastobedoneinstages.Overseveralmonths,surelyyouk—"Clearlyhewasn'tawareofhowlongtheproceduretook."Asyoucansee,Ihaveadeepcutonmydominanthand,"shetoldhimcalmly,holdingoutherinjuredhand.Bethwasleft-handed,notright.Butshewasplayingeverycardshehad."Obviouslyperforminganytypeofsurgerynowisimpossible."

"Yetyouwillmanage,Dr.Randall,orIwillnothesitatetokillyou."

Bethblinkedandcurledherinjuredhandtowardherbody.Thadiwemovedcloser,andSam'sfingerrestedagainstthetrigger,incasethesonofabitchmadeawrongmove."Ican't."

"Youcan,"ThadiweslowlyranhisfingeroverthecreasedfrowninBeth'sforehead."Andyouwill.Yourhusbandleavesforworkat6:15.HedropsyourbabyoffatAppleTreeDayCareIhaveyourmother'shomeaddressinHollywood,yourbrother'stoo—congratulationsonhiswife'spregnancy.Andyourgrandfather,well,itwouldbeashameifanythinghappenedtohimatthenursinghome—Inotherwords,DoctorRandall,ifyoufailtocooperatefully,Iwillhaveyourentirefamilyslaughteredbymorning.Allitwilltakeisonephonecall."

Sam'smouthtightened.Eventhoughthiswasn'tBeth'sfamilyThadiwewasthreatening,itwasLynneRandall's—adoctorwhowasguiltyofnomorethanbeingthebestinherfield.Beth'sfriend.

"Leavemyfamilyoutofthis.Allright.Yougivemenochoice.Yoursurgerywilltakeupwardsoftwentyhours."Shepulledoutsomeofthepaperwork,thentookamomenttoscantheinformation.

"Youhavehighbloodpressure."SheglancedupatThadiwe."Iappreciateyourstate-of-the-artOR,butwhathappensintheeventofanemergencythatIcan'thandlealone?We'reinthemiddleofthejungle,hundredsofmilesfromanywhere."Herhandwasleavingbloodstainsonthemanilaenvelope,anditmadeSamcrazytoseeherhurtwhenhewasrightthereandshouldhavebeenabletoprotecther.Evenfromherself.

"Therearedozensoffactorstoconsider.Areactiontotheanesthetic.Clottingissuesthatcouldcauseexcessivebloodloss.Underlying,undiagnosedpre-existingconditions.Eventhoughyou'vebeentreatingyourhighbloodpressure,there'sstillapossibilitythatyou'dstrokeoutfromthestresssuchacomplexmedicalprocedurewillputonyourbody.Especiallysinceyouinsistonhavingseveralproceduresdoneatonce.It'srisky.Veryrisky."

Sam'sestimationofherb.s.abilitywentup.ThetypeofsurgeryThadiwewantedwouldtakehalfadozenproceduresoverthespanofseveralmonths,nothours.Bethwasplayingalong,andbuyingtime.

"Howcloseisthenearesthospitalwithwell-trainedemergencyroomstaffandacompetentcardiologist?"sheaskedcalmlyassheflippedthroughThadiwe'spaperwork.

"Anhourbyhelicopter.You'dbetternotmakeanymistakes,DoctorRandall.Ifanythinggoeswrong,ifIshouldcometoanyharmwhileunderyourscalpel,mymenhaveinstructionstotortureyou.Youwilldieinagonyandvery,veryslowly."

Herheadjerkedup."Andyouthinkthatthreateningmewillscaremeintodoingabetterjob?"shedemanded,lettingherannoyanceleakintohervoice.Annoyance.Notfear."I'masurgeonandboundbymyownethicstodoyounoharm.Buttodothat,I'llneedtorestfirst.I'vebeenkidnappedatgunpoint,andtiedhandandfootforsixhours.I'llperformyoursurgeryinthemorningifyougivemeyourwordthatafterwardI'llbereturnedtoCapeTowningoodhealth.Dowehaveabargain?"

Christshesoundedcool.EveryoneintheroomknewthesecondThadiwegotwhathewantedshe'dbedead.

"I'llneedpost-operativecare."

"Kidnapanurse,"shesaiddryly.

"I'llgiveyoutwohourstorestandstudymyfile."

"That'snotenoughtime.MyGod,youwanteveryboneinyourfacerearranged.DoyouhonestlythinkthatstudyingyourX-raysandphotographsfortwohourswillbesufficienttime?Iwouldneverallowanexhausted,ill-preparedsurgeontodomajorsurgeryonmyface."

"You'rethebestintheworld."

"Bethatasitmay,I'mnotatmybestnow.Andyouwantthebestwhenitcomestothis!"Shehelduponeofthephotographs."Givemetenhours,andI'll—"

"Twohours."

"No.Youmightaswellsavetimeandkillmenow,thengoandkidnapanotherfacialreconstructionspecialist."Shethrusttheenvelopeathismassivebarrelchest."Butyouknow,andIknow,Mr.Thadiwe,thatlongbeforeyoufindanyoneelseofmycaliber,I'llbereadytodoyoursurgery.YoukidnappedmebecauseIamthebest.Don'tbestubbornlyfoolishenoughtorushme.You'llhavethefaceyouwantbythistimetomorrownight."

Thadiweglancedatthe$200,000Girard-Perregauxwatchonhisthickwrist."I'llgiveyousixhours."

"Eight.I'llbeready."

"Seven."

Bethsaidnothing.Silencethrobbedbetweenthem.Finallythemancaved,andhenodded."NotonesecondpastsevenA.M."

Sameasedhisfingeroffthetrigger.

ChapterTwo

AcallusedhandclampedoverElizabeth'smouth,wakingherwithaheartpoundingjolt.Whatthe…?

OneofThadiwe'sguards?

Godforbid,Thadiwehimself?Chillsofpureterrorchasedoverherskinmakingthefinehairsonherarmsandthebackofherneckstandup.

Shehadn'tmeanttofallsleep,buthalfanhouraftershe'dcometotheroom,thelightshadsuddenlygoneout.She'dfoughtexhaustionandlost.

Themanwhisperedsomething,butshecouldn'thearhimoverthethunderinginherears.Coldsweatreplacedthetropicalheatoftheroomasshestruggledtobreakfreeofthestronggagofhisfingers.Whoeverhewas,hishandcoveredhalfherface,makingithardtodraginabreath.Whatairshecouldsuckinsmelledofcleanmalesweatmixedwiththechemicalstinkofinsectrepellent.Hecouldbeanyoneofoneoftheguards.

There'dbeentwostationedrightoutsideherdoorwhenshe'dtriedtoleavetheroomjustbeforethelightswentout.Butthiswasn'toneofthem,notunlesshe'dtakenashowerrecently.Itdidn'tmatterwhohewas,she'dbeenscaredlongbeforethisguyhadshownup.Afraidthattheguardswouldaddrapetotheirlistofduties.

Elizabethfoughtharder.

"Shhh.Promisenottoscream,andI'lltakeawaymyhand."Therough-edgedvoice,lowandelusivelyfamiliar,wasnowonlyafewinchesfromherface.

Inyourdreams,pal.Thesecondshewasfree,shewasgoingtoscreamuntiltheentirehouseholdcamerunning.Andthenwhat?Shedidn'tthinkitlikelythatThadiwewouldcometoherdefense—althoughhemightshoottherapist.

Elizabethnoddedtoindicatecompliance,thensuckedinabreathinanticipation.

"Damn,yougivestubbornanewmeaning,woman."Hiswhisperwaslacedwithhumorashislips

replacedhishand,coveringhermouthwhichwasopen,readytoyell."It'sme,Sam,"hesaidhoarselyagainstherpartedlipsbeforethewarmslicknessofhistongueenteredhermouth.Hislipsmoldedhers.Hisfingerstangledinherhairholdingherstillashekissedher.Thekisswasn'tviolent,oraggressive.Butitwas—hungryinacontrolledwaythatpuzzledher.

Hewasagoodkisser.

Hetasted—Wassheoutofhermind?!Shetriedtoshuthermouthagainstthesensualinvasion.

"Ow!Shit,nobiting."

Withapalmtohisbristlyjaw,sheshovedhisfaceawayfromhers.TheonlySamsheknewwas—"SamPelton?"sheaskedincredulously.Pushingherhairoutofherfacewithherinjuredhand,shewincedasshesatup.

He—Sam—crouchedbesidethebed."Yeah.Don'tscream,forGod'ssake."

Theroomwassodarkshecouldn'tseeherhandinfrontofherface.ItwasweirdhearingSam'svoicehere,andsheconsideredthepossibilitythatshewasdreaming.She'dhadplentyofdreamsaboutSaminthelastfewmonths.Mostofthemerotic.Hispresencewassooutofcontextshecouldn'tmakeanysenseofit,andsittinginthepitchdarkwhisperingmadethedisorientationcomplete.

Shewasprobablyhallucinating.Thatwastheonlyexplanation.Samhadbeenaconstantpresenceinherlifeformonths.Aconstantfrustration.She'dseehimaroundtownsooftenthatshe'dwonderedifitwascoincidence,fate,ormaybelow-levelstalking.ButnotSam.Hewasacompletegentlemanatalltimes,evenwhenshe'ddroppedsubtlehintsafterherdivorcewasfinal.

Eitherhedidn'tgetsubtleorhedidn'twanther.Itdidn'tmatter,theendresultwasthesame,hersimmeringlustforhimwentunnoticedandunsatisfied.Whichiswhy,shesupposed,imagesofhistall,muscularbodyhauntedhersleepnightafternight.

Italsoexplainedwhyshe'dbehallucinatingabouthimnow,whenshewasprobablyonlyhoursfromdeath.Thadiwedidn'tstrikeherasastupidman.He'deventuallyfigureoutshewasn'tDr.Randall,ifhehadn'tdonesoalready.

Sheleanedovertoturnonthebedsidelight,hopingthepowerwasbackon,butbeforeherfingersreachedthelamp,Samclampedahardhandonherwrist,startlingasmallyelpoutofherconstrictedthroat.Hedidn'tfeelliketoosafe,toocontrolledSaminthedark.Hefeltdangerous,andedgy,andalittlescary.

"Itookoutthegenerator."Hiswarmbreathstirredthehairnearherear,whichmadehershudderreactively.Sohe'dbeentheonetoplungethecompoundintodarkness.NowonderThadiwe'ssoldier'shadbeenfreakedout.She'dheardthemrunninginthecorridoroutsideherroomastheytriedtofigureoutwhatwashappening.

ElizabethrubbedherwristasshepicturedSam'sfacewithitsbold,bluntfeaturesanddarkeyesthatgavenothingaway.Hewasn'thandsome,buthewassomehowcompelling.Maybebecauseshesensedthatwhatshesawwasn'twhohereallywas.She'dalwaysbeenfascinatedbythewayhemovedwithacontrolledstrengthandanedgyawarenessthatwasalmostpredatory.She'dneverbeenquiteabletofigureoutwhatmadehimtick.Althoughshe'dspentmanynightstryingtofigurehimout.

Notthatshewasn'tgratefultohavehimhere,oddasthatwas,buthewassuretobeevenmoreoutofhiselementinarainforestthanshewas.

"Whatareyoudoinghere?"shedemandedinhisgeneraldirectionasshegotoffthebed.Thiswentbeyondbeingneighborly.

"Rescuingyou."

Talkabouttheblindleadingtheblind.Herpoundingheartsoundedlikethunderinherears,andherrapidpulsemadeherhandache.

"ThankGod.ButhowdidyouknowIneededrescuing?"Whilesheclearlyneededhelp,Elizabethdidn'twantSaminvolved.Shedidn'twanthisdeathonherconscience.

"We'lltalkaboutitlater.First,takethisdoxycycline."Samplacedtheantimalarialcapsuleinherpalm."Water."Heheldaflasktohermouth.Elizabethtookthepillandswallowed.

Theflaskwasremoved."Strip."Hisvoicedeepenedashewipedadropofwaterfromherlowerlip.Sinceshewaslickingitoffatthesametime,hertongueencounteredhisfinger.Afrissonthathadnothingtodowithfearspiraleddeepinthepitofherstomach.Theybothfrozeforaheartbeat.Hiswarmbreathfannedhertemple,andtheheatofhisbodyseepedthroughthethin,dampsilkofherblouse.

Whileshe'dlovetohaveheardthosewordslastmonth,orevenyesterday,Sam'stimingwasoff."Strip!"Temptingastherequestwas,sheblinkedbackhergoodsense."Sam,areyouinsane?"

"Youcan'tgooutinthejungledressedasyouare.I'vebroughtyouachangeofclothes.Hurryandchange.Iwanttoputmedicationonyourcuts,andgetyousprayedwithDEETbeforeweheadoutside."

Withnoantibiotics,she'dmadedowashingthecutsasbestshecouldusingthewatersuppliedwithhermealtray.Anopencutinthisclimatecouldspelltrouble.Thatalmostmadeherlaugh.Howmuchmoretroublecouldshebein?

ElizabethcouldtellfromthelocationofhisvoicethatSamwasstandingveryclosetoher.Butshehadn'theardhimmovewhichwasabitunnerving.Hewaswelloversixfeettall,sohe'dbetoweringoverherownfivefoot,fiveinches.Theadrenalinerushhadn'tleftyet,andherbloodstillthumpedfranticallyinherears.Hewasstilldisconcertinglyclose.Sheswayedinhisdirection,andhishandsshotouttocircleherwaist."Steady."

Sheflushedandlockedherknees."Sorry.It'sreallydisorientatingbeinginthedarklikethis."Her

lipstingledfromtheirsharedkiss.Sheneverwouldhaveguessedathispassion,hekeptitwellhidden.

"Areyouafraidofthedark?"heasked.

"Oftheentiresituation."

"Yeah,wellI'mheretotakecareofthat."

Thetilefloorwaswarmandslightlystickyunderherbarefeet,andtheoverheadfanbarelymovedthethickairasshestoodthere,tryingtodecidewhattodonext."Myshoesaresomewhere.Ifyoucanbreakofftheheels,it'llmakerunningpossible.Betterthanbarefeetanyway."

"Weneedtobringthemwithus,butIbroughtyouapairofboots."

Shelockedherkneestopreventherbodyfromswayingtowardhimagain.Whatshewouldn'tdorightnowforareassuringhug.ButSamwasn'tatouchyfeelykindofguy.Heneverworehisemotionsonhissleeve.Atleastnotthatshe'dseen.Whichwastoobad,becauseshe'dbeenattractedtohimfromthemomentthey'dmet.Notthatshe'devergivenhimanyindicationofit.Theywereneighbors.Friendsinaway.Shedidn'twanttorockthatboat.

'"Here,letmehelpyou,"hesaidsoftly,slidinghishandsfromherwaisttothefrontofherblouse.Thebackofhisfingersbrushedtheupperswellofherbreastsasheefficientlyunbuttonedherblousebeforeshecouldprotest.Hismovementswerequick,butthefeelofhiswarmfingersstrokingallthewaydownthecenterofherbodymadeElizabethshortofbreath.Insanelyshewantedhimtopalmtheweightofherbreastsandrelievetheacheinherpeakednipples.Shewantedhimtokissher,andtouchher,anddoallthethingsshe'ddreamedaboutdoingwithhim.

"Youcankeeponyourunderwear,"hesaidsoftly,notsoundingasbreathlessandheatedasElizabethfelt."Everythingelsecomesoff."Hisslightlycallusedfingerscuppedhershoulders,thenpushedtheblouseoff.Theblousefelltothefloorbehindherwithasoftwhoosh.Hercheekswenthoteventhoughsheknewhecouldn'tseeheranybetterthanshecouldseehim.ThetemporaryspurtofadventurethathadbroughthertoAfricadidn'textendtoSamseeingherhalfnaked.HimTarzan,herJane.Not.Sheenjoyedthearmorofclothing.

"Whatdidyoubringformetowear?"sheaskedcuriously.Shecouldn'tbegintoimagineSampickingoutawoman'sclothes.UnlessitwassomethingslinkyinredfromVictoria'sSecret."Aloincloth?"

"Better."Hishandswenttothebuttonatthewaistbandofherblacksilkpants,thegrazeofhisfingersagainstherskinmadeherdrawinherbreath."Gettheseoff—"Ashespoke,heunzippedandtugged,andbeforeshecouldprotestthatshewascapableofundressingherself,thesmoothfabricfelldownherlegslikewater,leavingherinnothingbutathongandablush.

"Okay,stepintothefeetfirst."

SheletSamguidehermovementsfortworeasons:one,shecouldn'tsee,andheclearlycould.Andtwo,sheenjoyedthefeelofhishandsonher."Areyouwearingnightvisionglasses?"

"Yeah,butIcanclosemyeyesifyoulike."Hisvoicewastingedwithlaughter."Shy,Beth?

"Notusually,no.ButI'mnotanexhibitionisteither."Thefabricfeltodd,butsheobliginglyplacedherbarefeetwherehepositionedthemashekneltinfrontofher.Hiswarm,dampbreathfannedherbarestomachasheleanedforwardtopullthetightfabricslowlyupherlegsandhips.Elizabethrestedherhandonhisshoulderforbalance.

Henuzzledhertummy,byaccident,ordesign,shedidn'tknow.Shetriedtoignoretheflutteringinherbellyandtheheavyrushofherblood.Down,girl.

Afterherex,Rob,hadtoldherhewasleaving,she'dwantedherworldshakenup.She'dwantedadventure.Excitement.Shewanted,darnitall,tolivelifeinsteadofhearingorreadingaboutit.Shewassickandtiredofsafeandpredictable.Bothinmenandinherlife.Robhadbeensafeandpredictable.Untilhe'dturnedunpredictableandrunoffwithhisInternethoney.

Well,Elizabethhadwantedawildflingwithsomeoneinappropriate,too.Someonewhomadeherbloodrace,amanwhocouldmakeherbreathcatch.Shewantedoneofthosehigh-octane,alphamalesshelovedreadingabout.She'dthoughtSamfitthebilltoatee.Unfortunatelyhewasclearlynotinterestedinher.

Whichwaswhy,againstallsaneadvice,she'dgonetothemedicalsymposiuminCapeTowninthefirstplace.Yeah,shethoughtdryly.Lookhowwellthatturnedout.

Hepalmedherass,restinghisfaceagainstherbellyasheranhisfingerslightlyacrossherbehind.Heinhaleddeeply."God,yousmellincredible.Lemonandmusk.Icouldeatyourightnow."

Thefeelofhisexploringfingers,andthescaldingheatofSam'sbreathagainstherskin,wasmakinghersohotElizabethhadtobiteherliptopreventcryingout."Coolyourjets,sailor,we'reindeepshitrightnow.I'mpresumingbyrescueyoumeanremoveusfromthisplaceasfastaspossible?"Shetappedhisshouldertogethisattention,andwasappalledathowdisappointedshewaswhenheremovedhishandsfromherassandhismouthfromherstomach.Sheclearedherthroatandtookasmallstepawayfromhim."What'sthis?Somekindofbodysuit?"

"Madeoutofoneofthetoughestman-madefibersinvented."

"Sam,I'mgoingtodieofheatenclosedinthisrubberystuff.Letmeputmyownclothesbackon,and—"

"LockOutwillmaintainyourbodytempatninety-eightpointsixdegrees.It'llalsokeepthebugsout.Liftyourchin—"Hezippedherupalltheway.Thefabricwaslightweightandnotthatuncomfortable,evenifitdidcoverherfromnecktotoes.

"Boots."Heslideachfootintoaboot,thenlacedit."How'sthatfeel?"

Shestompedherfeet."Perfect."Howdidheknowhersize?

"Givemeyourhand."Cradlingherrighthandinhislargepalm,Samappliedatopicalliquidantibiotic,bythesmellofit,then,afterwaitingafewsecondsforittodry,coveredthewoundwithaBand-Aid."Thatshoulddoit.Letmeknowifitbothersyou.Icangiveyouashot."

She'dgiveherselftheshot,thankyouverymuch.Butitwasgoodtoknowhehadmedicalsuppliesshouldsheneedthem.

Thesalvefeltcool,andthetopicalnumbingimmediatelytookawaysomeofthepain."Thanks,"shewhispered."TheonlythingIhadwascoldwaterandthegranularsugartheybroughtmewithameal."

"Sugar?"Hisvoicecameupfromkneelevel,andshewonderedwhathewasdoing,andifhewasabouttotouchheragain.Herentirebodytensedinanticipation.Butbythesounds,hewasgatheringherclothes.Thensheheardazipperslide,thenafterafewsecondsslideagain.

Sheforcedherselftotakenicesloweasybreaths."Decreasedthebleeding,promotedclotting,andwhenpushcametoshove,theonlythingIhadtodiscouragebacteria."

Thescalpel'spenetratingcuthadleftafairlydeepgash,ripeforanaerobicbacteria.Inthishot,steamyclimateevenasmallopenwoundwasaconcern."Howdidyouknowaboutthecut?"

"Iwaswatching.Thatwasahellofabravethingyoudid.Lettingthatassholecutyoulikethat."

"Itdidn'tstophisbossfromdemandingIdothesurgeryanyway.Besides,I'mleft-handed."

"Yeah.Iknow.Thatwasn'tthepoint;itmusthurtlikehell."

"Lesspainfulthanthatguycuttingmythroat.Ishockedhimjustenoughtomakehimnervousabouttryingtocutmeagain.WhatareyoudoinginAfrica?"

Itwasthelastplaceshewould'veimaginedrunningintoanyonesheknew.EspeciallySamPelton.

Ateacherinawar-torn,third-worldcountryinthemiddleofajungle.Samappearedtobeanintelligentman,butshecouldn'timaginewhatthehellhewasgoingtodotoprotectthetwoofthemfromgun-totingsoldiersorarainforestalivewithfour-leggedpredators.

ApparentlyGodhadasenseofhumor.

"Sam,whatkindofteacherar—"

"Later,"hetoldher,stillspeakingsosoftlyshecouldbarelyhearhim."Hurry."

Shewasallforhurrying."TheybroughtmeinbyJeep.IthinkIcanfindmywaybacktowhereit'sparked—"

"We'rewalkingout.Throughthejungle,thendown-river.IhaveachopperwaitingtoflyusoutofHuren."

Thechoppersoundedgood."That'scrazy.Whywalkwhenthereareperfectlygoodvehicles—"

"IpushedoneoftheirJeepsamiledowntheroad,thenhidit.Therestaredisabled.Whentheydiscoveryou'veleft,they'llassumeyoudroveout.They'llspendtimefixingtheirvehiclessotheycangivechase.Bythetimetheygetaroundtodoingthat,you'llbewellonyourwayhome."

Hesoundedlikeheknewwhathewastalkingabout.Fromwhatshe'dseenwhenthey'dbroughtherhere,Thadiwe'scompoundwassurroundedbyimpenetrablejungle.Thenarrowdirtroadhadbeenheavilyguardedwhenshe'dbeenbroughtin.Elizabethhadnoreasontopresumethatitwasanydifferentnow."Howdidyouevenmanagetoge—"Getpasttheguards?Getintomyroom?Thosewerejustthemoreimmediatequestions.She'dleavethebiggies—likehowhe'dknownwheretofindher—forlater.

Hesilencedherwithtwofingerspressedagainstherlips.Shenodded.Hisfingerslingeredasecondortwo,thenwithdrew.

"Really,Sam,Ithinkweshould—"

Hetookherhandunerringlyinthedark."Ican'twaittohearwhatyouthink.Later."Heledheracrossthesmallroomtothewindow.Shetuggedathishand,tryingtoturnhimtowardthedoorinsteadofthepracticallyhermeticallysealedwindow."Bars."

She'dbeenexaminingthemwhenthelightshadgoneout.

"Notanymore."Atraceofamusementlacedhisquietvoice.

Shewasn'tsurewhichshockedhermore,thesatisfiedlaughtersheheardinhisvoice,orthefactthathe'dremovedtheentirewindow.She'dneverseenSamsmileinallthemonthsshe'dknownhim.Notonce.Andhewastheleastlikelyhandymanshe'devermet.Butthere'dbeenthreestrong,one-inchthickverticalmetalbarsonthesmallwindow,andalsoaninsectscreenboltedtotheoutsideoftheframe.Sheknew.She'dinspectedeveryinch.

ShetriedtoimagineSamyankingoutthewindow…Itdidn'tcompute.Yetsomehowhe'ddoneit,becauseastheyapproachedtheopeningshecouldsmellthefetidgreennessofthejungleandfeelthethick,hot,syrupyairagainstherskin.Sheshivered.

"Insectrepellent.Closeyoureyes,"hesaidbeforeapplyingaliberaldosetoherface,neck,andhands.

Shecould'veputthestuffonherself,butsheenjoyedthesensationofSam'sbighandsrunninggently

overherfaceandneck."Thanks."Mosquitoescouldgiveoneanythingfromanannoyingbitetoparasiticsleepingsickness.Shewasinenoughtroubleasitwas.

Takingherhand,Sam'sfingerstightenedaroundhers,hishandcoolanddryagainstherdamppalm."I'llgofirstthenhelpyoudown."

Bracingonehandagainstthewalltoorientateherself,Elizabethlistenedtotherustleofanimalsintheundergrowthandthesusurrusofleavesmovingintheirpassage.Tosaythatshedidn'twanttoventureintothejungle,inthedark,wasanunderstatement.

Butitwasthelesseroftwoevils.Still,shehadtheterrifyingfeelingthatshewasjumpingfromthefryingpanintothefire.

"Climbout,"Sam'svoicewaspitchedsolowshefeltratherthanheardit."I'llcatchyou."

Shedidn'tneedhelpclimbingoutofawindowthreefeetofftheground.Whatsheneededwas—Daylight.Atankthatcouldcutaswaththroughjungle.Abazooka,orsomeotherweaponthatwould—

Whatshehadwasateacher.HadSambroughtagunwithhim?Didheevenknowhowtousethedamnthingifhehad?Butevenifhedidhaveaweapon,itwouldn'tbemuchhelpoutherewheretheleastdangerousanimalswerepanthers,lions,andothercarnivores.Thadiwe'smenwereheavilyarmed,andmoredangerousanddeterminedthananyofthedenizensofthejungle.

Thadiwehadn'tgonetoallthattroubletokidnapandtransporthertogiveherupwithoutafight.He'dsendhismenafterherthesecondherealizedshewasgone.Bethconsideredandreconsideredtherockandthehardplace.Eitheror.IfshewentwithSam,shehadnodoubtwhatsoeverthatthey'dbecaught.AndThadiwe'sretaliationwouldbeswiftandviolent.

Thedangersofbeingrecapturedwouldmeansuredeath.Notonlyforherself,butforSamaswell.AndshewasdamnedsurethatThadiwewouldmaketheirdeathsslowandexcruciatinglypainful.Ifshestayed,therewasachancethatSamwouldreturnintimetopreventherdeath.Yetstayingmeantshe'dbeforcedatgunpointtoperformasurgicalprocedureshewasn'tqualifiedtodo.Afterwhich,shewasprettydamnsure,they'dkillheranyway.

Eitherway,theendresultwouldmeanherdeath.

Damnit.Shedidn'thavetheluxuryoftimetodebatetheprosandconsofhowquicklyshewasgoingtodie.

Stayorgo?

Howweretheygoingtofindtheirwayoutofthejunglewithouthelp?Bethhadnodoubtthathercaptorskneweverytreeandleafinthisjungle.SheandSamwouldn'tgetveryfarbeforetheywerecaughtandforciblyreturnedtothecompound.Howmuchbetteroffwasshenowthanshe'dbeenfiveminutesago?Twoofthem,againstGodonlyknewhowmanyarmedsoldiers.

"Stopover-analyzing,"hesaid,hisvoicepitchedsoshecouldhearhim."Trustme."

Shedidtrusthim—andhisabilitytoleadheroutofthismess.Teacherswereleaders,weren'tthey?Alittle.Maybe?Hopefully.Yes.He'dmanagedtotrackhertothemiddleofwho-knows-where.Mightaswellgowithhismisguidedbutappreciatedneedtobeahero.Samhadnoideawhathe'dlethimselfinfor.Knowingthatsqueezedherheartinsideherchest.

Havinghimhere,whileitwasterrificnotbeingalone,wasjustgoingtogetthembothkilled."Goandfindhelp,"shewhispered.ItmadesenseforSamtogoandgetreinforcements.Oneofthemhadtobepractical."I'llstallThadiweagaininthemorning."Practicalityhaditsdangers,andnowthatsheknewrescuewasathand,shewantedtogetawayfromheresobadlysheshookwithit.ButitmademoresensetolullThadiweandhismenintobelievingthatshewasgettingreadytodowhattheywanted.

Samjusthadtoreturnfast.

"Getyourprettyassouthere,doctor.Now."

Shehesitated.Unlikehersister,Kess,whomadesplit-seconddecisions,andwasrashtothepointoffoolishness,Elizabethspentalotoftimeweighingheroptions.ShewasaLibra,afterall.

"Doit,Beth."Itwasn'tarequest.

Fatalistic,shethrewherlegsoverthesill,thenslidintoSam'swaitingarms.Thefootingwasunsteady,andsherealizedshewasstandingonthebarredwindow,frameandall.

Hishandsclosedaroundherwaist."I'vegotyou."

Blindlyreachingout,shegrabbedontoSam'sforearmstosteadyherself.Hedidn'tfeelskinny,orflabby,atall,shethought,surprisedwhenhisrockhardmusclesflexedunderherfingersassheteetered.Shetriedtopicturethosemusclesbeneathoneofhisgraysuits,andcouldn't.

"Goodgirl,"hemurmured,asheslidhisarmsaroundherwaist."There'sjustonemorethingbeforewego."

OKGod."What?"

"This."

He'dkissedhertwice.Onceafewmomentsago,whenshe'dhadnoideawhothehellhewas,andonce,inbroaddaylight,inherofficeattheclinic.Amindblowing,knocked-her-socks-off,fabulouskiss,andthen—heleftforamonthwithnoword.Kesshadtoldhertostopmooningoveraschoolteacherandgofindcowboy.Orabroncoriderwithgreathipmovement.Oranastronautwhosekisseswouldtakehertothemoon.Kesswouldn'twaitforaguytomakethefirstmove.ButBethwasn'thersister.

Samspreadhislargehandacrossherlowerback,bringingtheotheruptocupherface.Ashebrushedhismouthoverhers,sheeagerlypartedherlips.Hetouchedhistonguetohers,andElizabeth'sheartthuddedhardashesuckeditintothehot,wetcavernofhismouth.God.Thisiscrazy…Shestoodontip-toestowrapherarmsabouthisneckanddrawhisbodyflushagainsthers.Thethinfabricofwhatevertheywerewearingwasalmostnobarrieratall.

Hisabspressedhardagainstherachingbreasts,andtheridgeofhiserectionnudgedtantalizinglyagainsthermons.Elizabeth'sbreathhitched.

Blank.Hermindwentcompletelyblank.Shecouldn'teventhinkassheblockedouteverythingbutSam,andkissinghimthewayshe'dimaginedkissinghimformonths.Asighofpurepleasureescaped,asSamtastedtheinsideofhercheek,thenranhisteethalongtheedgeofherteethbeforesuckingonhertongueandmakingheralmostsobwiththepleasureofit.

Abirdscreeched,andElizabethflinchedoutofthesensualspell.Therewereadozendifferentkindsofbirdsperchedinthetreessurroundingthem.Thereweresnakes,andwildpigs,andotheranimalsjustwaitingtohavethemforamidnightsnack.Andheretheywere—

Hiswarm,wettongueslidalongthelengthofhersbringingElizabethtoheart-somersaultingattentionagain.Hekissedherwithslow,deliberatecare.Hotanddeep,takingherfromzerotosixtybetweenoneheartbeatandthenext.Shetightenedherarmsaroundhisneckandrosehigheronhertoestobringtheirbodiesflushatalltherightplaces.Samangledherheadandkissedherlikehe'ddieifhedidn't.Hotterthanthekisshe'dplantedonhersixmonthsago.Ofcourseafterthatonehe'dhauledassanddisappearedforamonth.

Herhusbandhadpreferredclosed-mouthkisses,ifhekissedheratall.ThekissSamhadgivenherattheclinichadrevvedherenginesandmadeherwantmore.Alotmore.Butthatkisswastamecomparedtothis.Thathadbeenbanked.ThiswasSamunleashed.

Thestubbleonhisjawwasroughagainsthersmoothskin,andasurprise.She'dneverseenhimanythingbutimmaculatelysmoothshaven.She'dneverseenhimanythingotherthancontrolled.Ashemadelovetohermouth,hishandslippedlowertostrokeherbehindthroughthethinmaterial.Elizabethfeltsurroundedbyhim,engulfedinhistaste.Ashudderofrawdesirespiraledthroughher,bonedeepandprimitive.Histonguemimickedthesexact,makingherthrobandacheandpant,andcravethefeelofhishandsonhernakedbody.

Shewenthotalloverashedraggedherhipsbackandforthagainstthesolidridgeofhiserection.Herbrainshort-circuitedashistonguerakedacrossherteethbeforeplunginginsideagain.

Somehowshe'dknownitwouldbethisway.Thatshewouldfall,allornothing.She'dspentmonthsprotectingherheart.Whatawasteoftime.

Nothingexistedbeyondthetwoofthem.Notthedanger,notthepast.Shewantedhimtolayherdownrightthereandthen,unzipherfromthisclimate-controlledsuit,andtakeherrightthereonthemuddyjunglefloor.

ToosoonSamplacedhishandsgentlyonherarmsandpulledthemfreefromhisneck."Holdthatthought.Gottagetgoing."

Holdthought?Herbrainwasfilledwithimagesofthemrollingaroundoncleanwhitesheetsinadimlylitroom,andherheartbatteredatherribcagelikeawildbeasttryingtotearthrough.Holdthatthought?!

Thesoundsofthejungleonceagainintruded.

"Okay?"Athernod,hesaidsoftly,"Let'sputsomedistancebetweenthemandus.Ineedbothmyhandsfree.Grabontomybeltandhangon."Heguidedherfingerstothesmallofhisback,andshelatchedintohiswideutilitybelt,andhisbodyheatmadeherowntemperaturespike.

"We'regoingtohaulassonthree.Allyouhavetodoishangonandkeepupwithme.Saveyourquestionsandtrustme,okay?"

Trusthim?

Whowashe?

ChapterThree

Thejungleneverslept.

Nocturnalanimals,reptiles,andbirdsgrowled,slitheredorchirpedastheyweredisturbedinthedarkness.ThankstotheglowingvisibilityofhisNVGs,Samavoidedsteppingonapuffadderslitheringacrosshispath.Hissing,itinflateditsbodyinwarning.Samstampedhisbootedfeettohurryitonitsway.Theadderwashighlypoisonous,andwhileitmovedsluggishly,itcouldturnaroundandstrikewithlighteningspeed.

"Whyarewestopping?"Bethwhisperedagainsthisleftshoulderblade.

"Crosstraffic."Hewaiteduntilthetailoftheadderdisappeared.Hesmelledlemon-scentedBeth,andsex.Wishfulthinking.Afterkissingherithadtakenawhileforthecockstandtogodown.Hewasalwaysinanuncomfortablestateofsemi-arousalwhenshewasclose.Touchingher,kissingher,hadalmostputhimovertheedge."Allclear."Heresumingwalking.

Thedensecanopyofdeciduoustreesoverheadmadetheswampygroundoftheunderstoryrelativelyeasytonavigate.Still,thefewsmalltrees,man-highferns,bushes,andsnakingvinesandrootsmadeprogressslowandtreacherous.

Sofarhe'dbarelyusedthemachete.Ignoringthetugathiswaist,hebalancedtheHKMP5fullyautomaticsubmachinegunwithalasersightinhisrighthand.He'dpickedupthesmallerpackandwas

loadedforanythingthatthreatenedthem,fromanaardvarktoazebra,two-leggedmammalstoeverythingelse.Samhadabsolutelynoillusionsaboutneedingeverybitoffirepowerhecarried.

ItwasfortunateforhimthatcurrentlytherewasaskirmishontheborderbetweenHurenandMallaruza.Thetypicalbandsofrebels,soldiersfrombothsides,andsoldiersforhire,wereabsentthisfaraway.Usuallytheyroamedthecountry,destroyingeverythingandeveryoneintheirpathlikehumanlocusts.Lookingfortroubleandalwaysfindingit.Andifnot,makingit.

UnlessThadiwecalledinreinforcements,theoddswerecurrentlyinSam'sfavor.

Thadiweexpectedhissurgeontoreporttohisoperatingroomat0700.At0701he'dhavehismenfanningouttofindher.

"WeshouldgoandgettheJeepyouhid.We'dmakebettertime."Bethwhisperedhalfanhourlater,fingersstilltuckedinhiswaistband.Herstepsdidn'tfalterinthesultrydarkness,althoughherquietvoicedid.

"Ihaveaboatwaiting."Samgotaquickwhiffofthelemon-scentedsoapshefavored.UnlikelybeneaththeDEET,butimaginaryornot,thelemonfragrancebroughttomindeveryachingmemoryhehadofDr.ElizabethGoodall.He'dseenherseriousandprofessionalinhercrispwhitelabcoatathersmallclinicbackhome.Paleredhairtwirledupontopofherheadinsomesmoothintricaterollthatlookedasthoughonetugwouldbringtheentiremasstumblingdownherback.

He'dsalivatedseeingher—long-leggedandsexy,injeansandaskyblueT-shirt,thatshinyredgoldhairflowingoverhershouldersasshe'dwalkedbesidehimtogotoamovie.Inthatyellowsundressthatcuppedhersmallbreastsandbaredherprettyshoulderswhenhe'dseenherwithagirlfriendatthatlittleItalianplacesheliked.

Jesus.Shewassofuckingoutofherelementitwassurreal.Yetsomehowshestillmanagedtomaintainthatairofunflappabilitythatherpatientswereusedtoseeing.

Shewassodelicate,soearnest.He'dspentayearandahalfpussy-footingaroundher,bidinghistime.HewasreadyforBeth.Shewasn'treadyforhim.Notthen.Shewasasbeautifulandfragileasajungleorchid.IthadbeenloveatfirstsightforSam.He'ddecidedsheshouldbesurroundedbychildren;he'dpicturedher,ababy—his—athernakedbreast.He'dneverfeltthisalienblendoflust,love,tendernessandfearforanywomaninhislife.Hewantedherwithanintensityhe'dneverfeltforanywoman.Ever.

Itwasdamnedunsettling,hethought,shovingasideasix-footlongpalmfrond.He'dgonewaypastunsettledbytheunexpectedmixtureofemotionshe'dfeltforthiswomanfromthestartanddirectlyintodeterminationandastrangekindofpeace.

Aloudcroakingsound,followedbyagutturalrurr,rurr,rurr,soundedseveralfeettotheleft.

"Whatdoyouthinkthatis?"

"Colobusmonkey.He'sbeenfollowingusforawhile."Samcouldseethelittleguy'sbright,inquisitiveeyesasheswungbyhistailfromanearbybranch,waitingforthemtomoveon.

"Aslongasitisn'tadamnbird,"Bethmutteredunderherbreath,makingSamgrin.

Whileaportionofhismindwasawareofeverysmallmovementinthefoliagearoundthem,andhisearsengagedIDingeverynoise,asmallcompartmentofhisbrainwasreservedforflashingmemoriesofBeth.

AccordingtoherpatientsshewasanexcellentGP.Andsweet.Andinordinatelykind.Andcompassionate.Andattentive.EveryoneinthesmallMontanatownadoredDr.Beth.

SamhadtakenonelookatsweetDr.Beth'smarmalade-coloredhair,creamyfreckledskin,andbigbrowneyesandfallenforherliketheproverbialtonofbricks.He'dwantedtostripherandcounteveryfreckle.Unfortunatelyfiveminutesaftermeetingherhe'ddiscoveredshewasmarried.Fifteenminutesafterthathe'dgottenanearfulfromTraciatthedinerabouttheidiotshewasmarriedto.

They'dmarriedwhilebothwereinmedschool.BethandRobweremorelikefriendsthanlovers,whichSamfoundgoodtoknow.Robwasaniceguy,Tracitoldhim.Toobadhe'dfalleninlovewithawomanhe'dmetontheInternet.Dr.Bethwasbeingreallydecentaboutitanddoingwhatshecouldtoexpeditethepaperworktogetitoverwithasquicklyandquietlyaspossible.

Damngoodthing.BecauseSamdidn'tpoachonothermen'sterritory.NotthathethoughtforamomentBethwoulddoanythinghinkybehindherhusband'sback,evenifsheweretempted.

Samthoughtshadnothingtodowithsweet,orkind.Thesecondhe'dseenher,histhoughtshadturnedcarnal.Primitive.Hewantedherhardandfast.Hotandsweaty.Slickandslippery.Hewantedtohaveheronthecounteratthebank.Andonthehoodofhiscar,ontheflooroftheonlyhotelintown.Hell,hedidn'tthinkthatthey'dmakeittoabedthefirstfewtimes.

He'dmovedintoacondoafewblocksfromherhouseandwaitedforthedivorcetobefinal.OnelookatBeth,andhehadn'tbeencapableofstayingaway.Hadn't,Goddamnit,beenabletothinkofmuchelse.Heimaginedhernaked,havingheronherdeskinhercrampedlittleofficeatherclinictwodoorsdownfromthebank.Hepicturedhersmallhighbreasts,andimaginedthathernippleswouldbeasoftdelicatepink,likeherlips.

"Youhavereinforcements,right?"

Shewasastenaciousasabulldogandherlackoffaithstung."I'lltakecareofyou,don'tworry."Hewasaloneinthis.Itwasn'tasanctionedop.He'dcomeonhisown.Bethwasapersonalmatter.

"That'ssweet,Sam."

Sweet?Shedidn'texactlyexudeconfidence.Andwhyshouldshe?Asfarasshewasconcernedhe

didn'tknowoneendofagunfromanother.ElevenyearsinaprivatearmyguaranteedheknewhowtousetheMP5.Healsoknewsomeinteresting,andpainful,trickswithamachete.

"Butwhat'llhappenifyou'rebittenbyasnake?"shecontinued,slightlybreathlessnowthatshewasonaroll."Oreatenbyalion?"

Jesus."Oddsareagainstit."Hebetterstayhaleandhearty.Shestoodzerochanceofsurvivalaloneinthejungle.LessthanzeroifshewasreturnedtoNkemidilm'scompoundandthemanwhowaitedthere.

HeusedthemuzzleoftheMP5toflipacurious,andhighlypoisonous,bushviperhangingfromalimbintheirpath.Itlandedalmostnoiselesslyinathicketofvinesbeforeslitheringintotheunderbrush.There'dbetimetothinkaboutBeth'sdelectablebodylater.RightnowhehadtogetthemboththehelloutofDodgebeforeThadiwe'smencaughtup.

"Howmuchlonger?"

"Coupleofhours."Giveortake.Hecouldalmosthearherbrainworkingasshedigestedtheinformation.

"Don'tyouthinkI'dbebetteroffgoingbackandwaitingforyoutobringinsomehelp?"

Heheardhernervousness.Somuchfortrust."No,Beth,Idon't."Sammadesurehisbarelyawhisperwasimplacable."We'remeetingaguywithaboat.Don'tworry.I'llgetyououtofhereinonepiece,Ipromise."

Hestopped,andshesteppedrightagainsthisbacklettingoutalittlehuffofsurprise."There'sathree-foothighloginourpath.I'llgofirstthenhelpyouover."

Samflungalegoverthemossytrunkanddroppeddownontheotherside.Beth'sbreathingwasalittlefractured.Fear.Tuckingthemacheteintothesheathstrappedtohisthigh,heleanedoverthelog,extendinghishand.Notthatshecouldseeitinthecrackunderdark."Givemeyourhand."

Blindlyshehelditout.Grabbingholdofherwrist,Samgavealittletug."Upandover.Straddlethelog,thenslidedownonthisside."

Hercoldfingersfeltridiculouslysmallinhis.Herchilled,sweatyskintoldhimshewasscaredoutofhermind.Despitethat,shewaskeepingupandnotfallingapart.Notyetanyway.

Hegavealittletugtohelpherup,thenwatchedassheflungbothlegsovertohisside."Righthere,"hetoldherwhenshehesitated.

Sheslidintohisarms."Tha—What'sthat?

Shewaspressedagainsthissemi-erection."Don'tworry,"hetoldherdryly."I'mnotgoingtohavemywickedwaywithyou.Nothereanyway."

Shesmotheredalaugh."Notthat.That!'

That."It'sanMP5submachinegun."

Sheputherhandonhischest,thesmilestilltiltingthecornersofhermouth.Samwantedtokissherintheworstway.Thistimeheresisted.

Notthetime.Nottheplace.

"Doyouknowhowtouseit?"

Hehuffedoutalaugh."Yeah."Thefactthatherbodywasstillflushwithhisdidn'texactlymakehisthinkingprocesscrystalclear.Takingherhand,hesteppedback."Knowthatoutfitjustoutsideoftown?"

"Thatprivatemilitaryplace?"

"Counterterroristtrainingsite,yeah.Iworkforthem."

"You—workforthem?Ithoughtyouwereateacher?"

"Tacticalinstructor.Itrainspecialopsinweaponryforhigh-riskenvironments."

"ThankGod,"Bethgaveasmalllaugh,herreliefevidentandheartfelt."BetterthanI'dhoped.Myhighestexpectationwasthatyouexcelledatplayingpaintball."

"Iwouldn'ttrustyoursafetytoanyonelessthanonehundredpercentcompetent.IfIdidn'tthinkIcouldhandlethesituation,restassured,Iwouldhavesentinsomeonewhocould."

"Oh,God,Sam.I'mterrifiedoutofmymind."

"It'swarranted,sweetheart.You'reinabadspot.Butthistimetomorrowyou'llbeonyourwayhome,Ipromise."

"Adventureisn'tallit'scrackeduptobe."Bethslidahandaroundhiswaistandleanedintohim."Icouldn'thavemadeitpasttheguards.Andfrankly,sinceIhavezerosenseofdirection,I'mnotsurehowfarIwouldhavegottenifI'dmanagedtostealaJeepanddriveout.Howfaristheclosesttown?"

"Village?Tenmilesorso.Arealtown?Withtranspo?Ahundred."

Sheshuddered,andhisarmstightenedaroundher.Notromanticwithasemiautoinonehand,andamachetestrappedtohisleg.Buthe'dtakewhathecouldget,whenhecouldgetit.

"Icouldhavediedherewithoutanyoneknowing."

"Iknew."Onlybecausehe'dbeencalledbyoneoftheCapeTownoperativesminutesafterBethhadbeensnatchedfromthehotel.Whenhe'daskedthattheykeepaneyeonher,Samhadn'tspecifiedjusthowcloselyhe'dwantedherwatched.Closeenoughnottobekidnappedwouldhaveseemedlogical.Tohimanyway.ThankGodtheyknewwhotonotify.

Samhadsomeonefollowingthekidnappers'trailwhilehe'djettedhalfwayaroundtheworldtoretrieveBethfromhercaptors.

"ThankGod,"shesaidwithutmostsincerity.

"Ready?"

Inanswershetookholdofhisbelt,andSammovedout.

"ThatORwasstate-of-the-art,andequippedforanythingandeverything.Icanonlyimaginehowmanymillionsofdollarsitcosttoinstallthatwayouthereinthemiddleofnowhere."

"Couldyouhavedoneit?"

"Nobodycouldhavedoneitinhistimeframe.InterestingthathetargetedLynneRandall,butdidn'tresearchhowlongthatprocedurewouldtake.Andtoansweryourquestion:IfI'dhadtoperformthesurgeryIcouldhavedoneit,Isuppose.Butnotwell.ThelasttimeIdidthatsortofthingwasduringafive-monthrotationinmedschool.Plasticsurgeons—goodsones—arepartpractitioner,partartist.Ican'tevendrawastickfigure."

Samchuckled.Thadiwewasabuttuglyindividualalready.Hedidn'tseehowanythingcouldmakehimlookworse.

"Fortunatelyyouwon'tbedoinganysurgeries.You'llbeoutofthecountrybeforeherealizesyou'vegone."

"Fromyourlips…"

SamhadalreadyextrapolatedThadiwe'slocationtothenextaction.WithoutBethhe'dfindanotherdoctor.Somewhere.RightnowSamwastheonlyonewhoknewwherethesonofabitchwaslocated.He'dhavetoreturnandtakehimout.Butfirstthingsfirst.

GetBethdownriverbyboat,thendriveherthetenmilestothewaitingchopper.GetheronboardandonherwaytoCapeTownwhereaprivatejetwaitedtoreturnhertoMontana.

"Howsoondoyouthinkthey'llcomeafterus?"

"Longafterwe'regone."Nopointanticipatingtheworst.HefiguredhehaduntildaylighttoreachtheboatDesiwasbringingtoapreassignedlocation.They'dbecruisingdowntheCongoRiverbeforeThadiwe'smenrealizedshe'descaped.Threehours.Tops.

Theyneededfive.

ChapterFour

Agorilla,soundingoddlydoglike,barkedinthedistance.Awarning?Orwastheprimatemerelyheraldingdaylight?

Whileitwasstilloppressivelydark,Samcouldalmostfeeltherapidapproachofmorningastheanimalsstartedtostir.Soonthey'dbemovingtowardwater.Therewasanelephanttrailsomewherearoundhere,heknewfromhisearliertrekin.Walkingonthatopentrailwouldsavetime,butitalsomeantencounteringanimalswhohadthesameidea.

Mosquitoesandgnats,fliesandotherinsectsdidn'tgiveadamnifitwasnightorday.Theyswarmedanddivebombedthemastheywalked.Thegorillabarkedagain,andthistimeitwasansweredbyitsmate.Bethsteppedinclosertohim,herfingerstightonhisbelt.

Hechuckled.

"Goodgrief,Sam,"shewhispered."Howcanyoulaughatatimelikethis?"

"I'vefinallygotyouwereIwantyou."

"Kidnappedandrunningforourlivesinarainforest?"

"Alone.Withoutdistractions."

"Boy,youliveacrazylifeifyouconsiderthisaplacewithoutdistractions."

"Noex-husband.Noclinic.Afewtangosandafewplantsarenothing."

Shelaughed."Afewp—Crazyman."

"Thedivorcewasfinalayearfromlastweek,right?"

Shedidn'tsayanythingforseveralseconds."How'sthatrelevant?"

Samheldasideabranch,tuggingBethunderhisarmtoclearit.Insteadofreplacingherhandonhisbelt,heshovedtheNVGsoutofthewayontopofhisheadandturnedaroundtocurlherintohisarms."PlentyenoughtimetogetoveranylingeringregretsorMondaymorningquarterbackingaboutyourmarriage."Screwresisting.HavingBeththiscloseinthesteamydarknesswaslikewavingcrackunderanaddict'snose.

Resistancewasfutile.

He'dheldoffforafullyear.Hewasdonewaitingforhertocatchup.Sambrushedherlipswithhis.Shekepthermouthfirmlyclosed.Liftinghishead,hesaidsoftly,"Putyourarmsaroundmyneckandopenyourmouth."

"Mosquitoes,"shemumbled,tightlipped.

Hechuckled."Tonguesaremosquito-freezones,"heassuredher,nibblingathernowpartedlips,whichwerefirmandwarmandtastedlikepromise.Hetighteninghisarmaroundherwaistuntilherbodywaspressedflushagainsthis.Hell,shefeltgood.Betterthangood.Imaginingthembothnaked,Samclosedhiseyesandsavoredthemomentwhilearoundthemthedarknessseethedwithlife.Anddeath.

HedrankBeth'ssighanddeepenedthekiss,sweepinghistongueintothewarmrecessesofhermouth.Thefirststrokeofhertongueagainsthissentashudderdownhisspine.Hisbodywentfromagentle,bearablesimmer,toafulloutboil.

SamkissedBeththewayhe'dwantedtofromthefirsttimehe'dmether.Fullthrottle.Noholdingback.

Burrowinghisfreehandinherhair,Samtiltedherheadbackwhilehefeastedonhermouth.Herarmsslidaroundhiswaist,andshehuggedhimtoherwiththesameferocityhewasfeeling.Samrakedhisteethacrossherbottomlip,andshemadealowsoundofneedashistonguetangledwithhers.

Amacawswoopedbetweenthebranchesovertheirheads,squawkingloudly.Bethpulledawaywithahigh-pitchedshriek.

Hardlyflattering.

Samtightenedhisarmaroundherwaist,feelingthethump-thump-thumpofherheartagainsthisribcage."Keepitdown,sweetheart.Itwasonlyabird."

"Sorry,"shemuttered."Ittookmebysurprise.Ihatebirds."

Hebrushedakisstothetopofherheadandhuggedhermoretightly."Youhate—Howcanyouhatebirds?"

"They'relikeratswithwings."Herentirebodyshuddered.

Theplacewasaminefieldofvenomoussnakes,flesh-eatinganimalsandwarringtribesmen,andshewasafraidofbirds?Samshookhishead."Bettergetusedtothem."HepulledtheNVGsbackoverhiseyes."Thereareoverathousandspeciesintherainforest.You'dbetternotscreameverytimeyouseeone."

Goodthingshecouldn'tseethehundredsofbirdsperchedinthetreessurroundingthem.Threecuriousround-facedchimpshadbeenkeepingpacewiththem,swingingfrombranchtobranch,theireyes

gleamingwhiteinSam'sNVGs.Nowtheystoppedtowatch,tailsandfingerswrappedaroundbranches.

"Youcouldn'tbemoreoutofyourelementifyoutried."Samresumedwalking.Thewet,muddygroundandvegetationunderfootmadewalkingexhausting.Addtothatherstress,andfear,andsheneededabreak.Abreakhedidn'thavetimetogiveher.Amomentortwokissingwouldhavetodoasbothabreakandadistraction.

HewavedawayaswarmoftinymothsdancinginchesfromhisfaceandhopedBethwasn'tspookedbyeverythingwithwings."Remindmeagainwhycomingtodeepest,darkestAfricawasacoolidea?"

"Adventure."Thistimehervoicewasdry,butitheldafaintthreadofnerves.

Adventure,forGod'ssake.Hedidn'tremindherthathe'dpointedoutallthedangersinherentingoingtooneofthemostdangerouscountriesintheworld.AndSouthAfricawasacakewalkcomparedtoHuren."You'reluckyyouweren'tkilled.Nexttimeyouwantgoddamnedadventure,takemeuponmyoffer."

"Whichofferwasthat?Arideonyourmotorcycle?Ortherideonyou!Idon'tconsidersexanadventure.Sorry,Sam,butthatcan'tcomparewiththisexperience.OtherthaninbothinstancesI'dbesweaty.Possiblypanting."

"I'minsulted,"hesaid,amusedashell.She'dbepantingandsweatyallright.Hecouldn'twait."Youfindsexboringdoyou?"Astatementlikethatfromawoman,especiallythiswoman,waslikewavingaredflagatabull.

"It'spleasant,"shemuttered,dammingoneoflife'sgreatestperkswithfaintpraise.

"WithBobitwaspleasant."

"Rob."

"Becauseyouweren'tthatintoeachother."

"Weweremarried."

"Sexbetweentwopeoplewhowanteachothermorethantheirnextbreathcanbeexplosive."

"I'lltakeyourwordforit.I'vetakenlifefartooseriouslyupuntilnow.School,school,andschool.Openingmypractice,buildingmypractice.Longhoursattheclinic—I'vebeenlivinglifeinblackandwhite.IwantalittleTechnicolor."Shesoundedresolvedifnotenthusiastic.

"AdmittedlynotasmuchTechnicolorasbeingkidnappedatgunpoint,butsomethingafewnotchesdownfromthiswouldsuitmejustfine."

Samvowedshe'dhaveasmuchTechnicolorasshecouldhandle.Soon."Whatdoesyourfamilythink

aboutthiswildhairyougotaboutcomingtoAfrica?"

"Mysister'sbeeninMallaruzaforacoupleofmonths,andlovesit.IthoughtstartingoutslowlybygoingtoCapeTownwouldgivemetheflavorofAfrica.Ialsowantedtoexperiencethepeopleanddifferentculture—"

"Youwerekidnappedandtakentoacountryevenmoredangerousthanthefirst."

"Thankyouforremindingme.I'malreadyscaredoutofmywits.Ibetmysisterwouldloveeveryinsanesecondofthis.Kessisn'tscaredofanything!'

"Thenshe'samoron,"Samtoldherbluntly.Hehadn'tmetBeth'ssister.Butshesoundedlikeaflakewithadeathwishtohim.HehadnoideawhyBethwassodeterminedthatshecouldorshouldmatchhersister'srashbehavior.Especiallywhenshedidn'thavethestomachforit.

"Soyou'rethesaneone,andshe'dthewildone?"

"I'mtheboringdaughter,andKessistheboldone.She'salwaystakingexcitingvacations,whichiswhyIwantedtodosomethingboldforonce."

"ButwhyAfrica?WithyourloveofItalianfood,whynotItaly?"

"I'msavingthattogowith—"

"With?"

"Somebody.

"Who?"

"Idon'tknowyet,"shesaid,soundingcross."Someonespecial.Probablymysister."

Liar.Ifsheweregoingtogowithhersistershewouldhavedonesoalready."Whydidn'tyougowithyourhusband?"

"HelikedAmericanvacations."

"Yeah?Howmanyofthosedidyoutaketogether?"

"Weweretoobusygoingtomedschoolandstartingthepractice.ThereareplentyofplacesintheStateswhereyoucanlearnnewtechniques.Plentyofplacesthatareexcitinganddifferent.Didn'thavetobeAfrica."

"Didn'thavetobe.Butwas."

Hesetagruelingpacetomakeuptime.Whennecessary,heslashedapaththroughthevegetationwiththemachete.Gnatsandmosquitoesswarmedaroundthem,heardbutunseeninthedark.He'dmadesurethateveryinchofexposedskinwascoveredinDEET,butthechancesofgettingbittenanywaywerehigh.

ThankGodshewasabletokeepup,herhand,asmall,hardballofafistclutchingthebackofhisbelt.He'dalwayswantedDoctorGoodall'ssmallhanddownhispants,Samthoughtwrylyasheshovedalargeleafoutoftheway,thenhelditsoitwouldn'tlashback.Thiswasn'twhathe'dhadinmind.

Hewasawareofhereverybreathasshetrudgedalongbehindhim.Hewaspushingit,tryingtoputasmuchdistanceashecouldbetweenthemandthecompoundbeforetheyrealizedshe'dflownthecoop.Tryingtogettotheriver.Tryingnottogiveherthetonguelashingshedeservedforcomingtoawar-torncountryinthemiddleoffuckingnowheretoproveapointthatwasn'tevenimportant.

Arustleinanearbyshrubmadehimturnhisheadjustintimetoseethehorizontallystripedbuttendofanokapi.Thedeerlikeanimal,closelyrelatedtoagiraffe,dartedthroughtheunderbrushunleashingatroupeofchimps,whochattedandscreechedtheirannoyanceatbeingwoken.

Aglanceupatthejigsawpuzzlepiecesofcharcoal-coloredskynowvisiblebetweenthetreecanopytoldhimdawnwasonitsway.Oncethesunrose,theanimalswouldbeinsearchoffoodandwater,makingthemevenmorealerttopredators.WhichwaspreciselywhySamhadsetuptheextractionpointatthemostlikelyspottheyusedtodrink.

Theoriginalplanhadbeentoarrivehoursbeforethebeastsofthejunglecamedowntotheriver.Lettingtheactivityoftheanimalsmasktheirdeparture.Somuchforthatplan.

Changingstrategyashewalked,Samdecidedthathe'dparkBethsomewhereupriver,andgodownandgettheboatonhisown.He'dmovefasterandcould,ifnecessary,misdirectanyoneontheirtail.

Theywouldcomeafterher.Thadiwehadworkedtoodamnhardtogetaphysicianhere.Hewasn'tgoingtoletBethgowithoutafight.

Well,Samwasn'tgoingtogiveherupwithoutagoddamnedfighteither.

"Howdidyouknowwheretofindme?"

"Iknowpeopleinlowplaces."Hedidn'tbothermentioningthathe'dalmostpukedwithfearwhenthosepeoplehadinformedhimwhohadsnatchedBeth.

He'dcomeAfricatobringherbodyhome.

ChapterFive

Samhadsaiditwouldtakethreehourstogettotheriver.Surelythey'dwalkedforlongerthanthat?

WhileSammovedthroughthestygiandarknesswithalithepowerfulsure-footedness,Elizabeth'scalvesandlungsburned,andherskinitcheddespitethetemperature-regulatedsuit.ShewasdamnsureKesswouldn'tbehuffingandpuffing,mentallybeggingtostopsoshecouldsitdownandrest.No,hersisterwouldbeleadingtheway.Shemightnotknowwhereshewasgoingorhowtogetthere,Elizabeththoughtwithasmallsmile,butnoonefollowingKesswouldknowit.

TheonlyrealityinElizabeth'sworldwashergriponSam'sbeltasshestumbledblindlyinhiswake,stubbingherbootedtoesonrootsandvines.Andwhileshecouldeasilypicturehiminhermind'seye,thatimagedidn'tinanywaygelwiththemanwho'dcometorescueher.Withthemanwho'dkissedhersopassionatelyithadmadeherbloodracethroughherveinsandherhearthammer.

Shehatednotbeingincontrol.Andshehadn'tbeenincontrolofherownfatefromthemomentshe'dbeensnatchedfromLynne'shotelroom.

"How'sthehand?"

Itthrobbed,butthatwastobeexpected."Okay."

"Tellmeifitisn't.Don'ttryandbebrave.Aninfectionherecankillyou."

"I'madoctor,Sam.Iknow.Thankstoyou,it'sf—"

Suddenlyhispalmcoveredhermouth.Elizabethgulpeddownthereactivescream,butfeltitvibrateinherchestashewhisperedagainstherear."Shh.Company."

Shefroze.Oh,God.Shehadn'theardanythingoutoftheordinary.Ifwalkinginthepitchdarkthrougharainforestfilledwithsnakesandmonkeysandmorebirdsthananyonecouldimaginecouldbeconsideredordinary.

"Down."Hetuggedatherarm,bendinglowwithher.Hisvoicewassomuteditwasalmostmoreafeelingthanasound.Hisarmbrushedhersandsherealizedhewasremovingthepackfromhisback.Sheheardasoftthudasitlandedonthedampgroundnexttoher."Knowhowtofireagun?"hewhispered,hislipsagainstherear.

Elizabethshookherhead."Isewupholesinpeople,notmakethem."

"I'llgiveyouacrashcourse."

Sheshookherheadagain.Atinythrillofadrenalineswirledinherbelly.Abigbelieverinself-defense,she'dspenttoomuchtimeintheERtoactuallypullatrigger.Orsoshethought.Lifeordeath.

Despiteherrefusal,Samwrappedhernon-slicedhandaroundwhatwasclearlyabiggun.Averybig,veryheavygun.Herfingersclosedaroundtheribbedstock.Itfeltweird,foreign."I'dratheryoutakeit,"shewhisperedbackurgently.Itwasonlyassheflexedherstifffingersthatsherealizedjusthowtightlyshe'dbeengrippinghisbelt.

Sampositionedherfingers,histouchplayinghavocwithhergoodjudgment."Won'tneedit.Safety'soff.Pointandshoot.Fireseighthundredroundsaminute.Youwon'tmiss.WhenIcomebackI'llwhistlelikethis."Hewhistledasweet,sharpincrediblyrealisticbirdcall.Elizabethhopedtohellnobirdscametoseewhowascallingthem.

"Wait—you'releavingme?"

Screamingsoundedmorehumanethanaimingagunandtakingalife.Thescreamwasagainbuildinginherchest.Shetampeddownthefear.Sheneededtothinkrationallyandbealert.Beingscaredrightnowwasn'tanoption.Sheeasedintoaslightlymorecomfortablecrouchbymillimeters.

Nowsheheardthem.Footsteps.Leavesrustling.Breathing.ShewantedtopleadwithSamtohunchdownwithher,towaituntilwhoeveritwaspassed.Butsheknewhe'dbeproactive.

Hebrushedaquickkissacrosshernose,lightasabutterfly'swing."Staylow."Onesecondhewasrightthere,thenexthewasgone.Sheknewhe'dleft,notbecausehemadeanynoise,butbecauseshecouldnolongerfeelhispresencebesideher.

"Becareful,"shemouthed.

Theraucoussoundsofthejungleclosedinonher,asdidtheoppressivedarkness.She'doutgrownherfearofthebogeymaninherclosetlongbeforehertenthbirthday,butthisdarknessscaredthebejesusoutofher.Thedangersherewereveryreal.Andimminent.

Croucheduncomfortablyinthethick,inkydarknessElizabethwaited,herheartbeatsoundinglikethunderinherears,herjawclenchedtopreventcryingouteverytimesomethingcrawledoverherbarehands,orsomecreepycritterbrushedherface.Shetriednottoimaginewhatthatwassittinglightlyonhercheek,orwhattheweightwasontheinstepofherrightboot.Shebitoffthescreamthatsurgedupherthroatasabirdshotoutofanearbyshrubasifcatapulted.Dragginginashudderingbreath,sheheldituntilherheartsettleddown.Shewasdammedifshe'dhaveafreakingheartattackbecauseabirdflewpasther.

Betterthanthinkingaboutmentrackingherwithguns,mile-longcentipedes,poisonousants,poisonousfrogsand,ofcourse,amultitudeofpoisonoussnakes.

TheonlythingshehadbetweenherselfandallthosedangerswasSamPelton.Thethoughtwassowronglycomforting.

Fivemen.Camo.NVGS.AK47s.Welltrained.Cautious.Anddefinitelytrackingtheirmissingdoctor.Therewasnootherreasonfortheirpresence.Nonearbyvillagestopillage,andSamdoubtedtheywerehuntingforbushmeat.Thadiwewastoosophisticatedtoeatthelocalfloraandfauna,andthecompoundwasmilesfromanywhere.No.ItwasBeththatThadiwe'ssoldiershunted.

Damnittohell.He'dmiscalculated,andthey'ddiscoveredherabsence,andthehiddenJeep,hours

beforeSamthoughttheywould.RemovingtheKA-BARfromhistacbeltwithhislefthand,Samcircledaround,slippedinbehindthem.Matchinghisstepstothemanbringinguptherear,hemaneuveredupclose.Withnowarninghebroughthisforearmaroundandbeneaththeguy'schin.Pullinghimbackandoffbalance,Samstruckdirectlyup,intotheman'skidneys.Itwasaquick,silentdeath,thepainsointensethemancouldn'tscreambeforehedied.Samcaughtthesoldierashesoundlesslycollapsedagainsthim,andloweredthebodyquietlyintothebushes.

Samwipedthebloodiedknifeontheman'sshirt.Onedown,fourtogo.

Killingthesoldierhadtakenallofthreeseconds.Didn'tbotherSamrightthen,butlaterhe'drememberwhyhe'dgottenoutofcombatandintothetrainingside.ButfornowhehadabsolutelynocompunctionkillingasmanypeopleasittooktokeepBethsafe.

Hetookthesecondandthirdguysoutthesamecoldlyefficientwayashe'ddonethefirst.Thefourthandfifthmighthavebeenslowontheuptake,butthesecondtheyrealizedthattheywereunderattacktheygotwiththeprogramandbothrushedSamatonce.

Good.Noweaponsfiredtodrawtheattentionofanyotherhunters.Thefirstguycameathiminaflurryofwell-trainedarmsandlegs.Samblockedthefirstblowwithhisforearm,thenswiveledtokickoutatnumbertwowhohadcomeinfromtheside,hisAK47raisedtofire.Kickingout,Samgotridofbothmanandweapon.Thesecondguywentflying,strikingatreetrunkwithahollowthudthatsetoffaflockofbirdsinascreechingflutterofwings,ghostlythroughtheNVGs.Agroupofchimpsshotoutofthelowerbranches,screamingannoyanceastheyswungfrombranchtobranch.

Bendinghisarm,Samusedachoppingmotionfromtheelbow,hisentirebodyweightbehindtheedge-of-the-handblowtothefirstguy'sthroatashecameathimfulltilt.Hishandmadeasatisfyingconnectionjustbelowtheenemy'sAdam'sapple.Theguygaggedanddropped.

Theothersoldierwasalreadyuponhisfeetandchargingbackformore.WithaferalsmileSamsidesteppedthepunchtothejaw,grabbinghisopponent'swristwithonehand,andpulledhimoffbalance.Withtheotherhandheyankedofftheguy'sNVGs,thenmeltedintothehighbushestohisright.Themancameblindlyafterhim.Samstayeddeadstill.

Themanturnedinacircle,scarednow,babblingGodonlyknewwhat.Samcameuponhimfrombehind,wrappinghisleftarmaroundtheguy'sneck,bearingdownonhisthroatinaJapanesestranglehold.Onearmacrosshisthroat,theotheronhisshoulders,hispalmonthebackoftheman'shead.Pullinghimbackwards,Sampressedtheguy'sheadforward.

Theguytriedtograbhisballswithhisfreehand.TheLockOutsuitgavehimnohandhold.

Samstraightenedandgrippedthefrontandbackoftheguy'shead,thengaveaquicktwist.Ithadbeenawhilesincehe'dlastheardaneckbreakingatsuchclosequarters.Hehadn'tmissedthesound.Samtossedhimasideasheheardaloudscreamoffear.Thescreamwascutoffmidnote.

Beth.

ElizabethflungherselfintoSam'sarmsthemomenthecamethroughthetrees.Itwasbarelylight,butshecouldseehimwellenough,andGod,wasshehappytodoso."Oh,Jesus,Jesus,"shesaidhoarselyintohisthroat,herheartpoundingsohardshewassurehemusthearit."I'msorry,Sam.Thisgiantpig-likesomethingcameatme,andscaredthelivingcrapoutofme.IpromisedmyselfIwouldn'tscreamlikeagirlanddistractyounomatterwhat,butitranrightintomebeforeIevenknewitwasthere…Sorry,I'mbabbling."

Shelookedupathisface.He'dremovedthenightvisiongoggles,andthey'dleftaredmarkacrossthebridgeofhisbladeofanose.Hewasseveraldayspastashave,andthedarkshadowonhisjawmadehimlookwickedanddisreputable.ThesheenonthefrontofhisblackbodysuitElizabetheasilyidentifiedasblood.Shesteppedback,hergazetrackingacrosshisbodyforsignsofinjury.

"Areyou—?"Thematteblackbodysuithuggedhismusculartorsosothatshecouldseethesharpdefinitionofhistautpecsandcutabs,andthelonglengthofhismuscularlegs,andthebulge,somehowflattened,large,andprotectedbysomething.Shepicturedhispenistuckedneatlyinside.Herbodytightenedandhernipplesached.

"AmI?"

Hergazeshotuptohisface,andhercheeksfeltwarm."Hurt.Areyouhurt?"

"Iteachadvancedsurvivalskillstohighlytrainedcounterterroristsoperativesforaliving.I'mexcellent.Thanksforasking."Hegrinned,aflashofwhiteteethinhistannedface."Didyourrun-inwiththepiggiveyouanynicksorcuts?"

"Iscaredhimasmuchashescaredme,"shemuttered,searchinghisface.Shedidn'tneedtoaskhimifhe'dtakencareofwhomeverhadbeenfollowingthem.SeeingSaminhiswarriorgear,knifebeltedtohisthigh,thebiggun,hisdarkhairdampwithsweat,hiseyesglitteringasifhehadafever…

Goodgrief,ifhe'dlookedatlikethisbackhome,shewouldhavejumpedhisbonesatthefirstopportunity.Shegavehimamoreassessinglook."Howdidtheycatchupwithussofast?"

"ObviouslysomeonewenttoyourroomtocheckonyouafterIcutthegenerator.They'llsendmoresoldierswhenthoseguysdon'tcheckin."Hepickedupthebiggunandhispack."Weneedtomaketracks,"hesaid,threadinghisarmsthroughthestraps."Easiernowthatit'sgettinglight.Drinksomewateraswewalk."Hehandedherthecanteen,andElizabethsippedenoughwatertomoisturizeherdrymouth.

"Howmanymenwerethere?"

"Onlyfive."

Onlyfive.Samdidn'tseemtobeconcernedthatthosemenmightbefollowingthem,soElizabethpresumedtheywereincapacitated.Inthispartoftheworldthatcouldonlymeandead.

"Icountedseventeensoldiersatthecompound.IftheyrealizedthatIdidn'ttaketheJeep,doyouthinkthey'llsendallofthemafterus?MaybeweshoulddoublebackandreallystealaJeep.Whatdoyouthink?"

"Firstofallthereweretwentysoldiers.Andno.We'renotdoublingback.BynowThadiwehasprobablycalledinsomeofhispalNkemidilm'speople.Rightnowwehavetheadvantage.Untiltheyfindthosefiveguysbackthere,theywon'tknowyouaren'talone.Theythinkthey'rehuntingalonewoman,unpreparedforthisenvironment.That'sagoodthing,andtoouradvantage.Thoseguysdidn'thaveradiosoranycommunicationdevicesonthem.Stupid.Buthey,Ididn'ttrainthem.Sotocommunicatethey'dhavetohavegonebacktobase.Wehavealittlebreathingroom."

Hetiltedherfacewithafingerunderherchin.Hishardmouthcurvedintoasmile."Youlooklikehell."

"I'mperfectlyawareofwhatImustlooklike,"shesaidruefully.WhileSam'sruggedfacewasbugfree,shemustlookliketheCreaturefromTheBlackLagoon.She'dneverbeenvain,butrightnowshewasgratefulshedidn'thaveamirror.Godonlyknewwhatcrittershadgluedthemselvestotherepellentonherskin.

Heremovedaclothfromhispack,andappliedit—dry—tohercheeks."Thismustitchlikecrazy.Closeyoureyes.Letmegetridofthebugsatleast.GrabtheDEET—it'sintheleftsideofthebelt.Yeah,openitwhileIgetridofyourpassengers."

ElizabethstoodstillwhileSamcleanedherface,thenreappliedthechemicaltodeterthebugs.Shewantedtokisshim,butknewtheyhadtokeepgoingiftheywantedtogetawayfreeandclear.

Theblacknessofthenighthadlightenedtoadeepolivegreen.Nowmurkylimegreenshaftsoflightseepedthroughthedensetreecanopy.Itfeltasthoughtheywerewalkingthroughalgae-filledwater.Thebodysuitdidanincrediblejobkeepingherbodytempnormal,butherheadwasexposedtothethicksteamyheatandperspirationtickledherskinandattractedinsects.

Thejunglewasalivingentitysurroundingthem,thesmellofdeadvegetationandwetearthseemedtoseepintoElizabeth'spores.Thenoiselevelwashighernowthanithadbeenearlier,andshe'dlongsincegivenuptryingtoidentifyeverythingmakingsucharacket.Monkeys,insects,largeandsmallanimals.Andherownbreathing.Everytimeabirdcalled,sheflinched.Notonlydidshehatebirds,shediscoveredshewasn'tthatcrazyaboutsnakes,bugs,ormosquitoeseither.Beinginarainforestwasn'texactlythebestpickforafirsttimeGrandAdventure.

Anadventurershewasn't.Justbecauseshewantedtobefearlessanddaringdidn'tmeanshewashardwiredtobeso.She'dleavetheadventurestoKessandconcentrateonherfledglingpracticeinstead.

IfshemadeitbacktoMontanaalive.

ChapterSix

ElizabethbumpedintoSam'sbackashecametoastopmidstride.Shecamearoundtostandbesidehim.They'dreachedtheriver.ThankGod.Thewaterwasthecolorofbadpeasoup.Brownishgreenwithunidentifiablelumpsofvegetationfloatingonthesurface.Theairsmelled,notunpleasantly…green,andalittlelikeoverripefruit.Smalltreesandthickbrushcrowdedtheslopingbanks.HouseplantsBethgrewinlittlepotsinhercondowouldthriveandflourishtogiganticproportionshere.

Athin,brightyellowsnakeS'edonthesurfaceofthewater,dragonflies,theiriridescentwingsshimmeringinthesunlight,swoopedanddivedovertheirreflections,andtinyemeraldgreenbutterfliesswarmedenmassoverthebank.Apairofinquisitiveotterssatonanearbyfelledtreetrunkwatchingthem.

Thatwastheprettypartoftheriver.

Onthebankacrocodile—atleastsevenfeetlong,lazedinthesun,andfoursubmergedhippos,smallearstwitchinglaylikeenormousbouldersseveralhundredyardsupstreaminthecenteroftheriverwherethewaterwasdeep.Bothspeciesmovedlikegreasedlighteninginthewater.

Andtherewerebirds.Everywhere.Bigandsmall.Theyswooped,theydove,theyflutteredandtheyperched.TheysquawkedandchirpedandtweetedandgenerallyfreakedBethout.

Herethesunlightwasn'tbeingfilteredthroughthetrees,andbutteryearlymorninglightsparkledonthemurkygreensurface,whilethediaphanousdragonfliesdancedbetweenthelongreedsandgrassesliningthemuddybank.Ifonedidn'tknowthatthejunglepressingagainstitsserpentineshorelinewasfilledwithbirdsandcreepycrawlies,itwouldbeanidyllicpicture.

Shestaredatthepodofalmostsubmergedhippos.Onelifteditshead,itsridiculoussmallearspivotingasitcalledagutturalba-ho-ho-hoinalowbass.HipposweresaidtobethedeadliestanimalinAfrica,butitwashardtoimagine,watchingthemclusteredtogetherlikegiantrocksintheslowmovingwater,thattheycouldactuallyrunfasterthanahumanonland.Itwasunlikelythey'dattackwithoutprovocation,butElizabethmovedclosertoSamandhisnicebiggun.

"Shit."

"What'swrong?"sheasked,dry-mouthed,wavingawayadragonflyasitdivebombedherhair.

"Desiisn'therewiththeZodiac."

Elizabethlookedoutacrossthemurkysurface.

Thewholeexpanseoftheriverlookedemptierandmoredangerouswithoutrescueclosehadhand."Maybehewentupordownriver."

"Thisistheextractionpoint.We'reaboutfifteenminuteslate—butheshouldbeherewaiting."

"Areyousurehe'scoming?ItoldyouweshouldhavegonebackandstolenaJeep."

"Hemust'vegottendelayed.He'llbehere."

"Howlongdoyouthinkwe'llhavetowait?"

Samglancedaround,clearlyassessingthearea."Untilhegetshere."

Well,duh."Whatarewesupposedtodointhemeantime?"

"Sun'sup.Theanimalswillbedowntodrinkanytimenow.Weneedtogetoutoftheirway."

"Dowedodgethemandsayexcuseme?Dowewalk,ordowehavetofigureouthowtolevitate?"

"We'regoingtoclimbthattreeoverthereandstayoutoftheirway.It'sagoodlookoutpoint,andyouprobablycouldusearest'roundaboutnow."

"Andashower,andathickjuicysteak."

"Sorry.Noshower,noroomservice.Howareyourtree-climbingskills?"

"Onascaleofonetoten,onebeingtheleast?Zero.I'veneverclimbedatreeinmylife.NotsinceIwatchedKessbeinghauledawayinanambulanceafterfallingonherhead.Itlookedliketoomuchtroubleforthatamountofpain."

"Iwon'tletyoufall,Ipromise.Comeon,thislookslikeagoodtreehotel."

TheenormoustreewasrelativelyeasytoclimbwithSam'shelp.Thebrancheswereasthickasherentirebody,andvinesmadeconvenienttoe-andhandholds.Shemovedasfastasshecouldtopreventcrittersfromtakingatoe-holdonher.Samfoundaforkabouttenfeetoffthegroundthathungalmostdirectlyoverthewaterandeasedthepackoffhisbackontooneofthewidebranches.Openingitheremovedacircleofasimilarfabrictotheirsuits,butinsteadofblack,thiswasacamouflagepatternthatblendedwellwiththesurroundingvegetation.

"AFrisbee?"sheteased,leaningagainstthetrunkasshewatchedSamwork.

"Whenweplay,sweetheart,itwon'tbewithatoy."Withaflickofhiswristthecircleflippedandwrithedintoasmalldome-shapedtent."Viola!Yourroomisready."PlacingthesmalltenttorestontheVofthebranches,hequicklypoundedafewpegsintothebranchtosupportthelittlestructure,thenunzippedtheentrance."Takeyourbootsoff,drinksomewaterandtrytonap."

"Whereareyougoingtobe?"

"Backtrackingtobesurewewon'thaveanysurpriseguests.Stayinsidethetentandzipthedoorclosed.You'llbeabletoseeoutprettywell,andit'llkeepcrittersout.Ourrideshouldbehereshortly.

EvenifyouseeDesiandtheZodiac,stayput.Iwon'tbelong.Oh,yeah.Onemorething."

Samgaveheraquick,hardkiss.

"Ireallyenjoyyouronemorethings,"shetoldhimwhentheybrokeapart.Shewantedtokeephimsafelybyherside."Comebackandsayitagain."

"Ihavemorethanone'onemorething,'sweetheart.Climbin,I'llbebackinanhour."

Samreturnedtwohourslater.He'dmanagedtocontactDesionthesatphonehe'dretrievedfromthelargepackhe'dhiddenthedaybeforeneartheirrendezvouspoint.Theothermanhadbeendetainedinavillagesometwentyclicksdownriver."Detained"meantDesihadencounteredayoungwomanwhosefatherwasofffightingontheborder.DesiwasMallaruziandhewas,apparently,usuallyprettydependable.Unlessheranacrossaprettygirl.Samwarnedhimawayfromanyotherprettygirlsandsetupanewextractiontimefor1200hours.Hethenjoggedalmosthalfwaybacktothecompoundwithoutseeingevidencethatthereweremoresoldiersfollowingthem.

They'dcome.Eventually.

ButfornowtherewasnothingmorepressingthanbeingwithBethandconvincingherthatshelikedbeingwithhim,too.

Aftercheckingtheperimeterforanysignofman,herapidlyclimbedthetreeandunzippedthefrontflapofthesmalltent.Insidewasdimandrelativelycool.Bethwasasleep,herheadrestingonheroutstretchedarm.Howthehellhadhemanagedtokeephishandsoffherforayearandahalf?Justlookingathermadehisheartbeatfaster,andnotevenhisintensetrainingcouldcontrolthespeedofhispulse.Itwaslikeshewastheonespecificallymadeforhim,andhisbodyrecognizeditsmate.

Samremovedhisbootsbeforehecrawledinbesideher.Itwasatightfit,whichhedidn'tmindatall.

Helaylikeshewas,onearmoutstretchedtosupporthisheadashefacedher.Merginghisfingerswithhers,Samenjoyedthesimpleactofholdingherhand.Herswassosmall,andsoft,andincrediblyfemaleclaspedinhislargeroughpalm.

Shewasperfectlyrelaxed,herslenderbodyconformingtothethickbranchessupportingthefloorofthetent.Hescannedherface,soperfectinreposeandjustinchesfromhis.Shewasprettierwhenshewasawakeandherfeaturesanimated;asleepherbeautywasmoresubtle,butjustashearttwisting.Herbeautywasdeceiving.Shelookeddelicatewithherpale,freckledskinandamber-coloredhair.Butshewasastensileassteel.Samtouchedafingertothedarksweepofherlashes,dyed,she'dtoldhimonceunselfconsciously.

Hetrailedhisfingeroverhercheek,thenbrusheditgentlyoverthesweetcurveofherlowerlip.Shesmiledwithoutopeninghereyes."What'sthescoop?"sheasked,hervoicethickwithsleep.

"Desi'sbeenheldup.He'llbehereinafewhours."

Sheopenedslumberoussherry-coloredeyes."Whatwillwedowithourselvesfortwohours?"

"Morelikethreeorfour."

"Thatlong?Justthetwoofusinthislittletent?"Shebrushedhishairoffhisforehead,thenstrokedhisforeheadwiththepadsofherfingers.HertouchtraveledlikewildfirethroughSam'sblood.Sheshiftedsothatherhipsalignedwithhis.NothingbetweenthembuttwothinlayersofLockOutandanerectionthathadstartedeighteenmonthsago.

"Ihatebeingbored,don'tyou?"shewhispered,tracingthecreasesbesidehiseyes,thentheshapeofhisnose,thentraileddowntoBraillehismouth,hertouchsoftasair.

Samtuggedatthezipperatthebaseofherthroatandstartedeasingitdowninchbyslowinch.Herpupilsdilated."Intolerable,"hetoldher,hisvoicethick.

"Anycardsinthatpackofyours?"sheasked,herhandtanglingwithhisasshestartedpullingthezipperdownonhissuit.Thebacksoftheirhandsbrushedastheirmovementsmirroredoneanother.Eachzipperparted,onetoothatatime.

"Nope."Hebenthisheadthefewinchesseparatingthemandskimmedhismouthoverhers.Herlipspartedandshewelcomedhiminside.Shetasted…likeheaven.EverythingSamhadeverwantedwasrighthereinhisarms.

BethtouchedhislowerlipwiththedamptipofhertonguemakingSam'sbreathsnaginhischest.Hepressedhisadvantageandlickedback,tastingthesweetnessofhermouthasifhe'dneverkissedherbefore.Afterwaitingsolongforthis,hedidn'twanttorushit.Tampingdowntheprimitiveurgetotakeherwithoutfanfare,hekissedhertenderly,withallthepent-uplonginghe'dbeensuppressingforayearandahalf.

Hekissedherlingeringly,succulently,enjoyingthehelloutofthetastesandtexturesofhermouthandtheincreasinglyurgentsoundofherbreathing.Bethreciprocated,hercoolfingersstrokinghisface,ratchetinguphisneedforherevenmore.

Shebrokeaway,pantingslightly,aflushridinghercheekbones."Isupposeteachingmetofireoneofyourgunswilldrawacrowd?"

"Thefour-andtwo-leggedvariety."HeusedhisthumbandpinkytospreadthetwohalvesofthedeepVaparttoexposethevelvetyroundnessofherbreasts.Smallandplumpandabsolutelyperfect.Hernippleswerethesamepalecoralasherlips,andalreadyhardandresponsive,justwaitingforhimtotastethem.

Shespreadherfingersonhischest,kneadingthemuscles,thenslidherhandacrosshispecstohisnipple."Swimmingisprobablyoutofthequestion?"sheaskedassherubbedathumboverthesensitivepeaks.

Hepinchedhernipple,makinghermoanlowinherthroat,thenshereciprocated,doingthesametohim.Samgrithisteethatthesweetsensationandusedhiswristtopushherzipperdownanotherfewinches."Leeches."

"Nasty."Abovetheirheadsherfingerstightenedinhis,asherfreehandwonderedrandomlyoverhischest,combingthroughhischesthair,makinghimcrazy.Shelickedtheseamofhislips,thenwhisperedinasultryvoice,"Wannaplaydoctor?"

ChapterSeven

"Godyes."Hisvoicewashusky,hiseyesdarkwithdesire.Elizabeththoughthishandshookalittleashegentlytouchedhercheek."Youbethepatientfirst.I'vewaitedtoodamnlongtoseeyounaked.AndifyouputyourhandsonmenowI'llgoofflikearocket."

"Howlong?"

"Eightinches?"

Elizabethlaughed."Howlonghaveyouwantedtoseemenaked?"

"Eighteenmonths,sixdays,andnineteenhours."

"That'salmostaslongaswe'veknownoneanother."

"It'sexactlyaslongaswe'veknownoneanother."

Hernipplespebbledandached.Shewantedhimtotouchhersobadly.She'dimaginedhistouchonherbreasts,dreamederoticdreamswhereSamkissedherbodyeverywhere.Shewantedthat.Shewantedhim."Whydidn'tyousayanything?"sheasked,pressingherhandoverhiswhereitcurvedaroundherbreasttoshowhimhowshewantedhimtotouchher.Hedidn'tneedinstruction.Thepressure,thepullandcaress,wereperfect.Hekneadedandstrokeduntilherbreathcaught.

"Youweremarried."Hebenthisheadtotakeoneeagernippleinhismouth,thensuckedhardenoughtomakehermoan.Shespearedherfingersintohishairtoholdhisheadthere.

"Then,"hesaidhuskily,trailinghistongueacrosstheuppercurveofherleftbreast."Youweretalkingdivorce."Histeethsurroundedthenipple,teasingandtastinguntilElizabeth'shipscameupoffthefloor.Itwashardtodrawinabreath.

"Thenyougotthedivorce."Sampulledthezipperdownonhersuitasfaritwouldgo,thenskimmedhisflathanddownherbelly.Hisfingersslidbeneathherskimpybluecottonpantiestotouchher."Then."Hisvoicewasthickassheshiftedtoallowhimaccesstoherwetheat.Heslippedtwofingersinsideher,andElizabeth'sbreathsnagged."BecauseI'msuchafar-thinkingguy,Iwaitedafull,interminable,yearto

besureIwasn'tgoingtobeyourtransitionallover."

Shereacheddownandurgedhimtoexertpressurewheresheneededit."RobandIhadaveryamicabledivorce."Itwashardtothink,letalonetrytotalk."I—I—Deeper.Yes,likethat…Ahhh—Ididn'tneedat-transitionalguy.Butoh,God,SamIwantedyoutoo.FromthemomentIsawyou."Hewithdrewhishand,andforamomentElizabethlaytherestunned."Don'tstop!"

"Gottagetnaked.Now."Hefinishedunzipping,thenpulledthetight-fittingfabricoffhisshouldersanddownhisbody.

Afterashakystart,Elizabethstruggledoutofherstoo.AndtheonlywayshemanagedthatwastakinghereyesoffSam'scutabsandtheswirlsofcrispdarkhaironhistannedchest.Shewantedtolickhimallover.

"Imustadmit,"shesaid,sittinguptoyankdownthelegs—pretendingthattheywerehavinganormalconversationonlysothattheydidn'tjumpeachother'sbonesinstantly—"that—"God,theyweresoreadyforeachotherthatshewonderediftheymightjettisonoffthebranchessupportingthetent.Shewasinsuchahurrytogetnaked,herhandsshook.

"Whenmyhusbandtoldmehe'dmetsomeoneelseIwashurt."Shekickedtheentireblacksuitoffandturnedtoseehimwatchingher,hisdarkeyesgleaminginthefalseduskinsidethetent.Elizabethplacedbothhandsonhischestandpushedhimontohisback.Shefollowedhimdown.Usinghimlikeaveryhard,notparticularlycomfortable,mattress.Itwassheerblissfeelinghisskinagainsthers.

"Notagapingwoundhurt,"shetoldhim,nibblingapathfromhisthroattohischin,whilehislargehandsskimmeddownherback."Because,"shelickedthecurveofhislowerlip,"wedidn'thavethatkindofpassion.ButhurtthatafterI'dworkedsohardtomakeourmarriagework,he'dgoneoffandfoundsomeoneelse."Sheopenedhermouthoverhisandfoundhistongue.Shefeltasthoughsparklersfiredoffinherblood.

Whileshekissedherwaytohisear,hescoopedherhairoffherneckandstartedtastingthetendonsthere,makinghershudder."ThenyouwalkedintotheclinicthatdayinthemiddleofallmypersonaldramaandIforgoteverything."

Elizabeth'smindwentblankashistonguetracedaneroticpathupthesideofherthroatandthenswirledinsideherear.

"A-Allthattestosterone,ablackeye,yourarmbleeding.AndeventhoughIthoughtyou'dbeeninsomeskankybarfight."Shesmiledathisgrowlofmockoutrage."Ithoughtyouwerethehottest,sexiestmanI'deverseen."

"Yeah?"hewhispereddirectlyintoherear.

Sheshuddered."Oh,yeah."Ithadbeenlustatfirstsight."Ithoughtyouweren'tinterested."Strugglingtomakesenseofherfailingmarriage,buildinganewpractice,andpayingoffmonumental

medschoolloans,Elizabethhadbeenbroadsidedbyhervisceralandblatantlysexualattractiontoastrangerwhenherlifewasalreadyinanupheaval.She'dputSamawaytothinkaboutlateatnight.Andthinkabouthimshehad.Withthewayherlifewasgoingatthetime,shewasalmostrelievedthathehadn'tfeltthesameimmediateattractionthatshehad.Ifboththemfeltthesameway,sheimaginedthatitwouldhavebeenimpossiblenottoactonit.Byhisapparentdisinterest,Elizabethhadmanagedtostaytruetohermarriagevows,howevertenuousthey'dbeen.

Herbrainwasfogging.Samflippedherover.Itwasn'teasy,thetentwasbarelybigenoughforthetwoofthem.Heleanedoverher,hisfingerstangledinherhair,hisgazehot,histhumbmakinglazycirclesathertemple."ThatkissIplantedonyousixmonthsagodidn'tgiveyouahead'sup?"

"Itgavemepheromonesandbloodpressureup,"sheassuredhim,tracingthecurveofhissmile.Eventhoughherbodypulsedandthrobbed,andshewaswetforhim,theirlazy,we-have-all-the-time-in-the-worldconversationwasdrawingoutthefinishunbearably."ButthatwastheonlyindicationthatyouevenknewIexisted."

Hisfingersskimmeduptocupherbreastwhereitplumpedagainsthischest.Elizabethshiftedtogranthimaccesstohernipple.Hesqueezeditthissideofexquisitepain,thenstrokedhisthumbovertheerectpeak.Thesensationshotdirectlytoeverynervecenterinherbody.

"Youdidn'tnoticeIwaspracticallystalkingyou?"Hedemanded,kneeingherthighsapart.

"IdidnoticethatyouwereprettymucheverywhereIwas,yes.Butyounevercameoverandtalkedtome.Neveraskedmeout.YoukissedmeonceandthenIdidn'thearfromyouagain.Youdisappearedforamon—"

Heslippedinsideher.Hotandhard."Ah.Younoticed."

"Wait.Don'tmove,"shebegged,thesensationtoostrong,toosweet.Shewantedhimsomuchherheartachedwiththeneed.Herehewas,thismanthathadsetherpulsesracingforwhatseemedlikeforever.Herehewas,SamPelton,withhishipsspreadingherthighswideandhiswarrioreyesgleamingashelookeddownintohers.YesYesYES!

"OfcourseInoticed."Shetriedtospeakaroundapantasshestartedtorockherhipsagainsthis."OneminuteeverywhereIlookedthere—Ah—Thereyouwere,thenyoukissedmeliketherewasnotomorrowanddisappearedforamonth.Itwasenoughto…give…agirlafreaking…complex."

Hispenisflexedinsideher,andElizabethmoaned,thenbithimontheshoulder.Thepleasurehewasgivingherwasindescribably,bothsharpandsweet.Herbodytightenedunbearablyaroundhimashethrewbackhishead,thetendonsinhisneckshowinginsharprelief.

"Iwasoutofthecountryonan—op."SampumpedhishipsandElizabethmadeasoftappreciativesoundinthebackofherthroat,strokingherhanddownhisback,thendigginghernailsintohishardbuttcheekashehithisstride."AndIwaswaiting—I'mtryingtodrawthisout,sweetheart.ButI'mgoingtogoofflikeVesuviusinaboutasecondifyoudon'tstopmovingundermelikethat.Lierealstill—Iwas

waitingtheyearout."

Shecouldn'tkeepstill,everythingtheydidpushedherhigherandhigher,untilElizabethdidn'tknowwhereshestoppedandSambegan.Herinternalmusclescontractedaroundhispenisburieddeepinsideher.Hishandsweregentleashestrokedherbackandherbehindinstrokesthathemaybethoughtweresoothing,butwereinsteadmakinghercrazywithlust,love,andneedalljumbledtogether.

Sam'sbodywasafurnaceabovehers,sweatgluingtheirskintogetherasSamskimmedhishanddownherside,thentouchedherintimatelywheretheywerejoined.Sheshiftedslightlytogivehimbetteraccess,andthought,Wefittogetherperfectly,andsaidoutloud,"Yes,Godyes,Ilovewhenyoutouchmethere.Justlikethat.Just.Like.That."And—Iloveyou.

Elizabethlovedthetasteofhisskin,lovedthescrapeofhisjawagainstherbreast,lovedthesmellofhim.Lovedthesatinyfeelofhistannedskinandcrisphairbeneathhermaraudingfingers.

"Ifiguredafterthat—Hmm."Shebithisearlobe,andhegroanedhispleasure,soshediditagain.Shefelthisdesire,anditdoubledherown."Ifiguredthatyouweren'tfollowingmeatall.Itwasastringofco-coincidences.Youtookmydormantlibidofromstalledtooverdrive,then—poof.Youweregone.Whenyoucamebackitwasifthatkisshadneverhappened.Iknewyouweren'tshy,soIwasconvincedyoujustweren'tthatintome."

"Makenomistake,"hesaid,hisvoicerawwithemotionashisthrustsbecamemoreaggressive,asifhecouldn'twaitanothersecond.

Tohelltryingtopostponethis.Elizabethwasjustaseager.Sheneededitnow."Doithard?shetoldhim,wrappingherlegsaroundhisnarrowhipsandlockingheranklesinthesmallofhisback.Shewantedtodevourhim,andsetheropenmouthonthethunderingpulseonhisthroat.

"Iwasintoyou.IneverywayamancanbeintoawomanIwasin…toyou."Heplungeddeep,sendingthembothovertheedgeinashowerofsensationthatlastedalong,longtime.

Samkissedhershoulder."Ourride'shere."

"Hmmm."Shestretched,thenwrappedherarmsaroundhisneck."Ithoughtwehadalatecheckout."Shetookalittleniponhislowerlip."How'dyoumanagetogetdressedwithoutwakingmeup?"

"Specialopstraining.Upandat'em,sweetheart.Wehaveareservationatanotherhotel.Onewithasoftbed,andnoroommates."

"Woohoo."

HersmilezingedthroughSam'sbloodstreamlikeliquidsunshine.Wantingtomakelovetoheragainwasn'tanoption,unfortunately.Hewaslookingforwardtomakinglovetoherforhoursonendwithno

interruption,andwithoutbeingdistractedlisteningforthebadguys.

Theirtimewouldcometolazeinbedallday.Thiswasn'tthatday.

Lookedliketheyweregoingtogetoutofhereinonepiece.IfThadiwe'smenweren'tsmarterthantheaveragechimpandhadmanagedtoeludehim.Iftheygotdownriverunscathed.Ifthehiddenchopperhadn'tbeendiscoveredandsoldforparts.NoneofthosethingswouldhavefazedSambefore.HavingBethwithhimchangedeverything.

"Here."HehandedhertheDEET."Themosquitoesarehavingafreakingconventionoutthere."

Heslidtowardthetentopeningandyankeddownthezipper."I'llwaitoutsidetogiveyouroom."

"Stay.Ilovebeingintightquarterswithyou."

Livinginaone-mantentwithBethsoundeddamngoodtohimtoo,butheshookhishead."You'dnevergetdressed."Hehadtokissheronemoretime.Supposedtobequick,butshethreadedherfingersthroughhishair,andheldhimforakissthatturnedhiminsideout.He'dneverbeenmuchofakisser,butBethmadehimaconvert.Reluctantlyhebroughtthekisstoanend."Don'ttakelong,"hetoldher,lovingthewayhereyeslostfocuswhenhekissedher."Wehavetomaketracks."Hecrawledoutontothelimbtogiveherroomtodress,butlefttheflapupsohecouldwatchher.

Sheshothimasassysmile,anddrewtheLockOutoverherbodylikeaseasonedstripper.

Hedraggedhisattentionawayfromherrosybreastsandscannedthejunglearoundthem.Thadiwe'smenwouldbegettingclose.SamhadgoneoutfortyminutesagotoreconnoiterwhileBethslept.Justbecausehehadn'tencounteredanymoresoldiersdidn'tmeantheyweren'toutthere.Thadiwe'sminionshadplentyoftimetorealizethatfiveoftheirmenhadn'treturned.Samhadapersistentitchonthebackofhisneck.Heneverignoredhisintuition.Itwasgainedbyexperience.

"Canweframethetentwhenwegetbackhome?"Bethasked,comingthroughtheopeningfeetfirst.ShelookedsensationalinthetightblackLockOut,herbrighthairdisheveledaroundhershoulders,herprettyeyesalertasshefinishedpullingthezipperuptoherthroat.Samranhisgazeunobtrusivelyoverthecutonhercheekandthetwoonherthroat.Nosignofinfection.Thenslidhishandunderherhairandpulledhertohimforaquick,hungrykiss.

"Nah."Hesmiledintohereyes."We'llpitchitinthebackyardanduseitforourannualfamilyvacation."Hewaitedforareaction,butdidn'tgetone.HisgutclenchedbeforeheremindedhimselfthatElizabethwasgoodatmaskingherthoughts.Hewasn'tevensureshe'dheardhim,asaparrot,blueandyellowwingsspread—screechedoverhead.Sheflinched,andhewonderedwhatitwouldtaketogetheroverherfearofbirds.Onethingforsure,hedidn'thavetimeforitnow.

He'dalreadypulledoutthesupportpegsonthetent,anditwasasimplemattertocollapsethefabricandstuffitbackinthebag.Heheldupherfavoritesilkblouse,thepinkliberallyspatteredwithdriedbrownblood."Ineededtobringyouclothingsothey'dthinkyou'dwornitoutofthere."Heheldtheshirt

upinawad."Wanttotryandsavethis?"

Bethshuddered."Nothankyou.Imightneverwearpinksilkagain."

"I'llburyit,andtherestofyourclothes,then.Ready?"

"AsI'lleverbe."Shescootedonherbuttasfarasthetrunk,thenstoodtoclimbdowntotheground.Itwashotterthanhell.Hotandsteamy.Hercheekswereadelicaterose,andSamthoughtthatpinkwasn'tsobad.

Shesmiled."I'llbefinenotseeingthecolorgreenforawhile.ButI'llmissthetent."

ChapterEight

"Mboté!Mboté!Boss-man,"Desicalledwithashit-eatinggrinashepaddledadecrepit-lookingpirogueuptoshore.HelookedridiculouslylikeayoungDenzelWashington,andworeraggedcut-offcargopants,andaroyalbluevestwithredandyellowhousecatsprintedonit.Aroundhiscleanshavenheadhe'djauntilytiedagrayandgreenstripednecktie.Theentireensemblewouldmakeadamnfinetargetforanyoneonshore.Asifhehadn'tacareintheworld,Desijumpedoutoftheboatinthigh-deepwateranddraggeditclosertoshore.

"WhathappenedtotheZodiac?"Samasked.Hesuspectedheknew.Desihadsoldit,andeverythinginit,totherebelsforaprettypenny.He'dthenprobablyspentthe"mbongo"he'dgottenonhisnewladyfriend."Ineed…"Desilookedpitifulandmimedeating."Koliya.Yes?"

Theguywasastrappingthirtyyearoldinnodangerofstarving."Hell,no.TheZodiacwasn'tyourstosell."Desigavehimablanklook."Nevermind."Therewasnopointarguing."Let'sgo."

Samtossedbothpacksintothemiddleoftheboat.

"Everpaddledacanoe?"heturnedtoaskedBeth."DesiandIwillberowing,butitwouldn'thurtforyoutoknowhow.Justincase."

Justincase?Elizabethresistedturningherheadtoscanthejunglesurroundingthemforsnipers."I'vedonetherowingmachineatthegym,soIcanprobablyhandleit."

ShedemonstratedhertechniqueforSam,practicingintheairwhileheadjustedherleft-handgripjustafraction.

"Trythatagain—Keeptheoarasverticalaspossible.Good.Okay,let'sdoit."Shestartedtocrosstothewater,butSamputhishandonherarm."Nopointinusbothgettingourfeetwet.Here,I'llcarryyou."Sheexpectedafireman'slift,butSamswungherupinhisarms.

Itwasasillyromanticgesture,onesheloved.Godhelpher,Elizabeththought,shockedbythe

realization.Shelovedhim.He'dproventhathewantedher.Butthatwaslust.DidtheconceptofloveevencrossthemindofamanlikeSam?Sheseriouslydoubtedit.Hewasn'thardwiredthatway.Yethe'dmentionedasharedbackyard.Shewonderedifthatwasjustathrowawayremarkorifheactuallymeanttheyhadafuturetogether."YouTarzan,"shejoked,loopingherarmsaroundhisneck.

HeloweredherintothesmallcanoewhileDesihelditsteady."Hangontomeasyouputonefootin…nowcrouchdown,grabthegunwaleandtransferyourweightbeforeputtingtheotherfootin."

Shedidasheinstructed,withoutmishap,thankGod.Thesun,straightupandbroilinghot,beatdownonherunprotectedhead.Withoutaword,Samleanedoverandwithdrewablackballcapfromoneofhispacksandplaceditonherhead.

TheboatbarelyseemedbigenoughtoholdthreeadultsandSam'sheavypacks.

Samflungalegintotheboatandshotherasmileashecarefullyloweredhimselfbehindher."We'regoingtogetoutofhereinonepiece.Ipromise."

Firstthehat,nowheknewhowscaredshewas."Areyouamindreader?"sheaskedoverhershoulderassheadjustedthecaptobettershieldhereyes.

"I'mastudentofDoctorElizabethBennettGoodall.Okay,Desi.Let'sgetthepartystarted."Thetwomenstartedpaddlinginsloweasystrokesthattookthemouttothemiddleoftheriver.

Herheartdidalittlezig-zagatSam'sresponse."What'smyfavoritecolor?"

"Purple."

"What'syourfavoritefood?"

"Sameasyours.Italian."

"Favoriteicecream?"

"Vanilla.YoursisRockyRoad.Keeptothemiddleoftheriver,Desi.Betterchanceofbeingseen,butlesschanceofencounteringmostofthewildlife.Watchoutforhippos."Elizabethpresumedhewastalkingtoherandnottheirguide."They'reviciousandfast.Anddon'tputyourhandsanywherenearthewater.Snakesandcrocs."

"Ididn'tevenwanttoputmyhandsintheThameswhenKessandIwentonthatrivercruiselastyear.Believeme,I'llkeepmyhandstomyself.Thiswaterlooksalivewitheveryknownparasiteandcreepy-crawlyknowntoman."Shewasn'tsurewhichwasscarier,thecrittersshecouldseeorthoseshecouldn't.

"Canyouswim?"

"I'mnotgettinginthewater."

"Braceyourfeetonthesidesandbringyourpaddlesinandlockthem.There'swhitewaterahead."

"Whitewater?"

"Rapids."

"Thatwasrhetori—"Herwordscutoffwithascreamasthesmall,narrowpirogueslewedsidewaysinafrothofwhitewater.Shegrabbedthegunwalewithbothhandsandbracedherfeetasbestshecould.Hadn'tshebeentheonecravingadventure?Theadrenalinespikewaspurefear.

"Digdeepandholdon!"Samyelledoverthescalingthunderofthewater.Theboatpitchedsideways,goingdownatasteepangle."Forwardpaddle—hard!"

Themen'soarsweren'tinthewaterbecausetheywereridingonair.Itwaselectrifying.Terrifying,butheartthumpingexhilarating.Elizabethhungonfordearlife,andliftedherfacetothediamondsofsprayjettisoningaroundher.Ifshewasgoingtodie,shewasgoingdownwithafight.

Theboatcamedownwithabonejarringthump.Treesandbusheswentbyinablurofgreensandbrownsastheyshotdownstream,slewingsideways,bumpingandjostlingastheunrulywatertossedthemfromleveltolevelinuntidyincrements.Downtherapidsalmostontheirnose,thenjoltingthembackwardsuntilshewaspracticallyinSam'slap.

"Hangon.There'smore,"heshouted.

Elizabethnoticed.Therewasmorewhitewaterallright.Lotsmore.Thewaterfrothedhighoverthesidesofthepirogue,drenchingthemall.Maybeinsteadofbeingexhilaratedsheshouldbepraying.Shetriedit,butherbreathcaughtastheyglancedoffasubmergedrockandliterallywentflying.Down,down,down,overtherocksanddebristhatswirledandtumbleddownaseriesofcataracts.

"Holdon!Holdon!"

Thump,slam.Intoaflumewherethewaterracedaroundasharpbend,thendroppedsevenoreightfeetoveraledge.Elizabeth'sbreathcaught,andherheartstayedinherthroatastheboattippedandswayedwiththeforceofthethrashing,churningwatertossingthemaroundlikeachild'stoy.

Shewastooscaredtoclosehereyes,andtooterrifiednotto.Thismadetherollercoasterridesshe'dtakenasakidpaleintoinsignificance.

Theylandedwithabone-jarringskid,thenslidbackwardsoverashortdrop.

"Catchyourbreath,"Samtoldherwhentheyseemedtohavedroppedintoapoolofcalmbelowtherapids.Thelittleboatbobbedabit,thenglidedthroughthewater."You'vegotabouttenminutesbeforewehitthenextset."Heplacedhishandonhershoulder."Enoughadventureforyou,sweetheart?"

Elizabethturnedherheadtosmileathimthroughthewaterdrippingfromherhatbrimandoffherlashes."It'sfreakingterrifying.ButI'llrememberthisfortherestofmylife.Howdidyoumakeitupstream?"

"Pottage—Ah,shit.Desi,haulass.Now!Go.Go.Go!"

Elisabeth'sheartleaptintoherthroatagain.Nowwhat?Shespunaroundtofacefront."What—Oh,myGod."

Thadiwe'ssoldiers,gunspointingrightatthem,linedthebanks.Thethreeofthemintheboatweresittingducks.

ChapterNine

Kneeling,Sampaddledasfastashecould.Inthefrontofthepirogue,Desi'shandsandarmsglistening,achocolate-coloredblurashedughisoarsintothewater,pullingtheboatwithhim.Thadiwe'smenwerefiringroundafterround.Thousandsofbirds,inhundredofspecies,werecatapultedoutofthetreesbythenoise.Squawkingandcryingout,theyflewinatidalwaveofmulticoloredbeatingwingsupintothesunbakedair.

Samfeltaburnzingacrosshisupperarm.Itdidn'tslicethroughtheLockOut,buthefeltthesting.Ignoreit.Pull.Pull.Pull."Beth.Getdown.Lower,damnit."Bulletscrisscrossedoverhead,cuttingthroughthewater,orricochetingoffnearbyrocks.Beth'scapwentspinningovertheside,andSam'sheartfuckingstoppedinhischest."Beth?"

Shewasbentover,herheadonherknees."I'mokay.I'mokay,"sheshouted,hervoicemuffled.

Thadiwe'smenhadchosenwell.Therivernotonlycurvedblindlyrightaftertherapids,italsonarrowedtojustafewhundredfeetwide.Itwouldthenbeimpossibletomisstheboatoritsoccupants.Toreturnfire,Samwouldhavetostoprowing.Rightnowhewasn'tstoppingforanything,oranyone.Speedwasgoingtosavetheirasses.Speed.Andluck.

Thesoldierswererunningdownstream,tryingtokeepparallel.Fortunatelythebankwaslitteredwiththickvegetationanditwasn'tasmoothrun.Butitwasdamnwellimpossibletododgethatmanybullets.

Thepiroguesweptunderalow-hangingbranchwherealeopardwassunningitself,itsamberspottedbodysleekandlethallybeautiful.Thecatraiseditsmagnificenthead,anditsmusclesflexedbeneathitsglossyfurastheboatflewbeneaththebranch."Staywhereyouare,Spot,"Samwarned.That'salltheyneeded:apissed-offcatintheboatwiththem.

"Takeit,Desi,"Samyelled,waitingforDesitoadjusthisstrokestomakeallowancesforSamtakinghishandsofftheoars.ThesecondDesiwasrowingonhisown,SampulledouttheMP5andreturnedablastoffire.Twomenwentdown,splashingintothewater.Eighthundredroundsaminuteshadalotof

stoppingpower.

Hechamberedanother9x19mmParabellumammunitioncartridge.Thirtyroundsleftalotofholes.Hewascountingonit.Theroller-delayedblowbackmechanismoftheweaponfiredfromaclosed-boltposition.Whenthetriggerwaspulled,theboltwasalreadylockedforwardagainstthecartridge,whichreducedtheamountofmechanicalmovement,improvingaccuracy.AndSamneededeveryadvantagehecouldget.

Hegotanothermanmidair,astheguytriedtovaultoveralog.Twomorewho'dchosenwadinginthethigh-deepwaterlappingtheshoreratherthantheobstacleracethatwasthebank.Samgotthembothinonesweep.

Hesawthealternateviewoftheleopard'stailorheadorstreamlinedbodyasitranbehindthesoldiers,stealthyandwellhiddeninthebrush.Itwaskeepingwellback,buthaulingass,readytopounceshouldamanfallbehind.

Samknewtheyhadmaybeaminuteorthreebeforethenextsetofrapids.Notassteepasthefirst,butnavigationwouldrequirebothhisstrengthandconcentration.Therivernarrowedsubstantiallyrightthere,andthedropwasperhapstwelvefeetinahundredyardstretch.Therewasn'tachanceinhellthesoldierswouldmissthematthatrange.Sam'sheartracedwithanticipationasbulletsstrafedthewaterbesidetheboat.Severalhitabovewater,strikingthepiroguebutmissingthembyfractionsofaninch.

"WhatcanIdo?"Bethshouted,stilldoubledover.

"Nothing!"Jesus.Shewasenoughofatargetasitwas.Hedidn'twanthersittinguptotakestockofthesituation."Staydown!"Hereturnedfire.Gotanotherrazeonhisshoulder,hurtlikehell,butagain,didn'tcutthroughtheLockOut.Thebullethittheinsideoftheboat,inchesfromBeth'sback,makingSam'sheartleapintohisthroatandlodgethere.

Asmallchunkofwoodflewoff,hittinghimjustabovehiseye.Bloodtrickleddownhisface,blindinghimtotheleft.Shit.Hewipedhisfaceonhisshoulder,thenfiredintoagroupoffourmenclusteredonajutoflandjustahead.Thesoldierswentdownlikebowlingpins.

Afour-coursemealforthegiantcrocthathadslippedintothewaterafewfeetawayontheirarrivalandnowturnedbackinalashoftailandjawstocollect.

SamsawThadiweimmediately.Thetangotoweredoverhissoldiersbyagoodeightinchesandstood,legsspread,armsakimbo,ashismenaimedtheirweaponsattheapproachingboat.

Samshiftedthesubmachinegun,centeringthesightofthebetweenThadiwe'sclose-seteyes."Here'sthatfacialreconstructionyouwantedsobadly,asshole."

Thadiwe'sheadexplodedlikeawatermelon.

Excellent.SavedSamareturntrip.

Thesoldiersleapedintoactionasanothercrocwhippeditsheadaroundastheman'sbodycrashedintothetallreeds,halfin,halfoutofthemuddywater.Thewhitespumeflungupbythecroc'sfrenzyturnedcrimsonashedraggedthetangodeeperintothewater.

Thesoldierstriedtomakeupfortheirinattentionbyfiringoffabarrageofbulletswilly-nilly.Theirenthusiasmwasadmirable,buttheiraimsucked,evenatthiscloserange.Mostofthebulletsmissedtheirtargetbyseveralfeet.SamhappenedtoglanceinDesi'sdirectionasabulletslicedthroughtheman'supperthigh.Theinjurywasdeep,andbled.Alot.Theothermanfalteredforamoment,thenattackedthewaterwithhisoarslikeamanpossessedasthesoldiersgaugedthetargetbetterandstartednarrowingthegapbetweenhitsandmisses.

Elizabethsmelledthefamiliarmetalicscentofbloodoverthefruity/muddysmelloftheriver.Sam.SheliftedherheadjustenoughtoseethatitwasDesiwho'dtakenahit.Hewasrowinglikeamadman.Theoarsslicedthroughthewater,sendingupspraysanddropletsthatsparkledinthesunlight.Oneithersideoftheriver,meninuniformwererunningastheyfiredtheirweapons.Thenoisewashorrendous.Thesoldiersshouting,animalsscreaming,thethrashofthenarrowboatmovingrapidlythroughthechoppywater.Andbirds.Flyingaboutwildly,theircriesaddingtothecacophony.

NoneofthatmatteredtoBethrightthen.Desi'swoundwaslifethreatening.Hewaslosingtoomuchblood,waytoofast.ShegrabbedthesmallestofSam'spackswhichrestedbetweenherfeet.

"Staydown,forGod'ssake."

"Desi'sbeenhit.WhatdoyouhaveinherethatIcanuse—Ah.ThankGod."Sam'skitcontainedanewdeviceshe'donlyreadabout.A"WoundBullet."Aningeniousclosuredevice.

Haulingthepackwithher,ElizabethscootedonherbutttowardDesi.Theboatrocked,andallofthemyelledoutatthesametime.ShefeltforthedistalpulseatDesi'sankle.Weak.Buthereactedathertouch,whichwasgood.Hisskinwaswarm.Alsogood.

Whilesheknewitmusthurtlikeblueblazes,itwasanuncomplicatedwound.Nomajorarterialorbonedamage.Buthisleglookedlikemincedmeat.She'dneverusedaWoundBullet,butshe'dreadthearticlesinJAMA.

"Beth,getyourassbackhereandstaydown."

"Inaminute."Shewasn'tabouttotakecoverwhileDesiwaslosingbloodjusttwofeetawayfromher.

"Now,Goddamnit!"

Stayingaslowasshecould,Elizabethquicklyswabbedthewoundasshetriedtoremembereverythingshe'dreadaboutthemechanismshewasabouttouse.Theclosuredeviceconsistedofametalshaftwithinacylinderthroughwhichstandardsutureswerethreaded."Okay.Let'sseehowthisthing

works."

Sheunderstoodthebasicprinciple.Brilliant,really.Byturningtheinternalshaftwiththeuseofasimpletool,Elizabethinserteditintothewoundandappliedtensiontothesurroundingtissue.Shemaintainedthepressurebyperiodicallytighteningthesutures.Becausethetensionwasevenlydistributed,approximationsmoothlyfollowedthenaturalcontourofDesi'sleg.Thegaping,bloodywoundslowlyclosed.Wow.Samhadsomeverycooltoys.Blockingoutthenoise,shepretendedthatbulletsweren'tflyingaroundthem.Findingapressuredressing,shecoveredtheincisionasbestshecould;hislegwaswet,andshehadnothingtodryitwith.

"He'lllive,"Samyelled,soundingseriouslypissed."Getyourheaddown.Now."

Okay.Okay.Shegotherheaddown.

"Rapidscomingup,"hesaidalmostredundantlysincethelittleboatwasslewingandbouncingandboomerangingoffrocksandthewaterwasfrothing,splashingaroundthem."Holdon,"headdedalsounnecessarilyasElizabethroseindependentlyoftheboat,thenlandedonherbuttwithathunkthatjarredherteeth.

Desiwasbleedingthroughthebandage,butshecouldn'tdoanythingaboutit.Allshecoulddowasholdon.Andpray.

Sheunsnappedtheoarsbesideheranddugthemintothewater.BehindherSamcursed.

Betweenthethreeofthemtheymanagedtoruntherapidswithouttippingthepirogue.Andwithoutbeingkilled.Bysomefreakingmiracle,theyoutracedtheenemyandendedupincalmwaterwithnotasoldierinsight.

AllinalladamngooddayasfarasSamwasconcerned.TheydroppedDesioffatthesmallruralhospitalnearhisvillage,thenborrowedhisbrother's,brother-in-law's,sister's,aunt'strucktogetthemtowhereSamhadleftthehelicopterinasmallclearingjustoutsidethevillage.

"Youcanflythisthing?"Bethasked,limpingslightlyasshecrossedthesoggygrasstoagroupofmensittinginthreadbarelawnchairsnearby.Thefivemenroseastheyapproached.Desihadassuredhimthathisuncleswouldprotectthechopperwiththeirlives.Theydidn'tlookasthoughthey'dhadtoforfeitanybodypartsastheygreetedSamandBethwithwidegrinsandhandshakesallaround.

Samhadretrievedhiswalletfromthepack,andnowpeeledoffthelocalcurrencyinpayment."Mbongo,thankyouforprotectingmychopper."Heofferedthemoney,whichtheyacceptedwithbowsandgreatceremony.Althoughheknewtheydidn'tunderstandhisthanks,theygotthegist.Moneyinhand,theytraipsedacrosstheweedyfieldtodrivethetruckbacktothevillage.

"Iseverythingwhereit'ssupposedtobe?"Bethasked,eyeingtheBlackhawksittingincongruouslyinthemiddleofafieldbeingsurveyedbyfiverippedandtornpiecesoflawnfurniture,arainstormofcigarettebuttsonthedrydirtsurroundingthem.

"Looksgood,"hetoldher,ashedidavisualscan.Therotorswereintact,andthebodylookeduntouched."Don'tworry.I'llchecktobesure."Hetookherhandastheygotcloser.Theblackpaintgleameddullyinthelateafternoonsun."How'reyourlegs?"

"Musclecramps.I'mgood."Yeah.Shewasgood.Andexhausted.AndsofuckingbravethatSamwantedtothrowthelittletenttothegroundandcrawlinsidewithBethrightthereandthen.Notforsex,althoughGodonlyknewhewantedthattoo.Butjusttokeephernexttohisheart.Theimageofthemlyingtogether,inacooldimroom,heldenormousappeal.

They'dhavethat.

Andeverythingelse.

"Yeah,Icanflythisthing.Here."Heopenedthedoor."HopinwhileIdothepreflightcheck."

Heliftedherup,hishandslingeringonhernarrowwaistforasecondbeforehedepositedherintheleatherseat.

Fifteenminuteslatertheywereairborne.AndanhourlatertheywereintheBombardierChallengerbeingflownbacktoMontana.

Thecompanyjetwassleekandcamefullyequipped.Assoonasthepilotreachedcruisingaltitude,SamreleasedtheirseatbeltsandtookBethtotheaftcabinwheretherewasnotonlyaluxuriousbathroom,butalsoabed.

Samturnedherintohisarmsthesecondhe'dkickedthedoorshut."There'sabedbackhere."HisvoicewasthickashepinnedhertothewallandyankeddownthefastenerstogetheroutoftheLockOut."We'renotgoingtomakeitthatfar."Herbeautifulbreastsandtheslopeofherbellywereexposedashebitlightlyonthetendonsonherneck,enjoyingthewayherbodyshudderedinresponseandherarmscameuparoundhisneck,herfingersfistinginhishair.

Herskinwascoolandsoft,sosoft.Sammulti-taskedashebackedherintothebathroom,strippedheroutofthesuit,andkissedher,allwithoutmissingabeat."IwishIwereanoctopus,"hemurmuredagainsthermouth,freeingahandtoreachintoturnontheshower."ThenIcouldtouchyoueverywhereIwant,allatthesametime."

Beth'seyeswerefilledwithlaughterasshehelpedhimstripoffhisownsuit,madecomplicatedbecausehewassoerecttheskintightsuithadtobepeeledawaycarefully."It'saloooongflight."Shegavehimaglittery-eyedinspectionashekickedthesuitoffeachfootandsteppedfree."Youlooklikea—"

"Guywithahardon?"SamhopedtoGodhisreactiontoherwouldsimmerdownjustalittleinafewyears.Itwasdamneduncomfortable,nottomentionembarrassinghavingthiskindoferectionanytimehewaswithinfivefeetofher.Especiallyinpublic.Heswallowedalaugh.Christ.Thiswasnevergoingto

end.He'dbeninetyandshe'dwalkintotheroom,andhewouldn'tneedawalker.

"Oh,yeah."Sheplacedbothhandsonhischest,andpushedhimaheadofherintotheshowerstall,whichwasalreadyfilledwithsteam.

Herfairskinlookedincredibleagainsttheglossyblacktile—notthatSamwastakingtimetoadmirethescenery.Hismouthwentdryaslustsurgedandintensifiedtothebrinkofpain.Hebackedheragainstthewall,thenliftedherlegsaroundhishipsasthehotspraypoundedhisback.Armswrappedaroundhisneck,Bethgaveahelpfullittlehop,thentightenedheranklesinthesmallofhisback.

Heshudderedasheenteredhermoistheat.Theybothgroanedattheexquisitesensation.

"Oh,God,Sam.Thisfeels—Feels—"Unbearable.Wonderful.Intense.Hisbodywashotagainsthers,thehaironhischestabradedherbreastsdeliciously.Elizabethcapturedhismouthinahungrykiss,herowntongueeageranddemanding,herhipsmovingfranticallyagainsthis.Shelovedthetasteofhim,thesmellofhisskin.Shelovedthewayhisbodythrustintohersoverandoveragain,sothatshedidn'tknowwhereherbodystartedandhisbegan."Harder.Harder.Harder,"sheurged,herbackslammingagainstthecoldtileashesurgedintoherwithapowerandheatthatmadeherbodyshakeandshudder.

Hedevouredhermouth.

Thekisswentonandon.Hotandwet.Tongues,slickandinconstantmotion,slidandslitheredinamotionmimickingpenetration.Herbreathhitchedandcaught.Shemadeasoundinthebackofherthroatandshudderedwiththebeginningofahardfastclimax.

"Notyet,"Sammutteredthickly,withdrawingalittleanddragginginaharshraggedbreath,hardfingersgrippingherasscheeks."Not."Herammedhomeagain,bitingdowngentlyonherearlobe.

Elizabeth'sbackarchedasherbodytightenedunbearably."Yet."Hepulledout,slickandhard.Hotandgreedy.

Hebroughthertotheveryedge.Againandagain.Prolongingtheclimaxinacarefullychoreographeddancethathadherclawinghisbackasviolentrippleswrackedherbodymakingherpantandsweatandmoanhisname.

"Nownownow,"shechanted,tighteningherarmsandlegsaroundhimashepoundedintoher,thesweettorturealmostunbearable.

Inanswer,Samcrushedhismouthbackdownonhersashethrustinsideheragainandagain.Strongandrelentless,hecontrolledthespeedandintensityofhisthrustsasifhecouldreadherbody'severyactionandreaction.

Harderandharder.Closerandclosertogether,untilshecouldn'ttellwherehebeganandsheended.

Elizabethopenedhereyes,andSam'swerethere,alsoopen,waitingforher,consumingherwiththe

heatofhisgaze.Sheletherlashesfall,scaredhe'dseetoomuch.Iloveyou.Iloveyou,Iloveyou.Bloodthunderedinherears,roaringthroughherveinsinasweetblazethatlefthershakingandneedy.Sheheldhimwitheverywell-tonedmuscle,insideandout,asheplungedintoherlikeahard-drivenweapon.Hungerwasitsownrewardandcarrieditsowndemand.

ElizabethburiedherfaceagainstSam'sshoulder,butthatdidn'tmuffleherscreamastheyclimaxedtogetherhardandfast.

"I'manoodle,"shegasped,herlegsrefusingtounclasp.

"Sincewe'rehere,mightaswellmakeuseoftherestofthewater."Whichwasnowdecidedlycool.Itfeltgoodonherburningskin.Samreachedfortheliquidsoapinacontaineronthewall,andstartedwashingher,startingwithherhair.

Elizabethleanedherheadagainstthetiledwall,eyesclosedasheusedhislargehandtowashherfaceandthroat,thentrailedhisfingersoverhersoapybreastsuntilshemuttered,"Nofair,"andslidherlegsfromaroundhishipssoshecouldstand.Herlegsfeltevenmorenoodlelythanbefore.

Shepushedthebuttononthecontainerandgotahandfulofscentlesssoapinherpalm."Youareadirty,dirty,boy."

"Man."

Herhandsslickeddownhissides,thenhonedinonhiserection.Cuppinghislength,shesmiledashersoapyfingerstightenedaroundhim."Allman,allthetime,"sheagreed."Thisisgoingtotakemesometime,leanbackandcloseyoureyes.I'llletyouknowwhenI'mdone."

Sam'schuckledturnedintoagroanasElizabethskimmedherlipsfromhischestdowntohisrockhardbellyasherslickfingerswenttowork."Justsoyouknow,"shesaid,whenhermouthreachedthenestofcrispdarkhairathisgroin."Thisisunchartedterritoryforme,letmeknowifIdon'tdoitright."

InanswerSamtangledhisfingersinherwethair."You'redoingit—Jesus,Beth!"hesaidasshetentativelytookhimintohermouthandusedhertonguetomakehisentirebodyjerksatisfactorily."Per-fec-tly."

Justbeforehecame,Sampulledherup,andkissedher.

"Didn'tyouwantto—"

"Plentyoftime,"heassuredher,grabbinganotherhandfulofsoap.Heskimmedhislargehanddownoverherbelly,thenslidhisfingersdeepinsideher,bringinghertoasurprise,andimmediate,climaxbeforesheknewit.

"HolyMotherofGod.We'regoingtokilleachother."Shegaspedashewithdrewhisfingersandletherbodysagagainsthisasshefoughttoregainherbreathandherequilibrium."Givemeasectogetmy

breath,andthenlet'sgetoutofhere.IwanttomakelovewithyouinthatbedIdidn'tseeinthere."

Theytookturnswashingeachother,thenmadeloveagainslowly,thecoldwaterpoundingonSam'sbacksprayingherandmakinghershiverdeliciously.

Afterthelongestshowerinhistory,wherethewaterrancoldastheyranhot,hecarriedhertothebedwhereSamturnedthetablesonherashespreadherthighsandfeastedonheruntilshecriedoutmindlesslyandbeggedformercy.Thankfullyheknewwhentonottakenoforananswer,anddroveherovertheedgeofanunknownprecipiceuntilherbodywassoattunedtohisthatshecouldn'timaginebeinganywherethanrighthere,withhismouthbetweenherlegs,andthehumoftheplane'senginesthrobbingthroughherbodylikeanextrapulse.

Exhaustedastheywere,theymadeloveagainslowly.Thenagain,morequickly.Finally,tootiredtomove,theyslept,curvedaroundeachotherastheplanechasedthesun.

TheplanelandedatanairfieldElizabethdidn'trecognize,althoughsheknewwheretheywere.JustoutsideBrandon.Herstomachwasdoingflip-flops.Thiswasit.Elizabethundidherseatbeltasthesmallplanetaxieddowntherunwayandintoanenormoushangar."Nowwhat?"Shewastalkingaboutmorethanjustthenextfewmoments.

Thedoortothehangarclosedbehindtheplane,andtheywereplungedintosemidarknessjustbeforethelightsinthecabincametolife.

Sam'sexpressionwasunreadable.BackinMontanaforfivesecondsandhewasalreadythesameoldinscrutableSamPelton."I'mgoinghome,"hetoldher,shoulderinghispacksandstartingoffdowntheaisle.

"Oh."Herstomachhurt,butshedidn'tcomplainassherosetofollowhim.She'dexpecteditreally.Hopedthattheymighthaveafuturetogether,butknownthatwashighlyunlikely.Knownallalongthatshe'donlyhadhimtemporarily.Theknowledgedidn'tlessentheacheoflossinherchest.Itdidn'tmaketheprickleinhereyesgoaway.Sheswallowedthealmostunbearabledisappointmentasshedrankinthesightofhistallmuscularbodyjustafewfeetinfrontofherashestrodetowardthedoortotheplanewhichnowstoodopen.

Hepausedinthewideaisleandturnedaroundtofaceheragain,blockingherway.Reachingout,hecuppedherjawandElizabethheardthethud-thudasthepacksdroppedtothecarpetedfloorbehindhim."WhenIsayI'mgoinghome,ImeanI'mgoingwhereveryouare.Iloveyou,Beth.HavefromthemomentIlaideyesonyou.Iwanttomarryyou.IwanttotakeyoutoItaly,andmakelovetoyouinthesunshine,andinmoonlight.Iwantbabieswithyou.Andadog.Andagardenforthekidsanddogstoplayin,withroomforourtent.Iwantthewholepackage,DoctorElizabethBennettGoodall.Withyou."

Heartsingingwithhappiness,shewrappedherarmsaroundhisneck,lipscurvedinatriumphantsmile."Iloveyou,Sam."

"Marryme,"hewhisperedagainstherwaitingmouth."Ipromiseyoutheadventureofalifetime."

"Yes,"shesaidwhenheletherupforair."Whereveryouarewillbemyadventure.Let'sgohome,mylove."