still. A lone figure moved into view, and he sighed in relief. He’d know that slender outline and graceful stride anywhere. She was early. He grinned and stood up. Wanted to spend a couple of extra minutes with him, did she?
He stepped out into the path, and even in the heavy shadows, he saw her features light up at the sight of him. Damn, that sort of reaction from a pretty girl made a guy feel good.
“Hey you,” he murmured as she drew near.
She kept coming until she’d walked straight into his arms. “Hey you,” she whispered back. “I missed you.”
His arms tightened around her. “I missed you, too. How was your day?”
“I never thought tonight would get here,” she confessed shyly. “I got scared again this afternoon.”
This whole business had been hard on her. She was only twenty, barely more than a girl, yet here she was doing the work of a seasoned Special Forces soldier. He stroked her silky hair comfortingly.
She jolted against him as a leopard screamed somewhere nearby. “I hate the jungle,” she declared. “I hate Gavarone.”
“It’s almost over. And then you can get out of here and never come back. I’ll take you back to the States myself if you’d like.”
She leaned back and smiled up at him. “I’d like that. I’d like to see your Montana.”
Her eyes glowed and his heart felt as if it was going to burst out of his chest. The sultry night vibrated around them, alive and breathing with lush life. Julia’s lips parted slightly as she gazed up at him, their fullness glistening in what little moonlight filtered down through the canopy above.
He shouldn’t do it. He should leave well enough alone. But she flowed like golden honey in his arms, warm and smooth, and he’d wanted to do this ever since he met her. He angled his head down and touched her mouth with his. And sweet God, she leaned into him and all but devoured him back. No hesitation, no coyness. She might be a girl, but she damn well kissed like a woman. Before he knew what he was doing, he’d lifted her off her feet against him and completely lost himselfin her. Her fingers speared into his hair, tugging him closer, and he surrendered to her every bit as fully as she’d surrendered to him. How long they stood there, all but inhaling each other in mutual, desperate need, he had no idea.
A voice called out her name from behind them. Crap. Her bodyguard!
They broke apart, panting.
She murmured quickly, “My father has a meeting at midnight two nights from now at his compound. It’s important. He’ll be there for sure.”
“How’s he going to get there?” he asked fast.
“By car. Two more cars in front of him and one behind. All armored. Twelve to sixteen bodyguards. He’ll be a few minutes late and make his visitor wait for him.”
He nodded. “We’ll meet you behind the gazebo on the south side of the main driveway at 11:30 p.m. Don’t be late. Your safety will depend on it.”
She nodded her understanding, her eyes huge and frightened.
“Miss Ferrare? Where are you?”
Dutch looked over his shoulder. Time to go. But he couldn’t resist stealing a few more seconds with her. He gave her a quick, hard hug and kissed her fast. The fear in her eyes morphed into adoration. He released her and gave her a gentle push toward her bodyguard. “Scoot. I’ll see you in two days, and we’ll begin your new life, together.”
With a last, melting smile, she hurried off down the path. He stepped back quickly, melting silently into the darkness…
He jerked awake, battle ready. Something or someone had just touched him. Dark. Silent. No movement. The bedroom of a ski chalet materialized around him. Julia. Her soft hand rested on his upper arm. Their embrace in the jungle was still so fresh, so raw, he started to roll over and take her in his arms again.
Whoa. Reality check, here. That was a dream. Just a dream.
Or was it?
He could smell the rotten vegetation, feel the mosquitoes landing on his neck,
Sarah Woodbury
June Ahern
John Wilson
Steven R. Schirripa
Anne Rainey
L. Alison Heller
M. Sembera
Sydney Addae
S. M. Lynn
Janet Woods