roughly, she could sense an underlying affection and adoration. The men were real men who treated their women like goddesses that they not only worshipped but hungered for.
Some of the men, including Rosh, Renkon, and Walker, who were not involved with the women strode away from the fire, blending into the darkness surrounding the campground. She wasn’t sure if they’d gone into the woods or if they stood on the outskirts watching. Taking one last look at the sexual antics, she forced her mind back to the task she’d almost forgotten. Now was the time to make her getaway.
Checking to her right then to her left, she eased the flap back and slipped around the side of the hut. The tree line was several yards away and the area was dimly lit by the bonfire. Taking care to watch where she stepped, she ran as hard as she could to the trees then slipped under the low-hanging branches and into the forest.
Luck was with her as she came upon a dirt path that provided a break from the thick underbrush. She quickened her pace to match the quick beats of her heart. She hoped the path would lead to another campground or perhaps even a ranger station. She wasn’t sure where she was or even what state she was in, but every forest had rangers, right?
Stumbling, she let out a yelp then got back on her feet. Time meant nothing in the darkness, and she had no idea how long she’d traveled. At last, she had to stop and rest.
Sinking to the ground, she pulled off her shoes and turned them over, dumping out pebbles and sticks that were biting into her feet. A sound to her left had her freezing like a deer hearing a nearby predator, but when she didn’t hear the noise again, she let out a breath and calmed her nerves.
Take it easy. You can do this.
She glanced back the way she’d come. Would Rosh or Renkon come looking for her? She doubted it.
The sharp pang of disappointment deep in her gut surprised her. Why would she want them to? And yet, the memory of the way Rosh had held her, had cocooned her in his arms, came crashing back. The tender way Renkon had gazed at her left her wishing she could see that look one more time.
She wiped a tear from her cheek. She wasn’t crying about them. That couldn’t happen. She was just tired and a little scared. If she forced herself to think rationally and calmly, she’d realize that her emotions were out of whack from everything she’d gone through.
Should she try and find a place to hide and sleep through the night? Walking in the daytime would be safer and faster. Besides, she was exhausted and needed the sleep.
A different, louder noise not too far from her changed her mind. Pushing to her feet, she moved carefully but swiftly forward.
God, if you get me back safe and sound, I swear I’ll never drive in the snow again.
God, if you get me back safe and sound, I swear I’ll stay in Passion and never leave again.
God, if you get me back safe and sound, I swear I’ll adopt ten orphans.
She pushed a branch out of the way.
Okay, maybe not that third one. Instead, I’ll make a donation to the first church I see.
She paused to draw in a ragged breath. Was that running water? Was the waterfall nearby?
Listening as hard as she could, she tried to determine where the sound was coming from. At last, she headed off in a parallel direction, leaving the path to forge her way through the underbrush.
* * * *
Shay had taken his breath away the first time he’d seen her. Walker could still remember the intense sensation that swept over him as Rosh burst into the campground with her in his arms. Her body still glistened with drops of water as her arms hung limply by her sides. Her hair, a dark cascade trailing down to Rosh’s thighs, swayed with his movements and her skin was tanned and glowing. Long, dark eyelashes feathered over her skin and a rose tint colored her pale cheeks. Her chest was large, but not overly so, and led his gaze to the swell of her stomach. Her legs were
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