Uncaged Love, page 20
“Let go, baby. Take us both.” On his next drive, she cried out her release. He fell with her. He kept moving within her, drawing out their pleasure for what seemed like the longest orgasm he’d ever had.
He could barely stand, so he braced his knees against the rock and let his hands fall beside her hips. When she fell backward to stretch out on the warm dark boulder, she pulled him over onto her. Thank God. He wasn’t sure if he could remain upright another second. She’d milked every ounce of energy from him.
The mind-blowing sex had been the best in his life. No woman, not even Beth, had ever made him feel so hungry then so sated. Could it be like this every time with Harper? He’d make it his mission to find out.
“Christ, you’re good.” Harper finally spoke, her breathing still labored but recovering.
He wasn’t sure if he’d ever get his breath back. She thinks I’m good? No way. It was her. She’s fantastic. The best I’ve ever had.
Harper ran her palms down his back, neck to hips, and back again. She was comforting him. He felt her touch all the way to his soul.
No. He couldn’t let her do that. She was the wrong woman for him.
Sex. Yes. Definitely.
Into his heart? No. He could never let himself forget she had a dangerous job, which meant she could be taken away from him so easily.
“Just good chemistry. We’re explosive together.” That was all Rafe could admit to. It was only lust and had to stay there, in the physical.
Harper was the wrong woman. But she was the right woman for now.
He brushed away a stray strand of hair from her forehead and kissed the place it had been. She was beautiful, strong in body and mind. He nuzzled her neck and smelled the essence of Harper. He wished they were someplace safe where he could keep her in bed for days. Maybe then he’d get over his need for her. He kissed the spot she liked under her ear. Then he licked where his lips had just touched.
Damn, if he wasn’t getting hard again. He was still buried inside her. Her inner muscles pulsed around him.
Harper rolled her head and looked into his eyes. “Really?”
Rafe shrugged. “See what you do to me? It’s all your fault. I can’t help myself.”
She shoved him off to the side and slid out from under him.
“You’re going to have to take care of that yourself. I absolutely need a shower now, and then we need to get moving.”
Rafe stood, glanced down, and then to Harper’s eyes, about to make another suggestion.
She stared. Her jaw dropped fraction of an inch. Her sleepy, satisfied eyes flashed in disbelief.
He looked back at his erection.
“Oh fuck.” No condom.
As if she could read his mind, she said, “We’re tested constantly, and I’m healthy. I’m always careful.”
“I’m clean and healthy, too.” He spoke quickly. “I’ve never…” Rafe realized it was the truth. He’d never had sex without a condom in his life. Even with Beth. She didn’t do well on the pill, so he’d taken responsibility and consistently been prepared. “I’ve always used a condom. I guess you could say you were my first.” Maybe that’s why it felt so different, so much better. “But you could be pregnant.” Rafe hadn’t thought about children in years, but he was sure he didn’t want them with Harper.
“No worries. I’m on the pill. Have been for years. Female agents have to control our periods. One less thing to think about during a mission.”
Thank God. Dodged that mistake.
She moved to him and wound her arms around his neck. Her kiss was comforting. There she was again, reassuring him, taking care of him. He could get used to that. He could get used to her.
“Let’s go shower.” She led him by the hand to the waterfall.
They stepped behind the roaring water that smacked at their feet into a five-foot wide space where time and millions of gallons of water had eroded away the rock. Someday, the rocks that jutted overhead would weaken and fall, and the process would begin again. For now, nature provided them privacy and a shower.
Rafe had grabbed the soap on their way behind the thundering water and turned Harper so her back was to him. His erection throbbed as it poked her butt cheeks, but he concentrated on soaping his hands. Her body was warm against his chest as he reached around and began at her neck. He placed a kiss into her wet hair, and she leaned into him. He cuddled each breast in a hand and smoothed suds around and over her nipples before he slid his hands down her body and between her legs. She was ready for him again when he pulled his fingers up and down her center.
She arched her back, nuzzling her ass into him. Damn, he’d like to just bend her over and take her again. “Rafe…please?”
“Are you sure?” His voice was husky as she turned to face him and took him in both hands. Christ, what she could do to him with only a touch. Her kiss alone could make him hard, but when she touched him, he almost shattered.
“Oh, yeah. I’m sure.” Rafe picked her up, and she guided him in as she wrapped her legs around him. He backed her against the wet stone wall and pounded into her, fast and hard. She came almost at once, and he wasn’t far behind.
He rested his forehead on the cool rock surface beside her head. It felt so good on his overheated body. His muscles were no longer able to hold his bones together, to say nothing about standing and holding on to her, so he slid to the shelf smoothed by time and nature.
Harper rode him down with her legs loosely over his hips, straddled his lap, and dropped her head onto his shoulder. She let her arms fall to the sides. He held her, close, hands cupped on that perfect ass of hers, his head resting on her shoulder.
Sunlight shone through the sheet of water that unceasingly sprinkled droplets on them from the backside of the falls. Rafe wasn’t sure if he’d slept, or if it had just taken a long time for his brain functions to return. He ran a hand up Harper’s back, and she roused, as if she’d actually been asleep. He was sure she needed to sleep though. She’d physically and emotionally been through so much in the past few days.
“We need to finish our shower.”
With eyes barely open, she kissed him. Her lips were cool and wet from the mountain river that poured over them.
He rubbed her back with long strokes from nape to hips, enjoying the feel of her. He listened as each breath she took became deeper than the last as she forced herself awake. He liked the feel of her soft breasts against his chest rubbing up and down with each expanding breath. It felt right to hold her as she pulled her brain and body together from the depths of sleep. This is what it’d be like to have her awaken in his arms every morning.
“You’re right.” She stood, a bit shaky at first, but soon caught her balance and then moved toward the rush of water. Rubbing her hands together, she lathered the soap.
Mesmerized, he watched her run nimble fingers over her body, leaving a trail of bubbles that clung to her breasts as long as they could before they slipped down her flat stomach. Some caught in the fine hairs at the apex of her legs before she stepped under the waterfall. He was getting hard again. He stood and walked into the cool mountain water, drenching the fire that built within him, again.
Chapter 23
Harper took the lead as they followed the river toward the road that led to Popayán. She knew Rafe had put her in the front so they would move at her pace, and he could keep an eye on her. It was the right tactical decision—she would have made the same choice if she were the leader—but it irked her on some basic level.
She and Rafe were a team, and a good one. They’d watched out for one other, covered each other, been there for the other person when needed. She let Rafe take the leadership role in this team, thus silently agreeing to follow. But why had she let him be in charge?
Was it because he was a man? No, she didn’t think so.
Was he a better leader? Maybe. She was woman enough to admit that he probably had more experience in that role.
Did he have more skills than she did? He’d been a SEAL, but she’d had the same training…and more.
Or was it because he’d proven himself to her and she trusted him? Harper trusted Rafe with her safety, her body—and the pleasure he’d brought her in bed was beyond anything she’d ever experienced—and her life. Could she trust him with her heart?
She’d already broken her own rules with him and had sex during a mission, several times. But it was worth it. She’d needed that release and loved what they’d shared. More sex was in their future if she had anything to do with it, but it’d only be sex, no emotions involved. Once she got him out of her system, she’d boot him out of her bed, just like every other man.
But Rafe was different. The why of it made her brain ache almost as much as her muscles. Trudging up the steep mountains was hard work for her abused body. She winded easily. The drug reaction had severely damaged her stamina. Lack of sleep and lactic acid buildup made every muscle hurt as they stretched and pulled.
Rafe climbed right behind her and pushed her butt when she needed a boost. She liked the feeling of his big hands on her ass. Actually, she liked his hands on her anywhere, everywhere. He had talented fingers. Maybe it was the thought of what those hands did to her that caused her heavy breathing.
At the top of a ridge, Harper stopped and bent to catch her breath.
“We can rest if you need to. We could even take time out for a combat nap.” He sounded so concerned for her she almost melted into him, and not just from the oppressive jungle heat which seemed to dissolve her strength.
No. She’d push herself until she dropped, literally.
“I’m fine,” she snapped and stepped away. “It’s very steep, but I’m making it.”
With a brief nod, he said, “I’ll scout ahead and see if there’s another route.” He pointed to an animal trail that led off to the side. “Even the animals don’t go straight up.”
Harper watched Rafe’s tight butt and muscular back as he disappeared into the jungle. Damn, he had one of the best bodies she’d ever had the pleasure of touching. She plopped down on a boulder and dug in her backpack for a bottle and the miniature water purification pump.
He was an amazing lover. Rafe seemed to know just how she wanted it and could bring her to climax faster than any man ever had. For that alone she might keep him around a little longer. She leaned down and stuck the draw tube into a small eddy that formed before the clear water cascaded to create an even higher waterfall than where she and Rafe had showered.
They were good together, worked and played well. He was able to read her as easily as her team members. That was scary because she’d been on the ATF team for nearly two months and she’d barely known Rafe two days—or was it three now? Didn’t matter. They’d grown close in a way she’d let very few people in her lifetime. The little pump purred as clean drinking water filled her canteen.
Barely a rustle of ground scatter announced Rafe’s return. He emerged from the thick foliage, over six feet of muscle and sinew. His confident stride and square shoulders dared man or beast to challenge him. He was formidable…and hers.
Yeah. She’d keep him for a few days of needed play time. Then they’d go their separate ways.
Harper held out the filled container to him. He shook his head.
“Ladies first. My momma raised me right.” His smile and kindness brushed over her heart. Grateful, she took a deep drink then handed it to him.
After a long pull of decontaminated water, Rafe scanned her face with unhidden concern.
“How are you really doing?” There was that compassion, that honest caring. He sat beside her and scrutinized her face.
“I’m better,” she told him, but she knew he didn’t believe her.
“You almost died two days ago. It’ll take weeks for you to regain all your strength. Pushing yourself now isn’t going to help.” He took her wrist and felt her pulse then nodded, satisfied. No lover had ever been so thoughtful.
“I found a better path that will take us to the road,” Rafe said. “It’s only another two miles. There should be more traffic this time of day. Maybe we can hitch a ride into town.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Harper got to her feet, brushed off her butt, and stowed her water bottle in the side pocket of her backpack.
“I don’t like the looks of those clouds. I’d like to get to Popayán before the rain lets loose.” Rafe was right. It looked like one hell of a storm was about to break.
They made good time, even though the hot jungle seemed to drain more energy from her with every step. Rafe had kept a careful watch on her and helped whenever she’d let him. She’d bet he was prepared to carry her if needed. That wouldn’t be necessary because she heard the sputtering of motor vehicles.
They stepped out of the dense underbrush that clung to the roadside and saw the gray sky had turned pewter as storm clouds collided into the Andes mountain peaks. Daylight barely penetrated the water-soaked air six thousand feet above.
“It’s going to pour in a few minutes,” Rafe noted.
“Let’s hope someone takes pity on us and picks us up soon.” Harper checked the GPS once again and started walking down the pothole-ridden highway.
Rafe placed himself between her and the regrettably empty road, protecting her, again. She wasn’t sure if she was insulted or aroused by his thoughtfulness.
Thunder boomed above, and she kicked up the pace. They could always return to the jungle beside the road and hide under huge-leaved plants until the storm passed. It was an option if they didn’t get picked up soon.
Traffic seemed to come in waves. Several cars and delivery trucks whizzed by without stopping even though they both stuck out their thumbs in the universal hitchhiking plea. Often vehicles swerved into the other lane to avoid them.
Light sprinkles fell on her face as a dark SUV approached from the direction of Cali. Rafe’s hand instantly went to the grip of his holstered pistol, his only visible weapon. They’d stashed most of their arsenal in the backpacks so as not to scare off the good people of western Colombia, the kind of people they hoped would offer them a ride to Popayán.
“Look desperate,” he encouraged, “but be ready for anything.”
Harper turned toward the oncoming vehicle, waved, and smiled. They were in luck. The driver slowed and rolled down his window.
“We’re headed to Popayán.” The driver’s Spanish was atrocious, heavily English-accented, but his smile was wanton as his eyes raked the length of her body.
“You’re American?” Harper responded in English. He looked astounded and pleased, as if he’d been given a gift.
“Yes…yes we are. Hop in.” He nodded toward the back seat.
Rafe and Harper slid onto the bench seat behind the two men and shut the doors just as the clouds opened up and poured.
Before they were settled, the front seat passenger turned to look at them, his soft round face smiling, his New England accent undeniable. “We almost didn’t stop. You looked like all those militants that are running all over Popayán.” He blushed. “But then we saw you were a woman, and I just couldn’t leave you in the rain.”
Harper considered how many weapons she and Rafe carried on their bodies as well as in the bags. Militant was an appropriate description. Unfortunately, the two of them might need every weapon they had before they were safe.
“Thank you, sir. We really appreciate the ride. Ours broke down several miles back,” Harper explained. It was the truth, especially if she counted the chopper as their transportation.
Rafe looked at her with a good-job smirk.
Stretching as he twisted, the passenger extended his hand over the back of the seat. “I’m Dr. James Coleman, and this is soon-to-be Dr. Kent Nyland. He has yet to finish his dissertation and present it to me.” The two men exchanged a reproachful look.
Harper took his hand in a brief shake. “Good to meet you. I’m Harper, and this is my friend Rafe.” She hoped they’d miss the fact she left off last names and titles.
“Call me Kent,” the driver said as he waved and looked at them in the rearview mirror.
“Are you here for Puracé?” Rafe asked as he shook Dr. Coleman’s hand. “We heard she’s about to blow.”
“Yes, and just call me Jim.” His delight lit up his whole face. “We’re predicting an eruption will happen within the next forty-eight hours.”
“I take it you’re volcanologists?” Harper asked.
“Yes, from the University of Washington.” Kent spoke loudly over the pounding rain and flapping windshield wipers.
“I’ve brought several of my grad students down here to help with the experiments,” Jim explained. “It’s Kent’s first big blow.” In the rearview mirror, Harper saw the driver’s hazel eyes slide to the professor in disbelief. She bit her lips to stifle her smile. He was far too good-looking for her to believe that, but there wasn’t even a little tingle for him.
Rafe’s hand was warm as it captured hers. Jolts ran up her arm, her nipples pebbled, and her stomach jumped. She squeezed her legs together and knew she was already wet. Damn him that he could do that to her. Soon, she promised herself. She’d move him into her bed and wear him out. She’d get him completely out of her system, and then they’d go their separate ways. That was the plan. Maybe.
“Are you here for the volcano, too?” Jim looked at them with many more questions in his eyes.
“No, we’re meeting up with friends. We’ve been spending some time in the jungle, and they’re giving us a ride home.” She pointed to their backpacks, filled with weapons and ammunition, but they could logically contain survival gear and camping equipment. The professor seemed to accept her answer and rattled on about his findings and projected timetable for the eruption.
The satellite phone buzzed in Rafe’s side pocket. He looked at the display and depressed the Talk button. “Hey, buddy, I was wondering when you were going to call.”
Harper looked at him, brows knit together.
He mouthed the word “Ops.”
She nodded. What he’d said had to be code for he was not alone and not able to speak securely. Good. They were moving toward home. Relief tugged hope back into her.
