by Rachel Lacey
Isa scrambled to her feet, holding her right wrist against her chest. Maya sniffed at her, whining low in her throat.
“She’s awfully protective of you,” he commented. “You still going to take her to that rescue in Oregon?”
“My apartment in Anaheim doesn’t allow dogs over thirty pounds.” She winced as he took her right arm between his palms. “And anyway, Huskies aren’t apartment dogs. She needs a big yard to run around in and some snow.”
“True enough.” He gingerly felt her wrist. It was red and slightly swollen, but nothing felt out of place as far as he could tell. “I don’t think it’s broken. Probably just sprained.”
“Okay.” Isa still looked shaky.
He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in for a hug. “Awfully damn glad you’re still in one piece.”
“Me too.”
They stood there for a long minute, just holding on to each other. This was no pleasure hike. If she’d been seriously injured, he couldn’t have called for help. Finally, Isa slid out of his arms and turned, reaching for her backpack.
There was a large rip in the back of her leggings, revealing a flash of her pink panties and another nasty-looking scrape. He averted his eyes. “You might want to change into your jeans.”
She felt the rip and doubled over in laughter. “I don’t know, maybe the rescuers will look harder for us if I flash them.”
Nate grinned. Leave it to Isa to make him laugh at a time like this. He took the Ace bandage out of the first aid kit and carefully wrapped her arm.
“I think I earned myself another one of these,” she said, snagging a packet of ibuprofen out of the kit.
“I’d say you have.”
“And I’m going to go put on my jeans now,” she said, her cheeks flushing pink.
“You do that.” He turned his back to give her some privacy, trying desperately not to think about her ass in those pink panties. For a long minute, there was nothing but the sound of rustling clothes, during which he tried and failed to keep his mind out of the gutter.
“Um,” Isa said from behind him. “I need a little help.”
He turned, his gaze snapping automatically to her unfastened jeans.
“I can’t get the button.” She held up her bandaged wrist.
“On it.” He buttoned her jeans, forcing himself to remain strictly professional, even when his fingertips brushed against the warm, tender skin of her stomach.
“Thanks,” she said, sounding breathless.
“Any time. Ready to get moving?” Because as much as he’d like to stay here and let her rest, they needed to keep moving and get back to the stream.
She nodded, leading the way with Maya at her side. Occasionally, the dog would dart off into the woods for minutes at the time, but generally she’d stayed close to them throughout their journey, and thank goodness for that. Not only were the odds better for all three of them if they stuck together, but he figured Maya was handy to have around. Dogs were much more in tune with nature. If danger was out there, she’d likely know before he or Isa did.
Right now, he just wanted to make it through the day. They’d face tomorrow when it came. Soon, the sound of rushing water reached them through the trees.
“Thank goodness,” Isa muttered, picking up her pace.
No kidding. They’d wasted lot of time detouring around that waterfall. The cattails had temporarily curtailed his hunger, but now his stomach ached for something more substantial. The sun—only a hazy blob visible through the smoke overhead—was dipping low in the sky by the time they reached the stream. They refilled their water bottles and kept walking.
“In another hour or so, we’ll need to start working on a shelter for tonight,” he said.
She nodded, her face set in grim determination.
Nate was tired, irritable, and hungry, but uninjured. Isa had a knot on her head from yesterday’s crash and a sprained wrist plus who knew how many other bumps and bruises from her fall, and yet she hadn’t complained once.
He respected that a hell of a lot. In fact, he respected pretty much everything about her.
If the situation were different…
But no. Discovering Kathy’s infidelity had ended both his marriage and his belief in the institution. He was happier on his own. Not to mention, his business had tripled in income since the divorce, now that he was able to give Sequoia Group his full attention. There was no way he was giving up the single life now, no matter how infatuated he’d become with the gorgeous woman beside him.
The sun rested against the treetops ahead.
“I’m going to scope out locations for our shelter,” he told Isa.
She nodded, crouching by the stream to fill her water bottle. He continued inland for a hundred feet or so, looking around. The trees were more sparse here, scattered amongst a bed of dried grass and pine needles. He found a rock about two feet tall and ten feet long with a flat side that might make a perfect wall for their shelter.
Isa joined him, hunting for fallen branches and pine boughs. By the time the sun sank below the tree line, they had a makeshift shelter in place. He heaped several armfuls of pine straw inside it, providing them as much insulation as possible against the cold earth beneath.
“You know, this survival thing is manageable during the daytime,” Isa said from behind him.
“But the nights really suck,” he finished for her.
“Yeah, they do.”
“Supper?” He pulled out some of the cattails they’d brought with them. The plants had turned dry and brownish now, but they’d have to do. He handed her several cattail stalks and a granola bar and helped himself to the same.
Six bars down. Six remaining.
Would they be rescued before their food ran out? Should they ration more strictly? Hell if he knew, but they needed energy to keep hiking twelve hours a day, so their meager rations seemed fair as far as he could tell.
“Only about a day’s worth of food left for all of us,” Isa said as she placed a handful of dog food on the ground for Maya, echoing his thoughts.
“We’ll look for more tomorrow.”
“Speaking of which…” She took his duffel bag from him and removed the cattail roots they’d brought along. “I’ll soak these tonight to remove some of the starch, and we should be able to eat them tomorrow.”
“Glad I had you along, or I might have starved.” He said it jokingly, but it was true. The granola bars were hers. She’d been the one to suggest the cattails. All he’d contributed to their survival so far was a measly bag of potato chips, which wouldn’t do much for them once they ran out of more substantial food.
Isa headed toward the stream with an armful of cattail roots while he put the final touches on their shelter. When he’d finished, he relieved himself behind a nearby tree and headed for the stream with his toothbrush.
“Do you think they’re looking for us?” Isa asked quietly. She’d submerged their cattail roots in a natural pool at the edge of the water.
“I don’t know,” he answered honestly. “The fire puts a crimp on things. I don’t know how search and rescue operates under these conditions.”
“Then we’ll just have to walk out on our own.” She stood and marched off in the direction of their shelter.
God, he hoped it would be that easy. The smoke had become steadily heavier throughout the day. How much closer would the fire draw overnight? He didn’t know, but continuing to hike after dark was a disaster waiting to happen. Plus, they needed rest if they had any hope of making it out of here.
He brushed his teeth, splashed some water on his face, and made his way back to their makeshift camp. There were no loose rocks here big enough to bury their packs, so he’d just have to hope their meager stash of granola bars and cattails wouldn’t attract bears. All the same, he left them outside the shelter. He’d rather any potential hungry predators make off with their granola bars than raid their shelter.
Isa was already inside. He put on his fleece jac
ket and climbed in after her.
“Going to be another cold night,” he said as he handed her windbreaker to her.
“This rock is cold as shit,” she said, gesturing to the rock behind her.
“So lean against me instead.”
“I think we know each other well enough now to snuggle tonight,” she said very matter-of-factly, even as his gut tightened at the thought. “It’s only practical to conserve body heat. I was too cold to sleep a wink last night.”
“Same.” He wrapped an arm around her and drew her up against him.
Maya crawled into the shelter and curled at their feet. Nate placed the last bough over their entrance, sealing them in.
“How are you feeling after your tumble?” he asked.
“Sore,” she answered quietly. “Nate?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m glad we’re in this together. I mean—”
“I know what you mean.” His arm tightened around her. “And I’m glad too. You’re a hell of a survival partner, and a hell of a lady, Isabel Delgado.”
“Same to you, Nathaniel Peters.”
“I really want to kiss you right now.” The words were out before he could stop them.
“I wouldn’t stop you,” she whispered.
“You should.” He brushed his lips against hers, and his whole body lit with lust and need.
“Why?”
“Because I’m not looking to settle down, and you are, for one thing.”
“I can kiss you without wanting to marry you, Nate.” She pressed her lips to his. “And right now, it feels really good to remember we’re alive.”
“We’re definitely alive.” He anchored her against him, kissing her slow and deep as the hunger within him ignited to an inferno. His dick strained the front of his jeans, rock hard with his need for her.
They kissed until the air inside their shelter began to sizzle, until his pulse pounded in his ears and every cell in his body seemed electrified. Isa pressed against him, so warm and soft. Her hips rocked against his as a soft whimper tore from her throat.
“Nate,” she whispered, rolling on top of him. “What if we die tomorrow, and—”
“We’re not going to die tomorrow.” He gripped her hips, settling her so that his cock pressed between her legs. “And there is no way I’m having sex with you because you’re afraid this might be your last night on earth.”
“But I’ve been such a prude,” she whispered. “Waiting to find ‘the one.’ What if it’s too late?”
Holy shit. He froze. “Are you saying…”
“Oh God, no.” She let out a hoarse laugh. “I’m not a virgin, not even close. But I’ve been cautious. Maybe too cautious. It’s been over a year, and—”
“And that’s no reason to have sex with me here tonight. You’re right to be choosy.”
“Please…” She rolled her hips, and he damn near came in his jeans.
“No condom.” That was a lie. He was pretty sure there were a couple in his duffel bag, but it was outside the shelter, and no matter how bad he wanted—needed—her right now, he was man enough to put his own needs aside to do the right thing.
“Oh.” She deflated against him. “I guess on the off chance we don’t die tomorrow, that would be pretty stupid.”
“We’re not going to die.” But far be it for him to leave her all hot and bothered. He moved his hand between them and unbuttoned her jeans.
Isa gasped into his mouth.
“How about a compromise?” He slid his hand inside her jeans, cupping her through her panties, and holy fuck, she was wet for him.
“Yes,” she moaned, thrusting against his hand.
He slid inside her panties, stroking her. She was so hot, so wet…
“Nate,” she whimpered, grinding herself against him.
He pushed two fingers inside her, stroking in and out as his thumb pressed against her clit. She panted, kissing him with a kind of passionate desperation as he drove her closer and closer to the edge. With a moan, she convulsed around his fingers.
His dick pulsed so hard that, for a moment, he thought he’d come in his pants. But the vicious ache in his balls proved he was still locked and painfully loaded. It had been totally worth it, though, to get her off.
She collapsed against his chest, limp and panting. “That was amazing.”
“Sure was.”
“My turn?” She reached between them and gripped him through his jeans.
His hips thrust against her hand of their own accord. “As tempting as that is, we don’t have any tissues. It’s going to be cold as hell tonight, and it would be just plain dumb for me to spend the night in wet jeans.”
“I can’t leave you like this,” she murmured, still stroking him.
“Yes, you can. I didn’t expect anything in return.”
“I have an idea.” She scooted down, but the shelter was too small to allow her to do what she had in mind, much as it killed him. Every time her face got near his dick, her back bumped into the top of the shelter.
He tugged her up next to him. “We’re not going to destroy the shelter so you can give me a blow job. I’ll survive. Honest.”
“I know you will. You’re a true gentleman, Nate. I really wanted to do this for you.” She sounded so disappointed that it only made him feel worse.
“We should sleep. We have another long day tomorrow.”
With a sigh, she rolled over, her ass pressed against his groin, and yeah, he really hadn’t thought this through. They lay in silence for what felt like hours as the darkness around them grew complete. Isa shifted restlessly against him. He was still hard enough to crack stones and beginning to think he’d spend the whole night that way.
“I can’t sleep with that thing poking me in the back,” she said finally, laughter in her voice. “We’re going to have to find a way to fix this for you.”
“Tell me about your mother,” he said wryly. “Or your least favorite teacher.”
“I have a better idea,” she whispered. “Give me your pocket knife.”
He recoiled involuntarily. “Uh, I’m not sure I like your idea.”
She giggled. “Have a little faith, will you?”
He couldn’t think of a single good use for a pocket knife to cure his raging hard-on, but he must have totally lost his mind, because he pulled his Swiss Army knife out of his back pocket and handed it to her.
She wriggled around next to him, and he heard the sound of fabric ripping—or maybe being cut.
“What was that?” he asked.
“You’ll see.” She unbuttoned his jeans and pushed down the zipper. “Tell me when you’re close.”
“Baby, I’m already close.” His cock throbbed in anticipation of her touch.
“Let me know when you’re really close.” And she wrapped her fingers around him.
He thrust against her, no longer caring if he spent the night in wet jeans, because Isa’s soft fingers were worth every moment of future discomfort. She stroked up and down his shaft, adding a little twist at the tip that made him see stars.
“I’ve never done this with my left hand before,” she murmured, and he felt a brief stab of guilt for letting her get him off while she was injured, but he was too far gone to argue now.
Her grip tightened with each stroke, harder and faster, and he pumped his hips to the rhythm she’d set, finally allowing himself to surrender to the orgasm building inside him. He was strung tighter than a bow and about to blow.
“Really close,” he ground out, struggling for some last-minute reserve to keep himself from coming all over their only clean, dry clothes.
Her hand disappeared, and he bit back a groan at the cold emptiness left behind. Then she was wrapping something warm and soft around the head of his dick.
“What is that?” he asked, holding himself rigid and still.
“My panties,” she whispered.
“Fuck. Me.” The mental image of her hot pink panties wrapped around his cock was too muc
h. His hips jerked.
“A worthwhile sacrifice.” She wrapped the fabric firmly around him and began to stroke again, faster, faster…
A guttural sound tore from his throat as he came, spilling his desire for her into her panties. Just picturing it made him come even harder.
“You’re a fucking natural as a leftie,” he gasped when he’d regained the ability to speak.
“Good to know.” She wiped him off and tucked the panties somewhere near the bottom of the shelter. Maya let out a disgruntled snort at the intrusion.
He re-buttoned his jeans and pulled Isa against him, exhausted. With her in his arms, he fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Sometime later, he woke to the sound of an animal scuffling around outside their shelter. A long, low growl rumbled from somewhere below his feet. Beside him, Isa whimpered.
The beast outside snuffed at the pine bough directly over his head.
And this time, it was definitely not Maya.
6
Terror slid down Isa’s spine like a rush of cold water. At her feet, Maya let out another low, rumbling growl. The animal outside stopped moving, and the silence that followed was deafening. Isa could hear her pulse whooshing through her ears.
One second. Two. Three.
Maya burst forward, plunging out of the shelter. Something landed on Isa’s face, and she swatted at it frantically until she realized it was a pine bough. For a moment, she’d thought the creature outside had pounced on her…
Then something was on top of her, but it wasn’t a bear or a mountain lion. Nate’s familiar weight settled over her, and she heard the soft click of the blade opening on his pocket knife. Outside the shelter, Maya growled again. The pine straw nearby rustled, and there was a loud snort right behind their heads that definitely didn’t come from a dog.
Isa’s lungs seemed to have collapsed on themselves. She couldn’t draw breath, couldn’t move. All that separated her and Nate from the animal outside was a thin layer of pine needles. She could almost feel the creature’s breath on her neck. And Maya…
There was a thump outside—like a body hitting the dirt—and the sound of paws running. Whatever it was, it sounded huge.
