by Elle James
If either one of them slipped, it would be a long, bumpy way down. He wasn’t sure Alex could withstand another beating courtesy of a fall. Her hands were scratched, as were her elbows. And if her torn shirt was any indication, her back would be pretty messed up, too.
Jake had wet a bandanna while at the creek and stuffed it into one of his cargo pockets on the side of his pants. When they stopped, he’d attend to her wounds. She couldn’t afford to get an infection. Not when he was unsure of when his team would send out a drone to search for their whereabouts. The rescue mission could take days to find him. If the ISIS terrorists continued to hunt them, a drone might lead them straight to their location before help could arrive to extract them.
At the cave entrance Jake took out a small flashlight from his shirt pocket, aimed his weapon into the darkness and switched on the light, careful not to shine it for too long in case the ISIS predators were close enough to see the beam.
The cave didn’t go back far enough for them to hide in the depths. Anyone who climbed the hill and peered inside would see the man and woman huddled against a far wall.
“Too shallow,” Jake muttered.
“There’s another one farther along the bluff.” Alexandria motioned toward the west.
They left the shallow cave and eased along the narrow path, lit only by the stars beginning to pop out one by one in the indigo sky. Again Jake held Alexandria’s hand, helping her to keep her balance.
When they reached the second cave, he shined his light into the darkness and couldn’t see the back wall. He stepped inside, his weapon pointed into the blackness.
“Aren’t you afraid of animals?” Alex whispered.
“I’m more afraid of having to shoot one. If I fire a round, I give away our location.”
“And if a lion comes at us?” Alex asked, her voice shaking.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to keep us alive,” he assured her. “Stay behind me in case something does jump out. Or better yet, wait here.”
He entered the cave.
Alex followed. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather face a lion than a militant.”
“Suit yourself,” he said, and continued his perusal of the interior of the cave.
“So, what are you? A Special Forces soldier or something like that?”
His lips quirked. “Something like that.”
She stayed close enough behind him that he could almost feel the heat of her body, but not so close that she hampered his ability to use his weapon.
“Don’t the Special Forces soldiers work in teams?”
“Yes.”
“So?”
“So what?” He stalled, shifting the beam of his flashlight back and forth to cover every inch of the cave floor and the dark crevices that could contain wild animals. He even checked behind a large boulder near the back of the cave.
“So, where are the rest of your teammates?” she asked.
Completing his inspection, he turned to face her. “The cave is clear.”
“And you haven’t answered my question.” She raised her brow.
“We were separated in battle.” He took her hand and led her to the back of the cave and pointed to the cave floor. “You might as well bed down for the night back here. If someone does come into the cave, they won’t see us immediately.” He turned to leave.
She touched his arm. “Where are you going?” Her voice held a note of panic.
He covered her hand with his. “I’m going out to scout for a few minutes.”
“Do you have to?” she asked, smoothing her hands over her skirt nervously.
“I like to know what other options we have if we need to beat a hasty retreat.” He handed her a small penlight. “Here. Keep this. It’s not much, but it will give you a little light to see by. I’ll need my bigger flashlight out there.”
Alex held up the flashlight that looked more like a ballpoint pen, and cocked an eyebrow. “Like that’s going to do me any good against a lion.”
“No, but this might.” He pulled a handgun out of his belt and handed it over.
“I haven’t fired a gun since my father showed me how when I was a teen.” She smiled.
His lips turned upward on the corners. “I’m surprised you’ve fired one at all.”
“Oh, my father was all about taking care of yourself.” She weighed the handgun in her palm. “He wanted me to be able to defend myself. I think he wanted me to test for the concealed carry license. Only I didn’t feel comfortable carrying a gun in my purse. Most of my friends only carried makeup, a credit card, driver’s license and the keys to their cars. I was afraid someone would take the gun out of my purse and shoot himself accidentally. Thus, no gun in my purse.”
“Do you know how to operate this, or do I need to show you?”
“I can figure it out,” she said. “Especially if my life depends on it.”
“Good. I’ll be back shortly.” He touched her hand holding the gun. “Promise not to shoot me?”
Her lips twisted. “I promise not to shoot you.”
And he left to go down into the valley and back up over the pass to see if the men who’d been following them were still on their tail.
He paused just short of the top of the ridge. Inching just to the top, he peered over to the valley below. On the valley floor, he could see the warm glow of a campfire and shadowy figures gathered around the flames.
The ISIS rebels weren’t far behind them, with only a ridge standing between them.
Jake returned to the creek, rewet the bandanna and hurried back to the cave. If the cuts and scratches on Alex’s back were deep, they could become infected and cause her a whole lot more grief if left untreated for any length of time.
They could stay the night, but they’d have to leave early the next morning, while it was still dark, to be gone before the terrorists made it up over the ridge.
When he arrived back at the cave, he eased into the darkness, searching for the woman who’d escaped the village with him. Nothing stirred. No sounds of breathing or indication that anyone was there.
His pulse sped as he switched on his flashlight, using the red lens setting, making it harder for anyone outside the cave to see but illuminating the interior up to three feet in front of him.
Where was she? Had he entered the wrong cave? Or had some of the rebel forces found their way around him and made off with the pretty teacher?
He drew in a shaking breath and whispered, “It’s me.” Then he waited, his breath lodged in his chest.
Chapter Four
As soon as Alex heard those words, she launched herself out of her hiding place behind the giant boulders and flung her arms around Jake’s neck. “Thank God,” she said, burying her face in the front of his bulletproof vest.
He wrapped her in his embrace and held on.
In the back of Alex’s mind, she wished he didn’t have on the bulletproof vest. She would like to have felt all of his body against her, imagining its warmth pressed against her cave-chilled skin.
“Hey.” He set her at arm’s length and chuckled. “Did you think I wouldn’t come back?”
Alex shrugged, her face cast down. She didn’t want him to witness the fear in her eyes when she’d come to the conclusion he wasn’t coming back. “The thought did cross my mind, as I fumbled around in the pitch dark. When you came into the cave, I didn’t know if you were friend or foe.” She snorted. “I’d never been so happy to hear the sound of someone’s voice. You were gone for what felt like forever.”
He smoothed a loose strand of hair out of her face, brushing her cheek with his calloused thumb. “Sorry. I backtracked to see whether we are still being followed.”
She stiffened. “And?”
He drew in a deep breath and let it out. “They’re on the other side of the ridge.”
Alex’
s heart rate sped up. “We should leave. Now.”
“They’ve stopped for the night. I think we’ll be all right for now, but we need to head out before daylight to stay ahead of them.”
Her brows knit. “Are you sure? I can keep going, if you can.”
He smiled. “I know you can, but we’re running on empty. At the very least, we could use some sleep.” He nodded toward her. “And we need to take care of your cuts and scratches before they get infected.”
Alex crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m fine. I can keep going.”
“I have no doubt you can, but I need the rest and I want to see your backside. You can’t ignore your injuries.” He spun his finger. “About-face.”
She hesitated. “Really—”
“I know. You’re fine. But let me be the judge. You can’t see what’s on your back, but I can.” He twirled his finger again. “Just do it. The sooner we take care of you, the sooner we sleep.”
Swallowing hard, Alex turned her back to the man who was not much more than a stranger.
He lifted the tattered remains of her shirt.
Alex held on to the front to keep it from riding up high enough to expose her breasts in the lacy white bra she wore.
When he didn’t say anything for a moment, Alex’s pulse quickened. “How bad is it?” Sure, it stung and burned every time her ruined shirt rubbed against her scratches and cuts.
“It’s not great, but the good news is that you’ll survive, as long as the wounds don’t get infected.” He pulled a wet cloth from his pocket and patted her back with it. The cloth had been warmed by his thigh, and his touch was gentle. One hand held her side, steadying her, while the other removed dirt and debris from her wounds. When he was done, he released the tattered ends of her shirt and let them fall back down over her body. “The shirt has to go.”
Heat seared a path through her, heading south to her core. “It’ll have to do for now. I don’t have another.”
Jake stepped back. “You can have mine.”
When Alex turned to face him, a protest on her lips, she stopped, her thoughts flying out of her head as Jake unclipped the fasteners on his vest and lowered it to the ground.
Her mouth went dry and her palms filled with sweat. “What are you doing?”
He smiled. “Giving you my shirt. Granted, it might be a little sweaty, but it will be better than what you have on.”
He unbuttoned his uniform jacket and slipped out of it. Then he yanked his T-shirt up over his head in one fluid, ever-so-sexy move.
He stood in front of her wearing only his trousers and boots, his broad chest shining in the dim glow of the red-lensed flashlight. The man looked like a Roman gladiator, all hard muscles, strength and magnetism.
Alex lost her ability to form thoughts and words. Her gaze swept over the massive amount of skin stretched tautly over his frame.
When he handed her his T-shirt, she gulped. Her fingers touched his and a shock of fire raced through her hand and up her arm. “Thank—” she squeaked, cleared her throat and tried again. “Thank you.”
The man turned his back to her, allowing her the privacy to shed her shredded shirt and slip the T-shirt over her head. It smelled of male, that outdoorsy scent that made her insides quiver. The fabric slid over her breasts and torso and hung down to her knees.
“I’m decent,” she said. “Thanks again.”
He turned, a smile spreading across his face. “It’s a little big.”
“But better than nothing.” She wadded the torn shirt into her fist.
“Let me have that.” He reached out for the ruined shirt.
Again her hand touched his. This time he glanced up sharply, as if he too felt the electric shock. Just as quickly, he looked back down at the fabric in his grip. “I want to bind the wounds on your hands.”
“They’ll be okay,” she said.
“You need some protection to prevent further injury to your palms if you slide down another hill.” He ripped a piece off the front of her shirt. Then he took her hand and wrapped it gently over the cuts and scratches, tucking the end in to keep it from unraveling.
The whole time he held her fingers in his, she couldn’t breathe; nor could she control her wildly racing pulse.
When he had finished both hands, he released her and stepped back. “We need to get some rest. Morning will come all too soon.”
“Shouldn’t we stand watch?” she asked.
“Actually, I’d planned on staying awake and keeping an eye out for trouble.”
“You need rest as much as I do.” Alex lifted her chin. “I can take the first shift.”
“I don’t mind staying awake all night. I’m used to it. It’s part of the job.”
“I can stay awake half the night,” Alex insisted. “I’d rather you get some sleep to keep sharp.”
He studied her for a moment. “Keep an eye on the valley below. If you see any movement whatsoever, wake me immediately. Even if it’s an animal scurrying out from under a rock. Wake me.” His brows drew downward. “Understand?”
She popped a salute and smiled. “Yes, sir.” Then she took up a position at the mouth of the cave and sat, leaning her back against the stone wall.
A glance at Jake proved he was taking her up on her offer to get some sleep. He lay on the hard floor of the cave, bunched her shirt beneath his head and crossed his arms over his chest. “Do you need the light?” he asked.
“No,” she said. “The stars are enough light for me to see by.”
There was a soft click, and the red glow from the flashlight blinked out.
Alex could just barely discern the outline of the man lying on the ground, but she didn’t need to see him to know he’d be there for her if she needed him. The least she could do was let him sleep while she kept watch.
Staring out into the night, she scanned the valley below again and again, going over all that had happened leading up to their escape. Some things still niggled at her.
“Are you army Special Forces or something else?”
“Something else,” he replied.
“Delta Force?” she guessed.
He snorted. “Please.”
Not army Special Forces or Delta Force...
“Mercenary?” she tried again.
“I don’t get paid enough to be a mercenary,” he replied.
“What does that leave?” She glanced over her shoulder. “Marine?”
“Navy,” he replied.
“Don’t you need a ship nearby to be in the navy? Or at least a body of water?”
He chuckled. “Not if you’re a navy SEAL.”
“You’re a navy SEAL?” she asked, unable to keep the awe from her voice. “Aren’t they the best of the best?”
“So we’re told.”
She glanced back at him. “What were you doing in the village?”
“Intel had it that ISIS was in the vicinity,” he said. “We were on a recon mission.”
“Recon?”
“We were only out seeking further intelligence. We weren’t there to engage.”
“But you did,” she pointed out.
“Only because they surprised us. We thought they’d be several miles up the road. We were supposed to have some drone support.”
“I take it you didn’t get it?”
“No.” His voice was hard.
“Did the rest of your team make it out?” she asked softly.
“I hope so.” For a long moment, silence reigned in the cave.
“What brought you to Niger?” he asked.
Alex stared out at the night, thinking back over her reasons for leaving Virginia and her home. “I needed a new start, and I wanted to go somewhere I could make a difference with my teaching and my ability to speak French.”
“Sounds like a breakup,” Ja
ke said.
She shrugged, though he wouldn’t see the movement. “Yeah. It was something like that.” She had broken up with her fiancé, realizing he wasn’t the right man for her. They’d been together since their first year in college. He’d proposed after they’d been together for six years.
When they’d started planning the wedding, something had made her step back and rethink her decision to marry Paul. He’d been a good friend, and she liked his company, but there wasn’t any spark and no fire in their kisses. Sex with Paul had been something she did because she knew it was expected, not because she couldn’t wait to get naked and in bed with him.
Rather than go into the sad details of her less-than-exciting life, she asked, “What about you? Are you married? Do you have kids, a dog and the house with the white picket fence back in the States?”
He didn’t answer for a while.
“You don’t have to answer,” Alex said. “It’s none of my business.”
“You’re right,” he said. “It’s none of your business.”
A flare of anger surged inside Alex, but she bit her tongue and refused to rise to his tart retort.
“I figured the life of a navy SEAL wasn’t conducive to marriage or long-term relationships. So, no. No wife, no kids, no dog or white picket fence. Just me and my team. I keep it simple.”
Alex told herself to leave the conversation there. But she couldn’t help asking, “Did you ever want more?”
Again the silence stretched between them.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t ask such personal questions,” she whispered.
“The answer to your question is yes. There was a time when I was fairly new to the team that I thought I wanted it all. I thought I could have it all.” He sighed. “I was wrong.”
“I’m sorry,” Alex said.
“For what?”
Her heart pinched. “That things didn’t work out for you.”
“I’m not. The relationship wasn’t meant to be. Once a SEAL, always a SEAL. It takes a special person to put up with our lifestyle. I don’t believe she exists for me. Now, let me sleep.”
“Right. Zipping my lips here.” She clamped her mouth shut and refused to ask a hundred more questions of the navy SEAL. He needed sleep, and it truly wasn’t any of her business that he didn’t think there was a woman who could love him and the life he’d chosen to lead.
