by Lily Harlem
“Olivia’s right. We don’t know what’s out there.” Evan bit on his bottom lip. “A weapon of some sort is sensible and Mason is still using the cleaver.”
“Yeah, okay,” Harry said. “Just don’t lose it, not only do we need it, the last thing we want is a pissed-off Spaniard.”
“I won’t,” Evan said. He nodded at Olivia. “No time like the present. Come on.”
“Sure.” She looked at Mason. “Thanks for the coconut.”
“Anytime, hen.” He winked.
She turned and fell into line with Evan.
After a few steps Harry called out. “Hey, Evan.”
“Yeah?” Evan turned but carried on walking backward.
“Look after her, okay.”
“With my life.” Evan faced the way they were going again and slung his arm casually over Olivia’s shoulder. He pulled her against his body. “With my life,” he repeated with his lips pressed against her ear.
Much as she wanted to argue that she could look after herself, she couldn’t deny the delicious tremble that went through her. Evan was so damn sexy and pushing all her buttons right now. Some alone time with him was exactly what she needed.
Evan collected a long slim knife and tucked it into the belt hoop on his shorts. They gathered up the empty Evian bottles and created a sling to carry them out of Evan’s t-shirt.
They headed off. The sand was deep and they stomped along staying close, their arms frequently brushing together.
“Do you think Raul’s burn will be okay?” Evan asked.
“I’m a bit worried to be honest,” Olivia said. “It’s hot and humid here and there’s lots of bugs about. Infection is a real risk and we don’t have antibiotics.”
“Mmm.” He was quiet for a moment. “We’ll have to try and find something natural for it. There should be some plants among this lot that will help.”
“How do you know all this stuff, Evan?”
“What stuff?”
“Fire starting, building shelters, finding water. All this survival knowledge.”
“Makes sense when you live on a continent that’s ninety-one percent uninhabited.”
“I guess.”
“Plus one of my best mates is Aboriginal, he passes on walkabout survival to anyone who’ll listen. We’ve had a few adventures.”
“In the outback?”
“Yeah, dangerous place. Beautiful, but dangerous.”
“A bit like here.” She glanced around. A large bird with a red tail swooped from one tree to another. “Do you think there’s anything that could harm us here… as in animals.”
“Probably no large mammals, but reptiles, insects, yeah. We’ll have to be careful.”
“Reptiles, as in snakes.” She suppressed a shudder.
“Don’t worry. They’ll be scared of us and slither out of the way if they hear our noisy footsteps.”
“I hope so.”
Evan paused at a ridge in the sand and looked into the tree line. “I reckon we should take a look in there. This looks like a rivulet, from overflow, when it rains hard.”
“Okay.” She looked into the darkness. “Let’s do it.”
Chapter Sixteen
It took Olivia’s eyes a moment to adjust to the shade, but when they had she was blown away by the flowers growing up from the ground, and hanging down from the trees.
They were every shape and size, every color too it seemed. Some had gaping mouths with long powdery stamen, others were tiny but hundreds per stem, and on every square inch of ground something grew.
“Smells incredible,” she said, slotting in line behind Evan as he moved along.
“Truly tropical,” he said.
After a few minutes he paused and took his knife from the waistband of his shorts.
Olivia stopped and watched as he reached up and nicked the stem of a pure white orchid. He turned, a soft expression on his face, and stepped up close.
“For you,” he said, carefully slipping the stem over her ear so it sat securely in her hair.
She reached up and touched the delicate petals pressing against her temple. “Thank you.”
He ran the back of his index finger down her cheek to her chin.
She stared up into his blue eyes. They held darker flecks at the center of his irises and his lashes held a hint of gold as if touched by the sun.
He moved a little nearer and dropped his head.
Is he going to kiss me?
“Evan,” she said quietly.
“Babe.” He tipped her chin then set his mouth over hers.
His lips were soft and a little damp and his breath warmed her cheek.
She rested her hands on his bare chest, absorbing the heat and loving the strength that lurked beneath his muscles.
Their kiss deepened. He dipped his tongue into her mouth and let out a small moan as she found it with hers.
Her belly tightened. Her knees were weak. Evan had sex appeal in truckloads and he was one hell of a kisser too.
She ran her hands over his collar bones and settled them on the column of his neck. Tipping her head, she opened her mouth a little more.
He swept his tongue in, their teeth touched briefly, then he pulled back. “We should get going.” He seemed out of breath.
“Yes.” She nodded. “We should.”
No! We should get naked right here and just do it.
He turned and stepped away. His gait was a little stiff and she wondered if he was having issues in the trouser department. Hell, she was tingling all over. Her nipples were tight. Heat had grown between her legs and stoked the fire of need.
She ran her fingertip over her lips and followed him. But now instead of looking at the flora her attention was glued to his butt. It was small and pert, and his shorts hugged it to perfection. She wondered if he had tan lines or if he was sun-kissed all over. The thought of him being golden all over made her giggle.
He turned. “What?”
“Nothing. Keep going.” She wafted her hand.
He raised his eyebrows then carried on.
A few minutes later he stopped again. “Can you hear that?”
“I can hear lots of birds if that’s what you mean.”
“No, something else…splashing.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.” He tipped his head and sniffed. “Water. I can smell it, fresh water.”
She breathed deep. The fragrant air was heavy with humidity and pollen. It hadn’t changed for her. But she did think she could hear something new.
“Come on, this way.” He set off again, his pace brisker than before.
Olivia trotted to keep up with him, fending off branches and vegetation swinging her way. A huge bug with long silvery wings brushed past her face and she had to stop herself from squealing.
Bugs! Not a problem out at sea.
“Here, look.” Evan suddenly stopped and dropped the plastic bottles.
She careened into the back of him, slapping her hands onto his shoulders.
He reached around himself, grabbed her waist and pulled her so her back was against his bare chest.
She gasped and stared at the sunlit clearing before them.
He locked his hands over her belly and placed his lips by her ear. “What do you think?”
“It’s beautiful.”
A waterfall, about ten feet high, was cascading over russet brown rocks. It landed in a pool of clear water the size of a small truck. The same orangey rocks surrounded the pool, and some were thick with a vibrant green plant covered in purple flowers.
“It must be fresh water,” Olivia said, her mouth suddenly watering for a taste.
“Yeah, I agree. And plenty of it.” He gave her a small squeeze. “Shall we?”
“It would be rude not to.” She broke free of him, and ran toward the edge of the pool.
He was close behind her, his feet stomping on the mossy ground.
When she reached the edge, she dropped down with her hands cupped. She scooped u
p a palm full.
“Smell it first.” He copied her, sniffed it, then stuck out his tongue and dipped the tip into the water.
After a moment of deliberation he nodded. “Seems fine to me.”
Olivia took a gulp. Delicious coolness spread over her mouth and down her throat. She scooped up more and drank again, then again.
Next to her Evan was doing the same.
For several minutes they drank, then satisfied, Olivia sat back with her legs out in front of her. The moss was soft on her legs and she wiped her hand over her mouth. “Thank goodness we found this,” she said. “I was beginning to worry. The dew harvesters don’t catch much.”
“We’d have figured something out.” He stood. “But this is perfect.” He wandered over to the plastic bottles and picked them up. “Let’s fill these, the others will be glad of the drink.”
Quickly they started on the ten bottles they had. Carefully putting the caps on tight after they’d filled each one to the brim.
“And it’s not too far to keep coming to collect fresh water,” Olivia said. “We’ve only been on the go about fifteen minutes.”
“Ideal. Because we need to be camped near the ocean, so we can spot any rescue teams or boats within radio range.” He set the final bottle back in his t-shirt ready to be carried to camp.
Olivia looked at the pool. The gentle sound of the waterfall splashing into it was like music and with the birds chirping overhead it was as if they’d found a tiny piece of paradise.
“What are you thinking?” Evan asked.
She looked at him, a smile spreading on her face as she toed off her shoes. “I’m thinking I might take a dip.”
He twitched his eyebrows. “I like the way your mind works.”
She gripped the base of her t-shirt. Pulling it upward, she stripped off to her bikini. As she set it aside she was aware of Evan’s gaze roaming her body. She liked it. His attention on her small curves was like an actual caress and heated her skin.
“It’s going to be cold,” she said, moving to a flat rock that was almost level with the water. She sat, took the flower from her hair so it didn’t get ruined, then dipped her legs in up to her knees. “Oh! It is.”
“Be brave.” He kicked off his shoes, then in one fast move jumped into the deepest darkest area near the falls.
The huge splash covered Olivia and she yelped as cold peppered her skin. The rock was basted in water and shone around her.
“You’re crazy,” she said, when he surfaced.
He flicked his hair from his eyes and grinned. “Not as crazy as you. You’re sitting on the side when you could be in here.”
She looked at the water. Its surface reflected the patch of blue sky above the clearing.
“Come on,” he said. He swam a couple of strokes to the opposite side.
Olivia held her breath then allowed her body to drop in. “Bloody hell!” She gasped as it came up to her waist and soaked into the heat between her legs. “This is the second time you’ve made me get in cold water.”
“Yeah, but there’s no dolphins in here,” he said, back-kicking toward the falls.
She needed to move to keep warm, so followed him and swam to where the pool was white and frothy.
He’d maneuvered beneath the water and held his face up as he ran his hands through his hair. His eyes were closed and an expression of bliss crossed his face.
His flash of dark blond armpit hair and the way his torso stretched was enough to make Olivia lose her mind with longing. There was no doubt about it; she wanted Evan Tate from Melbourne in a serious way.
She moved next to him, her breasts just above the water level as she was splashed from above. Her nipples were tight and pressing against her bikini.
When he opened his eyes she was right there.
“Hey,” he said, lowering his arms and stepping out of the falling water. His gaze dipped to her chest.
“Hey yourself.” She copied him by running her hands over her hair with her eyes closed, enjoying the coolness of the water soaking to her scalp. She arched her back a little and let out a sigh.
Suddenly she was plucked from the falls and found her chest pressed up against his.
“Evan,” she gasped, gripping his shoulders and staring into his face.
“Jesus, woman, have you any idea what you’re doing to me?”
“No.” If it was anything like what he was doing to her, then it must be just about unbearable.
“I think you do.” He set his mouth over hers, his tongue dipping straight in and sweeping around.
She flattened against him, enjoying the sensation of their wet flesh touching and sliding.
He deepened the kiss and ran his hands down her back to her butt. He clasped her tight, dragging her closer still.
A hard wedge pressed into her belly and a thrill went through her. Evan was erect and it was because of her. He wanted her as much as she wanted him.
His kisses trailed from her mouth over her cheek to her ear. He nipped the lobe and massaged her buttocks.
She moaned and fluttered her eyes shut. She’d take whatever he had to give. Her body was crying out for his.
“Over here,” he said, his voice a little gruff. “Now.”
He released her but kept hold of her hand. He waded through the water, tugging her with him, back to the rock she’d sat on.
“Like this,” he said, gripping her waist.
In one swift movement she was sat on the rock again with her lower legs in the water. He placed his hands on her knees and spread her thighs so he could step between them. His face was level with her chest.
“Evan…I…”
“If you don’t want me, say so now,” he said, sliding his hands up her outer thighs. “Because I’m not sure how easy it will be to stop once I start.”
“I do. I want you so much.” She cupped his cheeks and studied his face.
“Right answer.” His mouth tipped into a grin as he continued to move his hands upward. He slid them behind her waist until he held the clasp of her bikini top.
The material loosened around her chest as the first clip was undone, then as the tie at the nape of her neck released, it fell away.
“This damn bikini top has been torturing me,” he said, flicking the scrap of material to one side.
“Sorry.”
“But I know how you can make it up to me.” His gaze lingered on her breasts.
Her nipples were so tight from cold and lust they ached. “How can I make it up to you?”
He dipped his head and flicked his tongue over her right nipple. “By letting me do this.”
“Mmm. More.”
He took the little peak into his warm mouth and sucked gently still flicking it with his tongue.
She moaned and ran her fingers into the thick wet strands of his hair.
He began to work her other breast with his hand, massaging and caressing her.
A full body tremble attacked her, it was a combination of desire and bliss. Everything else was fading away. It was only Evan. Evan and this heavenly place they’d found.
“Ah, you’re so sweet,” he said, moving his oral attention to her other breast.
She tipped closer and pulled him in, encouraging him, letting him know that was what she liked.
After a few minutes he pulled back and looked up at her. His lips were wet and the sun glinted off his hair making it appear spun with gold.
She didn’t speak, just stared into his eyes.
He must have seen something in her, because he moved to the left and hoisted himself out of the water, his biceps bulging and the muscles in his back shifting.
“Come here,” he said, gently pulling her from the rock. “I want to show you how much you mean to me.”
“I’d like that.” She allowed him to rest her down, on the soft mossy bank. Her heart was racing as thoughts of what was about to happen besieged her.
As he hovered over her, his lips a whisper from hers, she felt him tense.
“What is it?” she asked.
“No damn condom.” He groaned.
“It’s okay.” She set her hand on his cheek. “I’m covered for contraception; the injection.” She paused. “And we all had full medicals, right? Clean bill of health for The Challenge.”
His tension released a little. “Thank God you’re thinking straight.” He caught her mouth in a kiss as he nudged his way between her legs.
She adored his weight pressing on her and the way his cock rubbed over her mound through their clothing.
The kiss heated up, she became breathless and ran her hands down the sexy contours of his back so she could grip his butt.
He ground up against her and his chest rubbed over her breasts.
“Now you’re torturing me,” she panted.
He sat back, grinning. “So we should get down to business.”
“Yes.” She reached for her bikini bottoms and shoved at them.
He helped her, dragging them down her legs and over her feet.
For a moment he stared at her small strip of pale pubic hair and the soft skin between her legs. Then he went up onto his knees and rammed his shorts down.
His cock sprung forward from a thick tuft of dark blond pubic hair. It was long and thick with a dark vein winding its way up the underside.
After pushing the shorts away, forgotten, he moved over her again, his hands flat on the ground by her head and his arms locked.
“Babe, I want you so badly,” he said, looking down at his cock arrowed toward her entrance.
“So have me.” She gripped his upper arms and hooked her legs behind his thighs, angling her hips up and making herself open for him.
“Heaven help me,” he muttered then pushed forward, his abdominal muscles tensing to a row of bricks.
She held her breath as he found her pussy and pushed in the first inch. He was wide and stretched her delicate tissues. But it was a nice stretch and she wanted more.
“Ah fuck,” he said. “You feel amazing.”
“Keep going.”
He eased in another inch, then another. The denseness inside her grew. She tightened her grip on his arms and tried to relax her internal muscles.
Finally he hit full depth.
