Heart of the Hunter

by Lindsay McKenna

  As his lips closed over hers, he felt her suddenly tense, and then, just as quickly, she melted as his mouth took hers. He sensed what she needed and pushed beyond his normal guard, taking her mouth fully, deeply, and moving his tongue inside to explore her. The sweetness of the fruit she’d eaten earlier, the taste that was only her, filled his senses. Fire arced through his lower body and he groaned as she sought, matched and met him on equal ground. Her breath was shallow and swift. He could feel her heart pounding against his chest.

  Moving his hands to her face, he imprisoned her and tilted her head to a better angle to kiss her, to take her more deeply, to brand her and make her his in all ways. She was hungry. As hungry as he was for her, he discovered in those molten, pounding moments. He was barely aware of the thunder around them. The white-hot flash of lightning scored him internally and he ached to bury himself within her yielding, soft form. Her mouth was pliant, giving and taking, teasing and testing. Her hands moved restlessly across his chest and shoulders. Wildfires of need burned in the wake of her fingertips as they caressed his taut, screaming flesh.

  Rain pounded down upon the hut. The sound drowned out their own heavy breathing, the clamoring of his heart. Reid swam in the heat and light of her response to him. She was a strong, confident woman and he’d never met someone with quite her boldness before, much less had the enjoyment of kissing her, exploring her as he was doing right now. As he gently nibbled her lower lip, he felt her sink against him, as if begging him to continue teasing her, tasting her. Reid knew he had to stop, but he didn’t want to. Casey was one of the most alive women he’d ever met in his life. She was one of a kind. And even though they were diametric opposites in many ways, she fit him like sunlight fit darkness. His ache to take her all the way, to bring her down on top of him, to arch and sink himself into her hot, melting depths, nearly overpowered him.

  But right now, he was the one who had to take control of the situation. Though it was the last thing he wanted to acknowledge, he knew right from wrong. His instincts screamed at him that she was in pain and he was helping to heal her. To go too far, however, would be to take advantage of the situation—and Casey. In the long run, Hunter knew that if he didn’t stop kissing her now, he would ruin any possible future with her. And more than anything, that’s what he wanted: a future with her. The thought sent fear sizzling through him. How could he want that? Hadn’t he learned from Janet? Hadn’t she taught him he was half a man, not a whole one? A woman like Casey would never settle for someone like him. Never. And Reid could never withstand another confrontation like he’d had with Janet. No, it was his stupid, blind heart that wanted this pipe dream.

  As he dragged his mouth from Casey’s soft, well-kissed lips, Reid was breathing hard and fast. He held her gently in his arms afterward. She trusted him. Completely. That realization staggered him as he gazed down at her tear-dampened face, her closed eyes and those delicious, begging, glistening lips of hers. The driving ache to claim her mouth again was nearly his undoing. Groaning softly, Reid shifted Casey to his right side so that she could rest against him, her head on his shoulder. Lifting his other hand, he tried his best to remove the dampness of the spent tears from her now very flushed cheeks. Each time he stroked her flesh, she trembled a little. The last of her sobs eased as the thunderstorm passed beyond the village, and soon Casey quieted in his arms.

  Reid lay with his back against the wall of the hut in the consuming darkness and realized he had never felt so alive. So raw. So scared. Somehow, he hadn’t screwed it up this time. Somehow, through some miracle unknown to him, Casey—warm, firm and sensuous in his embrace—was content to just be held in the aftermath of her own internal storm. A soft sigh of relief escaped from him and Reid closed his eyes and rested his jaw against her hair. He could feel her heart slowing down a bit now. Her breathing was becoming normalized. Taking in a deep, broken breath, Reid smiled a little.

  “You’re going to be okay now… .” The words came out low and deep and strained. Yes, he was exhausted. It had taken every ounce of inner strength to not take Casey all the way with him. Reid knew it would have been the greatest thing to happen to him in his entire life. His mouth tingled with the memory of her lips against his. She had such courage. Such fire within her, which she’d shared so bravely and fully with him in those stormy moments when her grief had taken charge of her. With awkward movements, he stroked her hair, her shoulder and arm. And without meaning to, he began rocking her again as if she were a scared child. Wasn’t she? That was what had galvanized him into action—his sharp remembrance of his own four-year-old response to being terrified and alone. He had connected with Casey on that level and had been able to reach out and comfort her.

  Reid opened his eyes and lifted his chin. His gaze narrowed on the rain-streaked window opposite them. The lightning was less and less frequent now, the storm leaving the village far behind. Cool air breathed in and out of the hut and relieved the stifling humidity within. He took a deep, halting breath of his own. Tonight, in this moment, his whole world had changed. Just having this wonderfully alive woman in his arms, sharing her tears, her pain with him, had forever changed him.

  Reid was scared as never before, holding this woman who met and matched him fearlessly at every breath, every heartbeat. As he moved his fingers through her silky hair, he closed his eyes and savored their unspoken intimacy. Casey kept her arms around his torso and continued to rest her head wearily against his shoulder. How good it felt to be needed! Old pain came back along with old memories of the day that Janet had called off their wedding. She hadn’t needed him, not like this; not like one human being needs another to feel safe, to feel cared for and loved when all hell breaks loose. Janet had been so sure he was heartless that she’d never given him a chance to see if he really was. Now, with Casey in his arms, he had living proof that maybe—-just maybe—he wasn’t as unfeeling as he thought.

  What did he feel for Casey? Love? Reid’s eyes snapped open. His hand hovered over her head. Love? Trying to push the word out of his mind and out of his heart, he allowed his hand to come to rest on her slumped shoulder. Her skin was cool now and not damp as before. The softly rumpled cotton of her gown contrasted with the supple smoothness of her flesh. His brow wrinkled as he tested the word again—carefully this time.

  Reid thought he knew what love was all about; after all, he’d fallen in love with Janet. Hadn’t he? Then why were all these emotions, like bright, scintillating lights, going off in his chest, in his heart? Janet had never made him feel like this—strong, needed and desired. And she’d repeatedly pointed out his shortcomings, his inability to love her the way she needed to be loved. She’d claimed she needed a whole man, not half a man.

  Reid’s attention was snagged as Casey sighed audibly. Shifting his weight, he looked down at her. He felt her sadness even though her eyes remained closed. He heard it in her sigh. Smiling softly to himself, he rested his jaw against her hair.

  “Just sleep, sweetheart. You’ll feel better in the morning. Daylight always makes things look better, believe me… .” He began to lightly stroke her shoulder and arm as he might soothe a fractious, frightened four-year-old who was wild-eyed with fear. When she took in a deep breath, Reid breathed in with her. And when she released it, he did as well. How easy it was to meet and become a part of Casey. How exhilaratingly easily.

  As Reid sat there with her in his arms, her long body stretched out between his thighs, her lower legs across his own, he’d never felt so happy. So complete. And with that thought, he allowed his hand to come to rest on her arm, and closed his eyes. The spicy fragrance of her perfume combined with her womanly softness conspired to lull him asleep. As a marine, he’d slept in much more uncomfortable positions than this. He knew the healing value of sleep and, within moments, dropped off into it. Only this time, his heart whispered as he spiraled into the warm darkness, he held the woman who could fulfill him in every conceivable way.

  Bright sunlight lanced into the hut
’s window, waking Reid. He felt the warmth on his face and groaned, lifting his hand to rub his eyes. Almost instantly, he missed Casey being in his arms. Tearing himself from sleep, Reid sat up. Where was she?

  He blinked, trying to rid himself of the grogginess that still blanketed his senses. Looking around the sunlit hut, he realized she was not here. Outside the hut, he heard the pleasant Bantu language drifting into earshot. Several dogs were barking somewhere in the distance, and he heard a number of children screaming and playing nearby. The odor of food made his stomach growl. Rubbing his belly, Reid forced himself to his feet. Looking around, he saw that Casey’s feminine nightgown was neatly folded on the table.

  Had last night really happened? He touched his mouth, the taste, the feel of Casey still there, still resonating and making him tingle with longing. Yes, it had happened. His body remembered it well. His heart felt wide-open, like someone had put a hot brand on it. Rubbing his chest, he slowly turned around and pulled aside the fabric that covered the door. The sunlight was strong and he blinked several times before he realized the truck was gone. Casey was gone! Suddenly, all his warrior senses sprang to life.

  With a curse, Reid moved back into the hut. He shed his pajama bottoms and quickly pulled on a pair of dark green marine utilities and a white cotton shirt. After he laced up his hiking boots, he slipped on the shoulder holster and pulled a lightweight jacket over it. Hurrying outside, he noticed the rainstorm of the night before had left the land washed clean, and the red soil a muddy mire.

  Children played around some of the campfires where food was cooking in kettles. He saw a number of older women tending the fires and food. Shading his eyes, he made a sweep around the village. The truck was nowhere to be seen. And neither was Casey.

  “The morning is old.”

  Reid whirled around, his eyes widening. A man in his mid-forties judging by his salt-and-pepper hair, and wearing jeans, boots and a white linen shirt, smiled at him.

  “I am Paul, oldest son of Henri,” he said, extending his hand.

  Reid grasped it, noting the man’s resemblance to Henri. Paul had his father’s thin frame, broad brow and high cheekbones. Reid immediately felt he could trust him. “Reid Hunter. Have you seen Casey?”

  “Yes, I did. She left several hours ago. I assume you want to help her out at the site?”

  Reid nodded. “I do. How can I get there?”

  “By horseback.” He smiled again.

  “I see… .”

  “Follow me. I will take you by horseback to the cave area. We have no cars here, other than those brought by visitors. My father has some fine Thoroughbred horses given to him several years ago. When I come home from Kinshasa for a visit, he allows me to ride them. My father is too old to ride, but my children, as well as Henri’s other grandchildren like them.”

  Reid nodded, noticing how good Paul’s English was. It was obvious he was well educated. “Okay, I can stay on board a horse.” Lucky for him, he’d been raised around horses in Colorado. He used to own a quarter horse, which he’d shown as a kid.

  “It is an hour by horseback to Casey’s site. I like to gallop across the plains among all the wild animals. Doubtless, you will enjoy it, too.”

  Paul’s eyes gleamed playfully, then danced with laughter. Reid liked him instantly and would have enjoyed his easy comaraderie under other circumstances. Right now, his mind was centered on Casey. Why had she left him behind? In one way, he was relieved. He didn’t know what to say or how to apologize for his awkward attempts to comfort her last night. He hadn’t meant to kiss her. He was sure she had left this morning embarrassed and properly shocked by his behavior, and wanted to be left alone. Did she see him as taking advantage of her? Of their situation last night?

  “I hope you like English saddles,” Paul warned as they left the central area of the village. “No western saddles in Africa, I’m afraid.”

  Reid kept pace with the man’s long stride. Outside the village, in a huge stockade of fifteen-foot-high poles that had been assembled vertically into a huge holding pen, he saw ten horses of various colors and sizes. “Where I come from, western saddles are the only type we know.”

  Chuckling, Paul rubbed his long, artistic hands together. “If you fall off, then, I will stop and pick you up.”

  Reid didn’t think there was much chance of that. All he wanted to do was get to Casey. A number of Henri’s grandchildren tagged along, and at the corral gate, Paul asked them to catch a big, gray Thoroughbred gelding and a black mare of equal height. They were the tallest animals in the stockade. Within minutes, the horses were saddled and bridled.

  “Take the black mare,” Paul instructed as he mounted the restive gray. “She is swift and surefooted and tolerates riders who may not know what they’re doing.” He laughed deeply.

  There wasn’t much to the English saddle, in Reid’s opinion— a mere postage stamp of leather on the mare’s broad, shining back. She, too, was anxious to get moving, tossing her head and snorting in anticipation of getting to stretch out her long, fine legs across the savanna. Mounting, Reid automatically wrapped his legs around the horse’s barrel, heels down, toes up and pointed toward her refined head. Gathering up the braided leather reins, he kept light contact with her soft mouth. These horses were not only well cared for, but obviously well trained. That surprised him a little as they moved out at a ground-eating trot and circled the outside of the corral.

  “They want to run!” Paul shouted over his shoulder as they quickly left the village behind.

  Ahead of them lay the rolling green savanna. Reid estimated there were at least a thousand zebras and wildebeests in front of them, strung out over many miles of the seemingly endless grasslands. He kept the fractious black mare in check as she danced and sidled, wanting much more than a sedate trot. Then Paul gestured for them to gallop. Reid swallowed hard and hoped like hell there weren’t many holes in the earth, or else they could end up breaking a horse’s leg and flying off their mounts.

  The gray moved like a streak of lightning as Paul gave the horse his head and leaned low in the saddle. Reid’s black mare bucked and lunged against the tightness of her snaffle bit. He talked soothingly to her as he planned where he wanted the horse to gallop. He could feel her quivering with pent-up energy. Of all the things he’d expected from Africa, riding at a furious gallop through chest-deep green grass was not one of them. Leaning low, the horse’s black mane whipping in his face, he kept the mare steady between his legs as he guided her around the scattering black-and-white zebras. The wind gusted past him and his eyes watered as the mare lunged powerfully forward, her long legs eating up the distance between them and the fleeing gray gelding.

  Laughter tunneled out of Reid spontaneously. Memories of his childhood, of riding his dun quarter horse across the open valley bracketed by the Rocky Mountains, came flooding back to him. He’d missed the feel of a good horse under him. And now this black mare, who snorted with each stride, her small ears laid back against her head, was carrying him closer and closer to Casey. To the confrontation to come. His hands were damp against the braided leather reins. Would Casey confront him? Be angry? Give him the silent treatment? Fear stalked Reid as he rode the speeding horse closer and closer to the edge of the savanna toward a line of hardwood trees and palms in the distance. Fear that he wouldn’t say the right thing. Fear that Casey would reject him.

  But beyond his fears, Reid felt his heart bursting with desire for Casey. He thirsted for more of what they’d shared last night. Never had he wanted anything in his life as much as he wanted another chance to hold her in his arms. Would she ever give him that chance again? Reid knew he didn’t deserve one. At all. Further, he didn’t know if he’d have the guts to walk down that path with her if she offered herself to him. He’d done it once with Janet and his whole world had been turned upside down. It was something he couldn’t conceive of ever risking again.

  Chapter Eight

  Casey’s hands froze above the specimen that s
he was dissecting at the sound of horses approaching. Clothed in a makeshift paper lab coat, protective goggles and several layers of gloves, she stood at the table, her microscope and slides nearby. Her heart bounded violently in her breast as she heard the sound of Reid’s laughter, along with another man’s. Glancing around, she saw Paul on a gray mare and Reid dismounting from a black horse. How handsome Reid looked!

  Gulping, Casey forced herself to pay attention to her work, to where she placed the scalpel in the dead bat in order to carefully dissect it. She was looking for Ebola. One wrong slip with the deadly blade and she could slice through her gloves, cut into her skin and infect herself. Whether this species of bat had Ebola in it or not, she didn’t know. The stains on the slides would be sent to the OID in Atlanta, Georgia, for verification.

  She heard Paul’s voice. He and Reid were talking like old friends. Brothers. That rankled Casey. She wondered how much Reid knew. Had Grandpa Henri talked to him? Did he know the truth? That she had planned on leaving this morning, catching a flight out of Yambuku and returning to Kinshasa? What a coward she was! In that moment, Casey didn’t like herself very much. One kiss! One heated, heart-melting kiss and she was running like a frightened animal. Her hands trembled. She stopped, took a deep, steadying breath before continuing to work.

  The sound of the horses leaving caught her attention. When she glanced up again, she saw Reid had been left alone. Tension crawled through her as she anticipated his approach. She felt his eyes on her back. Her heart skittered. Her fingers hovered over the dissected creature on the table before her. She caught the sound of Reid’s boots moving through the damp vegetation of the jungle floor. He was coming slowly but surely toward her. What was she going to say? She was scared. So scared.