Captured in Croatia

by Christine Edwards

  Anticipation gives me a surge of adrenaline as I make my way higher at a quick, efficient pace. She’s like a fucking dream … so damn sweet. I wish I could keep her forever. She’s the one, I know it. Fuck, I’ve never felt anything like this before, never let anyone get this close. The thought of letting her go anytime soon sends a shot of pain through my chest.

  I pick up my pace. Even though the air is cool, a sheen of sweat breaks out across my brow. Nearly to the top …. The rush of water echoes from the highest waterfall in Plitvice. She’s up there. Trapped. The only way out is directly in my path. I want her and I play to win.

  I slow my stride as I crest the top of the tall, tree-covered hill. My eyes narrow when I don’t see her immediately. Where are you, Carew? She’s either hiding or she decided to jump. I know that she doesn’t have a death wish. No, she loves life far too much.

  I call out loudly, “All right, princeza, you wanna play? Cat and mouse it is then, but be warned, you’re about to be devoured.”

  I stalk straight toward a dense grove of large trees. Some are wide enough for a body to hide behind, especially a lithe, sexy little body like hers. Oh yeah ….

  A gust of wind sweeps across the top of the hill. Right there. A few locks of her long, pale hair are blowing outward from her hiding spot. Gotcha, baby.

  I approach the tree as stealthily as possible, fully aware that she has no idea her hair is giving her away. Nearly there ….

  Leaves crunch under my leather boots and at the same moment I hear her cry out, knowing that she’s been spotted. Immediately she takes off, running hell-bent into the forest. A growl emerges from my throat as I sprint hard after her. I get close and reach out for her shoulder, trying to get her to slow for me, taking care not to hurt her. She surprises me by ducking to her left in an abrupt change of direction.

  I sprint harder, circle wide to her left and leap across a felled tree, landing right in her path. She’s running so frantically that she’s unable to stop. She runs smack into my chest but still doesn’t give up. She turns to flee, but this time she’s off balance and falls back onto her ass. Perfect.

  “I do like catching you, Carew. Are you ready for my reward, baby?”

  A small cry of feminine alarm erupts from her plump lips. She struggles to get away from me but her injured wrist makes it impossible for her to retreat on all fours.

  “Get onto your knees, ass in the air, and put your forearms out above your head.”

  She stares up at me in disbelief. “But … but … you tricked me!”

  I arch a brow. “How so?”

  “You know this place. You must have known that you were sending me directly into a trap!”

  “You chose which direction to run, baby, now pay up. On. Your. Knees.”

  Her eyes sparkle with lust and her lips part at my command. With a huff of protest, she turns over, lifts up her perfect, jean-clad ass for me, and stretches out, resting on her forearms in the tall green grass.

  Gazing down at her, I realize I have just won the fucking lottery. She is a dream-creature. I can’t wait to fuck her senseless.

  Kneeling down behind her, I lift her black sweater just high enough that her creamy tits dangle down for my wicked use. Fondling them simultaneously, I knead the twin weights thoroughly until she arches back toward me, a small, feminine moan escaping her lips.

  “Relax, baby, I’ll give you just what you need.”

  She whimpers once as I reach under her to unfasten the button on those sinfully tight jeans. Fuck me! And here I thought she looked hot in lingerie …. This woman looks stunning in anything.

  Straining for patience, I draw the skintight jeans and panties over her smooth ass and down to her knees. She begins to shift impatiently.

  “No. Stay put.” I purposefully add an edge to my voice. She stills immediately.

  With the jeans trapping her knees, I use the outside of my legs to spread her wider, positioning her just so. I lean back onto my knees, palms spread out on the top of my thighs and inspect my prize. So fucking hot.

  I watch her closely as I take off my belt and unbutton my jeans. I reach in and wrap my palm around my broad cock, drawing it out of my black underwear.

  She flips her hair away and turns to watch me with those lusty green eyes. So beautiful. She’s more dazzling than sunshine and I can’t wait to be buried so deep within her that she won’t know where she ends and I begin.

  Reaching down, I slowly swipe one finger across her creaming slit. Perfectly drenched. I smile as she pushes her ass up a fraction. So ready for more. I’ll give her everything.

  I keep up the back and forth glide with my finger, knowing full well how it drives her wild, before bringing it up to my lips for a taste. I suck on my finger, saturating it before I bring it back between her legs to concentrate on that pretty little clit of hers. After I have circled it several times, she begins to cry out and rake her hands through the grass.

  “Stop toying with me, Zoran!” she cries, her voice straining with need.

  With a smile, I ask, “Who?”

  “Tigar! Fuck me hard, Tigar! Is that what you want? I’ll scream out your name, just make me come! This is just cruel. You’re driving my insane!”

  I can’t help but chuckle as I put my finger back in my mouth to get it nice and wet. Holding one hand steady on her left hip, I work my way into her sweet ass with my slicked up index finger. Fuck, my cock is straining so hard, aching to grind into her sweet body.

  “Ungh, oh, oh!”

  Once I have my finger inside her fist-tight back channel, I release her hip and allow her to rock back and forth, fucking her ass with my finger at her own pace. She moans wildly as my thick finger pumps in and out of her little backside. God! It’s one of the sexiest things I’ve ever seen. I have to take her now. I’ll come all over her back if I wait any longer.

  I remove my digit and she protests with a frustrated whine.

  Grasping the thick base of my rigid cock, I glance down at the pearls of pre-cum. I am more than ready for her.

  “Brace for it, princeza.”

  Without another word, I feed my thick cock into her soaked pussy. I work her hard, pushing eagerly, knowing that she can stretch to take all of me. I begin to thrust, setting a pounding rhythm that is in sync with my galloping heartbeat. I slap her rounded ass twice as she continues to cry out in mindless pleasure.

  Time to ignite you, baby.

  Reaching between her spread legs, I swipe hard against her engorged clit. On the second pass she screams out in a primal cry, sucking in little gasps of air as her slick sex milks me for everything I have. Too perfect, unreal!

  Gripping both her hips, I begin to hammer into her. My hips slap loudly against her exposed ass. On the fourth stroke, I ram myself full length into her drenched slit and pour my orgasm into her. My roar of pleasure rings triumphantly through the trees.

  ***

  My IQ has taken a nosedive. I can only lie here with my cheek pressed against the soft grass and feel. He’s still buried deep within me and I can hear him breathing like a racehorse after a hard sprint. In a word, amazing.

  When I’m able to think clearly again, I push up on my good arm and look back at him. “Zoran.”

  He smiles a lazy, contented smile. “Carew.”

  Just then something significant passes between us. I blink and look away into the trees. He gently pulls out of me and assists me in standing up before pulling down my sweater and helping me with my jeans. I am still too unsteady to dress myself.

  I look down at his impressive shaft, still slick with our fluid and mostly hard. I can’t believe that he fits inside me, but he is so fine that I want him again instantly. He tucks himself back into his black boxer briefs and jeans before taking my hand and pulling me into his strong embrace.

  His chin dips low to rest on top of my head and he speaks, his deeply accented voice floating down to me. “I’m on a two-week vacation from work, Carew. In ten days, when it is over, I will drive
you to the airport in Zagreb and send you home. It is the least I can do after what you have endured, but I wanted these days with you. Understood?”

  I remain quiet for a minute, absorbing his surprising offer.

  I say quietly, “Zoran, I’m beginning to have feelings for you. I think that you should release me now. It will be much harder if we wait. Please.”

  He steps back and levels me with those magnetic eyes before dipping low to gently kiss my lips. Right against my mouth, he says, “No. This is not negotiable, princeza. Come now.”

  I sigh heavily as my mind whirls at the thought of my upcoming freedom. Relief washes over me, knowing that he is letting me go back to my life, that he is releasing me. We walk back to the clearing at the top of the hill. Crossing over to the edge, we both lean over to take in the sight of the magnificent waterfall. When he was after me I only saw it as a barrier, a trap. Now I watch the swirls of white spray and mist with tranquil ease.

  “There are many waterfalls here. Over twenty, if I’m not mistaken.”

  “It’s breathtaking. How large is the park?”

  “Over two hundred and fifty thousand acres.”

  “That is so impressive. I could spend all day in this very spot. It’s so peaceful.”

  “Yes. Come, there is plenty more to see before we meet B and Georgina back at the truck. We’ll be more than ready to eat a late lunch after that vigorous workout, eh?”

  “Right,” I say, suppressing a laugh. We take our time meandering through the lush park.

  We are making our way back to the bridge when he asks, “What is your last name?”

  “Sloan, and yours is Vranic?”

  “Yes, that’s right.”

  I mull the pretty name over in my mind and say it again. “Vranic. That’s lovely.”

  His hand runs across my back. “Thank you. Where do you live in America?”

  “Atlanta, in the South.”

  “Yes, I’ve heard of it. Atlanta Braves baseball?”

  I can’t help but laugh. “Yeah, spot on. But how would you know about baseball?”

  “Did you have a look at the size of my TV, woman?”

  “I did, and?”

  “And, I have just about every sports channel offered on the planet.”

  I shake my head in amusement.

  Stopping midway across the scenic, narrow bridge, I pull him close, wrapping my arms around his waist and ask, “Why didn’t you kill me after the crash?”

  Staring out at the clear azure water, he is silent for a long while before confessing, “I’ve never killed someone who didn’t deserve it, Carew. And I’ve certainly never killed a woman or a child.”

  “But I took proprietary information from your boss. And I fled from you after you warned me, repeatedly.”

  “I’m fully aware of what you did. What I still don’t know is why.” He turns me in his arms to confront me. “Tell me why you took what you did from Juric.”

  I sigh and look away. “I suppose it’s time. I’m employed by an American company that specializes in acquiring cyber intel. I won’t tell you the name of the company or our client, so please don’t ask. There is a prominent electronics designer who was convinced that Juric had stolen his design for a specialized engineering program. He paid us a boatload of money to see if it was true. From what I saw that night, Juric’s design is a standalone. Our client was mistaken. Wherever he got the tip … well, let’s say it cost him. On the bright side, his design is safe and so is Juric’s.”

  He pulls me against his chest, so warm and comforting. His scent works like an aphrodisiac as I breathe deeply, no longer afraid.

  “Thank you. Thank you for finally telling me the truth, princeza.”

  He kisses the top of my hair and whispers, “Obozavam te.”

  I lean back and look into his face. I ask, “What does that mean?”

  He trails a lone finger down and across my left cheek before answering, “It means I adore you.”

  I wrap my arms around his wide torso and snuggle into the softness of his sweater. In a barely audible whisper, I say, “Likewise, Tigar, and thank you for not killing me that night.”

  “Da, princeza.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Freefall

  The nearby town of Slunj is set directly on the edge of one of the rushing waterfalls. When we first drove in thirty minutes ago I felt like we had been transported into a romantic, medieval world. All the structures in the small village are made of white stones with red, sloped terracotta rooftops. We passed by a stunning water wheel that must have been close to forty feet in height. The proud structure has no doubt withstood countless centuries of rotation.

  We’ve just ordered lunch. Well, my order was placed for me because I had little idea what I was reading on the menu. Zoran and Georgina told me that they would ‘surprise me.’ If the late lunch proves to be half as fresh and tasty as the tall pints of draft beer sitting on our table, then I’m so loving life.

  Georgina cocks her head and asks across the wooden plank table, “So, Carew, how long will you be staying in Croatia?”

  “At least another week, I believe.”

  Zoran’s warm, weighty palm lands on my hip, pulling me closer to his side.

  “Well then, B and I will have to have you over to our apartment for dinner. Zoran, you let us know what night works best.”

  He takes a healthy swig from his pint glass and sets it down. “Yeah, okay, Georgina. That sounds good.”

  “Thank you, I’d like that as well. I’ll make an American dessert to bring along. You’ll take me to a grocery store, right, Zoran?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  Georgina claps her hands in glee. “Yum! An American style dessert, excellent!”

  B chimes in, “Yeah, you better make double, blondie, because my brother can really pack it away. He is a total pig!”

  We all laugh and order our third round of beers just as the succulent food is brought out of the local pub’s tiny kitchen and laid out, family style, on the plank table.

  Zoran lifts my plate and begins serving me first, explaining as he goes. “Okay, Carew, this is Pasticada, very delicious. It’s a stewed beef that is marinated with lemon, rosemary, and carrots. Next up is the parmesan gnocchi, which we traditionally serve with Pasticada.”

  The aromatic plate is set before me as my stomach rumbles in anticipation. He reaches for my colorful painted bowl and fills it with a red soup that smells of paprika and is swimming with veggies.

  “You’ve most likely heard of goulash, right?”

  “Yes, but I’ve never tried it.”

  B says, “The goulash here is amazing!” He serves Georgina, and I watch both men, thinking how much they favor each other in both looks and demeanor.

  B raises his full glass to give the third toast of the afternoon. “To love and family, zivjeli!”

  We tip our glasses and begin to savor the hearty meal.

  “Are you enjoying everything?” The deep voice rumbling close to my ear has me flashing back to our steamy afternoon encounter.

  I flush and pat my lips with the napkin. “Yes, it’s superb. Thank you. And you?” I take note of the empty plate—his second helping.

  “Very good, yes.”

  He reaches beneath the table to gently squeeze my hand. A sweetly romantic gesture.

  “What was that funny movie that you wanted to download tonight, Georgina?”

  Before she can respond to B’s question, a mobile goes off. Zoran frowns as he slips his ringing phone from his front jeans pocket.

  He looks at the screen and takes the call. “Da?” Yes?

  He is silent for a moment as he grips the phone tighter. “Salite.” You’re kidding.

  He tells the person on the other end that he will be there in two hours.

  As he hangs up his mood has changed. He’s cold as ice, nearly arctic.

  He addresses his brother but thankfully speaks in English. “Juric phoned. Two of my guards failed to s
how up for their afternoon shift that began over an hour ago. Nobody can reach them. I must go to Zagreb and investigate. Let’s settle up here.”

  B lifts his hand for the waitress to bring the tab as Zoran reaches into his wallet for cash. We are in the truck and moving in under three minutes.

  Georgina tries to defuse the tension. “Hey Carew, you can come stay with us. How does that sound?”

  Zoran cuts in, “I would prefer if B were to keep an eye on the house until I arrive back, hopefully late tonight. Carew will stay there.”

  B’s normally jovial, relaxed demeanor is suddenly tight and serious as he responds swiftly, “Yeah, no worries, bro.”

  ***

  Our drive back takes half the time. Obviously the lazy scenic tour is over. The silence inside the vehicle is deafening. The tension rolling off Zoran is so thick it’s nearly suffocating.

  As we pull into the long drive B talks softly in English to Georgina, “Come inside, baby, we’ll see if we can find that movie. He has every satellite channel imaginable.”

  “Not tonight, my love. I promised my grandfather I’d drop by to have tea late this afternoon, and I have to finish preparing for school tomorrow. I will see you later this evening or in the morning, all right?”

  I try not to look as he helps her down from the truck and pulls her into a passionate embrace, dipping low to kiss her delicate lips. Zoran is already out of the truck, making a beeline to the front door, and calling out to the dogs along the way. “Dole!” Down.

  It’s obvious that he takes his business very seriously, but something feels off. Why would two of his lead guards simply not show? I wonder if there is something he’s failed to tell me.

  I wave goodbye to Georgina as she makes her way down the drive in her dark blue Jeep. She throws a hand out the open window and disappears into the trees at the end of the road.

  “C’mon, blondie, don’t want to waste a good sofa. Let’s chill out and watch bad horror films together, cool? I hope that big bastard still has beer left over from the poker game. Man, the guys still talk about that fight. You must be missing brain cells or have a death wish to fuck with Tigar. You know he was a top heavyweight boxer, right?”