“What?” I asked, my face falling to match his morose expression. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah…I just…I feel like I have to tell you something,” Johnathan replied, putting his plate down on the ground and settling in to have a serious conversation.
Suddenly, the remainder of my breakfast was no longer appealing. I felt my stomach churn as I wondered what could possibly be so important, or so grave, that he would feel the need to be so serious about.
Since, the one thing I had learned about Johnathan was that unless he was angry, he didn’t take things overly serious. He would rather insult a problem or tell it to go to hell wit his dry sense of humor than actually address it, which I was starting to get used to. Instead, though, right now, he seemed almost too serious.
“Johnathan, you’re scaring me…” I offered, pulling back from him.
“Good. You should be scared,” he scowled, “Cause it scared the shit out of me and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.”
“What?” I asked, inching back toward him, although I felt my body shaking. I wasn’t sure what he was going to tell me and I feared that something would snap in him and I would be thrown back into a terrible situation, like I was at the campsite.
It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Johnathan, it was more that I was having a hard time trusting anyone presently. It seemed like every time I moved, since the incident, I was afraid something was going to attack me.
I didn’t want to live this way and my only hope was that it would get better with time, but I doubted it and Johnathan’s expression wasn’t helping this idea.
“So,” he started skeptically, as though he still wasn’t sure if he wanted to tell me what he felt he needed to. Yet, after a pause, he continued, “You know when I told you I found your tent and your bag? I told you that I didn’t find anything else?”
“Yeah?” I prodded as my heart started to thump loud and hastily in my chest. Instantly, I felt sick and the words spilled out of me before I could stop them, “Did you find the guy? Did you kill him?”
“What?” Johnathan seemed to be removed from the seriousness of the situation for a moment, as he shook his head. “No! Why would you think…” His voice willingly cut off there and his head bobbed in a motion as though he had answered his own question and no longer needed further explanation. “Uh…No. I didn’t kill him, but that’s partially only because I didn’t find him. I did find his bag…”
“His hiking pack?”
“No. Probably a bag that he had in his hiking pack. It looked like a medical bag? Kind of…Anyway, I found a knife, rope, duct tape and the damn drug he used to knock you out with in the bag.” He spoke quickly now, as though he was trying to get it all out before he changed his mind about saying any of it. “The good news is, the drug he used won’t have any lasting effects. It’s basically generic Valium, so it won’t have any lasting effects, but the other stuff I found suggests that…”
“He was going to kill me,” I replied, saying the words aloud made my stomach curdle. Again, I felt sick.
“Jesus, I’m sorry, Carrie. I wasn’t going to tell you, but I felt that you had a right to know…” He insisted, gingerly grasping my shoulder in an attempt to be supportive.
However, I wasn’t listening to him. Even though I had known that was a possibility, even as the assault was happening, the pre-meditation that had gone into the attack and the obvious, ultimate intention made my head spin.
Those eyes returned, burning into my soul and now that I was certain of their true intention, I was certain that I would likely never be able to rest comfortably and securely again.
If the guide had intended to kill me after he had gotten what he wanted, he would definitely want to kill me now that he was interrupted.
Thoughts of how my life was in danger, as well as Johnathan’s life flooded my conscious, making me feel guilty as well as terrified.
I wasn’t sure what I had thought happened to him before but the thought of him coming back for me wasn’t high on the realm of my possibilities. However, now, I feared that it was the only logical conclusion.
I supposed I had hoped this was a random act and that he was never going to try it again, because it had failed. I knew that was a dumb idea, especially now, but it was hard for my brain to contemplate anything else. Now, those ideas seemed like fantasies, wishful thinking, though I knew the reality was far darker.
As all of this weighed down on me, I felt increasingly lightheaded as the black curtain started to close from the corners of my eyes. I heaved a breath, which was useless, as though I was punched in the stomach and was certain that I was about to pass out.
I tried to fight it, refusing to close my eyes, but as the blackness closed over my vision, my stomach churned uncomfortably.
I wondered if it was better to pass out or fight it and throw up. Either way, I figured I would be getting sick, so I instantly decided I didn’t want to be throwing up after I had succumbed to the darkness.
I swallowed hard and fought for breath.
Realizing the despair, I was in, Johnathan’s grasp tightened as he tried to keep me from falling over.
“Carrie!” He yelled, shaking me slightly so that was pulled away from the sense of overbearing fear. When I looked at him, he pressed his other hand on my other shoulder and glared at me. “Carrie, listen to me!” He screamed.
Eventually, my eyes settled on his and the dizziness started to dissipate, though my unsettled stomach continued to ebb and flow, still threatening to release its contents.
“Breathe, Carrie…Relax. Come back to me,” Johnathan’s voice was soothing and calm, now that he had stopped yelling. His panic had receded and therefore, I was able to focus on him as he requested, which slowly eased the sickness I felt.
He continued to speak softly to me, his eyes bearing into mine intently, driving out the crazed look of the guide that plagued me.
Finally, I was able to draw in a calming breath, then another. Slowly, I started to be able to calm myself.
“Relax, Carrie…” Johnathan told me once again, before his expression hardened in a far more serious, menacing manner. “Now, listen to me, Carrie, you are going to be okay. I am not going to let anyone hurt you. That asshole is long gone, but if he does come back, I swear to God, I’ll be ready for him. I’ll kill him, before you even know he’s here.”
“But…What if, what if he comes after me at home? After I leave?” I insisted.
“He won’t,” Johnathan insisted, his expression piercing. “I don’t want to scare you, but here’s the truth, if he tries to come after you again, he’s going to try to do so before you reach the ranger’s station. He’s either going to attack you here, or while we’re on the trip, so that is when you need to be the most aware of your surroundings. I will be with you the whole time and I know what to look for. I’ll know if he’s coming. Once you make it to the ranger’s station, you can report him, or you can leave it alone. Either way, once you’re there, he’s lost his shot. He’s not going to come after you again, because he isn’t sure if he’s already been made. You know his name, his face, and can direct people back to where he attacked you, which trust me, they will find evidence there…So, he’s at your mercy then. Going after you once you reach that ranger’s station is only adding time to a sentence. If you accuse him of hurting you and then you disappear, guess who their number one suspect is?”
I contemplated all of this and nodded, “That makes sense.”
“Also, this is his home turf. He knows this area. He doesn’t know where you live. Even if he finds out your address, he doesn’t know were to hide and where to go if things don’t go his way. Here, he feels comfortable. Where you live, he’s a caged rat. It’d be a suicide mission.”
Again, I shook my head with understanding, “That makes sense…”
“So, don’t worry about it.”
“Why did you go to get my stuff?” I asked, “And don’t tell me that it was a perimeter chec
k…” I grinned weakly, as I finally felt the color start to return to my face.
“I don’t know,” Johnathan responded, “I was just wandering around and honestly, found myself back at the spot where you were attacked. I did briefly think about trying to find the bastard, which was how I ended up by your campsite, but when I realized he wasn’t there, but the crazy killer bag was, I thought it would be better if I came back…Just in case.”
“Thanks,” I answered.
“I don’t know what you’re thanking me for. If he caught up with you here, he could kill you and blame my ass. I was protecting myself,” he snickered.
“Thanks,” I retorted, this time a lot more sarcastically than the first time.
“Don’t mention it,” he insisted, before turning his attention toward my ankle. “I should probably check that. If it’s not too bad, I want you to walk, okay?”
I nodded, though for some reason, I was a little apprehensive. Perhaps it was because I hadn’t been on my feet in so long and I didn’t want to fail, or maybe it had more to do with the fact that I was still recovering from the news. I wasn’t sure exactly what it was, but I figured that getting up and walking around was the first step in regaining my life. So, I agreed.
Carefully, Johnathan removed the splint that he made, freeing my ankle for the first time.
Once it was released, he pushed my pant-leg up and easily felt around my ankle.
I grinned at the feel of his touch. I closed my eyes as I noticed that I was reacting in a sensual way to the way he was feeling my leg. His hands were rough, warm, and firm. I felt a fire start to rage in my midsection as my heart started to beat quickly.
“Oh, admit it, Johnathan...You just want me to stay longer because you like the company,” I teased, trying to gauge whether he felt the same way as I did
“Does this hurt?” He asked, trying to be objective, though a simper crossed his features.
“No,” I replied, trying to be serious, though the way he was stroking my leg, massaging it in a manner that caused every bit of feeling I had to come alive, made it hard to be objective.
Right now, even if my ankle should’ve hurt, I didn’t think the amount of euphoric attraction I felt toward him would allow a legitimate response.
With all the raging hormones and pleasant vibes reverberating through my body, I felt it was likely impossible for me to feel any kind of pain.
My heart was racing by this point. I felt a spark between us reverberating through my body, feeding a fire that was already raging. I knew already that this was a feeling that I wanted to explore, but this wasn’t like me at all. I didn’t normally do this. I was far more the girl who waited for the man to make the first move.
However, I didn’t want to lose this feeling, so, before he pulled his hand away, I reached out and grabbed it with my hand.
My mind was reeling. I had no idea what I was doing, but when his eyes rose to meet mine, I could tell that he was purposefully trying to keep his distance. It was then that I was sure he felt the same way I did.
My gaze fixed on him, focusing in serious, intense insinuation.
He didn’t pull his hand away, but he waited for me to make a move.
“Thank you,” I insisted, drawing closer to him, “Seriously, I don’t want to think about what would’ve happened if you weren’t there.”
He grunted slightly, as though unsure, but didn’t pull back.
Johnathan was hesitant, but I was sure that I wasn’t the only one to be experiencing such an intense current of emotions.
The sexual tension that flowed between us was nearly palpable.
I had never felt such a strong connection, with a person who I barely knew. It was a strange sensation, but one that I welcomed.
My eyes focused on his lips, hiding behind the beard and mustache and I wondered what it would be like to kiss him. I found myself wondering what he would taste like and how he would react.
After all, I didn’t want to scare the man, but as the seconds passed and the intensity of the look we exchanged became more intriguing, I was extremely tempted to find out exactly what would happen.
So, taking a leap of faith, or whatever it was that propelled me forward, eyes closed, lips puckered, I lightly connected my lips with his.
Lingering there, I felt his breath on my face and his taste, which was surprisingly intriguing.
His aura was intensely masculine and everything about him, including the essence of his tenderness.
I paused after I broke away, feeling my stomach topple over with attraction and wanting to continue, but I forced myself to stop to see what his reaction would be.
When I opened my eyes, I saw that he was staring at me. A look of confusion, yet intrigue was apparent in his eyes.
“Are you sure?” He insisted gruffly, his eyebrow raising and his eyes glowing with need and assurance. “I don’t want you to think…”
“All I’m thinking, is that I want you…” I replied, succumbing to the passions that seemed to overtake me.
I leaned in to kiss him again as his hand cupped my cheek and brought me closer to him.
His hand was warm and calloused, giving me the same stimulating sensation, I felt when he was touching my ankle. Yet, this was far more intrinsic, and natural, considering our current closeness.
When our lips met again, I felt the roughness of his facial hair as his mouth caressed mine.
At first, his movements were cautious, but eventually, his kisses increased in their passion. His tongue managed to slip its way past my teeth, dancing and swooning my desires, which increased the growing, lustful sensation my body was experiencing.
He was so warm, and gentle, though he took control. From then on, he progressed, though he was always careful not to come near any of my wounds.
When he pulled away from my lips, I pulled the nightgown I was wearing off, revealing the top half of me to him.
His eyes glowed with intrigue and allure as his gaze passed over my body, taking particular care to take in my breasts.
With strong, solid arms and protruding muscles, he hovered over my body. He was extremely close to me and I could feel the heat of his body against my own, even through his shirt. The heat that radiated off him caused me to feel a raging sign of intimacy forming between us.
Lifting himself up, he backed away, so that he too could remove his shirt.
I watched in awe as his chiseled muscles were etched perfectly into his abdomen and the taught, sinewy rope of muscle that wove throughout his chest was entrancing. The brown hair that curled over his chest wasn’t overly thick, but it was noticeable. I couldn’t wait to run my fingers through it.
I had never actually witnessed a man with such a perfect body. His stomach was flat, except for the washboard stomach, which tightened into the waistband of his jeans, which were positioned low, showing off a tantalizing patch of hair on either side.
Undoubtable, the hair traced a line straight down to a throbbing member that my body yearned to have inside it.
When he moved back down, hovering over me once again, his eyes looked playful and wild. His lip coiled up into a sneer, as he slowly drew his head down, peeling the blanket away from me completely, while his lips and teeth traced my stomach, his mouth reached my underwear.
He looked up at me again, one last time, before his teeth bore into the underwear, yanking it down, to reveal my womanliness to him.
He growled as his hand slipped the underwear the rest of the way off, before his kisses started to become naughty.
I felt the roughness of his beard rub against my own promising downy curls, before his hands carefully spread my legs apart.
I squirmed, feeling his hot breath against my blossoming flower, but his large hands easily kept my legs from moving.
The prospect that I was his and he was going to do whatever he wanted to me was interesting and alluring.
I had never had a man do this to me and I wondered how it would feel.
To sho
w him that I was agreeable to what his body was proposing, I opened myself as wide as I could as I watched his shaggy head delve through the apex of my legs.
I screamed at first, as a shock cascaded through me when his mouth fondled me, but when I felt his tongue stroke up my sheath, I had to grab ahold of the bed to keep from leaping up.
I heard a muffled laugh that rumbled my profusely moistening femininity, before his large hands repositioned themselves on either side of my thighs.
Moving them slowly, he continued to tease me with his tongue, which made me squeeze my eyes shut and moan.
Almost immediately, I was completely breathless, yet regardless of the implications of the lack of air, I didn’t do anything that I thought might indicate I wanted him to stop.
“Oh God…Yes…” I groaned as my pelvis gyrated upwards, while Johnathan slipped his tongue into me, again causing me to scream.
I thrashed but this time, his hands pulled me toward him, so that he could enter deeper inside of me.
I felt him start to make a circular motion with his tongue as his thumbs massaged my pelvis.
I closed my eyes to better enjoy the feelings he was sparking in side of me and I found that my body was thrusting toward him more, trying its best to help him slide deeper and deeper.
Broken: A Mountain Man's Romance Page 9
