Ares’s gaze narrowed. “Warriors do not cry.”
Jac sucked in a breath as if she’d been punched. The words were so familiar, yet different. She steadied the emotion, racing across her face. It was a coincidence. His words didn’t mean a thing. Her heart squeezed in her chest, then thudded heavily.
She pointed to the door. “Get on with it then.”
Ares stared at her for a moment, as if to say something, then gave a quick nod instead. He moved to her side and grabbed her hand, wrapping it around his thick forearm, like homecoming night when the school announced the names of the year’s court. Ares led Jac out of the hut and down a wide branch to the basket Rachel had used last night to bring her here.
She stepped in before he could help her, trying to put as much distance between them in the confined space as possible. It didn’t stop her awareness of him for a second. Jac could still feel the heat emanating off his body from across the basket, sexuality, power, and strength oozing from his pores.
Jac took a deep breath and held it. Ares glanced down at the front of her t-shirt and her nipples poked out from beneath the thin material, responding to his intent gaze. The air crackled with tension, as if the slightest spark would send them both up in flames.
She watched Ares from beneath lowered lashes. His body was a marvel to behold. Solid muscles rippled like a god as he moved. He had a cock to die for hidden under his loincloth. Unconsciously Jac licked her lips as she recalled his thick length slipping inside her. Her breasts ached and she felt moisture dampen her thong.
Ares tensed, his eyes following her tongue’s motion. Her thoughts were driving him insane. He wanted nothing more than to lay her on the floor of the basket and bury himself in her velvet walls. Her body wanted him as much as his needed her. Maybe by winning this challenge, Jac would realize the depth of his emotions…but he doubted it. She was not swayed by acts of strength and cunning. Those things only brought out her fiery temper, the shield she so readily wore to protect her tender heart.
He had to figure out a way around her defenses. Ares had come up with many plans, but none seemed suited for his quest. It required more thought. The basket came to a halt on the jungle floor, jarring him back from his musings.
Sunlight dappled the ground through the leaves of the trees. Coridan stood loose limbed, already positioned to the side of the seer. Ariel's left side remained vacant, waiting for Ares. He stepped out of the basket, helping Jac before she could protest. Her eyes hardened, flashing blue ice, but she didn’t push him away. He fought the urge to chuckle. They were so much alike.
They walked to the gathering group. Rachel and Eros stood off to the side to witness the proceedings. Ariel’s attention seemed unduly occupied by Coridan, Ares noted before taking his place by the seer. Jac’s expression burned hot when Ariel placed her hand on Ares’s wrist. He swallowed, concentrating on keeping the elation from his face. It would only harden Jac’s resolve to avoid him.
His other half stood eight feet away, a scowl on her face, arms crossed over her chest, with one hip cocked out to the side, her stubborn chin held high, daring anyone to say anything to her.
Ariel released Ares and Coridan, stepping away in the process. “The challenge is as follows. The first warrior to gather a pound of gold and traverse the river, bring down a mighty anaconda, and remain standing after an energy battle will be considered victorious.” She paused. “And remember, no healing.”
At the mention of the river, Coridan’s face drained of color. Jac wouldn’t have noticed, if she hadn’t have been watching so closely. The crowd’s attention riveted on the seer.
Energy battle…Jac blinked, as Ariel’s words sunk in. “What in the hell is an energy battle?” she didn’t bother to hide the venom in her voice.
All eyes turned to Jac. She glared at the group, tired of this macho bullshit and more than a little scared for Ares’s safety, not that she was about to admit that any time soon. She already had enough problems.
Ariel stepped forward, her lips curled at the ends. “An energy battle is when two warriors face each other and try to injure the other until one concedes.”
Jac’s heart slammed in her chest. “Does it end in death?”
The seer’s smile widened. “It can, but that has not occurred for several thousand years, so ‘tis unlikely.” Ariel turned away and faced the men.
Her words did nothing to calm Jac’s worry. If anything it made it worse. Jac fisted her hands at her side. She had to do something to stop this crap before someone got hurt.
Someone like Ares.
“Why can’t they heal themselves?” she grit out.
Ariel’s gaze narrowed. “To do so forfeits the competition.”
“So if they’re injured…”
“Then they’ll have to deal with the pain.”
The tension in Jac’s shoulders spun into overload. One more thing, and she’d snap, not that she done a good job of holding it together. “This has gone far enough,” Jac commanded in her attorney voice, with as much power as she could muster. “I want this competition stopped at once.”
There was a collective gasp from the crowd. Jac didn’t give two shits whose toes she treaded on. Her eyes found Rachel’s, who looked as if she was about to faint. Jac swallowed hard and shored up her resolve.
Ariel slowly turned to face her once more, and a spark of warning flashed in her eyes. “The challenge cannot be stopped without one of the warriors losing.”
“I’m tired of this crap.” Jac ran a hand through her short hair. “Let me talk to Rachel, then I’ll get myself together, and hike my happy ass right out of this jungle.” She swept her arm around. “If you two idiots want to kill yourselves, be my guest.” Her eyes pinned Ares and Coridan in their place.
You will not be leaving. The words were a whisper in Jac’s mind, but there was no doubt who they’d come from. The seer’s seductive voice was distinctive. At that moment Jac was grateful these people couldn’t read her thoughts, had they been able to their ears would’ve burst into flame by now.
Ariel watched her intently, waiting.
“You can’t hold me here against my will.” Jac shook her head in denial, her gaze honing in on Ariel.
The seer arched a brow. I can do many things…the least of which would be to keep you here. But I will not. Your conscience will be your guide in this matter. You have brought these two brave warriors to stand against one another for the right to be with you. If anything happens to either it will be your fault…no other’s. Ariel paused, her head tilting from side to side as if considering her next words. You must see this to its completion, even if the ending is unsatisfactory.
Jac hauled air into her lungs. The bitch tried to guilt her and damn it, it was working. She looked up at the sky, trying to settle her tumultuous emotions, before returning her gaze to Ariel. The seer glared back.
“Fine,” with that said, Jac spun on her heels and stomped off toward the jungle.
“Until it’s completion you will make your home in Ares’s hut, as you’ve already seen fit to spread your thighs for him before,” the seer called out after her, amusement tinting her voice.
Jaw clenched, Jac stumbled at Ariel’s words, but kept walking. She bit back the urge to respond verbally, instead without looking back Jac raised her middle finger high in the air for all to see. Some things were universal. She was sure Ares had a smile planted on his arrogant, blatantly sexy face. Jac knew if she turned and saw it right now, she’d have to drop him like the bad habit he was becoming. She marched through the jungle for several hundred yards, anger slamming into her from all directions. She didn’t want to be responsible for anyone’s safety, much less Ares and Coridan.
Fuck Ariel.
Fuck her mental telepathy, X-files crap.
Fuck them all.
Ariel could shove it all up that perfect ass of hers.
Jac was tired of being manipulated. She didn’t even want to think about the fact she’d been the queen of man
ipulation back in New York, because that was different. It was! How it was different, wasn’t exactly clear at the moment, but it had to be. She’d never met anyone like this tribe’s seer. Any other time, Jac would respect a woman with that much beauty, power, and control.
Just not now, and—not her.
The bitch got on her nerves, always laying her long fingers on Ares’s arm, brushing against his chest, scoping out his cock beneath his loincloth, and undressing him with those freakish aqua eyes. Ariel was like a splinter working its way deeper and deeper under her skin. Well Jac knew what to do with splinters. If need be, she’d hack off her own damn finger.
Jac looked around to ensure her privacy. She could no longer see the clearing, only solid walls of green from the Jurassic growth. At any moment she expected to see a Tyrannosaurus Rex sticking its head through the trees. With her luck, the damn thing would look like Ariel. Jac approached a defenseless tree trunk and let loose. She kicked and jabbed, timing each strike, using precise movements, until her lungs labored to drag in a breath. Then she dropped and started doing pushups. Jac collapsed onto the jungle floor, careful not to crush the tender ferns dotting the ground.
Jac lay there for a few moments trying to catch her breath, then she sat up and started weeding the area around the roots of the plants. Whenever she got upset or confused, which wasn’t often because she prided herself on her control, she’d tend her plants. But since they weren’t here, she’d have to make do. And Brigit damn well better remember to water them.
By the time she’d finished, at least an hour had passed. Jac cleared the area around her of tangled growth. She rose and dusted off her hands on her shorts and started back to the compound. She’d stay, biding her time with Ares, until this stupid contest ended and then she was out of here—with or without Rachel.
She hated the fact playing house with Ares didn’t disturb her more, but always a realist, Jac simply accepted it for what it was— great sex, nothing more and she’d keep telling herself that until she believed it.
Jac wound her way back through the growth. Lianas curled across her path, twisting like giant snakes up into the trees. The air warmed, almost suffocating her in its intensity, but it never seemed to disturb the animals. Birds still sang their cheery songs. Monkeys howled and cried, leaping from branch to branch, using their hands, feet, and tails. Jac caught flashes of green, red, and orange among the leaves.
When she arrived at the compound, the smell of baking bread filled the air, causing Jac’s stomach to growl. A few half-naked women worked over a bench, rolling out dough. They glanced her way once or twice, but seemed to be trying hard not to stare.
She strolled over to them and the blonde women turned in unison to face her. Their aqua eyes were intense, curious—Stepford in Jac’s opinion.
Slightly embarrassed by her wayward thoughts, Jac stammered. “Do you think I might be able to…I mean would you mind if I…can I have a piece of bread, please?”
The women giggled behind their hands. One walked to the end of the bench and ripped off part of a loaf and then held it out to Jac.
Jac stepped forward, taking the warm bread from the woman’s hand. “Thanks a lot. I appreciate it.”
Jac held up the bread in salute, her mouth watered in anticipation, then took a big bite. The soft sweet grain melted, causing an explosion of flavor, light, airy, and utterly delicious, honeyed enough to be able to skip the butter. Not that Jac would put any on it. She avoided fatty foods if at all possible.
She looked around the campsite, wondering where Rachel had wandered off to. The well worn area appeared large enough for the whole tribe to gather in. Flowers perfumed the air, along with ginger plants. A long banquet sized table had been shoved to the side. Maybe these people had communal meals or rocking parties, too bad she wouldn’t be sticking around long enough to see one.
Jac shrugged, swallowing the bread and took a deep breath. She should probably go find Rachel and apologize for her outburst. As far as Jac was concerned, Rachel was the only one here that deserved an apology.
Her eyes scanned the area again. Everyone seemed to be missing, with the exception of the three women cooking. Maybe in the late morning everyone here took a siesta. If that was the case, then she didn’t want to disturb her friend, especially considering her delicate condition. Jac groaned, heaven help Ares if she ended up in the same state as Rachel. A baby was the last thing she needed right now. Make that ever.
Yet somewhere inside her, Jac’s heart held onto the smallest spark of hope that she carried Ares’s baby. She’d die before she admitted it to anyone, but it was there, buried inside, next to the pain of her father’s death. Jac took another bite of bread, but this time it tasted flavorless. She broke off pieces of it and tossed them at the edge of the jungle for the birds and monkeys.
She spun around to return to the hut Rachel had put her in when Ares walked into the clearing. His eyes smoldered, even from a distance. His muscles flexed and tensed as he approached. Black hair flowed down his back, glowing blue in the muted light, like a dark angel, a conqueror of old. His jade gaze held her, drew her like a moth to a flame. The slash of his sexy mouth reeked havoc on her senses. Jac imagined those firm lips teasing her nipples, searing her skin, sucking on her clit.
Jac’s wayward thoughts brought Ares’s cock to full attention, tightening to the point of pain beneath his loincloth. Her eyes trailed down the front of his chest like a sensuous caress, leaving him trembling with need. He licked his lips and allowed his hunger to show upon his face. She flushed. Although Ares doubted she recognized the sexual response. Her body betrayed her mind.
He’d given Jac the time she’d needed to process the challenge. Now he would lead her back to his hut, where the taming would continue. Ares looked forward to having her creamy skin below him, writhing, as he buried his staff in her waiting wetness. He could smell her arousal from here. And he burned from it. Relished it. Cherished every last second.
“I’ll take you to your new home.” His voice dared her to deny his words.
Jac opened her mouth, then clamped it shut. Ares smiled and clasped her hand in his, leading her down a tiny trail, not visible unless one knew where to search. He could feel the tension in her long fingertips; they throbbed beneath his touch, a delicate balance of anger and lust. He would make sure that lust won out this day.
As she followed along behind Ares, Jac was so mad and horny she could scream. Part of her wanted to throttle him, while the woman’s side longed to fuck him senseless. She didn’t know which one would win out in the end, but she had a pretty good idea if the wetness between her thighs was any indication. Jac blew out a frustrated breath. God, she needed his raging cock—bad. If he didn’t fuck her soon, she’d go insane. All he had to do was look at her and her body melted. What was it about this caveman that turned her on so much?
Jac shook her head. She’d probably never know the answer. Ares snaked his way through the brush, winding this way and that until they arrived at a heavily wooded area. She looked around but didn’t immediately see anything except for thick brush and trees. He released her hand and strode forward about ten feet, then the hut came into focus. It had been so well camouflaged that Jac hadn’t seen anything but brush.
Dad would be proud. Where that thought came from Jac didn’t know, but she banished it straight away, dismissing the sentimentality.
Ares stepped further, pulling the furs up, and stepped aside. He lowered his head and said nothing. Jac stared at him for a few moments. His actions seemed strange, out of character. But hell, she didn’t understand these people anyhow, so she covered the small distance in a few strides and crossed the threshold.
He expelled a breath, his shoulders instantly relaxing. Goosebumps rose on Jac’s arms. She tried to rub them away. It was as if the simple act of coming in meant something…something important. Her eyes adjusted to the dimness of the hut after several moments.
A small wooden table, only large enough for two o
r three at the most, sat off to the side, with a couple of chairs arranged around it. A big bowl of fruit and bread had been placed in the center of the table overflowing with abundance, along with a tiny firepot. A bed of furs lay in the opposite corner, piled high enough to reach Jac’s thigh. Four wooden spikes had been driven into the ground framing the bed. They didn’t look to be decorative. Jac frowned and continued to scan the room. A carved out barrel of sorts tucked into a corner, brimmed with clear liquid. Water, Jac surmised.
There was a solitary window, surrounded by vines, which allowed very little sunlight to enter. The small dwelling still managed to feel cool in the late afternoon air. How? Jac wasn’t exactly sure. There seemed to be a lot of strange things in this tribe. They had powers and abilities far beyond anything she’d ever seen or imagined, talking in thought, reading minds, glowing yellow fireballs shooting from their hands. Common sense told Jac she should be scared shitless, but she wasn’t. It was not in her nature to allow fear to dictate her actions.
Ares pressed forward, reminding her of his presence. Not that she’d really forgotten him for one second.
“Is this acceptable to you?” His low voice seduced, yet held a modicum of vulnerability.
Jac’s gaze found his. “It’s fine.” She looked around once more, then met his eyes again. “I like it.”
His jade orbs flashed in approval, causing Jac’s heart to swell. She glanced away. She didn’t want to feel these emotions. She hadn’t asked for them. They made her feel…feel…vulnerable.
Damn.
Her troubled thoughts washed over Ares, drowning him in sensation. Jac may not realize it yet, but she weakened. In time she’d know that in weakness one finds their greatest strength. But he decided he had better not point out that message yet or he’d find himself back where he started. For now he’d bask in the fact she’d crossed his threshold, therefore accepting him as her mate.
His gaze shifted to her clothing. The shirt she wore clung to her breasts like a second skin, molding, embracing, caressing her nipples like he himself longed to do. She smelled of spice, her lust mingling with the natural woman’s scent that was her own.
Exodus Page 10
