"This is good, it helps me to remember. Ask me direct questions; it helps to jog my memory," Eden said as she resumed the walk.
Jamie frowned. The brief contact didn't seem to have any effect on Eden. "Well, I know you're pretty much a loner, but don't you have someone in your life you share things with? You know, like a confidant?"
Eden walked along silently, staring at the trail ahead of her. Her mind slowly assimilated the pieces. Peace flooded her being as Al's face appeared in her mind's eye. "Al," she whispered, unaware that she had stopped walking. She turned and looked at Jamie. "His name is Al. If I could contact him, he could get us out of here."
Jamie chewed her lip for a moment, debating whether or not to tell Eden about the hidden cell phone. "Hopefully, when Paul returns, we can give him Al's information, and he can make contact," Jamie offered. She was afraid that Eden would have a weak moment and use the phone to contact someone who might be put in harm's way, or worse—lead someone to their hiding place. "Right now Paul is our only means of communication."
She was ashamed to admit it to herself, but the way Eden spoke of Al so fondly, she wondered what the connection was. "Do you consider yourself bisexual?" she asked suddenly.
Eden stopped in her tracks again and looked at Jamie strangely. "Why would you assume that I was bi?"
Jamie shrugged her shoulders. "You seem to be very fond of this Al person."
Eden chuckled as she resumed her pace. "Al was my grandfather's best friend, and he has filled a big void in my life." Eden stole a quick glance at Jamie. "I'm not bi."
Jamie knew by the way Eden looked at her that her feelings were becoming transparent. A part of her wanted to reveal what she was feeling, but another part was too concerned with making things awkward if Eden didn't feel the same.
Sitting in the coolness of the shade afforded by the small porch, Eden studied Jamie as she rested from their hike. Eden watched the steady rise and fall of her chest as she lay across the porch swing with her head tilted back over the arm rest.
She didn't have to imagine the secrets her clothes held. She had seen all Jamie had to offer the morning of the shower episode. She gulped her water and debated pouring the cold liquid over her head. She could not deny the longing she felt for her touch. And she wondered why Jamie affected her this way.
Was it that she simply wanted a temporary reprieve from the world that she had been thrust into? Was she lonely for companionship because of her situation? Or was it that she simply desired Jamie for who she was? Eden smiled to herself. Who was she kidding? Every time she laid eyes on Jamie, her pulse sped up. The blonde sitting across from her stirred things she hadn't felt in a long time.
"Describe your idea of the perfect mate," Eden said out of the blue, knowingly steering the conversation into more intimate waters.
Jamie lifted her head in surprise. "Where did that come from?" she asked with a chuckle.
"I'm just making conversation. You said my memory would return the more we talked," Eden admitted sheepishly.
"The more we talk about you, not me."
"I can't just sit here and jabber. I have to be inspired to converse, so start talking," Eden responded playfully.
"Perfect mate.. .Someone intelligent, with a sense of humor. Someone adventurous who likes to do things on the spur of the moment," Jamie replied without looking in Eden's direction, suddenly nervous with the discussion.
"Do looks have anything to do with your choice?"
Jamie ducked her head. "Well, I've always had a thing for brunettes. Blondes really don't appeal to me, but if she had all the qualities I was looking for in a person, I'd make an exception."
"Are you the type to pursue a woman who interests you or are you the more passive type?" Eden asked with a grin.
"I'm actually very shy about that. I usually flirt my ass off until she notices me and makes the first move. How about you?"
Eden grinned. "We have shyness in common. I try to make my feelings known, but it's always very awkward. I seem to do or say the wrong thing."
Jamie watched as Eden squirmed in her seat. "Are you okay? Do you have fleas or something?" Jamie asked with a chuckle.
"No..." Eden's face turned red. "I'm really uncomfortable in these granny panties. I feel like they're up in my ribs."
Jamie threw back her head and laughed. "We're truly roughing it out here, aren't we?"
The soup they shared for dinner paled in comparison to the fish they had the previous night, and they both agreed after their morning hike that they would return to fishing for their meals. Jamie lay on the couch and Eden took the recliner as they watched one of the old movies that Donald had left behind, and Eden repeated verbatim each line of the movie. She was quickly becoming a spaghetti western aficionado.
Eden showered first and retreated to the loft. After Jamie showered and prepared for bed, she eased her way under the covers, careful not to come in contact with Eden, who lay facing the opposite wall.
"Why are you so tense?" Eden asked suddenly, making Jamie jump.
"I'm not tense," Jamie responded defensively.
"You can deny it if you want, but there's a lot of tension between us."
"I think we get along fine," Jamie shot back, knowing well what Eden meant.
Eden rolled over, and it took Jamie a second or two to realize she was being kissed. Her body took over and gave in as she parted her lips and allowed Eden to slip her tongue over her bottom lip.
Eden broke the kiss and rolled back over, facing the wall. "I told you there was tension between us."
"Well, you arrogant ass!" Jamie growled as she yanked the covers back and attempted to climb out of bed. Her escape was thwarted as Eden tugged her back down and covered her body with her own and kissed her again. Jamie struggled for a moment, and again her body overruled her head as she felt herself give in. Eden didn't pull away this time.
Instead she kissed her way across Jamie's cheek and nibbled at her ear, causing what little resistance she had to take flight. Eden's ragged breathing and the insistent grinding of her hips between her thighs caused Jamie's body to shudder uncontrollably.
"Tell me now; do you want me to stop?" Eden whispered into her ear.
"Not now, no," Jamie replied breathlessly as Eden's fingertips trailed over the soft cotton sleep shirt that Jamie wore. Jamie tugged at Eden's shirt, anxious to feel the skin beneath it pressed against hers, as Eden began removing her clothes.
Free of the clothing that kept them apart, Eden lay back down on top of Jamie, who whimpered when hot skin came in contact with hers. She wove her fingers into Eden's hair as Eden again filled her hungry mouth with her tongue.
Spurned on by the steamy kisses and the continuous moans that issued forth from Eden, Jamie flipped Eden onto her back and kissed her way hungrily down Eden's chest, stopping only to take an erect nipple into her mouth. Eden groaned and arched her back as the warm mouth covered her sensitive skin and she felt the tiniest nip of teeth.
Jamie kissed her way farther down Eden's stomach but was stopped when Eden pulled her up until her breasts were just above Eden's face. Eden pulled her close and took the tender flesh into her mouth. Jamie straddled her thigh and began a frantic rhythm. Before Jamie could reach the moment of ecstasy she craved, Eden flipped her onto her back.
"Not yet," she whispered hotly into her ear, as she nibbled the tender lobe. Jamie's body shuddered, and she groaned as the sensations in her body were forced to remain at bay.
"You like to be in control, don't you?" Eden said as she kissed her way down Jamie's body.
Jamie responded by pushing Eden faster down her body. Her stomach quivered as she felt Eden's lips and tongue trail along her skin.
Eden buried her face between Jamie's thighs, causing her to buck uncontrollably. Eden pulled her face away and looked up at Jamie. "Don't get in a hurry for it," she teased. She resumed her ministrations as Jamie clutched the sheets while her breath came in pants.
When Eden's tongue graze
d over her most sensitive spot, Jamie's back arched and rose off the bed. "Don't stop now, Eden," she hissed between gritted teeth. An intense and warm sensation spread through her lower body as she gasped a breath and held it. Eden refused to cease her attentions until Jamie gently pushed her away.
Jamie lay in a tangled mass of sweat-covered bed sheets as she regained her strength. Eden still lay between her legs with her head resting on her stomach. "Come here," Jamie said as she tried to tug Eden up her body.
"Give me a minute; I'm too close," Eden said as she tried to pull away.
"Good," Jamie said as she pulled Eden up between her legs and wrapped them around Eden's waist. Eden groaned when she felt the intense heat of Jamie pressed so snugly against her. Jamie pulled Eden roughly to her and slipped her tongue into her mouth as she ground her mound into Eden's.
Eden pulled her mouth away and gasped for breath, as Jamie stilled. "You don't like being teased either, do you?" she said as Eden dug her fingers into the pillow.
Eden lay teetering on the brink, as Jamie ran her nails lightly down her back. She dug her nails into the tender flesh of Eden's backside as she thrust up, rubbing her body against Eden's clit. The combined sensations sent Eden over the edge as she nearly screamed into Jamie's ear.
When Eden's body finally relaxed, Jamie pushed her onto her back. "This time, let me finish what I started," she said as she kissed her way down Eden's sweat-slicked skin.
Jamie awoke to an empty bed. The smell of bacon wafted up to the loft, and her stomach growled in anticipation of breakfast. She pulled on her nightshirt and peered over the railing. She watched as Eden cooked the last of their food.
"Good morning," Jamie chirped as she climbed down from the loft.
Eden said nothing but simply set the cell phone that Paul had given them for emergencies on the table. "I found this tucked away under the hand towels. Why did you lie to me?" Eden demanded. "You said Paul was our only means of communication."
"I was afraid of you getting someone else involved," Jamie said as she ran her fingers nervously through her hair.
"But if we could've gotten help, we'd be out of here by now," Eden countered angrily.
"I simply didn't want you to bring anyone else into this. Have you forgotten about the danger of our situation?"
Eden narrowed her eyes. "What you mean is, you didn't trust me enough to be honest."
"It's not a matter of trust," Jamie reasoned. "I just forgot to tell you about it."
"You forgot to tell me about the gun, and you forgot to tell me about the phone. Is there anything else you forgot to tell me about?"
"Are you implying that I'm intentionally keeping things from you?" Jamie asked, feeling her blood begin to boil.
Eden slammed a plate of bacon down onto the table. "I'm not implying anything. I'm telling you straight out that you've been hiding things from me, and it makes me wonder what your real motives are."
"My motive is simple! I intend for us to stay alive long enough for Donald and Paul to get us out of here safely!" Jamie bellowed.
Eden walked around the table and came face-to-face with Jamie. "Let me get this straight. You took me from the mental health facility and didn't go to the police. You have a phone, but you don't want me to call anyone who might get involved.
Jamie, this sounds a little too suspicious for me," Eden ground out.
"If you think I'm holding you here, then you can march your ass down that dirt road!" Jamie shouted into Eden's face. "As for me phone, use it all you want, then shove it up your ass!" Jamie turned on one heel and stormed into the bathroom.
Eden turned and looked at the phone that still sat on the table, then walked outside to cool off and process what she had learned. In her heart, she wanted to believe Jamie, but circumstances were alarming.
If Jamie was telling the truth, she could endanger Al by calling him. Eden knew the elderly man would ignore his own safety and come looking for her. Doubts niggled at her mind as she walked along the lake.
Jamie stood in the shower, letting the hot spray hit her directly in the face, wanting to wash all traces of Eden from her skin. Eden's mistrust cut her deeply, even after the night they spent together. If Eden did choose to call someone for help, maybe it would mean she would leave this place soon and be free of the woman who tore her heart in two.
Mason drove through the countryside with the windows down, enjoying the crisp autumn air on his skin. He smiled, thinking he was drawing closer to his prey. He could sense their presence.
Susan had been adamant about how he was supposed to carry out his task. He could kill the two nurses any way he saw fit, but Eden was to be made to suffer. A chill ran down his spine as he remembered the look in Susan's eye when she made her request.
"Rape her, beat her, or set her on fire, but make sure death for her comes slowly. I want her to suffer.”
Jamie sat on the porch and watched as Eden sat cross-legged on the pier waiting patiently for a fish to bite. Neither of them exchanged a word all morning, and as noon drew near, it looked as though they had reached a stalemate that neither of them was willing to back away from.
As the late afternoon approached, Jamie heard a yelp and ran to the back door of the cabin to see Eden running with a fish in hand and swatting at the air.
"Sorry little bastards!" Eden yelled as she swatted at the wasps that had run her away from the cleaning table.
Jamie chuckled as she walked onto the porch. "Eden, are you allergic to wasps?" she called from the safety of the porch.
Eden looked up at her when she had put distance between herself and the winged tormentors. "No, I'm not!"
"Good," Jamie replied smugly as she turned and went back inside. "Serves you right," she said under her breath.
Eden came back into the cabin shortly after, rubbing her forearms. "Do we have anything for insect stings?"
Jamie glanced up from the book she pretended to read. "There may be something in the bathroom."
Eden stalked off and Jamie could hear cursing as she rummaged through the cabinets.
Eden emerged moments later and dug some ice out of the freezer and held it to her arm. The nurse in Jamie took over, and she fished a small first aid kit out of a drawer. "Let me take a look," she said, tugging at Eden's arm.
"I shouldn't be nice to you after the way you've treated me today," she said as she swabbed at the stings.
"We have a lot to discuss, but I'm still a little angry and I'm afraid of what I may say," Eden said through gritted teeth.
"You're a little angry?" Jamie seethed as she looked up from her task. "You damn near accused me of kidnapping you. I hope whoever you called will bring the police with them so I'll at least have a ride out of here!"
Eden jerked her arm away from Jamie's grasp. "What the hell would you think, Jamie?"
"I would've given you the benefit of the doubt."
"Well, you're not in my shoes, are you?" Eden said as she stomped out of the cabin.
Dinner was tense, to say the least. Both were silent as they ate. Jamie fought the urge to smirk at the red spot just below Eden's right eye and the matching spots on her arms.
When it came time for bed, Eden returned to the couch and Jamie retreated to the loft. She lay alone in the bed they had shared the night before amazed at how quickly Eden had shut her out. She refused to release her anger, knowing when she did the hurt would come, and she would not allow Eden the satisfaction.
Jamie looked at her watch and frowned at the iridescent glow. Midnight and she still had not slept a wink. She didn't understand why she suddenly thought of Donald. Perhaps it was because she was in his cabin, but it seemed as though he was there with her. She rose from the bed and looked out the window. The moon was full and cast pale light over the woods behind the cabin, then she saw it. A dark figure moved along the tree line. She strained her eyes and caught sight of him again as he intentionally avoided the lighted areas.
Hair rose on her arms and along her spine. In her
gut, she knew it wasn't Paul or even Donald. She quickly tugged on her pants and crawled down the ladder. Carefully, she placed her hand over Eden's mouth. Eden's eyes snapped open, and she instinctively pawed at the hand until she realized it was Jamie.
"Don't make any noise. Someone's outside and I don't think he wants us to know he's here," she whispered as calmly as she could. Eden nodded, then Jamie withdrew her hand. "Put some pants on," Jamie said as she went to the closet and dug out the gun Paul had given her. She tucked it into the waistband of her pants and dropped to the floor when she saw a shadow pass in front of the cabin.
Eden saw her sudden movement and dropped behind the couch, where Jamie joined her. Eden's eyes moved to the weapon Jamie clutched in her shaking hands. "Do you know how to use that thing?" she whispered.
"Well enough," Jamie replied with a tremble in her voice. "There's only one door. I think he's already tried the windows."
They both quieted as they heard the doorknob being tried. Jamie cocked the handgun and peeked from around the couch.
She jumped as the door blew in off the hinges. Adrenaline took over as she stood and fired the weapon at the figure when it crossed the threshold.
Chapter Eleven
Paul returned home in the early hours of the morning and was stunned to find his back door ajar. He sneaked back to his vehicle and pulled a revolver from the glove compartment before making his way to the door. Slowly, he nudged it open, and the smell of stale cigar smoke filled his nostrils.
He carefully entered the house with the gun held out in front of him. He slid down the wall, keeping his back close to it as his eyes scanned the room for the intruder. When he was certain the house was empty, he surveyed the damage.
His office was nearly decimated. All the drawers had been taken from his desk and emptied in the middle of the floor. Bookshelves had been turned over after their contents had been thrown around the room. Remnants of smoked cigars had been smashed into the carpet.
His kitchen was only slightly cleaner. The refrigerator door had been left open, and the food inside had been gone through. Whoever had been there made it obvious this was not a random break-in.
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