Captive Heart

by Adriana Hunter

  Gideon’s scowl faded, anger fading to confusion. “Then what’s with the constant barrage of questions? Every step we take, you keep making digs about my ability to get this job done.”

  “It’s…I don’t know. It’s not you. It’s how I am, or how I get when I’m nervous. Or scared.” She drew a shuddering breath. “And I’m scared.”

  All the pent up emotion from the last few days rushed to the surface and Lainey finally broke down, bursting into tears. Burying her face with mud-covered hands, she let the tears fall.

  Then Gideon had her in his arms, pulling her against his chest. Even through his wet t-shirt his body was warm and she turned her face against him, the hot tears mixing with the rain.

  “It’s hard…but I’m trying…I really am…” The words caught in her throat.

  “Yeah. I know. It is hard. It’s family. But that’s what I’m here for. If you’d just trust me…”

  Lainey pulled back, turning her tear-stained face to Gideon. “I do trust you. I really do.”

  He gave her a small smile. There was something unreadable in his eyes, words Lainey felt he left unsaid. But he simply nodded.

  “You’re still covered in mud. The rain’s stopped. We need to find a place to hole up for the night.”

  “In the jungle?” Lainey looked up at Gideon. She’d never camped out before. Roughing it hadn’t crossed her mind.

  “I wasn’t expecting company and I’m used to primitive conditions. But we need to get the mud off of you. There’s no way for you to get dry, but you’ll be more comfortable if you’re clean.”

  “Clean? How’s that going to happen?”

  “There’s a stream close by. I can hear it. You can at least rinse your clothes, get the mud out of your hair.”

  She reached up, running a hand over her hair. It was gritty and stiff and she scowled.

  Gideon laughed. “Come on.”

  He led her through a screen of brush, pushing aside branches. She stood beside him, looking down a small rocky embankment. Below them was a stream. A short distance upstream, the water tumbled over an outcropping of rocks, creating a small waterfall that cascaded into a small pool. Despite the mud in her hair and crusted to her shoes, she smiled.

  “It’s beautiful.” Ferns crowded the bank, giving the whole place an enchanted feel.

  She turned at the sound of Gideon’s laugh. “Yeah, it is. This really is a beautiful country. There are so many ruins close by, but it’s also one of the most dangerous places in the world. It’s a shame, really. So much beauty amid unbelievable chaos.”

  He started down the low bank. Turning back, he held out his hand to Lainey. “Come on. Don’t fall. It’s slippery.”

  “Everything is slippery.” She rolled her eyes and took his hand. “But I promise to be careful.” She took a step, slid a short distance, and let out a startled yelp. Gideon reached for her, hands grabbing her around the waist.

  Her weight threw him off balance and she fell against him. For a moment they were pressed together, his hands on her waist, her pressed against his chest. Lainey looked up, startled. Gideon’s eyes flashed dark and hot as his fingers tightened against her body.

  “I said don’t fall.” He growled out the words as he pulled her closer. “You never listen.”

  She opened her mouth to protest but he bent his head, kissing her hard, silencing her words. His mouth moved over hers, forcefully parting her lips, his tongue claiming space in her mouth. With incredible strength he pulled her against him, one hand sliding around her waist, hovering there briefly before moving lower, cupping her ass. His other hand rose to cradle the back of her head, fingers tensing against her hair.

  Lainey allowed herself be pulled into his embrace, her arms winding around his neck. She let him take her mouth, his tongue stroking forcefully along hers. Shivers ran down her spine and she felt weightless in his powerful embrace.

  Gideon’s hands started moving over her, tugging her t-shirt up her body. Letting go of him, she raised her hands over her head. The shirt came up over her face, then her arms. Gideon dropped the shirt to the ground.

  His eyes traveled over her body for a moment, lingering on her bra-covered breasts, moving lower as he reached for the zipper of her jeans. Lainey watched as he tugged down the zipper, her breath drawing up short as his hands moved to her waist, pulling the jeans down her body.

  She rested a hand on his shoulder, wiggling her hips as he lowered the jeans over her legs. Dropping them on the ground, he straightened, his eyes smoldering as they rose to meet hers. His hands were back on her hips, teasing his fingers beneath the elastic of her panties. A wave of heat washed through her body as he rubbed his fingers over the sensitive skin of her stomach, teasing the garment lower.

  Before he could move any further, she grabbed the edge of his t-shirt, tugging it free of his pants. He raised his hands, as she’d done, and she pulled the shirt up as far as she could, standing on tiptoe. He pulled the shirt over his head and added it to the pile of clothes.

  With eager fingers she reached for the fly of his pants, undoing the first button. Gideon’s hands stilled against her skin and he watched, lips parted, as she moved to the next button. Her fingers brushed against the bulge of his erection and she heard his sharp intake of air. For a moment, she froze, wondering what the hell she was doing.

  But then she looked up at Gideon, the sensuous lips curved in a seductive smile, gray eyes dark with passion. And any doubt she had vanished. She didn’t care that she was thousands of miles from home, in a dangerous country with a stranger. All she cared about was the heat thrumming through her body, the chance to feel alive again, even if it was momentary. Even if it was wrong.

  “I’m not holding a gun to your head, Lainey.” Gideon’s words caught her off guard. “You’re free to step away if you don’t want to be here.”

  “Do you mean here, in Guatemala? Or here, doing this?” In a bold move, she reached out and cupped Gideon’s erection.

  He held her gaze a moment before he answered. “You know what I mean. Don’t be coy. It’s not your style.”

  “What is my style? Crazy?” She squeezed him, and in response he flexed his hips forward, a subtle gesture but so erotically charged that she lost her mind and almost melted at his feet.

  “Right now, it’s far too talkative…again.” He stepped forward, forcing himself against her hand. His eyes bore down on hers and for a moment all she could do was blink up at him.

  “You’re a woman of action. Take what you want when you want it. If you want this…me…then take it.”

  Gideon’s eyes locked with hers. She wanted him, badly. Never looking away, she started working on the rest of the buttons, undoing each one slowly, her fingers rubbing and teasing his cock, trembling as she felt him move beneath her touch.

  She slipped her hand into the opening of his pants, cupping his solid warmth. His hands reached behind her, finding the clasp of her bra. As he released it, the bra fell forward and he leaned down, lips tracing a line down her neck as he cupped her breasts.

  “How about that shower?” His words were murmured against her neck. “You’re still covered in mud.”

  Moving away from her, he dropped her bra with her other muddy clothes. His fingers returned, plucking at the elastic of her panties, quickly tugging them down her hips, sliding them over her legs.

  His pants landed on the ground next and he stood in front of her, naked and very aroused. Just as aroused as she was.

  “Come on. Let’s get you clean.” He took her hand, leading her into the water. The rain had stopped, the sky clearing above them, the gloom of the jungle lifting. The water was warm and she walked carefully over the rocks, letting Gideon lead her beneath the waterfall.

  She stood for a moment, letting the water cascade over her head and down her shoulders. Gideon stood behind her, gently untangling her hair, working his fingers through the strands. The noise of the waterfall filled her ears, the gentle tug of Gideon’s hands in her ha
ir mesmerizing.

  Gideon’s hands left her hair, sliding down the front of her wet body, resting on her hips. He walked her backward a step or two, pulling her from beneath the waterfall. She leaned back, resting against his chest.

  His erection pressed against her ass, the heat in sharp contrast to the cooler water. Lainey arched her back, hips moving slowly side to side as Gideon’s fingers flexed against her body. One hand slipped between her legs, slowly stroking her as she moaned.

  His head dropped to her neck, his lips brushing against her skin. She expected a kiss, but the sharp nip of his teeth made her gasp. Reaching up, she stroked his face, tipping her head to the side. He nibbled his way to her ear, his tongue sliding across her skin as his fingers moved deeper inside her, probing, teasing, making her hot.

  “I want you, Lainey. Now. Like I’ve never wanted anything else.”

  His words created a throbbing deep inside her, awakening a need to be taken by this man, to have him ignite the passion and lust and arousal she’d held in check for so long. Her body cried out for him, urgent and all-consuming.

  “I want you too, Gideon.” The conviction in her voice surprised her. It had been so hard with Scott, asking for what she wanted. But here, with Gideon, the words came readily to her lips.

  She turned, her arms around his neck, pulling him down to her mouth. She kissed him hard, her body pressed against his. His cock rested against her stomach, hard and hot, and she pressed herself against him, forcing her hips forward. Gideon grunted against her mouth, his hips answering her movement, his cock sliding against her wet skin. With a rough gasp, he broke away.

  “Come here.” His voice was a barely contained growl. Grabbing her hand, he pulled her quickly beneath the waterfall. The light was green and wavy, and she realized there was a small cave behind the falls, the large rocks ringing a shallow pool.

  Hands on her waist, Gideon spun her around, guiding her a few steps toward a large boulder. Pushing her forward, he grabbed her hips and she bent forward, hands on the rock. Immediately he pressed himself against her. Slowly, he slid his cock against her ass and she gasped, spreading her legs in a clear invitation. But he continued to tease her, sliding himself between her legs, against the insides of her thighs, over and over, teasing her with the promise of all he had to offer.

  Anticipation built inside Lainey, the longing, the want becoming stronger, almost unbearable. Shifting in Gideon’s grip, she arched her back in a clear invitation, aching to feel him inside her, filling her. As if sensing what she wanted, he pulled back, his touches feather light, barely brushing against her. It was a whole new sensation, a burning building with each touch until she couldn’t stand it.

  Twisting her head, she looked at him over her shoulder.

  “Gideon, stop teasing me. Please…”

  “Please?” Gideon slid his hands back, his fingers caressing her ass, moving down to the backs of her thighs. “I don’t think I’ve heard you say please, or ask for anything, since I met you.”

  She was breathing hard, her frustration taking over.

  “Oh, for God’s sake, fuck me, Gideon. Please…”

  His eyes blazed and he pulled her back so hard she lost her grip on the rock, staggering against him. But he grabbed her by the waist and steadied her, fingers sunk into her flesh.

  Lainey cried out as he pushed into her wet heat, his cock sliding home, one long stroke that left her gasping. Closing her eyes, she tipped her head back as Gideon ground his hips against her ass.

  “Is that what you wanted?” He leaned over her back, his breath scorching her neck.

  “Yes. Oh, God. Yes.”

  “And you want more?” His hand slid up her waist, fingers kneading one breast, rolling the hard nipple between his fingers. She moaned as he pinched the nipple, an electric jolt traveling straight through her, straight to her core.

  “Yes, more. All of it…all of you.” She breathed the words, her voice low.

  “Say please again.” His voice growled out the words, his lips caressing her neck, chest warm against her back.

  “You want me to beg?” As she turned her head back, he caught her lips with his, his tongue lashing against hers.

  “Maybe later…on your knees.”

  Before she could answer, he grabbed a handful of her hair, dragging her head back as he straightened, pulling his cock back. His hips flexed forward sharply, driving himself further into her, further than she could have imagined. His other hand slid down her body between her legs, found her swollen clit, and rolled it between his fingers.

  From then on she was totally at his mercy, pinned between his hands, impaled on his cock as he drove it into her over and over. Every nerve in her body came alive at his touch, her body taking on a life of its own as he thrust into her.

  Lainey’s emotions and the sensations Gideon created in her body spiraled higher and higher until the moment everything came together at that perfect place. She hung there for a long moment and then she broke, her body jerking and shuddering in Gideon’s grasp.

  “Come for me, Lainey. Come on, baby.” He was right there with her, his breath rasping in her ear, thrusting hard as he came, his heat matching hers.

  Lainey went limp in Gideon’s arms, breathing hard. From a distance, she could hear Gideon’s final sounds, his grunts and sharp cries as his body wound down from his climax. He finally released her hair and she let her head fall forward.

  Gideon hugged her to him briefly as he slipped out of her then turned her to face him, pulling her against his chest, his hands gently caressing her back.

  “Lainey…oh, man. You felt so good.” His lips found hers, his kiss deep and lingering as they stood in the fading light behind the waterfall.

  “We need to find some kind of shelter.”

  He’d taken her back beneath the waterfall, washing her with the cool falling water, surprising her with his gentleness. For a moment, she felt closer to him than she had all day.

  She’d climbed up on the rocks while Gideon took her wet muddy clothes back beneath the waterfall, rinsing the mud out of them the best he could. He came back, handing her the dripping garments.

  “They’re still wet, but they’re clean. I can offer you my t-shirt till your stuff dries, but that’s about it.”

  Lainey nodded. “The shirt would be great. I think I can manage with that.”

  Gideon handed her his shirt and she pulled it over her head. It smelled like Gideon and she closed her eyes, drawing a deep breath. A tingle ran through her, the fire she’d felt behind the waterfall flaring quickly again.

  “There’s a ledge over there where we can hole up for the night.” Gideon scanned the surrounding jungle. “I’m not sure I can make a fire, and I’m not sure I want to. The smell of the smoke might attract attention. And anything we could use as fuel is probably soaking wet.”

  Lainey found a flat rock and sat down at the edge of the stream, trying in vain to pull the wet knots from her hair. She was wearing Gideon’s t-shirt, but at least she felt moderately clean. And the mud was out of her hair, even if it was a tangled rat’s nest.

  “How close are we to Aiden?” Lainey wrung out her clothes, trying to get the worst of the water out of them. Gideon was standing a few feet away. Her eyes lingered over the broad shoulders and muscular arms. The tattoo she’d seen earlier was visible, something vaguely military.

  “A couple miles, no more. From what Francesca told me, they’re not active in the area, not doing active raids. It seems like they stumbled on Aiden, took the opportunity to grab him, and now don’t really know what to do with him.”

  “That’s a good thing then, right? They won’t be so eager to hurt him.”

  Gideon shook his head, brows quirked. “I’m not so sure. Maybe. Or…” His voice trailed off, his face clouded.

  “Or? You can say it. I want to know what you think.”

  “Or they’ll be more eager to get rid of him…and that doesn’t mean letting him go. He’s a liability. People
disappear in the Petén all the time.”

  Lainey’s face went numb and she wrapped her arms around her knees. She stared at the waterfall, not really seeing it or hearing the musical sound of the water. At some point she was aware Gideon had walked a few feet away. Somewhere deep inside she wanted comfort, but she didn’t know how to ask. And Gideon didn’t strike her as the warm fuzzy type. She hugged her knees tighter then drew a deep breath, straightening. This wasn’t the time to fall apart. Her brother was still out there, and she was here with the man who was going to get him out. Forcing back the negative thoughts about Aiden, she looked up at Gideon.

  “So what do we eat? If we don’t have a fire, how can we cook food?”

  “I have MREs. They’re not the tastiest, but it will fill you up. They’re sort of self-heating.” Gideon walked over to where she sat and stood beside her, pointing toward an outcropping of rocks. “Let’s head up there, see what we can find.” He hoisted the duffel and held out his hand, pulling Lainey up from rocks.

  “It’s getting dark, watch…”

  She punched him in the arm. “Yeah, I know. Watch my step. You know, I’m really not that clumsy. I’m a good dancer.”

  “No doubt.” He glanced at her. “Let’s find shelter. I don’t want to be out here in the dark.”

  Lainey sighed; Gideon was back in mercenary mode. He moved off around the edge of the pool, following the outcropping that created the waterfall. A short distance away, the rocks created a shallow ledge with a space underneath. Lainey peered into the darkness as Gideon ducked beneath the edge of the rocks.

  A light flash briefly, dimmed, and then disappeared completely. Goosebumps prickled her skin despite the heat. A sudden wave of loneliness washed over her, an overwhelming sense of being alone. Looking up, she was surprised to see stars overhead.

  “Lainey.” Gideon’s voice startled her, and she jumped. “Come on. It’s a fairly dry place.”

  He turned and she reached out, her hand on his back. Stumbling, she followed him as he moved with feline grace over the rocks and tree roots.

  “Watch your head.”