Page 12 of No Escape

He suddenly raised himself off her body. She slapped at the hand he offered, getting angrily to her feet on her own steam. She didn’t bother trying to brush the back of her clothes off this time, knowing the mud would have to dry first.

“I hope you’re satisfied.” She couldn’t control the biting edge of her words any more than she could control the overwhelming urge to slap his arrogant face.

“If you think I’m satisfied, you have a lot to learn about men.” With that parting shot, Clint turned and started walking.

Oh! What an arrogant, overbearing asshole!

Sarah refused to lower herself to his level, quietly taking up her position behind him. Under the circumstances, it was probably best she not talk to him any more than necessary, or provoke him into touching her again. She had to get her own thoughts under control, unable to explain her unreasoning anger toward him. He’d rescued her and was taking her home, yet everything about him set her on edge.

Maybe it was because he was so…so sexual. Like an animal on the prowl for a mate, mean and hungry because he caught the scent. Yeah, that was the word she was looking for. He threatened her peace of mind. He was crude and harsh, but he represented every woman’s secret hero. Dangerous, strong, rugged, and protective all rolled into one big, hunky male. She was sure that beneath his warrior-like facade was a man who had strong scruples about right and wrong and acted accordingly.

She shook her head, realizing she was dwelling on him. Something Susan said to her once suddenly came back to her, about using anger against a man she was unwillingly attracted to. A survival tactic to erect an invisible wall between them, she’d said. Was her friend right?

She slapped at a flying bug as they trekked deeper into the jungle, where vegetation grew so close together it was almost impassable in some places. Some of the bushes had long spiky thorns that tugged at her clothes and hair and scratched her bare arms. They didn’t seem to bother Clint though, as he continued to lead them into the darkness with the instincts of a night predator.

Just when it appeared they were going to walk all night, he surprised her by stopping. Sarah watched him lift his arm and twist his wrist, positioning his watch just right beneath the light of the moon until he was able to see the time. “It’s almost two o’clock,” he remarked, squinting down at the dial. She couldn’t believe they’d been walking all those hours. “We need a few hours rest to keep up our strength, or we won’t be worth squat tomorrow.”

Sarah knew he meant she wouldn’t be worth squat. She had the feeling Clint could keep right on going until he reached the other side of the island. He wasn’t even breathing hard, and she bet his heart wasn’t beating like hers either. Her eyes examined what was going to be their campsite for the rest of the night, afraid to ask where they were going to sleep. The thought of sleeping amongst the bugs and whatever else was slithering on the ground wasn’t very appealing.

“I don’t suppose you know how to climb trees?” His tone was skeptical, revealing he thought he already knew the answer.

Sarah raised her chin a notch, her tone a little on the prideful side. “As a matter of fact, I do,” she said.

He chuckled. “Tomboy, huh?”

She smiled in spite of herself. “No. Susan’s boys are like nephews to me, and any self-respecting aunt knows how to climb a tree.”

“You’re just full of fucking surprises, aren’t you? Wait here.”

Like she had some place to go. Sarah watched him jump up to the first limb of the nearest tree. He disappeared from sight, climbing further into the thick greenery that blanketed the wide branches. She waited patiently, counting to a hundred before he jumped to the ground in front of her.

He was minus his duffel bag. “What were you doing up there?”

“Making our bed.”

Bed, singular. Sarah didn’t like the sound of that. But what she didn’t like even more was realizing exactly where their bed was. He couldn’t be serious. “I said I knew how to climb trees, not sleep in them.” She crossed her arms stubbornly.

“You’re in for a treat then,” Clint teased.

“I don’t think so. I’m not the adventurous type. Besides, I’ll probably fall out and break my neck, which is probably what you want in the first place.”

“Not a chance, angel. I’ll be right there beside you keeping you all warm and cozy.”

Great, Sarah thought to herself. He didn’t know, but that was going to be the hard part, falling asleep with a hunky hero lying next to her. Even if she didn’t like him, there was something about him that roused the woman in her. “That’s a comfort,” she said, yawning behind her hand. “I don’t suppose you’re hiding a king-size air mattress in your duffel bag?”

“Sorry. You’ll have to forego any creature comforts for tonight. Now give me your foot and I’ll give you a boost up.” He moved into position before linking his hands together.

She wasn’t stupid. She knew what he wanted. “Now wait a minute.” She was stalling for time and they both knew it. “Why do we have to sleep in a tree, anyway? It sounds dangerous.”

Clint released a sound of frustration, straightening up. “This is a jungle,” he began, in a tone Sarah bet was usually reserved for children or someone especially thick headed. “Along with bugs, spiders and snakes, there are wild animals out there. I’m sure there’s wild boar on the island. Wouldn’t surprise me if a pack of wild dogs or—”

“Wild dogs or what, cats?” she snorted with disbelief. “Next you’ll be telling me there are lions, tigers and bears out there.”

“Not the fucking domestic variety,” Clint said in a strained tone. Was he about to lose his temper again? “But most importantly,” he continued, his voice now taking on a quality of steel, “we’ll be able to see anyone coming long before they get here.”

His last statement took all the spunk out of Sarah, as it was obviously meant to do. “Oh.”

“Oh. Now give me your foot and stop wasting time. I’m tired.”

---