She released a sharp gasp and tried to pull away. “Damn you…” she hissed between her teeth.
“And here I thought we were finally getting along.” Their eyes clashed, each filled with a determination to dominate and subdue the other, both knowing there could only be one outcome. Obviously the stronger of the two, it wouldn’t take Clint much to have Sarah at his complete mercy…again.
“You can let go any time,” Sarah remarked, obviously conceding he’d won the battle. “I won’t try to hit you again.”
Clint’s eyes narrowed on Sarah, sizing her up for the moment while trying to determine if what he saw in her eyes was the truth. The atmosphere between them was charged with sexual undercurrents that wouldn’t take much to ignite into a full-blown catastrophe. Without half trying, the little witch was making him want her all over again.
After a few seconds, he expelled a heavy sigh and released Sarah, before he did the opposite and pulled her into his arms. “It’s going to be tricky getting out of here. We don’t have the cover of nightfall working for us. If any of Rodriguez’s men are out there, they’ll probably spot us before we see them. But once we reach bottom, we should be home safe.”
“What’s going to keep Raul, or any of his men, from coming after me, or Susan, once we get back to Florida?”
Clint didn’t hesitate in his response. “He’s not going to be interested in coming after you, or Susan.”
Sarah frowned. “You sound so sure of yourself. Why wouldn’t he? He thinks Susan has something that belongs to him.”
“Which is going to be returned to him, once I get you safely home.” He moved to the cave opening, pausing to peer outside before stepping through it. “Keep your eyes open and try not to make any more noise than you have to.”
Clint felt her presence behind him and smiled. He had a feeling that if she had a knife right now it would be sticking in his back. He continued walking. In spite of his words, the rough terrain made it impossible not to be more concerned with where they put their feet than with who might be at the base of the waterfall looking for them.
“If whatever he wants is going to be returned to him, why are we leaving the island like a couple of escaped convicts?”
He should have known Sarah wouldn’t remain silent for long. “Rodriguez can’t be trusted, that’s why.”
“What is it…?”
Clint rounded on her.
Sarah jumped back, her eyes widening as she came to an abrupt halt. “What have I done now?”
“Sarah, noise includes talking.”
“Oh, sorry,” she said with sincerity in her soft tone.
Clint took a moment to run his eyes over her face, grinning. Apparently, the dirt she’d been wearing most of the day before had protected her nose and cheeks from sunburn. Her lips parted, drawing his attention there. He felt a tightening in his loins, swearing beneath his breath when he realized she’d gotten to him. His eyes shot up to hers, seeing the confusion in those bright orbs.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Nothing.” He took a deep breath and released it slowly. “Let’s go.”
When they reached the bottom, Clint watched as Sarah paused long enough to look back at the beautiful silver waterfall. Her eyes filled, and as she blinked back tears, he swung away, not wanting to contemplate what they meant.