Page 5 of Never Let Me Go

“Yippee, skippy,” she said, turning to pace the small area.

He wanted to laugh, but he didn’t think she would appreciate his response. Maybe fate had arranged this encounter. Maybe this was his chance to apologize. To bring resolution to an incident that had upset them both.

“We might as well get comfortable,” he said. The inexpensive camp chairs would do for now. “I have plenty of bottled water and beef jerky.”

“I don’t want anything,” she snapped. “I’m not going to be here that long. Maybe if webothpush on the door, it will open.”

Jeff realized they needed a diversion. “The door’s not budging,” he said flatly. “Come here and let me hold you.”

She eyed him with an expression that made him feel like the lowest of snakes. “No, thanks,” she said. “I’m fine.”

He held out his hands. “We should talk about it, don’t you think? The elephant in the room?”

Chapter 2

Jeff watched, frustrated, as Marisa ignored him. She paced some more, pausing to pick up a bottle of water from a small shelf. “My parents will be frantic,” she muttered. “But I’m guessing our phones won’t work down here?”

“The walls are reinforced steel,” he admitted. “But we can try.”

It was a dead end. His phone had no bars at all. Hers only one.

“I’ll try texting,” she muttered. “Sometimes that goes through even when a call won’t.”

“Good idea.”

Jeff didn’t bother. His parents lived out of state now, and his sister was on a business trip. By the time any of them heard about the tornado, he and Marisa would probably be rescued.

His companion made a frustrated noise. “It saysnot delivered.”

“I’m sorry. Surely they won’t have to worry for long.”

Marisa leaned against a wall and crossed her arms beneath her breasts. “I hope no one was hurt.”

“Me, too. Sometimes these tornadoes touch down briefly and hop back up into the sky. Maybe this one wasn’t so bad.”

“Itsoundedbad,” she said glumly.

He tried again. “Why didn’t you tell me you were a virgin?” he asked quietly.

Her gaze darted away from his. Hot color flushed her cheeks. “I was embarrassed,” she whispered. “It was our first date, so I didn’t think sex was a possibility. And then when I realized that we...” She trailed off, the muscles in her throat working.

“That we couldn’t keep out hands off each other?”

She nodded slowly. “It all happened so fast.”

He winced. Not what a guy wanted to hear. “That was my fault. I hadn’t been with a woman in six months. Work was hectic. I live in a small town. Not too many opportunities for sexual relationships without expending effort and energy I didn’t have. So when I met you, I went a little wild.”

“Because I was convenient and easy...” She scowled.

“No,” he said forcefully. “No.” He paused, trying to make her understand. That was a tall order since he didn’t quite understand it himself. “Sexual attraction is unpredictable. Whatever buzzed between us that night was powerful and rare. I haven’t done one-night stands since I was young and green. Taking a woman to bed on a first date isn’t my style.”

“But?” Her chin lifted again, and her gaze challenged him.

He rolled his shoulders and exhaled. “But I had to have you. I don’t know how else to explain it. Though, if you had told me to stop, I would have, of course.”

Chagrin painted her face. “You had no reason to stop. I was obviously right there with you. I’d like to blame my behavior on alcohol, but I only had one beer. You’re right. We were at the mercy of our bodies, not our rational selves. Fortunately, that kind of impulsivity wears off in the light of day.”

“Does it?” he asked, not at all kidding. He wanted her as much right now as he had that night.

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