Page 74 of Hunter

“Of course,” she answered, kissing his chest, snuggling against him. She looked around the small room. It was dark and bleak, and the bed was only a couple of blankets on the floor, yet she was more content than if she’d spent the night in the world’s most sumptuous honeymoon suite.

His hands drifted over her. “I was thinking about the time we lay together on a blanket in the desert,” he said. “With the sunset making everything glow.”

“That sounds like a nice idea,” she said dreamily.

“It isn’t an idea. I mean, it is one of the memories in my mind. I can bring it back. The way I can bring back the look on your face when I came back from the hospital.”

She turned her head toward him. “Ben Lancaster lived in New Mexico. Maybe he did that. Maybe it’s his memory.”

“You are part of it. I see your face. Your hair.”

“It can’t be me. I would be too young for him. And he had a wife.”

He nodded.

She stroked the side of her hand along his beard-stubbled cheek. “We need to know more about him,” she said. “And about how you can remember things he did. Maybe you have a stronger connection to his life than you think. Maybe it helped you survive in this place.”

“I—I don’t know.”

“We’ll find out,” she promised him.

He looked as if he didn’t think it was possible, and she didn’t want to spoil this time together by making him worry. So, she changed the subject. “Did you say you brought field rations here?”

“Yes.” He slipped out of bed, and she saw he’d dressed in sweatpants. He opened a canvas pack. “They’re not very good.”

“I’ll manage. And while you’re at it, maybe you can find me something to wear.”

“I like looking at you the way you are.”

She blushed and pulled the covers over her breasts as she sat up.

“I like to see your face get warm, too.”

“You’ll see a lot more of that unless you find me some clothes. I’m not used to lounging around like this.”

He got up, looked through the boxes, and handed her a dark tee shirt, which she pulled over her head. When he rejoined her on the bed, he brought protein bars and bottled water.

They ate sitting with their backs propped against the wall.

“While you were asleep, I was thinking.”

“About escape plans?”

“Yes. And about Reid. He could be the same man who came into the cottage that first night. But I don’t think he could have made elaborate plans by himself.” He hesitated. “I think he was supposed to kill me after the explosion. Otherwise, I could tell what happened.”

She gave an unwilling little nod.

“Someone wanted us both dead,” he continued.

She struggled to think objectively. “Not Swinton. At least, I don’t think so. This project is important to him. On the other hand, he didn’t want me working with you in the first place. I guess he thought I would make you start asking questions and refuse your assignment.”

“That’s possible,” he conceded.

When he stared into the distance without saying more, she touched his arm. “What are you thinking?”

“About living in the guest cottage with you. I think they wouldn’t have let me do it if they were planning to let you leave afterwards.”

A shudder swept across her skin.

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