Page 60 of Explorer's Revenge
“You hate me too,” I respond softly.
We don’t pull away, instead leaning closer like magnets are drawing us together. Years of fighting, of butting heads, all just . . . leave in this moment as my eyes meet hers to see her uncertainty.
“Let’s forget the world for a bit, forget our company and competition and all the reasons why we hate each other, and how about we just . . . do what we both want? How about we love each other for one stolen moment?” I murmur.
“One moment?” she asks.
“Maybe two,” I admit as I tilt my head down. “Say yes.”
From one heartbeat to the next, she tortures me, but then she speaks, her voice small and quiet. “Yes.”
My lips are on hers before she can second-guess herself or either of us can question this. I swallow her little gasp as my tongue invades her mouth. It isn’t a soft kiss—no, it’s a battle, a fight for dominance as her fingertips dig into me, and I back her up against the tree.
My hand cradles her injured head before it can hit the tree trunk, and I lift her with my free hand to relieve the pressure from her wounded leg so all she feels and tastes is me, not pain.
Deepening the kiss, I press her back into the bark, and she lets out a little moan that drives me crazy. I pull away, breaking the kiss. “Make that noise again,” I demand roughly. “Fuck, I’d give anything for you to make that fucking noise again.”
“Make me,” she retorts breathlessly, sass in her tone.
Grunting, I slam my lips onto hers, kissing her like our lives depend on it, and she finally emits that noise. It vibrates through my body, making me tremble. My cock hardens despite how hurt she is, and my desire rivals the storm that hit us, but then I remember where we are and her injuries and I slow it down. She keeps up with me until we break apart, both of us panting.
“Two moments,” she murmurs, licking her lips, and I nod, ordering my hands to let her go, but they won’t listen.
“Maybe three.” I press my lips to hers again, tasting her smile.
This time, she pulls away first, leaning trustingly into my hold. “They’ll come looking for us.”
“Let them. They would be doing the same thing,” I admit, knowing I’m not wrong. I’ve seen the way they look at her. I can’t blame them. One simple yes from her turned me into a demanding dog who’s pawing at her.
“Who said I would let them?” she asks, arching a brow.
“Wouldn’t you?” I ask curiously. Surprisingly, it doesn’t bother me. I’ve always shared everything I have. It’s my duty as a big brother, but I never realized that would extend to someone I wanted. With her, though, it seems . . . normal.
“I guess they’ll have to find out.” She gives me a quick peck that has my eyes widening as she slips from my embrace and limps back to our camp.
My hand drifts up and traces my lips. She claimed them for her own.
I can’t even remember a kiss that wasn’t hers. Maeve Carter has ruined me.
Maybe she did the very first moment I met her, I was just too hardheaded to understand.
THIRTY-SEVEN
MAEVE
The sun burns brightly, as if the storm that battered the island never was. It glints off the bright blue ocean, creating a perfect paradise—not to mention the shirtless men working on the beach, giving me an amazing view. All I need is a cocktail and I could almost imagine I was on vacation.Almost.
I glance down, no longer putting it off as I remove the bandage to look at my leg. I keep telling them I’m fine, but it’s a lie. I’m hot, my stomach is aching, I feel sick, and my skin is sweaty, but not from the heat. It means something’s wrong, and looking at my leg, I know why.
It’s infected. I can smell and see it.
I should tell them, but there’s nothing they can do. We’re running low on medicine, and without a hospital, I’m fucked, but making them worry will accomplish nothing. Help is on the way. I just need to hold on. I don’t want to stress or hinder them more than I already am.
I hear a noise and cover my leg, leaning back like I was resting as Rick appears. He sits at my side, sweaty and smiling. “How are you doing, cupcake?”
“Ah, you know, making the most of this five-star resort cabana,” I joke, and he chuckles, leaning back on his elbows and looking out at his team before he nudges my good leg. I turn to see him wiggling his eyebrows.
“You know, I was taking a leak last night, and I saw something interesting.” His tone is filled with amusement, and I freeze.
