Page 60 of Sloth
He found a small torch in his rucksack, collected his firearm and checked the chamber. Muttering about one bullet being left, he ducked into the dark alcove which turned out to be a cave entrance. Heaving a sigh of relief, Sloan’s heavy head fell backward to rest on the rocky wall. Despite everything, she smiled. Max had kissed her. He didn’t want to lose her.
Over the ledge, she could see the tops of trees swaying, the starry night beginning to lighten with pre-dawn, and somewhere in the distance, further down the mountain the soft glow of lights from the black site.
No howls. No beasties following them.
She hoped Parker got away with Tony and Barry. Limping over to her shredded rucksack, she rifled around for her device. She found it next to her toiletry bag, and pulled it out, but the glass surface was cracked, despite the rugged protection sleeve.
“Bummer.” She tried to turn it on. No go. Dead.
Crunching down the cave tunnel alerted her to Max’s reemergence. The grin on his face eased her worry.
“You’ll never guess what I found,” he said.
“From the dripping cuffs of your pants—water?”
“Damn straight.” He picked up her pack and heaved it on his shoulder along with his. “Let’s go get you washed up, then we can rest for a few before continuing. Can you walk?”
Nodding, she hopped up and followed him, wincing with every step as they traveled down the tunnel, following the echo of dripping water. The further they walked, the temperature cooled. Down they went, on a decline until they emerged at the base. Max’s torch beam glowed, revealing a large cavern. Rocky and crystal clusters had formed on the ceiling and a breeze wafted through, keeping the air fresh. Must be an opening somewhere else. When Max shone his torch across the expanse of turquoise water, it reflected shimmering patterns on chalky walls.
“This will do.” He dumped the bags, propped the torch and then held out a hand to Sloan. “Come on. Smells fresh in here. Water will be good enough to bathe in.”
He supported her weight as they went down to the soft muddy shore where he helped remove her shredded boots. He took off his own and stepped into the water first, testing it to make sure the surface was safe, then he held out his hand. She frowned at him. Did he think she couldn’t get into the water on her own? He rolled his eyes and stepped back into the water. She followed, breathing a sigh of relief at the cold water on her aching flesh. They stepped further, feeling the squishy silt between her toes, descending until the water reached her thighs.
“So good,” she muttered, shoulders dropping.
“Yeah. It is.” Max’s voice had turned deep, and he tugged her to him.
A sparkle of light reflected from the torch on the shore. It was enough to see the yearning in his eyes. Enough for her to connect to his innermost emotion. A desire so deep and raw called out to her. It was more than lust. He wanted to belong. He wanted to love her.
She did.
Still holding each other captive, Max lowered, his face inching towards hers. She lifted her lips— but he bypassed her face and splashed water up her side, cleaning the filth. She gasped, shocked.
“Psyche.” He splashed her again. “You thought I would kiss you.”
Heat flushed her cheeks. “You’re such a tease.”
“Gotta pay you back for your pranks somehow.”
Yeah, real hilarious, buddy.She smiled and continued to splash water on herself. He tried to help her, but she shrugged him off.
“It’s cool. I’ve got this.”
“Let me help.”
Awkwardly, he tried to clean her as she cleaned herself.
The mood darkened when he got to her front and he couldn’t see her skin to check her wounds. Her shirt was in the way. Tugging rudely, he huffed and made a gesture for her to remove it, but she playfully jumped away. When she refused to move, he straightened, all business. “Stop being immature. You’re covered in blood. You need to submerge yourself.”
Fine, grump.He’d started it with his psyche business.Jeez. She turned her back and peeled her shirt off, wincing as she lifted her arms over her head, trying to put her finger on what she’d said to make his mood swiftly change. Stop being immature?
A deep sigh came from behind her. The weight of a warm hand landed between her shoulder blades. Then he took his hand away, and it left her cold and alone. His emotions were in turmoil. One minute, she sensed longing and love from him… the next he went cold, shut off and distant. Having enough, she held her scrunched up shirt in front of her sports bra.
“You’re being a jackass. Pick a feeling and stick with it.”
“Screw you, Sloan.” He frowned. “After everything you put me through, you don’t get to call me names.”
She gaped. “After everything I put you through? Me? What—trying to save your life down there? Sacrificing myself so you can live? Well, I got news for you, Maxi-Pad. I never asked for you to come here. I never asked for you to come to this city, start a security team and be in my face every day. I never asked for you to be my mate!”
