Part 34 (1/2)

sorry for her death. I felt like I mourned her alone. I felt rage and I felt shame. d.a.m.n it, Rachael, I hated that.”

”They're the ones who should be ashamed with their no forgiveness.” There was a fierce, protective instinct welling up in her. ”They don't know the difference between good and evil. They aren't very wise.”

”And you do?” He lifted an eyebrow at her.

Outside the birds shrieked and several monkeys screamed a warning. Rio stood up, the water pouring off of him. He turned his head alertly toward the door, taking the towel she handed him. ”You need clothes on, Rachael,” Rio said. ”Company's coming and coming fast.”

”I thought you said I didn't need clothes and I had to get over my civilized inhibited ways.”

Her voice teased his senses, whispered over his skin like a silken glove. She made life worth living. He caught her hair gently, tugged her head to him and fastened his mouth to hers. He was instantly, ravenously hungry all over again.

”You're killing me, sestrilla, I'm not going to survive. I don't think I have the stamina.”

She laughed softly and flung her arms around him, holding him to her as if he were the most precious thing in the world. She peppered kisses all over his face. ”You do just fine. I need to start cooking for you, build up your strength.”

He couldn't stop his roving hands from sliding down her back, shaping the curve of her hip, cupping her bare b.u.t.tocks. Rio allowed himself the luxury of burying his face against her soft throat. Love filled him up, burst out of him, a tide he couldn't stem, but he couldn't find the words to say it without choking. He held her, feeling her alive and warm and real in his arms. ”d.a.m.n it, Rachael.”

His voice was gruff as he pushed her way, holding her at arm's length. ”You're turning me into a poodle.”

Her entire face lit up, her dark eyes laughing, her mouth curved and soft and beautiful. He ached to kiss her again, but tossed her a pair of jeans instead.

”Stop laughing at me and put your clothes on.”

254.

”A poodle? Have you ever seen a poodle?” She finger-combed her hair, grinning at him. ”I have the hair, maybe we can make a match.” The sunlight pooled around her, soft rays that barely filtered through the canopy but found her, were drawn to her in the same way he was drawn. She looked radiant, filled with joy.

He had been so filled with pain and shame and anger the night before. In a few hours of bliss, she had shaken his world, turned it so that he could only feel joy and laughter and a paradise of pleasure. ”You're tempting me, woman, and I'm going to throw you back in that bed.”

She arched an eyebrow at him. ”I doubt if I'm in any danger when you were just complaining about stamina. Wimpy male.”

He tackled her, driving her back onto the mattress, throwing his body over hers.

She was laughing so hard she could barely breathe. He pressed his erection against her, rubbing back and forth to show her what stamina was all about.

Rachael didn't seem very impressed, laughing until he stopped her with his kisses.

The whoop, whoop of warning by the birds just outside on the railing of the verandah forced him to leave the temptation of her body. She lay on the bed, laughter fading into a smile as she looked at him. Something about her mysterious, feminine smile set his heart pounding. -

Deliberately she began to pull his jeans slowly up her bare legs, wiggling to bring them over her hips and bare bottom. She left them open, exposing the triangle of tiny black curls. She stood there with her bare b.r.e.a.s.t.s thrusting toward him invitingly. ”I can't find my shut.”

His mouth was dry. ”You shameless hussy. You're deliberately provoking me.” His fingers crushed the material of the s.h.i.+rt, his gaze drinking her in.

”Is it working?”

”d.a.m.n right it is. Put the s.h.i.+rt on before we shock poor Kim.”

255.

Rachael looked alarmed. ”Kim? The guide?” She held out her hand for the s.h.i.+rt.

He held the s.h.i.+rt to his chest. ”Gome and get it.”

Rachael went without hesitation, one arm sliding around his neck, pressing her b.r.e.a.s.t.s against his chest while her other hand slipped between his legs and began to caress and dance and cup him right through the material of his jeans.

Her lips were at his throat, tongue swirling in a small, deliberate caress. Rio rocked against her hand, wanting her all over again with such an urgency it was as if he'd never once made love to her. Or as if his body remembered every magical moment and was obsessed.

Franz coughed a warning. Rio groaned and dragged the s.h.i.+rt around her, b.u.t.toning it quickly. It was the only safe thing to do. Barefoot, he pulled her with him onto the verandah to wait for their guest.

Rachael looked down to see Kim climbing the tree. He wasn't as fast or as efficient as Rio, but he was sure and steady. He gained the lower branches and made his way up to them.

”What brings you so far from home?” Rio greeted.

”My father sent me with news and I wanted to tell you about the man from the church group who was missing.” Kim smiled at Rachael. ”You look so much better, Miss Rachael. How is your leg?”

”It's far better, Kim. I see you're looking good. I hate to admit this, and let's not tell your brother, but his green gunk works.”

Kim nodded seriously, willing to be a conspirator. ”Tama is renowned for his healing skills. It was foul-looking though, wasn't it?” He exchanged a smile of understanding with her.