he began to rub her arm. She thought that was sweet. She really did try to relax, but anxiety was keeping her mind revved up.
Could a body be too exhausted to rest? When she'd sat down, she had been close to collapsing, and she knew she had to rest
if she wanted to be able to run again.
What would the woman do about Carrie and the others now? Was John Paul right? Were they already dead?
She forced the thought aside and once again tried to get comfortable. Every muscle in her body ached, and her toes throbbed.
She tried to take her boots off, but John Paul stopped her. Her feet needed to acclimate to the wet boots, and all she had to do was walk off the cramps. He acted like an authority, and since she knew he'd had survival training while in the Marines, she acquiesced. Besides, she'd been too weary to argue.
Avery was determined that, no matter what, she wouldn't turn into a cynic like her aunt and John Paul. When the rain had
begun and John Paul had teased her because she'd boasted that they were due for a break, she pointed out that the rain was a lovely, soft drizzle that brought with it a hazy fog, which, she insisted, was enchanting. Yep, that's what she'd said. She'd smiled too. Then the drizzle turned to a deluge. And still she tried to maintain her positive attitude. What more could happen? she reasoned. They were already wet.
And that's when the deluge turned into hail the size of golf balls, pelting their bodies as they ran into the protection of the trees.
More rustling noises pulled her back to the present. Had he heard the sound? She lifted her head from his shoulder and strained
to hear. Fingers of gray light curled down through the branches as the rain continued.
His eyes were closed, but as she stared at him, they slowly opened. His gaze locked on hers. She was so' thankful that he was there with her. She felt safe with him. She wasn't having to go through this nightmare alone, and his strength comforted her and gave her hope.
'I want…' She couldn't get the rest of the words out, couldn't tell him how much she appreciated his help. She couldn't stop
looking at his mouth.
'Yeah, I do too.'
Later, she wasn't so certain who initiated the kiss. She knew she'd leaned into him, and then his head had tilted down toward
hers. Or had she pulled him close and had he merely accommodated her? She couldn't remember. Their mouths had just… merged.
And, oh, it felt wonderful. His mouth was so warm against hers, and, Lord, did he know how to get rid of a woman's defenses.
He made her want much, much more. He was gentle and giving, yet rough and demanding at the same time. His hand cupped
her chin, and he pressed it gently to let her know he wanted her to open her mouth for him.
She scooted up on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. When he began to caress her, she let go of her inhibitions,
and her bones felt like Jell-O. She got quivers in her stomach. His tongue was driving her wild, making her want to be bolder.
The warmth of his touch radiated through her body. When he ended the kiss, she realized his hands were under her T-shirt. She knew he was as affected by the kiss as she was, for she could feel his heart beating rapidly under her fingertips.
She tried to get off his lap then, to retreat, but he wouldn't let her. He held her tightly against him, then gently pushed her head down on his shoulder.
'You know what would be real nice now?' he whispered in that gruff, sexy tone of voice.
She was still trying to catch her breath. The taste of him lingered on her lips, and she was replaying every second of that
powerful kiss in her mind.
The question suddenly penetrated. 'For Pete's sake, John Paul.'
'What?' he said.
'You want sex.'
He didn't say a word for a long minute, acting as though he was taking his time to think it over. 'Well, yeah. That would be nice too, I guess. Sugar, if you're offering, I'm not gonna turn you down.' She wasn't looking at him, so he knew it was safe to smile. 'But what I really want is a cheeseburger.'
Her head snapped up. He got his chin out of her way in the nick of time. 'What?'
'I was thinking a cheeseburger would be nice about now. And french fries and a cold beer,' he added.
'The shrubs weren't enough for you?'
He laughed. 'They weren't shrubs. Those were edible leaves and berries I made you eat. They'll give us energy,' he added.
'But I still want a cheeseburger. My brother-in-law got me hooked on junk food.'
'You were really thinking about food?'
He grinned. 'Yeah, I was, but if you're desperate to have sex, I guess I could accommodate you.'
'I do not want to have sex.'
'You said you did.'
He was exasperating. 'No, I didn't.'
'And you kissed me,' he pointed out. 'So I just assumed…'
'Oh, for Pete's sake.'
'It's obvious you can't keep your hands off me, sugar.'
No wonder love and hate were so closely linked. Right now, she wanted to strangle him. He enjoyed making her squirm,
seemed to be getting a real kick out of it.
She really wanted to have the last word. 'It was just a meaningless kiss.'
'Then how come you got all hot and bothered?'
'I did not.'
'Liar.'
Only he could make the insult sound like a caress. 'Did you get all hot and bothered?'
'Hell, no.'
She laughed. 'Now who's lying?'
'The first rule in any operation is to tell as few lies as possible. Now try to rest. Ten more minutes and we're moving.'
She couldn't rest, not until she relaxed, and there was only one way to do that. She moved away from John Paul, assumed the lotus position she'd learned from her yoga instructor, put her hands on her knees, palms up, straightened her back, and closed her eyes. She concentrated on her breathing, deep cleansing breaths, forcing herself to block the noises of the forest and the thoughts rushing through her mind. It took a good five minutes before she could feel her muscles easing.
'What are you doing?'
His question pulled her back. 'I'm doing my relaxation exercise.'
'Yoga?'
'Sort of. I clear my mind, then I go…'
'What?'
She sighed. Home, she thought, I go to my imaginary perfect home. She answered, 'I go to my happy place. Okay?'
He didn't laugh. 'Yeah? So you were serious about that? I thought you were joking.'
'I picture a place that makes me feel good. It's a porch,' she said. 'And I see myself sitting on this swing. I can smell lilacs, and I can hear water in the background. It's… soothing, and it frees my mind. Then I start filtering
