She swallowed hard, trying not to panic. She kept her gaze locked on him. His eyes held hers and she felt the familiar jolt of chemistry between them. Her nerves settled and her chest swelled with exhilaration.
She could do this.
A few minutes later, she was at the top of the cliff. He dragged her away from the edge and unfastened the safety rope on her harness. She stared up at him in wonder. He had snow in his beard. He looked like an advertisement for an adventure magazine.
She’d never felt so alive.
He crushed his mouth over hers, making the best of an amazing moment. She laced her fingers through his hair, delighted with the bold choice. It was just the two of them, on top of the world together. No one else could see them.
He wasn’t shy about parting her lips with his tongue. She wasn’t shy about moaning her encouragement. They shared a snowflake-melting, life-affirming, toe-curling kiss.
His mouth left hers much too soon. “You’re dangerous.”
She sputtered with laughter. “Me?”
“I want you.”
Her breath caught in her throat.
“I’m willing to risk getting shot by your cousins just to have you.”
She raked her nails through his hair, biting her lower lip. “I think you like risk. I think it arouses you.”
His nostrils flared and his eyes blazed with hunger. They were dangerous together. Combustible. She found herself saying and doing the most shameless things. Maybe taking risks aroused her, too. With a low groan, he rolled away from her. Then he picked up the end of the safety rope and started winding it around his elbow. When he had it gathered in a coil, he tossed it down the cliff for the next climber.
Layah rose to her feet and studied their surroundings. They were in Turkey, or close to it. This side of the Zagros wasn’t as severe. Snowy, gradual slopes dissolved into rolling green hills. She was pleased with their progress. They were actually on schedule.
“You are an excellent guide,” she said, smiling.
He arched a brow. “Do I get a bonus?”
She could imagine what he wanted, and she was tempted to give it to him. He was an ideal candidate for a short affair. Sexy, passionate, casual. He’d never expect more from her, and he’d leave well before she got attached.
In theory.
In reality, sleeping with him was a terrible idea. He was her hostage. He was connected to her brother’s death. Hasan had worked as an interpreter for Hudson’s team in Syria. She felt guilty about forcing Hudson on this journey, and for deceiving him. Using him for pleasure would only complicate things.
He stretched out on his belly to watch the next climber. She noted his broad shoulders and taut buttocks with a wistful sigh. Yelda said they’d get married at the end of the journey. Layah hoped they would not be enemies.
They spent the next two hours at the summit. Some of the women needed help, and Yusef fell once on his way up, but everyone reached the top safely—thanks to Hudson. She knew they couldn’t have made the ascent without him. They wouldn’t have survived the trek over the surface of the glacier, either. His expertise was priceless.
At midmorning, they started hiking again. Traveling downhill was a little easier, but she struggled with the terrain. It was a snowy slog over shifting slopes. The heavy pack dragged her off balance and the ground felt unstable. They skipped lunch because there was nothing to eat. Her stomach gnawed with hunger and her feet ached.
She was about to ask for a break when one of the men shouted a warning.
“Watch out!”
Layah turned to see loose rocks careening down the hillside. They all scrambled to get clear of the danger. Hanna lost her footing and almost fell in the direct path of the rocks. Ashur yanked her out of harm’s way. They both tumbled to the ground.
Layah rushed forward as soon as the rocks settled. “Are you all right?” she asked the girl in Kurdish.
“I’m fine,” Hanna said, nodding at Ashur. “Thank you.”
He knew enough Kurdish to mumble a polite response. Then he rose to his feet and hurried away as if the girl had a disease he might catch.
Yelda helped Hanna upright and they continued to the bottom of the slope. When they were on stable ground, Hudson allowed them a short rest.
Layah joined him to discuss their afternoon plans. He was pushing hard, like always. “We need water,” he said, studying the landscape. There was a valley with a cluster of trees in the distance.
She glanced around, surprised by the lack of snow in the area. They’d covered a lot of distance in a few hours. She took the map out of her pack and unfolded it. His eyes darkened at the reminder of their uneasy alliance.
“There’s a lake in this region,” she said.
“Yeah? What region is that?”
“Turkey,” she said, ignoring his caustic tone. “There is a large body of water on the Turkish side of the border. If we see it, we know we are on the right path.”
“Those trees look promising.”
“I agree.”
“Do you want me to scout ahead?”
“No. It is not far.”
They set out again, moving forward with grim determination. Layah kept a close watch on Hanna, who trudged along behind her grandmother. They were all exhausted, but they needed water more than they needed rest. The distance to the valley seemed endless. The sun stayed suspended above the horizon.
Finally, they arrived at a cluster of trees which overlooked a sprawling blue lake. It was a glorious sight.
Layah didn’t feel her feet touch the ground until she reached the shore. She shrugged off her pack, laughing with glee. She gave Ashur a bone-crushing hug, and he hugged her back. With a triumphant cry, she ran to the water’s edge and fell to her knees.
Tears coursed down her cheeks as she cupped her hands in the chilly liquid and drank deeply. Then she looked up at the sky and opened her arms
