Blood of the Rainbow (13 page)

“
What are you wearing?
”

“What do you think this is – a fashion show, I’m wearing a halter top and shorts!”

Jared laughed again.

Sara started to cry. “Don’t laugh at me!”

“
I’m not laughing at you. It’s just, well. If you thought my last question was presumptuous, this one is going to make me come across as a complete pervert….
”

“What?”

“
Listen for cars and make sure nothing is coming. I want you to take off your halter top, and tie it to a tree, next to the shoulder.
”

Sara’s mouth fell open. She knew she must have hurt his ear. “What? I will not! Are you crazy? I’m turning to a piece of jerky out here, and you want me to strip for you? I’m hanging up now!” She couldn’t believe he was being so selfish and inconsiderate.

“
Hang on! Don’t! Just listen to me. I don’t want to risk you sitting on the side of the road waiting for me. The wrong type of person may stop. Will you please just let me finish?
”

Sara was angry now. “
Go ahead,
but you
better
have a
good
reason for this.”

“
I do, trust me. I wouldn’t do anything to put you at risk. Once you’ve made sure no one is coming, take off your halter top, and quickly tie it on a tree by the road where I can see it. By the way, what color is it?
”

“Green!”

“
Great – that should make it easy to find among all the long leaf pines in this area. Never mind. I’ll just have to search carefully. Once you’ve tied it to the tree, get a fair distance into the brush, and make sure it’s well shaded. You’re probably already starting to dehydrate. Sit down, wait for me, I will find you as soon as I can.
”

“What about wild animals?”

“
Sara, a wild animal isn’t going to care if your topless or not.
”

“I was more worried about becoming some wolf’s late lunch than being raped Jared!”

“
They’ve got a better sense than to come out of their dens on a day like this – it’s too hot for them.
”

“And I don’t? Is that what you’re implying, that a wild animal has more sense than I do? What if they have the same idea – laying in the shade, hoping for an easy kill?” Sara gulped. “Jared, I’m scared!”

“
No – that wasn’t what I was implying. Calm down, Sara. You’re not stupid, you’re just confused. You’ll be all right. I’ll find you. I promise
.”

All of a sudden, seeing his hurtful and accusing eyes didn’t seem so bad after all. Looking down a long, furry snout at a pair of yellow eyes, sounded worse. “Please hurry.”

“
I will Baby, I will. Just do what I told you. I’ll see you in a few minutes. Just stay hidden
.”

“All right…” she said, but the phone was dead.

Although, Sara knew she was alone, suddenly it felt as if there were a thousand eyes staring at her as she started untying the bottom string to her halter. “How could I let myself get in a situation like this? This is exactly what my mother has lectured me about – time and time again!

With fumbling fingers, Sara finally got her top untied and held it against her body, trying to hang on to the last shred of dignity she had left. She listened carefully for what must have been the better part of five minutes. When Sara would get ready to expose herself, she heard something coming. Of course, it was a false alarm, but her mind was playing tricks.

------------

Sara was stalling. She’d already picked out a suitable tree. “God,” she mused. “I can’t believe I’m actually going to do this! Now I know I’m mad!”

Sara waited another five minutes and made a run for the edge of the trees. She quickly tied her halter to her tree and ran back for cover. She seemed to be running in slow motion, every step she took, the woods seemed to move further away. Eager to hide herself, Sara wasn’t watching where she was going. There was a steep incline. A tree root came out of nowhere and grabbed her foot, she went down, rolling down the hill, falling forever, hitting her head on the ground when she stopped tumbling. Everything started going blurry, sounds of the forest faded into the distance. Sara tried to get up, but it hurt. She must have twisted her ankle.

Sara felt something warm and wet on her temple. She touched it - blood – her blood! Her stomach turned upside down, feeling sick, as if she might throw up. She eased her head back and closed her eyes for a few seconds, resting, drifting in and out of consciousness.

------------

Sara must have passed out, because the next thing she remembered was someone calling her name. “
Sara! Sara! Where are you?
” The voice was foggy and unclear, but familiar. Sara desperately tried to open her eyes. Jared called out again.
“Sara!”
It sounded as if he were standing at the top of the incline, shouting for her. “
Sara!
”

Sara took a deep breath and groaned. That hurt too. She took in as much air as possible and yelled. At least it was supposed to be a yell. “Down here,” she tried. To her confused mind it sounded hardly above a loud whisper.

“
Sara!
” he called out again.

Sara could hear dried leaves rustling, small branches cracked under his weight as Jared hurriedly descended the hill to her. “Sara, can you hear me? Where are you hurt?”

Sara lifted her head and opened her eyes. Jared’s face was blurry, but she knew it. She smiled, totally forgetting she was topless. “Kiss me. I want to feel your lips on mine one more time before I die.”

Jared leaned closer and sighed. “You’re not going to die – I won’t let you.” He kissed her.

To Sara, what was happening was more like a dream than reality. She was happy. She felt herself starting to fade again.

“Sara – you stay with me, you hear? Sara!” Jared gently shook her shoulders.

Ow! That hurts too.

“I’m sorry Angel. I’m being as gentle as I can.”

Sara’s head was too fuzzy to register, that Jared had apparently read her thoughts. She hadn’t said anything out loud. “I’m so thirsty, sleepy, and it hurts to breathe. I want to take a nap. Can’t I take a nap? I’ll only sleep for a few minutes. I just want to close…” her voice trailed off as her vision went from a dim transparency to black. Jared shook her again, yanking her back to the dim, fuzzy transparency.

“No! Don’t go to sleep! Wake up Sara! I need
you
alert. You might have a concussion.” Jared took a handkerchief from his back pocket and placed it on Sara’s forehead. “Sara! Can you hold this for me? Apply some pressure to it while I see how badly you’re hurt.”

Sara made a feeble attempt, reaching up with her hand, but she couldn’t think straight, her vision blurred, her arm felt like a boulder.

Jared lifted her hand and placed it over the handkerchief. “Sara, stay with me. I need to make sure you haven’t broken your neck. Can you feel your legs?”

Sara groaned. “Yeah - they hurt.”

Jared touched her tender ribs, and she yelped. “I’m sorry, but I have to see if it’s broken.” He pressed against her ribs with his fingertips.

That hurt
, Sara thought as she clenched her teeth, trying to endure the pain. A tear slid down her face.

“I know Angel, and I’m sorry. I hate hurting you.” He shook his head and grimaced.
Jared if you don’t stop responding to her thoughts, you’re going to give yourself away!
“Well,” he said, “I don’t think anything is broken.” He pulled her to her feet. Sara screamed and started to fall. Jared grabbed her, lifting her into his arms as though she was nothing. “Seems you’ve twisted your ankle. Put your arms around my neck and hang on. The hill is a little steep.”

“My top!” Sara gasped, suddenly remembering she was topless.

“Sara, I’ll put it back on you when I get you in the car. Remember? I’m a doctor; I
have
seen topless women… before.” He couldn’t help but get a quick glance.

“Oh, how silly of me,” she said, sarcastically. “Yeah, you’re a doctor, but I thought I was a little more than
just
a patient to you.”

Jared looked into her eyes and kissed her again. “You are, but under these circumstances, I can handle it.” He grinned.
I hope!

Sara wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head against his chest, listening to the sound of his pounding heart. She wondered... was it fear, exhaustion, or the sensation of her half-naked body that had set its rhythm. Suddenly, she wanted him so badly it became a dull ache, which didn’t help her a lot. She was already in considerable pain. Sara winced when Jared sat her on the car seat, and put her halter back on. His touch was soft and gentle, making sure he didn’t hurt her. Sara lowered her head, looking at the ground. She didn’t want to see the pain in his eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t worry about that right now. I’ll be mad at you when this is over.”

Sara pouted her lips. “You will?” She didn’t want him to be mad at her. She wanted Jared to hold her, tell her he loved her, and that he forgave her.

Jared lifted her chin, so their eyes met. “I was kidding Sara. I
am
angry with you; you scared me half to death. I thought I’d lost you. Don’t
ever
do that to me again – ok?” Sara nodded. “Now tell me, what on Earth were you thinking? If I’d known you were going to react this way, I never would have let you read that stupid diary.”

“It’s not stupid. It’s your deepest thoughts and feelings, and they’re beautiful. But… I’m
not
the person in your dreams.”

Jared narrowed his eyes at her and furrowed his brow. “Don’t you understand? I don’t care,” he growled through his teeth. “I’m going to burn that damn diary! It’s just a dream Sara. You’re real, and it’s
you
that I love.” He closed his eyes, grimacing, as if he’d said something he shouldn’t have said, at least not out loud. Sara asked again, to be sure she’d understood him correctly.

“Did you just say…?”

He sighed, “Yes, but I shouldn’t have….”

Sara’s eyes filled with tears. “You didn’t mean it?”

Chapter 6

Jared sighed and looked into her eyes. “Yes, I meant it. I know we don’t know each other very well, but I know what I feel, and I know it’s real, and the diary has
nothing
to do with it. I love you Sara.”

Sara closed her eyes, and the tears freely flowed. She couldn’t find her voice. She was so confused. A part of her wanted what he was saying, the bigger part, but there was a wee bit, the part that was still a child, that was afraid. She didn’t want him to see how frightened his look was making her. There was no anger, or doubt in his eyes. There was something else. Something strong, and needing. Before Sara could say anything, Jared’s lips were on hers - hungry and demanding.

Sara moaned against his lips. Every fiber of her being quaked, making her realize how much she wanted him. Sara was running on instinct now. Treading on unfamiliar ground.

Jared’s lips pressed harder against hers, molding to the shape of her mouth. Their breathing was coming in ragged gasps.

Sara was just about ready to surrender herself to whatever came next, when he pulled back. Jared repeated something he’d said yesterday. “You’re dangerous Sara,” he gasped, leaning away from her.

She pulled him back, kissing him again. “That’s not bad – is it?”

Jared crushed his lips to hers for a long time, and then pulled away again. “Yes, it’s bad. I won’t take advantage of you – of the situation. You’re hurt, and you’re vulnerable. You don’t know what you’re doing, and I’m being a
selfish
heel. I may not be entirely old fashioned, but I still don’t believe in taking advantage of someone as young as you are. I will not take away your innocence Sara, not like this.” Jared pulled away from her, turned around, and leaned against the car, regaining his composure.

Sara stared at the ground, feeling rejected. “What are you talking about?” If Jared was trying to force himself on her, she could see how this would apply, but he wasn’t. Sara was pushing him. How could he know she was innocent? For all he knew, he might not have been the first man to go this far with her, but he was.

“So easily, I could lose control with you. Give in to the way I feel about you. The way I want you. It’s just too dangerous, especially after seeing you like - like this.” He groaned and looked at the ground.

 “So you
want
me, but you won’t
take
me?” Sara was confused.

Jared knelt in front of her, taking her hands in his. “Sara, that’s not what I said. I
will
take you, just not now – not here and not under these circumstances. Besides, if I made love to you now, apart from the fact we could get caught, I would have to restrain myself for fear of hurting you. When we
do
make love, I don’t want any restraints or regrets between us.”

Sara grinned. “Would you take me, if I offered myself to you, or if I asked?” she whispered. Pleaded, would be a better word. Despite her injuries, which Sara was willing to try and ignore, she desperately wanted Jared.

Jared’s voice was full of pleading and pain, mingled with a hint of agitation. “Don’t ever do that! Don’t ever make me have to make that choice! Promise me Sara. Promise me, you won’t make me
make
that choice.”

What could Sara say? He’d just asked her, not to offer herself or ask him to take her. Why, she wondered? What would be wrong about it? They were both consenting adults. For whatever reason, she answered him. “I’ll try – no promises – I’ll try.” She kissed him again.

Jared pulled away and kissed her on the left side of her throat. “Then I guess I’ll just have to convince you.” He started tracing kisses along the side of her neck and up behind her ear, gently breathing in it. It sent shivers down Sara’s spine and made her want him even more. She would have told him anything he wanted her to if she could just get her lungs to work properly. “You see,” he said, “I can do this – and still stay in control – question is – can you?”