For the Good of All (Law of the Lycans Book 7) (14 page)

“The Ultimate Survival Guide?” She was surprised he would need a book. He seemed extremely confident and capable to her.

“I know a lot, but I don’t know everything. It never hurts to have a source of extra information.”

“I suppose.” She took the book and flipped through the pages. “The plot doesn’t look too gripping.” A glance towards Stone revealed he had his phone out.

“Cell phones work in the jungle?” She thought of her own tucked away in the backpack Stone had given her.

“No. This is a sat-phone. It uses a LEO satellite – low earth orbiting. Good for remote places like jungles or deserts, as long as there’s no storm to screw up the satellite’s signals.”

She nodded in understanding and settled back to read the survival guide he’d given her, idly listening in to his conversation with Reno.

“Hey, Reno why didn’t you answer your damned phone earlier … Yeah, well Jenkins never showed.” He flicked a glance at Tina. “I found someone … Who? Christina.” He held the phone away as a blast of angry words spewed from the device. “It was just a weird coincidence that she was here … Yeah, I’m not too thrilled, but she’s better than nothing. Look, the reason I called is because we’re behind schedule. The road is blocked so we’ll have to hike the rest of the way. You’ll need to adjust our emergency rendezvous time. I’ll contact you tomorrow with an update … Yeah. I will. Talk to you then.”

Stone signed off and put the phone away.

In the dim light from the flashlight, he could see Christina was pressed against the door, her nose buried in the book. “Glad you’re reading that. You never know when the information might come in handy.”

She flicked a look his way and then resumed reading.

He frowned. “What’s up?”

“Nothing.”

She’s lying,
his wolf declared.
She is definitely not pleased.

He sighed. “I’ve been told that in woman-speak ‘nothing’ always means something. Spill it.”

She turned her back to him as best as the limited space of the vehicle would allow.

“Christina.” He spoke her name, the hint of a growl edging his voice.

She didn’t look at him, but at least she replied. “I’m just trying to stay out of your way since you aren’t ‘too thrilled’ that I’m here.”

“What?”

“That’s what you told Reno. That you’re not too thrilled, but I’m ‘better than nothing’.”

He rolled his eyes. “I didn’t mean it the way it sounded.”

She closed the book firmly and turned to face him. “Then what did you mean?”

“I meant…” He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling that no matter what he said, he’d just dig himself in deeper. “I meant that I’d have preferred an experienced operative, of course.”

She pressed her lips tightly together and started to turn away, but he reached over and stilled her movement.

“I’m being honest. A trained operative would have been preferable. This is a dangerous situation and I don’t like the idea of your life, or that of any civilian, being put at risk. Having said that, two innocent children are in danger and I’m grateful that you offered to help out.”

She was silent for a moment, then sighed. “Okay. I get it.”

“Good. We need to work as a team and if there are misunderstandings between us, it will negatively impact on our efficiency. If you have a problem with anything, how you’re feeling, your equipment, you don’t understand my instructions, anything at all, tell me.”

“All right.” She stifled a yawn.

“Ready to turn in?”

“I guess.” She set the book on the dash.

Stone reclined his seat and folded his arms. Beside him, Christina did the same. After a moment she shifted on to her side.

“I don’t suppose you packed a pillow?”

He rolled his head towards her. She was staring at him. “No.”

“I didn’t think you would have but figured it couldn’t hurt to ask.” In the dim light, he could just make out her smile. It was nice to know she didn’t hold a grudge.

“Come here.”

“Why?”

“You can lean against me.”

There was a pause and then a shuffling sound as she moved closer followed by a soft curse. “The gear shift is in the way.”

“Climb over it.”

More shuffling ensued and then she landed in his lap.

“Oomph.” They grunted in unison.

“Sorry,” she apologized. “It’s hard to do this in the dark.”

“It’s okay.” He grabbed her by the waist and tucked her against his body. “Better?”

“A bit.” He felt her hand drift over his chest. “You’re not as soft as my pillow.”

He lightly squeezed her arm. “You are.”

“Is that a nice way of saying I’m flabby?”

“No. I like the way you feel. Soft. Like a woman.” He allowed his hand to drift over her, finally settling on her breast. He could feel her breath catch. When she didn’t protest, he gently kneaded the warm mound, running his thumb over the peak. It stiffened under his touch.

“Stone.” She exhaled his name and leaned into him even more.

He ducked his head and brushed a kiss over her forehead.

She reached up, trailing her fingers over his face, his neck, urging him closer. When their lips met, he groaned, the taste of her sweet and familiar.

He eased her over so she was straddling him and their kiss became hotter, more urgent. His hands slid down her back, finding the edge of her shirt and then tugging it upwards so he could touch bare skin. Reaching the clasp of her bra, he released it and moved the material out of the way. Her breasts rested in his palms, warm and heavy and soft, the peaks already growing hard even before he stroked them with his thumbs.

Her own hands were busily working their way under his shirt and when she finally touched his bare skin a shiver raced through him. She carefully raked her nails over his chest while nuzzling his neck and nipping at his collar bone. “I wish you were completely naked.”

“Same here but no room.”

“Next time rent a van.”

He chuckled. “We can be creative.”

“Creative is good,” she agreed, her lips returning to his.

He slid his hand down her body, teasing the dip of her waist and the curve of her hip all the while enjoying a leisurely kiss. She stroked her tongue against his then nibbled his chin. He worked his hand between her thighs, feeling the moist heat that signalled her arousal. She moved against his hand and he stroked her through the layers of cloth, using the seam of her pants to stimulate her sensitive nub. She clutched at his shoulders, her mouth moving to suck on his earlobe.

“Good thing we’re in the jungle,” she breathed the words into his ear.

“Why?” His voice sounded strained to his own ears.

“We don’t have to worry about a cop coming by wondering why the windows are steamed up and the car is rocking.”

He gave a bark of laughter. “True. And you don’t have to be quiet in case the neighbours hear either.” He increased the movement of his hand, adding more pressure.

“Oh my gosh, Stone.”

“Don't hold back, Christina. Let go.” He urged her on and when she shattered in his arms, he held her close, stroking her back as she slumped against him. “Yep, good thing there are no neighbours here.” He teased.

“Yeah.” He could hear the smile in her voice. She nuzzled her head against his chest. “But what about you?”

“I’m fine.” He shifted away from her questing fingers.

“That’s not what I feel. I could—”

“No need.” He gently disentangled from her and opened the door of the vehicle. “I’ll be right back.”

Once he was outside of the vehicle, he began to adjust his tight pants, the material taut over his erection. A scent drifting on the heavy night air stilled his actions.

There is another shifter in the area.
His wolf growled low in its throat, instantly alert.

Physical discomfort was immediately forgotten. He strained his senses, listening to the night sounds, trying to pierce the darkness with his gaze. The scent was faint, having drifted some distance and not recent. It was, however, vaguely familiar, niggling at the back of his mind but refusing to reveal the identity of the Lycan.

What other wolf could be in the area?
His inner animal asked.
This is the jungle. Wolves do not live here.

A member of the Duffy family? Perhaps, but he’d never met them before so why would the scent stir a memory?

His wolf urged him to investigate, to follow the scent and track down the other wolf. He even took half a step, but his duty to Christina held him back. Leaving her alone, unguarded, wasn’t wise. No, he shook his head. He’d stay here and stand guard hoping the elusive memory of the scent would return.

Chapter 6

Demonic screams pierced her dreams, jolting Tina awake. Was someone being murdered or were the hounds from Hell attacking? She sat frozen in her seat, hardly daring to move, not wanting to attract the attention of whatever dangerous creature was lurking outside. Instead, she slid her hand slowly across the seat, reaching for Stone but encountering nothing.

“Stone?” She whispered his name and cautiously turned her head so she could see the driver’s seat. No one was there.

Gathering her courage, she turned, quickly scanning the jeep’s interior. She was alone, the man she’d been dreaming about just moments before was nowhere in sight.

“Stone!” She called his name, heart pounding as she peered through the windows. Where was he?

Dawn was breaking, streaks of pink spreading over the bits of sky that could be seen through the tree canopy. Day was pushing away the darkness of night but the area around her was still mostly bathed in shadows offering a multitude of hiding places for whoever or whatever it was that was making those chilling sounds.

Had Stone left the car and fallen victim to some jungle creature? She put her hand on the door handle, not sure if she was brave enough to face whatever was out there but knowing she had to go looking for him.

A weapon. She should take one with her. Leaning over the back seat, she began to rustle through the supplies Stone had stashed there. The big gun—an AK-47 he’d informed her—was nowhere in sight, but he’d used a machete last night so it must be in there somewhere.

She stretched farther, trying to reach his backpack, muttering curses to herself about not having longer arms. If she hitched herself up just a bit more…

The door behind her suddenly opened and something touched her leg. She let out a scream, lost her balance and tipped head first over the seat into the back.

A loud guffaw filled the vehicle, the sound foreign yet the source was undeniable. Stone was laughing!

Tina righted herself and peered over the seats to see Stone actually grinning at her. “Glad to see you’re awake.”

“Awake? Of course, I’m awake. It sounds like someone is being disembowelled out there.” She brushed her hair from her face and gestured towards the surrounding jungle.

Stone frowned, cocking his head as he listened before giving another huff of laughter. “Howler monkeys. They make quite a racket, don’t they?”

“Monkeys? Holy cheeseballs, they’re noisy.”

“Better than an alarm clock.”

“They scared me half to death,” she muttered, climbing out of the vehicle. “Where were you?”

“Getting us breakfast.” He held up yet another fruit she didn’t recognize.

“What is it?”

“Sapodilla. Tastes sort of like a pear. Just don’t eat the seeds. There’s a hook on the end that can catch in your throat.”

Tina watched as Stone cut the fruit into pieces.

“The skin is tough. You eat the insides.” He handed her a section.

After sniffing it cautiously, she took a bite. “Yum! These are good.”

“Glad it meets with your approval.”

“What else is edible around here?” She surveyed the surrounding trees with interest.

He replied in between bites. “Bananas, mangos, avocado. Not much danger of starving in the jungle if you know where to look. Of course,” he slid a sideways look at her, “if you’re looking for meat, there are lots of larvae—”

“Stop right there!” She interrupted with a glare. “Don’t ruin my breakfast with gross talk.”

Stone shrugged. “Gross but true.”

“It might be true, however, until desperation strikes, I’ll live on fruit.”

The corner of his mouth curled upwards before he popped the last bit of his meal into his mouth. “I’ll get the packs ready while you finish eating. We need to get moving.”

Tina nodded and munched quickly, trying to keep the trepidation in her stomach under control. While she considered herself fit, trekking through a jungle carrying a backpack was beyond the realm of her experience. She hoped she was up to the challenge.

All too soon, Stone was hefting the pack on her back, adjusting the straps and then giving her a final look over.

She knew her appearance was ridiculous. Her own cute tops had been deemed inappropriate for a jungle trek and he’d had her don an oversized khaki shirt that had been bought for the partner who hadn’t shown up. She’d knotted the waist and rolled the sleeves, but it was still way too big.