Exodus Read online

  And she was his…all his.

  Ares tore himself away, then bounded into the thick brush without looking back. He feared that if he did, he’d discover the whole thing had been an illusion. His heart slammed in his chest and his cock ached beyond the point of pain. His breathing sounded choppy as he took to a liana and climbed to the treetops, his muscles straining with the effort. The vegetation grew so dense that he could not see Jac from this distance, but he could hear her. She started to stir. He sent out an energy burst, warding away nearby predators.

  Jac rose from the ground, pulling the material from her eyes. She no longer had to worry about tension, because her body had the consistency of a bowl of wet noodles. She crawled to the water and slid in. The cool liquid surrounded her, leaving her buoyant and free. She didn’t even have the strength to do a single lap. Instead she floated reliving the glorious sensations her body refused to forget.

  Several minutes passed before Jac finally dragged herself from the water. The sun had set behind the treetops, time to get back to camp. She stood on wobbly legs and dressed. In the many years she’d been sexually active, Jac had never experienced being totally sated, until now. It exhilarated and frightened her all at once. She snatched up the blindfold from the ground, turning the thin material over and over in her hands. She’d never seen anything like it. The scarf seemed to change colors with the touch of her fingertips.

  I’ll have to ask Xavier where he got it, when I see him again. Jac licked her lips at the thought. Perhaps they’d have a go at round two in her tent.

  Jac decided she owed Xavier a raise. A big one. Hell if he could do it again, maybe she’d try to find him a permanent position as house boy in her Manhattan two bedroom condo. Or perhaps he could become her pet. Jac imagined him with a collar and leash. She smiled, playing fetch would take on a whole new meaning. Xavier’s hard cock had been impressive, even through his clothes as he slid down her body. If he was half as big as he seemed, she’d be in heaven.

  Jac swallowed hard and squeezed her legs together to deter the familiar ache building inside. She was a red-blooded all American girl with a healthy sex drive and enjoyed flaunting the fact. It wasn’t like she was a nymph or anything, but foreplay like this didn’t come along every day, and Jac wasn’t about to miss an opportunity.

  She dressed and scrambled back to camp. A fire had been built in the center of the encampment, a pig roasted on a spit over the flame. The smell of the meat made Jac’s mouth water. With her hair slicked back and the baseball cap shoved in her pocket, Jac dropped by her tent and slipped the holster off before joining the men.

  Conversation quieted when she neared. Her gaze sought out and found Xavier. He sat with a couple of the older guides on a log opposite the tents. He grinned and raised a plate, but made no move to join her. Jac shrugged it off. It was better to play it cool in front of the men. She didn’t need them finding out about their liaison on her first day in camp.

  A table stood off to the side, holding vegetables and empty plates. Jac snagged herself a plate and strode to the fire. Another native sat with his knife speared into the coals. As she neared he picked it up and sliced off a hunk of the pig and placed it on her plate. Jac thanked him and walked back to the table to gather a few veggies.

  Xavier strolled over a moment later for second helpings. Their eyes met, but there didn’t seem to be any fire behind the gaze. Jac’s brows furrowed. Wow, talk about hot and cold. There was no way a man could go from having so much enthusiasm while he ate her out, to nothing. He filled his plate and started to return to his seat, when Jac reached out and placed a hand on his arm, stopping him.

  “Yes, Ms. Ward. Can I help you?”

  Jac laughed, she couldn’t help it. He sounded so formal, so professional, so different. He stood there with a queer expression upon his face, as if he thought he should laugh with her, but wasn’t quite sure what was so funny.

  Jac stifled her reaction, then leaned in so no one, but him could hear what she was about to say. “I enjoyed my time at the stream.”

  Xavier smiled. His head cocked slightly to the side. “I’m glad you did.”

  “Do you want to go for a repeat performance, later?” Jac’s pussy flooded, thinking about it.

  His eyes narrowed into a frown. “Performance?”

  “You know.” She nudged his elbow. “Don’t play shy, no one can hear us.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” A look of utter confusion painted his features.

  Jac’s heart did a little flip in her chest. She knew Xavier toyed with her, but for the life of her she didn’t know why. She put her plate on the table and planted her hands on her hips. He was cute, but he wasn’t that cute. It was time to cut the crap. Jac remembered the scarf. She pulled it out of her pocket and waved it in the air.

  “Does this jog your memory?” Jac held the material closer for his inspection. “Xavier, we’re both consenting adults. There is nothing to be embarrassed about. If you don’t want to do it again, just say so.”

  His face flushed as Xavier looked from Jac to the scarf and back again in bewilderment. She could see the color change even in the low light. The men’s conversations had stopped. All eyes were upon them. And Jac didn’t give two shits.

  “Ms. Ward, I’m sorry. I think there has been some kind of misunderstanding.”

  Jac felt heat rise in her cheeks. She couldn’t believe after what they’d shared he could stand there straight faced and pretend it didn’t happen. Nothing pissed her off more than a liar. Her temper flared.

  “The water, the blindfold, you ate me out, remember?” her voice rose with each word.

  Xavier’s face lost all color and his eyes practically bugged out of his head. “Ms. Ward.” He swallowed convulsively, glancing around at the men nearby. “I haven’t been anywhere near the stream today.”

  “Stop lying!”

  “I swear to you,” his hand flew to his heart. “If you don’t believe me, ask my men.” He pointed at the gaping faces around them. “They can vouch for me.” Xavier stepped away, shaking his head. “Gringa loco.”

  Jac’s head began to swim. She looked at all the faces around the fire, not an inkling of familiarity flashed in their eyes. Stumbling to a nearby log, Jac sat down, her body racked with shivers. She stared out at the blackened jungle, trancelike.

  If Xavier hadn’t been the one devouring her by the stream, then who had?

  Chapter Two

  Jac awoke the next morning to the sounds of men shouting. She turned over and peeked out the flaps on the tent door. Most of the camp had been torn down and packed up. All that remained was her tent. She groaned. It’d taken her forever to fall asleep after the fiasco around the campfire, then she’d slept like crap.

  Not one to dwell on the negative, Jac swung her long legs over the side of the cot and got dressed. Jac folded her belongings in the pack, along with the scarf from the stream. She didn’t know why she hung onto the silly thing. She should throw it away, but couldn’t seem to bring herself to part with it.

  Since when have I been into sexual souvenirs? Jac pulled the scarf back out with every intention of leaving it behind. Glaring at the offensive item, her fist clenched the jade colored material. With a groan, she wrapped it around her neck and then re-checked her equipment.

  Armed and ready to go, ten minutes later Jac strode across the encampment to where Xavier stood. His eyes warily watched her approach. Jac saw the exact moment he noticed the scarf, because he cringed. She unflinching met his gaze and launched straight into the business of the day.

  “Are you sure we’ll be able to catch up with the professor in two days or less?” her tone no nonsense, Jac didn’t give him a chance to allow his discomfort to fester.

  Surprise played on his features, but he readily accepted her lead. “I’m sure we can reach him, if we head down river.”

  “How long will it take to reach the water?”

  Xavier shrugged. “About six hours. We’l
l be toting the inflatable canoes.”

  Jac looked at her watch, it was five-thirty. If all went well they’d be floating down the river by one at the latest. She wanted to reach Rumsinger before he slithered back under a rock.

  Xavier stood in front of her as if wanting to say more.

  She inclined her head. “Yes?”

  “I’m sorry about last night,” he stammered. His chocolate colored eyes held genuine regret, as he shoved his hands in his pockets. “If you like we can—”

  “I don’t think so.” Jac interrupted, then shrugged. “The moment’s past.”

  She wasn’t about to get into a conversation about last night with Xavier. She didn’t dwell on what might have been, only what was. If he wasn’t down by the water, then he wasn’t down by the water. None of the other men she’d seen in camp fit the physical impression she’d been left with. So that meant that they were not alone. She stared at the jungle, ignoring the chills racing down her spine.

  Jac glanced at her holster, giving herself a quick once over. Knife, check. Pistols, check. Her hand patted the side of her neck. Scarf, check. She turned on her heel before Xavier could say anything more and headed to the table containing breakfast and coffee. Jac ate while the men dismantled her tent. She grabbed extra jerky, slipping it into a baggie for later. She bypassed the caffeinated coffee for water, as much as she was sweating from this humidity, she’d have to drink a couple of gallons to maintain her potassium levels or succumb to exhaustion.

  Within twenty minutes everything was lifted on the guides’ backs and ready to go. Jac walked to where her pack sat on the ground and shoved the jerky and a couple of extra water bottles inside, before slinging it over her shoulders. She’d taken one step when her nipples beaded beneath her white t-shirt. Jac’s gaze shot up, she scanned the area to see who watched her. Xavier directed men into the jungle, his back turned to her. The men worked diligently, caught up in their tasks. No one seemed to notice Jac. Heat spread from her breasts, spiraling to her mound and over her clit.

  Jac’s breath caught in her throat, her gaze zeroed in on the tree line. It felt as if she was being physically caressed, her nipples stroked. Her panties grew damp as her pussy moistened. Her clit ached and began to vibrate as if an invisible finger plucked it. Need flowed through her body, like flowing lava. Jac squeezed her legs together, stifling a moan, her heart slamming in her chest.

  This isn’t possible. I’m imagining this.

  But even as the thought tumbled from her head, she felt the familiar pleasure-pain begin to build. Breathing ragged, Jac clutched the pack as if the canvas bag could protect her from the unseen hands. Her knees wobbled, threatening to give out. The pressure increased, until Jac thought she couldn’t take a minute more. As if sensing her impending release the heated touch dissipated. Her body quaked.

  Jac exhaled, her hands shaking, as relief mixed with a healthy dose of frustration, flooded her system. Whatever it was had stopped.

  Suddenly as if reading her thoughts, a giant imaginary tongue licked her slit from end to end. Jac convulsed as the orgasm shattered her, knocking her legs out from under her and driving her to her knees.

  She knelt on the ground, resting on all fours, desperately trying to catch her breath. Jac felt a brush of weight against her back, as if she were about to be savagely mounted. She knew no one was behind her, yet her muscles locked and she shuddered in anticipation. Her gaze bulleted to the jungle, Jac wasn’t sure what in the hell was going on, but she’d damn sure find out…as soon as she could function again.

  Moments later, Jac pulled herself up and brushed off her legs. She glared at the trees as if the look alone would send a message. She scooped her pack from the ground and got in line with the men, who were now staring at her as if she were truly insane. None of the bastards had even bothered checking on her to make sure she was okay.

  It’s comforting to know that I’m on my own…as always.

  Monkeys scattered and screeched as she stepped into the rainforest. The air thickened in the shaded undergrowth. Red, green, and white parrots squawked and flapped their wings. Any other time she’d find their commotion irritating, but after what occurred in camp, Jac barely noticed. She focused on the trail in front of her, eyes peeled for any flash of movement.

  She’d sent one of the guides ahead to search for signs of Rachel. He’d bring back information if he noticed anything out of the ordinary. Perspiration from the intense humidity dampened her shirt. Despite the heat, Jac rubbed her arms, in an attempt to ward away a chill. Something wasn’t right, but she couldn’t put her finger on what. She didn’t believe in ghosts—at least she hadn’t up until this moment—but she couldn’t think of any other explanation for what had occurred.

  I’m not imagining this.

  Jac slid her hand to the pistol and removed the safety. The next time the phantom visited, she’d be ready.

  They marched through the rest of the morning, reaching the river at two o’clock, an hour behind schedule. Fortunately for Jac, the jungle had remained relatively quiet with no more unusual happenings. Upon reaching the water, the men inflated the canoes and settled the equipment inside, tying it securely. The current was swift, churning up sediment from the bottom, making visibility close to nil. Before pushing off from shore, Xavier ordered another guide to run ahead through the jungle to search for signs of Rumsinger’s party.

  Jac was relegated to sharing a boat with Xavier. They paddled in silence for the first hour, the only sounds coming from the ripples the oars made when they sliced through the water and the occasional flap of wings overhead.

  From the river, the jungle seemed different, somehow less threatening, as if viewing it from a distance kept the danger at bay. Jac relaxed for the first time since arriving and leaned back. She imagined having the flow of the water washing over her, cascading through her tired muscles and taking the tension from her body. Staring trance-like at the water, Jac watched as a pair of dark eyes surfaced about ten feet away. The black caiman watched them with the lazy appreciation of a predator sizing up a meal. Jac bolted upright and rowed hard. There couldn’t be enough distance between her and that leftover dinosaur.

  They’d been on the river for a few hours, when the guide on land shouted that a track had been discovered. Jac’s heart raced, as thoughts of Rachel ran through her head. She wondered if the professor had fed her. Had she been tortured? Would they find her body tied to one of the trees?

  No, no, no…in her mind Rachel was happy, healthy, and doing fine. She simply waited for Jac to find, rescue, and return her to her rightful place—New York.

  The sun had set by the time the guide returned with news of Rumsinger’s safari. He had pitched camp about five miles away as the crow flies. Jac’s party couldn’t reach him before nightfall, so they’d have to camp here for the evening.

  Jac didn’t like the idea of camping in the heart of the jungle, especially when the hair on the back of her neck had been standing on end for the past ten minutes, as if aware of a predator stalking the area. Her fight or flight response had kicked in and she couldn’t seem to shake the feeling of impending doom.

  Jaclyn Monroe Ward, knock this shit off.

  She wasn’t prone to normal female outbursts. Jac prided herself on the fact that she could at any given moment, behave exactly like a man. She’d had to, to survive in the corporate world of law, but this was different—it felt different. For the first time in her life, Jac knew she was up against something formidable and she had no way of predicting the outcome. And that fact alone freaked her out…and excited her.

  The tents were set up within an hour and a fire had been built after clearing away some of the vegetation. Jac thought to protest to the crew about disturbing the plants, but since there hadn’t been an alternative she kept her mouth shut. After a dinner of fruits and dried meats, Jac headed straight to her tent, zipping the door closed behind her, desperate to escape the feeling of prying eyes upon her back. If she didn’t think he a
lready considered her a freak, Jac would’ve invited Xavier to stay with her. Not for the sex, but for the company.

  She hated to admit it, but she was scared. The faceless stranger at the creek had brought out emotions in Jac that she’d managed to keep tamped down for years, hidden even from her own mind. Primitive thoughts of being possessed completely by a dominating male, letting go of her hard won control, relinquishing her power, and allowing herself to feel, protected, cherished—loved. She’d fantasized about the stranger’s mouth, his spicy animalistic scent, and that incredible body ever since. Even though she hadn’t caught a glimpse of him, it was as if Jac held his invisible brand somewhere on her skin.

  Jac removed the scarf from her neck. The unusual material had managed to keep her neck cool all day, despite the sudden spike in the afternoon temperature. Clouds were building on the horizon and it had looked as if they were in for one heck of a storm. In her tent, the air practically crackled with electricity. Jac rubbed away the sudden gooseflesh rising on her arms, determined to get some sleep tonight, come hell or high water.

  * * * * *

  Several hours later, Jac tossed the sleeping bag off her legs and tried to get comfortable. It had been raining off and on for most of the night. She readjusted the mosquito netting, throwing her arm over her eyes, and fell back to sleep. The invisible touch she’d felt this morning haunted her thoughts all the way into her dreams.

  The image was fuzzy at first, then she recognized Xavier. He stood between her thighs, getting ready to lower his head to her aching pussy. Jac shifted, spreading her legs in anticipation. Suddenly his image was wretched aside, by one much more powerful. She blinked, trying to focus once more.