Iris Johansen - Dark Summer

"No one asked you to handle it," she said unevenly. "I told you I didn't intend to back you into a corner."

"But I have to learn." His gaze shifted from the fire to her face. "I have to convince you to stay with me. Because now I know I'm more frightened of having to go on without you." He rose to his feet. "That's all. I just had to say it. Go to sleep. I won't bother you anymore tonight."

He was gone. Devon saw him once more settling outside the cave.

Go to sleep? How was she going to do that when she was aching for him, with him? She was unbearably touched. For God's sake, don't lose your grip because of a few words.

But those words had been spoken with raw simplicity and truth.

And there was the slightest trace of moisture on her breast where his cheek had rested.

Why did that sign of vulnerability shake her to the core? He would never admit to it. She shouldn't let go of anger. He had behaved with his usual arrogance and ignored her in de pen dence and self-will.

You'll be shot in the chest. Blood. You'll fall to the ground .

Bridget's words came out of nowhere, bringing the same chill as the first time she had heard them.

Death. Life.

My God, cling to anger when there might not be time for anything else? She didn't know if she believed Bridget's prediction, but life was too short to take chances.

A moment later she'd struggled out of the sleeping bag and was out of the cave.

"Marrok, dammit." She dropped to her knees beside him. "You were wrong to do what you did, to ask Bridget to move me around like a puppet. I can't believe how wrong you were."

He sat up, and said soberly, "I can. One way or another I've been wrong all my life."

"You can't just shift me around on a whim."

"It wasn't a whim. It was the farthest thing from a whim that you can imagine."

"Then it's time you shaped up. I'm not going to have to worry about you doing something like that again."

He went still. "Does that mean that I'm going to get the chance to do it?"

"What a way to put it," she said shakily. "You step out of line again, and I'll strangle you."

He reached out, his hands hovering over her shoulders. "Is touching you out of line?"

"No." She went into his arms. He felt strong, good, solid, closing out the night. Closing out Bridget's words. "You do that very well. It's when you start to think that I have problems. You should never have gotten out of bed and left me alone to wonder and fret. That's where all the trouble started."

"It won't happen again." He was stroking the back of her hair. "I didn't expect you to forgive me this easily. I was prepared for a fight. Why?"

Shot in the chest. Blood …

"You got lucky. It occurred to me that few things are worth letting anger twist and poison your life. I know what being a victim is, and I'll never be one again. I can handle anything you can hand out. I can handle you, Marrok." She nestled closer. "And you told me it's going to be a cold night. I don't like sleeping bags."

"Neither do I. But it's going to be colder out here."

"Then let's go inside." She saw his expression. "We're past that, Marrok. I'm not afraid of competition from women you screwed years ago. I've got an edge." She got to her feet and held out her hand to him. "You're nuts about me. And heaven help me, I feel the same. We've got a long way to go, but that's a start."

"One hell of a start." He jumped to his feet, and his arm encircled her waist, whisking her into the cave. All signs of hesitancy and awkwardness were gone. He was Marrok again, bold, dynamic, with that hint of reckless energy. And he was definitely impatient. "And we'll worry about everything else later. I don't care how long a way we have to go. Let's just enjoy the journey."

The shadow of the flames was leaping on the walls of the cave, playing over the hollow of his high cheekbones and the sensual curve of his mouth. Beautiful, she thought hazily. Everything about him was powerful and sensual and full of fire.

"But that journey's got to start soon," he murmured. His fingers unbuttoning her shirt were deft but shaking, and his breathing was beginning to quicken. "I'm about to go up in-" He froze, his fingers on the buttons halting. "I'm being selfish again. You've gone through too much today, and I'm ready to pull you into bed. Why don't you sock me?"

She looked at him, surprised. "Good Lord, I think you're being sensitive."

He scowled. "Not willingly."

"And at the wrong time."

"Does that mean I don't have to be sensitive?"

She shook her head as she recalled the faint trace of liquid on her breast after he'd left her. Not the time to mention it. She'd probably never mention it.

"It means that making love is wonderful and healing, and that's all the sensitivity I want from you tonight." She kissed him long and hard. "Understand?"

"Whatever you say." He was stripping her with the speed of light. "Whatever you want."

Whatever she wanted.

This was what she wanted. He was what she wanted. She had a sudden memory of how earlier tonight she'd been thinking of Marrok and Paco together in the cave. She'd wished she'd known him, that she could have seen them together.

Are you here, Paco?

He's going to be okay. You took good care of him all those years ago. I promise I'll take care of him from now on.

"Hey." Marrok was looking down at her, smiling. "Why do I feel you're not paying attention to me?"

I'll take care of him, Paco.

Her arms slid around him and pulled him down to her. "I'm paying attention," she whispered. "I couldn't be paying more attention to you, Marrok."

"WAKE UP." MARROK GAVE HER Alingering kiss. "I'm not going to make the mistake of going off and leaving you with no word. That got me in bad trouble. But I have to get up and make my rounds."

He was already dressed, she noticed. She pulled him down for another kiss before releasing him. "Rounds?"

"Check on the dogs and sentries."

"I'll go with you."

He shook his head. "I'm moving fast. I have men spread all over the canyon. I've called Nick Gilroy and asked him to come down and take you to the dogs. He should be here in about twenty minutes. I'll meet you there in an hour and we'll have breakfast."

"Couldn't you call them and check?"

"I could. I won't. I don't believe in remote command, and I don't trust phones in guerilla conditions. I want to see my men and have them see me." He stood up and moved toward the cave opening. "I suppose it's my Indian blood speaking. I'm sure Geronimo wouldn't have taken to those newfangled gadgets either. See you later."

Devon was smiling as she shook her head. As usual, Marrok was wired and restless. In this case it was probably justified because of the threat he and his men were facing. Her smile faded as the magnitude of the threat hit home. She'd been able to ignore the danger during last night's passion, but it was now here again before her.

Dammit, why wouldn't Marrok listen when she'd asked him to cooperate with Bridget? He had been absolutely implacable.

And there was nothing she could do about it. Maybe Bridget wouldn't even come up with a plan to end this nightmare Marrok had lived with all these years. It might be up to Marrok and Devon to do it.

In the meantime she'd better start moving and get dressed. Nick would be here soon, and she didn't want to keep him waiting. She threw back the blanket and got up.

"THE DOGS SEEM TO BEsettling in pretty well," Devon said to Nick as she watched the four dogs lolling lazily on the rust-colored rocks. It was quite an encampment; not only the guardians but several other men were moving around the area. Sid Cadow was cooking bacon and eggs on a Coleman camp stove, and for once he appeared relaxed and in his element. "No problems?"