Third Half Page 14

  She made a face. "Smuggling and gun running are illegal. I forgot."

  "Well, don't ever forget again. Prison down here isn't exactly a picnic."

  She remembered his telling her he'd met her brother there. "You were in prison before."

  "That was in the States."

  "What for? I mean . . .you met my brother there."

  "Interstate transport of stolen property."

  "I see. This plane really gets around." She tried to laugh. "It did. But not anymore, I'm afraid."

  "Why was my brother in jail?" She had to know. It had been eating at her since Todd told her.

  "He got in a little too deep with some gambling debts. He had to do a few favors for certain people, to make up for it. When he got caught, he did them another favor, and took the wrap alone."

  "And when you both got out of prison, you decided to go into business together."

  "Not exactly . . .Look M.C., instead of asking a lot of questions, why not wait until we get out of this mess. Then let Jack explain everything."

  "Okay . . .but . . .will we get out of this mess?"

  For the first time since the crash she saw him smile. "Of course we will." He rubbed the sleeve of his brown leather flight jacket. "I'm wearing my lucky jacket."

  "Considering everything that's happened, is it really lucky?"

  "We're alive." He laughed, crossing the small compartment in the plane. "And if we hope to stay alive, we'll have to keep up our strength. Are you hungry?"

  "Do you have food?" she asked, eyes wide.

  "Of sorts," He tossed her paper container. "MREs – Meals Ready to Eat. Or in our case, maybe we should call them jungle rations."

  She watched as he opened his, eyeing it distastefully. "Is it any good?"

  "Eat some and find out."

  "I'd rather just taste yours first. There's no sense my wasting it if I decide not to have any."

  "You should eat. It's been quite a while."

  "I have a confession. I ate when I went back for my clothing. That's why I took so long. Writing the letter was only part of it."

  "In that case, just have a taste." He held out a spoonful of food. It looked like some kind of casserole.

  She made a face, then swallowed. "I think I'll pass for awhile. This might be the right time to go on a diet."

  He eyed her skeptically as he took a few more spoonfuls from his container. "You're going to have to change out of those clothes," he finally said after he finished eating. "You won't be able to get around well enough in that."

  "What will I wear?"

  "Men's clothing," he replied drily.

  "Do you have some extra?" she said hopefully, knowing she'd love to get into a pair of jeans again.

  "Not me." She watched as his eyes seemed drawn to the body beneath the tarp.

  "Oh no! I won't wear a dead man's clothing."

  "He won't mind . . .Really," Todd said, coming closer. "M.C., come on. Be reasonable. You can't go traipsing about the jungle in this." He touched her black and white habit.

  She swallowed hard. "When?"

  "Now. I have to do some things outside while we have daylight. We can't leave him laying around in here, it's hot already, and . . .never mind. I think you understand. I also have to check out the surroundings for signs of life. If there are none, we'll start in the morning."

  "I see your reasoning." She looked up into his face and saw the concern in his dark eyes. It came as a sudden realization that she had grown to respect this man. To trust his opinion. "Okay, I'll change." She squared her shoulders.

  "You undress while I get his clothes off him," he ordered, then turned away.

  She slowly stripped from her sister's clothing, then waited in her lace bra and bikini pants for him to bring her the rest. She held the hem of her skirt up in front of her modestly as he approached.

  He held out the man's clothing, but all she could see were the blood stains on the shirt. Her face constricted as she again pictured the dead man's face.

  "It's all right," he said softly as he dropped the stained clothing and pulled her gently into his arms. "You've been through a lot today. Go ahead, let it out."

  It felt good in his comforting arms, and Liane allowed herself to give in to her unrelenting tears. He held her close, stroking her arms, her back, and shoulders, whispering soft words into her long blonde hair.

  She felt so natural being there, she didn't want it to stop. But when the tears subsided another feeling began, and she knew she had to pull away.

  He didn't try to stop her, but simply allowed his eyes to slowly scan her near naked body. "You're a beautiful woman," he said huskily, locking her gaze. "I've seen you as Kitty, and as Mary Catherine, but I like you now the best. Tell me who are you? Who am I looking at now?"

  She wanted to tell him who she really was, but didn't. She couldn't. What did she really know about this man? Nothing. She couldn't let on that she was really Liane and not bound to the church.

  "I . . .I think I better get dressed," she mumbled nervously as she knelt for the dropped clothing. "I . . .I'll be with you in a minute."

  "Take your time," he said simply, turning to pick up a shovel before leaving the aircraft.

  She felt suddenly empty without him there. It was a feeling she couldn't understand. I'm probably lightheaded from not eating. Remembering the rest of her chicken sandwich, she dug into her flight bag, deciding it would be a good idea to eat something after all, before going outside to help Todd.

  CH-10

  CHAPTER TEN

  "You are going to mark a path," she said when she joined him and saw how thick the jungle growth was.

  "Yes, with this." He held up a large hunting knife. "It's the best I have, but it serves the purpose."

  Every few feet they would gorge a huge mark into a tree, then go on again. Liane wondered how they would find anything in this dense dark-green mass. Everything seemed to look the same, and when she looked behind her, she couldn't even see the plane, yet she was certain they hadn't gone very far. Turning ahead again she found she had lost sight of Todd, too.

  Near-panic set in as she tried to see through the jungle ahead. "Todd!" she yelled, then almost screamed when he came through the bushes in front of her.

  "Where the hell were you?" he snapped. "You were right behind me a second ago."

  "I stopped for a moment. I didn't think you were going that fast."

  "I saw something." He smiled again. "Come on through here." She followed until they came out by a small stream of water.

  "It's beautiful. Like something out of a movie," she said.

  "We aren't far from the mountains. This stream must flow down from them."

  "It's so fresh and clean. Do you think I could . . .there aren't piranhas or anything in it are there?"

  "I don't think so." He winked. "But I'll stand guard."

  "Why don't you come in too? We could both use it."

  His smile grew. "Are you trying to tell me something?"

  "No." She blushed. "I only meant it's hot. Any water will help cool us."

  "I don't know if skinny dipping with you, even in ice water, would cool me."

  "Who said skinny dipping? These clothing could use a washing, too." With that, she dove into the water. It was cold, but she didn't care.

  "You're crazy!" he said with laughter as he slowly unbuttoned his shirt.

  Liane surfaced in time to see him about to remove his pants, and turned from the sight. She felt a fluttering sensation in the pit of her stomach and knew she had to resist the urge to watch him.

  She waited for the splash, but it didn't come. Slowly she turned just as a water darkened head surfaced in front of her.

  She stared dumbly as he shook the moisture from his head. To her eyes he was the vision of Neptune. The water was so clear she could see he was naked, yet boldly she watched as he turned to swim around her.

  "Are you going to swim, or just gawk at me?"

  Once again she dove beneath the
water, hoping to hide her embarrassment, yet nearly swimming directly into him as she did.

  She surfaced to face him again, but it was deeper there and she had to tread water.

  "I'm sorry." He flashed her an easy smile.

  "Why?"

  "For embarrassing you."

  "Don't be silly, you didn't . . ." She began to deny the truth, but felt her cheeks growing warm. "Okay, I'll admit you did. But it's silly; I'm a grown woman."

  "Yes, I know." His dark eyes again deepened to near-black as he looked at her intently, his smile fading slightly. "I only wish you'd allow me the same freedom I've given you."

  "What?" She forgot herself and went under, swallowing water as she did.

  His firm hands lifted her from the water as she choked for air. "Are you all right?"

  She nodded, reaching out to hold on to him for balance. His wet skin felt warm beneath her fingers. She allowed herself to slowly lean against him as he pulled her toward the edge of the stream. She could feel his beard on her brow, and the damp curls of hair from his chest against her chin.

  "You know you'll have to take these off to dry," he whispered as he pulled her out of the water with him.

  "I know," she replied in a voice so husky it didn't sound like her own. She gave no resistance as he reached for her buttons and undid them, first one, slowly, then the next.

  When he finished, he waited a long moment, as though giving her a chance to change her mind, before slipping the shirt from her shoulders and down her arms.

  He tossed it onto a nearby bush and stared down into her face before lowering his head to kiss her lips. It was a gentle kiss. Still testing her reaction. But as it deepened his fingers found their way to the webbed belt holding the pants to her thin waist.

  Slowly he released the belt and the baggy pants slipped down her slim form to the ground. She shivered, but he held her close against his solid frame, warming her with his caresses. Next, he opened her lacy bra and laid it in the bushes, then quickly followed with her bikinis.

  Finally lying naked in his arms, she threw back her head to allow his lips better access as they made a warm trail along her neck. She arched her body, pressing herself closer to his naked form, knowing how right this all felt. How natural.

  She remembered what her brother had once told her about knowing the right time to make love to a man. The way it was now. But the thought of her brother, why they were here, and their predicament made her tremble.

  Todd pulled her closer. "Are you cold?" he whispered against her ear, misunderstanding her shiver.

  "No . . .I . . .I" She pushed gently against him, ready to tell him the truth, not wanting things to begin like this. But she saw his face contort with pain. "What's wrong?"

  "Nothing," he lied, but she could see him press his arm to his ribs.

  "Let me see." She insisted looking at the freshly bruised mark across his side. "You're hurt."

  "Only a bruise. I hit the controls when we crashed." She had to push away the vision of the other man pierced by the controls.

  "Are you sure nothing is broken?"

  He laughed. "Quite sure. I've had broken ribs before and I'd hardly be here now, wanting very much to make love to a beautiful woman, if they were."

  She gently touched the discolored flesh. "Are you sure you're all right?" she asked, then lowered her lips to kiss the bruise like she would comfort a child.

  His body tensed. "I don't know if I'll ever be all right again." He pulled her back to him and kissed her lips with uncontrollable passion. "Never again," he nearly groaned as she opened her lips to allow his tongue its own intimate exploration of her mouth.

  Their breathing quickened as her tongue seemed to entwine with his, sending a message of her need.

  She moaned softly as his fingers found her taut nipples and teased them relentlessly before lowering his lips to take their place. She arched closer, pressing her lips against his hard male form. She could feel his desire matched her own growing desire.

  His hand slowly made a trail across her flat stomach, down the outside of her hips and thighs and slowly ascended again, this time on the inside, stopping at the soft curly mound, feeling the moistness of her need for him.

  "Oh please, please," she groaned, as he took his time, arousing her to heights she never thought possible.

  He pulled away a moment and stared down into her eyes, as if to question if she was sure.

  "Yes, yes," she replied, arching closer still, spreading her legs for him to enter.

  He moaned as if in pain then unable to resist any longer he slowly entered her, with ease at first, then thrusting more deeply as her motions began to match his, until finally she trembled in his arms, going nearly limp, just moments before he, too, reached that climatic moment of total satisfaction.

  I

  Liane watched as Todd got up from the ground and walked toward the water's edge. Suddenly, without warning he dove in, swimming briskly to the middle before coming to the surface. Not one word had been spoken as they laid in each other's arms in the aftermath of making love.

  She thought it gave them time to reflect on what had happened. Now, as she watched him ignore her, she wondered if it might really be time to regret what happened. Did he wish now that it hadn't?"

  If anyone has a right to regret what happened, it's me. I waited so long to give myself to a man. I waited for the right moment. Then when it comes, it's with . . .with . . . "A murderer," she said aloud. "An ex-con, a smuggler, a gun runner," she mumbled getting up from the ground.

  She walked to the water's edge and slowly lowered herself into its refreshing coolness, hoping to wash away her tears, wanting to cleanse herself of everything she had to do with this man, yet knowing she wouldn't get rid of the memories as easily.

  "It gets dark quickly in the jungle. If we don't go back to the plane it could be dangerous," Todd finally said from on shore. He was already dressed and she hadn't even realized he'd gotten out of the pool.

  "Yes, being out here can be dangerous," she said, then swam to the side.

  As she dressed, she watched the man with his back to her. Quiet and brooding.

  She wondered what he was thinking. Why doesn't he say something? Anything! If only he'd smile, or come to me. If he'd put his arms around me. Tell me it will be all right. Tell me he . . .

  Sadness turned to anger as Liane thought about what had happened. Todd Marshal had used her; taken advantage of the situation. A man and woman alone in this tropical paradise – a woman who would be totally alien to the ways of men. One willing to listen to his carelessly spoken, Trust me.

  Oh yes, inexperienced, naive, and . . .she suddenly remembered the real Mary Catherine. "Oh, M.C., what would you have done?" she whispered.

  "I know . . .Not what I did." Liane got up after slipping back into her shoes. "Who did I say was naive?"

  "Did you say something?" Todd asked, turning to look at her, a blank expression on his face.

  Two can play this game, Liane thought as she flashed angry green eyes his way. "Shouldn't we be going?" She stomped toward the surrounding jungle. "You said it gets dark quickly here."

  "I'll lead," he snapped, before turning in another direction. "Who knows where you're likely to lead us?"

  Liane turned and followed, glad he didn't see the look of defeat that had to be on her face. The whole day had been terrible. The whole week for that matter. She thought again of her brother Jack, wondering if they'd every find him, and if they did, would he be all right?

  She was tense as the shadows increased. Somehow the paradise was turning into a frightfully foreign place. She had to be careful of her footing, yet not lose sight of Todd as he walked swiftly ahead of her, his leather flight jacket flung over his shoulder.

  He was getting further ahead of her than she liked, but she refused to ask him to slow down. Not for anything did she want to speak to him.

  Angry, she increased her pace, nearly stumbling over a vine. She grabbed a tree for balance
before looking up to make sure she hadn't lost Todd.

  He was nowhere in sight, but still she refused to call him. There were marks on the trees and, as long as it was light, she'd find them. They would mark the way, and besides, she was certain they had to be near the plane. She didn't remember walking this far.

  She allowed her eyes to search the tree she leaned against for a mark. Instead, she felt her throat constrict as she saw brightly colored snake slide out from the leaves. Frozen she stood staring as the reptile slid closer to where she stood. Then it stopped.

  It seemed to be staring right into her eyes, as though summing up its victim. She heard a shrill scream, then realized it was her own, but before she could turn to run, she saw something dark knock the serpent from the tree. Strong arms grabbed her and pulled her away.

  Frightened, she looked up into Todd's own brown eyes, seeing an instead of relief, followed quickly by undisguised humor. "It only wanted to give you a hug," he teased.

  Her anger returned, replacing her fear. "It's lucky you chased it. One snake today is more than enough for me!"

  His smile faded as he released her and retrieved his jacket. He knew exactly what her words had meant. She'd been able to score one hit on him, yet it made her feel no better.

  "We can't waste anymore time," Todd said as he roughly pulled her arm and headed back on the path to the plane.

  I

  She accepted the drink of water from Todd's canteen, but still refused his offer of more MREs. "I don't want anything to eat. All I want to do is sleep," she said as she rubbed her temple. "I have a splitting headache."

  "It's no wonder," Todd said as his weary brown eyes seemed to scan her with sympathy. "I suppose this hasn't exactly been an ordinary day for you."

  "Hardly." She sighed as she lowered herself into the green sleeping bag he had laid out for her. Green. I'm sick of green. Everything outside is green. I feel green. She closed her eyes against the growing pain in her head, knowing she was being irritable, but feeling too awful to care.