He grabbed a sandwich that was tossed in his direction, settled his back against the windows, stretched his legs out on the seat, and sighed. When the rickety bus jerked forward, he laughed at the collective gasp from the occupants.
As he savored the ham and cheese, he listened to Alyssa laugh with Savannah. Looking out at the canopy of trees lining the dirt road, he wondered about her perception of him. She'd met him after he'd spent a day kayaking, had spent the night laughing and making love, but didn't know him at all.
He leaned his head against the torn seat and closed his eyes for a minute. If her perception of him was so far off base she could imagine him living in a tree house, then how far off was his assessment of her? Now that he gave himself a time-out to imagine her life, he pictured her in a small town where she knew everyone, maybe working as a teacher or something social. Given how compact her body was, she could be a Pilate's teacher or a Yogi. Probably from California or Arizona. She had a New Agey ease about her that was hard to ignore.
But he'd never know. That was the deal. He crumpled up the sandwich wrapper and sighed. He made deals for a living, yet he suddenly wondered why he had so easily gone along with this one without negotiating the terms.
* * *
Chapter Five
A bus ride and another boat later, they'd finally reached their destination. Too humid for the long sleeves, she'd stripped down to the tank top on the second boat ride. From the gathering point, they couldn't see much except a cleared trail and towering trees that formed a canopy over them. Roaring in the distance reminded her that she truly had no idea what the hell she was doing. The next time she decided to blow her comfort zone and reinvent herself she'd do more research before booking excursions that involved crocodiles, snakes, and creatures that roared.
Luke stuffed his hands into the back pockets of his jeans and frowned toward the sound. His days' growth of stubble looked sexy as sin. "I hope that's not a jaguar."
"You really like throwing out ominous comments, don't you?" She dropped his hand and moved closer to the group, pretty sure any predator would pick off the last in line.
He laughed before leaning close to her ear and whispering, "Have I told you yet today how delicious you look? When we get back to the resort, I want to pour tequila on your body and lick it off."
She squirmed where she stood, his suggestion making her wish they were back at the cabana now instead of standing in the middle of a jungle about to go on a three mile hike. Who had she thought she was when she booked this particular excursion?
"I heard that." Bill looked over at them, his smile all-knowing. "You two are out of control. If only your brothers could see you now, Luke."
Heat that had nothing to do with the temperature flooded her face. Maybe she wouldn't see these people ever again after this trip, but she had to spend the rest of the day with them. She elbowed Luke who only laughed.
"It's the Howler monkeys again. They're the ones roaring, by the way. They sound like a jaguar, don't they? They're horrible creatures," Savannah groaned and pointed to the canopy of interlocking branches above them. "Careful. They like throwing poop on people."
"I'm sorry, they like to do what?" She moved closer to the model-type, certain any flying crap would hit the tallest one in the group first.
Whatever mood Luke had kindled with his sexy stubble and sexual suggestion evaporated at the thought of being hit by flying feces. Camera in hand, she walked between the towering trees, thankful it was a small group so they could easily stick together.
"Lamanai comes from the Mayan term submerged crocodile," Reggie began when they all gathered around the first temple that peeped out from the jungle. Between the overwhelming sound of tropical birds and the occasional Howler monkey roar, she strained to hear him
Mayan ruins spread out across a clearing in the jungle. An active excavation, Lamania was still evolving compared to the ruins that had been unearthed in Mexico. Left to tour on their own for an hour and told to stay on the marked paths, Luke snagged her around the waist and pulled her behind one of the crumbling temples as soon as they were alone.
"What are you doing?" She glanced around for snakes or crocodiles or anything that could kill them.
He pressed her back against the stone and kissed her breathless. His hand shimmied beneath the tank top and closed over her breast.
"You have a thing for public places, don't you? It's probably illegal. You're going to get us thrown into jail." She laughed even as her fingers twisted into the back of his hair to hold him close while his mouth trailed heated kisses down the side of her neck.
"I can hear that call back home now," he said against her skin, "hey, mom, I need bail money because I was arrested for having sex in a Mayan ruin."
"You're crazy." She grabbed his face and pulled his mouth back to hers.
They clung to each other in a hungry embrace and groped each other through their clothes.
"I needed a taste. It's been hours." He lifted her tank top and bared one of her breasts from her bra.
"Luke, stop. We're in the middle of a jungle with tour groups wandering around." She closed her eyes and dropped her head against the stone. It felt good being worshipped, which was exactly how he made her feel. Like a Mayan Goddess being cherished by a lover beneath a canopy of watchful eyes.
The idea of being watched snapped her back to reality.
"Stop."
"You don't really want me to stop, do you?" His breath was hot against her nipple.
She made eye contact with a large iguana studying them from a rock about five feet away. "Yes and no."
He raised his head and kissed her until she forgot about the iguana, the poop throwing monkeys, the tour groups, the snakes, and the crocodiles. His kiss erased all other thoughts.
"Did you really think I wanted to have sex here?" He laughed against her mouth. "Sexy idea, but I'm not that far gone from reality. I only needed a taste to hold me over until tonight." He fixed her bra and tank top while kissing her again. "It is tempting, though."
She reached her hand beneath his waistband and found his erection. Two could play at his game.
He pressed his forehead against hers. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Just kiss me."
He did as he was told, his tongue sliding against hers while her hand moved over his hardness. Territorial. That's exactly how she felt over his body after last night. He belonged to her and she belonged to him, at least for now.
"You'd better stop," he said into her mouth, eyes heavy with desire. "We have a long hike still and... I think you need to stop."
She grinned, enjoying having the power to make him squirm. She pulled her hand free, rubbed it over the front of his jeans, and tilted her hips into his. "I can't wait for that tequila."
"Me either." He dragged his hands down her arms before stepping away from her. "A taste isn't enough."
"Why were you so quiet on the way here? Once we got on the bus, you became a mute." She reached for one of her water bottles and guzzled it. Her blood felt like a lava flow after that brief encounter.
"Promise you won't get angry?" He drank from his own water bottle, eyes locked on her face.
"That's never a good opening question." She took her time securing the lid. "I promise, what's wrong?"
"How do you perceive me? How will you describe me when you get home? What's the story going to be?" He'd pushed his sunglasses to the top of his head and stared at her with an intensity that rocked her back on her heels.
Surprised, she tore her gaze away and busied herself with arranging her water bottle back inside the backpack. "I hadn't thought about it, really. I'll say you're a gorgeous man who should work at a nudist colony and that you made me happy. You have, you know. I like being with you. We are still having fun, right?"
"Definitely, yeah." He fell into step with her as they walked back onto the trail.
"I mean...we were just making out behind a temple..."
"I know. I was ju
st wondering what your impression of me is. This ask-no-questions-give-no-answers arrangement is new to me, that's all. It's weird...like a one night stand that's continuing on and on, never ending—"
"Wow, that sounds horrible. Thanks a lot."
"No, I'm happy about us, I am. That's not what I'm saying."
"What are you trying to say?"
He laughed and shook his head. "Seriously, forget it. I think too much."
"I've noticed." Rattled, she started thinking of other answers she should have given.
"For the record, I shave on a regular basis when I'm home and I can't ever imagine living in that village. I know you met me when—"
"Okay, whoa." She stopped and adjusted the backpack straps over her shoulders. "You're used to impressing women with whatever it is you do for a living, aren't you? Did I insult you when I suggested you could fit in living in a tree house?"
The thought simultaneously amused and intrigued her. Up until this minute, she hadn't wondered about his life back in the States. Actually, as far as she knew, he could be Canadian. She had no idea and that's how she'd wanted it.
When he looked guilty, she laughed and snagged both of his hands in hers. "You know what impresses me? You laugh a lot. You get along with everyone you meet, very sociable guy. You obviously have a big heart, I can tell because of the way you talk about your family. You kiss me like I'm the only woman in the world. That impresses me, Luke. I didn't mean anything by the tree house comment."
His embarrassment only made her desire him more. He pulled her down the trail where the High Tower of Lamanai loomed over the trees in the distance. The sounds of nature, the overwhelming scent of flora, and the view of ruins from an ancient city laid out in front of her planted her firmly in the moment.
Going out of her comfort zone had its perks. She'd need to make sure she found new places to explore at least once a year.
"Stand there. I'll take your picture with that in the background," he offered when she simply gaped at the view. "Give me your camera."
She handed it to him as if on automatic pilot, transfixed by the view. Posing with hands on hips, she smiled for the several shots he took "to make sure he got it right." Looking at him, she felt a tug in her heart.
"You look like a fierce adventurer." He put her camera down and pulled out his own. "Don't move. I need to take my own."
Her smile widened with surprise that he'd want photographic evidence of her existence. Now that she knew pictures were on the table, she'd ask someone in the group to take one of them together.
"You're a hard person to figure out," she said when he handed her the camera.
"How so?" He snapped off a few pictures of the view himself before meeting her gaze.
"It doesn't matter, just thinking out loud." She turned her back on him and reminded herself why she'd wanted a simple fling and nothing more. She didn't want the answers to the questions that tumbled into her brain like where he lived, what his life was like, and if he believed in long distance relationships.
Damn it. I'm being the typical woman not the think-like-a-man person I wanted to be when I started this. She kicked a pebble down the path.
* * *
They raced each other to the top of the High Temple of Lamanai, taking the ancient stone steps two at a time. He didn't know why he felt like a teenager around her, but he liked it. Laughing, he stood on the top of the temple and soaked it in. Mountains to the West and ocean to the East, nothing but jungle between each. His imagination took him back to Mayan times where he visualized a bustling city beneath them.
"You cheated. Let me guess, you climb mountains in your spare time." She sat on the top step and waved to the others from their group who were on the bottom.
"I do, actually." He looked at the back of her head and smiled.
"Figures." She pointed to the stack of clouds looming to the North. "Do you think that's the storm everyone worried about this morning?"
His smile faded. From what everyone said, a norther equaled hard rains and dangerous waters. Considering all the boats they needed to get back to the resort and that tequila he planned on indulging in, it concerned him more than he would reveal. He hoped Reggie paid attention and trusted that they'd be out before the severe weather arrived.
"I don't know about you two, but we're ready for a beach bonfire and some of Rosie's special brew." Bill, Savannah, and four others from their dive group finished the climb and surrounded him. "This is gorgeous, though, isn't it? Worth the trip."
"I could have gone for a spa day myself." Savannah sat next to Alyssa. "The problem with being the only woman traveling with a group of men is that they rarely go for facials and massages. I don't get it."
He looked at the two women, surprised that they were getting along after the way Savannah had come onto him before Alyssa's arrival.
"Don't let her fool you, Alyssa," Bill said. "She's a tomboy. She's simply trying to make a female friend. Most women hate her."
Savannah glared at him over her shoulder.
"Alyssa's not like most women," Luke said with more pride than he should feel.
"Let me take a picture of the two of you." Savannah stood, her gaze still shooting daggers at Bill.
Alyssa handed her a camera before walking toward him and adjusting the headband that covered her wild curls. "I probably look like a mess."
"You're beautiful," he said and meant it. He wanted pictures of them together to look at on nights when he'd had a long day at court and doubted that authentically nice people still existed in the world.
He pulled her against his side and smiled as Savannah took their picture with the mountains at their back. Then she was gone and reciprocating the favor for the divers. Savannah stood in the middle of the men, looking like a queen with her knights at her side.
"We'd better go. We're going to be cutting the hour close," Bill said as he stepped toward the stone steps.
With one last glance at the view, he picked up his backpack and followed the group. Alyssa led the pack down. He thought about them kissing behind the stone temple and wished he'd had enough courage to seduce her anyway. Her taste was an addiction, her body a sanctuary.
When they finally reached the boat at the dock, rain had begun to fall. Reggie was onboard with rain ponchos set out for them. Trepidation drummed in his skull. Normally, he was the calm and collected type, but he didn't trust the look of those dark clouds descending upon them.
* * *
Chapter Six
Rain, river, followed by ocean...too much water in her near future as far as she was concerned. It was as if the sky had turned on a faucet. She huddled in the rain poncho and pressed close to Luke on the boat bench. Already an inch of water covered her hiking shoes and soaked through to her socks. She'd stuffed her sunglasses into the backpack, which was now securely on her shoulders and beneath the poncho, but now regretted doing so as she squinted against the slamming rain.
And this was only the first boat.
Maybe she wasn't made for adventure travel.
Luke steadied her with an arm around her shoulder as the boat rocked back and forth while it traveled upstream against suddenly high water. Gusty winds blew her hood off and made it almost impossible to keep the water out of the poncho. She couldn't wait to be dry.
"Do you think it's like this all the way back to the island?" She leaned close to his ear to ask the question over the howling wind.
"I'm afraid so. Did you seal your camera in a dry-bag...you know, a diving bag?" He pulled her hood over her head. "If not, give it to me. The water will seep into the backpack."
She twisted so that he could access her backpack beneath the poncho and took a moment to scan the rest of the guests on the boat. Huddled in yellow ponchos and hunched against the driving rain, they weren't exactly a merry bunch of travelers anymore. Reggie and Bobby maneuvered the boat over water that had become angry in a very short period of time.
Luke patted her shoulder. "Don't worry. It's all goi
ng to be fine."
"I'm not worried," she lied and squeezed his hand as she rearranged herself on the bench.
When the boat pitched precariously to the side, everyone made a "whoa" sound before it righted itself. Nervous laughter followed.
She gulped back fear even as the boat swung back onto its side, this time capsizing.
Snakes. Crocodiles. Those were the first words in her brain as she fought against the water sucking at her legs. Someone kicked her in the back during the chaos. Opening her eyes beneath the water, she could only see a murky darkness.
Luke pulled her out from beneath the boat. She spit water and blinked against the rain. The cooler floated by along with the boat back toward Lamanai. A few of the group clung to the top of the boat, their hands reaching in the water for others still in the water.
"I've got you, hold on." Luke wrapped his arm around her shoulders from behind and pulled them toward the shore.
She kicked, wanting to touch bottom but terrified of what might lurk there. The rain poncho ballooned around her and felt more like a hindrance than a help.
The force of the water pushed them downriver, wind and rain slapped them hard.
"Grab the branch!" He yelled against her ear.
She nodded, unable to speak, her gaze focused on the low branch over the water. In sync, they reached for it. He released her and struggled to get a grip on the tree. She used all of her strength to hold on and pull herself up, her fear of drowning only a little more severe than her fear of snakes or whatever else waited on shore.
Luke fell to his knees next to her once they were on land and gasped for air. "Do you see anyone else?"
Spitting water, she pulled long green slimy pieces of muck from her face and hair. Feeling like insects were crawling on her skin, she shook out the poncho and patted her shirt and pants. The ground itself squished when she struggled to stand and gain balance. She looked back toward the river, still pulling stringy green things from her hair.