Page 8 of Fighting for Lucy

Out of necessity, Lucy’s fingers tightened around his, clinging to him with her eyes scrunched closed as she took in several deep breaths. As much as he wanted there to be something he could say or do to make this situation better for her, there was nothing he could do to change their circumstances. So, to that end, he said nothing. Just held her hand, his thumb brushing absently across the inside of her wrist.

It wasn’t until Lucy’s eyes opened, widening slightly, and dipped to their joined hands that he realized he was doing it.

What was he thinking?

He had no business comforting this woman.

None at all.

Knowing he should stop, withdraw his hand, and keep things as distant between them as possible didn't seem to help. For some reason, he couldn’t seem to stop. There were so many things he wished he could explain, so many questions he wished he could ask, but in the end none of it would change a thing.

Abruptly, he released his hold on Lucy’s hand before he did something stupid like pull her flush against him and kiss her until they both forgot everything else, including their own names. It was tempting, the kiss would be phenomenal, Zander already knew that. This woman was so smart, logical, and practical on the outside, but he was positive that if you could get her to lose control, she would be all fiery passion on the inside.

With her wild blonde mane of silky locks and those huge, long-lashed baby blues, the kind of eyes you could drown in, he didn't have to guess to know that Lucy would be amazing in bed. Once she let her inner goddess out there would be no stopping her. She’d be tight, and hot, and wet, and a breathy moan would tumble through those plump lips as her head tipped back in pleasure.

Picturing what Lucy would be like in bed was a dangerous game, and one he better stop playing before he wound up making an already bad situation that much worse.

Without a word, he climbed through the mangled side of the plane, jumping the three feet down to the jungle floor, then turned to help Lucy down. While she didn't pull away from him, resisting his help, her body was stiff as his hands grasped her hips and he lifted her down.

When he started walking, Lucy followed. Whether he could expect her to stay close or not, for now at least, she seemed too weak and tired to try anything, but he couldn’t let his guarddown. Lucy was smart and resourceful, and he wouldn’t put it past her to try something.

The last thing he wanted to do was hurt the woman, but the facts were, he had to get her to his intended destination. There were no other choices or at least none he could consider. So even though he didn't want to, he would do whatever it took to get her there.

Don’t make me hurt you, Lucy.

I've caused enough pain.

Been responsible for enough deaths.

I don’t need anything else on my conscience.

CHAPTER THREE

January 22nd

2:18 A.M.

Was he asleep?

Was this her chance?

Lucy lay as still as it was possible to lie when you were on the ground, in the middle of the jungle, inside a small cave that was really more of a rocky outcrop. There were a lot of things in the rainforest that could kill you, and she was doing her best not to think about all of them.

Just because she was usually an adrenalin junky didn't mean she didn't have her fears.

And bugs were at the top of that list.

Plus, there were jaguars, snakes, and scorpions.

Knowing that at any moment any one of them could come out of the dark was enough that there was no chance she was going to fall asleep.

After Zander made her walk for hours through the thick jungle, she finally collapsed when he found this little spot and informed her they would make camp for the night. Exhaustionhad her passing out as soon as he’d forced her to drink some water and eat a protein bar.

By the time she’d woken, Zander had been lying beside her, seemingly fast asleep. It hadn't gone unnoticed that he’d taken the side closest to the opening of the little rocky cave, and she wasn’t sure if that was because he wanted to be a line of protection between her and danger or because he wanted to make sure she couldn’t leave without him knowing.

But leaving was exactly what she had planned.

The more they’d walked, the clearer it had become that Zander knew exactly where he was heading.