by Mary Winter
Wings had to admit she had a point. If he couldn’t use sex to get rid of the energy thrumming through his system a walk, where he could focus on his steps, his breath, would be the next best thing. Damn the lack of signal. Maybe he should have grabbed a satellite phone or upgraded his plan. He expected the plane to…to what? Not fail? Not fall out of the sky? This time he’d walked away from the crash. That had to count for something and he could upgrade his phone the instant they were rescued. No doubt the FAA already knew about the plane, the nearest tower probably heard her call and had already dispatched someone. He held onto the hope because what he’d never told anyone, not even his therapist, were the two hours waiting for evac when his body was bruised and broken and he was unable to do anything, let alone hold a gun and defend his friends, had been the worst. Not the explosive detonating close to him. Not the grueling hours in rehab or the nights he woke drenched in sweat. But the helplessness. Knowing shit was going down in a big way and not being able to stop it.
From what he could gather, the plane had gone down between some hills. Low brown scrub dotted the landscape, though with it being so close to the end of monsoon season he expected the land to look more lush. A few vultures circled high on overhead thermals. He focused on the closer of the two rises. Perhaps if they hiked to the top they could get the lay of the land or maybe even a cell signal.
Cali followed his lead, though he watched her closely. Maybe she hadn’t hit her head or had been knocked out. The cut had appeared serious, even if head wounds always bled like crazy. He admired her grit and determination. Her strength in going through this. She hadn’t freaked out at the dead body in her plane, hadn’t broken down. Instead, she’d womaned-up and done what she needed to do. As they walked, he could see them together beyond just this assignment. Once this assignment was complete there’d be others. She’d have assignments in the future. Yet, coming home to her would be an anchor, a touchstone that could keep him grounded.
He paused and glanced at her. She kept up with him reasonably well, though he thought she appeared a bit pale. He offered an arm. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” she said. “We’re almost there. Let’s keep going.”
And there was the strength again. “I don’t think it will be long.” With steady progress, about twenty minutes later they reached the summit. Easily he saw the plane and made out what must be a road of some sort leading off in either direction a few miles from where they were. Roads were good. It meant people passed and possibly someone had seen the plane go down. No signs of any towns or even houses, no buildings at all across the horizon. “Let’s stay with the plane tonight. If no one comes by tomorrow we’ll try for the road.”
“That sounds good. Can we sleep outside?” The waver in her voice tugged at his heart.
“Sure.” He refused to mention predators or that they’d be safer in the plane. They didn’t even have to sleep in the cabin, not that there was much room elsewhere. He understood why she didn’t want to, and frankly, if he could avoid it, he wouldn’t mind. “Ready to go back?”
The hike back passed much quicker than the hike there, and they returned to the plane to no sign of rescue. When they returned to the plane, he offered to go inside, and she accepted. He came back with more water, some snacks he’d found in the galley, a couple of blankets, their packs, and the parachutes. He spread the parachutes out on the ground and then layered a blanket over them. Their packs made passable pillows and with both of them and the other blanket, it’d be chilly but not unreasonably so he guessed. He sat down and patted the blanket next to him. “It’s not a five star hotel, but it beats laying on the dirt. Care to join me?”
She sat down next to him and took an offered package of crackers. They sat in silence, and he listened to the mostly silence of nature in this place. Distant bird call sounded. Not even the sound of a helicopter or airplane overhead provided any man-made counterpoint. She leaned back. “It’s peaceful out here.” She glanced in the sky. “White clouds. Nice weather. I’m not much of a girl for camping, but if I were, I’m glad I’m stuck out here with you.” She leaned against his shoulder and closed her eyes.
Wings wrapped his arm around her.
She looked up at him and he couldn’t resist. He kissed her, intending it to be quick. Later he might blame it on the outdoors, the sense that it was just the two of them alone in the world. When she sighed and parted her lips, he tasted her and was lost to the moment.
Chapter 8
Cali hadn’t meant for anything to happen. Resting her head against Wings’ shoulder was so soothing, so relaxing, it seemed natural that she tilted her head up to kiss him. The plane was behind them, both physically and metaphorically. Right now, it was the two of them in this beautiful setting. She wrapped her arm around him and allowed herself to be lowered to the blanket. He braced his weight on one arm, the other sliding through her hair as the kiss lingered. The need for air parted them, and then his lips were on hers more insistent this time. She opened her mouth to invite him in and slid her hand down his muscled back.
Desire sparked to life inside her. Vividly aware of her breasts pressing against his chest, her legs next to his, his presence grounded her in this moment. She wanted this. She needed this. She tugged at his shirt until she’d pulled it up enough to slide her hands beneath. His warm skin enticed her, and the kiss parted long enough for her to pull the shirt over his head.
Magnificent. His muscled torso tempted her to trace each ridge of his muscles with her fingers. She kissed his shoulder, across his clavicle to nuzzle the hollow at the base of his throat. Scars wrapped around his ribs low on his abdomen, and she tried not to think about how he might have gotten those or what he’d gone through. She rolled back and removed her shirt. Too bad she’d worn a light blue cotton bra. From the way he looked at her, it could have been the most expensive lingerie.
“Are you sure?” His hand hovered over the front clasp.
She nodded. “Yes.” Maybe she was trying to block out the plane crash with sex. The fact that someone could come at any moment to rescue them didn’t worry her for long.
He unzipped his pack and pulled out a condom, laying it next to her. Then, he unhooked her bra. The fabric cupped her breasts and he gently slipped it aside as his fingers caressed her breasts. He flattened his palm against her nipple and cupped her. Then, he leaned forward and kissed her again, this time with more urgency.
Heat flared between her legs. Her boots and jeans were suddenly too confining, and she whimpered against his mouth. His tongue toyed with hers while he caressed her breasts and lower. He didn’t need to fully remove her bra, and to her, the sensation of still being dressed while he loved her only heightened her arousal. She skimmed her knuckles over his abs and down to the waistband of his jeans. She unfastened the button, then opened his fly.
He went commando.
Her insides melted at the thick cock surging through the opening in his jeans. Just looking at it made her mouth water and she wanted to experience it filling her, stretching her while he made love to her. She shoved down his pants.
His fingers went to her jeans, and neither spoke as he unfastened it. Nor when she lifted her hips so he could push her pants down. She sat up long enough to remove her boots and wiggle out of pants and panties while he did the same. Then, he sheathed himself and moved over her.
“I wish we were in an expensive suite in a hotel where I had hours to worship your body.” He kissed her hard, then as she hooked her legs around his, positioned himself at her opening.
“I need you,” Cali said, amazed at the powerful truth in those words. She couldn’t have gotten through the crash without him, couldn’t have done it without knowing he was back there, protecting her. So when he thrust forward, she whispered his name and met his stroke.
She sensed the restraint in him and tightened her thighs to try and pull him closer to her. Now wasn’t the time for tenderness. He might want to be gentle, but she wanted it hard and fast and encouraged h
im with her hands squeezing his toned ass. They came together until her world narrowed down to the man above, and inside her, and all she could do was hold on as her pleasure rose.
“Wings,” she cried as her orgasm swept through her. Her inner muscles gripped him and she pressed her face against his chest. She sensed his trying to hold back his release, and yet within a few thrusts he came with a shout.
He braced his weight on his arms to keep it off of her while their breathing began to return to normal. She didn’t want that. She wanted skin and skin and pulled him down to her.
“I’ll crush you.” He nuzzled her hair.
“I don’t care.” She kissed his shoulder. “Just hold me.”
“Always,” he replied.
They lay together, letting the slight breeze cool the sweat on their skin, and when she felt him harden inside her once more, this time they made love with all the kisses and licks and exploration that either one of them could want. She dressed and fell asleep as dusk was settling over them. No doubt in the morning they’d have to find rescue. For now, it was just the two of them and she cherished the strange calm while it lasted.
Once again Wings found himself watching Cali sleep. Making love to her, at that moment, hadn’t been in the plans, though he didn’t regret it. Not one bit. He’d stashed the used condoms in his bag, not wanting to litter or to leave any traces of what they’d been doing. It’d be best if her employer thought she’d died in the crash. He brushed a strand of hair away from her cheek and wondered what she’d think about that. It made sense, really. If they thought she were dead, then not only would they be shocked when they showed up, but perhaps he’d be able to tease the truth out of them without Cali’s involvement.
He didn’t want to send her back into danger. And yet, at the moment he saw no way around it. Killing someone for being a favorite of clients or taking trips seemed a bit out of line. He sensed there was more, maybe even a rebuffed romantic advance, something to drive a man to commit a crime like murder. He frowned. Had he not come along, she probably would have been on a flight that went down. Perhaps he would have heard about it on the news. Maybe not. And he never would have gotten to know this beautiful, vibrant woman whose strength matched his own.
He lay back and stared at the sky, marveling at the spray of stars. It didn’t matter where on the globe he was. The constellations might change, the viewing angles or the seasons shifted what he was able to see. When he got away from the bright lights of cities, the great black expanse with sparkling stars in formations familiar and new to him, always made him feel as if the world were a much vaster place than he ever really thought about. It humbled him. To see this next to Cali, a woman he thought he might be falling in love with, humbled him even more.
They should have lit a fire. Not knowing local conditions and not really needing it for warmth, he didn’t want to take the risk. Maybe if no one came in a day or two, then he’d think about it. At the moment, he didn’t want to start a wildfire just because he was anxious to get back to civilization. He lay down and covered them with the blanket. Cali snuggled closer to him. Eventually, his mind stopped spinning and he drifted off to sleep.
Bright headlights awakened him. Cali stirred next to him, and he laid a hand on her shoulder. “I’ll check it out.” He stood, making sure she remained tucked in and shivered in the chill air.
“Hello?” He grabbed a flashlight out of his pack and stepped around the front of the plane. “Hello?”
The driver turned off the engine, but left the headlights on. “We’re glad to find you. I’m Officer Clah of the Navajo Nation Police. Does anyone need medical attention?”
Backlit by the headlights, Wings couldn’t make out much of his features. “I’m Bolton Jeffries and our pilot Cali is with us. I’m afraid we have one casualty in the plane. He took his own life. Other than hanging a parachute to hide the body from Cali, we haven’t done anything with the body or the scene. I’m glad you found us.” He turned to see Cali walking up beside him, the blanket wrapped around her for warmth.
“Grab your bags and let me radio in that we found you. Your people are very worried. There’s also some federal agents who would like to ask some questions.” He went back to his vehicle, and Wings grabbed their bags. He didn’t bother stuffing the parachutes back into their packs, and by the time he came back, the officer was directing Cali into the back of his vehicle.
The officer opened the divider as Wings sat beside her. “Sorry we didn’t come out here sooner. The feds had to bring a helicopter out of Flagstaff. Once they spotted you from the air, then they called us. It’ll be about an hour and a half for us to get back to Chinle.”
“I’m just glad you found us,” Cali said and snuggled close to him.
“Yes. Thank you.” Wings said.
The officer wasn’t much for small talk and with the adrenaline of the day wearing off, he dozed on the way back to the station. Cali must have slept as well, because as the officer was pulling into the parking lot, she rested with her head on his shoulder and snored softly. He nudged her awake.
“We’re here, folks,” Officer Clah said. “There’s a bathroom inside if you’d like to freshen up. I know there are some people who have some questions for you.”
Wings nodded, expecting as much. “Thanks.” He stepped out of the vehicle and helped Cali down. He kept a hold of her arm as the officer directed them to the restrooms, letting go only when she opened the door to the women’s room. He turned and went into the men’s room. Washing his hands and face made the world of difference, as did pulling out his cell phone and realizing he had signal. He sent a quick text to Hank updating him with what they’d learned and what had happened. Then he texted Bull, who was in between assignments, asking him to pass onto everyone that they were okay in case they’d heard about the plane going down.
He stepped out just as Cali emerged from the women’s room and the officer led them to what must be a conference room, their gear stacked in the corner, and a pot of coffee on the table. Wings poured himself a cup and offered one to Cali, who accepted it gratefully. He noticed since the rescue, she’d become quiet and he wondered if she feared she’d be getting in trouble. An older man wearing a visitor’s badge sat down at the table across from them, his salt and pepper hair and deep blue eyes making it clear whatever agency he was with, he wasn’t a novice. Wings recognized his type. He wondered where her boss was, or if they’d have anyone to talk to her. She’d glanced at some message on her phone, frowned, then tucked her phone away so maybe she’d gotten a text. Seemed like a hell of a way to treat an employee who might have died.
Officer Clah sat down next to him. “We have the coroner on his way to pick up the fatality, and the NTSB and FAA investigators are coming. I know you’re tired, but before the details fade, can you tell us everything you know. This is Agent Wilkins with the FBI who has some questions about you in regards to the passenger. There are several hotels in town. I’d ask that you stay until the other agencies are done asking their questions.”
“That makes sense. Of course,” Wings replied and reached beneath the table to clasp Cali’s hand. She squeezed it, and he vowed to be there for her.
Chapter 9
Three days of questioning and Cali was ready to scream. From the horrible moment when she realized the electronics were failing that something must have been cut on the ground, most likely a belt designed to fray part way through the flight to when the FAA and NTSB agents told her from what they could tell her actions had saved their lives. The coroner confirmed that the gunshot wound had happened after impact, the powder residue still on Michel’s hands. She’d had nothing to do with his death. Except, deep in her heart she knew he did.
Other than the terse message to see her boss as soon as she was done there, she hadn’t heard from her employer. That silence worried her more than anything. Her boss didn’t care that she survived the plane crash, and from what Michel had said, someone had paid him to kill her. So maybe he didn’t w
ant her to survive. She sighed and leaned back against the headboard. They’d be leaving in the morning for the twelve hour drive from Chinle to Dallas. Once they arrived there, they’d know.
Wings had given periodic updates to Hank. She’d listened, thinking that he really was doing well with his work as a bodyguard. In a part of her mind, she envisioned herself as his personal pilot. Except, she wasn’t sure she wanted to get in the air again. Hence the hella long drive by car to Dallas. It’d only be a four hour plane trip, and with the two hour drive to Flagstaff, not to mention waiting for security, it’d at best cut their trip in half. They’d discussed it and neither one of them wanted to fly at the moment.
Each night he’d woken up from nightmares. She’d wrapped her arms around him, and rested her head against his chest to listen to his heartbeat slow its racing as he finally tangled in her arms, fell asleep. Sometimes he spoke names. Bull. Mustang. Domino. Talked about taking heavy fire, how he couldn’t move. Then he’d awaken, sweaty, go take a shower, come back to bed, and she’d hang onto him as if she were his anchor, or maybe, since the crash, he was hers.
Wings had the TV muted, watching the scroll of weather along the bottom to see if they’d be driving into storms. To match the turbulent days since the crash, monsoon season had come back with a vengeance, big thunderstorms with gully-washer rains in the afternoons. No doubt it made things difficult out at the crash site. She hadn’t been there when they’d pulled the plane onto a trailer to take it back for investigation. All she could think about was the millions of dollars her employer had invested in the aircraft, which now lay broken on the ground. Not her fault. She kept reminding herself of that.
Wings switched off the television. “Hank texted me. Turns out the FBI had already traced some money in Michel’s account back to your agency. The accountant has immunity and he told them that Kevin Stopek had been the manager who’d told him to change the books. The CEO claims he knows nothing about this. They have enough to get him on fraud charges, maybe some RICO charges for paying off Michel’s gambling debts. We can add attempted murder to that if you confront him. I don’t want to push you. It’s up to you.” He reached for her hand. “You’ve been through enough, Cali. We can go back to Montana. They’ll bring him in. Fourteen hours or so and we’ll be home. In all likelihood the threat is over.”