“You have never hurt a woman or children?” Christy asked, feeling relief.
“Never,” Lando said intensely. She believed him, though why that would offer her some comfort, she couldn't really fathom.
Christy watched as Lando cut the meat from the snake, adding it to the now boiling water. His hands rubbed against his pants to clean them. When finished, he settled back to watch her as he always did. This time she cocked her head sideways at him curiously.
“Why are you always watching me?” Christy asked, although she decided she no longer minded. She had become used to it. His deep, dark eyes were now comforting. They no longer appeared soulless to her. She knew he would always wait for an invitation, not demand one. She liked having that one power over him.
“I like the way you move, I like the way you look. I am used to studying people. It's a habit. I need to know what people are thinking; I need to be able to anticipate their next move,” Lando replied.
“Can you hear what I'm thinking?” Christy asked in a teasing way.
“I can see what you are thinking. You trust me when I say the man needed to die. You trust I will not harm you. You fear me still, yet know your life depends upon my kindness. Does the fact I am dangerous arouse you?” Lando asked intently.
“No,” Christy said honestly, her teasing tone abandoned. “I do not crave your fearful side. I want the gentle protectiveness you have shown me, your mercy. Your possessive lovemaking was frightening at first. I had only ever been with Chad. Sometimes he laughed at my inexperience, making me feel inadequate. When you take me I feel...I feel...” Christy hesitated.
“What do you feel?” Lando demanded. Her slight body shuddered softly.
“I shouldn't want you!” Christy suddenly cried out. “My father saved lives. He would be so angry if he found out I needed you, wanted you. I desire you. I can't help but compare you to Chad. Besides him and my father there is no other man I can compare you with.
“My father was so loving and caring, he took care of me. He never hurt me, I always knew he loved me. Chad was going to be a doctor just like my father. He would be saving lives. But he hurt me. He hurt me so badly. You take lives and yet you have never hurt me. I feel so confused. Why does Chad feel more hurtful and hateful than you do? Why are you safer than he is? How can that be? I don't understand. Please, why?” Christy whimpered.
Lando gathered her shaking body to his. “I don't know why, sweetheart. You need me to survive. Perhaps that is all there is,” Lando suggested.
“No, it's not just survival. If I had been with Chad out here I would be dead by now. I know that. He would have abandoned me. Declaring he would get help, only it would be his own life he would seek to save. I would have been so hurt at another betrayal. I don't just desire physical acceptance or food. I need more than just that to survive out here. Please don't make me fall in love with you. I couldn't take another loss. You have said we have no future. I understand. Really I do. In spite of that I can't help feel there must be more. Please show me more, I need more,” Christy begged.
The cooking snake forgotten, Lando once more captured Christy's eager lips. He quickly tugged her from her outer clothing. His large, calloused hands roamed over her willing body intensely. Christy no longer shied away at his demanding need to consume her. She reveled in it. She wanted him as powerfully and possessively as he wanted her. She in turn sought out his hard form. Her hands roamed his muscular chest and arms, tugging softly at his dark hairs.
She pulled at him, wanting his entry, feeling her readiness, her body responding, seeking to satisfy her needs. She craved his strong form upon her own. She wanted the protective covering he offered, a warm security blanket in the unending coldness. No one would harm her while he was positioned thus upon her slight frame, although it had become more than that.
He had become more.
She cried out at his entry, accepting him inside. She was still amazed at his size, the powerful thrusts as he mounted her eagerly. His possessive grip captured her willing, writhing body to his own. She looked up, gazing into the depths of his eyes. She could see her reflection. She was surprised at the need on her face; she blushed to her core, seeing also her own lust.
Lando was grinning down at her. Her blush deepened at her exposure. She then thrust the thought off with a shrug. Her body tightened all around him, and she closed her eyes, feeling him, enjoying his movements, loving the sound of him moaning deep within his throat. The guttural male, satisfied sounds he made as he thrust upon her encouraged her to release her own joyous sounds of ecstasy. Her mind tuned only to him, all other thoughts were inconsequential. She released herself, her body her thoughts, into his eager, sensual care.
Lando moved within her possessively, grateful she had not shied away from him because of their conversation. It will take time, the voice had cautioned while she had cried out her confusion. He was grateful they had time.
He remembered his promise to himself and tried not to be so demanding. He strove to be cautious of her bruises. Christy writhed beneath him, becoming more demanding than he had been. She begged him to possess her. She cried out her wanton, frantic desire. His resolve faltered. Both lost control. As always, her pleading struck a chord within him, and he gave in to what she wanted. Once more his hand tangled in her hair as he held her firmly beneath him.
Christy was screaming his name over and over, her own hand locked in his hair, capturing him to her. Her body gave a violent shudder; she cried out one last time before she lay still. Lando thrust again deeply and found his own release. His hand untangled from her glorious locks, he nuzzled her face from the crook of his neck. He ran a gentle finger across her bruised cheek.
“Christy?”
“I'm so hungry I could eat a snake,” she said softly.
“That's good news. That's all we've got,” Lando reminded her.
The day dawned overcast and foggy. Though the snow had long since vanished, the cold wind whipped around them as autumn battled for its last breaths of power before succumbing to a greater foe. Lando and Christy rolled up the parachute they had used as a tent.
Christy's tummy rumbled. The snake she had eaten had indeed been...interesting. Hopefully she would never have to partake of another. Lando had not had any luck that morning fishing. He said he had again detected the scent of snow in the air, and still felt the parachute would not offer enough protection against brutal winter weather if it were to strike again. He didn't want it collapsing on top of them from the weight of the elements. If they could not find a cave, perhaps they could build a lean-to up against some rocks.
They struck out at a steady pace. Lando's only intentions were set on a stronger shelter and more food. Lando had his gun within easy reach in case anything presented itself. Christy gazed amidst the foliage, wanting to be helpful. She followed Lando closely. The thought of the cougar and Kodiak weighed heavily on her mind.
Lando was wandering restlessly. The sky had been red upon wakening. Not a good sign, he had informed her, though she could have guessed just by the look on his anxious face. Sounds of the day seemed more intense. The vegetation had a more prominent scent.
“What is it?” Christy asked with concern. She could see Lando's agitation, the set of his tense shoulders.
“I can feel something,” he answered barely above a whisper. “You can always feel the weather change deep within your bones, and I'm anxious to find a decent shelter.”
When Christy stumbled moments later, he snapped at her. She recoiled from his harsh tone. He offered her no apology.
“Lando?”
“Damn it! If you keep making too much bloody noise we'll never find anything to eat!”
Christy clamped her lips shut. If he wanted silence, then silence is what he would have. She wouldn't utter another word.
They trudged on for perhaps another hour. Both were now tired and agitated, their movements plodding. Lando heard a slight noise to his immediate right. Christy cried out suddenly in fr
ight as Lando pulled his gun and fired. A painful squeal sounded as a large boar dropped to the ground, its hind legs still kicking with intensity, his body flailing wildly in an effort to rise to his unsteady feet.
Lando approached it cautiously, aware it was still living. He was furious with himself. The only time he had ever needed another shot to finish a job was when he had been younger and more inexperienced. His first kill had required three. The man he had been after had thrashed in such pain, crying out pathetically, Lando had felt almost sorry for him. He strived afterwards to make certain he only needed one shot. Unless they deserved more or more had been ordered.
Wary of the boar's tusks and large teeth at the side of its mouth, Lando pounced upon it. Using his knife, he slit its throat, holding it still while blood spurted, until it moved no more.
Lando grabbed the wild boar by its front and back legs. With a great heave, he threw it over his broad shoulders and continued on without even a backwards glance at Christy. Christy moved behind him cautiously, grabbing the extra bag he had dropped when retrieving the boar.
Lando continued on. Feeling the slight moisture from the sky beginning to fall, he began moving at a quicker rate. He could hear Christy's labored breathing as she struggled to keep pace with him. He noted she offered no protest, nor did she make a single sound. He wondered if she was fearful he would leave her if she were unable to keep up.
He saw a large cluster of rocks in the distance. Upon approaching them, he noted with relief there were a great many huge logs surrounding the area. It would only take them a short time to stretch the parachute tent over the ready-made structure, offering them ample shelter. There were enough good sized rocks to hold the parachute down to keep it from blowing away, or the strong winds from creeping inside the shelter.
Lando dropped the pig to the ground as well as the duffel bag. He noted Christy had been carrying the backpack. He began to remove the parachute. With Christy's help, their new shelter was then secure as the wind picked up and the rain began to fall with greater intensity. Once a fire burnt brightly within the structure, Lando moved off to gut the boar without a backward glance in Christy's direction.
Christy watched the warped pot as it boiled water. She shuddered softly. The food would be welcome, yet she couldn't help feel a sense of relief it had not been her that had been laying motionless across Lando's shoulders. The efficiency when he had slit the animal's neck, the power as he held it completely captive... It had indeed been a sight to behold, a disturbing sight at that!
Christy fought off confused tears. Lando had been abrupt with her all day. His pace had become grueling to the point where she had lagged and stumbled. She was not trying to antagonize him on purpose. He had yelled at her, not caring he had frightened her. "Stop being a doormat!"
It resounded in her head. Lando had said that. He had told her to yell. But he was such a commanding presence. How could she overcome her fear and defend herself when he could strike out at any moment? She realized quickly Lando had never struck her. He had never caused her any pain. Maybe he was different than Chad that way. Not all men are cruel, Lando had said. Her father had never once harmed her or her mother. Christy struggled with her thoughts. She knew deep down if Lando were to strike her it would not be the physical pain that would destroy her, but the emotional betrayal.
Christy was still pondering her thoughts when Lando returned, carrying a great deal of meat. He placed most of it near the back of their shelter, where it would remain cold. A large chunk Lando placed in the boiling water. Once cooked to remove parasites, he would then make sure it was spitted and roasted. Christy sat quietly, not offering him a word. Her thoughts were storming; he had frightened her into being quiet and withdrawn. He never should have yelled at her for stumbling, making her feel so vulnerable.
Lando was studying her thoughtfully. “Christy?”
“You are a bully!” Christy suddenly raged, surprising him and herself. “I fell from being tired and you yelled at me like I was actually doing something wrong. I didn't do it on purpose.” Christy waited fearfully for his anger to explode, but she couldn't help herself. He had been unfair. Let him yell. Let him...hit her. Christy waited for his reaction. She tried not to cringe fearfully. She tried not to cower, though her body shook and her jaw quivered.
Lando was watching her movements. She knew he could tell she was terrified at what he might now do to her. She was taking a big chance at angering him. She knew he could make her leave the shelter, or worse, beat her. They were at a critical juncture. If he were to hurt her it would scar her for the rest of her life. Once more he had control over her life, over her emotions.
“I'm sorry. You are right, I shouldn't have yelled at you. Stumbling wasn't your fault, it was the hurried pace I had set out of worry. I shouldn't have expected you to be able to keep up with me; it was ludicrous to think you could,” Lando said truthfully.
“Really?” Christy answered, amazed. Her breath expelled in a whoosh; she hadn't even been aware she was holding it. Her face lit with wonder. He was not yelling. He was not taking her hurtfully. He had not hit her. He did not seem angered.
Christy shook with greater intensity, though the look on her face had Lando smiling. “I was just feeling apprehensive and concerned. I shouldn't have taken it out on you,” Lando admitted.
Christy cried out suddenly and launched herself into his arms. Lando captured her, his tension betraying his surprise. “You won't hurt me! I didn't think you would, but you didn't. You didn't!”
Lando held her firmly. Christy clutched his body tightly. She shook with horrific spasms. Her tears fell uninhibited. “He said he wouldn't, but he did. You said you wouldn't, and you didn't. You say what you mean. You have always said what you mean. My father said what he meant. I can compare you with him. I can. Maybe it's not what you do, but who you are and your actions that are important.”
“Is that what is important to you, comparing me with another?” Lando asked quietly while he held her.
“You have already said we are from different worlds. We think differently. I have only compared you to the most important men in my life, no, only one important man now. You are nothing like Chad. I can't compare your profession with my dad's. Yet, I can compare your actions. You are honorable, kind, and gentle. Thank you for not lying. Thank you for not hurting me.”
Lando held her tightly. Christy clung to him desperately.
Once again another violent storm raged around them, shutting them in. They held one another, seeking comfort and warmth. Their shelter, though primitive, held as the brutal, freezing rain pelted down. Lightning crashed and the sky rumbled ominously. They ate the meat Lando had procured, but their want of each other stormed more intensely than anything thundering around them. Lando's taking of her was as fearsome as the storm that raged.
Christy clung to his body in desperation. The storm, though fierce, was not warm and protective as Lando was. His body was more powerful than the intense crashing sounds. He was stronger than the fearsome, driving winds. Straining to hear his thoughts engulfed her more deeply than any loud crack from the sky. Once sated, they curled wrapped around each other's bodies and slept.
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* * *
Chapter Nine
* * * *
“Can we please rest, Lando? I'm so tired,” Christy asked. Without waiting for confirmation, she slumped to a large log. Her body trembled, feeling the exertion of the long day.
After the storm had abated, they once more struck out following the flowing stream. It was now mid-afternoon. They were both tired. Lando dropped his gear to the forest floor and rifling through the backpack. He pulled out two pieces of cooked boar meat. He handed one to Christy.
“Stay here and eat this. I just want to scout around the area,” he told her. “I want to fish again, but first we need to find a decent shelter for the night. I'm certain I heard the screaming of a cougar back a ways. I hope it hasn't been trailing us, following
the meat carcasses and bones we've been leaving behind.”
“Don't go far,” Christy begged. She looked up at him, wide-eyed. Christy had also heard the cougar, and remembering her last encounter with one, she was loath to repeat it. Especially if Lando was not present to interfere.
“It will be fine. I won't go far, sweetheart, I promise. I wouldn't leave you if I thought it was close,” Lando said, and smiled down at her reassuringly. He gently traced a finger across her cheek before he turned and left.
Christy sat, feeling anxious the moment he left her sight. She tried to calm her nerves while eating slowly. She was hungry and tired, her body ached, and she hoped Lando would return quickly and tell of a decent place to rest for the night. She sat quietly listening to the sounds around her, always wary. It was not long before she heard movement behind her.
Christy rose and turned slowly. Standing completely still, she resisted the urge to scream. Lando had left her alone before for short periods of time. He had not been impressed to have raced frantically to her side, gun drawn, while she huddled, terrified of a chipmunk that had noisily ventured forth from the foliage. The look he had leveled on her on those occasions made her want to crawl into a hole with embarrassment.
Christy shook as the noise approached. The movements were most definitely louder than a chipmunk this time. A large bush was suddenly thrust aside and she stared, dumbstruck, at a man who was just as surprised from her sudden appearance. The two looked at each other.
Christy's fear turned to relief. She resisted the urge to throw herself into the man's arms she was so grateful to see him. Other people, finally other people. She anxiously approached as three other men emerged from behind the bush.
“Well hell, little lady, what the heck are you doing out here all alone?” the man inquired curiously. His hair was blond and he was almost as tall and as well built as Lando. When he ventured closer, she noted he moved with almost the same calculating, predatory walk. The other three men were not quite as impressive, though also decidedly larger than she. All four seemed of various ages. All four wore the camouflage of hunters.
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