by Kris Norris
“Dawson!” She dove forward, clamping her hand around a large rock as she reached for his arm. For a moment she feared she’d been too slow until she felt the strong grip of his hand around her wrist. “Hold on!” She stretched her legs forward, digging her heels into the rocks. Only her shoulders were above the water, and it took every ounce of strength she had to fight the pounding current.
“It’s okay. You can let go.”
She looked up. Dawson had managed to grab a nearby branch and had pulled half of his body out of the water. She released his arm, steadying herself against the current. It only took four more steps to reach the other bank. She sank down to the ground, her body shaking.
“Dammit, Kendall, you could have gotten yourself killed.” He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.
“You’re welcome,” she whispered.
He sighed. “Thank you.” He held her even closer.
Kendall clung to him. Even wet he felt warm. “I thought I’d lost you.”
“I thought we agreed I wasn’t that easy to get rid of.”
He kissed her forehead. Damn, it felt so right in his arms, she hated having to let go. She pulled back, smiling at the hint of disappointment in his eyes.
“As much as I’d rather stay here holding you, we need to get moving.”
Kendall gazed into his eyes. She wanted to kiss him. Wanted to feel his tongue touch hers, their lips pressed together. She needed that closeness to believe he could protect her, even against Garrick. “I’m not sure I’m strong enough,” she admitted.
“Then borrow what you need from me.” He touched her cheek, stroking it with his thumb. “You just saved my life. You can do this.”
She snuggled her face into his hand. “He’ll try to kill you.”
“Let’s just worry about getting there first. I’ll handle Garrick later.” He stood up, still holding her in his arms. “Ready?”
“I’ll go first, so you can do the rescuing.” She grabbed the map and ran down the trail.
Chapter Fifteen
Dawson stood on top of the first peak, his chest heaving. They’d run for ninety minutes, climbing higher, and they were both winded. Kendall was standing beside him, her hands resting on her knees.
“I will never—drink whiskey—again.” She’d stopped twice along the path, brought to her knees as she heaved the remnants of her drinking spree across the ground.
“There’s always a price to pay.” He flashed her a sly smile. “Did it numb the pain last night?”
She could hear the knowing tone in his voice, mixed with a hint of satisfaction. He’d been more than hurt by her reaction, and she had a feeling he was enjoying the payback, perhaps a bit too much. “Not enough to justify the punishment.” She looked away, not wanting to stare at the self-righteous smile on his face. She motioned to the far side of the ridge. “Why do I have the feeling I know what’s next?”
“Because you do. The path jumps from this peak to the next. That can only mean he expects us to cross it on a rope.” He picked his way over to the edge. “You aren’t afraid of heights, are you, Kendall?”
“Not really, why?”
“Because it’s a long way down.”
Kendall peered over the edge. “Damn!”
“I’m sure it looks worse than it is,” he teased, climbing down a few feet to where the rope was anchored in the rocks. “I suppose we’ll have to trust him.”
“Why does that thought make me feel worse than the whiskey?” She jumped down and tugged on the line. “The anchoring looks secure, but there’s no way to tell about the other side.” She looked across the ravine. The rope was anchored well past the edge around a large tree, raising it several feet off the rocky terrain.
“Well, they say every true quest involves at least one leap of faith.” He picked up another box strapped to the rocks. “At least he was kind enough to give us each a harness and some gear.” He handed a set to Kendall. “I’ll go first.”
His voice was strong and she knew there’d be no debating his decision. It’d been an order, not a request. “As you wish.”
Dawson smiled and grazed his fingers across her cheek. “Every wish desired, isn’t that what you promised?” His eyes darkened and his breathing roughened. He moved closer, pressing his body against hers. Without thinking, she placed her hands on his chest, fisting the smooth material in her fingers. His heartbeat thrummed beneath her touch, as he hovered his lips next to her ear. “Too bad we didn’t get to finish what I truly desired.”
A punch of lust contracted her womb as Dawson smoothed his hands down her back and across the curve of her ass. His touch was firm and possessive, and she couldn’t stop a hungry moan from feathering across her lips. Had he really desired her? She’d tried to convince herself it’d just been a mutual impulse. But judging by the sudden bulge pressing against her stomach, it was clear his feelings ran much deeper.
She forced herself to swallow, feeling the saliva burn a path down her parched throat. She leaned into his embrace, rubbing her hips across his erection, smiling at the low growl that rumbled from his chest. He pulled her tighter, his lips feather soft against her ear.
“Dammit, woman. What is it about you that makes me forget about duty? Hell, I can’t even think straight when you’re around.” He eased forward and licked the skin behind her ear. She drew in a sharp breath, feeling his shaft harden further. “Can you feel what you do to me?” he asked, rubbing his erection against her stomach. “All I can think about is stripping you down and plunging inside before your clothes hit the ground.” He kissed her neck this time. “I swear you’re going to drive me crazy.” Kendall gasped as he cupped her mound in his hand as he pulled back, a wicked smile on his face. “Next time, Kendall. You won’t get away from me so easily.”
He gave her one last squeeze before moving back across the rocks, and strapping his harness around his waist. Kendall watched him move, mesmerized by the sheer beauty of him. He was all man and she wished there was time to indulge in his desires.
Next time? Would there really be a next time? He seemed to be planning one, but then, the race wasn’t over yet.
“I’ll signal you once I get to the other side,” said Dawson, breaking her out of her trance.
She looked over at him, chuckling at the flash of uncertainty in his eyes. He hadn’t been joking when he’d confessed he didn’t like heights. “Just remember to keep your hands moving and you body centered under the rope. And don’t look down.”
“Why does everyone always say that? It only makes me want to do the opposite.”
“Just get going.”
“See you on the other side.”
“Be careful,” she yelled as he swung below the rope, pulling his body across the opening. His movements were strong and forceful, and she could see his muscles tensing through his shirt. Jody was right, he was gorgeous, and she couldn’t deny the feelings swirling inside her any longer. She was falling for Dawson. Hard.
“Okay, Kendall. Your turn.” Dawson was standing beside the tree, waving at her.
She waved back, positioning her body at the edge of the ridge. Her stomach tightened as she launched herself forward, moving her hands along the rope. Not only was this her best event, it was her favorite. And it had little to do with the adrenaline rush that coursed through her veins, or the way the wind licked at her body as it hung below the rope. She loved it because not even Trace could best her abilities.
She bridged the halfway point traveling twice as fast as Dawson had. She could feel the roughness of the cord beneath her fingers. She smiled, crossing the ledge, when the rope shook in her hands, dropping her a few inches. The sudden motion caught her off guard, and she stopped to steady herself.
“What just happened?” asked Dawson, reaching for the line as he stepped toward her.
Kendall looked at him. “Uh-oh.”
The line snapped.
Kendall screamed as the world shifted and went black.
* * * *
“Kendall.”
“Mmm.” Kendall blinked. Everything was blurry and her body felt heavy. She closed her eyes again. “Dawson?”
“Easy,” he soothed, stroking her face. “Just try to open your eyes and look at me.”
She did as he asked, squinting to bring him into focus. “What happened?”
“The rope broke and you slammed onto the rocks.” His jaw was clenched, his anger glints of silver and grey in his eyes. “If I hadn’t dove for the end it would have pulled you over the lip instead of just bouncing you to the edge. You’re lucky you didn’t kill yourself.”
There was a sense of panic in his voice, and she’d never seen him look so pale. “I knew I should’ve gone first,” she teased, moaning when the slight snicker flashed white streaks behind her eyes. “And I thought my head hurt before.”
“Do you think you can sit up?”
“I’ll try.”
He lifted her up, his arms still holding her, as she rested her head against his chest. He felt warm and strong, and she couldn’t help but relax against him, a tentative smile curling her lips. “It might be wise if you didn’t let go just yet,” she teased.
“I don’t need an excuse to hold you, Kendall.”
“It was my plan all along.”
The phone rang.
She stiffened. She’d forgotten they hadn’t reached the checkpoint.
“Let me talk to Garrick.” His voice was deep, and the edge of hatred in it frightened her.
“No. It’s better if I do it. I might be able buy us more time.”
Dawson’s lips pulled tight, but he nodded, handing her the phone.
“What do you want, Garrick?”
“You’re not there, Kendall. What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“You bastard! You rigged the rope. I trusted you to at least play fair, but you couldn’t resist adding in one of your special twists, could you?” She groaned, grabbing her head as another wave of pain shot through it.
“Don’t try to turn this around. You just weren’t fast enough. Now Trace will pay for your failure.”
“The bloody rope broke! And I happened to be on it at the time.” She attempted a deep breath, whimpering from the pain again. “Just give us another twenty minutes.”
“Nice try, Kendall, but there’s no way the rope broke. I checked it myself.”
“Well I guess you missed something because it snapped before I made it across.”
“Yet you’re still alive.”
She could hear the wariness in his voice. He didn’t believe her. “Thanks to my partner.”
He snorted. “Guess making you scream isn’t his only talent. Put him on.”
Kendall hesitated. “What?”
“I want you to put the phone on speaker so I can talk to this hero of yours.”
Kendall held the phone out, pressing the button. “It’s on speaker.”
“You have something you want to say to me?” asked Dawson.
“Well, if it isn’t the mighty Conner. How lucky Kendall is to have you at her side.”
“You are truly sick.”
“Now, now. I might let Kendall talk to me like that, but then we’re old friends. She says you’re the technical wizard. So prove it. Take a picture of the rope with the phone and then hit the send button. Everything will happen automatically, if you’re as good as Kendall says you are.”
Dawson grabbed the phone, picked up the frayed edge and pressed the buttons. He waited. “Well? Is that enough proof for you?”
“That will do.” Garrick snickered. “Tell me, does it bother you knowing what it is I’ll be doing to her after I kill you?”
“No. Because you’re the one who’s going to die.”
“Ah, a hero to the end. That makes the hunt more fulfilling. Now kill the speaker and put Kendall back on.”
Dawson scowled, but hit the button, placing the handset back in Kendall’s palm.
“What?”
“Okay, Kendall. You’ve got twenty minutes. Don’t disappoint me.” He hung up.
“He’s giving us twenty minutes. We’d better get going.” She screamed as Dawson helped her up, grabbing her head.
“You can’t keep going like this!” insisted Dawson.
“There’s more blood on you than there is on me,” she defended.
“Yeah. But at least I can stand up. Even if you make it this time, what about the next round?”
“I can do this. Just give me a hand across the ridge. I’ll have my balance back by the time we hit the trail.”
Dawson grunted, but wrapped his arm around her waist and led her across the rocks. “I’ve never met anyone as stubborn and hard-headed as you.”
“You mean no one other than yourself.”
Chapter Sixteen
Kendall hobbled down the path, Dawson’s arm wrapped around her waist. Though she’d managed to run alone for several minutes, the strain had faded her vision into a hazy blur, and she’d been forced to ask him for help.
“You’ve got a concussion. You know that.” Dawson lifted her over a large rock bracing her against his chest. “If you keep this up, you’ll kill yourself.”
“If it were just a race, I’d stop. But it isn’t.” She looked into his eyes. “And I can’t. Besides, we’re here. There’s the marker. Let’s just see what he’s got in store next. Maybe I can convince him to give us a few minutes to catch our breath.”
Dawson eased her onto a large stump, ripping the package open. “Another map.” His voice was weary, and he looked as bad as she felt. He sank down beside her. “I doubt he’ll allow you to rest. Besides, anything short of three days won’t be enough to help that head of yours.”
The phone rang.
“Doesn’t he know we’re having a moment here,” Dawson sighed.
She smiled, flipping the phone open. “We’re here. But then you know that.”
“Glad to see you decided to try harder. Did you find the next map?”
“Yes. And it says, ‘X marks the spot.’ ”
Garrick laughed. “It’s almost as if you’re reading my mind. I like that. Now why don’t I try and read yours. I’ll bet you’re hoping to rest a bit, am I right?”
“Don’t act as if you’re the Amazing Kreskin. We’ve been playing this little game of yours for hours. Of course we want to rest. But what does that matter to you?”
“Now, Kendall, I’m hurt. You act as if I have no compassion at all. Don’t forget, I’ve kept my end of the bargain. Trace is still alive.”
“Is that so? I don’t actually have proof of that, do I? I’ve been going on your assurances all along. I don’t suppose I could talk to him?”
“I could let you hear him scream if you’d like.”
Kendall sighed and shook her head. She was so tired of playing Garrick’s game she didn’t have the strength to argue with him. “Where do you want us to go next?”
“I’ll tell you what. Just to prove I’m not heartless, I’ll give you twenty minutes to rest. Make good use of it, Kendall. Maybe Conner can make you scream one last time.”
She dropped the phone. “He’s giving us twenty minutes.”
“I suppose that’s better than nothing.” Dawson reached into the pack. “Here, try to eat something.”
“I’ll only puke it up once we start going again.”
“That’s twenty minutes away. At least you’ll feel better for a while.”
“Thanks.” She accepted the fruit bar, engulfing it in three bites. “Grab the first aid kit in there. I’ll see if I can fix your arm.”
“That’s not necessary. Besides, you should spend the time resting.”
“Just shut up and give me the damn kit, Dawson.”
Dawson laughed. “I can see this isn’t an argument I’ll win.” He gave her the kit. “It’s not that bad.”
“I think I should be the judge of that.” She looked at his clothes. “You’ll have to take off your shirt. I won’t be able to bandage your w
ound if I try to roll your sleeve up that high.”
Dawson grumbled, but did as she asked, lifting his shirt over his head.
“Holly crap!” Kendall stared at the purple, fist-sized welt. “What happened to your chest?”
“I already told you. I got careless.”
She looked into his eyes. Hers were already tearing over, and she was finding it hard to keep them from falling. “You got this last night?” She grazed her fingers over the wound. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You weren’t in the mood to talk.”
She looked away, swallowing the pain and guilt. “Let me see your arm. That’s a bullet wound.”
“Don’t worry. It went straight through.”
“Dammit, Dawson, you’re lucky he didn’t kill you. You know, I don’t know who’s crazier, you or him? You should’ve known better than to go after him. I told you he’s clever. He’s always got a contingency plan.” She held the cut together, sealing it with a row of butterfly bandages. “It might serve you better to listen to my warnings.”
She gazed back at his chest. “There’s nothing I can do for your chest…except this.” She leaned forward, brushing her lips against his bruise. He trembled as she ran her tongue across the length of it, leaving a small trail of moisture behind. She clenched her teeth, quelling the need to continue to the other side and up the curve of his neck. If only she hadn’t fantasized about him she might be able to stop her desire from plundering her senses, leaving her senseless and aware of nothing, but her need.
She pulled back, trying to ignore how his muscles twitched or how warm his skin felt. She could see his heartbeat flutter in his chest, and had to bite back the urge to run her fingers along it, or taste it with her tongue. He was the perfect male specimen, firm and tight, and she wanted nothing more than to feel his body join with hers. She looked up, feeling her face flush at the erotic gleam in his eyes as he watched her from beneath a shadow of lashes, smiling as if he could read her every thought. She’d been right before. He was dangerous.