Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

A 'rien swore as he returned to the beach and found that his female had disappeared again. He should never have left her, but after seeing her begin eating some of the fruit he'd left for her to find, he had headed back into the jungle.

The previous night had been as hard on him as he suspected it was on her. His satisfaction at seeing her utilize the vines had faded as night fell. She was so obviously uncomfortable in her makeshift camp that he'd started to retrieve her a dozen times. His heretofore undiscovered protective impulses waged war with his plan to entice her to stay with him. If he kept rescuing her, how would she ever understand how much better off she would be with him?

In the end, he had settled for keeping watch over her and providing her with food. However, he had no intention of spending another anxious night. She had picked up on the idea of weaving the vines into clothing readily enough. If he supplied the thicker vines that he had used to make his own hammock, he had no doubt that she would make the connection.

But when he emerged back onto the beach and realized she was gone, he forgot all about the hammock. Casting the vines aside, he raced over to where he had last seen her. Small footprints led down the beach towards the point. He followed them until the incoming tide covered them.

Fuck. If he remembered correctly from his explorations, the next cove would be underwater once the tide came in. Unless she had crossed it quickly enough…

He dove into the water, ignoring the current tugging at his body. His heart raced, but not from fear of the water.

As soon as he rounded the point and escaped the pounding surf, he surfaced, looking for her small figure. Water lapped at the base of the cliff, no trace of beach remaining, and he scanned the surface of the waves, looking for any sign of her. He was about to move on to the next beach when he thought to look up.

The roaring in his ears was louder than the pounding surf. She was halfway up the rocky cliff. Even as he watched, she tried to climb up a narrow ledge. Her foot slipped, and a shower of small rocks cascaded down into waves.

To hell with this.

He was retrieving her right now. Even if he did have to tie her down, she was never going off on her own again. His heart couldn't take it.

Cutting through the water to the base of the rocks, he started to climb. The webs between his fingers and toes helped him find traction—a feature that had come in useful in his past adventures—but he had never been more grateful for that fact than he was now.

He climbed rapidly until he was just below her position, then paused as he considered the best approach. Although his instincts demanded that he retrieve her immediately, he could see her hands shaking and he didn't want her to lose her precarious grip.

Pair-ee's small head popped up from the bag she had positioned on her back. He looked down at A'rien and chittered.

"Please be still, Peri." Her voice shook. "It won't be much longer."

She took another step, and her foot slipped again. This time, she lost her footing all together, and he watched in slow motion horror as she started to fall backwards off the cliff.

He abandoned his handholds and reached for her. All that mattered was stopping her fall. If he lost his balance as well, he hoped he would be able to use his body to cushion her fall into the water below.

His fingers brushed soft skin… slid… then tangled in her vine skirt. He gripped it desperately and hauled her towards him.

Then she was safe in his arms as he struggled to find his own balance, pressing back against the rock as he tightened his arms around her. She didn't fight his grip as he managed to wedge himself deeper into the narrow ledge, clinging to him just as desperately.

"Thank the gods," he muttered as he buried his face in her soft hair and waited for his pounding heart to slow.

At the sound of his voice, she looked up, her face pale with shock beneath the dirt acquired during her climb. Big brown eyes filled with tears and her lips trembled.

"You saved me. Saved us," she added as Pair-ee climbed up on her shoulder. "Thank you."

The translation implant enabled him to understand her words, but his tongue still struggled with the sounds of her language.

"Sayf," he assured her, then frowned, still terrified at what had almost happened. "Shuhd hav stayd."

To his surprise, she gave a shaky laugh. "I suppose so. But I was afraid you were going to eat me. Us."

What? He thought back to what he'd said and groaned silently.

" Find foo-dh for yoo." He lifted a gentle finger to her dirt-streaked face. "Nev-uhr huhrt."

"I believe you." She shifted her weight slightly as she spoke and dislodged a pebble. Her small hands grabbed for him as she tried to press even closer. "Please tell me you have a plan for getting us off this cliff."

Not exactly —but that had never stopped him before.

He glanced down, judging the distance to the water. He had dived from greater heights, but the water at the base of the rock was relatively shallow. He wasn't sure that he could both carry her safely and leap far enough away from the rock to reach deeper water.

"Kliem," he said instead.

"I… I don't know if I can."

She took a firmer hold on his waist, as if she expected him to go off and leave her behind. Of course he wouldn't, but he did like having her cling to him so willingly. His cock liked it too, stirring against the warmth of her skin.

Her body tensed as she looked up at him. "You've got to be kidding me."

He forced himself to shrug casually. "Dayn-juhr."

Although she was the real cause of his arousal, he suspected she would find his alternate explanation less threatening. Her body did relax slightly as she made a strange gesture with her eyes.

"Great. I'm stuck on a cliff with someone who gets off on danger," she muttered.

"Awf?"

"Never mind." She lifted her chin. "I suppose if we have to climb, we'd better get started."

He tightened his arms in a brief hug, then leaned back to study the route. She squeaked and grabbed for him.

"Sayf," he assured her, then gently loosened her arm from around his waist. Pair-ee was still sitting on her shoulder, and he urged the infant back down into the bag. The small creature gave him a suspicious look but went.

Fortunately, the surface of the rock was rough and uneven. There were plenty of hand and foot holds, even allowing for her limited reach. Putting his hand over hers, he showed her where to reach the first one. Her fingers trembled, but she grabbed it anyway.

"Brayv fee-mayl."

Her lips curved at his praise and she clutched the surface with more confidence. One small movement at a time, they climbed the cliff. Her movements were slow and shaky, but he did his best to keep his body between her and the long drop, and that seemed to help. She froze once, but he put his arm around her and whispered encouragement in his own language until she was able to move again.

When they finally reached the top, he helped her over the rim. She took two shaky steps away from the edge, then turned and threw herself in his arms. Her whole body shook, her face wet where it was pressed against his chest. He held her just as tightly, his pulse still racing. It was far from the hardest climb he'd ever made—his escape down the sea wall of the Algar Fortress had been much more difficult—but his concern for her safety had left him thoroughly drained.

He stroked her shoulders until her sobs subsided, but as her breathing calmed, he became more aware of the silky skin beneath his hands, of the soft curves pressed against his body. His cock stirred, but he did his best to keep it under control. He didn't want to frighten her.

When she leaned back to look up at him, he was sure she was going to push him away. Instead, she went up on her toes, tugged his head down, and kissed him.

Shocked, he froze, and she started to pull back. Oh, hell no.

His fingers tangled in her hair as he pulled her closer, exploring the incredible sweetness of her mouth. It was her turn to stiffen, but before he could force himself to release her, she kissed him back. Her soft little tongue met his eagerly, and he groaned into her mouth.

The hard points of her breasts branded his chest, and he reached down to cup her ass and lift her higher into his arms. But as his hand swept down her back, he brushed against the bag hanging there and Pair-ee squeaked loudly.

She jumped, then pulled away from him as he reluctantly let her go. Fiery pink colored her cheeks as she dropped her gaze, concentrating on retrieving the small animal from his nest.

He bit back a frustrated growl, although he couldn't prevent himself from glaring at Pair-ee as she clutched the animal to her chest and kissed his small head. Those were supposed to be his kisses, dammit.

"I don't believe we made it," she murmured, still not looking at him.

"Sayf," he reminded her.

"Yes, you kept me safe." She gave him a quick smile, then frowned. "How come you can understand me?"

He hesitated, then tapped behind his ear. "Trans-lay-shuhn."

"You have something in your head that translates languages? That's not the kind of technology I would expect to find in a jungle." Her embarrassment seemed to fade as she studied him thoughtfully. "You're not from here either, are you?"

She was starting to get into an area he'd rather not discuss. He shook his head, then pointed to where Pair-ee was trying to wiggle out of her hands. The diversion was successful. She pressed another of his kisses to the soft fur, then let him down so he could explore.

She watched carefully to make sure Pair-ee didn't head for the edge of the cliff, then lifted her gaze and looked out over the shimmering sea. "I suppose if you have to be stranded somewhere, there are worse places. It's so beautiful here. That view almost makes the climb worthwhile."

Her voice shook a little on the last words, but he was impressed at how quickly she had regained her composure. As much as he enjoyed having her cling to him, he didn't want her to be afraid.

Playing along, he raised a skeptical eyebrow and she laughed.

"I said almost . But I did want to get to higher ground so I could see where we are."

She turned her back on the cliff, looking out across the rest of the island where it sloped back down towards the sea. He watched as her shoulders sagged.

"It is an island, isn't it?"

He nodded slowly, hating the disappointment on her face despite his own happiness with their situation.

"I don't know why, but I'm not surprised. It was the first thing I thought when I woke up here." She sighed. "I guess that means we're stuck here."

Yes. He managed to hide his satisfaction.

"Wait a minute!" Her eyes lit up with excitement. "Look! Isn't that land over there?"

He went to join her, even though he already knew she had spotted the mainland.

"Yess," he agreed.

"Could you swim there? Maybe look for help?"

"No. Too fahr."

Probably. Unless the currents were in his favor. But he wasn't about to leave her behind.

Blunt white teeth closed on her lower lip, still slightly swollen from their kiss. "Maybe we could build a boat?"

"Noh toolz."

An unexpected feeling of guilt filled him as her face fell, but he firmly pushed it aside. There was nothing for him on the other side of the wide channel. Assuming she had been framed the same way that he had, there would be nothing for her either.

Unless she's here for another reason…

No. He was sure she had been sent to him. It was just the two of them now.