Chapter 29

Everyone made it onto the life boat, even the ones they'd practically had to drag out of the jungle because they were so sick and dehydrated.

The storm continued to batter them as they paddled for their lives, and when they got to the cargo ship waiting for them in the open waters, the sailors lashed the life boat to it and then instructed them to climb a tall, slick ladder made of metal rungs.

"Kit can't do that," Raven said. "There's no way."

"I don't know about Alicia, either," Scarlet said. Some of Zoe's followers had really gone down hard with malaria, and that ladder looked treacherous even for healthy people.

The sailors considered, then one of them climbed the ladder ahead of everyone else, going to figure out a way to hoist the others up.

"Everybody who can climb, do it now," one of the others instructed.

Zoe was the very first one to the ladder, elbowing some of the closer survivors out of the way. The move surprised no one, and Scarlet silently reminded herself that as soon as they got off this cargo ship, she never had to see that woman again.

One by one, the others climbed. Scarlet and Robin kept letting others go ahead of them, and they watched with relief as the sailors lowered a sling and carefully loaded Kit into it. Raven didn't appear to draw a single breath the entire time Kit was being raised into the ship, and then she scrambled up the ladder to meet her.

"You're up next, Krys," Robin said.

Krys hung back. "I don't know, I'm still wrapping my head around it."

"She's afraid of heights," Darcy explained, taking her hand and leading her toward the ladder. "Come on, babe, I'll be right behind you."

"What if I slip?"

"Then I'll catch you."

Krys gave her a disbelieving look, and Darcy encircled her in her arms.

"This is the last thing we have to do to get off this damn island. You can do it."

"You'll catch me?"

Darcy nodded. And Krys started to climb. She went slowly, and Scarlet could see her legs shaking the higher she went. But she got there, swinging her legs over the railing at the top as a couple of sailors helped her onboard. Then Darcy disappeared onto the ship behind her.

"Ready?" Robin asked. "You first."

Scarlet kissed her, then climbed aboard. Heights weren't her favorite thing in the world either, but next to being stranded on an island that seemed hell-bent on sabotaging their rescue efforts, climbing this ladder was a breeze.

She stepped onto the deck then turned and helped Robin over the railing. The last few people were being pulleyed up from the life boat, and Kit and Raven had already disappeared somewhere inside the ship to get medical attention. Scarlet and Robin went over to an empty spot by the railing. She could just see the island through the rain, nothing more than a dot on the horizon now.

"We made it," she exhaled.

"We survived," Robin said, wrapping her arms tightly around Scarlet.

"So long, Gillian's Island," Scarlet said, not quite sure how she felt about that. So many awful things had happened over the last few weeks, but it had also been the start of her relationship with Robin, and she had some really incredible memories there, too. She brought one hand up to touch the necklace that Robin made her.

And then the heavens opened up, a torrential downpour forcing everyone inside.

Scarlet melted into the plush hotel mattress, relishing the cool sheets against her skin. She turned her gaze to Robin lying beside her, a contented smile on her face. The events of the past few weeks felt like a distant nightmare, replaced by their new luxury surroundings.

"I love air conditioning, but I never thought I"d appreciate it quite this much," Scarlet murmured, running her fingers through Robin"s hair.

Robin chuckled, leaning into Scarlet"s touch. "Or room service. I think I"ve eaten my weight in gourmet food."

Scarlet grinned, already salivating for more –more food, more lovemaking, more restful sleep, more everything.

It'd only been two days since their rescue, and as soon as the SS Salvador dropped them off in Santa Cruz, their story began to spread across the island like wildfire. There had been media attention and police reports, but best of all, one of the island's all-inclusive luxury resorts had extended the offer of a lifetime. Stay until their transportation back home could be arranged, and in the meantime, take advantage of everything the resort had to offer.

Of course, Scarlet and Robin had scarcely left their suite.

It was a beautiful suite, with a luxurious soaker tub and rainfall showerhead, a balcony with a beautiful view of the ocean, and a king-sized bed with more pillows than two people could use in a lifetime. They'd spent the whole time naked, in each other's arms, making new memories.

In between periodically needing to throw on a robe to let room service in, of course.

Steak charred to a perfect medium rare. Chocolate caramel cheesecake. Grilled vegetables of so many varieties Scarlet lost count. Lobster smothered in butter. Hell, even a fresh salad was divine after twenty days on Gillian's Island on a steady diet of bland rice, canned food and papayas.

Tangled in the sheets and still breathing hard from their last round, Scarlet couldn"t keep her hands off Robin. She traced the curves of her body, savoring the softness of her skin and the swell of her belly, well-nourished after so long spent wanting.

Robin responded in kind, her touch igniting a fire in Scarlet"s core.

Her heart started beating faster as Robin's hands roamed her body. She captured Robin"s lips in a searing kiss, their tongues locking in a passionate dance. Scarlet rolled on top of Robin, straddling her hips. She gazed down at her lover, marveling at the sight of Robin spread out beneath her, hair mussed and cheeks pink.

Scarlet leaned down, trailing kisses along the column of Robin"s neck, reveling in the breathy moans that escaped Robin"s parted lips. Her hands gripped Scarlet"s hips, urging her closer. Scarlet obliged, pressing their bodies together until not an inch of space remained between them. She bent down, wrapping her arms tightly around her and kissing her, and she could feel Robin"s heart pounding against her own chest, a staccato rhythm that matched the pulsing heat between her thighs.

"I need you," Scarlet breathed against Robin"s mouth. "I need to taste you again."

Robin"s only response was a whimper of desire as Scarlet began to kiss her way down Robin"s body, mapping every curve and valley with her lips and tongue. She took her time, savoring the salty-sweet taste of Robin"s skin, the scent of her arousal thick in the air.

When Scarlet finally settled between Robin"s thighs, she paused for a moment, drinking in the sight of her glistening folds. Then she leaned in and dragged her tongue through Robin"s slick heat.

She cried out, her back arching off the bed as Scarlet began to devour her in earnest. Scarlet licked and sucked, spurred on by the desperate sounds falling from Robin"s lips. She slid two fingers inside her, curling them until she felt Robin"s walls flutter around her.

"Don"t stop," Robin panted, tangling her fingers in Scarlet"s hair. "Please, don"t stop."

Scarlet had no intention of stopping. She doubled down, lashing Robin"s clit with her tongue as she pumped her fingers in and out of her. Robin"s thighs began to tremble, her moans growing louder and more urgent with each passing second.

"Scarlet, I"m so close... I"m going to..."

Scarlet hummed against Robin"s flesh, the vibrations sending her hurtling over the edge. Robin came with a hoarse cry, her body shaking as wave after wave of pleasure crashed over her.

Sometimes it was like this, fast and frantic. Other times, they made love slowly, savoring each moment, savoring the luxury of time and this beautiful place. This was the only responsibility they had, until it was time to go back to the real world. And Scarlet loved nothing more than losing herself in Robin"s arms, in the taste of her on her tongue, in the feel of her thighs pressing against her ears.

As they lay in the afterglow, a wave of emotion washed over her. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, and she buried her face in Robin"s neck.

"Hey, what"s wrong?" Robin asked softly, stroking Scarlet"s back.

Scarlet shook her head, smiling. "Nothing. Not a damn thing. I just love you so much."

Robin tilted Scarlet"s chin up, meeting her gaze with a tender smile. "I love you too, Scarlet. More than anything."

Scarlet"s fingertips traced the contours of Robin"s face with a feather-light touch.

She'd been beautiful on the island, too skinny and dirty, her face gaunt from the constant exertion. But just a couple of days in this hotel room, nourishing each other in every way possible, made her positively glow with life. She was more gorgeous than ever and Scarlet couldn't believe she got to call this woman her own.

"I can't believe I get to keep you," Scarlet whispered.