Page 29 of Risk It All
Chapter Eleven
Max
Decorum, even under fire in the jungle, dictates that I should move off of Madeleine. But I see in her eyes that she doesn't want me to move or make a sound. I'm okay with that because this is the best position for me to protect her. Not that she needs protection. I'm well aware that she probably saved us both with her backpack stunt. I also think she might have gotten further to safety without me along. I'm strong and fast, but out of my element. I have to consider that it might be better if we split up. She has a better chance of saving herself without me.
Still, I'm a man, and the instinct to protect is strong, whether she needs me or not. So, I remain sprawled on top of her. We stay like that for what seems like hours, listening to talking and movement around us. Holding our breaths when it feels like our hunters are practically on top of us. I can feel her heart hammering against my chest, or maybe it's my heart.
There's another shot, but it sounds as if it's in another direction. I wonder if they've found Bastu or have given up and are now hunting animals. Not knowing for sure, we stay where we are, and I begin to worry about my weight on Madeleine. When I attempt to shift, she admonishes me with her eyes. Her hands, which had grabbed my arms when she pulled me into the brush, still grip me, and she squeezes them tightly in warning.
The jungle darkens and our world falls quiet except for the stirring of nocturnal creatures.
“I think they're gone, but we should wait just in case,” Madeleine whispers.
I shift, and this time she lets me move my weight off her. But I stay close, ready to cover her again if needed. “How long?”
“I don't know.”
I lay on my side and pull her to me in a natural embrace. My arm wraps around her as I spoon my body around the back of hers. Despite the danger of the situation and uncomfortable surroundings, my body responds as her warm curves and spicy scent envelope me. I should be embarrassed that my body heats and hardens, but in truth, I don't give it much thought. I'm alive, and my reaction to her reminds me of that.
The jungle is dark with a few streams of moonlight cascading through the trees. We have flashlights, but they’d act like beacons for the men to find us. We can’t stay here, and yet, I don’t know how we’ll navigate out of the jungle without light.
Madeleine cranes her head back to look up at me. “I think we should wait. It's only going to get darker and harder to see.”
I don't like that idea, but say, “Alright.” I lean forward and kiss her. Not because I'm thinking of jungle love, but because it seems like the natural thing to so. Right now, she's fine and I'm fine. A kiss is confirmation of that.
She must have needed the contact, the reassurance as well, because her hand reaches behind my head and holds me to her in a kiss that is soft, comforting.
“When I imagined spending the night with you, I didn't quite imagine this.” I keep my voice low to avoid detection.
“No? What did you imagine?” Intrigue and amusement dance in her eyes. It’s another thing I marvel about her. She’s finding the silver lining while we’re hiding from killers in a jungle half a world away from home.
“Which time?” I ask, joining in the light conversation.
She smiles. “Any time.”
“Maybe, when we get out of here, I can show you instead.” It may not be the right time for innuendo or levity, but since we've got time to kill and I don't want to spend it shivering in fear, that's where my thoughts go.
“You're sure we're going to get out?”
“Absolutely.” I have not idea, but I’m a glass-half-full kind of guy.
Her brows draw together. “You're always so positive.”
“I learned a long time ago that fear and worry stifle problem solving. Survival requires staying calm and believing in a positive outcome. Of course, I’ve never been in this sort of danger, but I suspect the theory still works.”
“I guess you're right.”
“I know I am. I outran and outwitted the police several times as a teenager using the 'keep calm' motto.”
Madeleine laughs softly. “I didn't know you got into trouble with the police.”
“I didn't because I never got caught.” I grin down at her.
“Max?”
“Hmm?”
“How come you're not married?”
