Page 23 of Gripp

“Don’t you have an article to write?” he asked. He still hadn’t gotten over breaking into the mine a second time to retrieve her camera and documents.

“Of course,” she said, laughing. “This will be the most important story of my career. It’ll probably get me the Pulitzer.”

Gripp turned back to watch the river part in soft waves before the boat. He could fantasize, but truly, the comfort of being loved was far out of his reach. He should stop hoping for it because he was going to be hurt even worse in the long run.

Even though he tried to keep his mind on the mission, his eyes kept sneaking back to watch April. She sat on the edge of the boat, looking like comfort and pleasure rolled into one. The memories from the night before would not leave him … her soft kiss, her writhing body, and her hot breath on his lips.

With fierce effort, Gripp got himself under control. He was here for one reason, and that was to buy his freedom. It could never work between him and April, and he knew that. He was here to protect her and get her home. Nothing more.

THIRTEEN

APRIL

April felt a thrill wash through her as the bullet streamed over her head like a buzzing bee. She had meant it when she said she hadn’t had fun like that in ages. She was a studious and thoughtful person, but that didn’t mean her blood didn’t pump when her life was at stake.

She stared out onto the shoreline where the bullet had flown from. The shooter couldn’t see them anymore as they sank into the distance, the water swallowing them whole like an oil spill. Her heart raced in her chest. When glancing at Gripp, it skipped a few beats

He hadn’t really liked her at first. He was rugged and likely a mercenary of some kind. He thought she came from a spoiled, privileged, government-worshiping upbringing, which she had. But April had vowed at an early age that she wasn’t going to be like that. She wanted to find the truth and all of its ugly inconveniences.

The sex they had was exciting, and April hadn’t had an orgasm like that in ages. Not with a partner around, anyway. She wondered if the delight from the chase was making her more attracted to the stranger or if her attraction to him was making it more exciting to be on such a sudden adventure. Or even from them working in tandem.

The boat blasted forward with Gripp at the helm, water crashing against the sides with a mighty force. April couldn’t help but watch him, the way his muscles rippled through his shirt and the way his biceps flexed as he directed them toward their destination. She found herself licking her lips, wanting him again in the same way she had him last night.

Thinking about his conviction to go back to the children who had been kidnapped to work in the mines was a respectful act and also one that turned her on. There was nothing sexier than a man with compassion.

They arrived at a soggy and spotty marsh. That meant they had to walk again. April wasn’t out of shape, but the excitement and the stimulation of adrenaline in her were making her feel more exhausted than usual. She hoped that wherever they stayed for the night wasn’t far off.

“Got to hop out soon,” Gripp grunted.

He parked the boat along the marshland, then tied the frayed rope to a nearby branch. He sighed and placed his hands on his hips while April adjusted her backpack.

It was getting dark, the sun setting in the distance on the water, casting Gripp in a divine silhouette. April instinctively bit her lip, feeling the urge to clamp her thighs together.

This is the absolute worst time and place to get wet, honey. What is wrong with me?

She cleared her throat when he nearly caught her looking him up and down.

“Let’s hope the rope holds,” he said, voice deep and gravelly. “Just in case we need to head back, for whatever reason.”

April nodded, fearing that her expression would betray her.

Gripp picked up his backpack and set out along a trail, muttering as the sun dipped below the horizon.

“We’ll have to walk for a bit,” he said. “There should be a hut or two out here that we can hide out in for a while.”

April nodded again and followed along behind him.

“You know this place well, don’t you?” she asked.

Gripp nodded.

“I grew up here. It’s strange how it all comes back to you.”

April sauntered up next to him, having to gaze up to meet his face. The sun was still setting, so a sliver of light ran along their feet so they could see where they were going. He still somehow managed to look hot after rushing around all day, his curly hair disheveled and pushed back by sweat.

“It must be strange,” she said.

April intuited that she shouldn’t inquire deeper. The man was a vault and probably hadn’t spoken to a woman about anything deep in a long time. Or anything at all, for a while.

---