Page 37 of Stains of Desire
Hunter has Vanessa in his arms, and they step out of the jungle and approach us.
Hunter asks, "Breakfast?"
"Yep. The ladies practically begged to make it, so who are we to deny them?" Ryker grins.
"Really?" Vanessa asks.
Julieta rolls her eyes. "More like we didn't choose the correct option."
"The correct option?"
"We had to pick whether we were eating pancakes or something Dirk caught for breakfast."
"Dirk?"
"He's big into fresh meat," Malin explains.
"Oh. Can I just say I'm relieved that means we're having pancakes?"
I slap a bug on my arm. "Agreed. I'm tired of jungle food."
"Can I help?" Vanessa asks.
"I think we have it handled, but pull up a stump and stay. We can chat." Julieta wiggles her eyebrows.
A light flush fills Vanessa's face.
Ryker snorts.
Hunter sets her on the ground and takes his flip-flops out. "Someone needs to go to town and get the ladies some essentials."
"I'm sure Andre will let us go," Ryker replies. "He hasn't come out yet."
Axel stands. "Have a seat, Vanessa. Hunter, we need to talk in private." He winks at me, and my insides flutter.
"Thanks." She sits.
The four men step far enough away we can't hear.
"So. How was your night?" Julieta smirks at Vanessa.
"I don't have any complaints. Do you have any?"
Julieta snorts. "I bet you don't."
Vanessa digs into Hunter's bag. "Nope. Slept like a baby. You?"
"Umm, would you call that sleep?" Julieta teases.
Vanessa shrugs and removes a comb then uses it to detangle her wet hair. "Best kind in my book. Okay, Hunter needs to use conditioner."
"Not everyone is as up to date on women's grooming supplies as Santiago Gómez," I huff.
Vanessa shudders. Julieta cringes.
"Hey, did you find out where they are supposed to be taking us?" Vanessa asks.
Julieta and I shake our heads.
