[Atlantean's Quest 02] Exodus (13 page)

“Fine,” with that said, Jac spun on her heels and stomped off toward the jungle.

“Until it’s completion you will make your home in Ares’s hut, as you’ve already seen fit to spread your thighs for him before,” the seer called out after her, amusement tinting her voice.

Jaw clenched, Jac stumbled at Ariel’s words, but kept walking. She bit back the urge to respond verbally, instead without looking back Jac raised her middle finger high in the air for all to see. Some things were universal. She was sure Ares had a smile planted on his arrogant, blatantly sexy face. Jac knew if she turned and saw it right now, she’d have to drop him like the bad habit he was becoming. She marched through the jungle for several hundred yards, anger slamming into her from all directions. She didn’t want to be responsible for anyone’s safety, much less Ares and Coridan.

Fuck Ariel.

Fuck her mental telepathy, X-files crap.

Fuck them all.

Ariel could shove it all up that perfect ass of hers.

Jac was tired of being manipulated. She didn’t even want to think about the fact she’d been the queen of manipulation back in New York, because that was different.
It was
! How it was different, wasn’t exactly clear at the moment, but it had to be. She’d never met anyone like this tribe’s seer. Any other time, Jac would respect a woman with that much beauty, power, and control.

Just not now, and—not her.

The bitch got on her nerves, always laying her long fingers on Ares’s arm, brushing against his chest, scoping out his cock beneath his loincloth, and undressing him with those freakish aqua eyes. Ariel was like a splinter working its way deeper and deeper under her skin. Well Jac knew what to do with splinters. If need be, she’d hack off her own damn finger.

Jac looked around to ensure her privacy. She could no longer see the clearing, only solid walls of green from the Jurassic growth. At any moment she expected to see a Tyrannosaurus Rex sticking its head through the trees. With her luck, the damn thing would look like Ariel. Jac approached a defenseless tree trunk and let loose. She kicked and jabbed, timing each strike, using precise movements, until her lungs labored to drag in a breath. Then she dropped and started doing pushups. Jac collapsed onto the jungle floor, careful not to crush the tender ferns dotting the ground.

Jac lay there for a few moments trying to catch her breath, then she sat up and started weeding the area around the roots of the plants. Whenever she got upset or confused, which wasn’t often because she prided herself on her control, she’d tend her plants. But since they weren’t here, she’d have to make do. And Brigit damn well better remember to water them.

By the time she’d finished, at least an hour had passed. Jac cleared the area around her of tangled growth. She rose and dusted off her hands on her shorts and started back to the compound. She’d stay, biding her time with Ares, until this stupid contest ended and then she was out of here—with or without Rachel.

She hated the fact playing house with Ares didn’t disturb her more, but always a realist, Jac simply accepted it for what it was— great sex, nothing more and she’d keep telling herself that until she believed it.

Jac wound her way back through the growth. Lianas curled across her path, twisting like giant snakes up into the trees. The air warmed, almost suffocating her in its intensity, but it never seemed to disturb the animals. Birds still sang their cheery songs. Monkeys howled and cried, leaping from branch to branch, using their hands, feet, and tails. Jac caught flashes of green, red, and orange among the leaves.

When she arrived at the compound, the smell of baking bread filled the air, causing Jac’s stomach to growl. A few half-naked women worked over a bench, rolling out dough. They glanced her way once or twice, but seemed to be trying hard not to stare.

She strolled over to them and the blonde women turned in unison to face her. Their aqua eyes were intense, curious—Stepford in Jac’s opinion.

Slightly embarrassed by her wayward thoughts, Jac stammered. “Do you think I might be able to…I mean would you mind if I…can I have a piece of bread, please?”

The women giggled behind their hands. One walked to the end of the bench and ripped off part of a loaf and then held it out to Jac.

Jac stepped forward, taking the warm bread from the woman’s hand. “Thanks a lot. I appreciate it.”

Jac held up the bread in salute, her mouth watered in anticipation, then took a big bite. The soft sweet grain melted, causing an explosion of flavor, light, airy, and utterly delicious, honeyed enough to be able to skip the butter. Not that Jac would put any on it. She avoided fatty foods if at all possible.

She looked around the campsite, wondering where Rachel had wandered off to. The well worn area appeared large enough for the whole tribe to gather in. Flowers perfumed the air, along with ginger plants. A long banquet sized table had been shoved to the side. Maybe these people had communal meals or rocking parties, too bad she wouldn’t be sticking around long enough to see one.

Jac shrugged, swallowing the bread and took a deep breath. She should probably go find Rachel and apologize for her outburst. As far as Jac was concerned, Rachel was the only one here that deserved an apology.

Her eyes scanned the area again. Everyone seemed to be missing, with the exception of the three women cooking. Maybe in the late morning everyone here took a siesta. If that was the case, then she didn’t want to disturb her friend, especially considering her delicate condition. Jac groaned, heaven help Ares if she ended up in the same state as Rachel. A baby was the last thing she needed right now. Make that
ever
.

Yet somewhere inside her, Jac’s heart held onto the smallest spark of hope that she carried Ares’s baby. She’d die before she admitted it to anyone, but it was there, buried inside, next to the pain of her father’s death. Jac took another bite of bread, but this time it tasted flavorless. She broke off pieces of it and tossed them at the edge of the jungle for the birds and monkeys.

She spun around to return to the hut Rachel had put her in when Ares walked into the clearing. His eyes smoldered, even from a distance. His muscles flexed and tensed as he approached. Black hair flowed down his back, glowing blue in the muted light, like a dark angel, a conqueror of old. His jade gaze held her, drew her like a moth to a flame. The slash of his sexy mouth reeked havoc on her senses. Jac imagined those firm lips teasing her nipples, searing her skin, sucking on her clit.

Jac’s wayward thoughts brought Ares’s cock to full attention, tightening to the point of pain beneath his loincloth. Her eyes trailed down the front of his chest like a sensuous caress, leaving him trembling with need. He licked his lips and allowed his hunger to show upon his face. She flushed. Although Ares doubted she recognized the sexual response. Her body betrayed her mind.

He’d given Jac the time she’d needed to process the challenge. Now he would lead her back to his hut, where the taming would continue. Ares looked forward to having her creamy skin below him, writhing, as he buried his staff in her waiting wetness. He could smell her arousal from here. And he burned from it. Relished it. Cherished every last second.

“I’ll take you to your new home.” His voice dared her to deny his words.

Jac opened her mouth, then clamped it shut. Ares smiled and clasped her hand in his, leading her down a tiny trail, not visible unless one knew where to search. He could feel the tension in her long fingertips; they throbbed beneath his touch, a delicate balance of anger and lust. He would make sure that lust won out this day.