[Atlantean's Quest 02] Exodus (3 page)

Within twenty minutes everything was lifted on the guides’ backs and ready to go. Jac walked to where her pack sat on the ground and shoved the jerky and a couple of extra water bottles inside, before slinging it over her shoulders. She’d taken one step when her nipples beaded beneath her white't-shirt. Jac’s gaze shot up, she scanned the area to see who watched her. Xavier directed men into the jungle, his back turned to her. The men worked diligently, caught up in their tasks. No one seemed to notice Jac. Heat spread from her breasts, spiraling to her mound and over her clit.

Jac’s breath caught in her throat, her gaze zeroed in on the tree line. It felt as if she was being physically caressed, her nipples stroked. Her panties grew damp as her pussy moistened. Her clit ached and began to vibrate as if an invisible finger plucked it. Need flowed through her body, like flowing lava. Jac squeezed her legs together, stifling a moan, her heart slamming in her chest.

This isn’t possible. I’m imagining this.

But even as the thought tumbled from her head, she felt the familiar pleasure-pain begin to build. Breathing ragged, Jac clutched the pack as if the canvas bag could protect her from the unseen hands. Her knees wobbled, threatening to give out. The pressure increased, until Jac thought she couldn’t take a minute more. As if sensing her impending release the heated touch dissipated. Her body quaked.

Jac exhaled, her hands shaking, as relief mixed with a healthy dose of frustration, flooded her system. Whatever it was had stopped.

Suddenly as if reading her thoughts, a giant imaginary tongue licked her slit from end to end. Jac convulsed as the orgasm shattered her, knocking her legs out from under her and driving her to her knees.

She knelt on the ground, resting on all fours, desperately trying to catch her breath. Jac felt a brush of weight against her back, as if she were about to be savagely mounted. She knew no one was behind her, yet her muscles locked and she shuddered in anticipation. Her gaze bulleted to the jungle, Jac wasn’t sure what in the hell was going on, but she’d damn sure find out…as soon as she could function again.

Moments later, Jac pulled herself up and brushed off her legs. She glared at the trees as if the look alone would send a message. She scooped her pack from the ground and got in line with the men, who were now staring at her as if she were truly insane. None of the bastards had even bothered checking on her to make sure she was okay.

It’s comforting to know that I’m on my own…as always.

Monkeys scattered and screeched as she stepped into the rainforest. The air thickened in the shaded undergrowth. Red, green, and white parrots squawked and flapped their wings. Any other time she’d find their commotion irritating, but after what occurred in camp, Jac barely noticed. She focused on the trail in front of her, eyes peeled for any flash of movement.

She’d sent one of the guides ahead to search for signs of Rachel. He’d bring back information if he noticed anything out of the ordinary. Perspiration from the intense humidity dampened her shirt. Despite the heat, Jac rubbed her arms, in an attempt to ward away a chill. Something wasn’t right, but she couldn’t put her finger on what. She didn’t believe in ghosts—at least she hadn’t up until this moment—but she couldn’t think of any other explanation for what had occurred.

I’m not imagining this.

Jac slid her hand to the pistol and removed the safety. The next time the phantom visited, she’d be ready.

They marched through the rest of the morning, reaching the river at two o’clock, an hour behind schedule. Fortunately for Jac, the jungle had remained relatively quiet with no more unusual happenings. Upon reaching the water, the men inflated the canoes and settled the equipment inside, tying it securely. The current was swift, churning up sediment from the bottom, making visibility close to nil. Before pushing off from shore, Xavier ordered another guide to run ahead through the jungle to search for signs of Rumsinger’s party.

Jac was relegated to sharing a boat with Xavier. They paddled in silence for the first hour, the only sounds coming from the ripples the oars made when they sliced through the water and the occasional flap of wings overhead.

From the river, the jungle seemed different, somehow less threatening, as if viewing it from a distance kept the danger at bay. Jac relaxed for the first time since arriving and leaned back. She imagined having the flow of the water washing over her, cascading through her tired muscles and taking the tension from her body. Staring trance-like at the water, Jac watched as a pair of dark eyes surfaced about ten feet away. The black caiman watched them with the lazy appreciation of a predator sizing up a meal. Jac bolted upright and rowed hard. There couldn’t be enough distance between her and that leftover dinosaur.

They’d been on the river for a few hours, when the guide on land shouted that a track had been discovered. Jac’s heart raced, as thoughts of Rachel ran through her head. She wondered if the professor had fed her. Had she been tortured? Would they find her body tied to one of the trees?

No, no, no…in her mind Rachel was happy, healthy, and doing fine. She simply waited for Jac to find, rescue, and return her to her rightful place—New York.

The sun had set by the time the guide returned with news of Rumsinger’s safari. He had pitched camp about five miles away as the crow flies. Jac’s party couldn’t reach him before nightfall, so they’d have to camp here for the evening.

Jac didn’t like the idea of camping in the heart of the jungle, especially when the hair on the back of her neck had been standing on end for the past ten minutes, as if aware of a predator stalking the area. Her fight or flight response had kicked in and she couldn’t seem to shake the feeling of impending doom.

Jaclyn Monroe Ward, knock this shit off.

She wasn’t prone to normal female outbursts. Jac prided herself on the fact that she could at any given moment, behave exactly like a man. She’d had to, to survive in the corporate world of law, but this was different—it felt different. For the first time in her life, Jac knew she was up against something formidable and she had no way of predicting the outcome. And that fact alone freaked her out…and excited her.

The tents were set up within an hour and a fire had been built after clearing away some of the vegetation. Jac thought to protest to the crew about disturbing the plants, but since there hadn’t been an alternative she kept her mouth shut. After a dinner of fruits and dried meats, Jac headed straight to her tent, zipping the door closed behind her, desperate to escape the feeling of prying eyes upon her back. If she didn’t think he already considered her a freak, Jac would’ve invited Xavier to stay with her. Not for the sex, but for the company.

She hated to admit it, but she was scared. The faceless stranger at the creek had brought out emotions in Jac that she’d managed to keep tamped down for years, hidden even from her own mind. Primitive thoughts of being possessed completely by a dominating male, letting go of her hard won control, relinquishing her power, and allowing herself to feel, protected, cherished—loved. She’d fantasized about the stranger’s mouth, his spicy animalistic scent, and that incredible body ever since. Even though she hadn’t caught a glimpse of him, it was as if Jac held his invisible brand somewhere on her skin.

Jac removed the scarf from her neck. The unusual material had managed to keep her neck cool all day, despite the sudden spike in the afternoon temperature. Clouds were building on the horizon and it had looked as if they were in for one heck of a storm. In her tent, the air practically crackled with electricity. Jac rubbed away the sudden gooseflesh rising on her arms, determined to get some sleep tonight, come hell or high water.

* * * * *

Several hours later, Jac tossed the sleeping bag off her legs and tried to get comfortable. It had been raining off and on for most of the night. She readjusted the mosquito netting, throwing her arm over her eyes, and fell back to sleep. The invisible touch she’d felt this morning haunted her thoughts all the way into her dreams.

The image was fuzzy at first, then she recognized Xavier. He stood between her thighs, getting ready to lower his head to her aching pussy. Jac shifted, spreading her legs in anticipation. Suddenly his image was wretched aside, by one much more powerful. She blinked, trying to focus once more.

Tall and muscled, a dark stranger stood on a precipice, looking over his shoulder, his jade gaze intense, fierce, holding wicked promises of things to come. His expression was solemn, save for a sinful glint in his eyes. Black hair, the color of night, hung like a blanket to his trim waist. A loincloth hugged his well-developed ass, exposing his thick thighs and long legs. His large hand extended out to Jac, but yet he made no move to reach her. His massive body moved fluidly with the grace of a cat, as he turned to her. A few scars marred his beautiful chest, as if he’d battled many enemies and won.

Jac gasped at the beauty of his face.

Like an erotic fantasy come to life, he waited for her reaction. Jac’s eyes ran down the length of him, pausing at the bulge beneath his loincloth. Familiarity prickled at the back of her mind. She glanced up, her gaze locking with the stranger’s, drawing her near despite her efforts to resist. His power was palpable. His need tangible. Jac fought the urge to throw herself at his feet and beg him to fuck her. Her nipples engorged, as if her body recognized his, yet she knew she’d never seen him before.

Just as Jac was about to ask his name, the man smiled and then stuck out his six and a half inch tongue, rolling it provocatively, taunting her—reminding. Jac’s breathing seized, recognition slamming into her as if she’d been tackled from behind by a linebacker. Everything came back in a rush—the stream, the blindfold, endless orgasms, and that tongue. The stranger threw his head back and laughed. The deep rumbling sound sent delicious vibrations over her body, straight to her cunt.

Jac jackknifed up, her slender hands gripping the sides of the cot for support. Her breathing was labored and a thin sheen of sweat covered her skin. She blinked a couple of times as her mind scrambled to recall where she was. The green canvas walls of her tent came into focus. She could hear the steady patter of rain as it struck the canvas. Humidity embraced her like an old friend and animals stirred within the cover of the jungle.

She was alone. Always alone.

Her body continued to tingle from the vivid images. But that’s all it was…a dream. Jac pulled the mosquito netting apart and stood up. The phantom stranger had shaken her to the core. Logically, she knew he didn’t exist, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself from imagining what if. Jac looked down at her body, her nipples were erect, and she could feel her clit pulsing. There was no way in hell she’d fall back to sleep this aroused.

Jac rummaged through her bag and found her jack rabbit vibrator. She could care less if the guides could hear the steady buzzing coming from inside her tent. She needed some relief—now. Jac slipped the vibrator in place and turned it on, allowing the delicate rabbit ears to stimulate her clit while the dildo made slow, sensual circles inside her channel. She lay back on the cot, spreading her legs wide for maximum enjoyment, picturing the dark stranger’s amazing tongue.

It only took a few minutes of imagining the stranger’s mouth feasting upon her clit, the weight of his body spreading her as he impaled her with his impressive tongue, his lips practically rimming her anus, as he drove inside her velvet channel harder and harder, before Jac’s breathing deepened and she came hard.

Jac bit down on her lip to keep from crying out. Her skin heated from her release, blood rushed in her ears, pounding, muting the sounds around her. She inhaled deeply, enjoying the musky odor of sex wafting in the air.

She closed her eyes and once again saw the dark angel from her dream. This time his gaze held an unspoken promise. Jac shivered and got the distinct impression he was out there somewhere…waiting.

* * * * *

Ares had spent the night in a tree a hundred yards away. He’d awoken on occasion throughout the evening to reach out and touch Jac’s thoughts, projecting his own back. When his mind received the carnal pictures floating through her during dream state, he’d almost fallen from his perch. His cock still ached. The fact that she’d imagined Xavier getting ready to stroke inside her only made matters worse.

Anger over her mistaking him for another man fired Ares’s blood, so much so, he’d sent images of himself to taunt, tease, and remind her of what they’d shared yesterday. He’d expected shock, perhaps withdrawal, but hadn’t anticipated her acceptance, the insatiable hunger that lingered just below her cool surface. It took every fiber of Ares’s being to keep from going to her, but he wanted them deeper into the jungle, closer to the red devil he sought. Then when the moment was right, he’d claim her. In the meantime, he’d move to the other side of the river, where he’d be able to keep an eye on her canoe, and hopefully avoid temptation.

Ares made his way through the trees and across the water, before dawn. The foliage was less dense on the far side, so he’d have to be twice as vigilant to keep his presence hidden. He found a limb to wait on that allowed him clear access to Jac’s tent, then made himself comfortable and slept.

* * * * *

The next morning after breakfast they broke camp. Xavier directed the men in boats into the water, then turned to face Jac. “We should catch up with the professor tonight, if we’re lucky.”

Jac searched Xavier’s face, looking for any sign of deception. She really needed to find the bastard, rescue Rachel, and get the hell out of this jungle before her mind snapped completely.

“Luck has nothing to do with it. We’ll find that asshole even if we have to push forward in the dark.” She rolled her shoulders. “I’m not letting him get away.”

Xavier nodded and waited for Jac to step into the canoe before shoving off.

* * * * *

They had been paddling for seven hours when the first gunshot exploded from the rainforest. The guide in the front canoe screamed as a bullet ripped through him, tearing a hole into his side.