After what seemed like hours we came up for air. The rapid pounding of my heart was a cadence that filled the silence, and it was accompanied by the heated rush of blood through my system.
The full moon might have passed, but the fever still burned in my veins. An indicator, perhaps, that while sex had been on the menu during the eight days I couldn't remember, satisfaction had been absent.
But I was not ruled by my hormones—at least not until the moon was full. I might want this big, strong shifter, but not enough to take what was being offered right here and now.
That could come later, when we were out of the woods—literally and figuratively.
I pulled out of his arms and stepped back. "We'd best walk in the water for a while, to throw them off our scent."
The smile that tugged his lips was decidedly sensual. "Upstream, not down."
I raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Because most people would take the easy way and go downstream, and that's probably what they'd expect of us."
"I guess that's a good enough reason."
He nodded. "When the water gets too cold for your feet, climb onto my back."
"I'm shifting to my wolf shape."
He shrugged. "The offer's there when you need it."
"Thanks."
His eyes twinkled. "Never had a naked woman ride my alternate shape before. It's rather… erotic."
I grinned. "So Lady Godiva wasn't as stupid as I thought?"
"Not if that horse of hers was a shifter."
My gaze drifted downward, coming to rest on the tent pole he had going. That would certainly explain the silly woman's satisfied smile. I waved a hand toward the river. "After you."
He shifted shape, waited until I'd done the same, then led the way upstream. We walked through the remainder of the night. When the icy water became too much for my paws, I shifted shape and climbed onto Kade's back, moving in rhythm with him as he picked his way through the rock-strewn stream.
Dawn was beginning to taint the sky with flags of rose and gold when we finally left the stream. Kade walked to the edge of an outcropping of rock. Before us stretched a tree-filled valley, and nestled in its heart was a small town. The drop down to that town had my stomach flip-flopping, and I slid off his back, barely keeping my legs from buckling as I staggered away from the edge.
Kade shifted to human form. "You okay?"
I took several deep breaths, then nodded. "I hate heights." And cliff tops, thanks to the fact I was thrown off one when I was a pup.
He motioned down to the town I could no longer see. "Recognize it?"
"Not in the least. You?"
He didn't answer directly, just frowned. "Are those specks soaring above the town eagles?"
I watched the two brown shapes, sensing nothing more than ordinary eagles. But, given the distance, that wasn't surprising. We couldn't afford to presume anything was as it appeared when we were still so close to that complex. "They may be shifters. They may be watching all the towns near the complex."
He gaze narrowed a little, but again, he didn't voice his suspicions. "So we go around it and keep walking?"
"No. I really can't walk much farther. Not until I get some coffee, anyway." I edged closer, until I could see the town but not the actual drop. There was an iron-roofed house barely visible through the trees that had distinct possibilities.
"What about that one?" I said, pointing. "We should be able to make it down there without being seen."
"That's a good two hour walk, at least." His gaze rolled languidly down my body—a touch that wasn't a touch and yet one that made my toes curl. "You up to that?"
I'd already said I wasn't, but I couldn't exactly stay here, either. Or ask him to carry me—a horse would be too easily seen in the thinning trees. "I'm a wolf, and stronger than I look."
"I know." He grimaced and rubbed a hand across his ribs, though it was amusement rather than pain that shone in his brown eyes. "And I have the bruises to prove it."
A smile teased my lips. "Sorry, but I haven't had much experience riding stallions."
"Then that's something we'll definitely have to remedy."
Warmth fled like quicksilver through my veins. I raised an eyebrow and said, "And what if it takes more than one lesson?"
"Then I shall have to stay until you arc proficient."
Couldn't be sad about that. If nothing else, having Kade around for a while would have the added benefit of driving my brother crazy with lust. And after the teasing he'd been giving me about my love life—or lack thereof—he certainly deserved having mahogany perfection slapped in his face.
Kade led the way down the mountain, and I kept my gaze centered on his broad and muscular back. The sharp descent had my stomach wavering more than a few times, especially when I inadvertently glanced at the drop to the side of us. But I made it down without puking, and the sheer relief had me trembling.
Or maybe that was exhaustion settling in.
The sun had well and truly risen by the time we reached the house, and by then, feet felt like lead and every step was an effort.
Kade wasn't in much better shape. He leaned a brawny arm against a fence post, sweat gleaming on his forehead and cheeks as eyed the weatherboard house. "I can't hear anyone. Can you smell anyone?"
All I could smell was eucalyptus and sweat—his and mine. "No."
"I'll check the garage, you check the house."
I glanced up to insure none of those circling eagles were in sight, then unlatched the gate and stumbled to the nearest window. The room was pale yellow in color and dominated by a luxurious—and empty—bed. I almost wept at the sight. God, I needed to rest. Sleep.
I pushed away from the window and walked around to the back of the house. The door was locked. I felt around the frame, looked under the mat, and finally found the spare key under the blood-colored geraniums filling the window box.
The door creaked as I opened it. I winced, and didn't move. The old house was still, but not entirely quiet. A clock ticked steadily in one of the rooms, and the aroma of mothballs and lavender vied for attention on the air.
Kade came up behind me, pressing warmth into my spine as he stopped. "Anything?"
His breath caressed my ear, sending little shivers of delight lapping across my skin. My body might be exhausted, but my hormones certainly weren't. I shook my head and pulled away from him again. "You?"
"No car, and the garage doors don't look as if they've been opened for a few days."
"Then we might have found a refuge for a few hours."
"Hopefully." He took the key from me, then locked the door and hung the key on a handy nearby hook. "I don't think I could have walked much farther."
The first doorway off the small hall led into the kitchen. Kade went inside while I continued to explore. The house was small, little more than the kitchen, a living room, bathroom, and two bedrooms. All the walls were either pastel or covered in flowery wallpaper, and there was lace everywhere. Combined with the overwhelming scent of mothballs, it was pretty evident older people lived here—a fact backed up by the clothes I discovered hanging in the closet.
Still, thieves couldn't afford to be choosy.
I retraced my steps to the bathroom. After running the water to ensure it was hot, I jumped in the shower and cleaned myself up, feeling a hundred percent better once I had. I dried myself, then wrapped the towel around me, and returned to the kitchen.
"How do you like your coffee?" Kade said as I walked in.
"Hot, preferably."
His gaze skated down me, and a luscious smile teased his lips. "You smell almost edible." He poured hot water into two mugs, then slid one across to me.