All in all, this was quite a workout. Physical activity felt great after so many weeks of sitting around alone with her thoughts. Being lost in her own head was a scary place these days. She wanted to spend as little time there as possible. Outside, she could focus on the sounds of birds, the whistle of tree limbs in today’s hefty breeze-and thank God for the breeze that had kicked up an hour or so after they’d started this trek. She wasn’t sure she’d survive it otherwise. She could smell the damp earth sinking into her nostrils, feel her muscles tighten and ache from inactivity. It was awesome.
Dalton finally stopped after a couple hours, turned to her and pulled his backpack off, then reached in for two canteens.
“Water. Stay hydrated. Don’t drink too much.”
She unscrewed the lid and took a small sip, watching him as he rested against a wide fallen tree trunk. “This strikes me as survival training.”
He put his own canteen away, then hers. “You’re right. I’ve chased a few demons through jungle like this, or been chased by them.”
She imagined trying to run from demons out here in this tangled jungle, then shuddered at the possibility. “Do you think that could happen to us? Out here?”
“It’s possible. I can guarantee that if demons show up here, we won’t be standing still or fighting them within the confines of the house. Plus I’m going to want to lure them away from Georgie’s place.”
She nodded, looked down at her feet. “I understand.”
He tipped her chin with his fingers. “No, I don’t think you do. They won’t be coming just for you, Isabelle. They’ll be coming for me, too.”
She blinked. “You? Why would they want you? Why not just me? I’m who they want.”
He paused, his gaze so intense her body heated up a few more degrees.
“Because I’m a demon hunter and they want us all dead.”
“Oh. Of course.”
“Which means you need to familiarize yourself with the area. First, in case we have to set out in a hurry, and second, in case we get separated. I don’t want to worry about you getting lost out here. You need a sense of direction, to know where you’re going.”
“Does it matter which way I go if demons are chasing us?”
“Yeah, it does. You don’t want them hunting you down and trapping you in a corner, like a snake-infested swamp.”
“Oh. Good point.” That’s why he was the expert at this.
“I know this area; I’ve hiked it before. You don’t. You need to know the landmarks so you can find your way around.”
She nodded. “Okay.” She glanced around, but it all looked the same to her. Then again, she’d mapped desert regions before on a dig. She could do this. “I don’t suppose you have a GPS handy.”
“Actually I do have something that might help,” he said with a slight smile. “A couple units that will allow us to keep track of each other.”
“Handy.”
“Very. Plus comm units that we can use to stay in verbal contact.”
She was going to enjoy this. “You have all kinds of fun tech stuff.”
“Babe, you have no idea. Wait til we get to weapons.”
“Now I’m drooling.”
He laughed. “Come on, let’s get moving again.”
This time, she made note of where she was, where the sunlight filtered in through the treetops, tried to memorize twists and turns in the landscape of the path they traversed. Somehow, it made sense, at least to her, which was really all that mattered. But could she do this at night? She didn’t know, wouldn’t know until it came time to do it. But if she was on the run from demons, she’d damn well do whatever it took to get away.
She even knew when Dalton circled and headed back. By that time, she could have led them, and she bit back a triumphant squeal because she actually knew where she was going. He brought them around to the back of the house where they pulled off their muddy boots and soaked socks. Isabelle sat in a chair on the porch and watched him.
His shirt was soaked, clinging to his chest and back. Dirt smudged his face and his hair was dripping wet.
Oh, man, did he look sexy. She shook off the visual of licking the sweat beading against his neck.
“I’d say that’s enough for now,” Dalton said.
“I can do more.”
He shook his head. “It was a tough hike and you’re not used to the exercise. Go take a bath. Relax your muscles. There’ll be more to do tomorrow. I don’t need you so sore that you’re useless to me.”
She laughed, but didn’t argue. He was right. The last thing she wanted was to ache so much she’d have to spend several days laid up and unable to move. She went inside and turned on the water, opened the window over the tub to let the breeze through and pulled the shutters partway closed, then found some bath salts on the ledge. She poured them over the running water, then began to strip off her grimy clothes.
The bath was heaven. She sank in up to her neck and closed her eyes, letting the warm water loosen her tight muscles. She was so relaxed she almost fell asleep, until a strong gust of wind blew one of the shutters open. She sat up and started to close it, but glanced outside, realizing the bathroom overlooked the backyard. The window was just above the bathtub, so she could lie back and look outside. She eased the shutter partway closed, then leaned back, watching Dalton.
He had a long table outside on the patio, and spread across it were weapons that he had taken apart to clean.
He had taken his shirt off. Sweat poured off his back, running in rivers down the smooth muscles outlined there. He was tan, his shoulders broad, his waist slim, and when he turned around she sucked in her breath at the wide expanse of his chest, the sculpted abs and the fine line of dark hair sprinkled across his lower abs and disappearing into his pants.
The water in the tub was only lukewarm, but her body suddenly felt heated. She blew out a breath, knowing she should get out, but she couldn’t drag her gaze away from Dalton.
She might have been exhausted, but apparently he wasn’t. With every movement the muscles in his back rippled, showcasing his power.
Power. It sizzled around her. Like a jerk of lightning, she felt it enter her, in her veins, surging through her bloodstream. And with every sensation her gaze stayed riveted to Dalton.
Speaking of power … his was strong. Though yards and a building separated them, she felt it emanating from him. She wanted to touch him, run her hands down his back, lick the sweat from his body and absorb some of his power. She wanted to taste him, strip him naked and take him right there in the yard. Her breasts swelled, her nipples hardened, heat filled her. The more she watched, the more she knew she had to have him-right now. Even from in here she could smell him-the raw animal scent that drew her to him like a mating heat.
She rose from the tub and followed that scent, down the hall and out the back door, to the porch. She laid her hand on his shoulder. He pivoted with a smile, then his eyes widened, scanning her body.
“Isabelle. Jesus! What the hell are you doing?”
His gaze shot around the yard. Dammit, she wanted him looking at her.
“I want you.” She curled her fingers around his nape, pulled herself up against his body. Touching him was like drawing to a flame-agonizing, painful pleasure, but she sought it out, wanted more. “I need you.”
He reached for her arm. “Let’s go back inside. Now.”
She held firm, took his hand and laid it on her naked breast. The heat of him sizzled against her skin. Her heart pounded furiously against his palm; her nipple puckered against the deliciously rough calluses of his flesh. “Touch me, Dalton.”