Chapter Four

G ina, Trace, Jake, Shay, Ryder, and Olivia were designated Team A and ready to head into the jungle. The other competitors made up Team B. And just like in conditioning drills, the other group who didn’t mingle with the rest of them had all been placed on one team, while Gina and her pals had been placed on another.

Not that Gina was suspicious or anything. Much.

But it didn’t matter. She had competent teammates and she was tired of standing around hearing rules. Headset on, gun in hand, night-vision goggles placed on top of her head and ready, she was primed for some action, even if this was just a practice run.

“All right, teams,” Derek said. “Pay attention to each other, to your surroundings. And don’t forget to look out for demons at all times. You never know when one will spring up on you. Listen to my commands and when this exercise is over, report back immediately.”

Gina looked over at the other team who was poised at the line ready to head into their part of the jungle. Her team was going to smoke their asses.

“Ready and go!”

They charged off into the dark jungle with Trace at the lead. Since he was an experienced survivalist and tracker, they’d voted him group leader for tonight’s event. The path was marked with a series of torches and fluorescent, glow-in-the-dark tape to guide their way and indicate boundaries, but the further they trekked into the jungle, the harder it was to see. The torches grew more sparse, until she could see only one single light off in the far distance. As it was she could barely make out the other competitors, and in order to do so they had to stay right next to each other.

“I’d say it’s time for goggles,” Ryder suggested, bringing up the rear of their group.

“I agree,” Gina said. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I can’t see a damn thing. We can’t hunt if we’re standing on top of each other.”

“I’ve played this game before, or at least something similar. We gotta spread out or we’re sitting ducks,” Jake said.

“Okay, then we all agree,” Trace said. “Goggles on.”

Gina slipped the night-vision goggles in place. Much better. Green, but better. At least she could see something besides complete darkness now. Everything was three dimensional, so she could make out people from trees.

“Let’s spread out a bit,” Ryder suggested. “Keep your focus and your ears sharp for sounds of approaching demons. There are twigs and branches and fallen palms all over the jungle floor here, so we should be able to hear anyone approach.”

Gina couldn’t wait to head out on her own. They all shifted and spread outward. She kept her gun at chest level, primed and ready to fire the instant she came upon a moving target.

It didn’t take long. A shape moved out in front of a thick tree trunk in front of her. She aimed and fired a laser shot.

“Only ten points for that one, Gina, which means you didn’t hit a decent spot on that demon. Calm down, sharpen your focus, and aim higher.”

Derek’s voice piping in her ear. The laser must send the data to their computers instantly. “Got it.”

Pretty cool stuff, actually. Excited now, she headed out after the demon she’d shot at, tracking him east of their location. Her headset was filled with chatter from the other participants, Derek’s feedback on whether they’d hit or missed, and location information. Gina tuned it all out, focusing only on the demon she was tracking.

“Shit, he marked me. Sonofabitch came out of nowhere.”

Trace’s voice. Gina winced, knowing it could have easily been her. She started moving in circles, looking from side to side and turning around to make sure no one was behind her. The white shirts the competitors wore were easy to spot with the night-vision goggles, so she didn’t confuse them with demons.

Damn, these guys playing demons were good. But not that good, because there he was! She took off on a fast run and fired at his back, hitting him square on. He kept running, but she wasn’t about to let him get away this time. Despite the night and the goggles, she could see just fine, leaping over the obstacles in her path. She circled around a copse of trees directly ahead, figuring he was going to have to go either right or left around them, and hoping he’d go left.

He did, and ran straight into her. She hit him square in the chest.

“Kill points, Gina,” Derek said.

Resisting the urge to whoop for joy, she took off and headed back, on the hunt for more. She found one on Olivia’s tail, snuck up on him, and got him, too.

By the time the event was over and Derek called them back to camp, Gina had killed four demons. She was ecstatic and ready to burst with energy.

“How’d you do?” she asked Shay.

“One kill. One damn near got me, too, but I skirted away just in time.”

“I had two kills,” Olivia said. “And then one marked me after that, dammit. Didn’t even see him coming.”

“Two kills,” Ryder said, tossing his gun on the table.

“None,” Jake said, frowning.

So Gina had scored high points on the practice run. She resisted the urge to grin, but damn, it had felt good out there.

Derek clapped Ryder on the back as he walked by, and told Jake he’d do better tomorrow. He nodded to Olivia and Shay who were huddled together and said, “Nice job.”

Not a damn word to her. Nothing. What the hell? She’d scored the highest points out there and he hadn’t even looked in her direction.

“Okay, everyone,” Louis said. “Some of you did well, some of you need a little more practice. Get ready, because the real game begins tomorrow night. Think about your mistakes and make any adjustments necessary, because tomorrow they could result in your elimination. Have a good night.”

Gina turned in her gear and started to head to her bungalow, but this thing with Derek bothered her. She walked over to Derek, who stood alone repacking the gear.

“Well?” she asked.

Derek looked up, knowing exactly why Gina was there. The last thing he wanted was for her to get cocky and overconfident.

She was good. Damn good, in fact. But was it beginner’s luck, or did she really have the natural skills? Pushing her a little harder would tell. Rewarding her with lots of attagirls wouldn’t.

Firelight danced in the highlights of her hair, making it look alive, like golden snakes shimmered through it. Not that he noticed stuff like that or anything. “Well what?”

“What do you think?”

“About?”

She rolled her eyes. “I want your opinion about tonight.”

He knew what she was fishing for. “It was okay.”

“I scored high points.”

“Uh-huh. You got in some lucky shots. You still have a lot to work on.” He stepped around her and headed for his bungalow. He was tired, needed a shower and a drink.

After spending some time reviewing the schedule for tomorrow, he stripped and turned on the shower, groaning as the warm spray hit his sore muscles. The years were starting to take a toll on his body. He never used to ache like this, but after several days of pounding the sand and skirmishing with Gina and the rest of them, he felt every muscle and creaky joint screaming at him. He’d been pushing them, and himself, harder than he’d ever pushed before.

Despite the desire to linger for about an hour under the hot water, he washed, rinsed, and with a reluctant sigh, turned off the shower. Grabbing a towel, he wrapped it around his waist and decided a glass of whiskey was in order. Nothing like a good, old-fashioned painkiller.

When he stepped into the bedroom, he sucked in a breath of shock.

Gina was there, leaning casually against the partially open front door. Now this he didn’t need. He was wet, naked under his towel, and his cock lurched to life at the sight of her. Obviously that part of his body wasn’t aging as rapidly as the rest of him.

Her hair was unbound, still damp from her own shower and hugging her shoulders and breasts. She wore a skimpy little orange-flowered sundress that clung to her curves and did achy things to his balls. Not good. He really could use that drink about now.

“I didn’t hear you knock.”

“That’s because I didn’t.” She shut the door behind her and advanced into the room.

“Unless you’re here to throw me down on the bed and have your way with me, get out.”

She paused for a second and looked at his bed. Was she considering it? And what would he do if she was?

“Believe me, that’s the last thing I’d want to do with you.”

“Too bad. And here I am all clean and almost naked.”

She took a quick glance at his crotch before returning to his face. Okay, maybe not such a quick glance. More of a lingering one. One that made his dick notice how she was noticing.

“Derek, I’ve worked my butt off since the day I got here, but for some reason you’ve made it a point to dismiss everything I’ve accomplished. I’m sensing some lurking animosity here. Do you hate women in general or is it just me? Never mind. I already know the answer. What I want to know is why.”

If she had any idea what was going on under his towel she wouldn’t be asking that question. Thinking complex math calculations, he crossed to the nightstand and poured himself a half glass of whiskey, determined to ignore her. Downing the contents in one gulp, he turned and said, “I don’t hate women and I don’t hate you. Conversation over. Good night.”

Ignoring his dismissal, she pressed on. “I’ve decided you have some kind of Gina-hating chip on your shoulder that prevents you from telling me I did a good job, because you sure as hell don’t seem to have that problem with anyone else around here.”

What part of his good night didn’t she hear? He perched on the edge of the bed and poured another half glass. Anger dissipated erections, right? “You’re one of those feminists, aren’t you?”

“What?”

“One of those ‘all men hate women’ kind of women.”

“That’s ridiculous. And thanks. I’d love a drink. How kind of you to offer.” She walked over, took the glass from his hand, and downed it in one gulp, handing it back to him and resuming her pacing. “It’s clear that a capable woman threatens your masculinity.”

He set the glass on the table and stood. She made him dizzy tromping back and forth so he stepped in front of her, halting her progress. “You’re just used to having flunkies surrounding you and kissing your ass.”

Her eyes widened. “What?”

“You heard me. And it isn’t going to happen here, so you’d better get used to it. Out here you don’t have twenty assistants fawning behind you and drooling over every word you say.”

“That has nothing to do with what I’m talking about and you know it. And I never have anyone fawning over me, you idiot.”

“Bullshit. You’re a pampered princess and you just can’t handle not having a ‘Yes, Gina, whatever you say, Gina’ adoring puppy following you around telling you how wonderful you are.”

Her eyes glittered with anger. “You are such an asshole. You know nothing about me!”

“And you’re a prima donna. Would you mind getting the fuck out of my room? I’ve had just about enough of your mouth for the day.” And if she wasn’t going to use it for something useful, like wrapping it around the thick, hard part of him that ached like a sonofabitch, he really wanted her gone.

“And I’ve had just about enough of your arrogant attitude. I don’t know why I bothered coming here.” She palmed his chest and shoved him, hard. He hadn’t expected it and stumbled back. The towel came loose and fell to the floor and her gaze shot south, widening with distinct interest.

Ah, hell. Instinct roared to life and he grasped her wrists, but instead of dragging her to the door and throwing her out of his room like he should have, he jerked her against him, wrapped one arm around her back, and crushed his mouth against hers.

He knew she’d taste hot and spicy, like carnal pleasures he wanted and shouldn’t have. But he had no idea just how hot she’d be.

God, he burned. He should have never touched her, never tasted her. His cock lurched between them now that he didn’t have the towel to hold it back. She whimpered and tensed, almost as if she was trying to decide between shoving him again or melting into his arms. He didn’t know which way he wanted her to decide.

She melted. He drew her closer, deepening the kiss, sliding his tongue inside to taste the whiskey that lingered there while he moved one hand over her back, jerking her dress up to her waist and balling the material in his fist. The other hand glided over her ass, roaming casually over her soft skin.

Goddammit, she didn’t have any panties on. He groaned. She whimpered.

He was in deep, deep trouble here. He wanted this woman. Wanted her bad.

A roaring inferno reared up inside him. His blood churned and boiled, threatening to burst through his pores.

Her ass was firm and hot, and he couldn’t resist grasping one globe in his hand and pulling her closer. She raised her leg, wrapping it around his hip, positioning her sex against his raging hard-on and rocking against him. He could imagine the heat of her smooth, moist skin surrounding him. One thrust and he’d be inside her. One damn plunge and he could be buried deep in the fires of sweet heaven.

The scent of her drove him mad. Musky, aroused, coupled with a clean, citrus scent that was probably her shampoo or soap. He withdrew his mouth and dragged his tongue across her jawline and down her neck. Her pulse pounded erratically against his tongue, mimicking the crazy jackhammering of his heartbeat. He kissed his way down her collarbone and she shuddered when he dipped his tongue in the hollow there. He liked that, making her shudder.

And she didn’t say a word. Not a damn word. Thank God.

He traveled further, enjoying the exploration, listening to her rapid breathing, the way her body signaled response without her saying anything. He drew the strap of her sundress down to taste the swell of her breast.

Her heartbeat pounded against his lips. She panted as if she fought for breath, tangling her fingers in his hair, her nails digging in his scalp, not to pull him away, but to push him toward her breast.

Then she did speak. One word.

“Yes.”

Spoken in a harsh, desperate whisper.

Oh, yeah. He wanted her naked, spread-eagled, anticipating that first touch of his mouth. He wanted it all and he wanted it now.

“Please.”

The deep, throaty sound of her voice penetrated the haze of his lust. He felt the stroke of her hands at his shoulders and growled. This was going to happen. Right here, right now. He reached for the strap of her dress, drawing it further down.

“Derek, I knocked but you didn’t answer. If you have a minute…”

Sonofabitch! Lou!

He pushed away from Gina and snatched the towel, wrapping it around his waist.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Lou said, his face turning a deep crimson. “I’ve obviously interrupted.”

Gina jerked the strap of her dress back over her shoulder, shooting Derek a look of panic and regret before turning to Lou. “No, no, it’s all right. I was just…leaving.”

“That’s not necessary,” Lou said. “I can go.”

“No. I should. Really, I should.”

Without a backward glance toward Derek she dashed out the door and closed it firmly behind her.

His erection now sufficiently dead and buried, he grabbed a clean pair of pants from the floor, jerking the zipper up and turning around.

“I’m terribly sorry, Derek. I had no idea you and Gina were—”

“We aren’t. It just…happened.”

“Should I come back later?”

He wished Lou hadn’t shown up at all. “No. Now is fine. What do you need?”

“I just wanted you to look at the results from today. I really can leave if you’d like to—”

“Lou, it’s over, don’t worry about it. Now is fine.” He took the paper Lou handed him and sat at the desk, motioning Lou to the chair across from him. He stared at the sheet of paper, but the stats on there were a blur. His mind was still fully focused on Gina and it was going to take a few minutes to wipe the remnants of her from his mind.

Whatever had been about to happen between him and Gina was lost now. Whether that was a good thing or a bad thing he wasn’t sure and didn’t have time to think about.

Blowing out a frustrated breath, Derek stood and grabbed the whiskey, pouring himself another half glass, and sat down again. He stared at the amber contents, knowing it wouldn’t help one damn bit.

Talk about a massive clusterfuck. He had to get back on track and focus. Having sex with Gina would have been a colossal mistake. Shit was going to happen soon, and he had to remember he was here for one thing and one thing only.

Sex wasn’t that thing.

He still tasted her, smelled her, his balls were still throbbing with need; no amount of whiskey was going to make that go away.

“Okay, Lou, let’s talk about these numbers.”