Shadows of the Mountain Read online

  She edged around an outcrop of rock and stared up. The walls were rocky but steep and sharply angled. Her ex-boyfriend had been a world-class climber but even Andrew would have needed equipment to scale this wall. Someone like her could never manage.

  “Can you climb out?” Jack repeated.

  She shook her head, even though he couldn’t see her. But there was no way she could climb that high. “No,” she said.

  “Is there anything in there? Anything we can use?”

  She circled around the small cave, flicking the light back and forth over the rock. “Just a little wood and some charred logs” she said. Nothing of use. A fire would only serve as a beacon for Logan.

  “It’s a pretty cave though,” she added. “Wish you could see it. Maybe you can fit.”

  She assessed the crack with hopeful eyes, shining the light from top to bottom. But the crack was too narrow. Barely eight inches. It seemed impossible she’d managed to wiggle through. And she was hit with the fear she’d never get back to Jack. That they’d be forever separated by a rock wall, with only their voices for company.

  “I’m coming back now.” She shoved her arm into the crevice and reached out. For a paralyzing second, she felt nothing but space. Then his strong grip encased her hand and her heart kicked with relief. She let out a deep breath, wiggled sideways and let him tug her safely to the other side.

  Emotion propelled her forward and she landed against his chest, her arms reaching up and wrapping around his neck.

  “I’m cold,” she said, covering her reaction. “That other cave is much warmer.”

  His arms tightened, keeping her against him even though she had no desire to move any time soon. “It’s probably fifty degrees here,” he said. “Next time we come, it’ll be in style. In the meantime, I’ll share all my protein bars. Even the chocolate ones.”

  “Water too?”

  “Absolutely,” he said, his voice smiling.

  He pried the light from her hands, but kept his arm around her waist as he guided her back to the front of the cave. He switched off the light a prudent distance from the opening. She wished it could stay on but knew they didn’t want to announce their location. Besides, it was a positive sign he was trying to save the battery. As if he really believed they’d be able to climb high enough to find phone reception.

  “Let’s see what we have for supplies,” he said.

  She sat down and tugged off her boots, giving her toes a grateful wiggle. Then reached into her backpack and pulled out the contents: matches, fire starter, protein bars, jackknife, a ball of twine, wool socks, two full water bottles, three bandages, a garbage bag and a pink roll of vet wrap.

  He was already opening the saddlebags but paused, his smile widening when he spotted the range of her offerings. “Perfect,” he said, tossing her a rolled blanket. “Now we have a ground sheet as well as a blanket.”

  She sighed with pleasure, cradling the wool blanket against her chest. She’d spent many long nights in the woods, staying warm with only a thin survival blanket. A wool blanket and a garbage bag were total luxury. And then she spotted two pita sandwiches and couldn’t stop grinning. She’d expected only a power bar for supper, maybe two if they splurged. But the prospect of real food sent her scrambling to her feet.

  She dropped the blanket and scooped up a wrap, peering delightedly at the contents. “Oh, wow! Cheese and ham. My favorite.”

  She gave an ecstatic grin, then stilled. He was staring at her with the strangest expression. And then she realized her mistake—he’d only offered to share the protein bars. Not his pita wraps.

  She quickly placed it back down. Obviously he needed more food than she did. Besides, Jack had been carrying the saddlebags and had pretty much pushed her halfway up a mountain. He was the important one.

  “I just need a protein bar,” she said, miserable that she was such a liability. He could have moved faster alone, would have been able to climb higher. Once, she might have been able to hold her own. Well, not compared to him because clearly he was a super stud. But before the accident, she could have contributed more. Would have been a bigger help in keeping Courtney safe.

  “I’m not even that hungry,” she added, scooping up a protein bar, but this time making sure it was one that had come from her own pocket.

  She didn’t see him move—still wasn’t used to his uncanny quickness. But his arms banded around her. “You’re so big-hearted,” he muttered. “So kind. And so goddamn brave.”

  Her jaw dropped. She was so stunned she just stood there, staring. It wasn’t only his words but the emotion in his voice. Then his head dipped, his mouth claiming hers, and she guessed maybe he’d intended to share his food after all. But right now it was obvious he had a different kind of hunger.

  He’d kissed her last night but that had been a polite parlor kiss compared to this. She hadn’t even realized the extent of his restraint. It was a good thing he hadn’t done this with his mouth on the dance floor. She would have melted, and it wouldn’t have mattered if her boss or Allie or any of her other co-workers had been watching. Right now, Jack was her focal point. The only person who mattered.

  He’d tilted her back so he had full access to her mouth, his lips taking possession, taking control. His fingers splayed over her back, urging her closer. His big hand slid beneath her shirt, sliding over her rib cage and higher. He cupped her breast, the hard calluses on his palm igniting her nerve endings, sending shivers of delight shooting to her core.

  She felt her bra release, her shirt tugged away. Cool air brushed her nipples, quickly replaced by a rasp of stubble, then his warm mouth. And she was no longer cold. She was burning up, heady with need. It felt like he had two mouths and four hands and he was using every one of them. And when he wedged his hard thigh between her legs, she arched against him, making a sound of suppressed need.

  “Drop your jeans, Kate,” he said, his voice a husky whisper.

  But she was much more intent on his jeans, her hands already fumbling with his belt buckle. And then he jutted free, so big and rampantly male she shivered with arousal. Maybe it was his experience with strip searches or the fact that he was remarkably adept at everything he did, but he didn’t wait for her to unzip her pants. He had her naked and flat on her back in less than a minute, no help required. His mouth slanted back down, his tongue dancing erotically with hers, even as his hand slipped between her bare thighs, a tease of finger and thumb that sent moisture pooling between her legs.

  She arched against him, her sensitive breasts pressing against the wall of his chest, aching for fulfillment. He entered her quickly, not a slow tentative thrust, but hard and bold, pumping with powerful strokes, one hand tunneled through her hair, holding her in place, while the other cupped her breast.

  She knew she wouldn’t last long, not the way he was making her body clench and burn. But it didn’t matter. Her only regret was that they only had this one night. And even that wasn’t a regret. Not here. Not now.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  JACK SLID HIS HAND along the curve of Kate’s bare hip, keeping them skin to skin, their legs entwined. She felt relaxed after their lovemaking—so different from earlier today—and he didn’t want to move. Wanted to banish that fear in her eyes that she tried so valiantly to hide. At least, for the moment, he could make her feel safe.

  “Warm enough?” he whispered, tucking the wool blanket around her before pressing another kiss against her smooth cheek. He couldn’t keep his hands off her. Or his mouth. They’d have to sit up sometime and eat supper, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to be the first to move.

  She gave a throaty sigh, the sound of a woman well satisfied. He liked hearing that, appreciated wordless sounds much more than uncomfortable pillow talk. Women were usually overly keen to talk after sex anyway. Asking questions about his feelings, their possible future, and whether he ever considered moving into town. That kind of talk always made him bolt.

  He definitely shied away from women
who wanted directions to his ranch. His home was his refuge, where only dogs, horses, and select friends were welcome. He saw enough people when he was working. His parents had felt the same way, finding peace with nature, not in random hordes of noisy people.

  But he wanted Kate to see his ranch. Wanted her to laugh at Suds’ trick with the beer, to meet his dogs and horses, to do more than visit. She’d love the trails, and they could hike and ride and climb. It was obvious she loved the outdoors as much as he did. She was definitely his kind of woman, and he wanted to share his space with her. Wanted to share everything.

  Yet she was so quiet. Not saying a word. Perversely he wanted to talk. Wanted her to question his feelings, his intentions. To compare scars, both the superficial and the hidden, and maybe forget for a few hours that they were being pursued. But other than the scream of a distant mountain lion, the cave remained silent.

  And that was okay. He could open up first. He pulled in a breath and propped on an elbow. “I wanted this from the first moment we met,” he confided, tracing a finger over the swell of her breast.

  She gave a little laugh. “You don’t have to say that. Obviously you want to have sex with a lot of your dance partners. I understand the situation. We’re stuck together. This sort of thing happens.”

  His finger stilled. Was she brushing him off?

  “I’ve certainly been stuck with other people before,” he said. “But I never felt like this. Never did this with them. And the dance hall wasn’t where we first met.”

  She gave a little snort, almost of disbelief. “The first time we met I came from the kitchen. Wearing a very unattractive hairnet.”

  “But I was still attracted,” he said, surprised she wasn’t taking him seriously.

  “You were probably hoping I could cook,” she said lightly. “And let’s not forget how easily you walked away at the dance hall. It was your job to scope everyone out. You don’t have to pretend there was an instant attraction just because we had sex.” She gave him a playful jab in the arm. “Even though it was really great.”

  She was still naked in his arms, but her emotions were definitely leashed. Making it easy for them to both pull on their pants and move on. Normally he’d appreciate that type of reaction, be grateful even. But not this time. Possibly it was the gravity of their situation but it was important she understand how he felt. Now. While he had the chance to tell her.

  “I didn’t want to leave that night,” he said, leaning over and studying her face. “But I was on a job. I couldn’t afford to be distracted. I always intended to call when it was over.”

  Her laugh sounded brittle. “You didn’t even put my number in your phone. If I hadn’t been assigned to Courtney’s trail ride, we never would have spoken again. And honestly, that’s fine. We have more important things to worry about.”

  That was certainly true but he knew enough about women to realize that walking away from her in the dance hall had mattered. “Believe me,” he said. “I was going to call.”

  “Super,” she said. “But I’d rather talk about what we’re going to do tomorrow. Everything else can wait.”

  The finality in her voice showed she was truly finished talking. Obviously she didn’t open up or give her trust easily. Kessler hadn’t revealed much about Kate, only that her last employer had provided glowing references and that they’d been devastated when she’d resigned. Monty had been the only one who’d mentioned the mountain wreck. Kate obviously preferred to avoid the subject. Understandable.

  Besides, she was right. It was more important to talk about their escape strategy.

  “Okay,” he said slowly. “Tomorrow we’re going to climb higher, keep them chasing us. And try to find a cell phone signal. Monty should reach the fire tower by mid-morning. Once the command centre receives his call for help, it won’t take long for them to have helicopters all over the area.”

  “Do you think Logan is going to believe Courtney can climb like that?” she asked. “He doesn’t seem to have much respect for women.”

  That was an understatement. The man had been fawning when the girls were around but rather contemptuous in private. Logan had constantly referred to Kate as the mule girl and, even more infuriating, the fuckable cook.

  “He might suspect we split up,” Jack admitted. “As long as he doesn’t realize it was back at camp, we’re good.”

  At least Courtney was good. He and Kate were still in danger.

  Though he wished Kate was safe back at the ranch, the selfish part of him was glad she’d been a last-minute replacement. Kessler had been ambivalent about her inclusion, but the ranch owner had lauded her experience as well as her ability to be discreet. Kessler confided he’d been swayed after Kate’s glowing background check, as well as the fact that they had two experienced agents and a former SEAL on the ride. They needed a woman, not another guard.

  Now Kessler was dead and Courtney was on the run without a single bodyguard by her side. Strange how things worked out.

  “I have contour maps loaded on my phone,” Jack went on. “And I can use my belt and the reins to make a rope. But we have to climb higher. It’s the only way.” He realized he was squeezing her a little too hard and concentrated on loosening his arms. But he hated the thought of asking her to climb without proper equipment. She didn’t seem to have much of a knack for it. And rifle fire always made things trickier.

  “How much ammunition do you have?” she asked, wiggling out of his arms and fumbling for their clothes.

  “Enough.” Not much. Only the ten round mag in his gun and the single bullet in the chamber. Logan had planned every detail, ensuring he removed all the ammunition as well as the radio. And Kessler had unwittingly helped carry the gear while Jack had been distracted, making luncheon wraps and worrying about Kate.

  Logan might not be certain of Jack’s ammunition though. It would have been hard to carry the loaded panniers after he’d killed Kessler. He would have made sure he took the radio.

  Jack sat up, watching Kate as she organized their scattered clothing. Admiring how the moonlight caressed her skin was preferable to analyzing Logan’s actions. But while he didn’t want to dredge up the horror of Kessler’s death, it was critical to know if Logan had carried away both panniers.

  He rose and helped fasten the clasp on her bra, then tugged on his jeans.

  “You were hidden, waiting until Logan left Kessler, correct?” he asked.

  “Yes.” She pulled on her shirt. The hem barely covered the top of her thighs. Damn, she had beautiful legs. Sleek and toned and fit, and they’d fit around his hips like she’d been built to ride.

  He yanked his eyes back to her face. “I need you to tell me everything Logan did...afterwards.”

  “Why? What does it matter?”

  The ammunition was in both sides of the panniers. Logan might assume Jack had recovered it. If so, Logan might not be so keen to storm their position. That would buy valuable time. But Jack didn’t want to put false ideas in Kate’s head. It was difficult for civilians to recall details, and often witnesses tried too hard to remember. But first impressions were usually correct, even if incomplete.

  “Just tell me what Logan did,” he said gently.

  “He didn’t do anything,” Kate muttered. “He turned and walked into the woods.”

  “Did he pick up anything?” Jack kept his eyes locked on her face, searching for that flash of recollection. Some people remembered images vividly, others stored their memories in words. He was betting Kate was an image person.

  But he couldn’t see her face, not the way she kept her head bent while she buttoned her shirt. Not buttoning...fumbling. His attention locked on her fingers. She wasn’t actually doing anything with her shirt; she was just playing with the buttons. Hiding her expression.

  That was when he felt his first prick of unease.

  They’d never discussed Kessler’s murder. She’d been traumatized and figuring out how to whisk Courtney to safety had been his biggest conc
ern. But it was odd how she refused to look at him now. As if she were hiding something. And she wasn’t usually an evasive person.

  “I just need to know what Logan took with him,” Jack said, fighting his urge to reach out and help button her shirt. “Logan had the knife in one hand. What did he carry away? Did he take both packs?”

  “I don’t remember.” Her head remained bent, her voice muffled.

  “Did he have a sheath for his knife?” Jack asked. “Or did he take it from Kessler’s pack?” Logan might have been able to carry two panniers, but not if he bolted with a knife in his hand. And he wouldn’t have been stupid enough to leave the murder weapon.

  “This is important,” Jack went on. “Do you remember if he left a pack? Or did he combine the ammunition in the radio canister? Did he put the knife in there too?”

  “He wiped the knife on Kessler’s shirt,” Kate said. She was silent for a moment. She still hadn’t made any headway with her buttons, and her bra gleamed whitely in the night. “There was blood,” she said. “Blood everywhere. It wouldn’t come off. Spatter was stuck around the handle...everywhere.”

  “So you saw the knife? Logan left it?”

  “No, I was hiding. I was sc-scared.”

  “Of course you were.” He reached out and clasped her hands. He should have known it was too much to ask. She wasn’t used to witnessing such brutality. Even hardened SEALs forgot details, the mind conveniently locking out the horrors.

  “He put the knife in the pack,” she said. “The hard pannier with the lock and orange nylon straps. Then he dumped the ammunition on top, along with Kessler’s gun. It didn’t all fit, but he put the pack over his shoulders and he carried the shotgun and panniers in his arms. He didn’t leave anything for me.”

  Jack’s fingers tightened over her hands. This was helpful. Not good news but still helpful. Kate had been in shock when she bolted into camp; he’d thought it would be difficult for her to remember. It was unfortunate Logan had taken all the ammunition but it reinforced how thoroughly the job had been planned. Everything had fallen into place, from Courtney’s gluten attack to Kate leaving camp and Jack being stuck making lunch.