On the Hunt - Page 42

“I believe it’s a great idea that you let all the herders get to know you. I want them all to like you and realize why I brought you here. You seem to have quite a few good ideas.”

“You haven’t even addressed the best one yet.” He was staring intently into her eyes. “What comes next, Kira?”

She couldn’t look away from him. He was smiling quizzically at her and was everything that she desired at this moment. She could see how much he wanted her, and dear heavens she could feel the pulse pounding in her wrists and the way her breasts were taut and swelling with how much she wanted him. For tonight at least, she knew that she was going to do everything, take as much as she could from what he was offering her. She smiled brilliantly. “Then we’ll see where we go from there, Harlan.”

MAIN CAMPFIRE

FOUR HOURS LATER

“Have you noticed how good I’ve been?”

Kira looked up as Harlan smiled and knelt across the campfire from her. “Good?”

He nodded. “I’ve gotten to know most of your herder friends, and I believe they like me. I’ve let you ignore me most of the evening while they told me about their favorite horses and how much they admire your work. I’ve taken Mack for a walk around the camp to become very familiar with it.” He held up a bottle of red wine. “And I bribed Aban to find someone in camp who would sell me a bottle of fine wine. I’ve gotten pretty close to the end of the list. Don’t you think I should get a reward?”

She shook her head and smiled faintly. “Heavens, no. You would have done all that anyway. That’s what it means to be Jack Harlan. Almost from the moment I met you, I could tell you had to be the best, know more than anyone else, take the most chances. Ask anyone.”

He gave a mock sigh. “No reward?”

“I didn’t say that.” She got to her feet. “I’ve been watching you all evening and admiring the way you made yourself a star in Kalim’s desert firmament. I was just wondering who should receive the reward. After all, I brought you here.”

She turned on her heel and strode away from the fire. “And I was also thinking that I hoped when you took Mack for that walk, you found out where my tent is located.”

He was laughing. “Oh, yes. That was definitely one of the first things I noticed.”

But Kira was gone, streaking away from the main camp and toward her tent beside the lake.

She ducked into the tent a moment later and sat down near the door to wait for him. She was breathing hard. Her heart was pounding. He’d be here soon. In another few minutes. She lit her lamp, her gaze fixed on the tent opening. And then he was inside the door. She jumped to her feet and was in his arms.

She kissed him once. Twice.

“Well, hello,” he muttered, “I’m glad to see you, too.” He tried to pull her closer.

But she shook her head and pushed him away. “Not yet. I have something to say to you.”

“Not now.” He was pulling her down on the camp bed. “Unless it’s no, but I don’t think it is.” He cupped her face in his two hands as he whispered, “Because I don’t know if I can take it otherwise. I’ve discovered you’re like a fever…”

“You’re not listening to me, Harlan. I have to say this.” She turned her head away from him. “It’s not no,” she said jerkily. “I don’t know if it will ever be no when I’m with you. But you should realize you’re not under any obligation to me. You don’t owe me anything because I talked you into this partnership thinking I might need help.”

“What a relief.” He buried his lips in her throat. “I can’t tell you how I was worrying about the way you tricked me by offering me a fortune in gold and jewels. It was keeping me awake nights.”

“Shut up. I’m being serious. Ever since we came together, you’ve been helping me, saving me, stepping in when I most needed you. I’m the one who owes you. I just want you to know that I’m doing this because it’s what I want. If all you want is a one-night stand, then I’ll understand. I’m prepared for it.”

He lifted his head and gazed down at her. “Truly?”

She stiffened but then nodded. “I’m trying to be honest with you.” Then she stared into his eyes and said fiercely, “But to be honest, I have to tell you that I don’t like the idea, and I might try to change your mind. Because you make me feel… Oh, hell, I don’t know what you make me feel. But I had to warn you, because I don’t remember feeling like this ever before.” She pulled his head down and kissed him again. “Okay?”

“I’m duly warned.” His hands were on the top buttons of her shirt. “Now is it all right if I take your clothes off and get inside you? I want you so badly, you’re driving me crazy.”

“Oh, I’m so glad.” She was tearing off the rest of her clothes and pulling him down on her bed. “That’s exactly what I wanted.” She gasped as his hands caressed her stomach and slid lower. “Though I… did mean what I said… but I can’t think when you do… that.” She arched upward and then spasmed helplessly and gave a low moan at what his fingers were doing to her.

“Do you like it?” Harlan asked hoarsely. “Tell me. Let me hear the words.”

“You know I do, dammit…”

“Can you take more?” In an instant, he was on top of her and throbbing inside. He went deeper. “Oh, yes, you can take much more.” And then the rhythm started as he twisted back and forth inside her. She was burning, flexing, the rhythm going faster, building. Then she gasped again as he plunged deep. He pulled her on top of him and she began to ride him. She screamed as he went beyond deep inside her, his hands clenching her buttocks to hold her still. “That’s it! More…” he gasped with set teeth. “So damn good… Let me give you more.” He was moving deeper, fuller, with every word… “I want every bit of you…”

She was giving him every bit and beyond, she thought dazedly. It was too much. No, it could never be too much. Not when she was so close… Not when she was also taking this almost unbearable pleasure with every passing instant…