Immortals After Dark 04 - Wicked Deeds on a Winters Night

the rain, the din of cicadas and frogs resounded in the underbrush all around them, forcing her to raise her voice. “Is it far?” When he shook his head, she said, “Then why do I have to hold your hand through the jungle? This path looks like a tractor busted through here.”
    “I went back this way while you ate to make sure everything was clear. Brought your things here, too,” he said as he steered her toward a lit cave entrance.
    When they crossed the threshold, wings flapped in the shadows, building to a furor before settling. Inside, a fire burned. Beside it, she saw he’d unpacked some of his things, and had made up one pallet. “Well, no one can call you a pessimist, MacRieve.” She yanked her hand from his. “ Deluded fits, though.”
    He merely leaned back against the wall, seeming content to watch her as she explored on her own. She’d read about this part of Guatemala and knew that here limestone caverns spread out underground like a vast web.
    Above them a cathedral ceiling soared, with stalactites jutting down. “What’s so special about this cave?”
    “Mine has bats.”
    She breathed, “If I stick with you, I’ll have nothing but the best.”
    “Bats mean fewer mosquitoes. And then there’s also the bathtub for you to enjoy.” He waved her attention to an area deeper within. A subterranean stream with a sandy beach meandered through the cavern. Her eyes widened. A small pool sat off to the side, not much larger than an oversize Jacuzzi, and laid out along its edge were her toiletries, her washcloth, and her towel. Her bag—filled with all of her clean clothes—was off just to the side.
    Mari cried out at the sight, doubling over to yank at her bootlaces. Freed of her boots, she hopped forward on one foot then the other as she snatched off her socks. She didn’t pause until she was about to start on the button fly of her shorts.
    She glanced up to find him watching her with a gleam of expectation in his eyes. “You will be leaving, of course.”
    “Or I could help you.”
    “I’ve had a bit of practice bathing myself and think I can stumble my way through this.”
    “But you’re tired. Why no’ let me help? Now that I’ve two hands again, I’m eager to use them.”
    “You give me privacy or I go without.”
    “Verra well.” He shrugged. “I’ll leave—because your going without is no’ an option. Call me if you need me.”
    Too easy . She knew he’d capitulated readily, but the call of the water was irresistible. She stripped, throwing her shorts, underthings, tank top, and used-up patch all into a pile to be put on the fire later. Then she stepped in, moaning with bliss.
    The water wasn’t hot, but it was lukewarm and felt delicious in the humid air of the cave. She ducked under, then swam up to the edge. He’d thought of everything—toothbrush, toothpaste, her shampoo and conditioner. She loaded her toothbrush, then brushed, lavishing every tooth.
    After that, she poured lotion soap into her washcloth and scrubbed it over every inch of her body. She’d just finished the second wash and rinse of her hair when MacRieve strolled in, barefoot and wearing nothing but a worn pair of jeans and the medallion at his neck.
    She ducked down until the water hit her neck. “You said I’d have privacy!” she sputtered. “You promised.” She was by no means a shy person, but she also didn’t see any reason to tease him with the goods he would never be getting.
    “Aye, and I kept my promise.” In the firelight, she saw his chest was massive and sculpted, dusted with the lightest smattering of golden hair against his tanned skin. “There’s no way the others will be able to see you.”
    “You know I meant privacy from you.”
    He frowned, as if she spoke nonsense. “Mates have a different concept of privacy,” he said, smoothly stripping himself of his jeans, leaving that spectacular body completely unclothed.
    Dumbstruck, she was unable to do anything but stare at the expanse of skin and rippling muscles. Her gaze dipped lower, past his chiseled torso to the trail of darker hair below his navel. In a kind of daze, she found her eyes following it down to his huge erection.
    She’d felt how large he was but was still unprepared to witness his size. With every second she gaped, his penis grew harder, distending before her eyes. His breaths were coming faster, yet she couldn’t seem to look away.
    The broad head that she’d once briefly stroked grew slick, and