Free Paradise by Eileen Ann Brennan Page B

this.
    “You came for the tour even though your boyfriend bailed on you -- independence. You could have canceled, but you felt you had an obligation -- integrity. You didn’t like the idea of camping in a swamp, but because of the contest rules, you showed up anyway -- determination. When the storm came up, you hauled butt paddling so we wouldn’t get caught -- hard worker and team player.”
    “So why am I adventurous? I certainly haven’t shown any inclination to explore anything.”
    “Ahhh, but you have. That’s the most telling trait of all.” He hesitated and those caramel eyes bore right through her. “You’re exploring yourself.”
    She raised a questioning eyebrow, ignoring her heart thumping like a bunny’s back foot, and he continued. “When it became apparent you would be alone in the wild with a single man instead of a happily married couple, you could have balked and no one would have thought the worse of you. But instead, you went ahead with the trip. I’d say that’s pretty adventurous, wouldn’t you?”
    Under his gaze, a pulsing heat formed between her legs. As he pointed out, she was alone in the wild with a single man, a devastatingly attractive, half naked, single man who had been turning her insides to mush for the last few hours -- well, at least when he didn’t annoy the snot out of her.
    This was ridiculous. She had to stop reading sensuous meanings into everything he said. “Well, maybe,” she fumbled. “I really didn’t think I had a choice.”
    “Come to think of it, Nick did hustle us along, didn’t he? We’re both anxious to drum up more business through Channel Ten. I’m glad you decided to follow through. I’m really enjoying this.” He looked down at himself. “Despite the cold and the wet clothes.”

She followed his gaze. Whether from the drop in temperature or her unwavering scrutiny, his nipples tightened into erect buds before her eyes. She couldn’t look away. Thoughts of taking them into her mouth, licking them, nipping them danced across her mind. Horrified, she realized her breathing was erratic, and she wet her lips in anticipation. Eddie hadn’t moved a muscle. She sensed him watching her, waiting for her to do -- what?
    With a determination she didn’t possess, she ripped her gaze away from his chest, trying to recover her control. “It’s getting late, isn’t it?” she ventured. “Maybe we should go to bed.” She wanted to slap herself in the head at her poor choice of words. Her eyes darted to his. He stared at her, his golden eyes darkened and his lips parted.
    “You’re right. It is getting late,” he rasped. “Maybe we should go to bed.”
    Chapter Five
    Robbie lay curled in her sleeping bag as far from Eddie as possible. Her orange sweatshirt, wrapped around a pair of jeans, served as a pillow. The extra sleeping bag under her didn’t provide much padding, and she shifted again to get comfortable.
    This was all Leah’s fault, planting the idea of a fling, but who would have thought the opportunity would present itself so quickly? Fortunately, Tarzan was all business. But, oh he was a charmer. The type of guy who could never be serious about a woman. He must have a harem back in Tiny Town . That would have made Eddie perfect for a quick affair. Some hot, sensational, mind-blowing sex with him would make her forget that louse, Rick. How could she have thought he was hot? Compared to Eddie, he wasn’t even the same species. The kink in her side became impossible to ignore, and she rolled over again. Was that her imagination or did something bump the platform? She waited, her heart pounding wildly. Nothing. Her imagination had better settle on something else less stressful than bumps if she was to make it through the night.
    She sighed. When Eddie turned off the lantern, the darkness was total. No street lights, no McDonald’s signs, no nothing except complete blackness -- and cold. It was just too darned cold for April. Hey, What