Gripp

19

Gripp asked April to stay back while he checked out the hut. She did as he asked, again, which even she knew wasn’t particularly like her. Maybe she was starting to trust him already.

“All good,” he said, holding a hand out to her.

She frowned, then took it as she stepped down from the elevated hill. “What the hell are these used for?” April asked, trying to distract herself.

“Usually hunters when they watch out for alligators or crocodiles,” he remarked, taking off his backpack.

April reluctantly let go of his hand, feeling empty once he removed it.

“People hunt crocodiles out here, eh?” April said.

She made a mental note to remember that as Gripp planted his butt on the dirt mound within the tiny dwelling.

“It’s one of few sources of protein around here,” he said. “Trust me, once you get desperate, there isn’t much you wouldn’t eat out here.”

April sat next to him. There wasn’t much space in the hut, but she didn’t mind. Above them, vines of the mangoes hung like thick, protective spider legs.

April felt her essence blending with his, and she realized that she was starting to care about what he thought of her. She never really had time for men in her life, other than a few good romps in the sack to release the stress of her career. What they thought of her was even less important.

But their fingers touched again when Gripp removed some of the food the monk had given them. Their eyes met, and she felt a crackle inside her chest.

Her face was warm with a blush, and she quickly took the food and looked away.

“That makes sense,” she said, trying to gaze into the dark.

They ate the bread and raw vegetables, then her eyelids became heavy. She laid out the backpack and used it as a pillow.

She didn’t expect Gripp to take out a blanket and wrap it over her, then settle behind her to spoon her body. It made her heart pick up the pace again, and the urge to press her ass against his c**k was powerful.

“Get some sleep,” he said, then kissed her cheek.

Her body melted and froze at the same time. The kiss lingered until her body finally gave into rest, imagining them f*****g in such a small space. It would have to wait. They were both beyond fatigued. But that didn’t mean the thought didn’t tantalize her, lulling her into a dreamless sleep.

Gripp held her tightly against him, his hands resting on her hips as he, too, fell off to slumber without another word.

GRIPP

Gripp loved the way April felt pressed up against him in the tiny bed. He hadn’t been with a woman in a long time, physically as well as quite literally. He couldn’t stop thinking about the s*x they had. His fixation made sense, though, since no one had come close to touching him that way for ages.

She was a breath of fresh air, though, in many other ways to him. He was expecting some spoiled brat who had never gone for a walk in her bubbled-up Nerf gun life, but instead, he was moving through the islands with a fierce warrior. They were more like a team than a hero saving the damsel in distress, which was more in line with what he’d expected.

It made April stand out, her presence vibrating with every breath and movement. She was unbelievably sexy in her innovation, resourcefulness, and wild thirst for adventure.

It itched at Gripp’s brain a little to wonder what would happen once he got her home. Was it all just a fun experience that would win her a Pulitzer? Then he scolded himself for caring at all. She would likely go back to her family and never see him again.

When he woke from being curled against her in the hut, Gripp was surprised to find she was already awake. She had moved outside and was sitting up against a thick mangrove, scribbling furiously in one of her journals.

He could see her through the spaces of the trunks as he lay there, leaning up against the mound and admiring the bright look in her eyes. Of course, he caught a nice glimpse of her strong ass and muscular legs that peeked through the mangrove.

Gripp sighed to himself, rubbing at his pants so the growing erection would go away. Once he was satisfied, he sat up and crawled from the hut.

April didn’t look up when he came out and stretched with a loud, booming growl. She was swimming in the midst of creativity, undisturbed by even the slightest sight or sound.

A part of him wanted to leave her be, but he knew they had to get going soon.

“Good morning,” he whispered.

April looked up at him with a dazzling smile. It nearly made Gripp have to take a step back for a minute.

“Hey,” she said sweetly, then moved back to her journal. “Did you sleep okay?”

Gripp furrowed his brow as she continued writing quickly. Her question was amusing like they were on some vacation in the Caribbean rather than running from pissed off murderers.

“As well as someone can in a tight-ass hut,” he replied.

She let out a snort of laughter but continued to scribble in her notebook. Gripp sat close to her and crossed his arms, fascinated by her dedication.

“What are you writing?” he asked.

“Oh, just about everything that's happened,” she replied quickly. “I don’t want to forget anything once we get out of this.”

Gripp felt his heart sink in his chest, then immediately batted away the feeling. As he fought his emotions, he noticed a snake had curled beneath her feet, resting in her shadow for some shade. Then, he also noticed a turtle had done the same but a few feet away.

He was astonished by her lack of fear, or at least her willingness to summon the courage to face what frightened her in the first place.

Gripp nodded, trying not to seem too nosy.