“The bookcase.” I point to the massive bookcase. Just as I speak, shots ring out. No need to explain what I’m thinking to Max or Knox.
They get it.
Knox glances at the large bookcase and exchanges a look with Max. Max gives a nod. He steadies himself on his good leg and leans into the bookcase. The floor-to-ceiling bookcase scrapes over the floor.
I wouldn’t be able to make it budge, but the two of them get it shifted in place. While they do that, I do my part for our team.
Max is losing too much blood.
Working with a troop of monkeys on my back is challenging, but I use my teeth and rip off a strip of fabric from the hem of my shirt. Turning to Max, I tie it tight over his arm.
His smile is something else; talk about swoon worthy. Every girl should have a protector like Max, but not Max. He’s all mine. Or will be if we ever get out of here. I rip another section off the bottom of my shirt and tie it around the wetness covering his thigh.
Knox gives an approving nod as Max shifts his weight to the bad leg. A grimace fills his face, but he soldiers on. The three of us take off at a slow jog with me leading. I head to the western side of the building.
It’s not too far, and there’s no sound of pursuit behind us. At the very least, I hope half of Benefield’s men headed to the Oasis. We could use a break like that.
Knox isn’t happy with the direction I take or that I don’t stop to check before turning a corner. But we don’t have time to stop at every corridor or at every door. I barrel forward, more concerned with reaching the jungle than what I might run into ahead of us.
But I know Benefield. He’ll concentrate his men at the roads leading out. The jungle’s thick. Many say impassable, but I don’t believe them. If a group of pigs can make their way through, we can too.
Max and Knox jog behind me. Knox supports Max, whose breaths grow more labored as we turn into a back hall.
“Almost there.” I try to provide what encouragement I can.
“Hold up at the door, Eve. We’re not walking out into another mess.” Max speaks, issuing orders.
I hold up at the door. While Knox pushes it open, I turn my attention to Max.
“You’re bleeding.”
“Just a flesh wound.” He returns a cheeky grin. It’s meant to disarm me. To keep me from worrying, but I saw how hard it was for him to keep up.
I tighten the temporary bandage I put on his arm, then do something crazy. Lifting on tiptoe, I lean in and gently brush my lips against his. I know, it’s crazy, but I can’t help it. I want to feel far more than his lips on me. Then I wonder what the hell I’m doing.
I don’t know Max. He could be married with four kids, or dating some gorgeous woman. A man that looks like him can have any woman he wants.
Right when I pull away, feeling awkward for kissing my rescuer, his uninjured arm wraps around my waist and pulls me tight against his body. A low grown escapes him as his lips crash down on mine. Every nerve in my body takes notice as he bends down, strong and powerful despite his injuries, to kiss me back. My body thrums as he sucks on my lower lip.
I burn beneath the rush of his exhales, breaths turn ragged, not from pain, but from desire. His hot mouth comes with an expert tongue. He licks and nips, kisses and consumes.
My senses swim, taken over by his hunger, unprepared, but deliriously happy to know he wants me as much as I want him. The kiss deepens.
He deals relentless strokes of his tongue, demanding entrance to my mouth, until I give in and let him sweep me away. He’s not gentle or slow. Max takes, ravenously, and mercilessly, groaning with each breath.
Hungry and relentless, he takes my hesitant kiss and turns it into something else. My hands reach up to catch in his hair as my entire body trembles beneath the ferocity of a single kiss.
Each thrust of his tongue inside my mouth comes with a promise of something more. Heat simmers in my blood, burning my insides, and shaking the foundations of my world. I want what he promises in the thrusting of his tongue. I desire it like a madwoman driven drunk on lust.
My nerves sizzle as he shows me exactly what he wants. Holy hellfire. If this is what kisses feel like, what will the rest be like? A low moan escapes me as Knox interrupts the most perfect kiss in the world.
I swoon in Max’s arms as Knox clears his throat.
“If you don’t mind taking a moment from that lip lock, I’d like to get out of here.”
Max’s laugh is a low rumble. I think he’ll pull away, but I’m wrong. He tugs me even tighter against his body. My chest rises and falls with a shuddering breath. In his embrace, I feel fragile yet protected, grounded yet sublimely free.
Max ends the kiss. He cups the side of my face, sweeping his thumb along my jawline. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.” He looks down at me like he wants to hold me forever.
I’m cool with that. Then what he says makes it through the fog of my mind.
“You have?”
He leans down as I offer my mouth, pleading for him to kiss me again. Our current predicament aside, I never want this moment to end.
“From the very first time I saw you.” He shifts, testing his injured leg. “How far?”
That question isn’t for me. His attention swivels to Knox. This is when I think Max will release me, but he clings to me as if holding me in his arms is the most natural thing in the world for him to do.
Like this is where I belong.
That kiss, and the way Max holds me now, doesn’t faze Knox. He glances down at Max’s leg.
“Twenty yards to the vegetation. About the same until we’re covered. It’s either this or make our way back to the south side of the building and try to connect with the team.”
Whatever they decide, it needs to be quick. No doubt Benefield and his men are hot on our tail.
“We go for the jungle. Contact the team later. How are your eyes?”
His eyes?
That’s the weirdest question ever. “Functional, but it’ll take time to connect and upload.” Knox looks back outside. “Don’t know how that canopy out there will affect that.”
“We go and figure it out later.”
“Agreed.” Knox gives a little flick of his fingers, telling me to move away from Max’s side.
I don’t want to move. I like where I am. The heat of Max’s body sinks into me, and I have no intention of removing myself. Except, Max gives me a little push.
I wobble on my feet as Max shifts his weight. He lifts his arm. Not for me, but to drape it around Knox’s shoulder. I wish I was strong enough, big enough, to help, but there’s no way I can support Max.
Max gives me a long hard look. “You ready?”
“I am.”
“Once we’re out that door, you run.”
I nod, vigorously.
“You don’t stop. You don’t slow down, not for me. Not for Knox. You get to the trees. Head into the jungle. Run until you can’t run anymore.”
“I’m not leaving you.”
“You’ll do exactly as I say.” Max gives me a look that brooks no argument. “Follow the water. It will lead you to a trickle, then a stream. The stream will turn to a river. Follow the water and my team will find you.”
“What about you? I’m not leaving you behind.”
“I have no intention of being left behind, but if something should happen…”