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Nash
I knew what I was going to do the moment Makenna and I went into the cave, but I couldn’t stand not holding her one moment longer. Yeah I know, I was breaking my own rules. It wasn’t as if anyone was going to fire me. I was the boss, after all.
The lady was making me crazy. Absolutely bat shit, fucking crazy. At least by the time I got out of the water and headed toward camp, I had pulled myself together a little more. She’d felt something as well. I’d have to exercise more self-control until we got back to town, then I planned to have her in my bed.
We finished eating and cleaned our dishes, putting them away, then took a seat around the campfire. The nights were cooler, especially in the higher elevation. I didn’t feel cold at all, not when my gaze kept straying to Makenna. She’d changed back to her shorts and t-shirt. I couldn’t take my eyes off her as she ran her fingers through the long strands of her blonde hair. In the firelight, her hair was like a golden halo cast around her.
“When did you first find this place?” Jared asked.
I drew my attention back to the group when Don began to talk.
“There’s always been a tale of a land where the Indians lived in peace and harmony with the animals. The animals were their guides in life. It’s said they came from another place far away, beyond the stars. Then in death, when humans crossed over to the spirit world, they would be there to guide them. The people grew grains to feed their family, and they had more than enough fish. One day, a young warrior argued with one of the animals and he killed it. When he tasted the meat, and showed his family how good it was, the animals were slaughtered and eaten. It’s said the Great Spirit in the sky became angry and cursed the place where the tribe had lived in peace.”
“They created a story on the wall in the cave,” Makenna said with awe. “They were happy, then something happened and everyone started dying.” She looked at Don. “Do you think this is that place?”
He shrugged. “Who knows, but I’ve always felt different every time I’ve been here. You’ll not find any fish in the water either. I’ve never seen any wildlife here. Who knows, maybe it’s still cursed.”
“It’s a beautiful place,” I told them. “I don’t believe in curses.”
Everyone agreed it was beautiful. Scotty and Chris began to tell about some of the legends in Wyoming and kept everyone enthralled until bedtime. I continued to sit in front of the fire, legs outstretched as I watched Makenna walk to her tent. She had a nice sway to her hips. Not overly exaggerated.
Look at me. I willed her to turn around before she went inside.
She pulled the flap back and leaned down.
Look at me.
As if she’d forgotten something, she straightened and looked back toward the camp, her gaze colliding with mine.
Yeah, my smile was smug.
She frowned, then went inside.
It was just a matter of time.
Great, I probably wouldn’t sleep worth a damn tonight. My dreams would be filled with Makenna’s naked body pressed against mine. If Jared and Rachel hadn’t interrupted us, I had a feeling I would already know what it felt like to make love to her. She’d definitely been willing.
As I stood and went to my tent, I knew I’d have to take it slow. For all of her stubbornness, I sensed vulnerability. Her ex must’ve really done a number on her.
I went inside my tent and stripped down to my briefs, then crawled into bed. Don and I planned to start early in the morning. I yawned and closed my eyes. As I began to doze off, I wondered what Makenna would dream about. Our kiss?
I chuckled. Yeah, she wanted me.
I was definitely courting disaster. I pulled the cover up and released a deep sigh. I’d never been so grateful for the beds Makenna had brought until right now. It was a hell of a lot better than a sleeping bag. I yawned and closed my eyes, knowing my dreams would be filled with Makenna.
I was in the stage of sleep where my whole body had relaxed when the first rumble shook the ground around me. Even though I was still half asleep, I knew something was terribly wrong.
I jerked awake.
It was still dark outside.
Another rumble rocked the ground.
I grabbed my shorts and pulled them on, then rushed out of the tent, scanning the area. A cloud of dust came barreling toward us. “Get to the water,” I yelled.
Everyone had come out of their tent to see what the crashing noise had been. As we hurried toward the water, I looked at Don. Like me, he’d pulled on his shorts but hadn’t bothered with a shirt.
“Rock slide?” I asked.
His face was grim, but he glanced at the others before he returned his gaze to mine. “It would seem so.”
I knew there was more to it that he wasn’t telling me. What did he know that the rest of us didn’t? Dread filled me. There was one way in and one way out, except I had a feeling our one way out was no longer an option.