WILD RAIN
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smaller with crooked trunks and branches that draped low to hang over the water.
“Aren’t there alligators and other reptilian things here?” Rachael asked. The roar of the river was deafening. The moist heat curled her hair even more, creating a mass of springy whorls and spirals. She had avoided the mangroves and swamps as much as possible along with all the other members of the group bringing medical aid. The edges of the river could be as dangerous as they were beautiful.
Rio waded out in the fast-moving water. “We’re going to swim, Rachael. Hopefully Tama’s potion will protect your leg from any further infection. I’m going to tie you to me, in case you get swept away by the current.”
“Are you crazy? We can’t swim in this.” She was horrified. In the dark, the river appeared swifter and more frightening than it had during the day. Or maybe without bandits rushing out of the forest it seemed more dangerous. “We have no choice if we’re going to get you to safety, Rachael. As long as he knows where you are, we’re handicapped. He’s mobile and we aren’t. I swear, I won’t let anything happen to you.”
She stared into his face. Into his eyes. Studied Ms firm jaw, the tiny lines etched into his rough features. Rachael lifted her hand and traced one small scar down low near his chin. “Lucky for you, I’m a heck of a swimmer.” She smiled at him, trusting him when she hadn’t trusted anyone for as long as she could remember. “My name is Rachael Lospostos, Rio. It isn’t really Smith.”
“Somehow I knew that already.” He kissed her upturned mouth gently. ‘Thank you. I know that wasn’t easy for
you.”
“It’s the least I could do when I got you into this mess.” Her dark eyes glinted with amusement. “You can kiss me again though. If I drown, I want to take the taste of your perfectly lovely mouth with me.”
“You know you’re distracting me. If we get eaten by an alligator, it’s your fault.”
188
Christine Feehan
“I heard they don’t like fast-moving water,” she said and fastened her mouth to his. They merged instantly the way they always did, sinking into one another and spinning away from the world.
Rio struggled to remember where they were and the danger they were in. She had a way of sweeping away sane thoughts and replacing them instantly with urgent hunger and need. Very carefully he lowered her feet into the rushing water, reluctantly lifting his head as he did so. It was the only way to breathe and keep his sanity and wits.
“I’ve got you, Rachael.” His arm around her waist steadied her as he looped a rope around her and secured it around his own waist. “I’m not about to lose you. We’re going to wade out where the water is moving faster, lift our feet and travel downstream with the current. We don’t want anything to let him know what direction we’re going. A leaf, the bottom of the river near the banks disturbed, anything at all can be a clue. We’ll travel downriver for some time.”
“Let’s do it then.” She didn’t want to lose her nerve. She grinned at him. “At least I know you’re not attracted to me because I look great.” She swept a hand through her hair and took the first step. Her injured leg, even with the support of the water, didn’t want to take her weight so she stretched out full length and began to swim.
Rio went after her, pride welling up at her courage. The moonlight fell across her face as she swam, and he watched the beads of water pour off of her. She used sure, strong strokes, cut cleanly through the water, almost as silent as he was. There it was again, that strange disorienting feeling of familiarity. He had been swimming with her before. He had seen an exact image, he knew the moment she would turn her head and take a breath of air.
The current was stronger in the center of the river and took them both with little effort, carrying them downstream. Rio caught her hand and held tight as they both bent knees and lifted feet to avoid rocks and snags as they