Page 39 of Depths of Destruction

"Don't worry. Malin will bring her to us."

"How?"

"Naomi, I need you to trust me."

"I..." I sigh and turn away, my heart races and pain grows in my gut. Emilia has always been my responsibility. She's had enough bad things happen to her and doesn't deserve to be in the situation she's in because of me. Now she's with a stranger, a man neither of us knows, and I worry about her being able to handle herself through this stress.

"Naomi—"

"I'm sorry, Andre. I trust you. I do. But I'm not wired like this. I'm a journalist. I'm used to asking questions and digging to find answers. I..." The air becomes thicker and my chest tightens. My lungs can't seem to get enough air and I swallow down acid.

He repositions me and holds me tight. "I don't have all the answers, but I'll figure it out. We have to take this one step at a time."

Silence ensues, except for the sounds of the jungle animals. As I continue to fight for air, Andre pulls me closer and kisses my head, then my lips. His affection starts to soothe me when he says, "I know this is hard for you. As soon as I know, I'll tell you."

"Am I a fugitive?" Panic seizes me again.

"No. You aren't a criminal. But I don't trust the U.S. President. Who knows what he'll do once he finds out we didn't deliver you?"

I shudder. The face of the President pops into my mind, along with the crawling sensation on my skin I always feel whenever he's on the news.

Andre slides farther down, ending flat on the ground, taking me with him. "Close your eyes and get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day."

"Are you going to sleep?"

He strokes my hair. "Don't worry. I'll protect you."

"I didn't mean it like that." I trace his lip. "You need rest, too."

He kisses me. "I'll be fine. I'm wired differently." He winks and wraps his arms around me. I close my eyes, encased in the warmth and safety of his arms.

It doesn't take long to fall asleep. He's an oversized pillow I sink into. I sleep for several hours, and when I wake, it's still dark. The fire is out, but Andre's eyes are watching me, as if he hasn't taken them off me.

I roll on top of him. "Have you slept?"

"No."

"Do I need to exhaust you so you get some rest?"

The heat of the beast fills his eyes. His erection hardens under my stomach.

Guess that's a yes.

I lift his shirt and kiss his torso. Unbuckling his pants, I release his growing manhood. My tongue glides across his stomach as it rises and falls faster with each breath. I dip lower, and his hand slides into my hair.

I lick and suck every inch of him, listening to his breathing, enjoying the way he tugs on my hair and controls my advances, pleasing him until he's so hard, pre-cum is spilling into my mouth.

He sits up. In a quick movement, he flips me on my knees and yanks my pants down. Fisting my hair, he pulls my head back and thrusts into me with his cheek next to mine.

"Fuck, Naomi," he growls and puts his other hand in the dirt so his fingers lock into mine. His mouth sucks on my neck, and his teeth graze against my skin.

"Oh God," I cry out.

The heat from his body merges into my cells. My skin breaks out in a sweat, and my face scorches against his. I urgently circle my ass into his body.

He releases my hair and slaps my ass cheek then rubs it as electricity shoots through my nerves.

"Yes," I cry out.