Page 23 of Haze of Obedience

He puts his hands in the air. "Sorry."

We get out of the treeline and at the edge of the river. Vanessa and Hunter are making out on a fallen log.

Relieved there's another topic to focus on, I tease, "Well, well, well."

They slowly turn.

"Bit of jungle love going on here?" I smirk.

Hunter rises with Vanessa in his arms. "We were just leaving."

Dirk grunts. "Don't mind us."

Hunter grabs his bag and slings it over his shoulder.

"You're such a gentleman, Hunter. Dirk made me walk through the mud." I turn to show them my backside.

Dirk gapes. "Are you kidding me? I offered to give you a piggyback ride when it got muddy."

"So all the brush could hit me once your thick head got past it? No, thanks."

I don't know why I'm trying to make him my enemy, but I can't seem to shut my mouth.

"You're such a diva. How did you last fourteen months in a hole?"

"I wasn't in the pit the entire time. I was the entertainment."

He scowls. "Good to know. And I'm so glad I rescued you. So much appreciation."

"Real heroes don't look for praise," I bite back at him.

Vanessa blurts out, "I don't have shoes. But I do like my perks Zoe. Since Hunter's the hottest guy here."

Dirk's forehead creases. "Do you all have some sort of bet going on about who can dig at me the most?"

Hunter stifles a laugh. "Nope. You do enough for us to come up with things independently. Have a good bath."

"Bye," Vanessa waves, and they leave.

Dirk stomps over to the log and sets his backpack on it. He rips off his shirt and takes his boots and pants off, so he's only in his underwear. He looks up. "Stare much?"

Heat rushes to my face, I shut my mouth and turn toward the river. "Sorry."

He strolls past me, carrying a small bag, and gets in the water. He turns back. "Are you coming in?"

I swallow hard, trying to tear my eyes away from the V of his abdomen and the tattoo of arrows pointing into his pants.

"Fine. Suit yourself." He spins, takes three steps, and dives into the water.

Holy...oh God...he's...oh God.

I regain control of my shaking legs and go into the water. After I dip down, I remove the T-shirt and throw it on the rock that isn't too far away.

Dirk washes his hair, and I pretend I'm enjoying the water, but I can't stop ogling his rock hard everything.

He comes toward me, and my insides quiver. He holds out his bag. "Take whatever you need."

I lean out of the water a little, but my nipples and down are still covered. "Thanks. I—"