Page 40

Chapter Forty

M ackenzie walked away from the plane wreck with his head bowed studying the compass he’d cut from the cockpit’s shattered instrument panel several months ago. His goal was to find his way back to the plane using just the compass. He did an about face keeping the needle on the north point and within twenty minutes the plane was back in view.

“What are you doing?” Abi came toward him, a curious frown wrinkling her forehead.

“I’m working out how to use a compass.”

“Ooh, I can do that.”

Now that was something he’d never have guessed. He raised an eyebrow.

“I can. I learnt orienteering at college. Hated every minute of it though. Traipsing all over the countryside following a damn needle.” She held her hand out.

Mackenzie huffed as he handed the compass over.

Abi explained the points on the compass. She seemed excited about teaching him something. “Do you want me to show you how to use it?”

Over the next couple of days, they explored in different directions from the wreck, each time travelling further away from their campsite. Mackenzie guessed they’d explored several square kilometres of the surrounding area and yet the scenery remained the same—enormous eucalyptus trees, dense underbrush and masses of vines weaving it all together.

Abi baffled him, too. He was frustrated with the monotony, however she seemed to enjoy their daily walks. Her pace steadily increased each day, and she didn’t complain about the heat, the tough terrain, or the inevitable scratches from the thorny bushes.

The only thing that changed as they got away from the campsite was that they saw more animals. He couldn’t decide if it was because they were there in greater numbers or because he was better at finding them.

One afternoon, as they were returning to the campsite, Mackenzie spied a rust-coloured wallaby foraging in the grass. He froze mid stride and held his arm up to halt Abi. The creature curled its muscular tail and hopped toward them, apparently oblivious to their presence.

Mackenzie remained rigid, considering his move. But the wallaby suddenly darted away, and he was pretty sure his grumbling stomach had finally scared it off.

“You weren’t going to kill it, were you?” Abi’s jaw dropped as the animal disappeared through the bushes.

“Hell yeah, kangaroo meat is one of the most nutritious red meats.”

“But it was beautiful.”

“And it will be just as beautiful roasting on our fire.”

She playfully slapped him on the shoulder. “You’re horrible.”

“I know.”

As they progressed toward their clearing, they were caught off guard by menacing clouds, rapidly shrouding the sun. Abi kept close behind him as he navigated the darkening bush, careful not to deviate from the 270-degree notch on the compass. A fat raindrop splattered his cheek, startling him. He stopped to wipe it off, staring up through the tree canopy at the dark sky.

Charcoal clouds swirled in a tight circle, as if driven by an invisible blender.

Since the crash they’d only had a dozen or so brief showers. Mackenzie turned to Abi and saw confusion in her eyes. “I think we’re in for a storm.”

As if on cue, a brisk wind swept through the bushes and sharp stinging rain fell in a solid sheet upon them. With no obvious shelter nearby, Mackenzie wrapped his arms around Abi and hustled her to the nearest eucalyptus tree.

A piercing crack of thunder made them both jump and Abi gripped tighter. Lightning flashes dazzled the darkening sky and the surrounding trees cast eerie shadows. Warm rain drops drummed upon his head and within seconds he was drenched, but he closed his eyes and faced the rain, allowing it to pummel his skin, welcoming the refreshing shower.

Abi cowered into his chest, trembling and he ran his fingers through her wet hair, offering comfort. Looking up at him with wet eyelashes, she ran her tongue over her lips, catching a raindrop and his breath froze, trapping him in the moment.

He followed a raindrop’s path down her neck until it disappeared into fabric that lay at the swell of her breast. He wanted to kiss her. No, it was more than that, he wanted everything about her.

But does she want the same?

His arousal was swift and absolute, and he leaned toward her upturned face, searching for a sign. He tried to resist the throbbing in his loins but when she didn’t turn away, he couldn’t wait a moment longer.

As his world blurred into a haze of lust, he pressed his lips against hers. She tasted of rain drops. From the very first touch his uncertainty was swept away. Abi parted her lips allowing his tongue to explore the softness of her mouth and the hairs on his neck bristled as her hand clutched his neck pulling him down to her. A groan tumbled from his throat.

Desperate desire exploded within him, but he needed to be certain if Abi’s desires met his. He released her and as he swept a wet lock of hair from her cheek, he searched for confirmation.

His breath caught at the burning want he saw deep within her green eyes.

He swept her into his arms, and she clung to his chest as he carried her through the penetrating rain. His heart pounded in his chest. Fervid intentions drove him forward.

And as thundering rain pelted his body, excitement made him sensitive to every drop.

The plane appeared before him with steam rising from its rigid body. He stepped into the cabin and lowered Abi onto her bed. She hesitated for a brief moment before she let him go. Her irises shimmered as her eyes drilled into him. The wet shirt clung to her body, outlining her full breasts and her chest rose and fell rapidly, yet she blinked with slow animation.

He knelt beside her, placing his hand on her thigh and she arched her back, levitating her flat stomach toward him. She lifted her shirt over her head, revealing her nakedness and he was drawn to the allure of her pink nipples.

His fingers danced over her wet skin, and he slowly drew a line in the dampness from her navel to her nipple. He cupped her breast and she moaned when he gently squeezed her pink bud.

Mackenzie tore his wet shirt from his body.

She reached up, her fingers exploring his chest. As she circled his nipples, electric want sizzled through him. Leaning in, he kissed her again. His tongue probed her sweetness as her nails scratched down his back.

He pressed his body onto her, their contours moulded together as one.

She gripped his buttocks and rolled him onto his back, removed the rest of her wet clothing and straddled him. Reaching for his hand, she guided him to her breast, showing him what she wanted. He closed his eyes and when she brushed her lips to his neck, his body inflamed even more.

She guided his fullness into her, and he was taken by a tide of rapture as he plunged into her soft abyss. He massaged her breasts as she moved slowly up and down as if savouring every sensation. Her mouth was slightly ajar and when he touched his finger to her lips, she sucked it into her mouth, taking him to the very brink of ecstasy.

Her rhythm increased. The sun penetrated the clouds for a brief moment and the golden glow outlined her toned figure giving her a celestial appearance as she rode him. Her pace increased even more, thrusting his fullness into her and when he couldn’t hold back anymore, he clutched her hips to control the rhythm and finally released with a primal shudder.

Abi’s body stiffened, squeezing even tighter around him and she cried out as she rode his final thrusts. She fell onto his chest, panting.

The rain abruptly stopped, and the birds began to sing joyous melodies. He glided his hands over her moisture soaked back until her breathing returned to normal.

Mackenzie opened his arms and Abi rolled off him and slipped into the crook of his shoulder. He draped his arm around her. “Abi, that was?—”

She placed her finger on his lips. “Shhh. Not yet.” Her voice was a throaty whisper.

Sunlight broke in slim shards through the passing clouds and thunder rolled somewhere in the distance. Layers of dust from months of dryness had washed away with the cleansing rainfall and the plants smelled fresh and rejuvenated.

Abi ran her finger along Mackenzie’s ribs. “I’ve never done anything like that before.” Her voice was barely audible.

When he looked at her, she was crying. “Oh, Abi, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. You were fabulous.”

Mackenzie locked eyes with her. “So were you.”

“I know,” she said, deadpan.

He chuckled. “Oh, you do, do you?”

“Yes. I’ve waited my whole adult life for a sexual experience like that and I always blamed Spencer. But it wasn’t his fault, it was mine.”

He hugged her to his chest and swept rain-soaked hair from her cheek. Raindrops falling on the leafy forest floor was peaceful and reassuring.

After a while, Mackenzie rolled toward her. “We should see about starting the fire before it gets dark.”

Abi nodded but seemed reluctant to move.

Mackenzie tugged on a pair of shorts and walked to the fire. Black soot glistened on the wet logs and fine tendrils of smoke curled from beneath them. Steady drips fell from the shirts draped across the line and the sodden burden threatened to touch the ground.

“Oh no.” Abi’s voice was distant.

“What’s wrong?”

“The flour is wet.”

Mackenzie joined her at the luggage area and crouched at the bag of flour.

He’d dreaded the day he removed the last handful of flour but now the sack contained nothing but a white sticky mess and they had no chance of salvaging it.

His heart sank. Flour had been their daily staple. . . a key ingredient in preparing his bush tucker.

This was a sign. The time to plan their journey out of Kakadu had come.

“This is bad.” He shook his head. “Really bad.”

“It’s just wet flour.”

“It’s more than that. It gave us a meal when we didn’t catch anything. Now it’s gone and we have no fallback.”

“We still have the beans.”

He unzipped the food case. “Eight cans. That’s it. Then nothing.”

“But you’re good at hunting now.”

“Yes, but it wasn’t crucial before. Now it is. Do you understand? If I miss a target, we’ll starve.”

She shrugged. “So, what’re you suggesting?”

He stared at her. “It’s time for us to start planning a way out of here.”

Her shoulders slumped. “But … I like it here.”

Her sodden hair sat flat and lifeless, her pale pink lips tinged blue, and she hugged herself as she shivered. He opened his arms and she fell into his embrace. “Do you like it here, or do you like who you’ve become here?” He chose his words carefully.

She stepped out of his arms and looked at him. Her bottom lip quivered.

“What are you afraid of, Abi?”

She glanced at the sky, hugging her chest. “I’m afraid … of losing you.” Her voice wavered, on the verge of tears. “For the first time in my life, I think I’m in love, but I’m confused and scared. I wonder if I’ve mistaken real friendship for love. I’m scared because at the moment you’re trapped here with me, but the second we get home, you’ll look back and wonder what the hell you were doing. And I’m confused because you’re gay, but we just had the most mindboggling sexual experience I’ve ever had.”

She paused and lifted her eyes to him. “Say something!”

“I’m so glad you said that … because I’m also confused. Eight months ago, you couldn’t even look me in the eye. But now … I find you fascinating. You’re confident and funny and you’ve changed into this amazing woman who I want to be with. I was worried you’d abandon me.”

She made a sweeping gesture with her hand. “Let’s not go back then.”

“Wait.” Mackenzie held up a hand. “I want to say something else. I need to be honest. I’m not ashamed of my life. As I told you before I’m not gay. I’ve always been attracted to both men and women. I chose to live a monogamous life with a man I loved. But I’ve always been bisexual. Do you understand that? Can you accept it?” He braced for the answer. What he was asking her to accept was difficult for most people, especially someone you loved. It was important for her to accept him as he was. He couldn’t change the past.

The pupils in her eyes were swollen but the surrounding green iris still radiated. “I think so. I want to understand it. I want to understand everything about you.”

It was the answer he’d been hoping for, and the corner of his mouth curled into a half-smile. “Okay then.” He tugged her to his chest. “But we can’t live like this anymore, Abi. We need to find a way out.”

“Well, once we’re safe, let’s change our names. God, it’s not like anyone will recognise me.”

Mackenzie stepped back. His heart sank, his suspicions alert. “Are you embarrassed to tell your friends about me? Is that it?”

She frowned. “I don’t care about them. Truth is they were never really my friends. Most of them just wanted to be near Spencer.”

“You really think that?”

“I know that. I know both Rachel and Helen were his regular sex partners and I suspect his personal assistant, Tina, sleeps with him … slept with him, too. But none of that matters any more. I don’t need to worry about them sniggering behind my back.”

“There’ll be even more sniggers if you walk home with me.”

“If. What do you mean if? We are walking home. Together. And they’re all going to be so jealous. I found my Tarzan and I’m not letting you go.”

He laughed aloud and as she joined in, he hugged her to his chest smelling her rain-soaked hair. “Come on.” He clutched her hand. “Let’s see if we can get this fire going or we’re in for one hell of a cold and dark night.”

On his hands and knees, Mackenzie struggled to light the fire with the camera lens and the remnants of the setting sun. The sodden twigs made it impossible. Mackenzie sighed. “Not much chance of a fire tonight.”

“Unless …” Abi raised one eyebrow at him.

“Unless what?”

“Marijuana burns.”

“No way.” He pushed to his feet and stepped back from her.

“Why not? It’s pretty clear no-one’s coming for it, or us.”

“But we agreed to leave it.”

“That was months ago. Well before we knew how long we’d be here.” She placed her hand on his shoulder. “Things have changed.”

Mackenzie saw the naive inquisitiveness in her eyes. He’d lived through the consequences of drugs and had vowed long ago never to touch them again.

She squeezed his arm. “We’re not smoking it. Just burning it.”

He rolled his shoulders and breathed deeply, smelling damp leaves and wet dirt. It made sense, but the fear of being near the drug again weighed heavily on his mind. Abi stared up at him, her eyebrows raised in silent anticipation. He let out a slow steady breath. “Okay.”

She slapped his arm and grinned with childish glee.

“But you must keep away from the smoke. Got it?”

“Yes, sir.” She saluted.

“Don’t mess with this, Abi. I’m serious.”

Her eyes darkened as she studied him, and he could tell she wanted to ask questions. Thankfully she didn’t. The bundle of black plastic had been sitting on the far side of the plane since the day he removed it. He carried it to the fire and dropped it with a dull thud onto the wet ground.

With Abi’s help, they scooped the slushy soot and ash from the fire pit. Their hands were as black as coal miners’ when they finished. Mackenzie sat back on his haunches and as he peeled the plastic back from the slice he’d made all those months ago, he tried not to inhale its distinct aroma. Thankfully the drugs had remained completely dry, and he tugged at the compressed leaves, removing handfuls at a time .

Soon the marijuana pile was about two feet high. He chose the wood to put on top carefully, ensuring they were thin twigs that would dry quickly in the heat and catch alight.

He angled the camera lens to catch a ray of sunlight through the last of the clouds. “Stand back, Abi.”

“I’ll be okay.”

He turned to her with gritted teeth. “Stand back. I don’t want you anywhere near the smoke.”

She opened her mouth, poised to say something, then changed her mind and stepped back. The flames ignited readily, and a thick plume of pungent, grey smoke swirled heavily into the air. Mackenzie kept one eye on Abi as he continued to feed the fire and it wasn’t long before an enormous inferno raged. He placed several large logs on top, confident it was now hot enough to burn them.

As the night rolled in, his mind drifted from past to present and he was unable to shrug off his discomfort. Abi must’ve sensed his uneasiness and stayed well clear of the smoke. It was only when there was nothing left but the burning logs and the breeze had carried the familiar smell away that he began to relax. He sat beside Abi and draped his arm across her shoulder.

“That wasn’t so bad.” She flashed a smile. “Was it?”

He huffed. “No, it was okay.” He pulled her to him. “But from now on, we keep a stack of wood under cover.”

“Might as well use this up first.” Her grin was cheeky. “No point only burning half of it.”

He thought about this for a moment and sighed. “Okay then. Like you said, nobody’s coming for it … or us.”