Page 27

Archer, f our months later

I’m thigh-high in the river. My shorts are slowly absorbing the water that I could equate to the temperature of a cooling bath. Regardless, it’s a welcome reprieve from the heat and humidity from the day. The trees and greenery overhead shade the sun, but do little to lower the overall temps.

Sweat drips from my hair and down my neck in rivulets.

But the inevitable sweat that seeps from every pore in my body is a reminder that this trip isn’t about me. Would I rather be on the back of an ATV in Moab or taking a dirt bike through some wicked sand dunes? Sure. Doing that though, would rob me of the gorgeous and expectant look on Mia’s face.

It’s flushed from the day’s hike. Her hair sticks to her temples, and her clothes are glued to her body. She’s glowing, gorgeous, and waiting.

“Go further in,” she says, shooing me with a delicate hand.

I wade in a little more. My evening duty. It’s the third day of our hike in the Colombian jungle, and we’ve made it a point to cool off in sheltered pools of the river when we call it quits for the day. But not until Mia sends me in on snake duty.

I’m thigh-high in the river. My shorts are slowly absorbing the water that I could equate to the temperature of a cooling bath. Regardless, it’s a welcome reprieve from the heat and humidity from the day. The trees and greenery overhead shade the sun, but do little to lower the overall temps.

Sweat drips from my hair and down my neck in rivulets.

But the inevitable sweat that seeps from every pore in my body is a reminder that this trip isn’t about me. Would I rather be on the back of an ATV in Moab or taking a dirt bike through some wicked sand dunes? Sure. Doing that though, would rob me of the gorgeous and expectant look on Mia’s face.

It’s flushed from the day’s hike. Her hair sticks to her temples, and her clothes are glued to her body. She’s glowing, gorgeous, and waiting.

“Go further in,” she says, shooing me with a delicate hand.

I wade in a little more. My evening duty. It’s the third day of our hike in the Colombian jungle, and we’ve made it a point to cool off in sheltered pools of the river when we call it quits for the day. But not until Mia sends me in on snake duty.

It doesn’t matter that I have told her countless times that it is safe to swim, and that there aren’t snakes in it. The arboreal ones are the ones to watch out for. But it doesn’t stop her from gently ordering me to look. I think she’s seen that Harrison Ford and Anne Heche movie one too many times.

I make a show of looking around, pretending to part the water with my hands, all the while biding my time until she strips down to her underwear and joins me.

“All clear,” I say. The water is up to my stomach now and I sigh at the way everything below my waist is cooled slightly.

“You always say that,” she says through her shirt. I catch a glimpse of her sports bra. It’s nothing special, but her tits are. And I plan to do some exploring of my own in a little bit.

“And have I steered you wrong?” I ask, feeling myself grow hard at the way she shimmies out her shorts.

Mia walks in towards me. She points behind me. “Oh look!”

I turn, noticing two hummingbirds flying around each other. The male seems to have the same idea as I do.

“Come here already,” I say on an impatient whine. I’ve been with her throughout this strenuous hike. Slept by her in a net-covered hammock when twin beds weren’t available at the camps. I’ve taken my fair share of selfish views walking behind her when the trail narrowed to the width of a single person.

But I can’t help it. Mia makes my mouth go dry and causes my heart to race from a simple look. Her touch sends electricity throughout my body. Her kisses make me forget where I am. And when I move in and out of her tight heat, those moments where she shares and surrenders her body to me, I know that I’d give her the fucking world if I could.

She’ll have to settle for an orgasm, though.

Mia links her hands behind my neck and I pull her to me. “I still can’t believe you booked this trip for us.” She’s wearing a smile and the sun dapples her face. There’s excitement and awe in her voice, and her eyes sparkle in the ever-changing light.

My idea to take her back to Colombia was one part surprise, one part selfish. I have no problem admitting the latter to her. “I want you to make new memories here. Last time was under stress. You were afraid. And hopefully this time,” I say, slipping a finger between her legs, “you’ll remember our time together.” She moans as I toy with her clit.

“I have to admire the lengths you’re going, trying to erase my memory of Blaze and I leaving the helicopter,” she says, her eyes growing heavy. “Mmm, right there.”

Damn. Her ability to see through me is uncanny.

“Is it working?” I ask, flicking my tongue along the side of her throat.

“Make me come and I’ll tell you.”

“Is that an order?” I pull my hand away, locking her in a stare.

Her hands drop from my neck and begin untying the drawstring to my shorts. I groan as she takes me in her hand. Sure and confident. Rough yet gentle. And I get lost in how fucking soft her palm is, sliding up and down my length, and how she expertly rolls my balls with her free hand.

“Enough.” I don’t want to come like this. Not when I can be inside her. Her hips are the perfect handful as I take her in my hold. “Slide your underwear to the side,” I tell her. I watch, because I’m a visual creature. It doesn’t disappoint. The fabric still covers one side of her pussy, and when I slide into her my head drops to her chest. A groan escapes me with force. Her skin is hot under my forehead, our sweat mingling in the thick air.

Her hand comes to my chin, pulling me level with her face. As she adjusts around my hips, heels digging into my backside, I take her mouth with my own. She tastes of salt and exertion and desire. Like a meal I’d be happy to devour over and over again. Her lips slide against mine. My tongue seeks hers, and when I find it, I take a deep pull of it. I’m drunk on her.

Our breaths come quicker, hers fanning my face with a heat that rivals the jungle’s. We’re each desperate for this, for the release. Mia whimpers, taking her bottom lip between her teeth. She’s close.

“You take my cock so well,” I manage. I’m right on the edge too. Then, her walls tighten and I thrust into her deeply. There’s nothing around us but the birds and hidden creatures. No one to hear her cries of pleasure as I empty myself greedily.

We both still, letting the last bit of our orgasms subside. It’s several beats before I set her down in the water. Without preamble, she falls to her back with a contented sigh, running her hands through her dampening hair. I join her, taking her hand in mine. We’re like two otters floating.

We stay like that for a while, simply taking what nature has to offer. The air is filled with the steady hum from the insects. The sun is slowly disappearing, leaving behind an orange glow low on the tree trunks. There’s a stillness and clarity to the sky that promises a restful night; the rains have held off so far.

If not for nourishment, I can stay like this for hours. The water drains from my ears and I shake my head. “We need to eat. You ready?” I ask.

Mia stands and I take her hand in mine. I look at how small it is in mine, how easily I eclipse hers, and I’m reminded of the time in Spain when we secretly did this. It feels like a lifetime ago now.

We spend the evening making dinner in the modest campsite on the trail. I suggest we head to bed early when we’re done eating.

“We’ll be at the Guztá site tomorrow.”

“I know,” she says, letting a yawn take hold of her. “I can’t wait.”

I smile at her as she settles into the hammock. “Me either.”

What I don’t tell her is why.

As the low hanging fog dissipates, revealing the first of the flat terraces, it’s evident that this trek was worth it. When Mia gasps and grows quiet, it’s cemented.

“It’s as beautiful as I remember,” she whispers.

I take her hand and then gaze upon the opening in the trees. You can practically see the coast in the distance. And in the foreground are several pop-up tents, their white tops striking against the deep greens of the forest. A team of people have tables set up underneath, and they bustle to and fro like ants.

“Oh,” Mia squeaks. “I didn’t realize there’d be a team here.”

“Me either,” I say, playing dumb. I tug her along with me.

A man with curly hair spots us. He places a dirty piece he’s holding down on the table and walks over to us.

“Dillon and Mia, I presume?” He displays a crooked but genuine smile, holding his hand out. I shake it, then he takes Mia’s.

Confusion is evident when she looks between me and the man. “Hello.” Her tone is unsure.

“Mia, I’m Dr. Juan Vasquez.” He pumps her hand vigorously in his own. “I owe you much gratitude for your findings from months ago.”

“M- my findings?”

“Indeed. You were the one who uncovered the chief’s tomb, no?”

She nods. “With help, but yes.” Modest to a fault.

Juan winks at her. “I was hoping you’d be able to assist my team and me uncovering the rest of the tombs that we’ve discovered since.” Mia blinks. A gap grows between her lips as her jaw sags. “Your Dillon has arranged it. Please? We could use someone of your intellect.”

She shoots me a look of shock. A glassiness coats her baby blues, but there’s nothing but happiness behind them.

I raise my hands like I’m under arrest. “Don’t look at me,” I say imploringly. “I just got you here.”

Mia launches herself at me, squeezing tightly. “Thank you. So much.” Leaning back, she kisses me soundly and the warmth that spreads from it, reaches my toes.

“Welcome. Now, go. Play in the dirt. Juan can’t wait all day.”

At that, Dr. Vasquez bows his head to me, and I return the gesture.

I watch Mia practically skip her way beside him, peppering him with questions. She doesn’t stop smiling.

It’s contagious. My eyes linger on her.

When you arrive in this nation, you’re greeted with a sign that says, “Welcome to Colombia, the country of beauty.” Whoever wrote the slogan nailed it, because the scenery is lush. The terrain is diverse. This land is verdant and colorful.

And some say the strenuous journey here is justified by the staggering views.

I get it. I see it, but amid the stunning and formidable jungle, is something else entirely: a swinging ponytail. The curve of hips that fit perfectly in my palms. The sophisticated tilt of her head while she’s deep in conversation about her favorite subject.

And the smile on her face is as equally bright as, well…gold.

THE END

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