As the World Ends (9 page)

You go, Rob, she thought. Let the bastard know we mean business
. Even when he’s speaking with Rob, he doesn’t take his eyes off of me.
The hair on the back of her neck stood up.
If he doesn’t watch it, Rob will take him down and I’ll help
.

Possessive bastard, Roan thought. He understood Rob’s words and was slightly amused by them. Rob wasn’t going to let someone take his wife easily. He noticed Lauren studying him also. A beautiful name wrapped in a beautiful package with all that curly blond hair. It probably was soft to the touch and smelled heavenly. Damn, he was going to have to watch it. He realized he had checked out of the conversation and dragged his eyes back to Rob’s. Not good, he thought, the guy didn’t just look pissed, he looked mean and dangerous. Definitely wasn’t going to be easy task to claim Lauren.

“I’m sorry, I missed what you said, Rob.”

“I said…Lauren and I have had a long day, and we would like to rest now.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hold you up.” Rob watched as Roan put his cup on the ground.

“Thanks for stopping by,” Rob said.

Shit
,
I blew it. They won’t be inviting me back anytime soon
.
I’m going to have to control myself around Lauren. Not going to be an easy task.

“Thanks for the hospitality,” Roan preened, shaking Rob’s hand as he squeezed a little too hard.

Rob squeezed right back, applying pressure to the sensitive spots on Roan’s hand. Roan tried not to squirm, but the guy had some strength, good to know, he reflected.

Turning toward Lauren he nodded. “Nice meeting you.”

“Bye,” Lauren murmured.

Annoyed, Roan noticed how she looked at her husband not him. As he walked toward the entrance he stopped, straining to hear; but they weren’t speaking. At the edge of the woods he turned, looked back to the entrance, and noticed Rob staring after him. Cautious bastard. Who could blame him? Saluting him, he started whistling as he walked back to his cave.
Pretty soon something’s going to break, and you and me, Rob, will fight to the death.

CHAPTER TEN

Rob walked back into the cave. “Well, that was fun.”

“I didn’t think so,” Lauren responded.

“I told you he was creepy.” Rob frowned. He didn’t like the way Roan hadn’t taken his eyes off of Lauren. Rob recognized lust.

“Definitely creepy,” Lauren’s voice cracked. She made a face that had Rob smiling.

“Don’t worry, hon, he’s not coming anywhere near you. I won’t let him,” Rob said, protectively putting his arms around her.

“You certainly aren’t leaving me alone again with him around. I can tell you that,” she demanded.

“Easy, baby, we’ll relocate in the morning,” he said to assure her.

“Maybe we should do that now. What if he’s hanging out in the woods?” her voice cracked.

“I’ll check again in a little while, and then I’ll check again when it gets dark. I’ll use the goggles. You’ll be safe, Lauren, don’t worry.” He broke the hug and paced the cave.

Just like a man, she thought. “I’m not worried about me, stupid. He wants me. It’s you he’s gonna try to hurt.”

“Let him try,” Rob said.

Yep, just like a man. She watched as he took a defensive stance and put an arrogant look on his face. The ‘Make my day’ look. How could she say this without hurting his feelings?

“Rob, I know you’re stronger than him, but I don’t want you fighting and getting hurt. It’s not worth it.” She smiled, walked over to him, and put her arms around him.

“You saying, you’re not worth it, Lauren?” he questioned, brow quirked.

She sometimes found his quirked brow amusing, but not at that moment. Gathering her thoughts, she replied, “I know that you’re not going to let anything happen to me. I merely think it’s prudent to avoid a fight. We need our strength for other things.”

“I’m not going to start the fight, Lauren. However, I will finish it,” he said firmly, staring directly into her piercing green eyes that missed nothing.

Her stare probed his mind. Rob knew it was ridiculous, but he’d swear when she looked at him that way, it felt like fingers walking through his head, examining every thought.

“Let’s try to avoid him first. If we’re lucky there won’t be any trouble. If and when there is, we’ll both do whatever is necessary.”

Optimistic, he thought, she doesn’t get it or doesn’t want to. One thing he was sure of, Roan wanted her and would do anything to get her. Instead of saying it out loud and causing an argument, Rob started a fire for warmth, while she set about getting the food ready. He took inventory of what Roan ate and drank, tucked it away in his mind. The guy could eat. He had helped himself to some beers, cheese, lunch meat and some bread. If they ran out he would take some of his food. A tit for a tat, Rob thought.

Roan lay in his sleeping bag, thinking about Lauren most of the night. The actual woman was more beautiful in person than she was on the video though she showed no interest in him. He needed a plan. Turning over idea after idea in his mind, he rejected most of them. Around midnight he figured out what he would do. It would take two days to implement his plan. Anticipating action, his nerves danced with delight. For the next couple of days he would need to avoid them while he set about his tasks. Roan didn’t want to seem too anxious to be around Lauren. Content with his plan, he rolled onto his stomach and slept soundly.

The next morning, Rob and Lauren hunted up some kindling while scouting the area for berries and eatable food. Looking constantly over his shoulder, Rob found it hard to relax. He kept expecting Roan to show up.

With Lauren coaxing, he tried unsuccessfully to let his guard down a little. Around noon they had come upon a small natural spring and filled their water bottles.

“Rob, we’ll hear him if he approaches. Relax.”

“I’m trying, Lauren, I just feel edgy.”

He picked up his binoculars and scanned the area. Lauren’s hand landed on his shoulder, he dropped the binoculars to his chest, turned, and looked at her. She was standing there in her bra and panties.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“I’m going for a swim.”

“Put your clothes back on. What if that pervert comes along?” His face burned, his blood pulsating through his veins, his head on the verge of exploding. She had to be crazy.

“Rob, we’re far enough away from both caves it will be difficult for him to find us. I think we’re both entitled to a little distraction.”

“A little distraction could get us both killed. Plus, I don’t want to have to shoot the bastard because you can’t keep your clothes on.” Bending down he picked up her sweater, and handed it to her. “Please.”

“Killjoy.”

He watched her dress. Satisfied, he scanned the area before putting his feet into the water. Rob guessed it was about sixty degrees, he wished for a little sun, but it was a no show again today. The grey overcast hung ominously, deflecting the natural echoes of the mountain.

When he reached their cave, he watched them leave. Unsure where they were headed he followed them at a safe distance. An unexpected benefit was the rear view. Lauren’s hips swayed with each step. When they had reached the spring, he climbed a tree to spy their next move. Happy his tracking skills were improving. With an eagle eye, he sat up in the tree contently watching them as they interacted with each other. His eyes bulged when Lauren started undressing. Almost falling from the tree, his hard cock made it difficult to right himself.
What a beautiful body—more beautiful than yesterday with her clothes on. And soon to be mine.