Sleep With Me (Be With Me) Read Online Free PDF Page B

see David jogging toward her, examining her new footwear.
    She held up a foot, turning it side to side. “I know the fins might have come in handy, but it seemed like protecting my feet might be more important - especially if we need to go for water. I hope you don’t mind. I’ll pay for them when we get back.”
    He shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. You’re right, we will need to hike for water, so it’s good you thought of it. I found a spring back in the trees, and there’s a cave we can use for shelter. I just need to pull the boat up higher so it doesn’t get pulled out by the tide, and I’ll show you.”
    Katherine nodded. “Sounds good. What can I do to help?”
    He went to the other side of the boat and gestured to the edge. “Grab that side and pull. It’s not too heavy.”
    She pulled with him, not sure she was really helping any as the boat slid up the sand toward the trees and her feet slid down farther with each step. When he finally decided it was high enough, she gathered up their meager supplies while he tied a rope from the boat to a nearby tree, just in case.
    “This way,” he said, setting off into the jungle. Katherine was struck by the difference after just a few steps into the darker environment. The constant roar of the waves was muted, and everything seemed so much quieter as she followed David deeper. Gorgeous flowers bloomed in random places, even in trees, and everything was green and lush, but almost too quiet.
    It wasn’t long before she heard water running again. Emerging into a small clearing, she saw the stream and a slender waterfall that fell over the rock face he’d mentioned.
    “It’s beautiful,” she said, amazed at how clear the water was. Ferns and other tropical bush-like plants grew along the banks, and thick vines hung down the cliffs, sporting bright flowers and thick, fleshy leaves.
    David nodded. “I thought you’d like it. The cave is just over here. I built a fire pit earlier, so we just need to start a fire.”
    She followed him to the shallow depression in the cliffs and handed him the lighter she’d found in the metal kit on the boat. As the flames crackled to life, she realized just how cold she still was, and knelt down by the pit, holding her hands out to warm them.
    David rummaged around behind her and a few minutes later, the blanket settled around her shoulders. She pulled it closer around her as he rubbed her arms gently.
    “Getting warmer?” he asked, his voice taking on a low, sensual quality that she was sure she only imagined.
    She nodded. “I think so. Thank you.”
    He was close - so close she couldn’t seem to think about anything else. She wasn’t sure whether she wanted him to take her in his arms and tell her everything would be okay, or move away before she did something completely stupid, like ask him to.
    He released her, standing up and moving to the side where she could see the odd look on his face and the fishing pole he held in one hand. He must have put it together when he was getting the blanket. She wasn’t sure she was ready to know what the look was about.
    He gestured vaguely toward the stream, an old-style canteen hanging from his shoulder. “I’m going to catch us some dinner and get water. I shouldn’t be long - that stream is hopping with fish.” Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away.
     
    ***
     
    By the time David had finished catching and cleaning two fish, dusk was settling over the jungle. He found a couple of forked branches and a longer one to go between and carried them with the fish back to the cave. Kat had been rummaging through the emergency pack, and set out the second blanket as well as a couple of empty coconut shells she’d found nearby, and she was setting more wood on the fire.
    “You caught some!” She smiled, a hungry expression on her face.
    “You sound surprised.” Chuckling, he laid the fish on a flat rock while he set up the makeshift spit. Kat shrugged,