The second his lips found mine again , everything else fell away . The rain , the cold , the fear from earlier , none of it mattered . His mouth moved against mine like he needed the kiss to breathe . My hands tangled in his hair , tugging gently as he pushed me backward , guiding me toward the makeshift bed of blankets near the fire . I was shivering , but not from the cold . His hands ran along my waist , slipping beneath the damp fabric of my shirt . I gasped when his fingers found my skin , hot against the chill of my body . " Rick , " I breathed , not sure if I was asking him to slow down or to keep going . He paused , looking down at me . His forehead rested against mine . " Tell me to stop ." I didn't So he didn't . He pulled my shirt over my head and tossed it to the side . His mouth moved along my neck , then my collarbone . My fingers clutched his back . Llet out a quiet moan when his hand slid over my chest , teasing and slow I could barely breathe . He whispered , " You're shaking . Are you cold ? " " No , " I whispered back . " Just … you . " His laugh was low and soft . His lips trailed down again . When he kissed my stomach , I felt heat crawl all the way to my throat . Rick's eyes , dark and hungry had me pinioned to the wall . " I couldn't wait , I needed to taste you He pounced and I groaned as his mouth latched onto my neck , sucking hard . Hist teeth grazed my skin , and I knew he'd leave a mark . I didn't care . I wanted it . I wanted every heated , dirty thing he could give me . He didn't stop there . His lips trailed down , his tongue swirling over my collarbone , my shoulder , my chest . He pushed my shirt down , exposing my bra . His mouth found my nipples through the lace , sucking hard , making me cry out . " What do you want , Fiona ? " he mumbled against my skin . " More . I want . He cut me off , his teeth nipping at my nipple . " Tell me . " " Fuck , Rick I want your mouth on me . " He chuckled , a low , dirty sound . " Where ? " Chapter 38 " You know where . " I gasped as he sucked my nipple harder , his hand already pushing up my skirt , his fingers finding the wit heat between my legs . " I want to hear ar you say " You know what I want ! " I gasped , pushing my hips against his hand . He slipped a finger inside me , then another, and I was lost , moaning begging He dropped to his knees , pushing my legs apart . His mouth found my clit , sucking hard , his tongue fucking over the sensitive bud . I threaded my fingers into his hair , holding him to me , riding his face , chasing my release . " Fuck , Rick . Right there . Don't stop ." I had lost any normal thoughts by this point . He didn't . He sucked harder , his fingers pumping in and out of me , his other hand squeezing my ass . I came hard , my body convulsing , my scream echoing in the room . Idragged my fingers over the lines of his chest . Every part of him was hard and warm . His mouth returned to mine and this time it was deeper , needier . When he started to reach down to unbutton his pants , I beat him to it . My hands fumbled but he didn't stop me . His breathing got heavier , his forehead brushing mine . " You don't have to , " he said , voice hoarse . " I want to , " I murmured . I moved lower , but the moment my mouth brushed his skin , he flinched . He cupped my face and gently pulled me up . I tried to push him back , to give him a turn , but he stood up , wiping his mouth with the back of his hand . " Fiona , " he said , eyes clouded . " Stop . Just … stop . " Iblinked , " Did I do something wrong ? " He shook his head . " No. You didn't just … we need to sleep . We should sleep . " He was out of breath , skin flushed . But the way he said it left no room for argument . He helped me lay down and pulled the blankets over us . I turned away at first , unsure of what just happened . Then he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me against him . " Don't overthink it , " he said into my hair . " Please . " I didn't say anything , I just closed my eyes and let myself sink into the warmth of him . By morning , the rain had stopped and our clothes were dry . He dressed quickly then bent to pick me up without warning . " Rick , I can walk , " I protested . " You're limping , " he said . " Let me . " Sol let him . He carried me all the way back to the camp . Chapter 38 Everyone stopped what they were doing to stare . Conversations dropped . Even the announcer seemed surprised " There you are ! " she said . " We were about to send search teams . The storm got worse overnight . You both could've been seriously hurt . " topened my mouth to respond , but a sharp voice cut through the crowd . " Seriously ? " Benita snapped . " He could have died out there . And for what ? To chase after her ? " Gasps floated around the group . I tensed in his arms , Rick didn't even look at her . His expression was cold as stone . * Everyone back to your activities , " he said . " Now . " People scattered like ants . He took me straight to the tent and called for a medic . They checked my ankle and wrapped it carefully while Rick stood nearby with his arms crossed . Once they left , I heard his voice again . Not to me , to Benita , " What the hell was that ? " he said , voice sharp . Theard her sputter . " I was just worried , " " No , " he snapped . " You were trying to cause a scene . What is wrong with you ? " " Rick , people are talking … " " Because you made them talk . You don't speak for me . Ever . " I couldn't see them from where I sat , but I could hear everything . And I could feel the way her silence followed . Like a slap He returned a few moments later , crouching in front of me . " How's your ankle ? " " Sore , " I said . His fingers brushed over the bandage . " You didn't have to carry me . " I wanted to . " I looked at him , heart beating too fast . I still dign't know what last night really meant . But in that moment , I didn't ask . All of a sudden he disappeardd again . I stood near the tent , half - hidden by the flap , eyes fixed on the two of them across the Seld . Benita's voice rose , sharp and unmistakably bitter . " Why shouldn't I react ? " she hissed , her hands slicing the air between them . " This manage was for show . That was the entire point , wasn't it ? You and me , we were supposed to take advantage of it . Get closer again but you ," she pointed a finger toward our tent " you've gotten too- close with her . " Chapter 35 Rick said nothing for a second . His head was slightly howerl , hands in his pockets , like he was trying to keep himself from snapping Benita's lips twitched in disgust . " It was supposed to be us again . This was " he " I'm sorry ," he said suddenly I blinked . My stomach dropped . Benita reeled back a little . " What ? " " I'm sorry , " he repeated , firmer this time . " For leading you on . Il fix it . " She stared at him , eyes wide , mouth parted . " You mean that ? " " I'll make it right , " he said , voice low and steady . our chance , " My chest burned . The back of my throat felt hot . I turned away before they saw me . I couldn't hear anything else . What the hell was I doing still here ? I walked fast , hands clenched at my sides . My ankle still ached but I didn't stop . I needed to breathe . I needed to be anywhere but near them I needed to find someone who didn't make me feel this way . a . When I spotted Andrew by the outer benches , staring down at his phone , I didn't hesitate I headed straight for the mess area , " Andrew , " I called out , my voice sharper than I meant . He looked up and smiled . " Hey … you okay ? " I walked over and sat beside him , not answering right away . " I guess not , " he added . AD Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!