Chapter 8 #3
“I’ve always wanted to play the piano. It seems like such an elegant instrument. But I learned in elementary school that the recorder is about the extent of my musical abilities,” Kelli told him.
“I played the clarinet all throughout high school.”
“You did?” Kelli asked, sounding shocked.
“Yup.”
“You don’t seem like the band type.”
“Oh, I was a nerd through and through, and happy to be one. I was also in theater.”
“Me too!” Kelli exclaimed happily.
They spoke about the plays they were in and some of the shows they wanted to see on Broadway.
“Time for another bite,” Flash told her, scooping out another spoonful of callaloo.
“Seriously, this stuff is amazing,” Kelli said, as Flash chewed his own bite. “I bet it’s even better steamed, or cooked with some of the fish dishes the Jamaicans are known for.”
“Didn’t we have some of this on the buffet at the resort?” Flash asked.
At his question, Kelli’s gaze dropped and her shoulders sagged.
Mentally kicking himself for ruining the good mood, Flash reached out and put his hand on Kelli’s shoulder. He didn’t say anything; what could he say? He knew she was thinking how, just yesterday— was it yesterday?—they’d been stuffing their faces at the resort with no cares in the world .
He felt her take a deep breath, then look back up at him. “Dogs or cats?”
“Both,” he said without hesitation. “I like all animals. Never been able to have one with my work schedule, but if I could, I’d like to go to the shelter and ask for the oldest animal they have.
One that has very little chance of being adopted.
Then spoil him or her rotten until the end of their life. ”
“That’s…that’s awesome,” Kelli said.
Flash shrugged. “Beach or mountains?”
“Beach. I think I know what you’d say to that question.”
Flash grinned. “You know how I feel about the beach.”
“Ebook or paperback?”
“Audio,” Flash said.
They continued like that, asking questions back and forth, getting to know each other better as they took turns eating the callaloo. When there were no more leafy vegetables in the can, they slurped up the juices left over.
“It’s crazy how full I feel,” Kelli said when they’d finished every drop they could get.
Flash wanted to tell her it wouldn’t last long. That when her body was finished sucking all the nutrients out of the food she’d just consumed, she’d likely feel even hungrier, even more desperate for more. But of course he didn’t. He’d just distract her if and when that happened.
“Oh, you know what? We should’ve put the uncooked pasta in the juice of the spinach stuff. It might’ve softened it up.”
She was right. They absolutely should’ve done that. “We’ll do it with the next can.” He just prayed whatever was in it would be edible and have some juice .
“I have a confession to make,” Kelli said out of the blue.
“Yeah?”
“Uh-huh…something I should’ve told you earlier.”
Flash frowned. He had no idea what deep dark secret she thought she should’ve shared…but suddenly she sounded almost nervous.
“I told you that I’ve had a lot of jobs, basically because of what my dad told me right before he died. Well, the reason I’m able to jump from job to job is because there was a large settlement from his death—and I got the bulk of it, since I was a minor.
“I’ve got money, Flash. Lots of it. I think that could’ve been why we were kidnapped. The men who took us must’ve somehow found out about it and decided to kidnap me. And you just got swept up in the whole thing. I’m so sorry.”
Flash was shocked. Not about the money. Surprised she was rich, yes…but shocked because she thought their kidnapping was because of her. “I don’t think that’s why we were taken.”
“You don’t?”
“No.”
It was Kelli’s turn to frown. “Well, I mean…I guess it doesn’t matter at this point.
But I have no problem using my money to get us out of here.
I’d pay anything if it meant saving us both.
I’m not sure how that would work. Maybe if they come back to check on us, I can tell them that I’m rich and I’ll pay the ransom? ”
“No one’s gonna have to pay anyone any money if my team has their way.”
“I’m just saying—” she started .
“And I heard you. But you’ll get to keep your money, so you can continue to search for a career that you love.” He was glad she had money. That she could be independent. But she wouldn’t be giving a damn dime to the kidnappers. Not if he could help it. “Now…you want to check out that manhole?”
Flash decided it would be a good idea to see if they could move it while they had some energy from the food. Later, they might be too weak.
“Sure. Although it’s pretty high off the ground. Not sure how we’ll reach it.”
“You can stand on my shoulders,” Flash told her.
“That’s probably not the best idea,” she said, biting her lip. “I’m not exactly light.”
Flash gave her a look. “I thought we already talked about this. You’re perfect, Kelli. I mean it.”
“I know, but?—”
“No buts.”
“Okay, however , I don’t think I’m strong enough to lift that manhole cover.”
Flash grinned at how she’d avoided using the word but.
“Don’t underestimate yourself. Even if you can’t, I’ll be under you, all you have to do is put your hands on it and lock your elbows.
I’ll push upward, and hopefully that will be enough to move it.
All I need is just enough of a lip to get my hands out, and I can get it moved. ”
“Then what?” Kelli asked. “We drove pretty far into the jungle. We have no idea where we are, or who are the good guys and who are the bad guys.”
“I’ve had extensive jungle survival training,” Flash reassured her. “I can find us food, water, make a shelter, we can hang out in the rainforest until my team finds us. Being out there in the jungle is way better than being in here.”
“Yeah. You’re right. Okay, let’s do this,” Kelli said, sounding more confident.
Flash couldn’t keep himself away from her if his life depended on it. After they stood, he stepped into her personal space and pulled her against him. Her hands landed on his chest, and she blinked in surprise.
“Flash?”
“I’m going to kiss you,” he warned. “More than a brushing of our lips. Is that okay?”
“Um…I’m not sure my breath is all that great,” she admitted.
He grinned. “Mine isn’t either. But since we both smell like callaloo, I think we’re okay.”
She stared up at him.
Flash licked his lips as he stared back. “If you don’t want this, it’s alright. I just?—”
She didn’t let him finish his sentence. One of her hands moved up to tangle in his hair, and she pulled him down at the same time she went up on her tiptoes.
Flash took over from there. As soon as he knew he had her consent, there was no way he could hold back.
His lips covered hers, and he groaned as her tongue immediately found his. She wasn’t shy about taking what she wanted, and the feel of her against him was like…coming home.
Flash bent Kelli backward until he was holding her up as he devoured her. Their kiss went from a tentative exploration to a deep, carnal exchange of what was to come in the future.
He would have this woman. In all ways. Not just physically. He wanted to know everything about her. Her hopes, fears, dreams. He’d make those hopes and dreams come true and slay all her demons.
He lifted his head, but didn’t bring her back up.
“Flash?” she whispered, licking her lips.
“When we get back to California, I want to see you again. I want to take you out. Bring you to my crappy apartment and make dinner for us both. We can watch all ten seasons of Alone and be all judgmental about the decisions they make. I want to be your boyfriend, Kelli. Exclusive boyfriend. I want to introduce you to my friends, pick you up from a girls’ night out, help you find your dream career, and watch you shine from the inside out.
Please say yes. Give me a chance. I swear I won’t let you down. ”
Kelli put her hand on his cheek and said, “I know you won’t.”
Flash’s arm was beginning to tire, so he stood them up straight, but he didn’t let go of her. He realized how hard he was pushing. He’d come on way too strong.
He had a gut feeling that was going to be an ongoing problem when it came to this woman.
“And if we get out of here, yes, I’d like to see where things might go between us.”
That wasn’t the firmest yes, but Flash would take it.
“ When we get out of here. It’s a date then. Come on, let’s check out that manhole cover.”
He took her hand in his and walked over to where they’d been dumped inside this tomb of a bus. He jumped, and could just barely touch the ceiling.
Turning to Kelli, he said, “I think you’ll be able to just sit on my shoulders.” He squatted down and held out his hands .
She looked skeptical, but bravely went behind him and took hold of his hands. She awkwardly climbed onto his shoulders, and Flash held her thighs tightly as he stood.
Kelli was at the perfect height. She was practically nose to nose with the cover.
She did her best to push the lid, with no luck. Then Flash crouched, Kelli straightened her arms, locked her elbows, and he used his leg strength to try to push the cover up and off, but again, it didn’t even budge.
Frustrated, he put Kelli back on her feet and began to pace. He’d been counting on being able to break out. But Heckle and Jeckle must have put something on top of the manhole cover to hold it down.
“We’re never getting out of here, are we?” Kelli asked, sounding despondent.
That wouldn’t do. Not at all.
“We are. Think about it, if those assholes parked a car or something on top of us, that’s like a huge beacon for my team.
I mean, a car in the middle of the jungle?
That’ll stand out like a sore thumb. And anything else they might’ve done to make the cover heavy enough not to be moved will also stand out.
We might not be able to break out, but my team will break in. I give you my word.”
Kelli took a deep breath, then nodded.
Flash was overwhelmed with his feelings for this woman. She had every right to be freaking out, and yet she was putting her trust in him. In his team. It was humbling.
“How about we check out that conch shell. See if we can break it? Make us some shanks in case Heckle and Jeckle come back.” He needed to keep her busy.
“Okay.”
“Great. Come on, let’s have some more water before we start.” It was Flash’s responsibility to take care of her physical needs. He knew what could happen to the human body in survival situations. He’d make sure she conserved her strength and got what she needed to keep going.
It wouldn’t be long before Kevlar or one of the others stuck their head down that hole and asked what the hell he was doing down there. He hoped.