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  “Yep,” he said, his tone serious, “but that wasn’t the question.”

  “Just trying to keep the situation light.”

  “Do you think you’ll ever really want to get married again?” he asked.

  “Can’t we just talk about condiments?”

  “Come on, Ashly.”

  “We had such a good day. Why ruin it with all this? Like I said, the past is the past.”

  “I just need to know.”

  I let out a sigh. “Sure, someday. I didn’t before because…well, it didn’t exactly turn out like I hoped the first time around. If anyone proposed to me again and I accepted, I’d just go to the justice of the peace. Inviting all those people to my wedding and then being stood up like that is something I can’t go through again.” I gazed in his direction, even though I couldn’t see anything in the darkness. “I never bothered to ask. Are you married…or have you even been married?”

  “Like I told you before, I made a stupid mistake with you, and I regret it every day. No woman has ever been able to fill the void. So no. I’m not married, and I don’t plan to be. Without you, I don’t see the point.”

  “So there’s nobody special to share all that money with?”

  “No, nobody. My last serious relationship ended a year ago.”

  “Well, I hope you don’t think just because we’re both single and have a past together…” I paused. “Just know I’m not available, Jake—not to you. I never will be again.”

  “You’re still bitter.”

  “What do you expect? Damn straight I’m bitter. I don’t think I’ll ever get over it.”

  “I didn’t mean to stir all this up, Ashly. I’m sorry. I just want to say I’m glad we’re friends…and that I really enjoy being out here with you, even if you are still angry with me and hardly speak to me without being cold and distant.”

  “I’m not sure what you expect from me, Jake. All things considered, it’s taking everything in me for me to be civil with you.”

  “You’re still as beautiful as I remember.”

  I was growing sick of his flattery, which wasn’t really getting him anywhere but deeper down on my shit list. “Goodnight, Jake,” I said, then turned over in a huff.

  “Goodnight, Ashly.”

  And with that, I closed my eyes and tried to fall asleep.

  It was little use to try and get some rest, for as beautiful as Africa was during the day, it was very noisy at night. The tent flapped all night and kept waking me up. And then those nocturnal birds Anto told me about were super loud with their distinctive and characteristic calls. Anto had called them Fiery-necked Night Jars.

  Then the hairs on my neck stood straight up when a lion’s roar echoed in the night. It started out with a few deep, long roars. I listened intently as the roars ended up turning into a series of shorter ones, and for thirty minutes, lions prowled outside our tents. When I managed the courage to look outside, I saw the shadows of at least ten animals.

  “Don’t worry. They don’t want us,” Jake whispered over the squawking and chirping of the birds outside. Then he pointed at a spot in the distance, where several lionesses were tearing into an unfortunate bushbuck.

  I could only snuggle down into my sleeping bag like some terrified caterpillar, my heart beating a petrified symphony in my chest. I was excited that they were so close, but scared at the same time. “Can’t they find someplace else to enjoy their midnight snack?” I joked.

  “This is what nature’s all about,” Jake responded. “Wow! Life on safari doesn’t get much better than this.” Jake looked at me, then back out around us, his eyes wide. “Isn’t this amazing?”

  Before I could answer, a hyena whooped in the distance, making me gasp.

  “A little jumpy?” he whispered, wearing a big smile.

  “Jake, there are meat-eaters out there, giant cats on the prowl and striped, laughing dogs. Pardon me for being a little on edge.”

  “Bring your sleeping bag over by me. I won’t bite.”

  “Not a chance.”

  Something crashed in the trees, pulling down branches.

  My imagination went wild with the possibilities. “What’s that?” I asked.

  “Elephants.”

  Another lion roared, and loud trumpets filled the air, followed by more crashing feet.

  I grabbed Jake’s arm in a panic.

  “That’s just the lions scaring off the elephants,” Jake said.

  I clutched my heart, trying to stay brave.

  He peeked out the tent window again. “The lions are bored with us. They’re leaving.”

  I let out a long sigh of relief. “Good. Maybe I can get some sleep now,” I said.

  “Don’t worry. You’ll get more sleep on our next destination.”

  “Which is?” I asked, since our near-death experience had my mind going in circles, causing me to completely forget our agenda.

  “The sand dunes, then Paris.”

  “Paris,” I said slowly. That was supposed to be our dream spot, the perfect place for lovers. I wondered why my mom had been so cruel as to order me to go to the City of Love with a man I despised.

  I remembered all the passionate ways he’d planned to kiss me in front of the Eiffel Tower, the moonlight strolls we talked about, and those romantic boat rides that would lazily drift down the Seine River. We were going to eat a huge plate of oysters at the tiny Regis and splurge on a huge seafood platter at Le Dome. We planned to drink Chablis, Sancerre, Muscadet, and lots of champagne from fancy glasses. I’d also planned a self-guided kissing tour, with the help of a book I’d bought, aptly titled The Best Places to Kiss in Paris. I’d mapped out a fantastic day based on the most romantic locations, fifteen perfect spots, including a just-the-two-of-us picnic in our hotel room. Jake had loved the idea. and had teased me about being so sentimental. Jake and I had spent hours talking about Paris and planning the perfect vacation, but that was just one of those things I had to leave in the past. This time, we’d be going there as just friends, if even that, and I found that very sad.

  Frowning, I told Jake goodnight again and crawled back into my sleeping bag. I refused to get any closer to him, lions or not. Trying to tune all thoughts of Jake out of my head, I listened to the beautiful sounds of nature. The symphony of hoots, shrieks, buzzes, and whistles eventually lulled me to sleep.

  I jolted awake again when the crunch of leaves and the snap of twigs hit my ears, followed by loud wheezing ripping through the air. I strained my neck to listen as my heart skipped a beat. I lay as still as I could, and I heard something walking on dry, crackling grass. The noise sounded much closer than last time, and I worried that razor-sharp claws would tear through the flimsy tent material and rip us to shreds.

  Chapter 11

  “Jake!” my voice became a whisper, and my stomach fluttered. When he didn’t answer, I crept across the tent and turned on the lantern. “Jake!” I said again, shaking him. “They’re back!”

  His eyes fluttered open. “Ashly?”

  “Jake!”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I heard something. Something’s out there.”

  He listened, but everything had gone completely still. “The tent’s probably flapping again. It’s been doing it all night.”

  “I swore I heard something, and it wasn’t the tent. Maybe it’s an elephant or a lion. What if it’s a rhino? All that separates us from those dangerous predators is a flimsy wall of brown fabric.”

  A smile grew across his face. “If you’re that worried, lie next to me. I’ll keep you safe.”

  I slugged him. “Get that silly grin off your face. I swear I heard something. I assure you I’m not just trying to get in your…uh, sleeping bag.”

  He stared at me. “You’re shaking. You’re really scared to death?”

  I let out a long breath. “Yeah.”

  “Bring your sleeping bag over here. I promise to be a perfect gentleman.”

  “I’d rather be eaten by whatev
er is out there than come anywhere near you!”

  “Ouch,” he said, sitting up.

  When I realized he wasn’t wearing a shirt, I was taken aback. In fact, I was relatively certain he was completely naked inside his sleeping bag. Jake always slept naked, and being in a jungle hadn’t changed him.

  “Put on some clothes, Jake,” I said, turning around to give him some privacy.

  “Why?” he asked. “Whatever it was, our voices must’ve scared it off.”

  I listened intently. “You’re right. I think it’s gone.”

  “I’ll go take a quick look so you have peace of mind.”

  “That would make me feel a whole lot safer,” I said, daring a peek over my shoulder when I heard him rustling around in the tent. “Are you dressed yet?”

  “Yes, but what if I wasn’t? You would’ve gotten a sneak peek, looking at me like that—a real, uh…sensual peek.”

  “Please don’t sleep naked on this trip,” I said.

  “You used to love it.”

  “If you could abide by my wishes, that’d be fantastic.”

  “Who do you think you are, the African queen or something? I hate wearing clothes at night.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Why are you making everything so hard? You said yourself that we’re just friends, so trying acting like one. None of my other friends sleep in the nude around me.”

  “Not even Nadia? That might be kinda hot,” he joked.

  “Shut up, Jake,” I said, not finding the humor in it.

  “I apologize, Highness, but I can’t sleep in clothes.”

  “Listen, I’m a little freaked right now, okay?” I said, turning toward the tent exit. “Your striptease isn’t exactly helping me right now.”

  He suddenly touched my shoulder. His soft touch electrified me, and a jolt raced straight for my heart. “It’s okay,” he breathed into my ear, his voice as soft and husky as his alluring, manly aroma.

  “I’m fine,” I said, turning from him.

  He began to rub the hard knots in my shoulders, something he used to do to calm me down. I found it almost impossibly difficult to concentrate with his big arms wrapped around me. Damn, he smells good. His hands caressed the hollow of my back as he whispered my name in my ear. I yearned to feel my body pressed closer to his rock-hard, muscular frame. I closed my eyes. His touch was like magic. Then, suddenly, I was snapped back into reality. I didn’t want him touching me. We were barely friends and nothing more. Biting my lip, I tore away from him.

  “Ashly…” he said.

  Suddenly, another twig snapped.

  “Shh. It’s back.” I held my breath, my mind racing. Whatever it was, it was moving through the thick vegetation, its snorts and grunts coming closer. Something big was coming our way, powerful steps crashed through, each one louder than the last. Waiting to pounce? Coming to get us? What kind of animal could make that much noise? I didn’t want to stick around to find out, but I was terrified to leave our flimsy excuse for shelter. I heard a loud blast of air being blown, followed by a louder grunt, and I tried to ignore the knots in my stomach. “What kind of animal is that?”

  He shined a flashlight beam toward the ground, his mouth set in a hard line. “Wait here. I’ll go check it out.”

  “Armed with nothing but a flashlight?” I reached toward him, my fingers brushing his arm. “No! Please don’t go out there, Jake.”

  “Aw. Jane scared for Tarzan?”

  I rolled my eyes. “I don’t hate you enough to want to see you get ripped apart by a wild animal,” I said, trying to keep my voice from shaking.

  “Listen, I’ll be fine. I’m positive it’s not lions, if that’s any relief.”

  I took a deep breath as I peered into his eyes. “I’m coming with you,” I said, grabbing a flashlight.

  Knowing there was no use in arguing with me, he nodded and opened the tent slowly.

  I pointed my flashlight beam down and gasped at all the footprints everywhere. Animals were getting a little too close for comfort. The place smelled damp and earthy, and could hear the creature smacking its thick, moose-like lips as it moved closer. I opened my mouth, but my voice remained trapped somewhere in my throat. I couldn’t breathe and couldn’t move; every muscle in my body tensed—all except for my heart, which thrummed like the beating wings of a hummingbird. When Jake pulled me close, as if to protect me, I rested my cheek against his strong chest, listening to his racing heart. I was just about to bolt over to Anto’s tent, certain that he’d be armed and would know what to do, but when I turned to run, Jake’s hand tightened around my arm, pulling me closer. I raised my eyebrows, and Jake loosened his death grip. I took a few brave steps, scanning straight ahead.

  “It’s just a giraffe,” he explained, pointing off to the right.

  My golden beam slid upward, illuminating the tall tree, and then landed on a towering creature. The long-necked animal was happily munching on acacia leaves, sending a few monkeys scurrying away in frustration.

  Jake burst out in a wave of laughter. “Guess we found our killer.”

  “A giraffe?” I let out a sigh of relief. “You must think I’m crazy.”

  “I have to admit, my heart was pounding, too.”

  A muscular black tongue licked the top of the leaves, leaving a layer of sticky slime, and the animal stared at us with its dark-brown eyes as it pulled down a branch and made a quick snack of it, like some kind of modern-day brontosaurus. It plucked the leaves with its wide lips, stripping the tree with its teeth. Then loud, thudding footsteps echoed as the giant, long-legged creature lumbered away.

  I clutched my chest. “I can’t believe I almost had a heart attack over a giraffe.”

  We both burst out in laughter, and I loved the way he laughed and the way the lines around his face crinkled up around his eyes.

  “I’m going back to sleep,” I said, heading back inside the tent.

  “If you need me to fend off any other ferocious beasts, just let me know. I’m your man.”

  “You’re not gonna let me live this one down, are you?”

  He laughed once again. “Not a chance.”

  We snuggled once again back into our warm sleeping bags. I dozed back to sleep and was having a wonderful dream when something suddenly woke me up. I glanced down at my watch. It was way too early for this. I heard a distinctively loud, penetrating and recognizable haa-haa-haa-de-dah call.

  “What’s that?” I said, sitting straight up at four a.m.

  “It’s a bird. Yeah, it woke me up too.”

  “Why isn’t it sleeping?”

  “The Hadeda Ibis get up early,” he chuckled.

  I chuckled back. “Tell me about it.” I put the pillow over my head and drifted back to sleep.

  Chapter 12

  Morning came faster than I anticipated. After getting dressed and brushing my hair, I opened the tent and was blown away by the sight before me. Swirls of mist danced across the grasslands in the most mysterious way. Silhouetted against the pink sunrise was an outline of grazing antelopes and wildebeests, munching on dew-laden grass. I scoured the land for lions and was thankful I didn’t see any.

  “Now that’s the way to start the morning,” Jake said, smiling.

  “It’s really something,” I said.

  Our faithful tour guide handed me a cup of instant coffee.

  “Thank you,” I said with a smile.

  “Zylando and his team are coming with elephants in an hour,” Anto said.

  “Great! I’ve wanted to ride an elephant forever.”

  Jake and I rode together on one elephant. The animal started to move and quickly gained speed, lumbering along with its big legs, staggering from side to side with each giant step. I was glad Jake was sitting in front of me so I had something to wrap my arms around and hold on to.

  The sun peeked out while clouds wisped across a blue sky. A cool breeze, carrying the chirps and calls of birds, stirred the leaves. I could not even think of words to describe how awesome the ad
venture was as we swayed along at what felt like a leisurely pace.

  The smell of damp wood, earth, and fish wafted past. Somewhere to my right, the sound of trickling water echoed in my ears. I craned my neck around and caught a glimpse of the river sparkling in the bright light. Along the water’s edge were giant nests of dead grass, hanging from gnarled tree limbs. The shrill sound of squawking birds filled the air all around us, and the elephant started to stomp into the muddy water.

  “It’s okay,” our tour guide said. “We’re crossing the river to get to the other side. She’s very familiar with carrying passengers across. You shouldn’t have any problems.”

  Drops of water splashed on my face, arms, and legs. I wiped the moisture across my burning skin, enjoying the cooling sensation.

  Weee-ah, hyo-hyo, heee-ah, heeah-heeah.

  I gazed up at the large raptor making the loud, evocative, and haunting cry. It was perched on branches overlooking the water. The majestic bird had a brown body with large, powerful, black wings. The head, breast, and tail were snow white. I snapped a few glorious shots with my camera.

  “That’s an African Fish-Eagle. It’s the spirit or essence of Africa. Its distinctive call has earned it the name ‘the voice of Africa’.”

  I smiled as the magnificent bird swooped down to catch a fish.

  Suddenly, the elephant stopped.

  I laughed. “I think she’s taking a break.”

  Slurping filled the air, as the elephant sucked up water through her trunk like a straw. She lifted her long gray protrusion high in the air, and a huge plume of spray shot skyward, only to stream down on us like rain.

  I couldn’t help but giggle. “I know she’s hot, but has she forgotten we’re up here, too?” I blinked and wiped my soaking-wet hair out of my eyes.

  We all laughed.

  Jake’s wet hair hung just over his collar, and I admired his hairstyle all over again. It was longer than it was when we had dated, but I loved it. It made him look so sexy that I was half-tempted to run my hand through those gorgeous locks.

  The elephant took a few more steps and slowly submerged below the surface of the water. From the shore, the river had seemed wide and shallow, and now I wondered how deep the river was, since the elephant seemed to barely reach the bottom. A log swept past and grazed my legs. When I glanced down, I saw more logs, as well as debris and branches, floating past us. Water seeped into my socks and tennis shoes. First my knees sank in, then my stomach. A shiver ran down my spine. With a splash, the elephant’s entire head plopped just a few inches under the surface of the water. I was sure we were sinking like a big, giant rock, and I clung to the saddle as water swirled past my hips.