Naked and Defiant Read online

  "Do you know how to make a bow?"

  "Yeah. Do you know how to shoot one?"

  "Yeah!" Jade sounded excited. She slapped Griffon's arm at his disbelieving expression. "I really do! I used to compete in longbow archery when I was a teenager. Our safari guide was a bushmaster and taught me how to shoot. Stop looking at me like that; I'm telling the truth!"

  "I don't believe in doing safari," Griffon frowned, deeply.

  "It was a rainforest photo safari! Geesh. We didn't hunt anything. He taught me, so I would keep out of everyone's hair. And to kill a snake, if I needed to. I hate snakes," she shuddered.

  "I'll make you a bow and some arrows and you can show me. Personally," he held up another spear, "I prefer a Woomera spear-thrower."

  "Just like a man ... Favoring a long harpoon," Jade teased. "You don't know how to use a bow, do you?" she asked mischievously.

  "Don't need to know," Griffon grunted.

  "You are so damn stubborn. Hey, it's down to a drizzle, and it's really warm. Can I go out? Please? I'll wear a trash bag," Jade begged, sticking her head out the shelter.

  "You will stay put until I decide it's safe to go," Griffon said, taking the sharpening stone to the edge of his knife. A distant clap of thunder emphasized his point. "Trash bags are too much like clothing, and it isn't cold enough to worry about hypothermia."

  "It will keep me dry, that's all. I've been so good, haven't I?"

  "We both know that will change very soon," he sighed, shaking his head as she offered her wide, puppy-dog eyes. "Go on, get out of here. And if you see any lightning, you are to get your ass back right away. Make sure you stay within the sound of my voice, and do not forget to mark your trail."

  "Yes, sir!" Jade offered a mock salute, quickly slipping out of the shelter before he changed his mind. She twirled in the light sprinkle of the rain, grateful that the temperature had once again changed to balmy warmth. Venturing down to the beach, Jade paused to take in the eerie beauty. Pockets of heavy mist followed the bright green tree line, and the wet, sun-bleached sand sparkled under the rivulets of water than ran down towards the surf line. She checked the fish wall and grinned; two large parrot fish were swimming around in the 'hole'. They would remain there until Griffon speared them for dinner.

  In the distance, she saw a billowing column of steam and decided to investigate. They had not had the opportunity to explore the island fully because of the unpredictable weather, and Griffon mentioned the strong possibility of a freshwater source based on the foliage. Jade simply hoped that her discovery meant a volcano-heated pool of water. She would give up her Mercedes for a hot bath! She carefully stepped her way through the dense trees and between rocky ledges, making her way around tall, rocky shelves and heavily-vined thickets. The beach was out of view within minutes, but she maintained her focus on the column of steam, without paying attention to direction. She lost track of time as she sought her way towards her goal, weaving in and out of the jungle, not realizing that she had become hopelessly lost in the process.

  Jade came upon an edge of a short cliff that overlooked a narrow channel lined with protruding reef mounts. Grunting, she turned around to attempt to find another way towards the steam column, her frustration growing as it began to dissipate with the breaking of the cloud cover. She paused only to yank a small thorn from her foot and to grab a ripe papaya, which she slurped hungrily as she continued in the direction of the hopeful hot bath.

  Her efforts were rewarded several hours later when the sound of water caught her attention. She picked her way around another tall rock mound and was greeted with the splattering heat of a small sulfur pool fed by a tiny trickling waterfall. Squealing with delight, Jade slowly lowered herself into the steamy water, ignoring the rancid odor as she sunk shoulder deep with a happy sigh. People paid good money for sulfur spas and here she was, getting it for free! She submerged her head, washing away the salt and sand from her hair and enjoying the feel of her skin as it was cleansed and rehydrated in the mineral bath. She sighed as the heat penetrated her aching muscles and she closed her eyes, nestled in the natural contour that served as a lounger. Never again would she take a spa experience for granted.

  She slept so deeply that the sound of Griffon's call failed to wake her. It was not until he abruptly jerked her out of the pool and smacked the back of her thigh with one very large hand that she fully awakened.

  "OW! Why the hell did you do that?" she demanded, trying to pull her wrist from his grip.

  He smacked her bottom this time, his hand imprint white against the pink skin that was still warm from the pool. "Didn't I tell you to stay close by? Didn't I tell you that if there was lightning, you were to get your ass back to camp?"

  "Yeah. Ow! Stop it! I just ..." her words were interrupted by the sound of thunder.

  "You are in trouble once again, young lady."

  "But I found fresh water! Look!"

  "That is wonderful. But it does not negate the fact that you disappeared on me. Damn it!" Griffon shouted, as the rain began to pour upon them. "Move your rump before we get ourselves electrocuted!"

  "Which way?" Jade asked, confused.

  Griffon's face reddened with anger, "You didn't even bother to mark your trail, did you? How many times do I need to tell you that it is dangerous out here? How many times?!" he demanded, the rain running down his face.

  "I forgot," Jade said, biting her lip.

  "You 'forgot'," he repeated, "For the last week, while you were sitting warm and dry, feasting on lobster and clams, I have been trying to teach you about this environment, to keep you safe," he lectured, yanking her behind him as he made his way through the thick jungle and between the rocky ravines. "I gave you a chance to show me that you could be responsible and use your brain. I specifically told you to stay within calling distance, didn't I? I have been looking for you for hours, straining my voice calling for you, and where do I find you? Sound asleep while soaking in a thermal pool! Did it ever cross your mind that maybe I would be worried sick about you? Consider yourself lucky that I am one hell of a tracker."

  "I just wanted a hot bath. It felt sooooo good, and …"

  "I am telling you this, little girl. There is one part of your body that won't know what the word comfort means for the next couple of days. As for hot, expect your backside to feel nice and toasty by time I am done warming it."

  "Griffon, please ..."

  "Save your begging for when your bottom starts to smart. You are going to need it."

  "You can't do this!" Jade's eyes filled with tears as he dragged her back towards the beach. "It's not my fault you are so overprotective and a control freak. I'm a grown adult, and ..."

  "Then act like one. Try using common sense and obeying instructions intended for your well-being," Griffon scolded, jerking her firmly as she began to drag her feet. He stopped and pointed to the horizon. "See that? It's a monsoon, and it's heading straight for us. I warned you about how unpredictable the weather is—and how dangerous. Trust me when I tell you that being unprotected in the middle of that beast is the last place you would ever want to be."

  Monsoon? The seriousness of her situation dawned upon her as she stared into the distant sky shadowed by black sheets of rain and sparkling with lightning.

  "Do we have enough supplies?" she whispered, as he began to pull her back towards their camp.

  "What the hell do you think I've been doing these last six-plus hours while looking for you? Close the water bags and replace them, while I go back down to the beach and get the traps," Griffon barked, shoving her towards the shelter. "If I am not back, start weaving more palm fronds for covering."

  "Griffon? I'm really sorry," Jade said, as he turned to go.

  "You certainly should be. If not now, then when I am done with you."

  Jade gulped as he stomped away. The wind was beginning to pick up again, and she felt her heart pounding. She had been caught in a tropical monsoon once before. She and her father had been visiting a friend
of his who was stationed in Okinawa, and the storm struck without warning one afternoon. Flap jackets were required if they were outside the buildings; the winds were strong enough to blow them down. She recalled standing by the window and watching a small car being flipped onto its side. She had stared, dumbfounded, just before being shoved out of the way so that the window could be boarded.

  Terror ripped through her as she quickly tied up the trash bags that had collected rainwater and set new ones in their place. She stoked the fire and wrinkled her nose as she turned the skewered sea cucumbers that Griffon had slowly smoking over the embers in the smoking hut he had made. Jade glanced nervously at the path that led to camp as she started stringing fresh limes on a small vine to hang from the shelter's supports next to other fruit, smoked fish, and baby green coconuts. Wisely keeping her comments to herself, she then restacked the pile of small yams they had dug up from an open field near the campsite. She was peeling the outer bark off the top of a small palm to get to the sweet, crunchy heart when Griffon returned.

  The two parrotfish flipped on the end of his spear, and he had something else in his hand. Jade wrinkled her nose as he tossed a medium-sized octopus on the flat rock that they used as a table. He glanced around the camp. His expression indicated that he had noticed her work, but he said nothing as he set about cleaning the catch, securing four tentacles to a green stick to roast, arranging the others in the smoker. Jade bit her lip, watching him out of the corner of her eye as she began to silently braid two palm leaves together like he had shown her. His back muscles rippled as he tore the outer skin off the 'head' and chopped the white, chewy meat into small steaks. He cubed one of them and placed the meat in a large clamshell with lime juice and chunks of coconut and set it aside.

  "Are we going to cook that?" Jade asked, timidly.

  "The acid from the lime juice does that chemically," Griffon responded coldly.

  "Oh," Jade said. "I bet it's good."

  "It serves it purpose," Griffon muttered. "Get inside before it starts to blow out here."

  "The smoker …"

  "It's protected by the rocks around it. I just need to keep adding wood." Griffon's response was cool and indifferent. Jade swallowed, unsure of what to do, except stay quiet.

  Uncomfortable silence flooded the shelter as the rain began to beat in a heavy, natural rhythm around them. Jade shifted on her naked backside, the scratchy bedding of grass and palm leaves reminding her of Griffon's threat. With a sigh, she put her project down and crawled next to him. Her need for physical comfort grew more pronounced as the wind whistled through the branches and a strong breeze blew through the shelter.

  "I really am sorry. I honestly didn't consider that you would care," she said softly, leaning her chin on his arm.

  He pulled away from her. "Why wouldn't I care? Haven't I been busting my back to make sure that we have a safe place to hole up and plenty of food and water to keep us alive? I don't know why you think I am such a monster, but it is completely unjustified."

  Jade blinked, surprised at the sound of pain in his voice. "I didn't mean to hurt you, Griff. I really didn't."

  "You are a selfish, self-centered, spoiled, inconsiderate child. Just when I think that you have some redeeming attributes to your character, you pull this bullshit. I promise you that once we are out of this situation, you will never lay eyes on me again." Griffon's voice was bitter with anger.

  Jade was confused." I don't understand. I mean, where did that come from?"

  "Anyone who thinks so little of me to be so inconsiderate is not a person I want to know. Go back to your corner."

  "Aren't you going to, well, you know ..." Jade hesitated.

  "Spank you? Hell, no. I only spank someone I care about and who cares about what I think of them. You don't care about anyone, not even yourself. As far as I am concerned, you are another man trying to survive. Feel free to do your own damn thing for now on. I don't care anymore."

  Jade flushed, his words cutting deep into her heart."For crying out loud, Griff. You are acting like I committed a heinous crime. I wandered off and found a place to take a hot bath. I got a little lost. Seriously, it's not that big of a deal."

  "That is where you and I differ. Disobeying me is a big deal. Putting yourself in danger is a big deal. And mostly," his eyes bore into her, "your inability to see how your actions hurt yourself and me is a big deal. I will finishing making your bow and some arrows, and you are on your own."

  Jade stared at him in disbelief. "What do you mean?"

  "I mean that after this monsoon passes, you will go out and build your own shelter and find your own food. You will be alone and responsible for yourself. I've taught you enough to survive without my help."

  "But I have no tools ..." Jade stuttered, not knowing how to respond.

  "You have a brain. Start with that."

  The fire crackled beneath them as an angry gust of wind rattled the platform. Jade huddled in the corner, covering herself with her makeshift blanket as tears filled her eyes once again. She jumped as a deafening crack of thunder penetrated the sound of pouring rain, and she could smell something burning.

  "Lightning just hit the scuba tank," Griffon muttered. "Just think, it could have been one of us."

  Jade did not want to consider that possibility. In fact, her stomach turned at the thought of Griffon being harmed. She was beginning to like him, too, despite their personality differences. He was smart, funny, a hard worker and mysterious. Plus, he had a rugged handsomeness that appealed to her, even with the scraggly growth of beard that he shaved off with his dive knife every few days, and unruly, wavy brown hair that would never be calmed by brushing. What she did not care for was his anger. Wisely, the young women knew she had to find a way to soothe his temper.

  "I wouldn't like that," Jade said softly. "For either of us."

  "Why not? It would rid you of my bothersome presence and annoying habit of being overprotective," he said, bitterly.

  "I never said your presence was bothersome. Griff, please don't abandon me. I can't take care of myself. You showed me that. I … I need you. Please, give me another chance."

  "It is always nice to know you are someone's tool," he said sharply.

  "It isn't just that. I've grown, well, used to having you around. I have actually started to enjoy our time together, like when you are teaching me things. Except for the man who taught me how to shoot a bow, no one had ever taken the time to teach me anything special."

  "You need to be taught a lesson on how to treat others with consideration and respect. That's exactly what you need. Your daddy did not do you any favors in spoiling you."

  "I'm recognizing that," Jade agreed quietly. She took advantage of his silence. "Yes, I need you. But I also want you. I mean, we have kind of become friends, haven't we? We've shared things about our lives and you've seen me naked for over a week. Hell, you've even pulled a few thorns out of my butt. That's gotta count for something."

  "I make rules for a reason, Jade. Believe it or not, I'm not some egotistical asshole who gets his rocks off bossing women around."

  "I know you aren't. But you are a bit of a control freak, you know," she said, sensing that he was softening up a bit.

  "I am because I have to be."

  "In everything? Like braiding the fronds from the bottom up instead of from top to bottom?" There! She saw a smile. "Or brushing off your feet three times before coming into the shelter? Not two or four, but three? And how about cutting the breadfruit into perfect little …"

  "All right, I get your point. I might be a little controlling, okay?" He raised his eyebrow as she grinned. She got him! "There are two ways of doing things, the 'right' way and doing them again. The fact that my way is the right way just happens to be a happy coincidence, so of course …"

  "Your results are the preferred results, but they are not necessarily the only way to accomplish the goal. You are stubborn, too."

  "You are more so."

  "And argum
entative," Jade suppressed a giggle at his flustered expression.

  "Disagreeing with you does not make me argumentative."

  "And you always have to get the last word."

  "We already had that discussion, little girl. And it was decided that you were the one with that need. Hence, I forbade it."

  "You did not."

  "Well, I am doing so now," Griffon growled, lightly.

  Jade crawled back over to him and reach for his hand. "I really am sorry. Please forgive me."

  "I need to think about it."

  "Would," she blushed, swallowing uncomfortably, "would spanking me help? I will let you if it does."

  "Let me? Excuse me, but your permission or cooperation are not necessary for me to discipline you. Especially in this circumstance."

  "I guess not," Jade murmured, recalling her switching. She moved back to her corner."Never mind. I renege on the offer."

  "You renege? I don't think so. Get over here."

  "Why?" Jade's eyes widened as Griffon scooted his back against the tree trunk and stretched his legs out in front of him.

  "I changed my mind. Be thankful that the weather is keeping me from cutting another switch. I want you over my knee, and quickly."

  Jade chewed on her lip again, hesitating. He stared, unblinking, into her face as he waited for her obedience. Shaking, she sluggishly made her way to his side. He patted his thighs and, with a sad sigh, Jade placed her body over them. She gulped as he adjusted her plump bottom beneath his hand, resting his left wrist in the center of her back.

  "Why are you going to be punished, Jade?"

  "For not listening to your instructions and making you worry," she forced out, goose-bumps covering her flesh as he placed his right hand on the center of her bottom.

  "And why did you disobey me?"

  "Because I wanted my way and don't like to be told to do things," she admitted, bracing her hands on the platform underneath her breasts.

  "Put your hands out in front of you," Griffon ordered. He waited until she complied. "What is going to be happening here, young lady?"