Rachael had no idea how Rio managed to make the world a place of sunlight and paradise when she’d lived in the shadows for so long. The rain fell softly, enhancing brilliant color in every direction, scattering rainbow prisms across the sky. Or maybe it was behind her eyes. It didn’t matter. There was only Rio in her world and he was all that mattered.

She felt his body gathering power and strength, she felt her own tightening in anticipation. Then they were spinning out of control on a dizzying ride, clinging to one another for safety. The leaves overhead whirled in a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes. Patterns of light and dark flecked the ground. It was necessary to share breathing as they kissed, hands moving over sensitized skin in a kind of worship.

Rachael laid her head on his shoulder, holding him close to her. Their hearts beat out a wild, frantic tattoo even as the rain continued to fall softly. “I love it here, Rio,” she murmured, her lips against his throat. “I love everything about this place.”

“You came home,” he answered, slowly lowering her feet to the forest floor.

The pack was stashed high up in the tree in case of flooding. Rio went up the trunk quickly and tossed her clothes, shoes and a towel. Rachael found herself laughing. “This is a crazy way to live. Have you ever had the monkeys steal your pack?”

“Not yet. They are very respectful of my things.” He glanced upward at the animals as the gibbons moved through the trees foraging for food before he dropped down beside her.

Rachael dressed quickly in the shelter of a large tree. “It’s so much quieter.”

“The birds are busy looking for food. Fruit, nectar, insects, they don’t have much time to call back and forth, although you’ll hear them occasionally. During midday, there’s often a bit of a lull in the chatter.” He buttoned his jeans and reached over to straighten the tails of her shirt. “You always look so cute in my clothes.”

Her eyebrow shot up. “I’ve never been called cute. Elegant, but not cute.”

“That’s right. You’re a rich lady. You wear designer clothes.”

“How did you know they were designer clothes, jungle boy?”

He grinned at her. “I get around. You’d be surprised where this jungle boy has been.” He leered deliberately.

Rachael laughed, then sobered, her gaze drifting over his face. “Nothing about you would surprise me, Rio.”

Just like that she managed to put a lump in his throat. “Come here and let me carry you.” He held out his hand.

“I’d like to try to walk, even for a short distance. It feels so good to be managing a bit on my own.” Her fingers found his and clung.