JUNGLE PASSION by Ruth D. Kerce (Copyright © 1999, all rights reserved)       Trent watched her through the jungle vines. The waterfall revealed more of her naked body than it curtained. What was she doing way out here? Jane. Her safari tour group didn't generally come this far, and she'd never bathed under his waterfall.       He licked his lips as the water sluiced down her body and over her perfectly-shaped ass.  Please ...   She slowly turned.  Oh, yes!       Her hands fluttered over her full breasts, and her nipples puckered. Sweat broke out on Trent's forehead, and all he could think of was stripping down and joining her under the cool water.       Suddenly she crossed her arms over herself, and her eyes widened. Had he made a noise? He couldn't help but smile, for she'd covered her breasts, but the juncture between her legs remained in full view, water dripping from the curls nestled there.       She dove into the water, surfaced, and swam toward the far bank. Trent noticed clothing draped over a rock. She scurried onto dry land, grabbed the garments, and disappeared into the trees.       That was all right. He'd wait. She was boxed in and would have to come his way to get back to the safer part of the jungle and the trail out.       Jane had to know he'd be nearby. This was his place. His territory. Had she bathed here naked on purpose to lure him to her? That thought made his heart pump faster. But if that were the case, then why did she run?       Women! He never had been able to figure out their reasoning.       Trent leaned against a tree. He glanced skyward, feeling rain in the air. They'd have to take shelter soon.       "How long have you been watching?" a soft voice asked from behind him.       "Long enough," he answered calmly. He'd heard her coming. Quiet had never been her style.       She stepped up in front of him. "It's not gentlemanly to spy."       Trent snorted, and his gaze flickered down her body. "I've never pretended to be a gentleman." His eyes rose to meet hers. "What are you doing way out here, Jane?"       She chewed on the corner of her lip. He'd always found that endearing. Too bad she'd never wanted to become involved. He'd tried when she first took the tour guide job, but she hadn't seemed interested.       "I need you to ... to marry me," she blurted.       His breath stuck in his throat. Struck speechless, he couldn't do anything but stare. Had he heard her correctly?       "It wouldn't be for long. And of course it wouldn't be a real marriage. And I'll pay you for your time."       Her words came out jumbled, and he could see how distraught and nervous she was. He was intrigued. A plump drop of rain hit him on the forehead. "Come on." He grabbed her arm. "We need to find cover."       His make-shift hut wasn't far, so he took Jane there. He couldn't wait to hear her story. It was bound to be a doozy.       Trent helped her to sit on the blankets spread out on the ground. It wasn't all that comfortable, but the hut served its purpose.       "Explain."       "I need a baby."       That revelation shocked him more than the first. "You'd better start at the beginning, Jane."       She sighed. "My uncle just passed away. Senile old man, but I loved him. He ran a chain of animal rescue centers in the States that were first started by my great-grandfather. My uncle never had any children of his own. He'd always said that when he died those centers would go to me. There are just a couple of stipulations."       "Which are what?"       "He wanted me settled -- husband, child, house with picket fence. You get the idea. Otherwise the centers go to another relative."       "That's ridiculous! Why would he insist on that?" The line of this conversation bothered him. Would Jane actually get married and have a child just to get some animal centers? He never figured her for someone who'd sell out for money or property.       "He was a big believer in families. And like I said ... senile. I could try to fight the will in court, but there'd be no guarantee I'd win. And I won't lose those centers, Trent. They're all I have. I've worked at them all my life until I came here for my big game training and started doing tours on the side. The centers are a family legacy."       Trent scratched his head. "Why ask me?"       "Who else? Most all the tourists are family men. I certainly don't want to pick up some stranger in a bar, if I don't have to. I'll pay you well. And we wouldn't have to stay married that long -- just a year probably."       "I don't know, Jane." Though he protested, the idea of being married to her appealed to him greatly.       She laid a hand on his arm. "Please."       "What about the baby? Are you ready for that responsibility?"       "I love children, Trent. I'd have a dozen if I could. That's not a problem. But ..."       He didn't like the sound of that but. "What?"       "I had to tell the lawyer that I was already married and ... already pregnant, so he wouldn't get suspicious. I figured with me being here in Africa, no one would know different. I know someone here who'll fix the marriage license for us. He owes me a favor."       "And how are you going to work the pregnancy? If you carry for 11-12 months, I think people are going to get suspicious."       Her gaze darted around the hut. "Well ... actually, I told him we'd been trying to get pregnant for a while, and I was pretty sure I was, but was still waiting for the doctor's results. So ..." She sighed. "If you agree, we need to get started right away."       Trent simply stared at her. This was too bizarre! If it had been any other woman asking him to do this, he'd have thrown her out to the lions -- well, maybe not that, but he certainly wouldn't be considering the offer.       A sigh of defeat escaped Jane. "You're not going to do it." Her eyes welled with tears. "It's okay, Trent." She tried to smile, but failed. "I understand."       Rain splashed in through the open flap of the hut. Trent reached out and pulled the tarp closed. "Take off your clothes."       Her gasp filled the hut. "You're going to do it?"       "If I don't, you'll probably end up with some drunk from Willy's Bar. It might be hard to convince the lawyer you're happily married to the guy." And he couldn't stomach the thought of someone like that fathering her child. He'd do it, but he had some stipulations of his own. Those he'd fill her in on later.       Jane leaned over and brushed her lips across his cheek. "Thank you, Trent. I really appreciate it."       He turned his head, and their lips met in a slow, languid kiss. Trent slowly opened the buttons on Jane's shirt, one by one. His knuckles brushed her smooth bare skin, which felt like the softest of silk.       His mouth slid across her cheek and down to her neck, as he pulled the shirt from her shoulders. A low moan escaped her lips, making him smile. So, she wasn't completely immune to him after all.       "Maybe ...," she began in a shaky voice. "Maybe we should just ... get to it."       Trent chuckled. "It doesn't work that way, Jane. Not with me."       "Oh."       That's all she said, and Trent couldn't help but chuckle again. She was nervous. His hand skimmed down her stomach. "Lie back."       Jane did as he said.       He pulled off her boots and socks, and massaged her feet. Nice feet. "You're quiet all of a sudden. I know this probably isn't what you had in mind for a marriage and family. But it'll be all right."       "Why are you trying to make me feel better? I just turned your life upside down."       "I agreed to it." His hands moved over her stomach to the zipper on her pants. "Relax." In a matter of moments, he had her down to her underwear.       Trent pulled off his shirt as Jane watched him. "How long has it been, Jane?"       "Long?"       "Since you've ... been with a man."       She turned her head to look at the side of the hut. "Uh ... right before I came to Africa."       Trent paused as he unbuckled his belt. That would mean almost two years. It was a long time. No wonder she was nervous. He stripped naked. "Look at me, Jane."       She slowly turned her head, and her gaze riveted to the core of him. A blush pinkened her cheeks. He took that as a compliment.       He moved beside her, running his hands over her body. She had a great body -- not paper thin, but gently curved, and soft where a woman should be soft.       Reaching underneath her, he unhooked her bra and pulled it away. Gorgeous breasts! Full and perfectly shaped. His hands closed over them, and he squeezed gently. "Beautiful."       Jane touched his hands, covering them with her own. This time her gaze was bold, filled with desire. His heart kicked up its pace. She wanted him. She actually did.       He slid his hands out from under hers and hooked his fingers inside the band of her underwear. He pulled the piece of lace down her long legs and tossed it in the corner.       Before he lowered himself beside her, Jane sat up. "Wait."       Oh, damn! Trent's heart sank. She must have changed her mind.       Jane pushed him down on his back and straddled his hips. "I'm in charge here."       With wide eyes, Trent stared up at her. What happened to timid Jane? A slow smile spread across his face. "Yes, ma'am."       She laced her fingers through his chest hair and tugged lightly. Trent grabbed her hips and tried to maneuver her over him, but she resisted.       "Patience, Trent."       "Are you trying to torture me?" he groaned.       "No." She smiled. "I'm just trying to get the best out of you."       "I'm about to lose my best all over you."       Jane grabbed his hands and pushed them over his head, then she lowered herself on top of him--slowly, an inch at a time.       Grabbing the blanket, he moaned deep in his throat. "Take it all, Jane." He lifted his hips, needing to be completely inside her.       "Oh, yes." Jane arched her back as he filled her. She pressed her palms to his chest.       Trent couldn't take the slow torture any longer. He clutched her hips and rolled Jane onto her back. With hard, fast strokes he plunged into her.       Her hips undulated in rhythm beneath him, and she clawed at his hips and butt. "Don't stop!"       He couldn't stop, even if the hut collapsed on top of them. But her words thrilled him, knowing she wanted it as much as he did.       When Jane's moans careened higher, he knew she was close. Trent licked at her earlobe. "Come on, baby. You're almost there."       His mouth moved across her face, and his tongue traced her lips. "Open up," he growled.       Jane's lips parted, and Trent pushed his tongue inside. His tongue mirrored the movement of his body as he took her wildly, like a jungle animal.       Beyond thinking, desire and the need for fulfillment controlled him. He felt her legs wrap around him, squeeze him tight. Her nails dug into his back.       He broke the kiss and buried his face in the crook of her neck, sucking at the tender skin there.       Jane's body spasmed and she cried out. Music to his ears.       Close to his own climax, he whispered in her ear. "Show me stars, Jane."       Her teeth sank into his shoulder, and a roar exploded from his mouth. His body stiffened, and he filled her with his love.       Trent collapsed. Love. Was that what he was feeling?       Jane snuggled against him as he rolled to the side. "That was great."       He smiled.       "We, ah ... never discussed payment, Trent."       "You just gave it to me, Jane. Besides, by the time the year is up, I don't think it will be an issue." He had no intentions of letting Jane go. This joining was forever. THE END