Page 18 of The Virgin's Chosen Dragon

Peter’s smile faltered for a second, but then he brightened again. “Eden can share with Rose,” he said, then leaned over and whispered something to the woman sitting next to him. “My wife, Serenity, will fix things. You can’t share hut unless married.”

She didn’t like the idea of being separated from Theo and tensed up. “I don’t like it either,” he leaned over and whispered. “But I don’t think we have any choice; we have to play by their rules.”

“Thank you,” she finally said, knowing there was no choice. “We appreciate everything you’ve done for us. I would be pleased to share a hut with Rose.”

A few minutes later, a young woman about her age slowly approached them. “I’m Rose,” she said. “We stay together; come with me.”

She started to get up, but Theo held her back, then turned to Peter. “If it’s okay, I’d like to see where Eden is sleeping,” he said. “I’d just feel better if I knew where she was.”

Peter nodded, “She’ll be safe,” he said. “But you may go.”

“Thank you,” he said, getting to his feet. “I won’t be gone long.”

“Good, we talk more,” Peter said, a big smile on his face. “My English rusty.”

After helping Eden to her feet, they followed Rose through the village to a hut set back from the rest. “This is it, my hut,” Rose said, then smiled at them sympathetically. “I give you time.”

As soon as Rose disappeared into the hut, Theo pulled her into his arms. “You’re handling this all very well, Eden,” he said. “I think I might be more freaked out than you are.”

“Oh, I’m freaking out, just on the inside,” she said, smiling up at him. “But they seem like nice people, and they’re trying to help us. I’m not afraid of them, that’s not the problem.”

“I know, all of this is a bit scary,” he said. “But we’ll get through it together. I can’t help but think what this would have been like if we’d been alone.”

“That’s crossed my mind as well, that’s why I didn’t complain when Peter said we couldn’t stay together,” she said. “Rose seems nice, I guess. I’ll be fine with her, and we’ll see each other in the morning.”

He studied her for a second, a little smile on his face. “You’re amazing; did you know that?” he asked. “You’re taking all this in stride like it happens every day.”

“We don’t really have much choice, do we?” she asked, shrugging her shoulders. “As strange as this all is, it’s real. Having a breakdown isn’t going to help, we just have to make the best of it. It is an adventure after all, just not the one I had planned. We may as well enjoy ourselves, and maybe we’ll learn something in the process.”

Theo looked down at her, a look on his face she couldn’t read at first, then she realized with a start that it was desire, and let out a little gasp. “I could fall hard for you, Eden,” he said, reaching up and framing her face with his hands. “And Idon’t know if I have the strength to fight it anymore, not now, not here.”

His mouth came down on hers in a kiss so tender, her legs turned to jelly instantly, and she was forced to cling to him to keep from falling. Strong arms circled her, then drew her closer to his body and he slipped his tongue into her mouth, sending waves of pleasure washing over her. She let out a little moan, and the answering growl that rumbled out of Theo’s chest made her shiver with anticipation as his hands began to explore her body.

A cough from the hut behind them broke through the passion that had sprung to life between them, and they broke apart, chests heaving, eyes locked on each other. “I think your new roommate wants you to come in,” Theo said, his voice husky, his face full of regret. “That was just starting to get good.”

She felt her cheeks turning pink. “Theo, that’s a terrible thing to say,” she said, slapping him on the chest. “Even if you’re right.”

“You’d better go,” he said, giving her another quick kiss. “Rose is waiting for you, and Peter is waiting for me.”

“I’ll see you in the morning,” she said, reluctantly slipping out of his arms. “I hope you sleep well.”

“After that kiss, I doubt it,” he said. “Good night, sweetheart.”

“Good night, Theo,” she said, then slipped into the hut.

When the flaps closed behind her, she let out a long sigh, then realized Rose was standing in the middle of the little space, smiling at her. “He’s very handsome,” she said. “You marry him?”

“I don’t know, maybe,” she said. “We just met a few days ago.”

Rose’s eyes turned big as saucers, then she grinned atEden. “Oh, you’re here for love,” she said, clapping her hands together. “The island knows. You’re very lucky, very lucky.”

“I’m not sure about that yet,” she said, then sighed again. “Thank you for sharing your hut with me, it was nice of you.”

“It will be fun,” Rose said. “We will be like sisters.”

“I hope so,” she said, smiling at her new friend. “I can use all the friends I can get right now.”

CHAPTER 11

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