Page 23 of The Virgin's Chosen Dragon

“A walk on the beach,” Sam said. “I take you to beach tomorrow.”

Theo looked over at Peter, hoping he’d help, but he just shrugged his shoulders. “In our village, he has the right to claim time with any unmarried woman he wants,” he said. “I can’t stop this, best to go along with date, only one is necessary.”

Eden looked over at him. “Do I have to?” she asked. “I don’t like this, Theo. I don’t want to spend time with him; I know what I want, and it’s you.”

“I don’t think we have any choice. We have to play by their rules, maybe it won’t be so bad,” he said. “I’m not going to let you out of my sight, so you won’t really be alone with him.”

“You promise?” she asked.

He nodded, “I’ll be right there the whole time,” he said. “I promise.”

She let out a long sigh, then looked up at Sam. “I’ll go to the beach with you, but that’s it,” she said. “I won’t be guilted into anything else.”

A huge grin spread across Sam’s face. “We go on picnic; I bring the food,” he said. “See you tomorrow.”

When he was gone, Eden carefully put the piece of fish down, then looked over at him. “This is going to cause trouble,” she said, her face a little pale. “I can feel it.”

He put his arm around her. “It’s going to be okay,” he said. “Peter said it’s your choice; spend a few hours with him; then let him down easy, everything will be fine.”

She leaned into him. “I hope you’re right,” she said, then looked up at him, a little smile on her face. “I’m not used to men fighting over me.”

“Believe me, if it comes down to that, there won’t be much of a fight,” he said, ignoring the little voice in his head reminding him that Eden didn’t know the truth about him. “I’m pretty tough when it comes to something I care about, and I care about you, Eden, a lot, actually.”

“I care about you too,” she said. “For an old man, you have a lot to offer a girl.”

“Oh, is that right?” he asked. “One of these days I’m going to show you why an older man is superior to a young buck who doesn’t know what he’s doing.”

“Is that a promise?” she asked. “I sure hope so.”

“Oh, that’s a promise all right,” he said, looking into her eyes. “And one I intend to keep.”

Theo and Eden were so distracted with their flirting, neither noticed the way Sam was staring at them, his face full of jealousy. Sam was so wrapped up in his desire to have Eden, he didn’t notice the woman on the other side of the fire watching him with the same look on her face. He didn’t see her turn away and stare at Eden for a few seconds, a menacing look on her face, and he didn’t notice when she got up from the fire and slipped away into the darkness to plan a way to get Eden out of her way.

***Eden***

Eden slipped into the hut, her legs still wobbly from Theo’s goodnight kiss, and collapsed onto her bed with a big sigh, wondering how much longer they were going to have to wait to take their relationship to the next level. They hadn’t had more than a few minutes alone since they’d woken up on the beach, and she was beginning to get impatient. She wanted more than kisses from him, and he’d more or less said he was ready to give it to her.

A thrill rushed through her at the thought. The problem was that she couldn’t see how it was ever going to happen as long as they were on the island, not if they couldn’t find a way to be alone. A little part of her wondered if someone was intentionally keeping them apart, if Peter was secretly working against them, and Sam’s attention that night hadn’t helped. Peter had been quick to recommend that she give the man a chance, even when he knew that she was involved with Theo, and with him sitting right there.

It had been an impossible situation, and she wished she could think of a way to get out of it without insulting Sam and the village, especially when she remembered the look on Theo’s face, a mixture of anger and jealousy that made her shiver. The last thing she wanted to do was go on the picnic with Sam; it was a waste of his time and hers, but she couldn’t see a way out of the date.

A second later, the covering over the door was pulled aside, and Rose stepped inside. When she saw Eden lying on her bed, a look of surprise appeared on her face. “You’re not with Theo,” she said, sinking down on her bed. “Why not?”

“Honestly, I’m sore and tired from today, and I think Theo was too, although he wouldn’t admit it,” she said, smiling when she remembered him groaning when they got up from dinner. “I think we both need a good night’s sleep. This has been a big change for both of us.”

Rose nodded, “Good, I was afraid Sam got to you,” she said, her face full of relief. “He’s not good man.”

“What do you mean?” she said, sitting up on her bed. “You have to tell me; I’m supposed to go on a picnic with him tomorrow.”

“I should not talk,” Rose said, then walked over and sat down next to her on the bed. “Sam very spoiled, parents givehim all that he wants, he thinks he’s better than us. All the girls want him, I don’t.”

“I don’t either,” she said, shivering. “I don’t suppose you can think of a way I can get out of it.”

Rose shook her head. “I’m sorry, Eden,” she said. “Not without insult.”

She sighed, “I was afraid of that,” she said. “I guess I’ll just have to go and get it over with, then I can tell him to leave me alone.”

Rose studied her for a second, then shook her head again. “Sam gets what he wants,” she said. “Be careful.”

---