Page 27 of Lost Paradise

He chuckles, and I notice his beautiful smile.

Without hesitation, I lean forward and kiss him, catching his lips with mine, and he returns it as he pulls me against him, and for one brief moment, the world and our problems disappear.

Quickly he releases himself from me and stands back.

“I think you’re fine to stand alone.”

“Do you think I would have allowed you to kiss me back if I weren’t attracted to you?”

Once more, that irritated, disapproving look appears on his face.

“I don’t know Eve. Did you say something similar when you had your moment with Astro?” he mumbles, and before I can reply, Jack interrupts us, needing his knife back.

Byron gives it to him and storms off quickly towardsthe beach.

This time, I won’t follow him. I made it clear how I feel about him. If he wants to insult me after exposing my feelings to him, then so be it.

As the day draws to a close, I watch the sky transform into a masterpiece of vibrant hues, painting the horizon in shades of gold, crimson, and indigo. The sun sinks lower, and the colors intensify, bathing the world in a warm, ethereal glow. The ocean mirrors the sky, its surface shimmering with the reflection of the setting sun.

A sense of tranquility descends upon the island, and the air is alive with the sound of waves crashing against the shore, a rhythmic lullaby that soothes the soul.

Byron passes me a coconut shell that’s filled with some papaya and other fruit Jack had cut for us. He seems to have calmed down since our earlier incident but barely speaks to me, and I feel sad that he thinks I’m fake.

I guess it comes with the territory of where I come from. But it doesn’t define who I am.

“Have you been able to figure out where we might be?” I ask, taking the bowl from him and helping myself with some fruit.

“I imagine the Indian Ocean, but other than the North Sentinal Island that is far away from here, I don’t think there are that many unexplored islands left in the world. Maybe there are a few exceptions, but within this Ocean, I hardly doubt it.”

Mr. Coldwell and Zane returned earlier from their search. While they didn’t find any sign of civilization, they found a ton of fruit and a freshwater lagoon with a beautifully dark waterfall that seems more like a steamy tropical shower when you stand behind it. And it’s only just a minute's walk from here. I couldn’t resist and dived into the clear blue water wearing my bra and panties as I wasn’t sure whether to undress in front of four other men.

With so much sand and sea dried up in my skin and hair, some clear water really made me feel somewhat human again. I’d like some soap and maybe some deodorant too, but I should be so lucky.

The guys were able to build a fire pit, and with some bamboo-like twigs they collected, they skewered some breadfruit, which tasted more like potatoes than actual fruit. At least our bellies are full,although, with all this fruit and fiber we’re eating, I’m sure we’ll need to sort out some kind of toilet facility.

“We should arrange night watch,” Mr. Coldwell suddenly says, breaking me from my absurd wandering thoughts about toilets and bathrooms.

“Jack and I will remain on watch, switching between us as the evening progresses. Zane and Byron, I’d like you two to sleep on either side of Eve. If anyone needs the loo in the middle of the night, just let Jack or me know, depending on who’s on watch. We should always be in two’s at night until we know more about this island. Tomorrow, we should gather enough rocks to spell SOS in large letters in the most open area on the beach. Maybe a pilot flying over will see it.”

“Eye, Eye, Sir!” I say and salute him, except he doesn’t get my humor and turns to clear up his area.

“Come on, Miss Winters,” Zane says amusingly. “You and I have a bed date tonight.”

I chuckle, “What I wouldn’t give for a mattress and some clean sheets right now.”

I watch him lay out his sweatshirt on the ground, take off his t-shirt, and do the same. I can't help but study his shirtless body, which is broad, well-muscled, and typical of a footballer player’s physique. I stop the groan of longing itching its way up my throat as I pry my eyes away from his bare chest.

Earlier at the lagoon, all four men were in just their tight boxer briefs, and I almost died from the perfect bodies and edible V’s that surrounded me, but I dared not let my gaze linger on them.

“Only for a lady,” Zane says and indicates for me to lie down on his clothes, and I feel a shade of pink burning on my cheeks.

“You couldn’t be more slimy if you tried,” Byron behind me mutters.

“I think he’s lovely,” I say, quickly composing myself from Zane's god-like body and smiling at him, taking the hand he holds out for me. “And for the record, it’s not a superficial comment,” I mutter, making sure Byron hears that last part.

As I lay down, Zane opens out his arm for me.

“You can use me as your pillow if you want.”

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