Page 36 of Lost Paradise

“Eve, a moment, please,” he says, and we both watch Jack stride away.

I’m a little disappointed that Jack didn’t acknowledge me or look at me before he left, as if what just transpired between us earlier never happened.

Chapter 11

We both watch Jackcross the beach and head toward our camp area. I’m not an idiot, and I know exactly what I was interrupting. They’re not teenagers anymore, but as adults, they haven’t yet embraced a grown-up mentality, and hormones are raging.

Even mine and I’m twenty-four.

I’d love to say that it’s Eve being the only female on this island, but I’d be lying to myself if I denied the attraction I felt when I first saw her in Dean Caramichael’s office. But I hide that growing desire deep within the recesses of my mind because I’m a teacher first and foremost. Even if my position is assistant professor, I have a responsibility, and I made a promise that I would accompany these students on this trip and keep them out of danger.

“Is there something you want to say, Mr. Coldwell?”

I turn to observe Eve’s bright blue eyes flickering at me, her voice so calm and yet firm instead of sweet. There’s nothing innocent about her, not those curves or full, perky breasts that stick out from her small waist. Those dark rosy nipples that pebbled in the water yesterday made my cock so hard that even the cool water from the lagoon couldn’t quite keep it down.

“Sit down, Eve. We need to talk,” I say, taking the space where Jack had been sitting and watching her sit beside me.

There’s no easy way to say this, so I’m going to be honest and make sure she’s aware of our situation.

“How’s your stomach feeling?” I ask as an ice-breaker and cross my legs casually.

“I think I’d like to maybe avoid eating somuch fruit if I can help it.”

“Well, the boys caught quite a bit of crabs today, so we’ll try and find a way to cook them over the fire tonight.”

“Mmmm, actually, roasted crab sounds great,” she smiles, and I swear she has the prettiest mouth.

Fucking’ell! Why does my knob have to stir in its slumber just this moment? I pull on the front of my shirt to make sure if I begin to tent my trousers, I’ll need to hide it.

“Eve, umm….” I’m fumbling through this discussion, and I will need to get it together. "Well, this isn’t my business, but it’s regarding what looked like was about to transpire between you and Jack….do you think it would have happened had the circumstances been different?”

She looks at me, confused, and I’m at a loss for words. I can’t help but feel the weight of my own inadequacy press down on me.

"What I mean is," I begin again, my voice trailing off uncertainly as I search for the right words, "you're... well, you're the only woman here, you see. And, um, that might... lead to, uh, tensions. Among the men. Competing for your... affections, so to speak."

I wince inwardly at my clumsy attempt to convey my point, silently cursing myself for my inability to articulate my thoughts more elegantly. Swiping a hand over my temple in frustration, I take a deep breath and resolve to find clearer words.

Bloody ‘ell! I have a sociology degree from Oxford, for Christ’s sake! This is a topic I should be well-versed in.

“Well, there are the natives,” Eve explains. “The cannibals, and I’m sure there are females within the tribe,” she elaborates.

“We haven’t seen any, so we have to take Astro’s word for it, but that’s not what I meant,” I look straight at her face, and I’d love to get a read on her, but she’s totally stoic.

"It's just... human nature, you know?" I continue talking and digging my grave. My tone strains with effort. "Male testosterone and all that. They might... see you as a... challenge. And, um, that could cause... rifts. Among everyone."

I am making such a mess of this. Why can’t I express myself more eloquently on this topic instead of sounding like a right sod?

Sighing heavily, I feel my own inadequacy settling heavily on my shoulders. Despite my best intentions, I’m making a right mess of this.

"What I'm trying to say," I finally manage, my voice quieter now, tinged with frustration and self-doubt, "is that... thingsmight get complicated. And I just wanted to... warn you. So you're not caught off guard."

I finally glance up at her, silently hoping that she would understand the jumbled mess of words I have just thrown at her. But I know deep down that no amount of explanation can erase the awkwardness of my feelings towards her.

“I see,” she says and looks away thoughtfully.

Silence falls on us, only to be punctuated by the rhythmic lullaby of the waves kissing the shore. In the fading light of the setting sun, the island seems to come alive with a symphony of sounds and sensations. The rustle of palm leaves behind us appears as if they are whispering secrets to the wind, while the distant call of seabirds adds a touch of ethereal melody to the evening air.

“Eve?” I ask, curious to know what she thinks.

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