Page 81 of Stranded

So I agreed to show him how to properly take one down, causing the least amount of pain and suffering. My dad had taught me that, and I was grateful for it.

“So West, I guess you’re a real hunter now, huh?” Bower asks as we all watch the meat sizzle on the fire.

Weston looks over at him with a smirk. “When are you gonna learn how to hunt one?”

“With you two expert hunters, who needs me?” Bower asks. The truth is, I think he knows he couldn’t actually make the kill.

“That’s okay, foraging is important, too.” I pat Bower’s knee in support, which earns me a glare from him.

“Are you making fun of me, Tink?”

“Of course not, we all have our strengths, and yours isn’t hunting, that’s okay.”

“While you’re at it, go forage me some eggs,” Weston says with a small sigh. “I’d kill for some eggs and bacon right now.”

“Mmm, yeah, I haven’t had an egg since we left the states,” Kingsley adds with a dreamy look in his eyes.

I haven’t gone climbing for eggs since these guys arrived on the island. Bob’s bound to have some new ones by now.

Deciding this will be a fun surprise, I jump up and grab my bag. “I’ve got to go do something, I’ll be back in a bit.”

“Wait, Zee, you can’t just run off like that!” Kingsley yells, halting me in my tracks.

“Why not?” I turn around, seeing them all frowning at me.

“I thought we talked about this, no wandering off alone,” Weston all but growls at me. “If you need to go somewhere, I’ll come with you.”

“You can’t!” His eyebrows lift in surprise at my tone. “I just mean… it’s girl stuff.”

His face turns to a look of understanding as he sits back down. “Oh, I guess that’s okay then, don’t be long.”

“Yes, sir!” I salute him with a smirk and turn before he changes his mind. I understand that they worry about me being on my own, but it’s what I’ve done for fifteen years and is second nature to me still.

I take off on a quick walk towards my old friend, Cliff. When I finally reach him, I take a moment to drink some water as I gaze up to the top. “Were you always this tall?”

I swallow heavily, feeling a little nervous. I’m doing this so they’d have eggs, and the pleased looks on their faces will be worth it.

Letting out a deep breath, I move closer and find a handhold, being careful as I slowly make my way up the 200 footrock wall.

When I’m about twenty-five feet up, someone yells my name, startling me. “ZEE!” The small jerk of my body is enough for my foot and hand to slip, my other grip not enough to keep me tethered as I start falling backwards.

A scream tears from my throat as I blindly fall backwards towards the ground. The wind is knocked out of me as I’m caught by a strong set of arms. I gasp, taking in big lungfuls of air and turn my head to Weston.

He looks furious as he stares down at me, where I’m cradled in his arms. “Weston,” I ask nervously. “Are you okay?”

“Am I okay?” he asks, grinding his teeth. “Of course I’m not okay! I followed you to make sure you didn’t get into any trouble, and I find you climbing up a goddamned cliff! What were you thinking, Zee?!”

My eyes start to blur the more he speaks. The last thing I want is to disappoint him, that’s the complete opposite of the reason I’m out here. “I’m sorry,” I mumble as I try to wipe away my tears before they fall.

His face softens as he watches me. “Baby, what on earth were you doing climbing that thing?”

“You remember Bob, the seagull?” He nods and I continue. “He has a nest up there and I was going to get you some eggs.”

His brows furrow as he scans my face. “You were risking your life to get us… eggs?” I nod, feeling stupid. Now he puts it like that, it does seem a little crazy.

I reach my hand up to stroke his cheek. “I’m sorry, don’t be mad at me,” I say, hoping my touch will help him go easy on me. His face slowly changes from frustration to something softer, something that makes me squirm in his arms. And as if he feels the same tension I do, he leans down, pressing his lips to mine.

I thread my fingers behind his neck and pull him closer, moaning as he takes control of the kiss. Without lifting his mouth from mine, he turns me so my legs are wrapped around him, my back pushed against the wall.

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