Page 33 of Beautifully Wild

“How cute.” I point to a domestic cat on the path, crouching and staring into the tropical garden.

Samuel releases my hand and steps between bromeliads and leafy heliconias. He bends and scoops up a baby parrot. It squawks and flaps its wings. Samuel envelops it with both hands, the cat meowing. “I’ll take this guy to reception before he’s lunch.”

He strides off, and it takes a moment for me to register and follow. “What’s wrong with it?”

“It looks like it has an injured wing. It may have fallen out of the nest. They can notify an animal rescue shelter.”

“Can I see it?”

He stops, smiles at me, and opens his cupped hands to reveal a calmer chick with blue and green feathers.

I smile and look up at him.

“You go ahead and grab us a table in the restaurant. I’ll meet you there soon.”

After finding a table, I keep looking at the entrance anticipating his arrival, and expecting he’ll do a runner. The warning in my gut tells me not to fall for this guy. This is a holiday romance, and I know it will inevitably end, but my heart is all in ready to embrace the thrill of the ride.

Samuel returns, and we share a platter of exotic fruits.

“Are there any foods you don’t like?” He holds a piece of seriguela between his fingers.

“I love all the exotic fruits here but reluctant to try some of the fish dishes, and battered foods never sit well with me.” I scoop pitanga berries onto my plate and pop one in my mouth. “What about you?” I stare at his lips.

With every word coming from his beautiful mouth, I didn’t hear a word he says. I’m mesmerized by watching him. He has to be one of the most handsome men I have ever met in my life. Points to him for acting like a gentleman by getting to know me better before wanting to get me between the sheets. Only I’m dizzy with the pent-up need inside of me and wish he’d take it down a notch because all I want to do is fast forward to tonight.

We head to the beach and lie side by side on a mandala towel. I’m supposed to be relaxing under the sun, only every cell is on fire being this close to Samuel. I sneak glances at his rippled abs. Our fingers brush, and the zing shoots to my toes. I trace the contour of his sternum, and I can’t help ogling his bare, broad chest and defined shoulders. I visualize those arms framing me. I run my fingertips lower and rest my hand on his taut stomach.

His eyes meet mine with the familiarity of someone who knows what the other person is thinking. A hunger burns behind his blue hues. “I’m going to take a swim,” he rasps. I follow him into the water, wading through calm seas until I reach him.

“Come here.” Without hesitation, he pulls me into his arms. Large hands cup my face. “I want you so much it’s nearly killing me.”

My chest flutters hearing words I’ve longed to hear. “Then why are we waiting?” I whisper.

“To be sure.”

“Sure of what?”

“We’re doing the right thing.”

The right thing?

I’m not going to sayit’s just sexbecause, for me, it won’t be. I’ve never been that girl. Yet, he’s bringing out a different side of me.

“Does this feel right?” My mouth hovers close to his. Our eyes connect one last time until our lips touch. It was going to be a gentle kiss. In seconds, he switches to wildfire, the kiss broken with breathy gasps, and we can’t get enough of each other. He tastes of saltwater and the sweet melon he ate earlier. “We need to leave,” I moan against his lips. “Take me to your room.”

“I’m going to take you in my room,” he says. “All of you.” His fingers link with mine as he leads me out of the water.

We collect our belongings from the sand and wander along the path lined with coconut palms back to his room. He unlocks the door and dumps everything on the floor where we stand, and kicks the door shut with a bang.

He holds my face in his large hands and kisses me hard. “You’re right. This…” he murmurs against my lips, “… feels right.”

“You taste like the beach.” I lick my lips and savor the saltiness. A taste that will forever remind me of him.

“Taste,” he murmurs. “It’s another thing for us to explore.” He leans over and sucks my neck, my ear lobe, and then my lips are his once more. Our kiss heats up, and I moan against his lips. Samuel pulls away, and a cold space surrounds me. I open my eyes to seek reason, only to find his eyes flicking over my face.

“Eden… I,” he stammers. Then he takes my hand and leads me to the bathroom. Samuel steps out of his boardshorts, and I can’t look away.

Samuel is gloriously perfect.

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