Page 57 of Beautifully Wild

His gaze shoots up.

“I didn’t approach them.”

He nods and points to a log opposite him. “Take a seat. It’s time we talk.”

“Finally,” I huff. “Because you’re sending mixed messages. I hoped you’d be happy to see me. Be surprised, and, well, a little impressed with my effort in finding you since you disappeared without a goodbye. And hell, don’t get me started about that. Piss weak to just leave.Again. If I were a fling, then you should’ve manned up and told me so, but we both know I wasn’t, and that’s why I’m here. This misbelief I couldn’t hack your life is bullshit. We do have a future.”

I stand and point a finger as though I’m jabbing him in the chest. “You’re wrong not to believe in me. We’re so right for each other. And I… I’m full of surprises. Hell, I’ve surprised myself every day on this holiday. And Icanhack it. Just give me a chance to prove it to you.” I stand with my hands on my hips, out of breath after ranting on about every little thing that popped into my mind. There’s much more I want to say, only I need him to respond to the first fifty questions.

“Sit.” A command, yet his voice is gentle. “We eat first.”

30

Samuel

“Theyarevegetarianpiranha,”Samuel emphasizes after her concerned glance. Since piranhas have minimal flesh, the meal ends quickly.

Eden expects an explanation.

He focuses on clearing his thoughts. He couldn’t start at the beginning—there’s not enough time. More importantly, he doesn’t want to scare her. Leveling his gaze with hers, he straightens his shoulders, hoping she’ll understand why he left her in Ilhéus when she still owned his heart.

“When I saw you yesterday, I thought I was hallucinating. I have dreamed about you every night since the day in Salvador. So, it wouldn’t have surprised me if I imagined you on the beach because I hated myself for leaving you without saying goodbye.”

He raises a hand when she attempts to interrupt.

“I need to say some things. Let me explain without offending or breaking my vow. If you don’t understand, I’ll try and explain it later. For now, allow me to speak.” Her eyes round. “I’m not going to explain why I left my family and the luxurious LA lifestyle. I’ll only say that I received a pharmaceutical grant to work with the missionaries in indigenous communities by providing pharmaceuticals to promote companies and offer better medical care in the community. Along the way, the companies heard about plants native to the areas, some rumored to hold substantial therapeutic benefit. After some time in these communities and working with a professor in Caracas, where I send the plants I find, the pharmaceutical company considered me finding other rare plants unique to the areas near the tepuis, which could provide medical breakthroughs, especially to certain diseases like cancer and diabetes.”

Eden gapes at Samuel in a combination of surprise and adoration. She nods for him to continue.

“I was privileged when a renowned rock climber and local Pemón native American familiar with the Auyán tepui took me up the mountain in search of a plant they talked about in their stories. I’m sure Asoo has mentioned some of Pemón mythology.”

“A little,” she says with a fixed expression.

“These other communities have a Spanish influence, including adopting the Catholic religion. They also dress in Western clothing. We had ropes and all the climbing gear, and we tackled the easiest path up the tepui. It still took a few days to reach the top, and we found the unusual carnivorous flowers. On our trek home, I saw one of the Ularans in the jungle. His red body paint caught my eye. My guide was oblivious, and yet I knew he was from another time. Untouched by any other human influence in the way he dressed and the concern on his face, we assessed each other momentarily before I caught up with my guide, not speaking a word.

“A month later, I decided to search for these native Americans, curious as to how they lived. The shaman found me after my canoe ended up on their river beach, where I slept. He treated me for dehydration, and my relationship with them grew. Naïvely, I believed I could help by treating them with Western medicine. Over time, I have helped only when their medicine failed. Mostly, they have taught me more of who I am than decades of studying at the world’s best universities.”

He stands and indicates for her to follow him. More than anything, Samuel wants her to understand his life here, yet he can’t allow his demeanor to crumble. He’s confused because she wasn’t part of the plannow. God, he wanted her, more than anything, only he can’t afford the luxury of a lover until his work here was complete. When she learns the truth and the reality of his world, he expects her to run far away from him. In his note, he wrote how he wanted to be with her, come find her at her family’s hotel when his work here was done. He meant every word.

After learning of the man he is here, he doubts she’ll want him to come for her.

Behind Samuel, Eden treads loudly over the forest floor scaring any nearby tiny animals. He’s thankful he’s not hunting. He points to a vine and smiles. “The forest garden supplies everything you need to survive. You only need to be educated on what and how to find it. Ulara is kept from the rest of the world, hidden behind thick foliage with tiny tributaries from Angel Falls supplying fresh water and fish. These people don’t need anything else or anyone for their survival. In fact, people like you and I carry disease.” He hopes Eden understands this was a major factor why he discouraged her from visiting him.

“A common cold can wipe out families as their immunity differs from ours. They have plants to help heal, except viruses from the outside world are a different threat. As a rule, I quarantine myself every time I return to Ulara. I remain on the outskirts until enough days pass to ensure I’m not a threat, or I remain a safe distance from them. I also wait for Asoo to ascertain from the surrounding communities that no travelers have fallen sick after leaving Canaima. It’s not just here. The surrounding Pemón communities are also vulnerable to tourists and international volunteers. It brings me to why you’re here and why I can’t be with you as much as I want to…”

He stalls, his eyes hold hers captive. Even looking at her sends him wild with desire.

He swallows hard and reels in his thoughts—the memories of their time together. He glances at her fingertips and visualizes the way she touched and caressed him. Only now, her skin is smeared with dirt, and her pretty nails are chipped. Samuel bows his head, remembering his place here is far from the freedom they had in Ilhéus. “We aren’t at liberty to do what we please.” He tilts his head and seeks understanding. “There are rules I must obey. Hugging and kissing aren’t allowed unless a couple is married. Your unexpected arrival changes things. If we’re to gain the trust of the chief, we need to show constraint.”

“What?” she rasps. “I’m only here for two days. I have to leave and catch up with the girls.”

He nods, breaks a piece of wood from a tree, drinks the water trapped inside, and offers her some.

She shakes her head. “It’s fine. I still have some bottled water.”

He nods, understanding her apprehension. “I don’t expect anything of you or for you to understand why I do what I do. Even when my contract ends in a year, I might not return to my home in LA.” Her eyes glisten with moisture, and he bows his head. “It’s why I didn’t tell you anything to encourage you. This is no place for someone like you.” Her shoulders stiffen, and he hopes she didn’t misinterpret his words. “I should’ve known not to underestimate you.” He offers her a smile and shakes his head, still astounded by her efforts. “If anyone were to find me, I’m glad it was you. Although, I trust you’ll tell no one, only that I work with the missionaries. There is more at stake than I can tell you.”

“Of course, I understand. And I’m glad I found you, too,” Eden whispers and dips her chin. “I’m frustrated with you because I thought I’d see more of you,” she says in a louder voice. She sighs and takes a moment before her gaze settles back on his. “Although I shouldn’t complain since I’m lucky to have such a luxurious place to sleep.” A grin slowly creeps across her lips. “I’m alive, so, hey, it’s not all bad.” She shrugs.

---