Page 51 of Wild Life

“It’s the original single-dad–nanny romance. And the age gap is chef’s kiss! Where’d you find it?”

“It was f-floating in the bag where I was fishing.”

I inhaled the musty scent the pages still held, as if it had just been plucked off the shelf of a library. “Damn, this island is weird. It’s like someone keeps sending you gifts.”

“Yeah, I guess s-something out there is m-making sure I get whatever I need.” His eyes bored into mine with a heat that singed my soul.

The attraction between us was hard to fight. It was there any time we looked at each other. Although we had kissed and made up after our fight, he hadn’t pressured me for more. Except, it was clear that we both lusted for much more.

I cleared my throat, unsure how to navigate the tension, before redirecting my attention back to the trunk. A glint of red beckoned me from between two books. I pulled on the fabric, and a silky pouch slightly larger than my palm came loose. A gold snap secured it shut. “What’s this?”

Aleki took it from me. “It was my mother’s.” He rose to his feet and walked to the shelves near the dining table.

Maybe he didn’t want to talk about it.

I was vocal when it came to admitting my own emotional baggage, but Aleki had been alone for years with no one to share his feelings with, so maybe it would take him longer to break the habit.

“Quiet your thoughts and f-follow me.” He took my hand and led me out of the hut,Jane Eyrestill in my other hand.

Poaka bounced up and scampered along behind us as we walked past the fire pit and toward the thicket.

“Where are we going?”

“Out for pizza.”

“You and thoseCosmomagazines.” I rolled my eyes, then spied a small bottle in his grasp with the red pouch. “The last time you pulled out an unnamed jar,thingshappened.”

“Scared it will hap-pen again?” he teased.

“You wish,” I muttered, trying to play off my chest flushing with warmth at the memory of the sticky mess ofthe honey night.

His deep rumble vibrated through my core, warning of the sins we had yet to commit. Since the night when he had covered me in honey and I had given him a blow job, we’d only kissed, and suddenly, my mind was playing out fantasies I had never dared to act on before.

“Don’t overthink it.” Aleki knew whenever my thoughts were racing. “We’re here.”

I took in the dazzling sight before me. Sparkling water skittering over polished rocks, smooth like black pearls. The canopy overhead was thick, but beams of light broke through the leaves, spotlighting the brook with a golden glow. The scene was magical.

“This is beautiful,” I gasped.

Poaka ran for the brook and dipped his snout low for a drink of the crystal liquid.

Aleki and I took a seat on the bank and watched Poaka hop around to avoid the running water catching his nose.

“It’s so peaceful here,” I said to Aleki over my shoulder, enjoying the tranquil sounds of the birds chirping in song overhead.

He placed the red pouch in my lap. “Open it.”

I unfastened the snap and withdrew three small cards. Photos.

“Oh my God, is that you?” A chubby baby with a gleeful smile looked back at me. He was no more than a year old. His cheeks were chunky, and his thick hair was sticking up in all directions like he had just woken up from a nap. His grin was wide, only a few teeth ornamenting his gums.

“That was on my f-first birthday.”

“You were so cute!” I flipped to the next photo. A woman with long dark hair with the same baby, in front of a sheet cake with balloons in primary colors. Baby Aleki had his little arms wrapped around her neck, and there was a black beaded bracelet around one of his wrists. The pair were cheek to cheek, completely blissful as they stared into the camera.

“That’s my m-mother,” Aleki said.

“She was beautiful.” Her dark eyes and silky black hair complemented her flawless brown skin.

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