Page 14 of Beautifully Wild

He’s privy to more.

“What can I get you?” As though summoned, Michael appears and lands a hand on Samuel’s shoulder, a crystal glass of beer in his other hand.

Samuel raises his glass of water. “I’m good, thanks.”

“Sam, it’s your last night. At least have one for old time’s sake.”

Old time’s sake.

In college, he and Michael survived on booze, parties, and sex, usually all three in unison in the house they shared. And even now, he’s cautious with Michael trying to pry more from Samuel about his lifestyle. There were times when Samuel wanted nothing more to do with him. Only he’s a family friend and stood by Samuel when his parents were infuriated with his decision to throw away his career.

Samuel looks away to gather his thoughts and conceal his expression while pushing out judgment of his former self. “I’m honestly fine drinking sparkling water. In this heat, and wearing a tux—”

Words stick in his throat at the sight of her. Black lace covers her eyes, yet he recognizes her. She’s laughing with her friends. It’s as though his body has tuned in to the tone of her voice, the sound waves float across the crowd and, like a homing pigeon, find him. Every nerve ending is on high alert.

He’s avoided the Western world’s alcohol for years. Tonight, he needs it more than ever to calm his erratic thoughts. Tonight, he should avoid it more than ever to keep all wit about himself.

“Maybe one, then,” he says without taking his eyes off Eden.

“That’s my man. The old you is in there somewhere.” Another slap to his back is hard enough for him to step forward.

Michael calls out to Harrison, who has already waved the girls over on the balcony, twenty feet away from where Samuel stands. A group of a dozen men and women close the gap between Samuel and his friends. His attempt at keeping a safe distance from people is pointless. The corner position allows him to watch her from a safe space and decide whether to retreat quietly back to his room after one drink. His brain tells him to do the latter. He has managed to shut out lust for years. Tonight, he struggles to control his attraction. A chemical overdose streams through him after being deprived for too long. He glances down at his hands. His veins bulge, and he understands why. The chemicals fueling his bloodstream are now controlling his bodily responses.

She speaks to her friends, and he hisses out a curse at the sweet sound. He closes his eyes and wills his heart to slow. No female has had this effect over him, ever. What the hell is wrong with him? She’s another human only of the opposite sex, and he sees half-naked women in the village every day. He shakes his head, chuckles quietly to berate himself, and turns back to the ocean. He leans his elbows on the rail while he takes in the vista. To think he not long ago believed he had lost the urge, and now he’s acting like an experienced fool.

“Michael said to bring this over to you.”

At the sound of her voice, he spins awkwardly, almost knocking the glass of beer from her grasp.

“Shit, I didn’t mean to spook you.” Eden flicks beer droplets from her fingers and wipes the material of her dress.

“I apologize.” He leans in and brushes droplets from the white fabric clinging to her hips. Her skin warms his fingers through the thin material. He yanks his hand away, takes the beer from her grasp, and nods. All rational thought is lost as he inhales her fruity scent.

“Okay, then.” She fidgets seemingly lost without anything in her hands.

“May I get you a drink?”

Eden smiles, elevating Samuel’s desire to touch her, a need his body longs for, and instinctively, he takes a step closer.

“Amy is getting me a glass of champagne. So…” She takes a step back. “You should come over and join us.” She nods toward his friends.

“I need a moment.” He pulls out his cell as an excuse. “I’m expecting a call.”

“Right. Well, I’ll catch you later.” She turns and glides in her heels back to the group. His gaze roams over her bare shoulders, down a back crisscrossed with spaghetti straps. He watches her hips sway and makes out the swell of her rear beneath the white satin. He assesses the lines and realizes she’s wearing a thong and imagines her naked in nothing but that thin piece of material.

Samuel has succumbed to the power she has over him. He leans over the balcony and closes his eyes. The way the band of his trousers has tightened around his hips, he’ll need more than a moment.

For one night, he’ll divulge in the pleasure of being close to her. Tomorrow he’ll head back to Ulara and far away, not to be charmed by her presence.

He waits until he can straighten without embarrassment before finding his friends. Harrison is talking to Eden. His hand rests on her shoulder, and Samuel’s pulse surges. He fights the urge to storm over and smack his hand away. He downs the cold liquid in three gulps and places the empty glass on the tray of a waiter passing by. Jealousy was never part of his makeup. He feels possessed and uncomfortable with how he’s reacting. Panic builds in his gut in not having control of his emotions.

He starts for the door, weaving around guests.

“Hey.” Sean pats his back and hands him another beer. “Wondering when you were going to join us.”

He bumps Samuel in the direction of the group. “Got this for Michael, although you could use it more.” With a hand on Samuel’s shoulder, he walks beside him. Being close to Eden is like being on a high and craving the pleasure of dopamine to be rewarded with euphoria. It’s a warning for him to remove Sean’s hand from his shoulder and call it a night. Instead, he accepts the beer and walks towardheras though he has lost all control.

When they join the group, Eden turns and makes space beside her. “Did you take your call?”

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