Page 30 of Beautifully Wild

18

Samuel

Samuelraisesahandto knock and hesitates when laughter echoes beyond the door. He smiles, liking the sound, taps twice, and hears hushing.

The door opens. His entire body stiffens taking in the sight of her. Her eyes remind him of the Brazilian ocean, framed with long lashes, and the sweeping lines of kohl accentuate her beauty. Straightened blonde locks fall over slim shoulders to caress her breasts.

Breasts.

He pauses a moment too long. He sees the pretty white dress, only his gaze is drawn to her chest.

“Hi.” She gives him a knowing smile.

“You look beautiful,” he says honestly.

“Thank you. Shall we go?” She pulls the door closed behind her and links her fingers with his.

He glances over her shoulder to the window and nods to her friends peeking through the blinds, then he glances down to his board shorts and polo and feels underdressed beside her. Eden deserves him in a tux. The one he rented and returned to reception in Copacabana. He didn’t count on being away this long.

He never saw her coming.

The ultimate distraction.

The ultimate threat.

“Your friends—”

“Can talk to you later. I’m not willing to share you yet. Though it wouldn’t surprise me if they rock up at the restaurant.” Her fingers tighten around his. “Would it bother you?”

He smiles. “Spying isn’t beneath them?”

“Amy would resort to worse.” She laughs as though it evokes a memory. His insides tighten with the sound of her laughter.

Parrots zoom past to roost. She ducks as though she’s on their radar.

Is she superstitious? Spiritual? What would be her opinion be of him if she knew the truth?

He can’t ignore the idea he was meant to find Eden. He closes his eyes, knowing whatever they have will end in a few days, so why does it matter?

Yet heishere, withher,allowing a male instinct to guide him.

She squeezes his hand, bringing him back. They stroll along the path to the resort’s open-air restaurant. It reminds him of his jungle home—his place of belonging with a peaked ceiling and no walls. The breeze flows in from the sea.

The waiter leads them to a small table where they overlook palm trees and the gentle swinging hammocks connecting them.

“I like it here. I mean, I loved Rio, but here I feel more at home.”

The breeze catches her fruity scent, and he takes a deeper breath, closing his eyes momentarily. “How long are you staying in Ilhéus?”

She pulls a face and grins. “Your stalking skills disappoint me.”

“I didn’t plan anything beyond seeing you on the tour. I believed you’d send me away.”

Her eyebrows rise. “After telling you how I felt in Rio?”

“You were drinking. We had mutual attraction except…” He shakes his head.

“Are you having second thoughts?”

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