Page 36 of Beautifully Wild

“Thank you.” She rises, the sheet slipping. She catches and secures it with a hand under her breasts. The white linen sits low over her tanned breasts revealing enough cleavage for Samuel to lose focus and remember how his mouth had claimed each one equally last night. Or was it this morning? Either way, it’s the reason he rose early and hired a Kombi at the receptionist’s desk. He needs to get them both out of his room before he loses all coherence.

Every minute spent with her last night sparked something within him to question his future. His commitment. Yet he wants her by his side for every second until his inevitable return.

The Ularans know nothing of selfish ways. Heshouldleave. Save them both from heartache. Only the incredible power she wields, or perhaps selfishness on his behalf, is allowing her to control him.

“It’s a good brew.”

He smiles at her accent. It’s thicker on different occasions. “I have a surprise for you today.”

Her eyes light up, and his chest expands knowing he gives her happiness. “Tell me.”

“It requires you to wear clothes and sneakers. Pack your swimsuit in case.”

“In case?” She takes another sip of coffee.

“There’s a river you can bathe in after I show you the surprise.”

Eden throws back the covers. “I can shower here, and you could join me.”

He sucks in air. “I need to make some calls, and you need to be quick as I have a booking at a certain time. If we shower together, it won’t be quick.”

She smiles, knowing what he infers, then frowns, comprehending. “You have a phone?”

“Doesn’t everyone?”

“You never use it. I assumed you borrowed one in Rio.”

“I use it when I need to.”

She nods as though she’s thinking about his words while she slips into her shorts. “I’ll head back to my room to freshen up and inform the girls where we’re headed. Which is?”

“Nice try.”

She giggles, and it fills his heart with warmth. Swiping her key from the table, she says, “I’ll be back soon.”

It surprises him when she taps on the door twenty minutes later. He assumed most women took longer. He reminds himself Eden isn’t most women.

Taking her hand, he guides her to the front of the resort, where a pale blue Kombi awaits. He jingles the keys. “Our ride for the day.”

She lets out a little squeal and bounces on the spot.

He chuckles at her reaction. He opens the passenger door and takes her hand as she steps up to the seat.

“Where are we going?” she asks before the keys are in the ignition.

“Did your parents ever explain what a surprise entails in order to keep it one?”

“Of course.” She fiddles with the radio dials, and Brazilian music blares from the small speakers. The sound is distorted except for the signature quick drumbeat, and on cue, Eden wiggles in her seat.

He indicates to pull out onto the road. “For your own safety and mine, I’ll ask you to refrain from dancing.”

She raises her arms and jiggles her chest while tapping her feet. Samuel lets out a sigh and is thankful he hasn’t yet veered onto the road.

Heading south, they pass beachside resorts and endless fields of coconut trees.

“You know I’d hoped to watch the Samba parade with you.”

“I apologize again for my behavior in Rio,” he says. He glances at her and notes her attention is to the window. It reminds him of her sad face a few days ago on the bus tour. “My decisions aren’t rash, and yet sometimes I make bad choices.”

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