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Chapter seventeen

Darla

I climb into my hammock and lay back with a sigh, my mind running a hundred miles a minute. I wasn’t even sure what I felt right now. I’m frustrated at Bower for pushing me for answers, but I’m also frustrated at myself for running.

I didn’t really have an excuse for not telling them anything, other than I know that once I start answering, they’ll get to the questions that I really don’t want to answer. I don’t even want to think about them.

The sky quickly starts to darken. Butchering Brutus took most of the day since he was so big. The jerky should be ready in the morning, which gives me tonight to myself, to try to calm down.

It was strange being around people again. I was still wary of them, but I wasn’t terrified anymore. I know I’ve only known them for a couple of days, but they had an opportunity to do anything to me when I passed out, and they did nothing except clean me and put me to bed.

I glance down at the red marks on my arms. Yeah, they cleaned those, too. They’re already looking better.

If anything, I just feel nervous that they are going to think I’m weird or crazy, and for some reason, it feels important that they like me.

I roll on my side and my eyes search for Steve.

Crap shells! I left him in my bag by the fire.

I know I could go down and get it, but after the way I ran out of there, I’m too embarrassed to show my face just yet.

I can sleep without Steve for another night.

“Tink!” Bower’s voice has me sitting up in my hammock in alert. “Tink, I have your bag here for you!” My eyes widen in surprise. How did he know I needed that? “I’m gonna put it at the base of this tree, by the balcony.”

I wait a few minutes, then quietly climb down the tree. When I see my bag resting at the first juncture of branches, a wide smile splits my face as I quickly drop down to grab it, snatching it up and throwing the strap over my head.

As I turn to climb back up, my eyes catch on a small movement and I realize Weston is standing outside the hut, leaning against it with his arms crossed as he assesses me.

I freeze, wondering if this was some sort of trap.

But when he doesn’t move, I slowly reach out to grab a branch and he just watches me silently.

When I turn away to see where I’m going, I hear him whisper, “Goodnight, Zee.”

I leap up to the next branch as I contemplate replying. But by the time I decide that I should say something, it’s been way too long and I’m halfway up the tree.

Why am I so awkward?

“Probably because you’ve been stranded on a desert island for fifteen years, with only a lemur, and a rock as friends,” I tell myself while shaking my head. Even I think that sounds crazy.

When I get back to my hammock, I clutch Steve to my chest and softly smile, thinking about how I ran out on Bower but he still made sure I got my bag back, without having to go and talk to him. My chest warms at the thought.

My mind shifts to Weston’s watchful gaze as I traversed the tree. What was he thinking? Why was he watching me like that? How was it these three were already having such a strong effect on me after such a short time?

Did I need to distance myself from them? To keep myself safe? Or should I give in to the temptation to be around them? I let those thoughts spin in my head as I drift off to another fitful sleep.

I moan as the sun starts to rise, waking me up.

The nightmares wake me most nights, but normally I get a nap in during the day to recover my sleep.

I didn't have that these past two days and I’m starting to feel the lack of sleep.

I’ll have to make sure I get one in today or I’ll be too exhausted to do anything.

After cleaning my teeth, I head down to the ground to check on the jerky. The camp is quiet, so I assume the guys are all still asleep. I feel a little more relaxed without them watching me, so I take my time checking the meat.

“Good morning, Zee,” someone says from behind me. I quickly pull McStabby from its sheath and spin around with it pointed at… Weston. When he sees my knife, he takes a quick step backwards and raises his hands in defeat. “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you. ”

I let out the breath and lower my knife, turning back to the meat. “I didn’t hear you come down.” Which was surprising since I normally hear everything. Damn, I was losing my senses already around these guys. That was gonna get me killed, just hopefully, not by them.

“Is the jerky ready?” he asks as he slowly moves up beside me to see what I’m doing.

“No, probably another day.” I stand up straight and look at Weston. He’s just staring at me with an expressionless look on his face. I’d love to know what he’s thinking right now. After a minute of awkward staring, I adjust my bag and break eye contact.

“I’m going to go get some mangos. Do you…” I trail off as I nervously glance back at him. “Do you want to come?”

A small smile graces his lips, then he nods. “I’ll go grab my bag.”

I shake my head. “You won’t need it, mine will carry enough for one each. We don’t want to pick more than we can eat in one day.”

“That’s smart,” he says with a nod.

I lead the way out of camp and we head towards the beach in silence. I’ve spoken to Weston the least of all three of them, and he’s the hardest to read. I’m not really sure what he thinks of me. Sometimes I think he’s barely tolerating me.

The silence between us seems to turn into tension as my hands wring the strap of my bag. I thought he'd say something by now and the silence feels like it will literally kill me, but I have no idea how to do small talk.

I’m saved by the need to think of what to say to him when we arrive on the beach and I immediately spot Bob heading straight for us.

“Look out!” I cry, as I try to push Weston out of the way.

But as my hands press into his firm chest, he doesn’t budge.

Then he surprises me by wrapping his body around mine and turning me away from Bob, giving him his back.

Bob squawks, so I peek out from where I’m pressed against Weston’s chest to see him flying away.

I take a moment to let myself calm down as I realize Weston is still holding me tightly against him. It feels like every nerve in my body is alight for the first time in years. I press my nose against his chest and inhale deeply. He smells of the ocean and a tinge of fire.

The urge to know what it would be like to hug him for real overtakes my brain and I slowly slide my arms around his back. They come nowhere near being able to reach each other, but I press my palms to his back and gently squeeze him, like he’s still doing to me.

His body tenses up and I freeze. Crab sucker! What the hell am I doing?

I quickly pull back and his arms loosen, letting me go as I take a couple nervous steps backwards. I look up at him, expecting to see him look as uncomfortable as I suddenly feel, but I’m quickly distracted by the bird shit on his head.

“Oh my god, Weston! You’ve been hit!” A small smile tugs at his lips and I quickly turn to the beach, taking a few quick steps as I search for the culprit. “Bob!” I yell, looking up and down the beach. “You dirty little crab sucker! Get your ass back here so I can have you for dinner!”

I stomp towards the water as I grumble to myself. “Chicken nuggies would be perfect with some bacon. Where the hell is that damn bird? I’ll teach him!”

“Zee?” I turn, having forgotten that Weston was still here. “Do you actually plan to catch that seagull? ”

I frown in anger, seeing Weston covered in Bob’s shit. “Yes! He can’t do that to you and get away with it.”

“It’s okay, I’ll just wash it off.”

“That’s not good enough,” I say, crossing my arms in frustration.

“Why not? Are you really this mad? At a seagull?” I nod my head as I grind my jaw in anger. “Why?”

“Cause he was aiming for me, and you—you protected me,” I admit, dropping my arms to my sides as my anger turns into frustration and confusion about my own feelings.

“Are you mad at him? Or are you mad at me?” he asks, taking a few steps closer, only a couple feet now separating us.

I have to tilt my head up to meet his gaze. “I’m not mad at you,” I say quietly as I stare into his piercing hazel eyes.

“Then what are you feeling right now?” he asks, moving even closer.

“Confused.”

“About what?”

“Why did you do that? I was trying to save you,” I say, trying very hard not to pout.

He lowers himself onto one knee, bringing his face much closer to mine, and slowly reaches for one of my hands. I meet him halfway and he pulls it up between both of his giant hands as he speaks. “Zee, if I had it my way, I’ll always be the one saving you, not the other way around.”

I let out a small gasp of surprise. “You don't even know me.”

A slow smile covers his face as he gives me a knowing look. “And you don’t know me, and yet you just tried to save me from a…” he trails off, clearly unsure of what to call what just happened.

“A fly by pooping?” I offer .

He lets out a small laugh, making my heart leap in my chest and the sound of his husky voice. “Yeah, that. I’m gonna quickly go wash this off. Will you guard my clothes for me from any more seagull assassins?”

I nod my head, my eyes wide as he pulls off his too-tight t-shirt. His naked chest is right there in front of me. If I reached out, I could probably feel his abs. I swallow heavily and he tosses his shirt at me, a small smirk playing on his lips.

Ah crap shells, am I drooling?

When he pulls his jeans off, I discreetly check and am relieved to see I’m not. But that probably won’t last long with this giant greek god of a man standing in front of me in nothing but a pair of tight black boxer shorts.

I try to avert my gaze from his substantial package, but it’s hard not to stare. My eyes catch on his gigantic thighs, then his flexing biceps. He passes his pants to me and I try not to make any noise as my fingers brush his.

What the hell is happening to me right now?

He heads towards the ocean, and I get a good glimpse of his tight ass. “Sweet baby beefcake!” I whisper to myself as I watch him dive into the water. I let out a puff of air and groan. “He has no right looking that yummy when I look like this.”

“I think you look fucking edible,” someone says behind me, making me scream as I spin and throw Weston’s clothes at them.

Bower laughs as he catches them easily. My wide eyes bounce between him and Kingsley, standing only a few feet behind me.

“How long have you two been standing there?” I ask nervously.

“Just long enough to hear you refer to West as a beefcake. I bet he’ll like that, won’t he, King?” He asks with a smirk as he turns to King .

“Oh my god, you can NOT tell him that!” I beg desperately. Then I drop my head and groan. I have never felt so embarrassed in my life.

“Awe, Tink, don’t be shy. You know he’d be flattered.”

“Don’t mind Bower, sweetheart. He’s just jealous.”

I spread my fingers wide so I can peek out between them. “Jealous?”

“Yeah, he wants you to look at him like that. I guess he didn't know you were yesterday.”

“Kingsley!” I cry in frustration, dropping my arms as I turn away from them and immediately bump into Weston’s bare, wet chest. “Sweet baby muscles, kill me now,” I groan as his hands come out to grip my upper arms in support.

“Why is your face so red? Is it the sun? Do we need to get you in the shade?” Weston asks, sounding worried.

“Oh, she’s heating up alright, but not from the sun,” Bower says with a chuckle.

“Can we just go now, please?” I groan, as West lets go of my arms and grabs his clothes from Bower. I avert my gaze, to try to avoid embarrassing myself any further.

“Of course. You ready to show us where the mango grove is?” West asks.

I take a peek in his direction and am relieved to see he’s fully clothed.

But I frown, realizing he really isn't any less attractive like this.

In fact, I still have an urge to climb him like a tree and see what he could do with those big hands of his.

“What are you thinking about right now?” Bower whispers right beside my ear, making me squeak as I jump in surprise.

“Nothing!” I say a little too quickly .

“Hmm, if you say so,” he says with a smirk. I avert my gaze and start heading down to the beach towards the mangos, hoping that if I don’t see them, I won’t make a fool of myself anymore.

I’m not sure what’s gotten into me, or them, this morning, but I’m worried if I spend too much time around them I’ll end up doing something stupid, like licking their abs to see if they taste as good as they look.