Page 32 of Wild Idol (Tyson Wild Thriller #82)
A fter dinner, we enjoyed festivities around a stone fire pit. A soft amber glow illuminated faces around the flames. A girl named Darcy with a guitar sang songs, and JD and I indulged in some of the local rum. It was pretty tasty, with a hint of spice.
The fire popped and crackled, and embers drifted about. The sounds of the night provided background.
Jack had an itch to perform.
It was impossible for him to watch someone else in the limelight and not get in on the action. It wasn’t long before I was strumming the guitar, and we were doing acoustic renditions of Wild Fury favorites.
Jack filled the jungle with softer, less howling versions of the songs.
Our impromptu performance went over well.
Even in the jungle, we had made new fans. Odds were, they’d never hear a Wild Fury song again .
After a few songs, I surrendered the guitar back to its owner. She informed me that the guitar belonged to all and that we should keep playing.
“But your voice is too beautiful not to hear again,” I said.
It was all the encouragement she needed to kick off another set.
“That was amazing!” Whisper said as she approached with Sunshine. “I had no idea you were so talented.”
Jack smiled, soaking up the adulation.
“Where did you learn to play?” Sunshine asked me, those big blue eyes looking up at me with awe and wonder.
“I just picked it up and started strumming. The guys in the band helped me get the hang of it.” Then I added. “A lot of practice.”
“The way your fingers moved across the fretboard, mmm…” her eyes sparkled with a lustful hunger.
Ivy had been sitting with Solomon. She stood up, sauntered around the flames, and joined us. She looked at Sunshine as she took my hand. “You don’t mind if I borrow him for a moment, do you?”
“Not at all,” Sunshine said, her jealous eyes blazing into Ivy.
Jealousy was something that wasn’t supposed to exist around here. But it was hard to suppress natural human emotions.
Ivy took my hand and pulled me away from the group. She grabbed a small torch and led me down a path into the jungle. The flames illuminated the way, glowing the way, casting off heat.
Ivy’s hand was soft and warm. I didn’t mind holding it. The sounds of the party faded in the distance as we walked deeper into the jungle.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
We continued down a winding, manicured path that ended at another clear well, fed by a small waterfall. Ivy guided me up to a flat rock on the shore. Two tall tiki torches flanked the large stone. She lit them with her torch.
It was almost like a ceremonial altar.
The amber glow cascaded across the water.
We were all alone, and the dull rumble of the party drifted through the trees.
The symphony of crickets and other creatures of the night filled the air.
The full moon glowed overhead, casting a pale light over the water.
The stars flickered above. It didn’t get more romantic than this.
“This is pretty,” I said.
Ivy smiled. “You should see it in the daytime. The water is so blue and clear. The locals call it the well of life.”
“Why is that?”
“It has healing properties. I know that for a fact. I’ve seen it work its magic. It is said that whoever bathes in this water shall live forever.”
It was a bold claim .
Ivy pulled off her sarong and tossed it onto the stone.
Then, with a delicate hand, she pulled the strap of her bikini top and let it unfurl.
The fabric went slack, and she slid it from her svelte body.
The flickering flames accentuated her toned form.
She slid off her bikini bottoms and let them glide down her glorious thighs.
She kicked them to the rest of the pile.
Ivy displayed her naked body, the soft amber glow kissing her sumptuous skin. The pale moonlight back-lit her curves.
Ivy was a mouthwatering sight, to be sure.
“You should join me for a swim. You won’t regret it.”
She dove into the water and made hardly a splash as she plunged below the surface. A moment later, she broke through the water and flung the excess from her hair. “Are you coming in?”
“What would Solomon think?”
She smiled. “He doesn’t own me.”
“He put you up to this. He figures if you can get close to me, maybe I’ll be less inclined to do your father‘s bidding.”
“Are you still planning on doing my father’s bidding?” she asked, treading water. “After all I’ve told you about him?”
I sat on the stone beside the water.
Ivy swam close.
“I think you’re a grown woman who can make her own decisions. It doesn’t appear that you’re under duress. I’m inclined to go back to your father and tell him we spoke, and you declined his invitation to return.”
Ivy smiled. “And what of the idol?”
“You told me you didn’t steal it, and you don’t have it. I guess I’ll have to take that at face value.”
“Does he know where I am?”
“Yes.”
“He’ll send someone else. It’s only a matter of time. My father is relentless. He doesn’t like to lose.” She paused. “Can you lie? Just tell him I’m dead.”
I chuckled. “I can’t do that.”
“Honorable, I suppose.” After another pause, she asked, “How long do you plan on staying?”
“Solomon wanted us to stay long enough to get a sense of the island. I think I’ve seen enough.”
“You’ve hardly had time to enjoy the full experience,” she said with a hint of seduction. “There’s so much this place has to offer. Perhaps you may grow to love it as much as I do.”
“I’m not gonna lie. This place has alluring qualities. I believe a man could be quite happy here. But you don’t need to compromise yourself to convince me of that.”
“Who said I’m making a compromise?”
“When we first met, I saw the hatred in your eyes.”
“Hatred for what you represented. My father. Now I see more clearly who you really are. ”
“The only reason we are here together is because Solomon told you to persuade me. I don’t need persuading. I’d feel guilty if I took advantage of the situation.”
“A man with a conscience. I like that. I didn’t think there were many left.”
“Give us a chance. We might surprise you.”
“I already gave you a chance. And now I feel silly.” She extended her hand as she treaded water by the edge. “Help me out.”
I stood up and grabbed her hand. As I did, she pulled me into the water.