Chapter 4

Chapter

Four

“ Y ou killed him!”

I’m not sure if I meant for my statement to be more of a question or an accusation, but I’m just pissed at this point. When the guy just looks down at me like I have an extra eyeball coming out of the middle of my forehead, I lose the last tiny shred of sanity I have left and punch him. My fist connects hard with his jaw and his features shift from confusion straight into shock as his head whips to the side.

“What was that for?!” His voice gets even lower and a small spark of anger sparkles in his eyes.

I shove hard, but he doesn’t budge at all. “Get off me! You killed that alligator! You’re a monster!”

Tears stream down the sides of my face as I continue to push and thrash my body, but it’s no fucking use. The guy doesn’t move at all. He’s a solid mass against my efforts.

“You are worried about the alligator?” His soft question pulls my attention and I go still.

“Yes, of course. There was no need to kill him. He was just being protective.” The guy nods at my words.

“I did not harm him. I just… sent him away.” A snap draws his attention for a quick second before he inhales deeply. “Your friends are returning.”

He moves his body down mine a little and the friction causes my skin to pebble.

Yeah, I don’t give a fuck how long it’s been since I’ve had an orgasm, I will not just give it over to some sexy naked stranger in the forest.

I sit up, a bit slower this time, and hope to have a more in-depth conversation with the stranger, only to be met with my alligator friend curled firmly against my leg.

Ok, I don’t know if I am more pissed that I just had an entire imaginary interaction with a stranger, or that my brain chose to hallucinate an entirely naked and gorgeous man. That was just extra cruel.

Luis and Carlos are huffing heavily by the time they are close enough to see. Drenched in sweat, Luis turns his head to assess me and I watch as relief covers his features. They carry the lightly snoring capybara over to the bush by where they had originally taken him, and gently lay him down.

The alligator continues holding his post on my leg but has stopped growling. He remains in position until Luis and Carlos have taken a position at my back again. I hear shuffling and assume they have shifted their focus to checking and assessing their unconscious brother.

Wait, how did Juan get tranquilized?

The alligator slowly backs off of my leg and the pressure from his weight is quickly replaced by a tingling sensation. Great. Now I have to hobble back to my gear with a dead leg. Still, I sit in place, watching in fascination as the gator makes his way over to his friend. He investigates the leg binding before settling down in front of him to keep watch. He curls his tail around the capy, shielding him from our view before his eyes latch on to mine again.

Even with pictures, there is no way I could properly convey what happened to my boss.

“Senorita Adler, are you ok? What happened to Carlos?” Oh damn. I got the brother's names mixed up. Well, at least when I was yelling he was already passed out. I wonder how often that happens to them.

Turning my head, I confirm that Luis is pulling the dart from a sleepy Carlos’s arm. So at least that part was not a hallucination.

“I actually have no idea. I might have passed out for a little bit.”

Scratch that might have for an I absolutely fucking did . Not that I really want to say that out loud.

“We will get him back to the office. Are you ok to walk, Senorita?”

“Yes!” When he whips his head in my direction, I fear my answer is a bit hasty. “Sorry, I mean yes. I am good. My leg fell asleep so I just need another minute here.” I reach around and unlatch my sat phone from my buckle and hold it up for Luis to see. “I can call you if I need help. You guys just worry about getting your brother in and looked at.”

Luis hesitates but nods as he and Juan pick up their brother and begin to lug him away. I watch as they clear the trees and hit a point where I can no longer make out their shapes, as I carefully massage the sleepy muscles of my leg.

I wasn’t lying about my leg falling asleep. However, this one has had some extensive past trauma and the metal pins used as repair devices don’t always make moving easy. They also give me a super so-not-sexy limp when I walk. My time with seductive heels was over before it ever began.

Still, I should be thankful that I was able to fully walk again by the time my high school graduation rolled around. Too many of my childhood friends didn’t even get that. But it’s still my life and I am going to be salty and sad about things. It’s normal. So says my therapist at least. I wonder what she would make of me hallucinating naked men?

Shaking my head, I give my leg a few more soft rubs before I begin to brace myself to stand. A breeze flows through the area and carries a scent of ammonia. Dammit! I really did piss myself.

I’m not overly shocked when my legs give out on the first try and I fall back down. I am however quite surprised by the sudden appearance of that naked man again.

I only wish his arm was the only thing extended towards me.