Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

***THEO***

W hen he climbed out of the water, his basket full of fish, Theo looked up the beach where the women had disappeared, thinking about going to find Eden. But Peter shook his head. "The women bathe, they need privacy," he said. "We go back to the village with our fish."

Disappointed, he followed Peter back up the trail to the village, added his basket to the pile in the building they used as a kitchen, then started to go back to his hut. Peter stopped him again. "You've earned this," he said, handing him a loincloth. "You are one of us, at least for now. You've proven yourself."

"Thank you," he said, taking it from Peter. "I will wear it with pride."

"Hurry up and change," Peter said waving his hands at him. "The men cook fish over the fire tonight."

It only took a few seconds to strip out of his swimming trunks and into the loincloth. At first, he felt self-conscious, but it wasn't long before he found himself enjoying the freedom. Deciding he liked the idea of not having to worry about what he was going to wear in the morning or fussing with suits and ties, he joined the men again, eager to see what the evening would bring.

Peter waved him over as soon as he saw him. "You help with the fire; collect wood first, then make a big fire," he said. "Fish gets grilled over coals."

"Got it," he said, then paused when he saw the women coming up the trail. "The women are back."

Peter nodded, "They fix the rest of the meal," he said. "We only cook fish."

He was torn between waiting for Eden and going to join the men gathering to go look for wood. Then he saw her walking up the trail with Rose, and the decision seemed clear. "She is very beautiful, your woman," Peter said, smiling at him. "Have you been……together long?"

He tore his eyes away from Eden. "We just met. I've only known her for a few days," he said. "I was stretching the truth when I told you that we're a couple, we're still getting to know each other, and well…we're both on vacation. There wasn't really any expectation that there would be anything more after we left the island. I guess it's kind of complicated, if you know what I mean."

Peter studied him for a second. "But you are here now, might be here for a long time; those things don't matter," he said, then shrugged his shoulders. "Others have asked about her, others might be willing to…claim her."

"They'll have to come through me first," he said without thinking, a wave of jealousy surging through him. "She might not be mine yet, but I'm working on it, so tell them all to back off."

"I'll try, but she is very……alluring," Peter said, shrugging his shoulders. "Men will be men, and I can only do so much . If she's meant to be yours, it will happen. If not, maybe she's meant for another man."

Just the thought of Eden with anyone else was enough to bring anger bubbling to the surface, and he felt it building to rage the more he thought about it, but they were dependent on these people, he had to control himself. He took a deep breath, reminding himself that he was the one in their territory and that he had to observe their customs.

"I care about Eden, she's special to me, and it's going to come to a fight if anyone tries to take her away from me," he finally said, keeping his voice as even as he could. "I've never met a woman quite like her. We're perfect for each other, no matter what the island says."

He stomped away before Peter could say anything else, not sure he could hold his temper any longer, but sure that his message had been received loud and clear. Gathering wood helped burn off his anger, and he returned to the village with the other men, his good spirits restored. Eager to see Eden, he dropped his load off, then began searching the village for her, and finally found her in the cooking hut with a group of women.

When she saw him standing in the doorway, a smile spread across her face. She leaned over and whispered something to Rose, then started toward him. "Well, look at you," she said. "I guess island life agrees with you."

"I would say the same about you," he said, grinning at her. "You look amazing in that dress."

"Thank you," Eden said, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "It's actually really comfortable. I was getting tired of wearing my swimming suit."

He glanced around to see if anyone was paying attention to them, then leaned in closer. "Are you naked underneath that dress?" he asked, enjoying the way her cheeks turned even pinker. "That's all I've been able to think about since I saw you come back into the village."

She gasped, her eyes filled with desire. "Theo, stop that," she said, slightly breathless. "Someone will hear you."

"They're not paying any attention to us," he said, glancing over at the women again. "You didn't answer my question, and it's driving me crazy. Just put me out of my misery."

"I'm not sure the answer is going to help any," she said, grinning up at him. "And this definitely isn't the place for me to show you, so I guess you're just going to have to keep wondering."

He groaned, "You're killing me, woman," he said. "It's not fair."

"You started it," she reminded him, then grinned. "I think I won that round."

"The day isn't over yet," he said, then leaned down and gave her a quick kiss. "Just in case you're wondering, you're mine, Eden, don't forget that."

***Eden***

Eden watched Theo walk away, her heart pounding, a feeling that had nothing to with physical attraction flowing over her like a warm wave of water, and a smile spread across her face. She had no idea why Theo had felt the need to make his declaration right then, but she didn't really care, his words thrilled her in a way few things ever had. There was no doubt in her mind any longer; she was falling in love with Theo, and although the thought scared her, she was willing to face her fear if it meant getting him in the end.

She wasn't going to think about the future, that always seemed to confuse things, and considering where they were and what was happening to them, there was no sense in worrying about what might happen if they managed to get back. This was their new reality and it had stripped away all the things standing in their way, leaving just the feelings they shared, feelings that only seemed to be getting stronger with each day they spent together.

Realizing that she was still standing there staring at the open doorway, she turned and walked back over to the table where Rose was busy cutting fruit for dinner. She looked over at Eden, a big smile on her face, a knowing look in her eyes, and picked up the knife she'd dropped when Theo showed up and handed it back to her. As she worked, she wondered what the night would bring, and found herself shivering when she remembered the passion in Theo's eyes.

She'd been so focused on getting him to sleep with her, she hadn't thought about what the reality would be like, and a thrill shot through her, quickly followed by butterflies in her stomach. Taking a deep breath, she fought back the nerves, reminding herself that she wanted Theo, that she was ready to take that next step in her life. Sex had been a mystery to her for too long, and she couldn't think of anyone she wanted to show her what it was all about more than Theo.

"Do you remember what I told you to do?" Rose asked, piling the fruit she'd found onto a plate. "Tradition is important."

It took her a second to answer. "Offer the fruit to your father and mother first," she said, feeling her cheeks turning pink. "Then give the platter to Theo to distribute to the rest of the tribe."

"Good, then everyone will know he is who you want," Rose said, nodding her head. "Very important."

"I know what you want me to do, Rose," she said. "I just don't understand why. Isn't it obvious that Theo and I are……. together? He introduced me as his girlfriend, that should be enough."

Rose shook her head. "Not enough; men get ideas," she said. "You're very pretty and different. Some might think they want you."

"And if I don't want anyone except Theo?" she asked, getting angry. "Don't I get a say in this? I'm not a piece of property, you know."

Rose shrugged her shoulders and looked away. "You have a choice, but…" she trailed off, then looked back at her. "Just give the fruit to Theo, and everything will be okay."

When she walked out of the cooking hut with the rest of the women, all eyes settled on her, and she was suddenly more nervous than she'd ever been in her life. After her discussion with Rose, the looks she was getting from the men had taken on a more sinister feel, but she told herself she was being silly, overreacting to a threat that wasn't there. One by one, the women presented their contribution to the meal to Peter and his wife, then either handed it to their husbands or took a seat themselves and passed the platter on.

Her legs were shaking when her turn came, and she was sure the whole platter was going to go tumbling into Peter's lap, but she managed to hang on. "You found the last of the sun fruit. What a clever girl you are," he said, taking a few pieces. "This is a wonderful treat so late in the season. You have done well."

A blush spread across her cheeks at the praise and there were encouraging murmurs around the fire behind her, calming her a little as she turned to face Theo seated next to Peter. She held the tray out to him, hoping he knew what to do, then sighed with relief when, after the slightest hesitation, he reached out and took the tray. Slipping into the open space next to him, she looked over at him and smiled, wondering if he understood the gesture she'd just made.

Theo took a piece of fruit from the dish, handed it to her, then took one for himself and passed it on, a pleased look on his face. "Are you staking your claim on me?" he leaned over and whispered. "Because it sure felt like it."

"Maybe something like that," she said, then looked over at him. "Do you mind?"

"Mind?" he asked, grinning at her. "I can't think of anyone I want to share fruit with more than you."

She laughed, "Theo, now you're just being silly," she said. "Rose told me to do it, she said……well, there might be……some of the men……"

"Peter warned me too," he said. "Don't worry, I meant what I said earlier. You're mine, Eden. I've been fighting the truth for long enough; I'm not going to fight it anymore. I don't know what will happen if we find a way home, but I think that will take care of itself when the time comes. I just want to enjoy the time we have here together."

"Oh, Theo, I feel the same way," Eden said. "I'm sorry I pushed you so hard before. This is so much better, but just so there's no confusion, I still want you to make love to me."

"And that is a request I'm going to be happy to fulfill," he said. "But I think that you're still going to have to be patient a little longer."