Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 104729 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104729 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
She’s been a pain in my ass since the moment I met her, but I think that’s what I like about her the most.
She challenges me.
She calls me on my shit.
She’s a little spitfire, and yes, it doesn’t hurt that she’s stunning.
She’s an untamable fire. Like a Phoenix, she falls, but every time she gets back up.
I have no doubt that by tomorrow, she’ll do just the same, but for now, she nuzzles against me, seeking my warmth, so I pull her closer.
* * *
Early morning sunlight streams down, forcing my eyes to open.
As the world around me comes into focus, I see yet again that Phoenix is asleep, nestled against my chest.
Unlike before, I don’t rush to move.
Every day since we’ve been here, I’ve pushed myself from dusk till dawn to find a way off this island.
Even I deserve to sleep in.
Don’t I?
I close my eyes against the glare and will myself back to bed.
But my companion seems to have other plans as she rolls almost completely on top of my body.
She’s still asleep.
That much I can tell from the way she breathes.
Now, I’m not sure what to do.
Which is wholly unlike me.
I’ve never given a shit before about what this girl wants or needs, but now I do.
And the notion doesn’t sit well inside me.
I need to squash these feelings.
I can’t let myself grow attached to her.
Again, she starts to move, her leg draping over me. If she keeps rubbing up against me like that, she’s going to wake something else inside me. I can’t cross that line.
Something tells me if I do, one time won’t be enough to get this girl out of my system, and I can’t go there with her.
My inner debate is cut short when she starts to speak in incoherent sentences, and then as if she got struck by lightning, she bolts up into a sitting position.
“What-What happened?”
Her eyes are wide and crazy from sleep, and it takes everything in me not to burst into laughter.
But something tells me if I do, I’ll end up with a black eye.
“You were exhausted and fell asleep.”
She looks down and lifts the blanket, then her hand reaches for my shirt that covers her.
“How?” She doesn’t finish the question, but there is no need, seeing as I can already tell what it’s going to be.
How did I get dressed? Did you do this?
“You were naked.” Her cheeks turn a bright red. “I didn’t want to wake you, so my shirt seemed an easier task.”
She’s quiet as she takes in my answer, but eventually, she nods to herself.
“We should get up,” I finally say, breaking the silence between us.
“What’s the plan for today?” she asks.
“Other than make coconut phones?” My lip tips up into a smirk, and she shakes her head at my joke.
“Yes, other than that, Gilligan.”
“Gather fruit and fish.”
“Okay.”
“We’ll do it together.”
Her brows knit together as if she is going to react. Maybe she’s perfectly capable of doing it herself, but she must think better of it.
“You can get most of the fruit. I’ll be focusing on seeing if there are any animals for us to catch.”
“How will you do that?”
“Bait.” But the moment I say the word, I realize my mistake. Her body tightens, and she’s up before I can speak, marching off behind the trees.
I would say she has to use the bathroom, but I know better.
If what I said bothered her, she doesn’t act on it, instead opting for a time-out. Hopefully, it’s long enough for her to be okay. A few minutes later, my question is answered when she steps out of the trees with a smile. I’m not sure if she is being serious or merely mocking me, but I don’t really care. Either way, no matter her mood, we are doing this.
“What has you so happy today?” I ask. Her smile brightens, and she points toward where she found the fruit.
“I’m excited to be getting closer to getting off this island.”
Now that I have heard her answer, the excitement she portrays doesn’t sit well with me. It’s not that I want to stay on this island, but the moment I get off, I’ll have to figure out who attacked me and why, and there will be a price to pay. As much as this isn’t a vacation, I’m not looking forward to the idea of having to do all that.
I turn toward Phoenix. “Do you need anything?” I ask before we head off for the day.
“Seeing as there’s really nothing to bring …” she gestures to the ditch bag and the raft “… no.”
“Make sure you bring the knives.” After I say this, she turns her gaze to meet mine, and then her blue eyes look at me, wide with confusion. “Are you expecting to fight something? Or kill for that matter?”