hurt deeply, he tends to shut himself off from people.”
“Because people are the ones that hurt?”
“Exactly. But people are also the ones who make a person laugh. I haven’t laughed this much in ages, and look at where we are, what kind of trouble we are in. I shouldn’t be laughing at all.”
“Is that a compliment?” Again she felt divided, wanting what he said to be a compliment and yet realizing how dangerous emotionally it could all be.
“Very much. After my divorce, I threw myself into my work, determined to prove to my ex-wife and her family that I was worthy. I put everyone who cared about me at a distance. But what has happened to us has made me realize I have a lot to think about. When you face death, it makes you appreciate what you have in life. These past years I’ve been existing, not really living. But look at you.” He waved his hand toward her. “You embrace life with a relish.”
Yes, she embraced life, but she never stayed long enough in any one place to form a lasting relationship. She had determinedly avoided any situation that might have forced her to. She liked people and loved being around them, but there was always a part of her that remained aloof, because she was afraid to commit totally.
“Well, before my head gets too big and my stomach shrinks to absolutely nothing, don’t you think we should eat?”
He chuckled. “Yes, one coconut coming up. How would you like it? Baked, broiled, raw or steamed?”
“Oh, whichever way is fastest. I’m not a picky eater, especially when I’m weak with hunger.”
“That’s good because your choices are definitely limited to coconut or more coconut.” He cracked a hole into the fruit using the screwdriver and hammer. “After this delicious dinner, I think we’d better try and get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day,” he said as he handed her the fruit.
“Sleep? I don’t know if I can, after the little social call that jaguar paid me. He might make a return engagement, and I’d rather be awake for it. Maybe we should take turns standing guard.”
“Fine, but we need to start out at first light. I don’t want to stay near the river any longer than necessary.”
“How far do you think we have to go?” Ellie tilted the coconut up to her mouth and drank.
“The distance in miles isn’t that far. It’s the terrain we have to cross that will cost us time. I won’t kid you, Ellie. It will be rough, especially when we have to start climbing that mountain.”
She wouldn’t think about the mountain just yet. Instead, she held up her piece of fruit and said, “I propose a toast. When we arrive in Puerto Rico, may we throw the biggest celebration that place has ever seen.”
He touched his coconut to hers. “I second that.”
After she finished drinking the milk, Slade split her coconut open and presented her with its meat. She scraped off some of the white substance and brought it to her mouth. Slowly she chewed on it, relishing the delicious favor for as long as she could. She closed her eyes and imagined herself sitting in a restaurant, surrounded by every food she loved with a triple layer chocolate cake at the center. After she swallowed her first bite, she licked the taste off her lips and started to bring some more to her mouth. She stopped, caught in the tether of Slade’s look.
He didn’t say a word while he placed his fruit on the ground, then touched her lips where her tongue had been a few seconds before. His heavy-lidded gaze searched her face while his thumb continued to trace the outline of her mouth. She wanted to dissolve into his arms, her body weak from his probing attention.
He broke off a chunk of coconut and offered it to her. When she seized the meat between her teeth, his taste mingled with the favor of the coconut, making a unique feast for her. While she ate the piece, his hands framed her face, delving into the silver-blonde strands to cradle her head in his hold.
“I’m getting more
“Because people are the ones that hurt?”
“Exactly. But people are also the ones who make a person laugh. I haven’t laughed this much in ages, and look at where we are, what kind of trouble we are in. I shouldn’t be laughing at all.”
“Is that a compliment?” Again she felt divided, wanting what he said to be a compliment and yet realizing how dangerous emotionally it could all be.
“Very much. After my divorce, I threw myself into my work, determined to prove to my ex-wife and her family that I was worthy. I put everyone who cared about me at a distance. But what has happened to us has made me realize I have a lot to think about. When you face death, it makes you appreciate what you have in life. These past years I’ve been existing, not really living. But look at you.” He waved his hand toward her. “You embrace life with a relish.”
Yes, she embraced life, but she never stayed long enough in any one place to form a lasting relationship. She had determinedly avoided any situation that might have forced her to. She liked people and loved being around them, but there was always a part of her that remained aloof, because she was afraid to commit totally.
“Well, before my head gets too big and my stomach shrinks to absolutely nothing, don’t you think we should eat?”
He chuckled. “Yes, one coconut coming up. How would you like it? Baked, broiled, raw or steamed?”
“Oh, whichever way is fastest. I’m not a picky eater, especially when I’m weak with hunger.”
“That’s good because your choices are definitely limited to coconut or more coconut.” He cracked a hole into the fruit using the screwdriver and hammer. “After this delicious dinner, I think we’d better try and get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day,” he said as he handed her the fruit.
“Sleep? I don’t know if I can, after the little social call that jaguar paid me. He might make a return engagement, and I’d rather be awake for it. Maybe we should take turns standing guard.”
“Fine, but we need to start out at first light. I don’t want to stay near the river any longer than necessary.”
“How far do you think we have to go?” Ellie tilted the coconut up to her mouth and drank.
“The distance in miles isn’t that far. It’s the terrain we have to cross that will cost us time. I won’t kid you, Ellie. It will be rough, especially when we have to start climbing that mountain.”
She wouldn’t think about the mountain just yet. Instead, she held up her piece of fruit and said, “I propose a toast. When we arrive in Puerto Rico, may we throw the biggest celebration that place has ever seen.”
He touched his coconut to hers. “I second that.”
After she finished drinking the milk, Slade split her coconut open and presented her with its meat. She scraped off some of the white substance and brought it to her mouth. Slowly she chewed on it, relishing the delicious favor for as long as she could. She closed her eyes and imagined herself sitting in a restaurant, surrounded by every food she loved with a triple layer chocolate cake at the center. After she swallowed her first bite, she licked the taste off her lips and started to bring some more to her mouth. She stopped, caught in the tether of Slade’s look.
He didn’t say a word while he placed his fruit on the ground, then touched her lips where her tongue had been a few seconds before. His heavy-lidded gaze searched her face while his thumb continued to trace the outline of her mouth. She wanted to dissolve into his arms, her body weak from his probing attention.
He broke off a chunk of coconut and offered it to her. When she seized the meat between her teeth, his taste mingled with the favor of the coconut, making a unique feast for her. While she ate the piece, his hands framed her face, delving into the silver-blonde strands to cradle her head in his hold.
“I’m getting more
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