“So demanding,” she groused as they separated. Speaking reminded her of how arid her throat felt, as if she’d swallowed sand. She already felt humiliated enough that he had to help her walk with her legs numb and stumbling. Now, after his big villain reveal, she was questioning her body’s reaction to his proximity. “Just kill me Mateo. The turtles will understand.”
“And miss out on our illuminating exchanges? Never.” He chuckled, his chest brushing her back.
She desperately wanted to lean back into him. She tried to reason that it was because she still felt weak, as was evident by how badly her body trembled.
Maybe you are a masochist who likes being treated poorly?
She groaned when they reached the wooden stump and made no effort to sit. She tried to look around the stump, pressing a mud covered shoe on the foliage to startle anything that might be living nearby.
He pressed a light touch to her back, unaware possibly of how constantly he was touching her. “What’s wrong? Why won't you sit down?” Mateo was so close behind her, she felt his heat and soaked it in like a starving man to a feast. How long had it been since she had been touched, and as often as this?
Too long, her body reminded her.
She deflected. “I’m afraid of bugs which means I’m standing in the middle of the jungle, worried about bullet ants.” Her voice, unused for so long, cracked at the confession. “I hate to ask but did you check to make sure there are none?”
His eyes widened at her admission before his brows creased with acknowledgement. “I checked before I got you. It should be fine” Mateo tried to steer her down gently with his hand on her lower back, and she shook her head adamantly.
“I-I can’t,” she stammered, the flush rising to her face, feeling the pressure of her bladder rise in urgency. She looked around frantically before looking back at him. “I can’t believe I have to say this …” She paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. “I need to use the restroom,” she admitted.
Yep, kill me now. Her bravado was gone.
Mateo’s hand twitched behind her, his grip sending heat throughout her body. “Oh,” he said, his tone clearly broadcasting he was expecting something else. “Gabriella, it’s really nothing to be ashamed about. I’ve got you.”
I’ve got you, the words echoed between them. His touch, still on her, felt possessive in a way that made her toes curl. This was warm and safe. God, even now, they still managed to jokewith each other despite the precarious circumstances. What did it matter that she just admitted a basic bodily function?
“Wait here. I’ll find you a spot.” His voice was steady and nonjudgemental.
He left her alone, but she heard his rough steps through the foliage despite the rising noise of the evening bugs rising with the setting sun. As if to further the embarrassment, her stomach let off a loud rumble. Grateful Mateo was not nearby, she wrapped her arms around herself.
She was sweating, achy, and exhausted. Her head was beginning to hurt, and she felt small tremors in her legs. Classic signs of dehydration and fatigue. While Mateo had been careful with her, the traveling group had not stopped for a break, nor water. It was a testament to their stamina, something Gabriella clearly lacked right now.
By the time Mateo returned, she had debated simply peeing on herself and using the excuse she saw a howler monkey who was ready to eat her. Yes, a little dramatic but she was beyond miserable at this point.
But when he stepped back to their site, his cotton shirt sweat-soaked and somehow torn to reveal his tatted dark-toned muscles, her mouth went dry. She forgot all of her aches except for the one between her legs.
Traitorous body, she chided herself.You’re dehydrating yourself more with this.
It didn’t stop her eyes from roaming appreciatively. She swayed a little when Mateo reached her. He must have sensed how weak she was, stepping closer to offer his body as support. “Do you need help?” Mateo’s eyes were on her, dark gaze roaming over her from top to bottom. “I can carry you.”
Yes please!One part of her screamed.Abort abort!The more logical part said. Her spine straightened. “I’d rather you not touch me. I’m fine. I can walk.”
He touches you so much, it's hard to think straight, but she would never admit that to him.
Mateo studied her for a long moment, jaw flexing as if he were weighing more than the terrain. “Gabriella,” he said. He sounded stern, using her name like a warning.
“I said no.” Her words came out firmer this time, though her voice shook.
He exhaled through his nose, slow and controlled despite the tiniest flare of his nostrils. “And if you fall down again? Like earlier? Will you trust me to pick you up then?”
Something knotted between her ribs. That word,trust, felt like a knife. She didn’t even bother to stifle the bark of laughter. “Says the abductor. ” Her patience finally snapped. “Did you think a few sorry’s would fix everything between us? Sing to the choir Mateo. Justin tried doing that and I kicked his ass to the curb.”
A muscle ticked in his cheek. They were going tit for tat and Gabriella had to admit, it was straining but exhilarating. She knew he could clearly tell how angry she was, and he was soaking each blow as if she was pounding into the ebony Tortuguero sands.
For a heartbeat, she thought he might snap back and remind her exactly how powerless she was. Instead, his wary gaze flicked towards the surrounding trees. She guessed he was assessing angles, distances, and possible threats. The traitor beneath his disguise surfaced in that moment: alert, sharp, calculating.
“I won’t leave you exposed,” he said quietly, “but I can’t trust you alone out here … especially at night.”
“And you’re any better?” she argued back.