The roar of the plane's propeller grows louder as it approaches Moku.
"It's headed this way! Look!"
"Looks like a cargo plane. They've got to be able to see the smoke by now."
I race along the peak with Kai at my heels, following the plane as it soars directly overhead.
"Down here! "
I jump wildly about near the edge of the cliff, trying to make myself look as big as possible.
"Over here! Please..."
Kai stands next to me, furiously waving his arms at the plane.
"YOU CAN'T LEAVE US HERE!"
The bonfire rages behind us, it's flames licking the air and sending a steady column of smoke into the sky. But the plane remains on course, crossing over the island...and disappearing into the thick clouds on the far side.
"It will come back around. Maybe it's caught in the wind and has to find a safer route."
I squint my eyes, looking for any sign of movement against the dark sky.
"No. It's not."
Kai's voice cuts through the air like a knife.
"We're not getting rescued."
I whirl to face him. I'm confused to find rage etched into his features.
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't you see? No one out there cares what happens to us."
"That's not true. Someone will come for us."
"Who? We have no radio, no cell phone, no flares. The damn plane didn't even notice us, even with all this smoke."
The stress of the past few days surges up all at once, and his words snap something within me.
"I'm not giving up after one failure. It was a single plane, Kai. There will be others. I'm not stopping until we're off this island."
Kai moves closer to me, meeting my challenge head on. I can see the tension in his taut muscles.
"I'm telling you now, it's a waste of time."
I take another step toward him, not backing down. He's close enough for me to feel his breath on my face.
"Unlike you, I refuse to give up on people so easily."
"You're the most goddamn stubborn woman I've ever met."
"And you're the most stubborn man I've ever met."
Suddenly, droplets of rain begin falling from the sky. They quickly become a torrent that washes away the mud and soaks through our clothes in seconds.
"Well, I'm sorry you're stuck here with me. I'm sure you would've preferred to be stranded alone."
"This has nothing to do with how I feel about you."
"How could it? You obviously don't feel anything for me."
Water drips from Kai's eyelashes and rivulets trail down the toned muscles of his arms as he seethes.
"Can't you see? I—"
He stops himself short, then turns on his heels toward the bonfire, which is now little more than embers in the downpour.
"Don't walk away again. Just admit it, you don't care about me. You only kissed me because I was a convenient, warm body."
He turns back toward me. The heat in his eyes is just as searing, but it's a different kind of passion this time.
"You don't get it, (Y/N)."
"Try me."
That's all it takes. He closes the distance between us in a few strides, grips both of my arms roughly, and kisses me deeply! My anger melts away as his lips crash against mine. He encircles me in a firm, almost demanding embrace as he kisses me with a hunger I've never felt before.
"You drive me wild."
"I...Oh, Kai! "
I tug the fabric of his shirt, pulling his mouth to mine once more. His fingers press against my back, the heat of his touch burning through my clothes to my fiery skin. The unrelenting rain, the night sky, everything else fades as I lose myself in his intoxicating presence. His voice is a growl in my ear.
"Sometimes all I can think about is how much I want you. I need you."
"So what are you waiting for? Take me."
I wrap my arms around Kai's neck, tugging his mouth to mine. His response is instantaneous, matching the ferocity of my need for him.
"(Y/N)..."
"Shhh..."
Words are lost as his tongue intertwines with mine, his every motion perfectly matching my own in a passionate dance. I suck at his bottom lip, savoring the sharp contrast between the cool rain on Kai's lips and the heat of his skin.
"Mmm..."
His hands slide along my hips to the small of my back, where he splays his palms out, as though the touch as much of me at once as possible. I press my body harder against his, fitting myself flush against the whole of him like puzzle pieces.
"I want you so bad it feels like every inch of me is on fire."
"There's a reason for that! Arousal causes—"
Kai captures my mouth in a fierce kiss, silencing the rest of my scientific explanation.
"Less talking, more kissing..."
Oh, so that's ho he wants to play it?
I break from him, shifting to kiss his neck. Just as Kai lets out a low moan...I press my teeth into his slick skin, biting just hard enough for him to feel it.
"Ah! Okay, I get it. Talk whatever science nonsense you want...but keep doing that."
"What, this? "
I rake my teeth across his collarbone, earning a groan that rumbles from deep in his throat.
"You are goddamn insufferable."
I spare a moment to flash him a knowing grin before capturing his lips once more. I moan against him as his hands begin to roam my body, sliding down my waist and lower back to glide over my ass. He tugs at the wet fabric clinging to my body, starting to peel it away. I'm suddenly desperate to have his rain-slicked skin against mine... I deftly start to undo every button of his red shirt one at a time, carful to brush my fingers over the skin I reveal in aching slowness.
"Now you're just being mean."
Kai lets out a low moan as I reach his pants, running my hands along the waistband teasingly before pushing them down.
"I prefer to call it building anticipation."
My breath catches as I pull back to take in the sight of his toned form, the rainwater streaming along the shapely contours of his body.
"Like what you see?"
"I do, but...I'd rather feel it."
Kai lets out a chuckle, snaking an arm around my waist to bring me back to him. He skillfully unfastens my clothing, his eyes never leaving mine as he tears each garment from my form, leaving me just as naked as him.
"That's better."
Moonlight peeks through the clouds as the downpour subsides, glistening off my skin and highlighting the supple contours of my breasts and hips.
"Wow..."
"What?"
"You look...incredibly sexy."
I smirk and press my body against his, relishing the sensation of his bare skin on mine as I chart his body with my hands. His impatience is clear as he quickly does away with what little fabric remains between us, then lets his hands trace a line down my torso, slowing to a teasing pace just above my thighs.
"Oh, (Y/N)..."
"Lay down."
I gently push Kai onto his back. He sinks into the soft grass as I brace myself above him. I hover over him, giving him enough space to trail his hands along my arms and waist.
"This doesn't change the fact that you're one of the most stubborn, know-it-all—"
"Now, it's your turn to shut up and kiss me."
His lips are on mine once more, the heat between us rising to a fever pitch. I reach down to grip him in my hand, the length of him heavy in my palm. He moans as I pump once, twice...exploring the velvet-smooth surface of his hardened shaft.
"Ohhh..."
His thumb finds my breast, kneading and massaging it into a stiff point and causing the heat between my legs to pulse in anticipation. Bracing myself against Kai's chest, I glide my hips against his, earning a gasp as I tease every inch of his arousal.
"Ahh!"
He grabs my waist, his fingers dimpling my skin with the urgency of his grasp.
"Haven't you teased me enough?"
"I suppose..."
Using my hold on him, I guide him between my legs and let my body sink down onto him. I gasp as he bucks his hips, filling me completely.
"Yes..."
He slides his full length deep into me, then pulls away with a groan, gliding against my core as he moves. Our bodies find their rhythm, moving in perfect time as we cling to each other, desperate to be closer still.
"Oh God..."
I dig my nails into his shoulders, while his fingers grip the curves of my ass, guiding me up and down against his manhood. The rain-slicked surfaces of our bodies make it easy to come together faster, deeper. I squeeze Kai's hips with my legs, increasing the friction between us as I ride him. A gasp of pleasure escapes me.
"Ohhh, yes! "
He thrusts harder and my vision blurs momentarily. I dig my fingernails into his shoulders, anchoring myself to him.
"Oh God... (Y/N)..."
He licks him thumb, then circles my hardened nipple, adding yet another layer of pleasure that brings me closer to the edge.
"I'm close..."
"Don't...stop..."
Heat pools in my belly, and I feel myself about to hurtle over the edge. Suddenly, the thought of what my passionate noises might attract intrudes on my mind. I make no effort to restrain myself as his name pours out of me, unbidden, on a tidal wave of ecstasy that rushes through me from head to toe...
"Kai...! "
Kai joins me, trembling from the force of its power as the cascade of pleasure washes over him too.
"(Y/N)! "
The rain abates entirely as I catch my breath by Kai's side, the clouds clearing to reveal a sky glittering with stars. The two of us cling to each other, my arms offering enough warmth and shelter to get me through the darkest hour of the night.
"That was...wow."
"Yeah, it was something. But we should get some sleep. It'll be a long day tomorrow."
I nestle myself against Kai's body, the heat of his bare chest radiating against my back. It doesn't take long for me to fall into a contented slumber.
The next day, awkwardness hangs heavily in the air as we journey back to camp. I trail behind Kai as he retraces our steps down the mountain. Neither of us mentions the fight from last night...or what came after
He can't just ignore me the entire trip down, right?
Kai pauses just ahead, carefully observing the forked trail.
"Hm... This way."
...Right?
Without even a glance back, he presses deeper into the jungle. My mind wanders as we proceed through the underbrush, thinking over the events of the previous night. Suddenly, my foot catches on an exposed root and I stumble forward!
"Whoa!"
"(Y/N)!"
Kai immediately lunges toward me, steadying me. I clutch his shoulders, acutely aware of how close we are as I regain my balance.
"...Thanks."
"It's what I'm here for. Come on. We don't have time to waste."
He turns and starts back off down the mountainside. Reluctantly, I follow.
"So... Last night was...nice. I mean, I at least had fun..."
Memories immediately flood my head... Our hot, sweaty bodies tangled together in the rain... His searing kisses... The sounds of mutual pleasure filling the air...
"Hm..."
Kai grunts, not bothering to turn around. He continues his unrelenting pace forward.
"Or maybe I was wrong about...what that was."
When he still doesn't respond, I hurry ahead and step into his path, forcing him to finally look at me. I feel my heart pounding in my chest.
"You can't run away from last night forever."
"I'm not running, I'm just facing the facts. You and I... This will never work."
I feel a sharp pain in my chest, and my head swims as Kai moves past me toward camp. After a minute, I sprint to catch up to him. I burst onto the sand as Kai settles around the smoldering fire pit.
"Hey, this conversation isn't over. I'm tired of you shutting me out."
"You want me to say it? Fine. Last night was a mistake."
Another pain to the heart. I study Kai's expression carefully.
"Why are you lying to yourself? I know I felt something between us, and you felt it too."
"I'm not lying."
Kai refuses to meet my gaze as he speaks. I clench my jaw in frustration.
"If that's the case, then look me in the eyes and tell me."
"What do you want me to say? It was a moment of weakness. It doesn't change that we come from two different worlds."
"Bullshit."
"You wouldn't think so if you knew what it's like to live in my shoes."
Kai storms off toward the ocean with me right on his tail.
"What do you mean? Don't shut me out now. Please."
He sits on one of the large boulders at the water's edge, his shoulders slumped in defeat.
"You really are stubborn."
"Only when I have to be."
I join him and catch a hint of a smirk on his face. After a moment, he lets out a heavy sigh.
"Someone like you...you can afford to rely on other people. I've learned the hard way that people like me can't. When everything you have fits on the deck of a boat, it's too easy for one person to take it all away."
"Is this about that business partner you mentioned?"
He clenches his fist and looks into the distance.
"It's about him...and it's about you. It took me a long time to rebuild my life after what happened. I don't take risks like that anymore."
"...And then I came along. I know you've been hurt, but I understand loss too."
I place my hand over his.
"I may not have grown up on an island, but I know what it's like to work hard for something and have it taken away."
"So you've been left for dead by the one person you thought you could trust?"
"Well, no. But—"
"It's different for you. And the worst part is that you can't even see it."
"Just do me a favor... Don't give up on someone coming to save us yet."
He lets out another heavy sigh, running a hand over his face.
"Yeah, well... We'll never make it long enough for that if we don't keep our energy up."
Content for now, I nod in agreement. The heavy tension in the air seems to ease slightly, even if things remain unsettled between us.
"Right, we should eat. More coconuts?"
"We should both have something heartier. Coconuts and dragon fruit won't cut it."
He thinks for a moment, flashing a smile as he seems to get an idea.
"Actually...ever been spearfishing, Doc?"
Kai leads me down the beach to a protected cove, carving a few sticks into points as he walks. I can already see the shallow water teeming with fish.
"Here. You'll need this."
He hands me a handcrafted spear.
"You know how to use it?"
"I know the pointy end goes in the fish."
"There's a little more to it than that. I could teach you."
"And what do I get out of the arrangement?"
"Aside from more food and a useful skill? If you're good enough, I'll take you somewhere special. A secret spot I found."
"A good scientist always defers to the expert."
After we both strip our clothes, Kai guides me into the shallow water, twirling his spear deftly between his fingers as fish bounce beneath the surface.
"The important thing is patience. Let the fish come to you. Oh, and above all, don't throw your spear."
"Why? Worried I'm going to lose it?"
"Yes. And then I'll be teach you whittling and spearfishing before we can eat. Here, start like this."
Kai steps behind me, positioning his body like a shadow of my own. He wraps his hands around mine and bends his legs, silently urging me to do the same. I mimic his stance, crouching slightly and arching my back against his chest. His whisper tickles my ear...
"Now, the light plays tricks. You have to aim right below your target..."
"Oh, right, because of refraction! But it's difficult with a certain someone so close."
"Trust me. You'll want me here for this one."
Kai points as a fish gets closer to me... I aim the tip of my spear just under its belly.
"Together. Three... Two..."
"One."
I lunge in sync with Kai, and my spear pierces the fish easily! I pull it out and admire my catch.
"Yes! I got one. You are looking at the best spearfisher on Moku Island."
"You remember the part where I helped you get that kill, right?"
"A true hero would be nothing without her sidekick."
I shuffle out of the shallow water to deposit my fish into a large woven basket.
"One down, a lot more to go...but I think you're good enough to venture further out."
"Because I'm Moku's best, right?"
Kai rolls his eyes and heads out into the water. He glances back over his shoulder at me.
"You coming or what?"
I hurry after Kai, swimming through deeper water and into a cave nearby. The sun plays off the water, causing the chamber to glow a shimmering blue.
"It reminds me of the cave we visited our first day here."
"Because it's full of water?" he asks.
"I was thinking because it's got you leading the way. You led us down into that first cave...and you led us here."
"Comes with the title of captain."
I swim toward him, close enough to feel the ripples from his kicking legs against mine.
"I think it's more than that."
I feel an invisible pull beckoning me closer to Kai. I glance at his lips and remember the feel of them on mine last night... Suddenly, his head darts to the left, and he dives underwater!
"Could've just said you needed some space..."
He chases after a shimmering fish, easily spearing it without a second glance. He returns to the surface, showing off his victorious catch.
"Lucky catch."
"No, that's what some of us call skill. All courtesy of my grandfather. He made sure I could always provide for myself."
"And me, it turns out."
I eye a fish swimming not far from me. Spear outstretched, I dive beneath the surface and lance it easily.
Score two for Dr. (YLN).
I head to the surface, toward an unsuspecting Kai...
Now's my time to strike.
I breach the surface and crash my lips against Kai's!
"Oh!"
After a brief shock, he deepens the kiss. He catches my lips between his teeth, causing me to moan in his moan.
"Kai..."
My fingers dig into his back, begging him closer with my touch. Every kiss leaves me desperate for more as our tongues swirl together... My body aches for his touch everywhere... My hand slides down his body and plays with the waistband of his underwear...
"I need you..."
Kai pulls away to catch his breath. His eyes, darkened with desire, remain trained on my lips.
"(Y/N)..."
I lean in, drawn to him as though under a spell. My lips part in anticipation... But his body suddenly tenses, and he pulls away. He refuses to meet my eyes as he mutters...
"...This food won't catch itself. We'll have better luck further out."
He swims away toward the cave's entrance. I hesitate for a moment, watching him, then follow.
"Right. It's fish I'm supposed to be catching."
The two of us wade further out into the coral reef. As we tread water, dozens of schools move around us.
"Bigger fish out here. Should keep our bellies full longer."
I hold the spear like Kai taught me and aim just underneath a large tuna headed right for me. I wait patiently for the tuna to come closer...then I jab with my spear, piercing the fish through the side!
"Gotcha! We're eating well tonight."
"If we dry what we catch, we'll eat well all week."
As I head to the shore to deposit my fish, I let out a gasp at the fish moving between Kai and I.
"It's a Tetraodontidae!"
"Uh, a what?"
"A pufferfish! A pufferfish's organs contain tetrodotoxin, which is 1200 times deadlier than cyanide. A single fish can kill 30 people."
"I knew they were dangerous. But not that dangerous."
Kai swims away from the fish, careful to avoid its quills.
"Any other life-saving bits I should be aware of?"
"Maybe not life-saving, but did you know some fish look like they're kissing, but are actually fighting?"
"Talk about giving off false signals."
"It's fascinating to watch gourami fish fight for dominance that way. People think they're romantic, but they're romantic, but they're locked in battle."
"Huh. Maybe the animal kingdom is on to something."
Just then, I let out another gasp as two sea turtles swim by...
"Magnificent creatures... I've never seen them so close before. Kai, look. Did you know that the nest temperature of sea turtles affects their sex?"
"Yup."
"Oh... Well, what about that the seven existing types of sea turtles can be separated into hard-shelled and leathery-shelled? You've got to be kidding me. That's a wild Linckia laevigata! Otherwise known as a blue sea star."
I excitedly point to the bright blue creature spread on a piece of coral. Kai lets out a heavy sigh beside me.
"Maybe you should spend less time on creatures we can't eat, and more time on fish we can."
"I'm allowed to be excited about this."
"Except you're leaving me to catch everything."
"Am not. I'm helping!"
"Prove it. Catch a fish."
He abruptly turns around, swimming away. I grip the spear in my hand, looking for my next target... But instead, I notice something swimming toward Kai!
"Kai, look out!"
"Why? Did you spot another cool turtle?"
"No, you need to move!"
I hurry to swim toward Kai, pushing him out of the way before the jellyfish wraps around his leg...
"Hey!"
I manage to save Kai...but the jellyfish's tentacle wraps around my ankle!
"Owww!!"
A sharp, burning pain shoots up my leg. I crumple in the water, my leg pulsating from the sting. As my vision goes hazy, Kai hovers over me...
"(Y/N), hold on. I've got you..."