82 YOU'RE TORTURING ME

In a flash, Zoe stood up and moved over to his side. Her face was emotionless as she put his bag behind his back. 

He tried to decipher what she was thinking when in a quick motion, she pushed his shoulders until he lay down and his head rested on the bag. 

He froze for a few seconds as his eyebrows furrowed, still lost at what Zoe had in mind. In his astonishment, she moved over on top of him and moved her face near him. 

"Protect me from yourself. If you can do this, you can protect me from anything," her red plump lips whispered into his ears, which made him shudder in the heat of the moment.

Raigon froze in shock at Zoe's unexpected action. At first, he went pale as he didn't have any idea what Zoe would do to him while she was pushing him on the ground. But now that she was so close to him, his body burned to its highest degree. Her soft skin was against his and he could smell her womanly scent as she breathed. 

Having a man's instinct, he quickly turned her over and gently laid her head down on the bag. Now it was the other way around. She was now lying down in her back. He was lying on his side with his head supported by his hand. 

Her eyes gazed at him, without expression. She did not hold him in affection as he did so but she did not flinch away either. She was just allowing him to have his way.

She looked so lovely with the meager light coming through the tent, reflecting her womanly figure and lying just beside her. He cupped her face and caressed her porcelain cheeks, his fingers ending up in her sensuous lips. 

"Do you have any idea how much you're torturing me right now?" He whispered to her ears, his lips almost touching it. He wanted to nibble on it and taste its sweetness. His fingers slowly trailed from her lips to the back of her neck and slightly massaged it. As soon as he touched its smooth texture, he pressed it gently and drew it near his, her long auburn hair wrapped his bag.

He pulled her head near his and gazed at every intricate detail of her angelic face to her feet. She was trying hard to remain in control of herself. But he could hear her fast heartbeat with their nearness and her quick sharp breaths as she frequently gulped. Her eyes were also darting to every part of his face and bit her lips as she gazed at his. 

"I know you want this…" His hand that was on her neck lifted her up closer to his face, his other hand flew to her back and lifted her until both of them were sitting. 

He stared at her widely opened lips and drew in a few deep breaths before he moves his hands away from her. 

Zoe smiled at what he did. Raigon moved away from her and continued to inhale a lungful of oxygen as he brushed his hair. 

"Thank you… For protecting me from yourself." he heard Zoe uttered softly at his back. He swiveled to face her. 

He gazed at the irresistibly alluring beauty in front of her. If he was another man, he would have ravished this strikingly attractive lady in this tent. But he wouldn't let go of his desire to earn her trust just because of his lustful instinct. 

"D-don't do this again. I might not be able to hold myself next time," He responded in a rough gruff voice.

"Me either," Zoe uttered in a faint whisper, which didn't escape Raigon's ears as the tent was too small for them. 

One corner of his lip twitched upward. "Can you say that again?"

"Nothing. I didn't say anything," Zoe shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. 

"Whew, it's getting hot in here. Let's get a breath of fresh air." She brushed her hair and fixed herself. She stood up and was about to unzip the tent when Raigon grabbed her arm. 

"Wait," He stopped her from stepping out of the tent. Zoe looked at him with a scrunched forehead. 

"Did I pass the trust test?" Raigon smiled at her. 

Zoe narrowed her eyes before answering. "Yes. You pass phase one." She chuckled as she turned her back and finally unzipped the tent. 

"Oh bother. How many phases are there?" He grumbled as he checked on himself before leaving the tent. He was smiling as he did so. At least he has passed the first phase, a very tough first phase. He was brimming with joy when he got out of the tent. But it suddenly turned into a frown as he saw unexpected visitors to their tent. 

"Hello, Mr. Gao," Savannah's friends greeted him. His face went dim. He saw how they took turns in making Zoe lose the challenge. 

"We were just wondering where Zoe because it's already our fishing time. We didn't know that she would crawl here in your tent." One of them said politely but with a sarcastic tone. 

Zoe was just staring at them with a defiant look. 

Raigon changed into his Crown Prince mode and let the ladies know who they were talking to. "Forgive me, miladies. But you are mistaken. This was her tent."

Zoe's head tilted towards him. They all stared at him with confused looks.

"I gave it to her because I have to leave early tonight. I just came here to get my things but she was resting so I am the one who CRAWLED inside. It was my fault. I hope you will not have this against her." He explained in an authoritative voice as he lifted his bag in his hands.

"Oh no, sir. Of course, we won't." They smiled sheepishly at him as they squirmed in discomfort. 

"Please apologize to her," He commanded in his deep masculine voice

"What?" They asked in unison. Raigon lifted his chin and overpowered them with his presence. They all weak-kneed bowed to Zoe.

"We're sorry, Zoe." They said in apology. Zoe didn't budge at all. 

"Go on. They must be waiting for you," Raigon motioned them to go to where their other tribemates are. 

"Okay, thank you, Mr. Gao," they bid him goodbye as they turned their backs on him and walked away. 

"Thank you," Zoe voiced out with her mouth but without a sound. 

Raigon pointed his forefinger up and then pointed it to himself while beaming at her. He then motioned with his mouth, "Phase one's mine." 

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Trust is earned when action meets words.

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