"Excuse me? I'm not sleeping in this fart's room!" River was currently arguing with Chris right in front of the second largest tent in the whole tribe.

The long pole that held it together at the entryway was already eight feet tall. There was a somber music playing inside and River wasn't very sure why she was scared of staying alone with that man.

Just like himself, his fucking tent was huge. Does he own everything huge? More importantly, what else was huge about him?

Chris drew a tired breath, clearly not wanting to deal with her when he could use this time to ask millions of questions, take down notes and pictures of the one tribe he thought was lost.

"River, please. It's protocol. It's the only way we are allowed to work."

"I have no work! I have done half my job and now I have to wait till you finish your school lame ass project."

Chris frowned. "I thought you believed in me. Look where we are. We did it. Can you actually imagine it?"

She hissed at him. "You nutcase. Of course we did it. Now the problem is getting out. What if they don't allow us? And the stupid blood oath shit freaked me out."

"Well, it's true you know but don't worry, I promise you we will get out." He steps closer and instinctively, tensions knots in her stomach. Woah, too close.

"Be careful though. I don't like your monitor guy. He seems slightly dangerous."

River used her handy forefinger and shoved him back, rolling her eyes.

"Don't I know? Yet you are leaving me here alone with him."

"Well, it's what the leader wants but I think we are kept in good hands. Anyway, good night. I'll see you in the morning." His arms came around to give her hug and she tried not to cringe.

River hated hugs. It felt like a huge cut back on her oxygen and whoever seemed to hug her wanted to feel her around. Something she found retching.

After Chris left, she had a silent epiphany that he didn't like her like that at all and will probably never.

Upon impact, she fingered the pearls around her neck hidden by her shirt.

She had bought this for herself on Valentine's Day. Real round white pearl necklace that acted as a sexy choker but she seemed to wear it to remind herself that only she could love herself the best.

No one else would.

With her parents loveless marriage, she proved to gain the only love she could have was towards herself. It often did leave her alone but she was accustomed to it now like a second skin.

Anyone interrupting her 'me time' didn't have a chance. She prized herself too high which is probably why she backed away when she enters the red zone with men.

The red zone meant anything below the shoulders. She liked kissing and she had no qualms with that but it was the body she had a problem with.

She protected her body with her life and now, she felt the need to wrap herself in the teflon.

Taking a deep breath, she entered Yisrael's tent. In truth, his name was quite seductive in a manner of speaking. He sounded like some rugged bible character.

The moment a bright light hit her face, she tried not to let her jaw drop when the flap behind her closed.

If the tents she saw earlier was beautiful and spacious then those were nothing compared to what she beheld in front of her eyes.

The pavilion was made of bold leathers with red fringes. It had four horizontal huge walls and paper orange lanterns lit up hung from roof supporters.

The ground was covered with furs and a huge white pallet lay in the middle filled with hand made quilts all in red.

And right at the end of it, Yisrael stood with a lustrous snake wrapped around him like an accessory.

He looked so calm, petting its head as he watched her take his home in. The man was already made of strapping strength, the snake added to it making him look like some unholy god.

If that didn't scream danger-danger, then she didn't know what did. It was a black and brown snake. Upon its beady black eye it shared with its owner, it stared at her like a snack.

She was aware that some snakes were kept as pets but she still wanted to reassure herself that she wasn't sleeping to a killing death machine.

"Is that thing poisonous?"

"Very." Perfect.

"Is he your pet?"

He swiftly turned some pages of a leather book as if he was searching for something. When he spotted whatever he was intending for, he looked up, confirming it. "Yes he is a pet."

River understood he knew the English language fluently enough but some words might have been difficult to comprehend and determine it's meaning. It was cute he had his own dictionary to discern what she was speaking.

"I also looked up the word 'Asshole' and that wasn't a very nice to say."

She snorted. "You were letting me bleed with your witchcraft mumbo jumbo."

When he was about to search what the hell was witchcraft mumbo jumbo, she snapped. "Enough. I don't want that to bite me."

"It won't bite unless I tell it to or you provoke it."

"You can't just expect me to lie here exposed to your snake?"

His eyes widened for a moment. "How do you know it's name?"

Comprehending what he had just said, she asked slowly. "You kept your pet snake name as Snake?"

Unflinchingly he replied. "It suits it."

At that, River doubled over with laughter.

Yisrael tilted his head as he speculated the woman who went down on her knees shaking with giggles. What was so funny?

River managed to stop her cackles and then unknowingly a thought arose. He was cute.

When she wiped the fake water out of her eye, she arched her back stretching. Immediately, his gaze zeroed on her breasts.

Her toes curled at his bland leering. When she coughed to gain his attention, he didn't look away right then.

A change of topic is what they need. Right now!

Wanting to get out of her clothes into a fresh new set and maybe some privacy to clean herself up, she asked. "Where can I change?"

"Here."

She sputtered. "I- that's not happening! I want to change in private."

He shook his head, adamantly. "No."

"Can you at least turn?"

"Don't trust you." He then bent down for 'Snake' to slither down from his arm into a golden weaved basket. He secured a lid over it and stood back at his towering height and moved to stand on the opposite side keeping the pallet in between them.

"Fair enough." She knew all about trust and it worked both ways. "You can not touch. No funny business."

As if the thought of touching her was so ridiculous, he snorted in a boastful manner. "I'm bound by a verbal oath."

This got her River's ear sharpening. "Oh? What kind of oath?" Yes, I'm desperate to know the type of oath where no touching is involved.

At first Yisrael thought he shouldn't divulge his pledge to this strange female but then again what was the harm? Everyone knew of his oath and maybe, who knows? It would help to create a balance between them.

If she learns of his secret then she would impart one like a deal. Because he was hella curious to know what her deal was.

"I'll tell you if you tell me something about yourself."

The guy was interested in her. She sensed the spark and her mind lunged on it. "What do you want to know?"

"How did you become a guide? Only males do that."

Don't kill him. Don't kill his sexist ass. "Choosing to ignore the latter comment but I enjoy being a guide to such a vast and serene wild jungle."

When he snorted again. She was caught surprise that he didn't believe her charming tone. Real interesting.

"Fine. I like that I don't have to settle. I have trained under a person who taught me everything and I have good nose for direction. Plus the money is nice."

And just like that a cute smirk played upon his lips. He liked that she was honest rather than flowery? Weird man.

All her life she has met people who wanted the camouflage of their disturbed and sad life by showing the delusional happiness. Something she didn't quite understand.

Her parents did it. Her friends did it. No one around her was honest and so she was also swept into the fallacy.

After she left home, it was then she realized she couldn't live like this anymore. She simply wanted something new, with no illusions and everyday to be an adventure.

No daily begrudging live to follow. Not to be holed up somewhere and be unhappy for the rest of her life while pretending she was okay.

All the trails and expeditions she has been usually tackle into gave her new learning. Something that cleared the fog of her mind and brought her new perspectives on things.

But the world wouldn't understand her theories and she was somehow in flux between illusion and reality.

He remarked with awe. "You are a woman of simpler means."

She didn't offer anything to that because she was waiting for his turn.

Catching on quick, he spoke as he went to another weaved basket. "I am to be married in the next four months. I have taken a promise to my father of celibacy so that when I finally do get married, I can simply lay with my female."

Taking out what seemed to be, two golden arm bangle. He clicked it open to encircle the two bands around each arm.

When he turned, he looked more sexier. Those bands glinted around his bulging biceps, as he crosses his arms. She tried not to stare at it too much.

"So how long is this oath being going on?"

He shrugged. "Five years."

"Impressive. So you don't get tempted at all?" River knew what she doing. She was playing a very dangerous game here. As always the need to win made her push.

"Many have tried and failed. I'm immovable like that." His tone had a strength of calmness that provoked River.

We will see about that, River thought wickedly. Without giving him time to prepare, she snatched off her coat and with sensual yet brisk like precision she popped open all her buttons.

His brows scrunched when her top fell leaving her upper body bare with only those white shining pearl necklace around her neck.

Round full tits with tips stiffening right before his eyes. His own nails scratched his abdomen trying to not reach out and cup those giving flesh.

His eyes hooded when she toed off her boots and socks, her pants just like his snake slithered right down giving him a view of a silk black triangle of material covering her snatch.

River was enjoying what she was seeing. His expression giving her all the tell signs she needed to know she was in it to win.

She was never ashamed or shy of her little strip show. She was all about the show but no touchy-touchy. That's her policy.

After hearing him talk about his oath, she realized he was the ultimate win for her. She could be naked for all he cared and he wouldn't once retaliate back.

It was like that one last jigsaw puzzle that fitted in perfect. Chris is out, Yisrael in.

However, his touch she may never encounter but his gaze was as searing as ever. It was so palpable she could literally feel it making her own pussy throb.

Ooo..she likes this. Tease the man all she wants and she didn't have to fear his touch.

Taking out some antiseptic wipes, she cleaned herself thoroughly right in front of him. His eyes followed everything. Where her hand went, what it touched. Suddenly the pavilion was beginning too hot.

"Your control is iron clad. I'm almost inspired."

She was just done cleaning her feet when she looked up to find him standing right in front of her.

How had she not heard him? Her ears were very sensitive to even the smallest sounds. It came handy with the job description.

His eyes raked her figure, taking in each detail and committing it to each memory. "You have a beautiful body, female."

Her breath gets caught and strong coil tightens in her stomach. In the hazy part of her brain, it registers what he just called her.

Correcting him, she says. "It's River."

"What?"

"My name is not female like your pet snake. It's River."

"Yes I know but right now all I'm seeing is-" His hands went to cup her breasts and River at the last minute balanced back, only a gaze of skin meeting.

She all but shouted. "How dare you! You told me you can't touch."

"I told you I was a celibate."

"Same difference. Listen to me carefully, tribal idiot you need keep your rough hands to yourself. I don't take kindly to it." Quickly she dressed up into some small shorts and a white tank.

He stood there, watching her. "Is it because of your partner Chris?"

She rolled her eyes as she placed her dirty clothes into a small pile.

She took out a scented oil which helped in keeping the bugs away and also kept her skin well moisturized. Applying it on her arms and legs, she replied. "Chris is just a friend."

"But you like him?"

"No. I don't like him...any more."

"Why?"

"So many questions! Do you need to know everything?" She didn't know why she felt rattled by him. He just about to touch like that!

It gnawed at her. She didn't respond well to that. She couldn't handle touch.

Seeing her upset, his jaw clenched. It's not like Yisrael actually wanted to fuck her but the way she acted as if he had forced himself upon her which made him realize something or someone had done this woman harm.

He had been actually shocked when she had given him a full body view. Most of women that he enjoyed being with were shy and docile. The Iborian women were specially submissive in nature and would relinquish control to their males.

They were never bold like the one currently applying on some cream which smelled of sweet herbal.

Her bare body was tattooed in his brain. He had to adjust his shaft that pulsed hard in his pants while she wasn't looking.

She was so fierce and sexy, her presence was like a light to him.

And he wanted more.

He had also smelt the hint of her arousal. Being a part animal, his senses were slightly more heightened than average humans.

The fact she had also was excited by this made him come closer to her. Something screaming inside of him to soothe the female.

But she back tracked, creating a barrier between them. Something he didn't understand.

She seemed so confident when she gave him a full view of her nakedness, the sudden concern of a touch had her almost screaming murder.

She was getting more peculiar as ever.

As she went and laid herself down on the pallet, he simply tugged on a rope and the room darkened. Wanting some fresh air, he went outside to only bump into his father.

"I suppose you have taken care of everything."

"Yes father." He tried to quiet his heartbeat.

"You are sweating? Already enticed by the female?"

He scowled, hating that his father still thinks of his resolve to be weak. "No. I'm merely getting aggravated that she is in my home."

Yuri laughed boisterously at his son's antics. After he calmed down a bit, he spoke by clapping a hand on his shoulder. "You know I trust you to not to do anything out of bounds."

"Of course father." He bowed his head, knowing the verbal agreement he had taken but there was an upside.

Unlike the sanctioned blood oath, verbal agreement were more of showcase of one's willpower and self control. All leader under go it as training to develop an immutable self mastery.

However, like all agreements there was always a loophole.

A loophole he definitely will take granted with the teasing strange female that was currently sleeping on his bed.