Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 910

Emmy leaned in, just a little unsure, and took a sip from his hand. The cool water slipped down her throat, leaving behind a soft, sweet taste like fresh plants. Her eyes lit up right away.

“This is so good!”

And it really was. Way better than any bottled water she’d ever had. She gulped down several more mouthfuls, feeling like life was finally coming back to her. The forest around them was full of vines. When she finished that one, she instinctively grabbed another one that looked pretty similar.

“Is this one okay too? Can you get me some more? I’m still a bit thirsty.”

James pulled her hand away and shook his head.

“Not that kind.”

He pointed to the vine’s smooth bark and explained, “See how this one’s smooth and doesn’t have any thorns? The juice inside is bitter and sometimes even a little poisonous. It can make you sick.”

He gestured back at the first vine. “You want the ones that are rough, with little thorns or bumps. The uglier the vine, the sweeter the water.”

Emmy listened, totally amazed. This guy… He seemed to know everything. It didn’t matter that they were in the middle of a deadly jungle. Being with him just felt safe.

James found another thick vine and sliced it open with his knife. Clear water gushed out. Emmy hurried over and drank a few more big gulps straight from the cut. She wiped her mouth and stared at him, a bit dazed.

“How do you know all this stuff?”

James put his knife away and glanced around the deep, shadowy woods. His eyes seemed far away for a moment. He didn’t answer. He couldn’t.

Years ago, he’d done special ops training in the Amazon. He’d spent a whole month in the wild, tracking a drug lord through the jungle. He survived on vine water and bugs, even burying himself in a swamp full of rotting bodies just to hide from thermal cameras. Compared to that, this place was nothing.

But to Emmy, James looked like he could do anything. He was like some kind of superhero. She couldn’t hide the admiration in her eyes, and she didn’t even try.

James noticed her staring and cleared his throat, looking away.

“Come on. Let’s get back to the fire.”

James noticed her watching and a quick smile flickered in his eyes. He tore off another piece, this one with a crispy edge, and held it out to her again.

“This one’s a little burnt, extra crispy. You can’t even tell what it is. Want to try?”

Emmy stared at the golden meat, but all she could picture was the snake’s head, tongue flicking out. She turned away, her voice unshakable.

“Nope. Not a chance.”

“I’d rather starve.”

James gave up completely. He finished the rest of the snake in a few quick bites, tossed the bones into the fire, and brushed off his hands.

“Stay here. Don’t wander off.”