by Alice Ward
She licked her lips and pushed a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. “Yeah. I travel light.”
“You’re a rare breed of woman, then,” I teased.
A small smile played on one corner of her lovely mouth. “I guess I’m not your typical woman. I’ll be dressed shortly.” She spun on her heel and went back into the room with her one bag in tow.
One bag? What kind of woman is she?
Sloane was becoming more and more intriguing with each passing moment. And I was growing eager to get to know everything about her. Maybe after a few drinks, she’d join me for dinner if I played my cards right.
I wasn’t fool enough to think I’d get a woman like her into bed that very night. It was evident that she wasn’t the type who played life like that. No, I’d have to go slow and easy with Sloane.
Eyeing the binoculars once more, I picked them up and walked onto the deck. Holding them to my eyes, I looked around a bit. Bathing beauties to the right and some guys playing in the water to the left. Maybe the woman was a voyeur.
That would be weird.
“I’m ready.”
I turned around to find her wearing a little white sundress and sandals. While simple in design, it made her look gorgeous. “Wow, you look beautiful.”
I was surprised when the tiniest hint of pink stained her cheeks. “No need to exaggerate.”
The blush she wore changed her completely, making her look demure and sweet. The exact opposite of the woman who’d answered the door. There were many layers to her, I wanted to know them all. Beginning with the need for binoculars.
“I’m not exaggerating. You’re stunning in a natural way that’s refreshing. I’ll be the envy of all the men at the bar.” I set the binoculars back down on the table where I found them. “I guess you came prepared to watch the beachgoers. Men use these things to look at unsuspecting women. Are you more into looking at men rather than interacting with them?”
The pink in her cheeks drained away and all amusement left her features. “You couldn’t be more wrong. I’m sure you noticed the pen and paper too?”
“Hard to miss.” I chuckled as I ran my fingers over the paper. “I thought you might be jotting down the nicknames you give the men you spy on.”
“I use the binoculars to spot dolphins, not men. And I try to find out what pod they belong to and jot that down. It’s a little hobby of mine.” Her brow lifted as her hand moved to her hip. “But your immediate assumption that I’m a Peeping Tom is bothersome. Maybe it’s best if I stay here and dolphin watch after all.”
I pissed her off. I was getting good at that, even though it hadn’t been my intention. “Sorry. I joke when I’m nervous.”
She lifted a brow. “Why are you nervous?”
It was a good question. I didn’t have a good answer, so I gave her an honest one. “I don’t know.”
One corner of her mouth lifted into a smirk so sexy I wanted to lick it off her face. She knew what she was doing to me, that much was clear. “It’s nice to get an honest answer from you.”
“What are you? A human lie detector?”
The smirk grew into a smile that sucked all the oxygen from the room. “What? First I’m a nasty little spy then a lie detector? You sure do know how to woo a lady.”
“I never said a nasty little spy, Sloane. I’m sorry. I really am. Let’s put that behind us. Start over again.”
The smile fell away, and the silence stretched between us for so long, I was certain she was about to kick me out. Then she softened. “Just don’t do something stupid like re-introduce yourself all over again. Let’s move forward.” She grabbed her purse and headed out of the door, waiting until I’d joined her on the deck to lock the door.
She had me flustered, that was for sure. I’d never met a woman who could do that to me. I was a smooth dude with all the right moves. But with her, I was a dolt who blurted out inappropriate things.
I had to get myself under control.
After she tucked away her key, I placed a hand at the small of her back, careful not to be inappropriate. “The island has about anything you could want,” I offered, pointing toward the main building. “Their workout facilities are impressive. I workout every morning if you’d like to join me.”
She slid a look my way. “I normally workout in the evenings, but mornings might not be bad, if it isn’t too early. I don’t plan on setting an alarm while on vacation.”
I could be her alarm. I’d wake her up with my tongue on her clit, my fingers working deep inside her.
My cock twitched, and I forced my mind back to neutral territory. “I don’t have a set time either. We can play it by ear.”
She shot me a genuine-looking smile. “Sounds fun. You and I might end up being friends after all.”
I wanted to be more than just her friend, but I’d take what I could get for the time being.
After all, fishing took patience, and so far, I’d managed to get the bait into the water. Now, all I had to do was wait for her to bite.
CHAPTER FOUR
Sloane
Fresh ocean air moved in lazy breezes all around us as we walked on the sandy beach. Calm vibes made it hard not to fall into vacation mode. The sexy man who had his hand at my back made it even harder to focus on what I was here to do.
Zane led me to the nearest bar on the island, pulling out a chair for me at a small table. “Thank you.” The structure was a grass hut featuring typical island motif. The bar was covered in freshly cut, vibrantly colored flowers, small tables for two haphazardly placed around the oasis. I took a deep breath, taking in the fresh aromas that were so prevalent. “This is nice.”
He took the seat across from me and pulled his dark shades up, leaving them on top of his head. It was hard not to appreciate the hotness that was Zane Boyd. A dreamy expression made him appear almost like a movie star. “It is nice here. And now that you’ve arrived, it’s even nicer.” He leaned forward, moving one hand across the bamboo surface. His fingertips just touched mine as he smiled. “You already look more relaxed.”
I was glad that I appeared that way, but in truth, I was on edge. But not for the right reasons. I was attempting to appear nonchalant while scanning the crowd around me, searching for my target. At the same time, I was becoming aroused by the way Zane’s fingers barely touched mine. I’d heard of electrical zings between two people but had never experienced it myself. I was experiencing it now, and it was distracting. As was the gentle breeze stirring a few strands of his dark hair, sending the scent my way. Citrus, sunshine, ocean water, and something that was distinctly just him wafted past my nose. Maybe he was wearing some kind of cologne with pheromones in it. Whatever it was, it was powerful stuff.
I smiled at Zane and was secretly pleased at how his pupils flared at the gesture. He was into me, that much was certain, but what I hadn’t considered was how his desire could benefit me too.
If I were alone, I’d stick out like a sore thumb, and the rabbit would get wise to me quickly. Charles Smith was no fool. At least from what the report on him said. He was fifty-two and topped out at a below average five-five. Longish white hair was one of his most prominent features, and he wore glasses more often than not over pale blue eyes. His most distinct feature was a tattoo on his right forearm. Four dogs playing poker would be my sign that I’d found the correct man.
The waiter came to us with a huge smile on his face and made a little bow. “Mr. Zane, you’re back.” Then his eyes fell on me. “And you are new to our beautiful island. I am Mushan.”
“Hello, Mushan. I’m Sloane. It’s nice to meet you.” I extended my hand to shake his. He took it and placed a kiss on top of it instead.
“Miss Sloane, it is a pleasure to meet a beautiful woman like yourself.”
Mushan released my hand as a frowning Zane took his attention. “We’ll start with a couple of Mai Tais.”
I immediately bristled. “I can order for myself. Thank you though.” A breeze whipped my hair into my face, a
nd I tucked the strands behind my ear. “A virgin strawberry daiquiri for me please.”
With a bow, he was off to fetch our drinks as Zane smiled, his eyes once again scanning my features. “I like a woman who knows what she wants.”
“Really. I was under the impression you preferred bobbleheads. You know, those who do whatever you want.”
His eyes dropped to my lips, causing something inside me to quiver. When he scooted his chair around the side of the table, moving closer to me, heat coursed through my body. He had such an effect on me. No one had ever turned me on this much, especially on such short acquaintance. I wasn’t even certain what it was. His body, sure. But there was something else too. His voice was smooth, deep with low tones that seemed to vibrate through me. The kind of voice you imagined waking up to, the kind that you wanted to talk dirty as you made hot, passionate love all day and night.
I lifted my hair off my neck, trying to cool the flame this man was stoking inside of me. The smile that slipped over his perfectly full lips told me he was well aware of how much he affected me. “I think a woman who knows what she wants is sexy as hell.”
His eyes were drawing me in. Hypnotizing me with the sea green irises that glistened with golden flecks. “You do?”
The wind blew a lock of his dark wavy hair onto his forehead, and I reached up to push it back into place. He took me by the wrist before I could touch it. “I find that aspect of you as attractive as I find your body.”
I pressed my thighs together. “You do?”
He nodded and leaned in, his hand sliding provocatively up my arm until it was resting on the back of my neck, holding me still as he moved in a little bit more. “I think you’re the most fascinating woman I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, Sloane.”
This was just for show, I tried telling myself. This was just me acting like part of a couple in case my rabbit was nearby.
That was a lie. I wanted this. Wanted him.
“What do you find fascinating?” I managed to ask, allowing the seduction to pull me in. Just for show.
The space between us grew smaller, and the tiny hairs on my body stood straight up as I waited for the sensations I was sure he’d stir inside me. “Let me show you.”
“Here we go, one virgin strawberry daiquiri for my new friend, Miss Sloane, and one Mai Tai for my old friend, Mr. Zane.” Mushan had broken the spell, stealing our moment, and bringing me back to planet Earth.
Zane and I slowly broke apart and looked at the man who’d robbed us of our first kiss. Then Zane blew out a breath and picked up his drink. “Thank you, Mushan.”
I released the breath I’d been holding too, then wrapped my hands around the wonderfully cold drink. I took a sip and forced a smile. “Yes, thank you. It’s delicious.”
Mushan frowned. “Are you too warm, Miss Sloane? Your face is very flushed.”
Was it too late to throw myself into the ocean?
Mushan hurried to climb onto a chair and pulled a string that brought an enormous ceiling fan roaring to life. He looked at me for approval, and I smiled my thanks, not trusting my mouth to speak.
Zane was grinning like a fool. “Isn’t he helpful? You were looking flushed.”
I took another sip and glanced around the room, looking for any newcomers I could inspect. “Very. I’m not yet used to the tropical weather.”
Heat still had my skin prickling as Zane ran his fingers lightly from my knee up my thigh. Playing with the hem of my short sundress, he said, “Blue, like a cloudless morning.”
My attention snapped back to him. “Huh?”
“Your eyes. They’re blue, like a cloudless morning sky. Your skin is creamy and smooth. Like it’s never seen a single flaw.”
He was a master of seduction, and I was once again falling under his spell. This needed to stop.
“How many women have you said that to today?” I began ticking off my fingers. “Let’s see, there were three naked women at your bungalow not long ago. Now me. Any more I might have missed?”
He laughed and sat back in his chair, his hand moving away from my thigh to rest on the table. It took all of my training not to look disappointed or relieved.
“I wish you hadn’t witnessed that,” he said, lifting his drink to his lips. “If you want me to leave you alone, I understand.”
That surprised me.
First, that he even cared about my opinion of him. And second, at how panicked it made me to think of him leaving.
For strictly professional reasons, of course.
I had a job to do. Now Zane was part of that job, as my cover. If I moved forward with using him, I would have to keep him on a short leash. But I did want to keep him. He’d make things so much easier for me.
As a couple, we could follow the rabbit if he went on a moonlit stroll along the beach. Zane and I would look like all the other lovers dotting the shoreline each night. Just another couple, holding hands, gazing into each other’s eyes adoringly.
Just like we were doing now.
Only, I wasn’t aware of anyone else. Just Zane. Him and his sexy eyes. Thick, dark lashes surrounded those unique green irises. Mine wandered over his handsome face, noticing how remarkably straight his nose was, and how it ended a finger’s width before his lips began. The way his juicy lips parted as if they were itching to kiss mine drew my attention.
I lifted my glass. “Clean slate, okay?”
He smiled and clicked his drink against mine. “Clean slate.”
There was another plus to having Zane as my cover. With him nearby, I’d have to hone my skills, and as a rookie, he could prove to be valuable practice for me. I’d be able to enhance my ability to maintain two roles while under pressure as well as better track my stories and lies. We received a tremendous amount of training, but being in the classroom and in the field were two very different animals.
Taking a deep breath, I smiled at him while also easing back in my chair, forcing my eyes to leave the majesty that was his face. I looked over his shoulder at the other patrons in the bar, observing, watching with a casual air.
When I met his eyes again, he was gazing at me with that sexy little smirk on his face. I needed to take him into safer territory. “So, what is it that people do around here for fun?”
“The list is long. I can show you a lot better than tell you.” He leaned back in his chair too. The gap between us grew, but the attraction didn’t fade with the great proximity.
The button-down shirt he wore gaped a bit, giving me a glimpse of one of those perfect pecs I knew were lurking under there. The memory of seeing the man in only his board shorts came into my mind. Something inside of me stirred, wanting to know how it would feel to run my hands all over his muscles.
“I wouldn’t want to get in your way of what you’ve been doing.” I leveled my eyes on his. “You know, conquering all the eligible females on this island.”
He smirked, a lopsided, impish grin that I wanted to bite. “Hey, I thought we had a clean slate here.”
I laughed. “You’re right.” I scanned the bar again, barely reacting when a white-haired man walked inside. I put my concentration back on Zane. “Do you forgive me?”
I licked my lips and smiled, leaning closer to him. Just behind Zane’s right ear, I spotted the man again, a taller blonde who appeared Amazonian in contrast to his much shorter stature was on his arm.
Zane was tracing my hand with his finger. “Of course I forgive you.”
I leaned closer, lowering my eyes as the couple walked by our table.
Dogs playing poker tattoo was prominently displayed on the man’s arm.
Bingo.
I linked my fingers with Zane’s. My smile was genuine this time. He smiled back, those green orbs growing darker as his pupils flared with desire.
I’d found my rabbit. Now I just needed to avoid being ensnared by the green-eyed trap of my own making.
CHAPTER FIVE
Zane
I’d been the one wanting to fis
h, so why did I feel like the one circling the bait?
Jesus, this woman did things to me. Crazy, erotic things that went beyond sexual.
At first, the goal was to get her into my bed. Now, it was to get her to smile.
I was becoming addicted to that flash of teeth. The little dimple on her right cheek. The way her eyes smiled too. It was a full-face affair that I didn’t think she bestowed enough.
Leaning in close, I played with a lock of her hair. “You know something?”
She lifted a brow. “What’s that?”
“We should just get this first kiss out of the way and all this awkwardness will disappear.” Dropping her hair to take her chin, I ran the pad of my thumb over her lower lip. It quivered and my cock pulsed in response.
Oh, the things I could make quiver on her.
“Are you feeling awkward? You appear to be the same cocky playboy I met less than an hour ago.”
Ouch.
“Clean slate,” I reminded her. “And it was your awkwardness I was thinking of. You keep looking around the room, not meeting my eyes.”
“I like to people watch.”
I looked over at a table a few feet away. “Like those people?”
She leaned back in her chair and did a casual scan over her shoulder. “Poker dude?”
I laughed. “Exactly. You’re very observant.”
She pushed her hair back as a gust of wind blew it in all directions. I liked the wild way it looked. Sort of like how she might appear with it splayed out over a pillow after a nice tousle in the sheets.
“Like I said, I like to people watch. I find them fascinating.”
I smirked. “Hence the binoculars?”
She scowled, but the look was good-natured. “People watch, not people stalk. Those are for our finned friends, remember?”
“Uh huh, so you say.”
She sipped her drink again, blue eyes shining with mischief. “So I did.”
Enjoying her playful mood, I leaned in conspiratorially. “Think I’d look good with Colonel Sander’s kind of ink?”
