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“Tall, fair-haired guy with a beard?”
Her face broke into a beaming smile. “Yes.”
“That was him for sure. He told me to wait until after dark, then gave me supplies enough to feed me for quite a while.”
“That is so like my dad.”
“I remember his kindness. He brought me out a meal. Delicious. I even remember he said his wife—your mom, right?—cooked it. Good people, you don’t forget that. You have the same qualities.”
“I’m nowhere near as kind as they are.”
“Yes, you are,” he growled. “I sense those things when I meet someone. It’s how I built a team at Arquin Enterprises, by working out the good qualities in people. Loyalty, a great work ethic, and kindness. You have them in spades.”
“Oh—thank you. That’s one of the nicest compliments I’ve ever had.”
His eyebrows shot up. “What? Your vampire boyfriend didn’t pay you compliments?”
She gave a little snort. “Matteus was about everyone admiring Matteus.”
He was silent for a moment. “Why did you date him?”
Shona sighed, hugging her knees. “I was young, impressionable. And he was edgy, charming, very seductive. Plus, I was desperate to get ahead in the fashion industry and I won’t deny it, the Kominsky family were fashion royalty.” She paused. “And… maybe I had a little bit of wildness in me and dating a vampire appealed to that.”
He waggled his eyebrows. “Had?”
“I learned a hard lesson. It’s made me cautious.”
“So I’m not going to see the wild side of Shona Dove?” His eyes glinted. Was he challenging her? she wondered, feeling heat rising up her neck. “That side of me is kept well under wraps these days,” she replied primly.
“Well, if your wild side wants to come out to play…” He paused, sucked in a sharp breath. “Sorry, that was crass. And not respecting of our professional relationship.”
“It’s okay. I’ll take it as another compliment.”
“It was meant as one,” he responded huskily.
Yet again that warm, gooey feeling slid low in Shona’s belly, one that she’d kept under wraps until Tor burst into her life two days ago. She knew too well where her wants and desires could take her if she let them. But hey, she was older, wiser now, more in control of her life. There was nothing to worry about. The wine had made her feel sensual and relaxed, that was all. And this big handsome orc was just being playful, a gentle twinkle in his jade black eyes.
In an hour they’d be back on the boat heading toward Motham, away from this magical island. Away from the sight and smell and magnetic sexuality of this guy.
They’d say a polite goodbye at the docks, and she’d watch him walk away.
Oh, to hell with it.
For a little while longer, Shona was going to let herself have some fun.
Tor was enjoying himself so much he’d completely forgotten the small matter of time.
The sun was sinking as he reluctantly jumped up and started to pack away the remains of their picnic.
“We’ve been here longer than I meant. This place seduces you.”
“It sure does,” she said, and the look in her blue eyes made him wonder if she knew he meant more than that. He hadn’t had such a fantastic time, such honest conversation with a woman—let alone a human one—for years.
Even if you put aside the small matter of this crazy sexual chemistry.
When everything was packed away, he helped her up and they made their way back along the rocky pathway, up over the hill and around to the little cove.
But as they crested the hilltop, seeing the beach, Tor’s chest clenched.
