Back on land, storm clouds were gathering on the horizon as João drove them toward the port. When they arrived, Sofia spotted Ilias sitting outside the Salacia office. He was scrolling on his phone, curls falling messily over his forehead, stubble dark and scruffy.
When his hazel eyes met hers, he smiled, andmadre mía, it was that kind of smile that made her stomach clench. Her traitorous heart skipped.
It’s fake,she reminded herself.It’s fake.
“Hello,” he greeted, standing and wrapping her in a firm hug, his lips brushing her hair. “How did it go?”
“Great. We recorded a lot. They’re migrating, so we got lucky.”
“Na minha opinião, muito silêncio,” João grumbled before waving them off, his faithful cat Ignacio trailing him like always.
“He was annoyed we had to keep the engine off for six hours,” Elvira added, carrying gear inside.
“What did he do the whole time?” Ilias asked, still keeping her close, one arm around her waist, the other gently nudging her back so he could meet her gaze.
“Played Sudoku and cursed under his breath every time he screwed up.”
Ilias’ eyes darkened with amusement and something else.
“What?” she asked, wary of that mischievous glint.
“Just thinking I’d have a few ideas on how to pass six hours… trying to stay quiet.”
His voice dropped, low and gravelly, and the heat in his stare made her pulse flutter.
“Idiot,” she muttered, pushing him away to hide the color blooming on her cheeks.
When they’d stayed in Biarritz, sleeping in the same hotel suite—separate beds, of course—it had beenfine.Until he came out of the shower in just a towel.
She had seen him shirtless before, but that… that was full exposure. Defined abs, that dangerous V-line, beads of water sliding down his chest. Her brain had practically short-circuited.
Thank God he snored like a tractor. It was the only thing that had kept her grounded.
“Jamie called,” he said, snapping her from her thoughts. “She wants to chat ASAP. Let’s head to the car and call her on the way.”
“How did she sound?”
He just shrugged.
Once they’d stored the gear in the office, waved Elvira off, and climbed into his rental car, Ilias called Jamie. She answered instantly, voice chirpy and artificial. Not good.
“How’s my favorite couple doing?”
Sofia frowned. Hard to tell if that tone was hiding good news or bad.
“We’re good,” Ilias said flatly. “Come on, Jamie. What’s going on?”
“So! I was talking with Ilias this morning, and Sofia, he told me he’s prepping for Snapper Rocks… and you’re not?”
“Correct,” Sofia replied. “It’s his competition. I have work to do.”
“But youbothsigned a contract,” Jamie sing-songed. “TerraVive has scheduled a shoot right after the event in Byron Bay. We need you two together.”
Sofia scowled. “When were you going to tell me?”
“I thought it was implied. This is a PR relationship, Sofia. You’re supposed to be together.”
“She has a life,” Ilias snapped. “She runs a business. She’s got her research to manage.”
