Page 35 of Wrecked With You

Tony will tell her Amy wasn’t really our type, but that we had such fun meeting other people that we really want to meet Tracy Ann. Then we’ll ask if Mindy could point us in her direction.

We start to take the path that goes directly to the main building, but stop short when we see a man taking nude pictures of his partner. Not wanting to interrupt their photo session, we take the alternative path, intending to circle around the fitness center and the volleyball court and come up to the offices that way.

We’ve just reached the court, when I notice Scott talking with a dark-haired woman in a baseball cap. I can only see her back, but she’s wearing a tiny sun dress that is probably doing double duty as a swimsuit cover-up.

Scott waves to us then says something to the woman who turns around and looks at us. She’s younger than me, probably late twenties, and she waves, then mouths a thank you to Scott before hurrying toward us with a wide smile.

“You must be Tony,” she says.

He and I glance at each other as he nods. “I am. Who are you?”

“Tracy Ann. And I’ve been scouring the island looking for you.”

My heart does a little leap, and beside me Tony reaches for my hand, then squeezes. We were right. Tracy Ann. TA. The-Asst.

This is the woman who can tell us where The Serpent is. At least, that’s what she claims to be able to do. There is still the possibility that her dark web message was a trap. That thought reminds me that we had to come to this island unarmed, as the resort has a strict no-weapons policy that it backs up with a detailed luggage search.

Presumably if we did, then she did, too. But that’s not an assumption we can bank on. She chose this island for a reason, after all.

At the moment, though, we’re under no visible threat, and I hold out my hand and offer a friendly smile. “I’m Kari. It’s so great to see you here.” I glance at Tony, who’s silently watching her. The corners of his eyes are crinkled, something I’ve already learned suggests that he’s pondering something.

I clear my throat, then make a motion with my head to indicate Scott and a few other guests within hearing distance. “Don’t you think we should go someplace secluded to talk.”

“Talk,” she says, and giggles. “Yeah. I think that sounds like the best thing to do.”

She tells us that she knows of a natural hot spring over by the beach.

“It’s not a place Mindy tends to point out to first timers,” Tracy Ann tells us when I mention that we didn’t know such a spring existed. “There’s so many other things to do, and that spring is so secluded. It’s almost like a perk for repeat visitors.”

“Is that why you chose this island?” Tony asks as we walk the path. “Because you come here often?”

Her smile is as bright as the afternoon sun. “Why wouldn’t I choose it? What’s not to like about this place?” She pauses on the path, then slowly looks the two of us up and down. “After all, you meet the most interesting people.”

I manage a laugh and a forced smile, and Tony does the same. I haven’t yet figured this woman out, and I don’t think Tony has either. But hopefully everything will become clear once we get far enough away from the bustle of the resort. Right now, she probably doesn’t feel comfortable talking about The Serpent and why she reached out to Tony in the first place.

We walk in silence for another five minutes or so, then we move onto an even smaller path before cutting through a swath of greenery that opens up on a hidden lagoon. Rocks surround the sandy area, and there, tucked in among some creeping vines and dense grass, is a natural spring.

Tracy Ann flashes a triumphant smile. “Awesome, right?” she says as she pulls off her dress, leaving her curvy body completely naked. So much for my guess about a swimsuit.

She walks to Tony and starts to unbutton his shorts. “Don’t be shy,” she chides when he takes a step backward, his eyes darting to me. “Let’s get in. Unless you don’t want what I’m willing to offer,” she adds, glancing at me as if to indicate that I’m invited to this party, too.

“No,” Tony says, then clears his throat. “We’re, ah, definitely interested.”

I watch as he peels off his clothes, already feeling possessive about that magnificent body. His eyes seek out mine, and he subtly cocks his head as his eyes widen in an if-I’m-in-so-are-you kind of way.

Apparently he doesn’t intend to play this game by himself. Honestly, I’m glad.

Tracy Ann glances over her shoulder at me, then moves to get into the spa.

I strip and hurry into the water as well. I’m feeling a little too exposed even as I’m chastising myself for acting like a prude. I used to have an edge, and I fear that somehow meeting Tony has dulled it.

As if to prove my own theory wrong, I slide close to Tracy Ann. “You’ve been looking for us,” I say. “Or you’ve been looking for Tony, anyway.”

“Oh, you, too,” she says, then brushes her fingertip over my lips as she smiles into my eyes. She has a beautiful body, not too thin, with all sorts of delicious curves. And her other hand is on my thigh. If this were a party a year ago with some casual acquaintances in Santa Monica, I’d be fantasizing about getting lucky tonight.

Come to think of it, that’s exactly what I’m fantasizing about. Only not with Tracy Ann. The only one I want to get lucky with is Tony.

I frown, not sure I’m comfortable with this new me or my so-quick, so-hot reaction to this guy. And as if I can counteract my own confusion, I reach up to catch her finger on my lip, then gently draw it into my mouth.