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“For starters, a tail has been placed on her.”
She lifted a brow. “How was she located? She’s not staying here at the resort is she?”
“She’s not, but Cindy Turner is. The villa is in Cindy’s name. Seth found that out. Elise is staying with Cindy but is making sure she’s not seen. A tail was placed on Cindy, too. Already she met with one of the resort’s employees in the housekeeping department. Money was exchanged.”
“Just like that?”
“Yes. Resort Security is aware of what’s going on and a trap has been set. They’re cooperating with Seth and the FBI. They’ve been given an empty villa to set up equipment for surveillance. Unknown to Elise and Cindy, Seth and an FBI agent will not only be watching their every movement but will be listening to their conversations while inside the villa as well.” Dylan smiled, making it apparent that the thought of Elise and Cindy getting caught in the trap being set for them made his day. “So, Charm, what do you want to do today?”
His question made her remember the plan was for them to spend time together, away from his villa. Today and possibly tomorrow. Before she could suggest anything, his cell phone must have vibrated in his pocket because he said, “Excuse me, I need to get this. It might be Seth.”
It was. Charm could tell from his expression that whatever he was being told was serious. He held her gaze when he said into the phone, “That’s fine. I’m sure Charm and I can pull it off.”
When he ended the call and stood to put the phone back in his pocket, she asked, “We can pull off what?”
He gave her wry grin and said, “Pretending to be lovers.”
“Pretending to be lovers?”
He found the shocked look on her face endearing and couldn’t help but grin. He leaned closer over the table and whispered, “Shh, remember what I told you about saltshakers having ears.”
She rolled her eyes and then spoke in a lower voice. “Then we need to leave and go somewhere so you can explain yourself.”
He stood and offered her his hand. The moment she took it he felt a shiver of desire rush through him and when he heard her sharp intake of breath, he knew she’d felt the same.
A part of him knew he should not have agreed to do what Seth had asked, especially without talking to her about it first. He slid on his sunglasses at the same time she put on hers. Taking her hand again they headed in the opposite direction of the beach and pool, to a place where they could talk privately. “Feel like climbing steps or would you rather take the elevator?”
She glanced up at him. “Where are we going?”
“To the roof. There’s a courtyard there and the view of the resort is breathtaking. There are benches where we can sit and talk.”
Charm nibbled her lips as if contemplating her choices. His gaze followed the movement and he suddenly remembered the last time he had kissed them. When she stopped the nibbling and licked her lips with the tip of her tongue, he felt his guts tighten.
Hell, what was wrong with him? This wasn’t any woman. This was Charm Outlaw, the same woman he’d given his heart to at seventeen only to get it broken at twenty. Why was he wondering how her lips tasted? What he should be doing was remembering how bad she had hurt him.
“It’s only five levels,” she said, interrupting his thoughts. “I’m okay taking the stairs, especially after that breakfast I ate. Maybe I can work it off.”
Swallowing hard, he said, “Alright then, let’s go.”
Still holding firm to her hand, he walked up the steps. He liked the softness of her hand in his and was glad the space was wide enough for them to walk side by side. It was as if their steps were choreographed. While there was silence between them he couldn’t help but wonder why he was anticipating reaching the top and hoping they would be alone.
“We made it,” she said, grinning proudly when they finally reached the top.
His gaze drifted down to her mouth. “Yes, we made it.”
“The dome-shaped roof provides the perfect shade against the sun,” she said, removing her sunglasses. “And the view of grounds is beautiful from up here. The ocean is such a pretty blue.”
He looked out toward the sea. “Yes, it is.”
Charm glanced around. “Good. Nobody else is up here, so now will you please explain why we need to pretend to be lovers?” Charm slid down onto one of the benches.
He remained standing because he couldn’t handle sitting beside her. “Remember when I told you I needed to stay away from my villa by spending time with you?”
“Yes, but what does that have to do with us pretending to be lovers?”
Even from where he stood, the luscious scent of her perfume filled his nostrils. He took off his sunglasses and placed them in his shirt pocket. “The FBI placed a bug in Cindy’s room. From the conversation they’ve heard, I’m being watched by Cindy and someone else they’ve paid to keep an eye on me. That means Cindy won’t suspect anything if she thinks I’m away from my villa because I’m having an affair with you. She’d assume I’d spend more time at your villa instead of my own.”
“Oh.”
