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“Are you planning to stand watch all night?”
He turned then, met her gaze, and she saw a flicker of the earlier fire in his brown eyes.
She wanted that fire, wanted to burn with him, to be consumed by desire and lust until there was no more room for fear or doubts. Probably not the best reason to jump into bed with a man, but this wasn’t a normal situation.
“They sent up board shorts for you,” she said, surprising herself.
“Are you requesting a costume change?”
Was she? A memory of him lounging on the sunny back deck of the yacht, fresh after a swim in the ocean, filled her vision. He’d been sprawled out, those long, muscled legs crossed at the ankles, his hands behind his head showing off his torso and arms to full advantage. His eyes had been shielded by dark glasses and in her private thoughts she’d imagined him watching her, need and hunger in his gaze.
“I’ll do it,” he said. “As long as they delivered a bikini for you.”
“They did,” she whispered.
“I told you I was braced for regrets.” His voice was low but it rumbled through her like distant thunder. “You’re a vision in a bikini, Lila.”
He meant it. And in that moment, she realized not everything had been a lie or stunt. The intensity and the wonder in his eyes now was the same as their first kiss in the hotel lobby. What was she waiting for?
Tomorrow they’d tell Gram the truth, but the ruse wouldn’t be over. Not until the thief was caught. Which could be as early as tomorrow evening if Will’s idea worked.
And then he’d be gone. Back to work. Off the island. Out of her life.
She set the wine aside and walked into his arms. “No more missed chances, Travis.”
“And no regrets?”
“Never.”
Tonight, right now, was for the two of them. Her whole world was his kiss. His mouth and hands on her skin, at last. She tugged open his shirt, her hands skating over that gorgeous chest, pausing just long enough for him to put his gun out of the way.
Then it was only the two of them and the joy of discovery. Pleasure, layer by layer, building to a crescendo. And the sweet, sweet fall back to earth within the strength and comfort of his arms.
Chapter 11
The high of waking next to a warm and sexy Lila quickly faded when they walked into the bakery at just after ten the next morning.
Connie’s cheerful greeting dimmed when they asked to speak with her privately. Lila had pegged the timing and although Travis had rehearsed what to say and how, the truth spilled out in a jumble under Connie’s disapproving glare.
“Lila wasn’t given much of a choice,” he finished. “My apologies to both of you.”
“I’m sorry, Gram,” Lila whispered.
The silence stretched. Awkward. Uncomfortable. In a different life, Travis suspected Connie would’ve made an excellent detective. He sure as hell wanted to keep rambling until she gave some sign that she’d heard enough.
“But you care about her?” Connie demanded.
“Yes, ma’am,” he replied.
“Gram.”
“It’s obvious.” Connie shot her a quelling look. “Then don’t waste more time here. Go on and catch whoever is behind this nonsense.”
“We’re doing our best. I’ll be around until it’s settled.”
“Good.”
He found the picture of the woman outside the flower shop. “Does this woman look familiar?”
