Page 6 of Five Days

I hoped bringing him here hadn’t overstepped in some way. All for selfish reasons, of course, but a sense of having been ensnared in an unescapable trap twisted my insides and made me question what I’d done.

Fighting off the need to rub damp palms down my slacks, I sipped my wine, searching for something to say even though I’d planned how the evening would go from beginning to end. I’d never been good with conversation. I tended to keep to myself and immerse myself in work as the world went on without me.

Invisible.

Such a perfect word to describe how I felt most days, and while I didn’t trust my instincts, I had to do this for my own peace of mind.

I’d suffered for long enough.

“Tell me about yourself,” I said rather than explain to him I didn’t really have a choice in who I hired when I’d gone onto Elite’s website with a mission.

Zack’s grin remained even though a question hinted in his eyes.

“I suppose that’s not a request you often hear from clients,” I rushed to say, not wanting to raise any red flags before I got a feel for the man. “But this is something…new for me, and I’m not really sure how to proceed.”

Not one lie in my words, but my reason for bringing Zack to a remote island wasn’t exactly honest.

He settled back in his seat, seemingly completely at ease, his eyes flitting over my face as though seeking out my truth.

I fought the need to shift, deciding on another sip of my wine to occupy myself.

“Good evening, gentlemen.”

I hadn’t heard the waiter approach. Tearing my focus off Zack, I glanced up at the young man who brought handmade tortilla chips and a few different salsas. One appeared to be the usual tomato-based, another perhaps mango, the third more along the lines of guacamole.

“Are you ready to order?”

I glanced over at my supposed date.

“Would you allow me the honor of choosing for you?” he asked quietly.

Why did his question light up my insides and make me want to weep?

I’d been in charge for so long, looked to for answers in every facet of life for years, that bubbles of excitement exploded in my core. Yet another part of the dark-haired man that caused my insides to purr. He was the type who would care for my exhausted soul.

The sudden urge to change what I’d done, my reasons for bringing Zack to the gorgeous, remote location, hit me hard. I’d made a mistake, but there was nothing left to do but go forward and watch how things played out.

Consequences were a bitch. Always had been, and this time would prove no different, I feared.

“Please,” I murmured, taking comfort in the momentary respite from his undivided attention. A part of me selfishly yearned for hours—days—of having his focus on me when I knew damn well I couldn’t.

Taking advantage of the situation would be the ultimate betrayal to the man I loved, my only grounds for booking this vacation.

Zack rattled off our orders, something about grilled shrimp with coconut rice and a salmon dish in a leek and saffron cream sauce. Regardless of how delicious the meals sounded, my mouth watered for a taste of the man speaking rather than actual food.

But I needed to get my libido under control. After I’d laid eyes on Zack, nothing about the five days ahead promised me anything but sure heartbreak.

That plan I’d impulsively made was about to backfire in more ways than one. I was doomed—and I couldn’t hate the man sitting across from me even though I had thought for sure I did. Would. Well, wanted to.

I jumped into conversation before Zack could lead me astray.

“So back to my question,” I said the second the waiter left us alone, sure whatever Zack shared with me would only make my desire for him harder to ignore.

He hesitated before answering, his gaze once more inquisitive. “I get the feeling you aren’t looking for a canned response in order to fill the silence.”

“You would be correct.”

Zack cocked his head to the side and sipped his wine before replying.

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