Page 49 of Redemption

I leaned in, never breaking eye contact. “Did you know Nate and Emerson were dating? I mean, before they got engaged.”

He threw his head back and laughed. It was glorious. The sight of it did funny things to my ovaries.

I took a bite of the fried conch just to do something with my mouth beside gape at him. “Oh my god,” I said around a mouthful. “You have to try this.”

I held it up to his mouth, and he swallowed hard before parting his lips. He took a bite, his eyes focused on mine the entire time. Holy…

“How is everything?” the waiter asked.

I jerked my hand away as if I’d been scalded. “Good. Yeah. Great.” I couldn’t seem to stop nodding.

After the waiter had gone, Jackson leaned in, his breath teasing the shell of my ear. “I like how you’re leaning in to our cover story.”

I laughed, but the sound was breathy and embarrassing. If I’d turned my head just slightly, we’d be kissing. Instead, I stared ahead, ignoring his closeness and his spicy, forbidden scent that called to me, beckoning me closer. He was my bodyguard, and he was here because he was being paid to do a job. That certainly cooled some of the desire coursing through my veins.

Conversation returned to other matters, and dinner passed pleasantly enough. There were light touches, occasional flirting, but I told myself it was all part of the act.

Eventually, he flagged over the waiter and paid our tab.

I scowled at him. “Hey. I was supposed to do that.”

“You can pay next time,” he said. But we both knew he’d never allow that.

When I stood, I nearly toppled. I giggled. “I guess those rum punches were stronger than I realized.”

“Mm-hmm.” He wore a bemused expression that was so damn sexy. He offered me his arm. “Are you going to be able to walk, or do I need to throw you over my shoulder?”

“You’re teasing, right?” Surely he was joking. I patted his chest, but my hand lingered there, caressing his muscle.

He leaned in. “Care to find out?”

I stepped away from him, knowing better than to push my luck. He reached for me, and I wagged my finger at him.

“Don’t you dare.” I laughed, despite my efforts to be stern. “Don’t even think about it.”

He shifted from foot to foot, looking as if he might charge at me. I tried to dart from his path but stumbled. But Jackson was there, catching me. Steadying me.

“Whoa there.” He chuckled, but his expression soon turned serious. His hands remained on my hips, his eyes on my lips.

“Jackson?”

“Yeah.”

“I—” I rolled my lips between my teeth. “I don’t think I can be your friend,” I whispered, getting a little too close to the truth.

He leaned even closer. “And why’s that?”

“I—” The reflection of the moon on the water caught my eye. “Wow,” I breathed.

Jackson turned to follow my gaze then wrapped his arm around my shoulder. We stood there for a minute before he ushered me down the path.

I barely remembered the walk back to the marina or climbing aboard the Athena. Part of me thought I’d imagined him guiding me to sit on my bed. Kneeling to the floor to remove my sandals before tucking me in.

“You’re a good friend.” I patted his cheek. I let out a happy sigh, my eyes closing of their own accord. “Tonight was nice.”

“Sleep well,” he murmured, and I felt a flutter of a kiss on my forehead. Yet another thing I’d probably imagined.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

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