Page 40 of Island Whispers

He followed her as she continued walking along the edge of the foamy ripples gliding up and over the sand.

Suddenly, she stopped and turned into him. “What would you have done if you’d found me?”

Her urgency was palpable and an answering need resonated in his chest.

Before Jess had called him to Brookwell, he’d been ready to lean on his contacts with the Guardian Agency research team. Ready to call in favors just to get a lead on her name and location.

“I wanted to find you,” he began slowly. “In my daydreams, I did track you down. You were thrilled to see me. It played out like a movie scene in my head. You’d look up and recognize me and be so happy. We’d kiss and everything in my world would feel right again.”

She was staring at him, eyes wide. “That sounds…”

“Corny, I know.”

“Lovely. Romantic.” She nibbled on her lip as she stared at him. “Sincere, actually.”

“I won’t ever lie to you, Nina.” He was more than halfway in love with her. As much as he wanted the danger Spratt posed out of her life, he couldn’t imagine leaving her once that happened.

This time he wrapped his arms around her as she tucked in close. “I know. I wish seeing you again had played out your way.” Her smile was slow and sexy as hell. “Jess’s office lacked atmosphere.”

He laughed. How did she manage to amuse him during what had been a serious confession?

She pressed against him, her warm, supple body a contrast to the cool ocean foam rolling over his bare feet. Her hands ran up and down his arms, across his chest, curling over his shoulders. He was instantly on fire for her, his heart pounding with a need only she could satisfy.

Then she kissed him. Everything in his world snapped into place. She was exactly where she belonged, with him, in his arms. He couldn’t explain it. Didn’t want to. He just wanted to live in this moment. For now. Forever, if they could have that.

He was overwhelmed with memories of their one night layered over all the exhilarating sensations of this new moment.

“That’s even better than I remember.” Her whisper fanned across his lips, making him want her even more.

“Yeah,” he rumbled. He claimed her mouth this time, letting the sweet heat roll through him and wrap closely around them. He didn’t want to talk anymore. His body ached from keeping his hands to himself. Now, he only wanted to make up for lost time, to remind them both how good they’d been. One night hadn’t been enough. A lifetime might not be enough with Nina.

But he could only live this minute. Give her all of himself right now.

“Boone,” her breath was ragged. “We need…” Her voice trailed off as she kissed his jaw.

“Privacy,” he finished for her. Easing back, he glanced around. They were alone and darkness had fallen, but after all she’d just said about town gossip, they needed to be smart. And he wasn’t about to let anything interrupt them. “Come on.”

He kissed her firmly because he just couldn’t resist her. Taking her hand, they hurried away from the water and back to her place.

Chapter 11

Nina wondered how she could feel amazing and awful in the exact same moment. Last night in Boone’s arms everything had been wonderful. Perfect. Better than the first time, though she wouldn’t have believed anything that good could be improved upon.

And despite all that glowy wonder still fizzing in her system, her stomach was cramping and miserable. A knot of tension coiled like a spring and she knew…

She scrambled out of bed and made it to the bathroom in the nick of time while her stomach’s complete revolt did away with all those wondrous feelings.

“Hey?” Boone knocked on the door. “You okay in there?”

His sleep-rough voice would’ve probably been a turn on if she wasn’t curled around the commode at the moment. “Fine. I’ll be out in a minute.”

“Take your time.”

As if. The bathroom floor wasn’t where she wanted to linger. Although she didn’t really want to face him. Her dry heaves hadn’t been quiet. She really needed to do something about this stress. She’d been so content during their walk on the beach, with the soft breeze and the stars overhead. The stress of recent days had melted away.

And today she was right back in it.

Maybe she did need to make some changes. She would. Once she was sure that her motive was truly about the business rather than the threat of an escaped prisoner who wanted to make an example of her.

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