Page 19 of Silk Shadow

"I didn't say I wasn't attracted to him, just that it's not like that between us. He's got a job to do. This is serious."

"So? Can't he protect you during the day and offer you his body at night? It seems only fair?"

Izzy gave up and laughed. "You're impossible. What happened to you last night?"

"Oh, those guys I met by the pool turned up. I ended up spending the night with Matt. He's the cute one with the floppy hair and dimples."

"I thought as much. Sorry I left so early. Viper made things awkward."

"I saw. He sent that guy flying. If that wasn't a manly show of possessiveness, I don't know what is?"

"No way." Izzy shook her head. "He was just doing his job. That guy was harassing me. He wouldn't let me go."

"I've seen you get out of worse situations before," she scoffed. "Are you sure you weren't putting it on just a little to get a reaction out of him?"

"Of course not." Izzy kept her voice steady.

"I know you, Iz. That guy wasn't a threat. Not really."

Izzy sighed. "Let's get back to the schedule, shall we? There's a lot to go over. Tomorrow we have to do the catalog shots."

"Okay, fine, but this conversation is not over." Emily got back to business. "I've reserved the pool for two hours from eight to ten, but after that the hotel wants it for the guests, so we can't waste any time. The gardens are an option, though."

"That’s understandable." Izzy pursed her lips, thinking about their options. "We should be able to get at least half of the pool shots done. We can finish the rest on Wednesday."

Izzy couldn't get the image of Viper in his towel out of her mind. His gorgeous, sculpted body had been dripping wet, his hair standing upright, glistening with water. Emily was right, he was a god. Neptune. With eyes the color of the sea.

And she hadn't been laid in over a year.

After Emily left, she lay back on the bed and closed her eyes, losing herself to a private fantasy.

Viper coming into her room, wet from the shower. He was moving toward the bed, his towel falling aside. Izzy… his voice was low, deep and throaty. Yes, she whispered back, her heart pounding in her chest. He bent over the bed to kiss her, pulling her into his arms. Their lips met. Locking in a hard embrace. Desire made her cling to him, losing herself in that kiss.

Groaning softly, she snaked a hand into her panties.

“Miss Beaumont?” His voice again, but this time it was real.

A knock on the door.

She gasped and sat up, hastily pulling down her dress. "Yes?"

The door opened and his dark head popped round. "I'm going to order something to eat. You want me to get you something?"

She was hungry, but not for food.

Heart racing, she forced herself to concentrate on what he was saying, rather than the way he was making her feel. How easy would it be to go to him, take him by the hand and lead him into the bedroom?

Would he come?

Somehow, she doubted it. Still, it didn’t mean a girl couldn’t dream.

“Sure, thanks.”

“Any preferences?”

"I'll have the burger and fries."

Was that a tiny smile? His eyes crinkled and she saw the faintest hint of a dimple in his right cheek. "Got it."

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