Page 41 of Savage Beauty

“I can’t imagine Knox would expect her to stop reading.” Knox is a pretty good guy. If she’s talking about the books I think she’s talking about, he’d probably consider it a bonus.

“It’s okay if she does. There are better ways I could spend my time.”

Right. “Speaking of time, what do you say we clear out of here? It’s pretty clear your Dr. Kallio isn’t coming to work today.”

“Do you agree with me now? Whoever hired that awful man probably got her, too.”

“It’s possible. We’ve got people searching for her. If they took her, chances are she’s not on the island. Which means, once we get all our equipment in place, we’ll get you inside so you can get on the server, figure out who accessed your report, and then we can head back to the States.”

“I want my job back.”

“Well, let’s be certain your old bosses aren’t behind this before you waltz in there. Got to be smart, right?”

“There’s no way?—”

“Sloane, we’ve been over this. Shit’s not adding up. At this point, we all believe it has something to do with that report. Be smart. It’s not just you. They went after Sage too.”

Her lips press together. She nods.

“That report needs to be shared broadly.”

She’s not going to give up. But I need a break. “What do you say we get out and have some fun for a few hours?”

She looks suspicious. “Doing what?”

“We can rent a boat?—”

“No.” Her arms cross below her perky little breasts and the foot that had been dangling near her knee hits the floor mat. “I do not go on boats. I get severe motion sickness.”

She also refuses to drink water from water bottles. I connected those dots and haven’t pushed it. I’ve just been glad at the villa she’ll drink tap water.

“Okay.” I think about all that glorious salt water in front of our villa. “Snorkeling? Paddle boarding?” Her nose scrunches. “The sun is good for the soul.” We need a break from this, and I need out of this car before her gaze falls to my crotch.

“Studies have shown that the sun provides many of the same benefits as a workout. And it gives your immune system a boost.” That smile shifts into a devilish grin. She leans closer, and yeah, her gaze is on my crotch. “Of course, sex does the same thing.”

Fuck.

My fingers curl into her hair, completely of their own volition. Glossy. Smooth. I could grab a fistful?—

What are you doing?

Knox flashes before my eyes. Yeah, he’d want to kill me. And for good reason.

I release her hair, grind my teeth, and turn the key in the ignition, because yeah, we’re in another oldie but goodie. It’s part of the plan to keep from getting noticed. Never the same car and never one that’s so nice it deserves a second glance.

“Let me teach you how to snorkel.”

“The sun’s rays are most damaging between ten and four. Which is right now.”

“We’ll use sunblock.”

The devilish grin returns. “That could be fun.”

CHAPTER14

Sloane

Max was right. Snorkeling is fun. And I’m experiencing no signs of motion sickness. The sun is warm on my skin, and the salty air is invigorating. My mind feels sharper. I feel more awake and vibrant.

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