Page 71 of Isla

The detective raises an eyebrow. "You only get one guess. Is that your final answer?"

"Yes."

"Incorrect. Next?"

Ms. Johnson stands, pointing at me. "Anna DuPont murdered him so her fortune wouldn't be willed to her new stepmother, Camila."

"Anna, what do you have to say about that?"

"You're wrong," I say simply, giving her a sympathetic smile. "It was Emily."

A collective gasp goes up, every gaze in the room swiveling to Emily.

"She meant to kill Camila but tripped, slicing open Camila's arm, before the blade found a home in Franklin Astor's abdomen instead of her husband's mistress," Theo finishes, revealing our theory.

The detective claps slowly, the staff joining in. "Congratulations to the DuPonts. You solved the mystery. This concludes that portion of our evening, ladies and gentlemen. Our guests are welcome to enjoy the amenities for the rest of this evening. Brunch will be between nine and eleven in the morning. We hope you enjoyed your dinner."

I take Theo's hand and start dragging him toward the elevators, determined to get him back to the room as quickly as possible.

"Isla, Theo?" The detective stops us, holding out a bottle of champagne. "Your prize. Enjoy your evening."

"Thank you so much, that was thrilling."

"I'm impressed you figured it out so easily."

"I had some extra motivation," I say, looking up at Theo.

"And she's the most competitive woman you will ever meet. I'm sure that had nothing to do with it." Theo winks, taking the bottle of champagne from his hand. "Should we go out on the deck and enjoy the champagne under the stars?" he asks once the detective leaves to mingle with the other guests.

"Or, we can go back to the room, and you can lick it off my body. Your choice."

"Fuck. Me. Isla."

His voice is deliciously husky, and I desperately want to hear him call me a good girl as he slides inside me. "Gladly. Room. Now."

"Yes, ma'am," he growls, swinging me into his arms and kissing me hard.

32

We can't take more than two steps without touching each other. The brush of our shoulders, his fingers sliding over my wrist, my hand trailing down his chest. It's like the world is holding its breath, waiting for this cataclysmic collision to finally happen; like fate has been leading me here since I took my first breath.

"In order to set the proper expectations for tonight, I have to ask you a question," Theo rasps, his breath warm on my ear.

I look up at him, running my thumb along the edge of his bottom lip, thinking about how those lips feel inotherplaces.

"Do you want to have sex tonight?"

"Are you really asking me that question?"

"Answer me, Isla."

"Yes. Lots of it." I answer, enunciating every word. "Is that clear enough for you?"

"Crystal." His hand brushes over the side of my breast as he takes hold of my upper arm, pulling me from the elevator. My back arches, a lightning bolt of desire streaking down my spine, igniting a fire deep in my core.

"Theo," I moan, my knees threatening to give out as my body tries to recalibrate.

"God, Isla. I'm not sure we'll survive the night." He sweeps me into his arms, carrying me down the hallway. I pull the room key from his pocket and unlock the door, twisting the handle so he can kick it open. He sets me down, slams the door closed and pushes me against it, hauling my legs around his waist.

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