Page 38 of Sin City Lights

“All right. I want them all on the call in ten minutes.”

He thumbed the phone off in obvious annoyance.“Something came up. I have to attend a conference call. You go ahead and get some sun. I’ll see you later.”

•

Eve

Seated near the outdoor stage where the evening show would soon begin, Eve furtively eyed Adam as he nursed his third Glenlivet.

Whatever had occurred at his meeting had to have been bad because he’d returned sullen and hadn’t uttered more than a few sentences since.

She wanted to lighten his mood, but it was difficult to start a conversation without knowing what had made him so broody.

So, she let him be.

And just…well, looked at him.

He had changed into island casual, and if anyone did island casual justice, it was Adam. Short-sleeved white linen shirt, light tan trousers, and camel-colored loafers. His open collar revealed his throat and a peek of his upper chest. He hadn’t shaved since the morning, and even though his stubble wasn’t dark, it was definitely showing, and the result was seriously sexy.

It was a given that his looks were a huge part of the attraction. How could they not be? She would be lying to herself if she denied it. Humans were wired to gravitate toward beauty; if that was all this was, then she could handle it.

“And now, for the hottest part of the night, ladies and gentlemen, we introduce Island Fire!”

Drums rolled and began to pulse, booming so loudly you could feel the percussion.

“Paul and his fire poi!”

One man appeared twirling a baton tipped with flame, pirouetting faster and faster to the beat. More and more dancers materialized out of the dark, holding long fire whips, their bodies spinning as they let the ropes snake arcs of flame around them while they turned. They parted into two rows, revealing a woman.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the lovely Shanna!”

Around her undulating hips, a Hula-Hoop whirled, and points of fire burned as it circled her. Down her body, it descended, then up again. She lifted her arms, hips swaying in a hypnotic rhythm. She hooped to the end of the stage, taking up a fire umbrella to further hypnotize her captive audience. She finished her dance and dramatically dropped to the ground to thunderous applause.

Eve looked to Adam for his reaction, and to her surprise, he appeared bored. His eyes were hooded, and he looked as if he might fall asleep at any moment.

A hush fell on the crowd.

Slowly, Shanna stood, her sensuous moves like those of a belly dancer.

Hips swaying, she wandered into the audience. She took one man by the hand, but he vigorously shook his head, while the young woman he was with dug her nails into his arm, fake laughing and refusing to let him go. With a shrug, the fire dancer moved on, looking left and right.

Her gaze homed in on Adam.

He sat there, slightly slumped, calmly sipping his scotch. His eyes followed the dancer’s progress as she neared, but he seemed indifferent to her allure. He just looked at her dispassionately, as if gorgeous fire dancers approached him on a daily basis.

Curvy hips swinging exaggeratedly, Shanna advanced, halting directly in front of him.

“Handsome man,” she loudly said.“Come with me.”

It wasn’t even a question. She reached out and snagged his hand, clearly brooking no protest this time.

His gaze flicked to Eve. A knowing little smile curved his lips. His lashes lowered as he took a moment to sip the last of his scotch, then he slammed down his glass, pushed himself up, and let Shanna take him.

Her steps were quick in her bare feet, her arm stretched out as she nearly dragged him behind her. She motioned to a spot on the ground, and Adam took a giant sideways step to stand exactly where she’d directed. She let go of his hand and gracefully crouched to do something in the sand, all the while circling him.

She rose. One snap of her fingertips, and suddenly fire ignited around him, and Eve realized Shanna had drawn a heart.

Adam was standing in a heart of fire.

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