Page 44 of Sin City Lights

For the entire ride back to shore, Eve’s body hummed with adrenaline, and not only because she’d helped land such a large fish.

•

Eve finished buckling the metallic pewter strappy sandals and stood, smoothing her hands along her hips and smiling at her reflection in the full-length mirror.

She loved the heels. She also loved the flowy, silver midi dress. Strapless and with a pleated skirt, it glittered and swished deliciously around her legs. A chunky bracelet, dangling earrings, and a little satinclutch completed the ensemble.

She applied makeup carefully, using even less than usual. At the beach, she liked to keep a fresh-faced look.

She went to look for Adam and found his door wide open. Eve paused in the entryway to see him emerging from the bathroom, his palm smoothing over his freshly shaven jaw. The scent told her he’d just finished applying aftershave.

He wore a tailored long-sleeved white shirt with pearled buttons, dark gray trousers, and dress shoes. A tiny airplane pin gleamed on his silver tie. His still-damp hair, combed smartly to the side, looked so perfect that she wanted to shove her fingers in it and tug, to mess it up a little.

His blue eyes took her in.“You look beautiful.”

So do you.

“Thank you.”

Her gaze flicked to the bed, where rumpled sheets and dented pillows evidenced his nap after their fishing trip. She quickly looked away but not soon enough.

A knowing smile spread on his face, but he made no comment.“Ready when you are.” His voice was deep.

She had a vision of straddling him on that bed, grabbing that tie and slowly sliding it off his neck, then licking—

“Eve.”

She looked at him.

His eyes bore into her.“Still want to go to dinner?”

No.

“Yes…yes, of course.”

He strode to her side and gallantly offered her his arm. She took it, summoning all her will to walk with him out of that bedroom.

•

The Veranda was spectacular at sunset, open to the Caribbean, with the breeze keeping the diners comfortable. Eve admired the vintage décor that had an air of Bohemian chic.

Every dish had been outstanding. So was the company.

Adam was as easy to be with as he was easy on the eyes, she discovered. Relaxed and comfortable with her tonight, he smiled often, laughed at her jokes, and conversed freely, but always, always there was that intense undercurrent that kept her nerves on edge and butterflies flitting in her core.

The more she chatted with him, the more she realized his entire life had been the opposite of hers. She listened to his stories about his large, close family; of holidays and trips; and hilarious tales about his brothers and his sister pulling outrageous pranks, most of them on him. She wondered if he had ever seen hardship in his life. She hoped he hadn’t. She’d had enough for the both of them.

“Mango mousse for my lady and Aquavit for the gentleman.” The waiter set the dessert in front of Eve and served Adam a chilled shot glass.“I brought an extra spoon in case you’d like to share.”

Adam motioned for the waiter to come closer. The man bent to listen to the request, nodding with a little bow.“I’ll see what I can do, sir.”

Eve spooned some of the bright orange mousse.“What was that about?”

Adam casually sipped his drink.“I asked for something from the bar.”

Hmm. The way he’d said it made her wonder what he was up to, but she decided the mango mousse was more important at the moment.

“This is evil,” she declared.“Try some?”

---