Page 129 of Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds

“That’s really nice of you. I’d heard rumors that he wasn’t friendly—that two people were kicked off the island because they hiked to his house.”

“I don’t remember that,” he said. “But seriously. I don’t want you to leave Tuesday.”

My heart did a flip. “Maybe.”

“I hope you stay.” He ran his fingers between my breasts. “I enjoyed everything about last night. Talking to you. Making love.” He kissed me.

“You’re a distraction,” I said with a smile.

“Agooddistraction?” he asked whimsically.

“Very good.” I took his hand from my breast because all this touching was making me horny, and I wasn’t generally the type of girl who got hot and bothered with fun petting. Clearly, Jason changed everything I had thought about sex and foreplay, and for the better.Thatwas an understatement.

“I meant to tell you last night when we talked about Diana’sbook and then... well, we weredistracted.” He grinned and kissed my neck; I continued. “When I went to St. John, I learned that one of the water taxis—not a registered service, one piloted by a kid not even old enough to drive—brought Diana back to the island on Sunday night. He left her at Ethan Valentine’s dock.”

Jason froze, took a small step back. “What?”

“Yeah, it sounds bizarre, but I believe him. He knew details, like the time he left and what she said, and that she paid him extra to keep quiet. I don’t think that Mr. Valentine was on the island last weekend—not positive, but Luis saidhewas there when she arrived, and he told her no one was home. But there must have been a reason she went there. Maybe she planned to blackmail him.”

Jason looked preoccupied.

“You okay?” I asked.

“Yeah. Sure. Just thinking.”

“Even though someone took the book from my room, I have pictures of the pages she wrote on. She wrote about Valentine—he’s number 522—but her note was cryptic.”

Jason was looking over my shoulder, an odd expression on his face. I said, “I’m sorry. Are you friends with him? Would he be upset?”

“Not exactly friends,” Jason said. “I need to talk to Tristan about Gino and everything you told me. Don’t worry, you’re not getting anyone in trouble. But we need to figure out what’s going on with him, because he has been acting odd, and not just with you.”

“Whatever you think is best,” I said, relieved that I had shared this burden with someone I trusted. “But be careful, okay? Someone here killed Diana. I don’t want you or anyone else to get hurt.”

“I’ll find you later,” he said. Then he kissed me, but it was a quick, friendly kiss, not a romantic kiss. “You be careful too, until we know what’s going on, okay? What are your plans? Just so I know how to reach you.”

“I promised Brie I’d go on the snorkeling trip.”

“Good. You’ll have fun. I’ll see you when you get back.”

“Okay.”

I must have sounded concerned, because now he leaned into me and gave me a hug, then kissed me. “Ifyou want to see me,” he added with a sly grin.

“I don’t know,” I teased. “Last night is going to be hard to top.”

“I love a challenge.”

“Jason? Ms. Crawford?”

Tristan walked around the deck and saw us in an embrace, averted his eyes. I stepped back; Jason took my hand and pulled me to his side.

“A problem?” Jason asked.

“I don’t know yet. I was just on the radio with Gino. He’s identified a person of interest in the murder of Diana Harden.”

“Who?” Jason and I said simultaneously.

“A staff member. He’s new this season, and I was looking to speak to him about the break-in in your room, Ms. Crawford.”

---