Page 38 of The Daredevil

“Nope. Just me. It was a personal adventure—a spontaneous trip.”

“Do you want me to show you around Iceland?”

Her eyes brightened. “When you have time, I’d like that.”

“Wanna go today?”

“I would love to, but I have a scheduled visit to the NewYou Beauty Resort to experience their geothermal water lagoon. If you’re not busy, you can come—”

“I’ll go.”

What the fuck did I just agree to? She was going to a spa where she’d put goo on her face. Why did I want to go with her?

Curiosity, remember?My inner voice annoyed me.

Like breakfast, going to the spa wasn’t my thing.

Two hours later, we arrived at NewYou Beauty Resort—a manmade lagoon using the hot springs from a nearby area. It had luxurious amenities and spa packages that catered to both the regular crowd and celebrities.

After checking in, I followed Michelle as she wandered around the lagoon taking pictures with her phone and recording her observation. I watched her work with clarity and efficiency and felt the passion in her voice as she spoke into her phone. She was in awe of the lagoon and what it offered. We stopped near an artificial geyser—an opening in the Earth’s crust pulsing with boiling water. When the pressure from the heat needed to be released, a spout of hot water shot out into the air. Michelle’s eyes brightened as she recorded the event. I could understand why her blog was so successful. She transferred her sense of wonder into her work, which I had felt when I browsed her blog.

“Would you be interested in promoting my excursion locations on your blog? You can choose a site, visit it like you’re doing now, and write about it. All expenses paid, including housing.”

She didn’t need to know that I’d also be present at her chosen site. It would be rude of me not to show her around.

Rude, presumptuous, arrogant, and other unfriendly adjectives had been used to describe me, and none of them were wrong. I was an adaptable man, acclimating to his environment. Right now, the terrain was a gorgeous woman who thought I offered the most exceptional hugs. It would be inconsiderate of me to prove her wrong, wouldn’t it?

Michelle gave me a sardonic look. “With all the money you have, aren’t you working with a marketing firm? I hear Starke Vision is exceptional at that.”

Remington became Audri’s boss when he bought the company. She now worked full time on her jewelry collection, Epiphanii, which was in stores all over the world.

“I’d already signed with a marketing firm prior to Remi’s new business venture. Even with a PR company, there are other ways to get exposure. I’ve never thought about having a blogger promote my company. That could be untapped territory that could garner new business for me.”

She searched my face. “Why me? Other blogs have a larger following than mine.”

“Why not you? I’ve checked out your website and read your posts. You’re thorough and informative without being pushy and ‘salesy.’ Your style attracts people, and I think that’s a great way to introduce my exploring sites. A few more locations will be added to Paradigm Excursions Group, and I think you’d be perfect for promoting them.”

She considered me. “What part of my blog lured you?”

“All of it. I learned a lot aboutyoufrom the blog.”

“Do you think that our meeting here in Iceland means something?” Her eyes fixated on me. “We’ve been friends for a while, but we never knew each other like we do now.”

She sensed the inexplicable attraction too . . .

“Maybe it wasn’t our time. Certain things have their time to flourish or time to succeed. There’s a dude up there manipulating things.” I pointed up. “I’m sure he gets to play an interesting game by putting people where they need to be.”

Her brows rose in surprise. “I didn’t know you believed in that kind of stuff.”

“Sometimes you explore to make sense of things. For example, I need something to explain this odd connection between you and me. I can’t explain it. Can you?”

Her face turned serious. “No. I can’t.”

Someone emerged from the corner of my eye and disrupted the moment. I turned and was surprised to see Fiona, a woman I’d dated for one week so many years ago. She met my eyes, and her face brightened. Two other women stood beside her.

I didn’t need any complications right now, and Fiona had a way of creating chaos for me.

I wrapped my arm around Michelle’s waist and whispered into her ear. “Can you do me a favor?”

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