Page 43 of Taken As Collateral

“You wouldn’t deceive me, would you, Priscilla?” he asks.

I shake my head.

He searches the depths of my eyes. I don’t think he believes me.

His voice turns husky. “Let’s make sure.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“Let’s make sure.”

The way he says that sounds sexy and ominous at the same time.

“H-How?” I ask as he cups the side of my face and traces my bottom lip with his thumb.

He stares at my mouth, and I expect him to kiss me this time.

“I’ll show you,” he says, “after we swim.”

Withdrawing his hand, he turns to leave. “See you at the pool.”

I stand there. Does the guy have something against kissing? Maybe he’s worried about catching something? Why do I even care? The less involved I am with Rafe, the better. Only, I want to know more about his family. The fact that he has a magazine about Haruto Matsudo suggests what happened to Rafe’s family is not something buried in the past for him.

Going back to my room, I change into the swimsuit. I hung it up yesterday, so it’s dry. When I get down to the pool, Rafe is waiting for me. Alas, he’s not in swim briefs, but at least his swim shorts are quite short.

Get a grip,I tell myself.

“Got your sunblock,” he said, holding a tube. “Sit down.”

I do as he says, sitting next to him on the lounge chair, but I can’t let his touch distract me from the peril I’m still in. “Do all your victims get treated with this kind of hospitality?” I ask, hoping for some sign that maybe he’s changed his mind about my fate.

“You’d be the first.”

No sign there. He answers so matter-of-fact, too. I shirk from him as he reaches for my arm to apply the sunblock.

“What’s the matter?” he asks.

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