Who was he calling? He was supposed to have shared all his information with her already.
“Joseph, I need you to make a pickup.” Lee gave him the details before hanging up.
“Who was that?”
“Joseph was the guy I told you about who used to work with Clark.”
“So the two of them are going to check whether Dot has retrieved all the barrels?”
He nodded. “I suspect she has, so this will give her another avenue to follow. The barrels are close enough together that Dot should be able to see the boat, even if she can’t stop them.”
It wasn’t a terrible plan, and her brain was too tired to think of how to make it better. “All right.”
She walked to the front of the cave and stared at the night. The sea breeze funnelled through the canyon, shaking all the leaves, but it also kept the temperature down. It had been a long few days, and she wanted a decent night’s sleep so she could think clearly.
Could she trust Lee?
He seemed so sincere, and yet he’d also seemed convincing speaking to Lucas and the others as well.
Perhaps he was only in it for himself and everyone was fodder to be used.
“Are you all right, Nhi?” Lee’s voice was right behind her, but she hadn’t heard him approach.
She closed her eyes and stopped herself from stepping back so she was closer to him. “I’m tired.”
“Sleep in the tent tonight. With Lucas in town, this will end soon, and you’ll need all your wits about you.”
He was right. Professionally she had to ignore how she felt about sleeping in his bed and get some decent rest. “OK.”
He shifted closer and she felt the heat from him. She braced herself, but he didn’t touch her.
“I know you’re finding this difficult. I wish there was another way we could do this.”
So did she.
All she wanted was to step back into his arms, to forget about Stonefish and the lies, and pretend for a night they were just two people who found each other attractive. He’d been an amazing lover.
But perhaps she didn’t have to trust him to experience that again. She turned to face him. He stayed where he was, gazing at her.
If she could trust him, he would be a rock for her. She knew that without a doubt. She ached for that. “Can we forget about everything for tonight?” She gave into her urge and stepped closer, sliding her arms around his waist. “Can we pretend nothing exists outside this cave?”
His eyes widened, but he pulled her close. “We can do whatever you want.”
Good. She tilted her head and pressed her lips to his.
Warm and tasting of the coffee they’d consumed all day. She nipped little kisses over his lips and he groaned but let her lead.
Finally she deepened the kiss, teasing his mouth open and his restraint broke. He hauled her closer still and took control, drawing a moan from her.
She broke this kiss. “How strong is your air mattress?”
“Very strong.” He pulled her over to the tent and paused outside. “Are you sure, Nhi?”
No, she wasn’t, but right now she didn’t care. She didn’t want to think of the future, she just wanted to be in the now. “Yes.”
The first time they’d had sex had been slow with Lee worshipping her body. She didn’t want that now, wanted nothing that would make her feel anything emotionally. It had to be just physical.
Nhiari stripped off her T-shirt and shorts, but Lee stopped her as she reached for her bra. “Let me.”
