The night’s events aren’t clear in my head, but I know I talked to her about things I shouldn’t have. I don’t know exactly what I said, but I’m sure she’s feeling smug about finally starting to crack through my guarded exterior.
Killing her would fix this.
I change into my swim trunks, wincing as I feel another massive bruise on my shoulder.
She walks back out, and I turn on the charm. She’s going to have to work hard to get me to lay down my defenses again. I don’t trust myself to do what’s necessary. After we get back, I’ll call the FBI and turn her in.
Will you?
“Ready, gorgeous?” My suggestive gaze sweeps over her, letting her know I like what I see.
She blushes on cue, crossing her arms as she nods.
We exit the bungalow, walking the short distance down to the resort’s beach. There’s a stand with surfboards, and I select one for me and one for Kate.
I carry them both down to the pure water. Of all the beaches I’ve been to around the world, Tahiti and the French Polynesian islands are possibly the most magnificent. Scuba diving here is unreal.
“Would you rather dive?”
She laughs. “Luke, I’ve never done either. You should choose.”
The memory of her telling me that her mother passed away comes to the forefront of my mind. If Mark Dawson really is her father, his records showed he was a mechanic who eventually owned his own shop but never lived above a modest salary.
I nod, laying the surfboards in the water.
The conflicting emotions inside me make it difficult to know how to feel about her. On one hand, she seems like a sweet,uncomplicated girl I could see myself really getting to know. On the other, she could be a really great actress.
She has confidential information being sent to her. She’s clearly acting. Stop looking for a shred of hope that she’s innocent.
I demonstrate lying on the board to paddle out to sea, holding hers steady as she lies down, belly first.
“Use your hands like a paddle, alternating so you go straight.”
I get on mine, and we take off. She squeals as the first wave crashes over us, but she manages to stay on the board.
“Just let them roll over you. Don’t fight the ocean—you’ll never win.”
She smiles at me, nodding as she continues to paddle. I let her go ahead, my eyes moving over the round shape of her ass on top of the board.
She’s sexy as hell, but she doesn’t act like a stuck-up bitch because of it.
“See that wave? Watch how I let it take me to the sand.”
I get in a crouched position as the enormous wave gets closer. The instinct of knowing the right moment has always been inside me. I stand right in time to cruise underneath the C-shaped curve to the shore. The smile that automatically overcomes my face is impossible to resist. The ocean is more like home to me than anywhere else. Salt water sprays my skin, and my muscles tense as I close in on the sandy beach.
After I make it back to Kate, she’s sitting up on the board, grinning in the sunshine.
“Yeah . . . I’ll never in my life be able to do that.”
I sit up on the board, brushing my hair back from my face. My body aches, but it’s worth it.
“You can stay on your stomach until you feel comfortable with getting up onto your knees. You’re stronger than you think.”
A smaller wave is coming in, and I show her how to position the board.
“Ready?” I ask.
Her wide, fearful eyes look up at me as she shakes her head.
