Part 14 (1/2)

I nodded slowly, so relieved he was talking to me, at the same time leery of what he'd say. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and I sank into his side, soaking up his warmth. ”I vaguely remember when I came here. It was...overwhelming. I was younger, it was easier for me to handle it.”

I drew my fingers through the sand, the gritty bits clinging to my skin.

”And as for your dad...I'm sorry.”

Of course he was, and of course he knew exactly how I felt because he'd gone through it. ”How'd they die?” I dared to look at him.

He swallowed hard, staring out at the dark waves. I wasn't sure if I'd gone too far, if perhaps he'd change the subject. But finally he looked down at me.

”I was there right before it happened.”

My heart stopped. The pain I felt for him was almost unbearable. Compa.s.sion took hold of my chest and squeezed.

”They worked for S.P.I., supposedly. We're still not sure if S.P.I. is even a legitimate branch of the government. But anyway, they were draining them. That headache you have is nothing compared to what they experienced. One night they decided to break out. But S.P.I. found out. While they were escaping, they were captured.”

I rested my head on his shoulder. I didn't need to know more, but I did wonder how much he'd seen. I prayed he hadn't been there when his parents died.

”Cam,” he said softly. ”I didn't introduce you to that woman because she's worse than Emily.”

Relief was sweet. ”Oh.”

”When I see her, she always tells me to call her, I never do. She's a fake and it's easiest just to play along.”

Wonderful, he'd read those thoughts as well. Still, I smiled, the tension in my body easing some.

”The hostess who checked us in is dating a friend of mine; that's how I know her.”

Heat shot to my cheeks. Okay, maybe I shouldn't have let him read my mind. I was beginning to look like a total idiot.

”And Olivia...she's...I don't know.”

But I did. She was jealous. Just as I'd a.s.sumed, so why didn't I go with my gut? Why had I let petty insecurities get the better of me? ”I'm sorry,” I sighed. ”I hate not knowing what you're thinking. I'm not use to it, you know?” I looked up at him and he nodded.

”I've felt the same about you. I don't have a clue what you're thinking and it's frustrating as h.e.l.l and interesting at the same time.”

I grinned, a teasing smile. ”You find me interesting?”

He smiled back, reaching out and tucking a lose lock of hair behind my ear, letting his fingers trail down the line of my jaw, light as a feather. ”Yeah, you could say that.”

I rested my hand on his drawn up knees, turning to get closer to him. ”If you want to know something about me, just ask.”

The wind ruffled his hair, and his gaze dropping to my lips. ”You'll answer? No matter what the question is?”

”Sure,” I said, wondering if I'd regret my ready reply.

”Well, I've been wondering...” He leaned closer to me, his mouth next to my ear, his breath warm on my skin. ”If you liked our kiss.”

Heat swept through my body. I couldn't believe he even had to ask that question. I was blus.h.i.+ng, but fortunately it was too dark to tell. At least I hoped it was too dark. I didn't want to seem like some inexperienced loser.

He pulled back and looked directly at me. ”Well?”

”Yes.” I smiled. ”I liked it, very much.”

He drew his finger down the side of my face, a gentle touch. A buoy dinged somewhere out on the ocean, an eerie, magical sound. ”And would you mind, very much, if I kissed you again?”

My heart squeezed. ”No, I don't think I would.”

He grinned as he leaned closer to me. Before his lips touched mine, he paused, his breath warm on my lips. Savoring the moment, I closed my eyes. An unsteady heartbeat later, I felt him lean into me and then his lips met mine.

His mouth was warm, firm. Lovely. His arm tightened around my shoulders, drawing me closer to his chest, while his other hand cupped the side of my face. I wanted to touch him, to pull him even closer, to do anything possibly to keep him from moving away. I slipped my hands up his chest, my palm lingering over his heart, the beat steady and strong. My entire body tingled, from my toes to my fingertips. When his tongue slipped across my bottom lip, I s.h.i.+vered. I could kiss him forever.

”Well, how sweet. Young love,” the unfamiliar voice was like a foghorn.

Lewis jerked back, his breathing harsh. His narrowed eyes were focused on some point behind me. Startled, I spun around. A man stood near the sh.o.r.e, only feet from us. It was too dark to make out his features, but I could tell he was older, maybe Aaron's age. He wore a dark suit and a smirking grin. My shock gave way to embarra.s.sment. Slowly, Lewis stood, taking my hand and pulling me to my feet.

”How are you, Lewis?” the man asked. His gaze slid to me. ”And who is this?”

Watching him warily, I swiped the sand from my clothes.

”No one you need to be concerned with.” Lewis' grip stung almost as much as his words. I tried not to take his tone to heart. I knew he was upset, although why I wasn't sure.

He started up the dune, pulling me with. His steps were fast and hurried, determined. In my heels, I could hardly walk, let alone at his pace. Stumbling, I glanced back. The man was following.

”Why the hurry?” he asked, his long legs easily catching us.

Who is he? I demanded, asking Lewis with my mind.

He didn't respond.

”Lewis,” I tried speaking out loud. Still, he didn't answer, but merely stared straight ahead, as if I wasn't there, as if the man following wasn't there.

”Running away only makes you look guilty,” the man said.

Guilty? What the h.e.l.l was going on? Lewis stopped on the deck. I ran into his back, my face pressing to his hard shoulder. For one long moment he didn't say a word, then slowly he turned. He didn't look down at me, but kept his hard gaze focused on the man in the suit. He was pale with brown hair, I could see that now under the lights from the restaurant.

”What do you want Rodgers?” His hand was tight in mine, his anger palpable.

Rodgers smiled, his thin lips and wide nose stretching. ”You remember my name, I'm honored.”

”Cut the bulls.h.i.+t,” Lewis snapped.

I stepped back, surprised by his hard tone. I'd never really seen Lewis angry, I'd rarely heard him curse. It confused and worried me more than I wanted to admit.

”Now, now, there's a lady present. We should watch what we say.” The man shook his head, as if disappointed. I could see his features now that we were close to the light from the restaurant, but there was nothing familiar about his face. ”Who is this young woman, by the way?”

”A friend.”