Page 25 of Awakening Storm

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Rhianna was in thekitchen fixing herself a cup of coffee when he entered. She glanced over her shoulder at him, saw the satchel, and turning, balancing on one foot, threw her arms around him. “Oh, you wonderful man!”

Every nerve in his body responded to her touch as a spark zinged through him. She lowered her eyelids and looked into his eyes, making him believe she felt it, too. He slid a hand to the middle of her back and held her steady.

“I figured you may need something inside.” Closing his eyes, he inhaled her scent, realizing the soap from his bathroom smelled different on her than it did on him. He took a second whiff, reluctant to let her go as she ended the embrace and took a step back.

She swallowed nervously as she lifted the cup she was working on when he’d entered.

From beneath his lashes, he watched her take a sip of her coffee. He gently tossed the bag on the table.

“Easy,” she said.

He raised an eyebrow. “If it breaks after that, then it’s not worth anything.”

“It has my equipment inside. Well, it’s not reallymine, but still.” She turned to put her back against the counter and held the cup with both hands.

“What’s it for?”

“I’m here as part of a reality show. I was supposed to live alone on the island for three weeks and document my experience. We were hoping to discover why so many people have disappeared in Dragon Vortex. And if I make it the entire time, then I win a cash prize.”

“A reality show?”

“Yes. They film it live and then put it on TV later.”

He nodded. “Well, then I’m not sorry you failed. I don’t want my island on television.”

She straightened her spine. “I haven’t failed yet.”

“What are you talking about? We’re getting you off this island as soon as possible. You have your belongings. You can contact your people tomorrow.”

“But I’ve been thinking . . . What if I just hang around here until my three weeks are up? Get enough footage to make the director happy, and then they get their show and I get to learn more... ” Her lips pressed together.

He narrowed his eyes. She seemed to be keeping something from him...he sensed there was another reason. “You’re hiding something. What?”

She shrugged. “Nothing.”

“Tell me.”

“I’m here to discover more about my heritage. My great-grandfather disappeared somewhere around here. I was hoping to figure out what happened to him.”

“That was a long time ago, correct?’

“Yes,” she said dejectedly. “Maybe he was lost in a ship crossing. Or eaten by a tiger.”

“Humph. I’m the only tiger in these parts. And I assure you, I didn’t eat him.”

“But...you wouldn’t have been around then, right.”

He dipped his chin and glanced at her past his hooded brows.

“Wait. I understand. You were alive back then. Wow.”

“And what do I get if you stay?” He approached her, staring at her mouth, then eyes.

She looked at him long and hard, as if measuring what she was going to say before she spoke. He could hear her pulse kick up to a rapid pace, revealing her lack of confidence.

“You will get a companion for a three weeks.” She gave him a beguiling smile.