Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
“People like that are the best. And that means we’ll have to check out the gallery very, very soon.”
Heat sparked in me. I was already turned on picturing him scaling a wall, rappelling in on an electrical line, being all sexy and capable and clever. “You mean I might have another chance to see your safe-cracking skills in action?”
“If you’re lucky,” he said, waggling his brows.
I laughed and followed Kalila’s most straightforward advice. Let’s get this party started. Grabbing my mesh bag, I headed for the boat’s bathroom, changed out of my bikini and into a cute sundress, then twisted my hair into a bun, letting it dry in the warm air.
Time for a party with friends.
Four hours later, the sun had fallen, the moon had risen, and I was enjoying the view. The water, the man, and the ink on one of his strong arms. The social setting inspired possibilities along the lines of the one I’d been entertaining earlier. Jake and me. Tonight, tomorrow, and beyond.
During the party, I hung out on the deck near the railing. While the boat bobbed gently in the water by the marina, I looked out at the inky-black sea beyond the harbor. Earlier I’d spent time chatting with Tanice and her new girlfriend—and yes, Tanice doted on her—along with Devon, Kalila, and Reid, and sometimes Jake, though I was careful to give him space too. He was there with me, but he navigated the social currents just fine, and I didn’t want to be clingy.
Maybe now, though, was the chance I’d been looking for to ask about us, and home, and making this thing work. I’d last seen him going below deck, either to the galley or the head.
“Bet you’ll miss this place when you leave,” Reid said amiably just as I was near the top of the steps.
I froze, remaining just out of sight. Maybe this was my chance to find out if Jake was looking for more.
Jake chuckled, but I caught a touch of sarcasm in his laugh. “It’s gorgeous and all, but I’ll be glad to be back home.”
Understandable. I wanted this Eli business done with too. I wanted to be with Jake without the tension of the investigation between us. But what was that tone?
“Yeah?” asked Reid. “You won’t miss anything? The sunsets and beaches? Or anyone?”
The slightest good-natured emphasis on that last word let me know that my friends hadn’t missed the chemistry between Jake and me.
Jake’s pause was long enough to make me peer into the galley where the guys were standing. His back was to me, but he took a long pull of his beer. “I find what happens on Flamingo Key is best left on Flamingo Key.”
What. The. Hell.
That was what he thought of me? Like I was just a fling to leave behind in the islands? Something forgettable, or worse, shameful?
Well, fuck my daydream that this island affair would become more. Fuck island trysts. Fuck them hard.
By the time ten p.m. rolled around, I’d had enough. I said goodbye to my friends; tapped Jake on the shoulder, since he was in the midst of another long chat with Reid, and told him I was taking off. Whatever sweetness I’d felt in the water earlier had fizzled. I was foolish to have entertained thoughts of trysts, and trust, and letting a man with his own agenda into my heart.
He shot me a quizzical look, beer bottle in hand.
“I’m tired,” I muttered, and headed onto the dock.
Seconds later, he caught up with me. “Hey. You okay?”
I shrugged.
“That’s a no,” he said.
“Maybe it’s a yes.” I needed space from him and me. I was in a mood.
He kept pace with me as I strode down the dock toward land. “You seem annoyed.”
“Very observant.”
“Honestly, Ruby. What’s wrong?”
I waved a hand dismissively. “I just need to call it a night.” I was essentially race-walking now, driven by my hurt feelings to get away from him. To spend the night alone. “We can come up with an art gallery plan tomorrow, right? Isn’t that what’s important?”
“Sure. Of course.” He matched my pace without any problem, which was almost as frustrating as how easily he shifted gears. Obviously he’d have no trouble shifting gears from our tryst before he left it behind.
“Did you enjoy the party?” I asked. “And your conversation with Reid?”
He stopped in his tracks and grabbed my arm, wrapping strong fingers gently around me. “What are you talking about?”
Why be tactful? Clearly I wasn’t going to see him again after we found the diamonds. What difference did it make? “You tell me, Mister What Happens on Flamingo Key stays on Flamingo Key.”
His brow knitted as he seemed to puzzle that out. Then it clicked, and he said my name on a frustrated sigh. “Ruby.”
“Well, you made us seem like nothing to Reid,” I said, crossing my arms.