Siren's Surrender (20 page)

“Our budget’s actually been trimmed quite a bit.”

She looked surprised. “Really? Couldn’t tell it from what I’m looking at.” She cocked a brow at the widescreen television. “I hope that thing’s got cable.”

“Satellite, actually. What you don’t have is Internet or a phone.” He shrugged again. “Sorry. Your access with the outside world does have to be limited for now. As far as everyone knows, you have been moved to a trauma facility for treatment of your wounds incurred during the accident.”

Gwen nodded. She’d been given all the details. “I hate being out of touch with Brenda,” she commented.

“I’m sure she can handle things just fine.”

Gwen frowned. “It’s not a good time for me to be away. The height of the summer season is when we do the bulk of our business. You just don’t know how tough it is. Clerks and maids quit at the drop of a hat because the wages aren’t the greatest. And we’re in a tight economy. People aren’t traveling like they used to.”

Hers was the typical list of every small business owner. Too much money going out, not enough coming in.

Blake shook his head and lifted his arms in a shrug. “I think you don’t give your assistant manager enough credit,” he finally said. “Seems to me she’s capable of handling things while you’re away.”

Gwen dropped onto the couch. “That’s what’s so frustrating. I don’t know how long I’ll be away.”

Blake sat down beside her. “Please be assured that we’re doing everything in our power to locate the rest of the Mer who came back through the sea-gate with your sister and her husband. Since I doubt very much they would know where to find you, we’re beginning to believe Jake Massey must be alive. If he is, how is he getting around undetected? His passport, credit cards, phone records all show no activity since the day he vanished.”

Gwen bit her lower lip as if trying to decide to speak or not. “There was a rumor going around that Jake was involved in some shady business before Kenneth bought into Recoveries, Inc. He had a partner, Niklos something or other, who was a little on the crooked side.”

Blake tried to remain nonchalant. “The name of his former partner is Niklos Sarantos. I also believe they were based in Crete, which is very near the diving site where Ishaldi was found. We’ve gotten a few leads that he and Sarantos were involved in some artifact smuggling.”

She nodded. “Yeah. That’s what I thought your visit might have been about. It was my understanding that Jake used Kenneth’s money to buy Sarantos out when he offered Ken a partnership.”

Blake thought a moment. “That’s definitely something to look into. It’s possible Massey made his way back to Crete and hooked up with his old contacts. If that’s so, I’m pretty sure we can catch up with him.” He spoke slowly so that his words would have weight. Offer hope.

Gwen laced her fingers together, then unlaced them. Nervous energy practically snapped and crackled all around her. “That would be great if you could find him and those other bitches who are making our lives hell.”

Blake reached out and caught one of her nervous hands, offering a reassuring squeeze. He had to admire her relative calm. Had their situations been reversed he doubted he would’ve handled the matter with as much grace. It almost pained him that his role in her life would be one of deceit. He wanted to get to know her better, not only as a mermaid, but as a woman. “We will do the best we can.” He subtly tightened his hold. “I promise.”

Gwen glanced down, but didn’t withdraw her hand from his. “Thank you.”

Blake decided to test the boundaries. “There is one good thing out of this whole mess.”

She glanced up, surprise written across her face. “Oh?”

He cocked his head to one side, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Maybe I still have a shot at taking you out sometime.”

She nearly lost her composure but maintained her cool. “I didn’t get to say so when you asked me out the first time, but the answer is yes.” A small laugh escaped her. “Though I didn’t quite picture this scenario.”

Blake tightened his hold. “Truth be told, I was actually hoping to get to know you better.” He leaned in a little closer, taking up more of her personal space.

Gwen held her place. She let the silence linger between them for a moment. “How much better?”

Blake simply leaned forward. “This much better.” His mouth brushed hers.

Gwen’s body immediately quivered, telegraphing her excitement. Pressing closer, she parted her lips and allowed his tongue to seek her own.

She was interested. Definitely interested. The signals she was putting out were perfectly loud and clear.

Blake took advantage, wrapping one hand in her hair and pulling her closer. It was the longest, most delicious locking of lips he’d ever shared with a woman. Only the necessity for air pulled them apart.

“Holy shit,” he said, forgetting the words he’d mentally rehearsed for such a moment. “That was . . .”

A small smile crossed Gwen’s moist lips. “Terrific.” She quickly covered her mouth with a hand, but the blush rising to her cheeks said everything he needed to know.

He’d really turned her on.

Blake Whittaker’s kiss was the best she’d ever had, hands down. Beneath his touch her skin had raised into goose bumps. The desire to feel his mouth exploring every inch of her naked skin suddenly flashed through her mind.

Too much, too fast,
she warned herself.

Her life had taken a complete one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn and nothing was normal, not her own actions or reactions. Blake Whittaker was an attractive man. It would be easy to get tangled up with him because she was feeling lonely, desperate, and confused.

Sliding away, she put a safe bit of distance between their eager bodies. Stay within touching distance and she was sure to burst into flame the next time he made contact with her.

His fine brow wrinkled at her move. “That’s not the usual reaction I get after
terrific
.”

Gwen forced herself to take a deep breath. The extra oxygen helped clear her fuzzy brain and slow the intense beat of her heart. “I’m just being careful,” she confessed, then hurried to add, “Don’t get me wrong. I’m attracted—”

“But?” Despite his coolness, his blue-gray gaze simmered.

“You’re a federal agent and I’m the Mer you have in custody.” She chuckled. “Isn’t there some rule about fraternizing with the aliens?”

Blake turned to face her, drawing one leg up on the sofa to make himself more comfortable. His move gave her another whiff of that sexy aftershave he wore, one that evoked the image of high snowcapped mountains and crisp cool air. The scent enticed. “Actually, I’m not sure. I don’t think it’s addressed in the agent’s handbook they gave me,” he teased.

Gwen captured his gaze again. “I’ve heard about instances where guards and captives get involved, you know, forming an attachment because they’re confined together.”

His hand reached for hers. “And you think that’s what this is? I’m taking advantage of you because you can’t walk away?”

Gwen shook herself loose and got up. Stay and she’d be tempted to give in. When his mouth was on hers, the very molecules in her body vibrated with energy.

The one thing she’d always promised herself was that she wouldn’t make love to any man until she was sure the attraction was solid. The secret she had to share was one that could make or break a relationship, and when the time finally arose where she’d have to disrobe and reveal all, she wanted her partner to be well prepared.

Trouble was, she’d never let herself progress to the vital point of revelation. She’d always put men off pursuing the physical side of a relationship by saying they needed to wait until marriage to have sex.

That was a stalling tactic and she knew it.

Blake Whittaker already knew what she was. And he seemed to have no problem accepting it. That kiss he’d laid on her a moment ago was one hell of a whopper.

 

The tension in his body was strong enough to knock her down.

For the longest time she’d worn her virginity like a badge of honor. To her, it showed she was chaste, pure. Principled in her choice of a lifestyle, and a lover.

Lately, though, it had become an albatross around her neck. Instead of feeling wholesome, she felt like a frustrated, angry woman. The Mer were highly sensual creatures. It wasn’t unusual or unacceptable for a Mer to have many lovers throughout her life, as her fertility would not kick in until she took a breed-mate. How could she know who the right man might be unless she dabbled her toes in the water?

Except . . .

If they were going to do this, she would have to be honest. She wondered how he’d feel about starting an affair with no expectations or attachments.

She slowly turned back to him. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted.” It was true. She was tempted. More than that, she was wondering just what she’d do with herself. There was no doubt about the days being occupied. But her nights? Tessa and Kenneth were still in the honeymooners stage of marriage. They wouldn’t be welcoming any company. And Addison? That girl was already making goggle eyes at Dr. Novak. No doubt the good doctor would be willing to participate in an up-close-and-personal examination.

The idea of playing solitaire or staring at the boob tube all night didn’t exactly sit too well in her mind. She was used to being busy, tied up in work and worrying about the profit and loss margins of the hotel. Losing that was like having the ground yanked out from under her feet.

She didn’t know what to do with herself.

He leaned back against the couch, spreading his arms across the headrest. “But?” he asked.

“I might be interested in pursuing something, ah, physical, but I’m not sure I can put anything emotional behind it.”

A small pause filled the air. Gwen silently counted: one, two, three beats of her heart. She wondered why he wasn’t responding, why he wasn’t immediately leaping at the opportunity. This was the ideal situation for a man, right?

Whittaker leaned forward, scrubbing his hands across the five-o’clock shadow that was now a nine-o’clock one. They were both clearly tired and frustrated with their entire situation. Neither one of them wanted to be under confinement of any sort.

“So you’re saying you’d like to sleep with me, as long as the only things that meet are our bodies?” His voice was flat, his tone holding a hint of disinterest. Gwen couldn’t help but feel a bit surprised.

She sent him a silent plea for understanding. “Well, you have to admit some physical relief might be nice. And this isn’t the best circumstance for nurturing a relationship.”

He nodded. “I can understand the need for two consenting adults to relieve a little tension.”

Relief filled her. He seemed to be warming to the idea. “Exactly.” She paused as a thought occurred. “But on the other hand, I would have to wonder if you were sleeping with me because you wanted me, or because of the mermaid novelty.”

Whittaker eyed her from head to toe. “Based on what I’m looking at, I’d have to say I don’t see a tail anywhere. I guess I’d have to go with what I see.” A slight smile turned up one corner of his mouth. “And I like what I’ve seen so far.”

She spread out her hands. “So what do you want to do?”

Whittaker pushed himself to his feet. Crossing to where she stood, he took one of her hands. “Honestly? I want to go back to the first day we met and do it all over again,” he admitted slowly. “I think the right sparks were there. And I think if you give it a chance, something good might happen.” His tone was courteous. Lifting her hand to his lips, he gave it a soft kiss. “But if you don’t want to get involved, I’m not going to force the matter.”

Unsure how to answer, Gwen forced out a smile. “Maybe you’re right . . .” No reason to say anything else. The attraction they’d shared a moment ago seemed to be fizzling out right before her eyes.

Whittaker let her hand drop before he turned and retreated toward the sliding door at the rear of the living room. Unlatching the lock, he gave her a brief glance. “It’s been a long day. You should get some sleep.” With that, he slipped through the opening.

Gwen sagged into a nearby chair. Her pulse beat heavily in her throat as she tried to figure out what had happened. She thought she was giving all the right signals, saying all the right words. Apparently she hadn’t. Instead of sweeping her up in his arms and carrying her into the bedroom, Whittaker had beat a hasty retreat.

Disappointment welled up in her eyes.
What the hell is wrong with me?

She’d actually been ready to offer him her most precious treasure and he’d simply suggested they sleep on it.

Sleeping definitely wasn’t going to happen. She was too revved up to even think about going to bed. Especially if she had to go alone.

She glanced through the plate-glass door. From where she sat she could see it opened onto a covered patio overlooking a large oval swimming pool. An expanse of lawn ended with a thick patch of forests. Apparently they would have complete and total privacy.