The Wharf

Her gaze met a pair of murky green eyes, which widened and grew lighter.

Her mouth dropped open, and her body jerked. She’d just fallen into the arms of the enemy.

Chapter Two (#ulink_9bb4dad1-a84c-5295-a2a5-6cd32f54f2db)

Ryan swallowed and then choked. “I’ll be damned.”

Kacie Manning’s eyelids drooped and her body went limp again. He swept her up in his arms and carried her to a chaise longue. “Hold on. I’ll be right back.”

He dashed into the gym next door and grabbed his bottle of water from the floor next to the fly machine. By the time he’d returned, Kacie had opened her eyes, but they still hadn’t lost their glassy look.

He held the bottle to her dry lips. “Drink this.”

She parted her lips and he tipped the water into her mouth. She sputtered and coughed, then chugged half the bottle.

He poured some of the water into his cupped hand and splashed her face. She blinked a pair of impossibly long lashes and sniffled.

“Sorry, but you need to cool down.”

“I—I’m okay.” She reached for the bottle and downed the rest of the water.

“How long were you in there?”

“I have no idea. Was it locked from the outside? Why didn’t it open?”

He held up a finger. “Hold on.”

He grabbed the empty bottle, filled it up from the water dispenser in the gym and swung by the sauna to pluck the pool net from the tiled floor.

He sat in the chair next to Kacie’s chaise and handed her the bottle. “More.”

While she wrapped her lips around the bottle, he held up the pool net by its long handle. “This was shoved across the doors.”

“What?” She dropped the bottle onto the tile, where it spun, its mouth ending up pointing his way.

“I was working out in the gym. I just sat down on the fly machine and noticed the handle of the net wedged between the door handles of the sauna. I didn’t know if it was a joke or what, but it looked dangerous.”

“Someone shoved that across the handles while I was in there.” She dabbed wet fingers across her forehead. “But it was no joke. I was getting weak and dehydrated.”

“Was there anyone out here when you went into the sauna?” Her flushed red cheeks and bright eyes made her look younger than her picture.

“There were some teenage boys horsing around in the hot tub when I first came down, but they’d left by the time I hit the sauna.”

“They could’ve come back.”

Her eyes darkened to rich chocolate and her nostrils flared. “Maybe. I’m reporting it to the hotel.”

“Of course.”

It seemed ridiculous to introduce himself now after he’d held her half-naked body in his arms, but protocol demanded it if they were going to work together. He cleared his throat and thrust out his hand. “I suppose we should start from the top with a more formal introduction. I’m Ryan Brody. It’s nice to finally meet you in person, Ms. Manning, even though the circumstances could’ve been better.”

“Kacie Manning.” She gripped his hand in a firm shake and then her face reddened even more as she glanced down at her wet bikini, plastered to her body and covering just the bare essentials.

Dropping his hand as if he had the cooties, she jerked upright and swung her legs from the chaise.

He hunched forward in his chair, ready to catch her in case she toppled over. “Whoa. You shouldn’t be making any sudden moves. Do you want more water?”

“I want,” she said, her gaze darting across the pool, “my robe.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea yet.” He swirled his finger in the air. “You want to give your skin plenty of ventilation.”

It sounded good, anyway. Truth was, he didn’t want her covering up that beautiful body just yet. The small triangles covering her breasts and nestled between her legs left the rest of her curves on stunning display. The photo on her book cover of her in a blouse and jacket hadn’t done her justice. She’d probably sell even more books if she posed in this bikini.

Good thing she couldn’t read his male-chauvinist thoughts. His earnest look must’ve won out over his lustful one because she collapsed against the chaise longue, crossing her legs primly at the ankles.

“You’re right.” She pressed the back of her hand to her cheek. “But I think my body temperature is returning to normal.”

At least someone’s was.

He scooted his chair closer to her and leaned forward, brushing her wet hair aside and skimming his fingers across her forehead. “You’re hot.”

Her gaze slid to his face and she folded her arms across her chest. “I think maybe I should get back to my room, get some clothes on and report this to the hotel.”

“I’ll help you.” He scooted his chair back and held out his arm for support as she rose from the chaise.

She ignored him, but not for long. As she straightened up, she swayed to the side and clutched at his proffered arm.

He curled the other one around her bare waist. “Take it easy. Just lean on me.”

She took a few shuffling steps and then dragged in a long breath. “I think I’m good now.”

“I can carry you up to your room. It’ll make your complaint to the hotel even better.”

Her dark eyes flashed and he felt their heat. He’d gone too far.

He raised his hands, palms facing forward. “Just a thought.”

She swept her robe from the back of a chair and folded it around her body. The entire pool deck seemed to drop a few degrees.

By the time she reached the door to the hallway, her steps were steady. She turned toward him. “What are you doing at the hotel? I wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow.”

“I left work early and decided to make the drive down tonight instead of in the morning. Don’t feel compelled to move up our meeting time from lunch tomorrow just because I’m already here.”

“Lunch still works for me.” She shook her head and smiled. “Crazy way to meet.”

“I’m just glad I decided to hit the gym for a late workout.”

“Me too.”