Page 27 of Island Rescuer

It was a dare. A bald challenge he was more than happy to accept. “Not with a nightmare, no. Any other reasons, bring it on.”

Her eyes rounded. “I want to believe you.” She leaned forward. “But you stopped.”

Yes, he had. With good intentions. “Feel like granting me a do-over?”

She glanced at her phone. “I’ve got an hour before my next meeting.”

His heart stuttered. Was she really suggesting?—”

“Can we discuss this while we walk on the beach?” she finished.

“Sure.” He sent Jenna a text then dropped his phone into the pocket of his cargo shorts.

Harper left her phone on the counter. “I don’t want any distractions.”

An encouraging start. Maybe she had some fantasy about sex on the beach or something.

He locked the house as they left and waited for her to open the discussion. It was her idea.

“I’m nervous,” she admitted as they crossed the dunes. “Isn’t that silly? I’ve known you for half my life at least.”

“I make you nervous?” Hard to believe.

“Yes, but it’s my fault. I’ve had a crush on you for years.” She slid a glance his way as if checking his reaction.

“Wow.” Had they really been circling around each other all this time? What a waste. He nearly pulled her into his arms, not willing to let another minute go by in confusion or uncertainty.

“Say something else,” she prompted.

“You’re kidding.”

“I’m not,” she stated, plainly. “When you kissed me last night?—”

“You kissed me,” he clarified, teasing her.

She dragged in a deep breath, lacing her hands behind her back. “I started it. Yes. And I was thrilled when you took over.”

“You weren’t thrilled when I ended it?”

“Absolutely not. Though it was probably better that we didn’t just let passion blow away common sense.” She peered up at him through her lashes. “You didn’t kiss me like a man just humoring a woman after a nightmare.”

No, he had not. How much did he reveal? If he was honest about his infatuation with her, she might ask for a different protector. And rightly so.

“It occurs to me,” she continued with more confidence, “we have an opportunity here. We’re in close quarters. We’re alone.”

They’d reached the water’s edge and the tide was going out. He watched her adorable toes curling into the wet sand. With this view, wrapped up in the roar of the ocean, not a vessel in sight on the water, it was easy to believe they had the whole world to themselves.

“What do you want from me, Harper?”

“I need your protection and expertise, clearly. I need the agency to find the threat.”

“And?” He pressed. She hadn’t brought him out here to talk about security. “You’re not answering my question.”

“In a perfect world, Knox, I want you to want me.” She sucked in a deep breath. “I’m not looking for declarations or promises. It’s probably way too much information, but I’ve wanted your attention for years. I wanted to be clear that I think it would be incredible if the next time we kissed we didn’t stop.”

Aroused, he struggled to think, to give her the right words, instead of just hauling her to the sand. “Are you sure about this?”

“You think this is just about convenience?” She shook her head. “You’re my dream guy. The one that’s always been out of my reach. I’m not using you, but I don’t want any regrets. It’s just you. Yes, the situation sucks, but it created a unique opportunity. And I know you have a job to do. I’ll cooperate with the case.” She bit her lip. “I’m not asking you to take me out on dates or anything.”

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