Page 42 of Island Rescuer

“Maybe.” She shrugged. “They call it dedication in polite circles.” She wound her arms around his neck. “But I’ll let it slide since we’re not exactly in polite company right now.”

“Small favors,” he murmured against her throat.

She arched into him. “You can take me back to bed. And then you can tell me what happened.”

His hands glided up and down her spine. “That’s super tempting. But as soon as you hear it, you’re going to be furious.”

“With you?”

“Never,” he teased. “I’m an angel these days. Completely reformed. I’ll never make you mad.”

Her skeptical snort made him laugh. “So tell me now.”

“It’s going to wreck the mood.” He nibbled a path along her jaw.

She sighed, her hands coasting over his shoulders. “Clearly.” She stilled his hands. “Whatever it is, we’ll talk it through?”

He nodded.

“You won’t get all Neanderthal protective?”

“Is that a term for polite company?”

“Knox.”

He shook his head. “Can’t make that promise. Protecting you is my job.” He nipped her earlobe. “And my pleasure.”

She practically purred. “Then spill it and we’ll sort it out. Together, right?”

“Yes.” That was a promise he could keep.

Right there in the kitchen, mostly undressed and holding her hands, he gave her the news about the fire. About the suite she called home being a possible ignition point.

She slowly pulled away from him, and his heart hurt. For her loss. Obviously. She wasn’t rejectinghim, just the awful news. He hoped.

He watched, stunned as she turned on the lights in the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. With halting movements, she pulled out eggs, bread, and milk.

“Are you about to stress-bake French toast?”

She didn’t laugh at his attempt at humor. “No.” Her voice was wooden. “I’m making breakfast sandwiches for the road. We need to get over there.” She pulled sausage patties out of the freezer and set the oven to preheat.

“Harper, it’s smarter to stay here. We’ll just be in the way over there.”

“Go take a shower,” she directed. “I’ll clean up after you’re done.”

So much for his plan of talking her into sharing a shower. “Harper, honey.”

“Don’t.” She held up a hand when he approached. “I need to think.” She paused, her hands carefully holding the egg carton. “We have to go over. Hear me out,” she said when he started to interrupt. “That resort is mine. The staff aremypeople. The guests aremyresponsibility. I’m not leaving this to Bruce or the night manager. Audrey shouldn’t have to explain my absence. The resort is where I need to be, especially in a crisis.”

“You’re the leader,” he said, seeing it in her eyes.

“Yes. Whether the situation is about me or something completely different, my job is there and I can’t hide while others clean up the mess.”

How could he argue? “All right. I get it. I do.” He walked over and smoothed a hand over her hair, then kissed the top of her head. “You sure you don’t want help with the food?”

“No, thanks. I’ve got it.”

He studied her. She didn’t look fragile or defeated. It seemed as if she was growing stronger with every challenge. “All right. I’ll be back down in fifteen.” Or less.

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