Page 26 of Last Ticket to Paradise

She choked and rolled off him.

He stretched out, crossing his arms behind his head. “What were you doing up there?”

She’d been trying to channel Jamie, trying to feel her presence. Fiery heat suffused her cheeks. “I-I just wondered how it felt.”

“To be burned alive?” His brows shot up. “Damned uncomfortable, I’d imagine. Although I believe they drugged the victims first.”

Georgette leaned against the rock and clutched her stomach.

Jake sat up. “Your sister was not the victim of a sacrificial ritual. She’s island-hopping with Jean-Claude.”

“You know Jean-Claude?” She folded her arms.Is he your rival?

Jake clasped his hands around his knees. “Sure. He’s a regular at the resort. A real ladies’ man—suave, handsome, rich.”

He could be describing himself. No, Jake Kincaid wasn’t suave exactly. Virile, masculine, powerful, but not suave.

He leaned forward. “Jean-Claude never checked out either. So, you see? They’re together somewhere. I just wish they would come back and put these rumors to rest.”

Georgette exhaled. She hadn’t even thought to ask if Jean-Claude had checked out. Surely that was a good sign. Rubbing the side of the rock, she said, “Someone built a fire on this rock recently. The soot and ashes are fresh.”

Jake lifted his shoulders. “The place has historical significance. I didn’t say the locals never practice Palarosa, just not the ritual sacrifice.”

She brushed off her hands. “And it’s not a virgin sacrifice, remember? You called it a virgin sacrifice when you charged in here, scaring me half to death.”

He grinned, a wicked light twinkling in his eyes. “I know it’s not a virgin sacrifice, but that’s what I thought of when I saw you standing up there.” He reached forward and traced a fingertip along her jaw. “You aren’t naked either.”

Georgette jumped to her feet, her knees trembling. “I’m not a vir—”

She ground her teeth together and turned away from him. What did she care if he thought she was a virgin? Obviously, his tastes ran in the other direction anyway.

He scuffled to his feet, and she glanced over her shoulder at his frowning face. Did he really think she was a virgin?

“Georgette, you need to go home.” He shoved his hands in the pockets of his shorts. “Wherever your sister is now, it seems as if she left a trail of bad feelings behind her. You’ve been warned twice. I can’t get you on the flight to Miami, but I have a friend who can fly you to Martinique tomorrow and you can take a commercial flight home from there.”

She folded her arms over her baggy T-shirt, no longer happy with its concealing shape. So, he just wanted to send her away? She set her jaw. “I’m not going anywhere until I see my sister.”

He reached out to her. “I don’t think you’re safe here, especially if you insist on traipsing about the island, following strange men to their homes, and dabbling in witchcraft.”

She narrowed her eyes. “How’d you know I was out here anyway? Unless you make a habit of checking on the old ritual spot.”

“I have my sources.” He dropped his hand.

“You mean your spies.”

He shrugged. “They all work for me.”

“Go to hell.” She twirled around and stalked back to the path leading away from the clearing. Why was Jake Kincaid watching her? Maybehedid something to Jamie. Maybe Jamie scorned him for this Jean-Claude, and Jake got his revenge on both of them.

Tears pricked the backs of her eyes. How could she think that and still be so damned attracted to the man?

***

Jake watched Georgette tear down the path, her braid bouncing behind her. His fingers caressed the hard edges of the jewel in his pocket.

Go home, Georgette.

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