Page 41 of Beach Bodies

Calm down, I try to coach myself, but it’s a bit too late for calm.Need to go. Need to go now.

‘I can call down for the pho while you return the—’ Daniel says, and I can tell he’s trying to read my mood.

‘No,’ I interrupt, and yes, I am aware that I sound a little manic right now, which is all the more reason to leave. ‘I really have to go, Daniel.’

‘Oh, OK. You sure?’ he says, and his expression is innocent enough. Even a little disappointed. ‘Did I… upset you? I didn’t mean to.’

I look at him, sitting there on the bed, still leaning on those beautiful arms with the sculpted muscles, his fingers splayed out. The fingers that were just inside me about a million realities ago.

‘Sorry, I just—’ I shake my head like I’m trying to shake off an insect. ‘Is this for your article? Because I thought it was about wellness tourism.’

‘No, you’re right,’ he says. ‘I guess it’s just idle curiosity.’

‘Yeah?’Because it didn’t sound very idle. Finding out the real cause of death that the press didn’t even get hold of? Accurately estimating the voltage of a Bluetooth speaker? Idle, my ass.

Then again… maybe this is what journalists do for fun? Research and analyse and pick at things until they unravel?Pick at Lily until she unravels?

‘I’m sorry if I was insensitive,’ Daniel says, standing, rubbing the wet back of his head. ‘You know. Bringing up a violent death when you’ve…’

My mind can’t help but fill in what he might say.

Killed so many people.

Taken a murder vacation every year.

‘… had so much loss.’

Yes. Loss. He’s not wrong.

‘It’s fine,’ I say, but I’m already heading towards the door. I pull it open; Daniel catches it. Wraps his fingers around the edge of the door and leans towards me.

‘Hey. Lily. I had a good time.’

Mechanically I say, ‘Me too.’ The hall is long, and even though I’m facing Daniel, I can feel it yawning behind me, begging me to sprint down it as fast as I can.

‘Did I ruin it?’ he says softly.

‘I said it’s fine.’ I force a smile and finally meet Daniel’s eyes.Ruthless.My read is instantaneous. There’s a new, hard-edged ruthlessness in Daniel’s gaze.

Or maybe it was always there. Maybe I’ve just never noticed it because of the haze of desire I’ve been looking at him through…

Then I blink and it’s gone, and in his eyes is actually just the same probing intensity as always.Am I just being paranoid?

‘I’ll take you up on that rain check, you know,’ he says with a parting grin.

‘OK,’ I say.

Then,Click.The door closes, severing us.

I breathe out in a long stream, then force myself to walk. My whole body feels strange, sick and dizzy. The buzz of pleasure in my blood has turned sharp and lurching.

What the hell was I thinking? Cool? Analytical? I just fell on Daniel like a hungry predator… thoughtless, starving, opportunistic.How close is your room?Seriously?

I knew better.

And that’s what scares me.

Chapter Fourteen

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