The Borrowed Ring

Daniel allowed another couple of moments to pass in silence and then he nodded shortly. “I'll see you later. But right now I'd like to attend to my wife.”

“Most certainly.” Drake took a step toward B.J., obviously intending to take her hand or rest a hand on her shoulder or some other meaningless gesture of sincerity. She and Daniel moved at the same moment—she took a step back from Drake just as Daniel stepped between them.

“I'll see you later,” Daniel repeated to Drake.

The other man paused, his eyes narrowing in tem per, but then he nodded. “Mrs. Andreas,” he said and gave her a stiff little bow before taking his leave. The bellman left immediately afterward.

“I'm not sure I'm hungry now,” B.J. said with a shudder.

Daniel was already uncovering fragrant dishes. “Belgian waffles,” he said enticingly. “With fresh berries and bacon. Or you might prefer an omelet. Or maybe…”

She sighed gustily. “Okay, maybe I can eat,” she muttered, her stomach giving a soft rumble of concurrence. “But that guy still creeps me out.”

Saying nothing, Daniel poured steaming coffee into two china cups and waved her into her seat at the table.

They ate for a few minutes in silence. The food was delicious, but B.J. had to make an effort to appreciate it. “Why do you always treat me like a not-very-bright child in front of Creepy Guy?”

Daniel shrugged. “Sorry. It fits our cover story.”

“What woman would really appreciate being treated that way?”

“You'd be surprised,” he answered drily. “Some women want nothing more than to be petted and pampered.”

“I can't see you being interested in a woman like that.”

“No. I wouldn't be.”

“Just as I wouldn't be interested in one of those men who needs constant ego stroking and kowtowing by the women in his life. I bet Drake's like that.”

“Definitely.” Daniel took a sip of his coffee, then asked casually, “So what type of man are you looking for?”

“I'm not looking,” she answered tartly. “But if I do meet someone who interests me, it will be a man who treats me as an equal. Who values my intelligence and my opinions. Who wouldn't want to change me into some Hollywood ideal of the perfect woman.”

“Any man who doesn't value you exactly the way you are isn't worth your attention.”

She looked up from her food in response to the quiet comment. But before she could say anything, Daniel was talking again, abruptly changing the subject. “I'll be meeting with Drake for several hours this afternoon. It might be best if you stay in the suite to, um, recover from your ordeal.”

“Oh, give me a break. Even the wimpy woman you made up for Drake's benefit would hardly have to take to her bed for an entire day just because she'd had to spend a night outdoors.”

“Still, I'd feel better if you stay away from Bernard and Drake's other employees today. At least when I'm not around.”

Her head rose sharply. Even though he'd spoken lightly, there was something in his voice that made her pulse jump. “Is there some reason I should be concerned?”

“I just don't like the possibility that you could be used as leverage against me,” he admitted. “Leaving us on that island was a warning. The next one won't be so subtle.”

“Will there be a next one?”

“Not if I play my part shrewdly. But I'd like you to keep the doors locked, anyway. Put out the Do Not Disturb sign and take a few hours to rest, watch television, read. Even though I realize you aren't so delicate to be harmed by a night of camping out, you're probably tired anyway. It wouldn't hurt you to spend a lazy afternoon.”

She didn't like the thought of being ordered to stay in her room, but she wasn't thrilled about the possibility of crossing Bernard's path either. It wasn't as if there was anything she particularly wanted to do outside the suite.

“The sooner I can conclude my meetings with Drake, the sooner we can go home,” Daniel added.

He probably thought that was further incentive for her to cooperate. And though she knew it should be, she found herself dreading the conclusion to this adventure.

As much as she detested Drake, as worried as she was about what Daniel was involved in, as concerned as they both were about the not-so-hidden dangers lurking here at the resort, as much as she missed her family, she wasn't looking forward to saying goodbye to Daniel again. This time it would be for good—unless he came to her aunt and uncle's party, an unlikely scenario.

No matter how hard she had tried to resist, she was falling in love with him. Which only served to prove that she was an idiot to fall for a man she didn't even know.