Tropical Tiger Spy (Shifting Sands Resort 1)

She would enjoy this– to the bottom of her soul, she would enjoy this– and then she would go home and get on with her life, however she could.

Her determination to enjoy the day carried them through a swift shower–more utilitarian than the one the night before–to the dining hall for breakfast, where they found the main meal had already been packed up. There was still an extensive buffet, with a range of breakfast and lunch choices (just being put out), fresh fruit, crusty bread, and an array of salty snacks and vegetables.

They piled plates high, and went out to a set of seats overlooking the pool.

“Are you eating raw broccoli? Ew!” Tony had taken a plate heavy on meat and bread, while Amber had been enraptured by the fresh options of vegetables and exotic fruits. They both had been unable to resist the rolls that had been brought fresh from the oven while they were serving themselves.

“You don't like broccoli?” Amber dipped a piece into a puddle of creamy dressing and ate it with relish.

“Not raw,” Tony said, shaking his head emphatically. “And not unless it's smothered in cheese.”

“I didn't like fresh vegetables until I started growing them myself,” Amber confessed. “There's something about the taste of things you've put your own sweat and tears into.” She had to admit that the selection here was better than anything she could grow, and she wondered if the resort had its own garden or greenhouse.

They compared favorite foods–agreeing on cheeses and breads, but disagreeing about meats.

“I like a meat you have to fight with,” Tony said with a sparkling grin.

“I prefer mine fully cooked and not recognizable,” Amber countered. “Give me a casserole or a sausage any day.”

“You're from the Midwest,” Tony said sagely.

They made short work of their plates and went back for a second round of fresh-ground coffee–Amber could not resist snagging a sweet roll on her way back to their table, and Tony took a second plate of food nearly as large as the first.

Amber enjoyed the warmth of the sun on her skin as she lingered over the combination of flavors in her mouth. She also enjoyed watching Tony eat, more than she'd ever thought she would take pleasure in such a mundane task. His fingers were so sure, and his jaw as he chewed was so obviously strong. He was wearing a short-sleeved, collared shirt that shrouded most of his shoulders, but the strength of them was still obvious, and his arms were thick and tanned. It was like watching a work of artwork, or a dance performance.

“What are your plans for the day?” Amber asked, when she realized she was staring at him again.

Tony looked reflexively at his wrist, though there was no watch there, or even a tanline indicating he'd even worn one since he'd arrived. He scowled at the spot as if it reminded him of something.

“I hadn't made any plans.” Then he grinned. “I wouldn't mind any day that ended like yesterday did.”

Amber blushed, and was glad all over again that her skin wouldn't show it easily. She loved the way he looked at her, like she was delicious and desirable and perfect.

“I was thinking about swimming,” she said with a nod to the pool to cover her confusion. “It's a lovely pool, and it might be too hot to enjoy in the afternoon.”

Already, the temperature was baking hot, the sun beating down on the tile. Summer at Lakefield could get muggy and hot, but there was an intensity to the sun here that she wasn't used to.

She looked at Tony. There were a lot of intensities here she wasn't used to. “And then I was looking at maybe getting a massage or a pedicure, or something ridiculously girly like that.”

Tony did his best to look innocent as he asked, “Are you planning to take advantage of the resort's skinny-dipping-encouraged policy?”

Amber flushed again. “I'm not that brave,” she said with a laugh. “I brought a bikini that I barely have the guts to wear.”

“I can't wait to see it,” Tony said sincerely. He had the grace to not look disappointed that Amber wasn't going to be lounging nude on the pool deck and actually seemed eager to see the promised garment. “May I join you?”

“Of course,” Amber said with a slow smile.

To her surprise, Tony took her invitation to mean the entire day. He scheduled his own tandem massage and pedicure with the events coordinator as Amber did, before she retreated for her own cottage to procure the promised bikini.

“I don't plan on getting any toe polish,” he said with a wink. “But I do need a nail trim, and who doesn't like a little pampering?”

The idea of a big, manly man like Tony putting up with pampering gave Amber a skip to her step as she returned to the pool, too wrapped up in her thoughts of him to feel self conscious in her admittedly skimpy swimwear. It helped that she passed a nude couple that gave friendly nods without the slightest trace of embarrassment.

With his closer cottage, he got back to the pool before she did, and she paused to observe him for a long moment in the shadowed entrance.

There were other guests enjoying the pool–one older man swimming diligent laps, and a few individuals sunning in the chairs at the other end of the pool–but Amber could only stare at Tony. He was wearing loose swim trunks, and lounging in one of the bar chairs with elegant ease and strength. His uncovered shoulders rippled with muscles that were pale in the golden sunlight. He had put on sunglasses, and looked like someone out of a movie, perfectly posed on a brilliantly white chair.

A spy movie, or an action-adventure, with that physique, Amber thought. And he's mine.