The Borrowed Ring

“I know you were just being friendly to the guy,” Daniel interrupted quickly, giving her a look of warning. “He's the one I don't trust, not you.”

“He's a nice, chatty man on his honeymoon who was simply waiting for his bride to wake up. And you were very rude to him.”

She turned to snatch up her book from the chair, intending to stalk back to their suite. Daniel caught her arm and turned her around to face him. “You're probably right. I really shouldn't blame the guy for being drawn to you. The way you look this morning, he probably couldn't help himself.”

B.J. rolled her eyes. Since her dripping hair was still plastered against her head, she wore no makeup and the modest black bikini only emphasized her lack of curves, she found it hard to take his outrageous flattery serious.

“Yes, well, surprisingly enough, I think it was more boredom than uncontrollable lust for my extraordinary body that made a newlywed man so friendly. So—are you through with your meetings today?”

He hesitated a moment—as if he would have liked to argue more about her conversation with Kurt—but then he shook his head. “No, I have to go back in. I just wanted to tell you that Drake urges you to feel free to make use of the spa or salons this morning. I can't join you for lunch, but Drake has arranged for you and me to have a picnic dinner on an island he owns offshore. He says it's a beautiful spot, and only the most privileged of his guests are invited to make use of it.”

“I, um—” She glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, then lowered her voice to little more than a whisper. “I thought we were leaving today?”

“I said there's a chance we'd be able to leave today,” he reminded her. “It's looking doubtful now. In the meantime, we're still playing along. So I'll meet you at the marina at five o'clock.”

It wasn't a question. He expected her to meet him. Since she had agreed to cooperate, she merely nodded. “I'll be there.”

Hands on her shoulders, he pulled her toward him and planted a long, hard kiss on her lips.

“I'll see you at five,” he said when he finally released her.

He walked away before she could recover her voice sufficiently to answer him.

Staring after him, she ran her fingertips slowly across her still-tingling lips. If she hadn't known better, she would have almost believed Daniel really had been jealous.

Had he not chosen a life of crime—or whatever it was he was involved with—Daniel could have had an impressive career as an actor.

Almost an hour after he'd left B.J. at the pool, Daniel could still picture her sitting in that chair, smiling at the man with his hand on her bare, damp knee. She had obviously just come out of the pool. Droplets of water had glistened on her skin, and her face was still rosy from exertion. She had looked young, fresh, natural. Desirable.

Knowing that B.J.'s confidence was rather shaky when it came to her own sex appeal, he wasn't surprised that she hadn't even suspected Kurt McGuire was coming on to her. Maybe she'd been right that time—though even a blissful newlywed had probably noticed just how good B.J. had looked in that black bathing suit that had fit her slender figure like a cat's fur.

He had certainly noticed, Daniel thought with a scowl. Seeing her looking like that and smiling cozily at another man had hit him like a blow directly to the chest.

It was the first time in his adult life that Daniel had been struck by a full-blown case of totally male possessiveness. Not to mention sheer jealousy at having B.J. smiling at anyone but himself.

“Daniel?” Drake spoke rather curtly from the table behind him. “You still with us?”

The question had several meanings, but Daniel answered only the most obvious one when he turned and nodded. “Yeah. Just admiring the scenery.”

“You'll have time for that later. Let's stick to business now, all right?”

Good suggestion. Daniel needed to stick to business when it came to B.J., too.

On her own for lunch, B.J. considered ordering room service. But it was such a beautiful day—and the truth was, she was tired of sitting in the suite by herself.

She went to the outdoor café instead, finding a cozy table with a beautiful ocean view. A solicitous waiter took her order for a salad made of mixed greens and grilled salmon, which was delivered to her very quickly, accompanied by whole-grain bread with whipped honey-butter spread.

Sipping iced mint tea, she told herself that she could enjoy this lovely meal without missing Daniel one bit. It wasn't as if she had grown so quickly accustomed to his company, she assured herself. They'd only been together a couple of days, and their interactions had been more for the benefit of others than for themselves.

She really didn't even know him now, since he'd been playing a part—even with her—ever since she'd found him in Missouri. After tomorrow she doubted that she would ever see him again, since he had shown little interest in revisiting his past.

Which didn't mean she wouldn't think of him. Often. Unfortunately he fascinated her as much now as he ever had.

“Good afternoon, Brittany.”

She glanced up from her salad with a frown in response to the name. “It's B.J.,” she said automatically, only then identifying the speaker. “Hello, Ingrid.”

“B.J.” The blonde motioned toward the empty chair at the other side of the table. “Are you expecting someone?”