I stood there in Jakob’s arms watching the helicopter approach us faster now. I really felt like we had something special, and I was glad that he had admitted that he felt the same way. I admired his strength, and part of me was thankful he had been on the island with me. I didn’t even want to think about what would have happened to me if I had been on the island with Steve by myself. Everything about him had been a deception. I shivered as I thought about how sinister the previous evening had been. I couldn’t believe he’d had a knife. I couldn’t believe that I had almost believed him and his lies. I thought about his warnings about Jakob, and I wanted to shake myself for almost doubting Jakob’s sincerity and motives.

“You okay?” Jakob grabbed my hand again and pulled me farther back with him. “I don’t want you to worry. I’m going to take care of you, Bianca.”

“I know.” I gazed into his deep blue eyes.

“I think we’d better move even farther back so we can give the helicopter space to land.” We stood there in silence watching the helicopter descending.

“I’m so glad I’m here with you,” I whispered as I waited to be rescued. “I never imagined I’d find someone I would trust like I do you in a circumstance like this.”

Jakob looked at me then, and I saw a flash of worry in his eyes before he smiled. “I’m glad that you’re here with me too,” he whispered. “This is everything I could have hoped for.”

At last the helicopter landed on the beach. I stared at the huge machine in front of us and thought how odd it looked in this idyllic environment. I got into the copter and buckled up, watching as Jakob and the pilot walked to go collect Steve and then decided to close my eyes. I didn’t want to see them as they brought his body back. I opened my eyes one last time to stare at the beach and the jungle behind it. It didn’t look so scary anymore, but maybe that was because I was now leaving it.

Thirteen

I slept through the helicopter ride, and that disappointed me. I’d wanted to see the island from the air, but my body was so fatigued that it didn’t matter what my brain wanted.

“We’re here.” Jakob nudged me awake.

“Are we back in New York?”

“Not yet.” He shook his head and pulled me into his arms. “We’re staying at one of my hotels on a different island.”

“You have a hotel?” I yawned and smiled at him.

“Several.” He grinned. “I have one of the most exclusive hotel chains in the Caribbean.”

“Wow, that’s cool.” I stepped out of the helicopter, and my mouth dropped in awe. “This is so cool.” We were standing on the roof of the hotel, and I could see the resort and beach around me. There was a huge pool, and I could see some people swimming. “I never thought I’d be so happy to see other people.” I giggled.

“Are you ready to go inside?” Jakob asked patiently, and I gave him a questioning look. “They’re waiting on us to leave before they pull Steve out.”

“Oh.” My face blanched as I recalled Steve. “Yes, let’s go inside.”

“So we’re staying here and then flying to New York?”

“We can do whatever you want us to do.”

“I want to find out why we were on the island.”

“Let’s relax for a few days first.” Jakob guided me across the rooftop.

“That sounds good. I’ll have to call Rosie to let her know I’m okay.”

“All in due time.” He smiled at me and directed me into an elevator. It went down one floor and stopped at the penthouse suite.

“They gave you the best suite?” My mouth dropped as we walked into the luxurious suite of rooms.

“I do own the hotel.” He laughed and walked straight to the bar. “Would you like a drink? I think I need a stiff shot of whiskey.”

“I’ll have some whiskey as well.” I nodded and looked around the room. There was a white linen couch in the center directly across from a huge flat-screen TV. I looked to the right and saw a door. I walked over to see what was behind the door and then gasped as I saw the king-size bed.

“Yes!” I cried out gleefully as took a running leap onto the bed.

“I see you’ve found my favorite spot already.” He walked into the bedroom as if he owned it . . . which I guess he did. I looked up at his dark, handsome face, and I felt my body purring. “Here’s a small shot. I don’t want to give you any more than this until you eat and have rest.”

“I’ve just been sleeping for how many hours?” I protested, and drank back my shot quickly. It went down smoothly, and I felt the liquor heating up my stomach.

“Well, that’s good. That means you’ll have plenty of time for our activities tonight.”

“What activities?”

“The ones that involve me on top of you, me inside of you, me making you come.” He growled and collapsed into the bed beside me.

“What about the activities that involve me on top of you, riding you and making you come?” I wrinkled my nose as I realized that my little snippet was nowhere near as smooth and sensual.

“I’m happy to agree to any activities that include your riding me.” He paused. “Long and hard.”

“You want me to canter?”

“I want you to gallop.” He winked at me, and I licked my lips slowly as I waited for him to kiss me.