Aegis 01 - First Exposure by Elisabeth Naughton Read Free Book Online

I touch.”
    Avery’s pulse sped up. She held her breath and waited until his gaze slid back to hers. And what she saw there sent a wicked thrill all through her body. Need. Raw and intense. The same need she’d seen in his eyes when they’d been kids. Except this time it was darker and a thousand times more dangerous because it pulled her forward like an electromagnet.
    She leaned toward him without thinking, pressed her lips against his, and couldn’t stop the tiny sigh that slipped from her mouth when he let go of Patrice’s business card, framed her face with his right hand, and kissed her back. It wasn’t a passion-filled kiss like on the plane; it was soft and sweet and gentle. And it ignited a fire inside Avery that had been dead far too long.
    Patrice cleared her throat. Slowly, Cade eased back, but he didn’t look the woman’s way. He simply brushed his thumb over Avery’s bottom lip and smiled that crooked half smile she remembered so well. The one that pulled and tugged on his scar until she completely forgot it was there. “Just as sweet as I remember.”
    “Well,” Patrice said, pushing back from the desk and rising, irritation clearly echoing in her voice. “It looks like you’re well on your way toward a relaxing vacation. Mario will take you both to your examinations, then to your suite when you’re done. I hope you have a fabulous stay at Indulgence.”
    “Examinations?” Cade asked, looking her way.
    “Yes,” Patrice answered. “As soon as our doctors clear you for resort activities, we’ll get you settled in. The examination is standard for all guests.”
    Cade’s eyes strayed to Avery, and she knew what he was thinking. An examination might mean blood tests. And that could lead to DNA identification, if someone knew where to look for the right information. She had no idea what was published on the Internet about her. Of course, by the time the resort ran that kind of test, she and Cade would be long gone.
    She forced a smile and squeezed his hand. “I’m sure it’s no big deal.”
    “None at all,” Patrice answered, looking down at her desk as she lifted a folder into her arms. “It’s just to make sure you’re both disease free. Our guests’ safety is our highest concern.”
    Oh, great. Avery’s stomach tightened. They were being tested for STDs. Considering it was a swingers resort, she figured that was probably a good thing, but it still left her unsettled. Because, as stupid as it was, knowing Cade was clean made him all that more appealing.

    T he resort was top-notch. Marble buildings, soaring columns, trickling waterfalls, and hidden Jacuzzis tucked behind foliage. After their exams—which hadn’t been more than a quick physical and blood draw—they followed Mario toward the beach. Cade scanned the facilities to get the lay of the land as they walked. A large infinity pool overlooked the sand. A pristine bar made from shiny mahogany sat to their right. Plush lounge chairs sprinkled around the pool held vacationers in high-end swimwear, the women sporting heels and big hats, the men in traditional swim trunks, reading newspapers and books or sleeping in the shade.

    It didn’t look like a swingers resort, at least not on first glance. There were a few topless women around the pool, but no overtly sexual activities happening aside from the couple kissing near the waterfall at the end of the pool and the two couples at the bar clearly flirting and trying to arrange a foursome. To the common eye, it looked like any other high-end adult vacation spot. Which made Cade wonder what happened after hours, when things really heated up.
    “Dinner starts around six,” Mario said to Avery, who’d chosen to walk next to the dark-skinned bellboy instead of with Cade. “There are five restaurants to choose from. None require a reservation. Unless you have something special in mind.”
    Mario flashed Avery a knowing grin, but she handled it like a pro, as if she hadn’t