Alive at 5 (Entangled Ignite) by Linda Bond Read Free Book Online Page B

adventurer.”
    Those simple words ignited heat in her belly. Or maybe it was that confident smile. She licked her lips.
    “I want to explore the unknown,” he continued, looking right into her eyes. “To seek out what I’ve never explored before. I want to run my fingers down a virgin passage, squeeze through a small opening. I may get stuck a few times, move back and forth, and work my way through, you know, into this mysterious place where I’ve never been. It’s magical.”
    Oh. My. God. She took a deep breath, her heart drumming like tiny, nervous fingertips. He was just playing with her. She had to remember that.
    “There’s no audience, no crowd.” He motioned to the sinkhole. “It’s your own personal achievement. The ultimate pleasure.”
    She started to ask a question. “But—”
    He cut her off. “I’m a man who loves beauty.”
    His gaze bathed her again, warming her with its intensity.
    “Very few people can say they’ve seen the light as it breaks through crevices in the rock, painting an underwater cave in a rainbow of colors.” He closed his eyes, the vision in his mind obviously blissful enough to raise his lips into a smile. “There are no computers, no phones, no interruptions.” He opened his eyes and stared deep into hers. “Do you know what I do when I’m in an unexplored cavern?”
    Her heart pounded loud enough in the silent pause she was sure her microphone would pick up the beat. “What?” She held her breath.
    “I leave my fingerprints all over the new territory, marking it as mine forever.”
    She exhaled. Jesus, he’s good. She glanced over at Monica, who had a dreamy look on her face. An idea struck her. If Zack Hunter could make her own guarded heart race, then he could probably seduce Monica with little effort. Maybe he could get the vacation manager to tell him everything she knew about the X-Force Adventure Vacation Company. Including the dirt.
    “No more questions?” Amusement filled Zack’s voice. His gaze bounced back and forth between her and Monica.
    Sam rolled her eyes. “Just one. Does that crap always work for you?”
    He blinked. Then he barked out a laugh. “Yeah. Usually.”
    “Amazing.” She stood. She wasn’t going to end up like Monica, quick to fall under his spell. She had his number. He was definitely a player. “No more questions right now. But I reserve the right to ask more after your dive with George.” She emphasized the last two words.
    Zack lifted his chin, but he said nothing.
    George switched off the video cam. “Whoa, that shit was much better.”
    Why the hell was George grinning at her? A quick, bright flash startled her and made her stumble and drop back onto the bench, her body inadvertently colliding with Zack’s. Her muscles tensed.
    “Perfect. I want to get a photograph of you two together,” a new voice interrupted, this one male.
    Sam looked up. The X-Force Vacation Company photographer stood a few feet away, snapping shots of her and Zack.
    “Sorry, because you’re back lit I have to use the flash.”
    He was a short, balding guy, and easy to miss if not for the company T-shirt, the camera, and the annoying flash that followed him everywhere.
    “Can you two move closer together? And smile, please. It’s for the X-Force website.”
    Zack’s arm snaked around her waist. In one strong, fluid movement, he slid her body tight to his.
    She willed herself not to react, even though the heat of him seemed to melt her skin.
    His breath warmed her ear. “Follow my lead, so no one gets hurt,” he whispered. “We may be in the company of a killer, remember?”
    She forced herself to smile and nod.
    He moved one hand down to a sensitive area at her waist. She suddenly couldn’t breathe. His fingers grazed her skin and she flinched as he gently tickled her. What the heck!
    The flash went off again.
    “That’s it. Thanks.” The photographer stepped away, his attention on his camera.
    Zack’s hot gaze burned through