Love Bites: A Sugar City Novella (Entangled Bliss) by Ophelia London Read Free Book Online

“Don’t worry, I shall be as quiet as the Outback on a Sunday.”
    Sharona exhaled slowly, feeling the muscles in her shoulders release. Though she didn’t completely understand his reference, she decided to believe Manny and not stress.
    “Thank you,” she said. “This has turned into an awkward assignment for everyone, I’m afraid. I didn’t mind taking a last-minute trip to Australia—it’s beautiful country. But my boss was kind of hasty about it. Which is typical, I guess, considering our history.” She felt Manny’s piercing black eyes on her. “To tell the truth, we used to be a couple—engaged.”
    “You’re not anymore?”
    She shook her head. “But I really believe in what we do. I know people think auditors are the bad guys trying to thwart progress, but that’s not what I’m doing. I’m here to help. More often than not, I’ve found ways to save researchers money and I’d like to think we’re all on the same team and—”
    She took a breath when Manny’s laugh cut her off.
    “What?”
    “You sound as passionate as Cruz.” He glanced at her for a quick second. “You two are more alike than he knows, I reckon.”
    Seriously doubtful , she thought.
    Sharona asked Manny a few questions about the mechanics of the ship and he even managed to help check off some items on her list. “Thanks again,” she said and slid her tablet and glasses into her bag and blew out a breath, mentally preparing for the first true test of her sea legs.
    The air felt warm and the wind was crisp. She took a deep inhale, trying to get used to the stingy smell of ocean. The rubber soles of her shoes gripped the deck. It was a good thing she’d Googled the proper ship footwear before she’d left home. Her usual strappy sandals would have sent her overboard.
    She walked toward the unoccupied foredeck. When she stood still, it was kind of a rush, how the waves kicked up spray, shooting up the occasional splash. Only a few times did she find herself teetering.
    Hold on, stomach , she pleaded. Be a good girl for me today .
    “I hope you’re not waiting for someone to hold you from behind and declare ‘I’m the king of the world.’”
    Sharona couldn’t help laughing, as Jeff came up beside her. “That movie always bugged me,” she admitted, happy for the distraction from the rocking waves.
    “Reckon you better not let him hear that.” He nodded toward Leo.
    Another giggle escaped her lips. “So it’s not only last night that you’re charming. I wondered if I’d imagined that.”
    He cocked a brow, looking exactly as he had in the bar when he’d met her eye over their drinks. “Not everything changes when the sun comes up,” he said in a low voice.
    For a second, she hoped she was finally getting the chance to explain what had happened last night…that her chickening out had nothing to do with him. But the moment disappeared when Jeff jerked his head to the side as one of the deckhands approached from behind.
    “Yeah,” Sharona replied, feeling weighed down and deflated. “Um, would you mind telling me what those are for?” she asked, gesturing at a box that Pax was unloading.
    “They’re cameras.”
    She rolled her eyes. “I know they’re cameras. There are ten on the audit list. Are they all used?”
    Jeff rubbed his stubbled yet firm jaw, not answering right away. “We’re here mostly as observers.”
    “Okay,” she said, pulling out her tablet to make a note. “That’s what I was told when I was assigned this, but I have to think there’s more. Especially since Garry—he’s my boss—was hell-bent on me dropping everything and catching the first flight to Sydney.”
    “I can’t imagine why he’s so curious about what we’re doing today.”
    “ Right .” Sharona didn’t know Jeff very well, but she knew he was holding something back. He had the same look in his eyes now that he’d had last night when he’d kissed her, pulled away for a second, then really kissed her. Yes,