To Trap A Temptress (Southern Sanctuary - Book 2) by Jane Cousins Read Free Book Online Page B

He
deflected easily all Devon’s prying intimate questions and gave only the barest
information that they were in a new relationship and still getting to know one
another. 
    The
only surprising aspect of the whole interrogation had been Case hammering Drum
with a series of personal queries demanding to know where he was from, what he
did for a living, what he did with his spare time.  It was kind of sweet,
in a way, that he was acting so protective but she had two brothers, she didn’t
need a third. 
    “That
Case guy has the hots for you.”  Drum rumbled, brushing aside a drooping
palm leaf.
    “What? 
Don’t be silly.  He’s with Devon.”
    “They’re
not together.  Separate rooms.  I checked at the desk.”
    “You
did what?  Why?”
    “Intel. 
You have to have all the facts to understand all the players.”
    “Drum,
this is not one of your assignments on the hunt for a renegade mystical
nasty.  This is a medical school reunion filled with yes I grant you
overly curious colleagues but you need to remember that they are exceedingly
mundane norms.”
    Drum
grunted.
    “I’m
sorry I don’t speak caveman, what does that mean?”
    “It
means I think you’re wrong, there’s a threat here.”  He lifted his head,
tasting the air.  “A couple of people have been by here.”
    “Probably
just staff or guests exploring the island.  Honestly you bloodthirsty
types see a conspiracy everywhere you go.”  She stepped off the path
making her way across the flagstones leading to the front door of the cottage,
pleased to see the staff had left some lights on inside to guide their way.
    “And
you hug the planet love thy neighbour types will be the first to go when the
zombie apocalypse arrives.”
    “What?” 
Nell stood stock still, mouth wide open.
    “Gotcha.” 
Drum laughed softly, the sound rebounding off the looming tropical greenery on
either side of the cottage.   He scooped the keys out of her hand and
went first through the door, ready to meet any waiting threat. 
“Wow.”  He came to an abrupt halt.  “They go all out on this romance
stuff huh?” 
    The
staff had left the living room cosily lit with several flickering hurricane
lanterns placed strategically around the room.  Out the back through the
open to the sea breeze patio folding doors the small pool and private garden
were lit with hundreds of twinkling fairy lights.
    Nell
felt colour flood her cheeks, although why she should feel embarrassed she
didn’t know.  “Well it is the honeymoon suite.”
    “How
many rooms?”
    “Just
the one… upstairs.” 
    She
braced herself ready to launch into the speech she’d been planning to give all
evening.  They needed to set some boundaries and they needed to set them
now.  Except Drum raised his arms over his head and stretched, freezing
the words in her throat as her attention was drawn to the way his waistcoat and
shirt clung to all those muscles. 
    Covering
a yawn with one hand, he flexed his neck from side to side.  “Sorry Doc,
time difference is hitting me. I’ll just push a couple of these sofas together
and hit the hay.  You don’t walk in your sleep do you?”
    “N…
no… why?”
    “I’m
just warning you now I’ll be sleeping commando, I’ll raid the hotel shops
tomorrow for some gear but for tonight all I have with me is what I’m standing
in.”
    “No
I definitely don’t sleepwalk.”  Goddess, did she have to sound so
prissy?  “I saw some spare sheets upstairs, I’ll toss them down.” 
She turned to go.
    “Appreciate
that Doc.”
    “Well
Goodn...”  She came to an abrupt halt. 
    How
had he gotten in front of her so quickly, so quietly?  Darn sneaky
warrior.
    “I
was serious about what I said before Doc, you need to be careful over the next
few days until I can work out what’s going on.”
    “I...”
    He
rested a finger gently against her lips, stopping her response.  “Repeat
after me - Yes Drum I will be careful.”  He moved his