A slimy shiver raced down her back making her feel nasty. Someone was watching them. She didn't want to tell Sam back by the outcropping of trees and bushes because she feared the guy would know they were on to him. Now that they were far from the trees Delanie put her hand on Sam's harm, halting their walk.



"I felt it again."



"What?" Sam asked.



"Someone was watching us back there."



"Why didn't you say something?"



She shook her head, hoping that she could get him to understand how she felt. "What if it wasn't just another paparazzi? What if he had a gun? The knife and my thong were missing. I know, I know, I could have misplaced both, but what about the rope from your boat?"



"We need to go back and see if we can find what's going on."



"I'm scared."



"I'm not too happy about this either. Maybe it was just someone who happened upon the island by accident. If we stick together we'll be safe."



"Sam, what if someone is out there trying to hurt us? I didn't even listen when my agent told me about pirates, but what if this guy is a pirate and plans on killing us?"



"Few pirates operate in this area of the world. Most work near Africa or Columbia. They won't travel here. It's too dangerous for them. Too many cops, coast guard, military."



"If we find someone we need to get off the island." Delanie grabbed Sam's hand and pulled him close. "If this guy is watching us and we tip our hand then he'll act."



"How do you know that?"



"I've been in enough movies, read enough scripts and listened to enough cops talk about motive to know that once this guy knows we are onto him he'll react badly."



"Okay, if we find anything let's hug and get close, that way we can talk and he won't hear a word we say."



She stepped back, unsure if he was kidding or just trying to use her.



"Really, I'm not trying to do anything funny. It's just a way for us to talk without our voices carrying."



"Are you sure?" Disappointment seeped through her. Surely he was a little attracted to her because she sure as heck was attracted to him. She couldn't help it. His strong jaw, the sharp planes of his muscles and the way he held himself. Also it didn't hurt that they has spend so much time together.



"I'm not trying to take advantage of you, not that I'm..."



"What?"



"Okay, I'll admit it, I'm attracted to you. But it's different than I'm used to."



"Hmmm."



"What? I'm not a saint, that's why I'm living out here alone. You've had your problems and I've had mine."



"Great, we're problem people." In her work she strove to never be labeled a problem actress. Coming from Sam that label hurt.



"No, not problem people, but maybe we should just calm down. Let's see what's happening back there. Maybe it's nothing and we can laugh about it over fish and fruit tonight during dinner."



"I hope so."



Delanie took off walking searching the trees and bushes for signs of any human life other than she and Sam. If her feelings were true and there was another person on the island that would mean that either a paparazzi had found her and she couldn't trust her agent, or some weirdo had decided to stalk them.



What if Sam had been the instigator for the trouble? Everything had been fine until he showed up on the island. The man could be the cause of her problems. The disappearing things, the strange feelings had all happened after he arrived.



She felt torn. The guy had been nice, more than nice. He'd taken care of her during both storms. He hadn't made any passes at her until she pressed and even then the pass hadn't been anything more than him saying he was attracted to her. Loads of people wee attracted to her. Plus she really was attracted to him.



When he had wrapped his arms around her and held her tight just a few minutes ago she wished their embrace had ended in a kiss. If she were truthful she wished for more than just a kiss. She wanted to make love to the man.



She'd been so wrapped up in thinking about Sam and his wonderful body that she almost yelped out in fear when he grabbed her arm and pulled her into an embrace. The response was automatic. She reached up and pulled his head down, locking her lips to his and rubbing her body against him.



He moaned, pulling her closer. She felt his tongue rasp against her lips. She opened to him, spreading her lips and taking his tongue into her mouth. They kissed, their bodies plastered to each other, his hands on her shoulders then they slid lower. His hands stopped above her butt and she wished he'd dip lower. She wanted him. There was no denying it. Her body ached to feel this man.



He pulled away first, his breath coming in gasps. "I'm sorry, but I couldn't help."



"It's okay, I started it."



"Footprints, that's why I stopped."



He pulled her into a hug making sure his lips were next to her ear. Anyone watching would believe that they were discussing making love. She shivered, gulping down a breath. His chest pressed against her breasts, she snuggled in closer, wishing they could forget about footprints, knives and strangers, but they couldn't.



"If you look to the left you can see that someone walked up that way. They were wearing shoes that don't match the treat on either one of our shoes."



"How do you know?"



"I made sure to see what our shoe prints looked like. It's different. Big too, must be a man."



"What do we do?"



"Make like there is nothing wrong." Sam slid his lips down her jaw line then kissed her nose and her forehead. He tilted her head back, his eyes dark pools of desire. The slowness of his movements left her aching for his kiss, but he didn't rush it. He moved with deliberation, his gaze locked onto hers. Then it happened. The kiss blew her away.



Maybe it was the fear, or the desperation, but his lips drew her almost to the point of climax. She tore her mouth away, bracing his chest with her hand. "We need to go back to the house."



He reached for her, trying to pull her close again. "Here."



"No, the house." She turned toward the house, all the time shaking. Was their performance real enough that the person would believe them lovers instead of two people scared for their life?



They didn't talk on their way back. Once inside Sam locked all the doors, drew all the curtains then went about checking the closets and under the bed.



He came into the den and stopped on the other side of the room from her. "I think we're clear. It doesn't look like anyone has been in here, just us."



"Are you sure?"



"No."



He looked down at his shoes, his face turning pink. "I wasn't lying down there. That kiss was real. If I didn't feel that we were in danger I wouldn't have stopped at just kissing you."



The blood rushed through her body, setting off parts that she had no control over when he was near. "I don't think I wanted you to stop at just a kiss."



"You are one dangerous lady."



"Remember that, because once we are free from here I think we need to talk truthfully about who we are and what we expect from each other."

Copyright Sara Thacker 2011