Delanie's heart hammered against her chest. She was a fool to do this. She might pretend to be brave with Sam, but she was scared to death.



The bastard needed to be stopped and that meant she needed to do this. Although she'd played in multiple movies where the girl caught the bad guy, this was nothing like the movies. During intense filming scenes the camera was always pointed at the action, but she could see the fat-ass director or the crazy cameraman who made the entire experience less real.



At some point cut would be called and her life would go back to normal. This wasn't like that. There would be no cut and no second takes. The camera guy wouldn't crack a totally obnoxious joke and there wouldn't be any fans to sign autographs for just outside of the set.



No multitude of people crowding the area. Only her alone on the island she'd thought of as a paradise and now could only cringe at the thought of returning to. Would she ever be able to spend time alone again?



She breathed in deep, preparing herself for Sam to come check on her. They'd met last night and agreed that she shouldn't be seen with Bill again. They'd hired a boat to take her back to the island, the driver was a cop, not that anyone would know.



If this didn't work then her life would be seriously screwed. She closed her eyes, praying that everything could change. That she'd be back home in her comfortable bed and none of this would have happened.



The door opened. "It's just me." Sam's voice soothed her. "You don't have to do this. They could find a double. Someone who could fill in for you."



"No, I can't put anyone else in danger."



"But they could get a police officer."



"Sam, have you looked at the police here on the Bahamas? And it would take too long to get someone who looks like me."



He took her hands and squeezed. "So you're not going to change your mind."



"No, I can't."



"What if I told you I needed you here with me?"



"You would be lying. You live alone on a boat. You've gotten the being by yourself part down pat."



"I can't fault you for that argument."



"When this is done and over with we'll get together."



Delanie watched Sam's face, hoping for a positive response. Did he really want to see her again, or would their relationship fizzle out once the real world hit.



"It'll be different. Out here on the water, with the calm ocean breezes and the crisp water your problems fall to the wayside. But once back in the real world it all changes."



Disappointment filled her. "Are you saying you don't want to see me once this is over."



"No, God no. I'm saying you may not want to see me, and I don't want you to feel pressure. You're on vacation, even if it has become a pain in the ass, you are still on vacation. This has been my life for the last few years."



"Why?"



"Loads of reasons." Sam closed his eyes, pain etched on his face. "Mainly I was an ass."



"Really, I don't believe it."



"It's true."



"I can't imagine you being an ass."



"Trust me, I'm the worst type of guy out there."



"I think my attacker is worse."



Sam let out a bark of a laugh. "You're right. I meant of the guys who aren't homicidal idiots."



"I'll give you that. Okay, so you weren't nice."



"I took advantage of people and loved it. I can't go back to that."



"What do you mean?"



"I've thought long and hard. I'm not sure I could go back to the real world."



Delanie sighed, trying to delay the depression of Sam leaving her. "I know I couldn't stay away from it."



Sam pulled her into a tight hug, his lips soothed her temple. "Exactly."

Copyright Sara Thacker2011