Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
She took a step backward as irrational panic consumed her. She had no reason to believe the men who’d intended to traffic her had found her, but panic seeped under her skin every time she met someone new.
The man was tall. At least six-four. He was also incredibly handsome, even with the reprimanding look on his face. The look that disappeared immediately when she collided with Mark as she stumbled into him.
The newcomer’s face softened instantly as he rushed forward and took her arm, steadying her. “Are you okay?”
She pulled herself together and eased her arm out of his grip. “I’m fine.” She glanced at his polo shirt and realized it had the Danger Bluff resort logo on the front. In addition, he wore a nametag. Kestrel Galison.
He works here, too. Get a grip.
“What’s this about you working too many hours?” he asked, his voice gentle and kind.
“Maybe you can talk some sense into her, Kestrel,” Mark said. “This woman works her fingers to the bone, day and night. She never takes a break.”
Kestrel frowned, his gaze coming to hers again. He stood so close she could smell his body wash and his personal outdoorsy scent. “Why? Do you need the extra money for something?”
She shook her head, trying to keep her mind clear. This guy was distracting in a way she didn’t have time for. Something about him made her want to step closer instead of farther away. She wished he would wrap his arms around her and hold her.
Lord knew she could use some comfort. She’d been on pins and needles for the entire week since she’d arrived at this resort. She was jumpy and nervous all the time. She hadn’t been kidding about not being able to sleep. How could she be expected to sleep knowing that a human trafficking ring was intent on finding her and kidnapping her?
“Zara?” he said, reminding her that he’d asked a question.
“Oh, no. I just don’t like to be idle. I like to work. Are you one of the managers here? I’m not trying to make extra money or anything. You don’t have to worry about that.”
She hadn’t met this man, but she’d heard six men basically ran the place, filling a variety of capacities. She also knew the owner was Baldwin Kingsley III, but she hadn’t seen him yet. She also hadn’t seen him in her entire life. She’d simply always known he was a friend of her father.
Kestrel was staring at her, and she jerked her face down immediately. She pulled her hair over her shoulders and adjusted her ballcap so it shadowed her face more. She’d gotten complacent while working in the laundry room, especially when Mark was the only other person there.
Mark had shown no signs of knowing who she was, nor had he stared at her at any point like many people did. She liked Mark. It was refreshing working for him. No pressure. Just two humans doing their job.
But this gorgeous man standing too close to her was staring. Even though she wasn’t looking him in the eye anymore, she could feel his gaze on her. It was unnerving, and she shivered. “I should get back to work,” she murmured as she tried to sidestep him.
“No. You shouldn’t,” both men said in unison.
She glanced at Mark with wide eyes. Traitor.
“Mark is right. You work too much,” Kestrel said. “You should come have breakfast with me.”
She gasped and glanced at him for a moment before tearing her gaze away again. It was hard. Usually, she had no difficulty keeping her head down and avoiding eye contact with people, but this man was intense. Mesmerizing.
He wasn’t leering at her like most men did. His look didn’t say, “I want to take all your clothes off and drool over you.” His expression was one of concern and genuine kindness.
Did he say breakfast? As his suggestion registered, she sucked in a breath. Was he asking her on a date? Or more like demanding? Surely not.
“Uh, do you take all new employees to breakfast so you can get to know them better?” she asked.
“Nope.”
She flinched. Nope? That was all he was going to say?
He took a step closer as another employee arrived, causing Mark to rush off and speak to the woman. Kestrel’s voice was soft as he spoke again. “Please, Zara. Come eat breakfast with me.”
“It’s too early for breakfast,” she pointed out. It wasn’t even six, but that was a very lame excuse, and she doubted he would buy it.
He gasped dramatically. “It’s never too early or too late for breakfast. Sometimes, I like eating it for lunch, dinner, or late into the night. Please don’t tell me you’re a breakfast hater,” he teased.
She couldn’t keep from smiling or glancing at him again. This time, she let her gaze linger for a moment longer. He was so striking. She felt magnetically pulled to him.