A Silverhill Christmas. Carol Ericson

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СКАЧАТЬ spun around and extended his hand while walking backward. “McClintock. Rio McClintock.”

      She grabbed his hand, and the sand on his palm chafing her own still couldn’t block that electric current she felt every time her skin met his.

      So the illegitimate brother rated one of the McClintock R names. Ralph had named his boys Rod, Ryder and Rafe. How had the black sheep ended up with one of those? Although Rio had a different ring to it, kind of exotic and definitely sexy.

      He yanked her toward him and she stumbled. “Sorry.” He steadied her with a firm hand placed on her hip. “Now how did you know I was out there, or did you?”

      Two of his fingers rested on the bare flesh between the bottom of her skimpy T-shirt and her bikini undies. That one bit of contact set her skin on fire. She swiveled away from him. She had to keep her wits about her if she didn’t want to reveal too much too soon.

      “I have a contact on the inside. I knew…someone was on my ex-husband’s trail here in Maui. I watched the waters in front of Alexi’s compound but didn’t notice anyone out there. The hillside caught my attention as the best place to spy on the activities in that house, so I headed out for a hike. I didn’t know you were on the other side of the hill until you pulled me over.”

      “I’m impressed. That’s a helluva hike, especially without any gear or even a flashlight.”

      “Save your admiration. I came with one of those hiking tour groups, told the guide I was meeting a friend for the hike back and ditched them. They supplied all the accoutrements, which I left on the bus. I didn’t figure it would get so dark so fast out here and didn’t even think about a flashlight.”

      Rio rolled his eyes, and a sharp pain stabbed her gut. He’d already pegged her as an idiot—flighty, impulsive—the same qualities Prince Alexi had seen in her and used to his advantage.

      “Not so impressive, huh?” She glanced down, burrowing her toes into the wet sand.

      “I wouldn’t say that. You still made it to the edge of that ridge in the dark without killing yourself. You must lead a charmed life.” He turned away from the water, heading toward the twinkling lights.

      “Yeah, supercharmed,” she said to his broad back.

      They scuffed through the dry sand in silence until they reached a paved path bordering the beach.

      Rio swung the backpack off his shoulder. “I have some money with me. I’m sure there are a few tourist shops still open where we can get some dry clothes.”

      Tori pinched the material of her damp T-shirt between two fingers and let it snap back. “Mine’s almost dry. I could use some shorts though.”

      “And I’m guessing a ride back to…wherever you’re staying.”

      “One of the hotels on Kaanapali Beach. You know, blend in with the rest of the tourists.” She didn’t mention she had plans to relocate to Alexi’s ostentatious complex overlooking the ocean. She just had a few loose ends to tie up before the move. And Rio McClintock represented one, big loose end.

      Her gaze wandered to Rio’s tight buttocks outlined by the edge of his T-shirt, and she smirked. Okay, not exactly a loose end.

      “I’m glad you find our situation funny. You’ve completely torpedoed that hiding place for me. Even if Alexi’s thugs never realized they chased a couple of people off that hillside instead of a couple of animals, they’ll be watching that location now.”

      The fact that Rio wouldn’t have that secret lookout gave a big boost to her scheme. “Don’t blame me. You’re the one who yanked me off the edge of the hill and tackled me. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have even known you were burrowed in your little hole.”

      They emerged onto the main street of the small town. Lights glowed from the shops up and down the street, op en for business for people returning from nighttime hikes or a visit to the volcano. The Christmas decorations looked incongruous against the backdrop of swaying palm trees and the smell of suntan lotion.

      She had no intention of spending Christmas in Maui.

      Rio pulled her back from the street, tucking her behind his solid back. “Hold on. Let me check things out first.”

      “Suspicious, aren’t you?”

      He glanced over his shoulder. “That’s a quality you should’ve exercised before you got married.”

      “Touché.” He got that right, although he didn’t have to rub it in. If she’d been more leery of and less flattered by Alexi’s attentions and frantic pursuit of her, she wouldn’t be in this mess.

      “Okay, coast is clear.” He grabbed her hand and made a beeline for the nearest clothing store.

      “What’s the worry?”

      “Those two guys on the hillside had to have left their car here. I don’t want to run into them. Who knows? May be they know you. You don’t want your ex to find out you’re here, do you?”

      Not yet anyway and not in the company of a CIA agent.

      “You’re right. Alexi had a lot of loyal minions.” Minions who’d spied on her and kept her a prisoner in her own home in Glazkova. “Some of the ones I knew might still be working for him. It’s kind of a lifetime employment gig. If you leave, you have to retire…permanently.”

      “I know you’re joking, but you’re not too far from the truth. Anyone who has any information about Alexi’s business is a danger to him.”

      “Who said I was joking?” She pushed past him and entered the shop.

      The young woman reading a magazine at the counter looked up when they walked through the door. Her eyes widened as she took in their underwear. “Looks like you guys need some clothes right now.”

      Rio shrugged and grinned. “We went skinny-dipping and the waves carried our clothes out to sea. We recovered everything but our pants.”

      The clerk’s gaze meandered over Rio’s half-naked body and the corner of her mouth lifted in a smile. “That’s one of the dangers of skinny-dipping. You have to make sure you leave your stuff on the dry sand.”

      “We were kind of in a hurry.” Rio curled his arm around Tori’s waist, pulling her in for a hug, hip to hip.

      Tori nestled close to his body, resting a hand on his buttocks, the muscles under the thin material of his boxers firm beneath her fingertips. He went there first. She may as well contribute to the reality of the lie.

      “Yeah, I hear ya.” The clerk scooted around the counter and as she brushed past Tori, she whispered, “Lucky girl.”

      Tori wished she and Rio had been skinny-dipping instead of escaping from Alexi’s thugs in the open ocean after a twenty-foot drop. She’d left those carefree days be hind her a lifetime ago.

      The woman gestured to a rack of men’s shorts and board shorts, and then pointed to a wall of women’s shorts. “We have a lot of new styles. The dressing rooms are in the corner.”

      After СКАЧАТЬ