now as he shifted in bed. He kept his arms wrapped around her while he slept. She studied his features and saw how relaxed he looked.
She drew in a deep breath, still amazed at the depth of what they had shared last night. It had been the most profound thing she’d ever experienced with a man. Making love with David had touched her in ways she hadn’t thought possible. He had made her feel things she hadn’t ever felt before and those things weren’t just sexual in nature. While in his arms, she had felt safe and secure. Protected.
As far as she was concerned, what they’d shared last night was more compelling and meaningful than any other time she’d shared with a man, even more meaningful than the time she’d spent with William. She’d never really allowed herself to fully let go with William. Now she could admit to herself that she’d known in the back of her mind that something didn’t add up with him.
Yet she’d been so desperate for companionship after losing her mother that she had wanted to believe William was honest, even though he’d seemed too good to be true. She was glad Candy had become suspicious when he’d never wanted them to be photographed together or when he’d insisted that they spend the night at Swan’s place instead of the hotel.
At the time, his requests hadn’t bothered her because she hadn’t wanted her employer or her coworkers to get in her business. But Candy had seen through all that and knew something in the milk wasn’t clean, as she would often say. It had been Candy who’d unveiled her own husband’s secret affair with a flight attendant. And once confronted, Don hadn’t denied a thing. He’d said he was glad she’d found out because he wanted a divorce.
Pushing thoughts of Don’s and William’s betrayals to the back of her mind, Swan continued to study David. She couldn’t help but recall the number of times he’d made her climax. Now that was simply amazing all by itself.
She was enjoying her time with him, even knowing it wouldn’t last. Later this month, he would leave the island and she would probably not hear from him again. She knew that, accepted it. She had long ago learned to live for the now and not sweat the small stuff. Especially those things she couldn’t change.
“You’re awake.”
She couldn’t help but smile at the slumberous blue eyes staring at her. The dark shadow on his chin made him look even sexier. “Yes, I’m awake. I guess I should be a good host and prepare breakfast before you leave.”
“Um, I’ve overstayed my welcome?”
“No, but today is Sunday and I have a lot to do.”
“Maybe I can help you.”
“You don’t know what I’ll be doing.”
He reached out and pushed her hair back off her shoulders so he could completely see her face. “Then tell me.”
She gazed into his eyes. “The shop is closed on Sundays and I use my day off to visit Golden Manor Senior Place. My mom used to do volunteer work there when we lived on the island years ago. I would go with her on Sundays to visit everyone. I guess you could say it’s become a family tradition that I decided to continue.”
“I think that’s a wonderful thing you’re doing. I’m sure the residents there appreciate it.”
“Yes, they do, although those who knew my mom are no longer there. They’ve passed on. I’m establishing new relationships and friendships.”
“Good for you. I’d love to join you.”
“You would?” she asked, surprised.
“Yes, and don’t worry about preparing breakfast. I’ll go home and refresh and be back here within an hour. We can grab breakfast somewhere before heading over. Afterward, we can spend more time on the beach. I enjoyed the walk last night with you.”
And she had enjoyed it, too. The thought that he wanted to spend more time with her made her feel really good inside. “Okay, that sounds wonderful.”
“I’m glad you think so, and before I leave...”
“Yes?”
He leaned over to kiss her and she knew where things would lead from there. She looked forward to getting wild again with him.
* * *
Flipper clicked on his phone the minute he walked into his hotel room. He noted several missed calls since he’d deliberately cut off his phone last night. One was from the admiral, who was probably calling for an update. But first Flipper would return the call to Nick.
“Flipper, should I ask why I couldn’t reach you last night?”
“No, you shouldn’t,” Flipper said, flopping down in the nearest chair.
“You have heard the saying that you shouldn’t mix business with pleasure, right?”
Too late for that, Flipper thought, running a hand down his face. Instead of responding to Nick’s comment, he said, “I hope you have something for me. There’s another angle I want you to check out.”
“Okay, and yes, I have something for you. I found out the initial investigation was handed off to a group of civilian investigators, which means naval intelligence didn’t rank it at the top at first.”
Flipper was very much aware of the part government bureaucracy played in certain investigations. If someone thought a case should be under naval intelligence’s radar, then they made sure it got there. “Why?”
“Not sure yet, but first, let’s talk about Jamila Fairchild.”
Flipper leaned forward in his chair. “Okay, let’s talk about her. What do you have?”
“Not what you obviously think. What she told Swan was the truth. She does have a huge family who lives in the north.”
Flipper raised a brow. “Then who made the error in the report from naval intelligence?”
“Don’t know, but it’s worth checking out, although I don’t think it’s anything suspicious on Ms. Fairchild’s end. Especially when I tell you who her family is.”
“And who is her family?”
“Her mother’s brother is Swan’s grandfather.”
A frown covered Flipper’s face. “The grandfather who disowned Swan’s father?”
“Yes, from what I’ve gathered. But I can find no record of her grandfather ever reaching out to her.”
“Interesting.”
“Yes, it is. I take it Swan Jamison doesn’t know about the family connection.”
“No, she doesn’t.” Flipper decided not to try to wrap his head around this bit of news just yet. Instead he asked, “What about Rafe Duggers?”
“Personally, I think something is going on with him.”
Flipper lifted a brow. “What?”
“First of all, certain aspects of his info are sealed.”
