Isle of Sensuality by Aimee Duffy

made the air muggy and the temperature unbearable, especially this far into the city. Mr. Simpson had arranged to meet them at the finest French restaurant in Rio. Earlier Jake mentioned the head chef was from a family full of the best chefs in Latin America. For a moment, she’d forgotten her dread at playing secretary when she hadn’t a clue what she was meant to do, as excitement struck. She’d never been to a French restaurant. In fact, back home, she barely went out at all.
    When a few moments passed without Jake pressing for more information on her sister, as she’d expected he would, Caitlyn turned to face him. He was staring at her intently with his brows furrowed. Still, even though he was clearly annoyed about something, she couldn’t help gawk. Until today, she’d thought there was nothing hotter than Jake in a pair of shorts and a well-fitted shirt.
    Oh, how wrong she’d been.
    Looking at him now, in a navy, tailored silk suit which fit every sculpted inch of him was way better. The chrome shirt underneath was buttoned to the collar with a silk navy tie knotted to perfection. His usually unruly waves were brushed back from his well-sculpted face and Caitlyn had to admit she didn’t think she’d ever seen a man looking so powerfully sexy.
    “What?” she asked after a moment of devouring him with her eyes.
    “Why do you do that?”
    Now it was her turn to frown. “Do what?”
    “Evade questions.” He said it like it was obvious.
    “I didn’t evade any question. I told you the truth.”
    Jake’s lips hitched into a wry smile. “No, you told me basic facts. The whole truth would include your sister’s name, what she’s studying, and anything else you could think of. Most women would have taken my question as an invitation to talk about themselves. You clammed up.”
    “I’m not most women,” she insisted. Thinking of Jake with most women made nausea rise in her throat. Get a grip, Cait.
    Jake laughed his deep, sexy laugh. “I know.”
    The cab pulled over outside an uber-modern looking building. The front of the restaurant was made out of glass with silver swirly designs edging the walls. From what she could see through the reflective surfaces, the inside looked dark and intimate, with pale red lights. Suddenly her stomach was twisting with nerves and she turned back to Jake. He had opened the door and was about to step out when she grabbed his sleeve.
    “I don’t think I can do this. He’ll know straight away I’m a fraud.”
    Caitlyn knew she could act well, but she had no idea what was involved in being a secretary in something like this. Normally, she’d spend time researching the part, like she’d done for the movie. But by the time they’d both got ready and went over the papers Jake’s brother emailed—which Caitlyn understood even less about—they were out the door and on their way to a speed boat and then on to Rio.
    Jake turned to her. He cupped her cheek and swept his thumb over her lower lip. As it did the first time, her lips burned and swelled, willing for his mouth to connect with hers. “Relax, Caity. Just act confident and agree with everything I say. You can even pretend to take notes if that’ll make you feel better.”
    “But—” Her protest was cut off as he kissed her fiercely.
    Jake pulled back after a second and grinned his knee-melting grin. “Show time.”
    * * * *
    “Wow. That was...wow.” Caitlyn’s eyes were huge and glittery and her mouth formed a perfect ‘o’.
    Usually, a woman looking at him like the sun shone from his backside would put him off her immediately. Now, however, his chest felt like it was bursting with triumph. It had been so long since he’d had to negotiate a deal. The meeting invigorated him. Plus, he’d not only got good ol’ Bill to sign the contract, but with a higher rate paid to Campbell Engineers. His brothers would be over the moon.
    “Is that a favorite word of yours?” he asked as he held out a hand to the busy