Sea Haven 01 - Water Bound

way he stroked his fingers over her, was mesmerizing.
    The reaction of her body was frightening, yet at the same time exhilarating.
    She found herself almost reluctant to drive away from the property and leave him. She got out and walked around in the trees above her house, quartering the area carefully, searching for evidence of a visitor. She should have gotten a dog after all. She’d considered it, but she’d have to take care of it and it might get seasick because she’d never leave it home alone. She sighed. She was leaving Lev alone.
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    “But he has guns, Rikki,” she reminded herself aloud. “A dog wouldn’t have a gun.”
    Muttering curses under her breath, she marched back to her truck and drove straight to the highway. This —this indecision —was the very reason she didn’t get involved with anyone. Her life was far simpler just living alone. Furious, she made up her mind to throw him out the moment—
    the very moment—he was able to leave.
    A siren caught her attention, and she glanced behind her and swore out loud. Damn the man. He’d made her speed on top of everything else. And now she was going to have to talk to a cop. She shuddered as she pulled over and sat, teeth clenched, with her license and registration and insurance out and waiting.
    She recognized Jonas Harrington as he walked up to the truck. Her heart pounded and she tasted something metallic in her mouth. She silently handed him the three documents.
    “Rikki. You all right?”
    She’d seen him around the village hundreds of times in the last five years. Everyone knew him. She knew he was married to Hannah Drake. Her mouth was so dry she wasn’t certain she could speak. She nodded, hoping that would be enough, gripping the steering wheel so hard her knuckles turned white.
    “You were speeding, unusual for you. Everything all right? All your sisters fine?”
    She swallowed and nodded.
    He handed her back everything. “With our village being overrun with so many reporters, scientists and investigators, we have to be a little careful.
    Watch your speed.”
    Reporters? Scientists? Investigators? Her sisters had chatted on about the yacht that had sunk being owned by a Greek shipping magnate, but she’d only paid attention to the part about the owner having a bodyguard. She was certain Lev was the bodyguard. It would explain his presence in the sea, as well as his weapons. She stared straight ahead, keeping her death grip on the steering wheel. She was thankful Harrington wasn’t giving her a ticket but sent a silent prayer that he’d go away.
    “I haven’t had a chance to talk with Judith but maybe you’d pass along a package to her. She’s been working on a special kaleidoscope for Hannah.
    It’s a surprise.” He leaned his arms on the door and peered in at her, his eyes hidden by his dark glasses, but his expression friendly.
    She swallowed and nodded again, staring straight ahead.
    He laughed softly. “You talk too much, you know that?”
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    She turned her head then and looked at him, frowning. Maybe she should try her drop-dead scowl. But really, he was being friendly and nice.
    She just had to breathe. She took a deep breath and gave it a try. “I’ll take it.”
    He smiled at her effort. The wind came up and blew at his shirt. He glanced toward where the Drake house sat up on the bluff above the ocean.
    “Hannah’s up on the captain’s walk. All of her sisters are on their honeymoon so she’s visiting with her parents today. I haven’t had a spare minute to get the package to Judith. It’s in my car. Can you wait a second?”
    Rikki felt it would be wiser not to point out that if he hadn’t stopped her, he might have had the time to drop off the mysterious package to Judith himself. Since she didn’t want him to change his mind about giving her a speeding ticket and she didn’t mind talking to Judith, she kept her mouth firmly closed.
    Jonas returned with a very small packet. He grinned at her. “These are all those little things women keep for memories. Judith had this great idea for a kaleidoscope. I wanted something extraordinary for Hannah to focus on when she’s giving birth.”
    Rikki nodded. She had to say something. Being socially awkward didn’t mean she was completely inept, and after all, she was representing Judith, not herself. Staring straight ahead, she tried a small smile, hoping he couldn’t tell it was forced. “Everything Judith does is extraordinary. She’ll make it