Neil, Louisa - Pyxis Island Triangle (Siren Publishing Ménage And More) by Louisa Neil

beautiful tonight than ever before. Their meal went by with laughs and anecdotes of the island, mainly about the condition she bought it in when the government declassified and sold it. Apparently, there were some groups who felt the island should be turned into a resort for the public, but none were willing to put in the money that it would require. The government’s position was they were selling it because it wasn’t profitable any longer. A new lab had been built in the Midwest and would be used to continue the research. Ben remembered reading about the ruckus years earlier but never thought he would become responsible for the everyday workings of it one day.
    Lila gave him bits of information about the work she’d already accomplished and her long-range plans. During their initial meetings, she’d given him an overview of what she envisioned. Tonight, he realized just how much she still wanted done. Whether it was the wine or his earlier sexual encounter with Wyatt, he felt relaxed and comfortable with these two people and decided to ask what was on his mind.
    “At the expense of ruining a wonderful evening, may I ask a personal question?” He glanced to Wyatt who deferred his look to Lila.
    “Ask, the worst that will happen is I’ll tell you it’s none of your business.” Lila smiled when saying it, but her undertone spoke more than her words.
    “I’ve come to realize over the last months that while you’re very hands-on to all aspects of the business, I’ve never seen you leave the compound in the daylight. You use the underground tunnels to traverse the compound and only come out at night.”
    “And your actual question is?” Wyatt seemed to be trying to lighten the moment.
    “Well, I can only figure Lila is a vampire.” He paused and tried to laugh. Biding time by sipping his wine, he realized he’d stumbled into a serious subject. “Seriously, you seem to love this island with all your heart, but you never experience it during the day.”
    “We all live by the hands we’re dealt,” Lila told him, pushing back from the table. “Come, let’s relax in the living room while we have coffee.” She left the men to follow her, and Ben grabbed Wyatt’s arm, holding him back.
    “Did I just get myself fired?”
    “Why not listen to what Lila has to say,” Wyatt reassured him.
    Settled in the posh living room, they were quiet while the butler, Vernon, brought coffee on a silver tray and served each of them. Ben thought to let the subject drop, but apparently Lila wasn’t going to. He noted she waited until Vernon had left before speaking.
    “Keeping in mind your confidentiality agreements, I’ll tell you the truth, but it stays between the three of us. Do you understand, Ben?”
    “Of course, but I’ve made you uncomfortable, I apologize. I don’t need to know.”
    Lila threw her head back laughing at him. “Oh, you still want to know. Now you’re just nervous about my answer.” She sipped from the fine china cup before putting it aside on the table to her right.
      When she did, the front of her blouse buckled open and gave him a perfect view of her naked breasts. His cock hardened, and he shifted in his seat, sorry he’d begun this conversation.
    “I have a congenital disease, a version of porphyria. Have you ever heard of it?”
    “No, I don’t think so.” Ben shook his head, realizing tonight he’d do a lot of research to find out just what it was.
    “In layman’s terms, it means I’m sensitive to sunlight. Heme is a substance found in everyone’s body that is responsible for making hemoglobin and chlorophyll. The largest amounts are usually found in blood and bone marrow. The body requires multiple enzymes to convert natural chemical compounds called porphyrins into heme. If any of the enzymes are abnormal, the process is interrupted and cannot continue. This allows porphyrins to build up in my system.” She paused and sipped her coffee. “I was very lucky from one