Secret Gifts (Steamy Version) by Elena Aitken Page A

water.
    Gage followed her lead, and tested the water. “It’s like a hot tub.” He looked up in amazement. “Incredible. How does it…how can it…”
    Lisa laughed again, but the sound was sweet. “It’s a natural hot spring,” she explained. “The mountains are full of them, but they’re usually pretty hidden. Either that or they become mass developed tourist traps.” She rolled her eyes and her smile faded. “That’s why we keep this one a secret. We don’t want it becoming all commercialized. No one knows, Gage. You can’t say anything.” Her face was lined with worry, likely as she realized she’d just brought a mega-star who was almost constantly followed by reporters up to her secret place. “Some developers found out about a set of hot springs not too far from here and the word is they’re turning them into a major spa with a big hotel and—“
    “I swear,” Gage said. He tilted her chin up with two fingers. “I won’t tell a soul. I promise.”
    Satisfied, Lisa smiled again and stood up. “So,” she said. “What do you say we go for a swim?”
    Gage looked up at her. “You mean, now?”
    “When else, silly?” Lisa tugged her t-shirt off and started walking away. “Come on. There’s another pool over here.”
    Despite the fact that he knew nothing good could possibly come out of skinny-dipping with Lisa, and the last thing he wanted was anything at all to come of it, Gage stood and followed her, pulling his own t-shirt off as he went.
    “See?” Lisa said when she turned around and saw him. “Didn’t I say you’d be taking your shirt off in a minute?” She grabbed the loops of his jeans and pulled him close.
    “Lisa, I don’t think—“
    “You don’t want to swim?” Her voice was husky, and Gage would have to be deaf not to hear the desire laced in her words. “We can leave.”
    Indecision raced through him and he hated himself for it. Only a week ago, Gage wouldn’t have thought twice about getting naked in hot water with a gorgeous woman. But a lot had happened in a week. His thoughts flashed to Megan’s smile when they were climbing the rocks, the softness of her hand, the way her body had melted and come undone with his touch, the hardness in her face when she told him her interest in him was professional only. Period.
    “We’re not leaving.” He tossed his shirt to the side and slipping away from Lisa, he made short work of his shoes and jeans as well before sliding into the hot water.

CHAPTER SIX

    Megan was going to kill Gage. She’d only been gone for forty minutes. Forty minutes that she needed to clear her head and calm down. And when she’d returned to the suite, he was gone. Surely she should be able to leave him alone for a few minutes without him sneaking off and getting into trouble. It really didn’t seem too much to ask. But after what had happened between them…and worse, the words they’d exchanged, all bets were off.
    After calling his cell phone and getting voicemail, Megan called Carmen at the front desk, because she had no idea who else to call.
    “He’s probably just gone for a walk, Megan,” she’d assured her. “I’ll tell everyone to keep an eye out but we’ll call you as soon as we hear anything. Don’t worry, he’s a grown man. He’s not going to get into any trouble.”
    But that’s exactly what Megan was worried about. And hadn’t that been exactly why she was there? All day, while she waited for Gage to walk in the door or Carmen to call, she replayed Ryan’s phone call in her head for the umpteenth time.
    A suicide mission. A train wreck.
    Was it really impossible to keep Gage Mitchell away from scandal? Was Lois really angry enough at her to take it out on her career?
    When the phone rang shortly after lunchtime, Megan answered it without checking the caller ID.
    “Gage? Where the—“
    “Megan,” the voice on the other end of the line was very female and definitely not Gage. “Are you missing someone?” Lois