Secret Paradise (Kimani Romance) by Dara Girard Page B

bed and stared up into the darkness. Usually after a night of lovemaking he had no trouble falling asleep. Not tonight. How had a Ghanaian head wrap shown up for Nikki to find? And why did she mention Alana? He sensed an interest in her that seemed more than idle curiosity. He hated thinking of that night and having to lie, and Nikki had him asking himself questions he didn’t want to ask. He hated questions with no quick answers. It was probably nothing. He felt soft feminine arms circle him as Iona pressed her body against his.
    “You’re frowning again,” she said.
    “The lights are off. How can you tell?”
    She traced his lips with her finger. “I just can. You’re worried about something. What is it?”
    Basilio shook his head. “Just work.”
    “So your brother still doesn’t know about us?”
    “If he did, I wouldn’t be here,” he said, referring to the empty villa where they met for their affair.
    “You mean you’d leave me?”
    “I mean you’d be out of a job and probably forced to find work on the mainland.”
    “Then I’m glad he doesn’t know.”
    “I’ll tell him soon.”
    “Not too soon,” she said quickly. “I like what we have. It makes me feel safe. With no one knowing about us, no one can interfere.”
    “You have a point, but I hate keeping secrets from my brother.”
    Iona’s hand slid down his thigh. “Even ones that feel this good?”
    Basilio felt himself grow hard and his concerns and worries slipping away. “You have a point. I’m getting used to the idea.”
    She stroked him in his most tender place. “Tell me what’s really bothering you.”
    He groaned. “How can I be bothered about anything when you’re doing that?”
    “Tell me,” she whispered, her fingers stroking him even more and heightening his arousal.
    “I was just thinking about the fire.”
    “Why? We all know what happened.”
    “Not everything.” He reached for her. “No more questions.”
    She drew away slightly, confused. “Why are you thinking about the fire again?”
    “Nikki asked me some questions about Alana.”
    “What kind of questions?”
    “It doesn’t matter now. You’re driving me insane.”
    “She’s an attractive woman.”
    Basilio didn’t care. “I don’t think about her like that. Only you. Always you.”
    “But—”
    He stopped her with a kiss. He wanted Iona and could no longer take her teasing him. He drew her close and found sweet release between her legs. When it was over the second time, he was able to sleep. But he didn’t dream about Iona.
    Nikki returned to the house from a brisk morning jog and saw Iona in the hallway. She decided to be polite, so she smiled at her. “Good morning,” she said in a bright voice.
    “Morning,” Iona replied coolly.
    “I’m parched. Could you get me—”
    “I don’t take orders from you.”
    “Excuse me?” Nikki said, surprised by the woman’s vehement refusal to fulfill such a simple request. “I thought you worked here.”
    “I don’t work for you.” She set down her duster and sauntered over to Nikki like a panther. “I see how you eye this house. You want to become mistress of it. You wouldn’t be the first who wanted that.”
    Nikki stood firm, determined not to be intimidated, although there was something about the other woman that put her on edge. “I’m not here because of any romantic designs. I’m here because I was hired to do a job.”
    “Doesn’t matter why you’re here. You’ll never be mistress. No woman will be. Mr. Kontos will never get over Alana.”
    “I think he can recover from a crazy woman who burns down his house.”
    Iona’s lips thinned. “She wasn’t crazy. She was murdered.”
    Nikki folded her arms to keep from trembling. Murdered? “By who?”
    “Who else?”
    “He wouldn’t.”
    “He did.”
    “If you believe that, then why do you still work here?”
    “I have nothing to fear. But you do. Don’t stay here. It’s a warning. Your only warning.”
    It didn’t