Vacation to Die For by Josie Brown

coming. He’s daring me to deny this.
    But I can’t. It was Dominic’s suggestion that they be placed at Kamp KidStuff. At the same time, our British team member has been rolling in and out of beds all day, and what does he have to show for it?
    Several hickeys and that’s about it.
    Still, if the team sees Jack win this battle, I’ll lose the war. “Emma and Arnie will just have to suck it up. We need reconnaissance at that resort, too.”
    “Here’s an idea. Why don’t you and Dominic swap places with them? I’m sure he can easily ingratiate himself to a few other desperate housewives.”
    The operative word here is  other —as in me being the first.
    Or is it  desperate ?
     “True that, old boy.” Dominic smiles broadly. 
    The narcissistic dolt has taken it as a compliment.
    That’s it. I’ve had it with both of them. I fake a lazy yawn. “I promise to give it some thought. In the meantime, why don’t you enlighten us regarding your own reconnaissance efforts, Jack?”
    “I thought you’d never ask.” His smile disappears. “My international banking credentials have endeared me to Mr. Boarke. He wants to expand the amenities offered here at Fantasy Island, but he’s having a hard time convincing his silent partners—who are represented by a private Canadian investment banker—to go along with his plan. Let’s just say that my offer to be an outside funding source has given me a few special privileges.”
    I can only imagine.
    “To that extent,” he continues, “I’ve requested a full tour of the island before making my recommendation to my employer. This allows us the opportunity to scope out locations that coincide with Mandrake’s GPS coordinates—that is, if Arnie is freed up to track them during my tour, and feed them to me. So what do you say, Donna? Can Arnie and Emma be relieved of their Kamp KidStuff duties?” 
    Checkmate . Under the WWRD (What Would Ryan Do?) rule, I’ve got no choice but to say yes to Jack’s initial suggestion that Arnie and Emma be transferred.
    I shrug. “Okay, sure. Arnie, turn in your notice immediately. You too, Emma. Then book yourselves here, at Eden Key, under different aliases. Make sure to put yourself on a plane manifest, just in case the resort does a cross-check.”
    “No prob, boss lady!” Arnie says. He and Emma high five each other. At least it’s not a chest bump.
    Jack turns to me. “I’d appreciate a second pair of eyes for this reconnaissance mission. If you’re free tomorrow, Donna, I can pass you off as—well, as my date.” 
    If I’m free? 
    Heck yeah, I’m free. For tomorrow, and the rest of my life.
    If this is Jack’s way of calling a truce, I’m all for it. Nonchalantly I say, “With Emma moving here to Eden Key, I’ll certainly make the time.”
    “Good. Then it’s settled. The Boarke Buggy will be at your tiki door promptly at ten in the morning.”
    As everyone files out, I place my hand on Jack’s arm. “Thank you for your input tonight. I want to do my best to succeed on this mission. I never want Ryan to doubt his trust in me.”
    “Ryan is quite aware of all you have to offer. You’d never let him down. He knows it”—Jack pauses—“and I know it, too.”
    “Oh!...Well, thank you for your vote of confidence.”
    “I’m not talking about the mission, Donna. I’m talking about us.”
    Ah. Even better.
    As with everything in life, actions speak louder than words. To that end, the tenderness with which Jack takes me in his arms speaks volumes regarding his feelings for me.
    As does the gentle way in which his lips fall onto mine.
    As well as the way his mouth hungers for my own.
    I hate it when we’re at war. I love it when we make love. I am  such  a hippy that way. 
    The buttons on Jack's tuxedo shirt are hidden behind a pleat. Still, it doesn’t slow down my game plan to strip him out of it—
    But the lipstick on his collar sure as hell stops me cold.
    When I point to it, the anticipation