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Chapter 2

The GM was a notorious creep. Emily was attractive and had a great figure, so she was naturally his prime target.

I scoffed. "That guy can't keep it in his pants. Half the women in the company have complained about him. I can't believe the chairman put a horndog like that in such a powerful position."

Emily quietly defended, "I'm not…"

"Wasn't talking about you," I said, waving my hand dismissively. "Next time a guy like that comes around, steer clear. Or find someone to run interference."

"You did help me before, Alex. More than once, actually. I don't know what I would have done… Thank you, for everything," Emily said with a warm smile. "You're a good person, Alex. I know you'd never leak company secrets."

Her words hit me harder than I expected. Emily was the only person who believed me.

Then again, maybe she was just being nice.

I gave a wry smile. "Is that your way of cheering me up?"

"No!" Emily said earnestly. "I really mean it. You're a good guy. A really good guy."

"That's the nicest thing anyone's said to me all week," I said, lying back on the sand. "For that, I'm obligated to keep you safe. Wouldn't want to disappoint such a staunch supporter."

Emily lay down beside me, her eyes sparkling. "Shouldn't I be protecting you?"

"A man's gotta protect his woman," I said without missing a beat.

"But I'm not your woman." Emily propped herself up on her elbow, leaning in playfully. "So why protect me?"

Her wet clothes clung to her body, the fabric stretched thin as she leaned closer. I couldn't help but notice the outline of her breasts beneath the damp material. Was she flirting with me?

I didn't pull away, letting her get closer. "Let's just pretend you are," I said, half-joking.

Emily smiled, rubbing her shoulders. "Then I'm a little cold. What are you going to do about that?"

Her words reminded me that I was cold too. The sun was setting, and the sea breeze was chilling the moisture on our clothes.

"It's getting dark," I said, leading her to a sheltered spot behind a large rock. "We shouldn't go into the jungle until we know what we're dealing with. I'm going to find some firewood. You stay here and rest."

Emily nodded obediently and waved me off.

I knew a bit about survival skills. I'd even learned how to make fire by friction from an old outdoorsman once. Never thought I'd actually need it.

By the time I'd gathered dry wood, thin vines for a drill, and some tinder, dusk had settled.

No time to waste. A night without fire on a deserted island was dangerous. We might not make it till morning.

Emily watched curiously as I started working. "I've never seen anyone start a fire like that. Will it actually work?"

"Hope so," I replied. "Otherwise we'll be cuddling for warmth."

Emily's face turned a lovely shade of pink in the fading light. The sight made me want to kiss her.

I pushed the thought aside and focused on the task at hand.

Maybe my luck was finally turning. After about ten minutes of sawing away with the drill, a thin wisp of smoke curled up from the tinder.

"Alex, you're amazing! You actually did it!" Emily exclaimed, delighted.

Her praise warmed me. I tried to play it cool. "No big deal. Just wait 'til you see what else I can do." I was thinking about stamina.

"I know," Emily giggled. "You've always been amazing. Just…undercover."

With her energy returning, Emily became more talkative, chattering away like a songbird. It was actually kind of nice having her company.

Soon the tinder caught, casting a flickering light around us.

Fire made me feel safer, but I knew we were still vulnerable. We needed better shelter. Tomorrow, I'd scout for a cave. Something more secure, somewhere we'd be protected from the elements and whatever animals roamed this island.

Lost in thought, I noticed Emily huddled up, rubbing her shoulders. Even with the fire, she was still cold.

I shrugged out of my jacket and draped it over her. "It gets chilly on the beach at night. This might help."

Emily didn't argue and slipped it on. The jacket swallowed her whole. She looked like a kid playing dress-up in her dad's clothes.

I bit back a laugh, but the amusement in my eyes must have shown.

She tossed a handful of sand at my feet. "I know what you're thinking. It's your fault for being so huge. Your jacket's practically a blanket on me."

I chuckled. "You're so tiny, I could probably fit two of you in there."

Emily pushed the jacket aside, puffing out her chest. "I am not tiny! Don't you dare."

Her sudden display left me momentarily speechless. Realizing what she'd done, Emily's face flushed crimson, and she quickly hid herself within the jacket again.

To diffuse the awkwardness, I asked, "You know, I'm still a little confused. The GM is a sleazeball, but he's serious about his work. He only sends people he trusts on business trips. So why were you on the list to go abroad?"

Emily rested her chin on her hands, looking thoughtful. "Actually…my dad is the company's chairman. Well, my step-dad. He put me on the list. For…training."

That was unexpected.

But why would he put her in the hands of a known harasser? Wasn't he worried she'd come back pregnant? Something still didn't add up.

"Are you sure he was trying to train you and not…you know…set you up? What kind of father would do that?"

"We don't have a good relationship," Emily explained, her tone matter-of-fact. "My mom felt guilty about remarrying, so she always favored me over my sister. My sister and my step-dad resented me for it."

So, even if she went missing, her father wouldn't necessarily send a search party. My last sliver of hope for rescue vanished. It was down to me.

"Alex," Emily asked, her eyes wide and innocent in the firelight. "Do you think…do you think they're looking for us?"

I couldn't bring myself to crush her hope. "Maybe. You said your mom loves you. If she knows you're missing, she'll move heaven and earth to find you."

I nudged her playfully. "When the rescue team arrives, don't forget about me."

Emily blushed at my teasing and nodded.

Just then, a rumbling sound, accompanied by the crackling fire, reached my ears.

I looked at Emily, her face buried in her knees. "Hungry?"

She nodded shyly. "A little. And thirsty."

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