Free Saints and Assassins (The Sentinels) by Melinda Hunter

needs,” he stated.
    Feeling a little light- headed from moving so fast had caused the blood to rush to her head. Her brain felt as if it wer e sloshing around in her skull. As if it would help, she placed a balled fist against her temple.
    “ All right then?” he asked as he touched her hand.
    “Huh? Yes, oh I’m fine I think. I just moved too quickly.” She took a moment to calm down. Adam got out of bed and went to the bathroom. W hen he came back she had already changed back into her clothes so that they could go get her bag.
    “Ev e. I need to tell you something— ” Adam’s phone rang. Most inopportune, she thought. He again stepped outside to take the call. Adam returned a minute later, still on the phone and motioned for Eve to follow.
    They left for the marina and Adam finished his call. It sounded all business on her end. She was not in the least bit interested.
    “What was it you wanted to tell me?” Eve anxiously awaited his response.
    He sat silent for a moment as if he had changed his mind. Then he spoke.
    “Well I was just wondering if you wanted to spend the day with me? We can see the island together.” 
    “I would like that.” He’s hot. He’s cold. It makes no sense.  Eve decided to go with it. Maybe he was just being chivalrous and didn’t want to take advantage of her. They continued maki ng small talk on the way. Surprisingly, Eve felt different about their relationship and how easy he was to talk to suddenly. Did someone flip a switch?
    “ I would never go back to Chicago if I didn’t have to. It’s just so perfect here. The ocean, the mountains, well it’s just everything.” Eve smiled and turned toward Adam as he drove. She couldn’t help but notice a slight smile on his face. She was about to ask him why he ever went back to Chicago when t hey arrived at the marina.
    Adam had her wait in the car and she watched as he strode back toward the car with her bag in hand . B efore he reached the vehicle, he stopped and turned back to the yacht. There was another figure at the far e nd of the dock. Adam yelled something at him but she could not make out what it was . As he climb ed into the car, he muttered something unintelligible.
    “Is something wrong?” she asked.
    “No.”  He started the car and almost ripped the gearshift out as he jerked it into drive. The tires burned against the pavement as he forcefu lly depressed the gas pedal to the floor of the car. Not wanting to annoy him, she stayed quiet as he drove, but it was obvious that he was pissed.
    They were on the highway within seconds.  Adam’s lips were pressed into a thin line and while she didn’t f ace him, she could see that his eyes were focused and his gaze narrowed. She didn’t stare but glanced back out the window, wondering where they could possibly be going. S everal minutes had passed she sensed the tension start to subside as he decelerated. They were driving right next to the beach, but in a place that was near a densely forested area. Adam stopped the car at a spot marked beach access . 
    “Stay in the car for a minute,” he ordered. His bossiness was beginning to get old, but for some unknown reason Eve thought twice about asking him what his problem was . He exited the vehicle and pulled out his cell phone.  He paced as he spoke loudly on the phone. His voice carried, but she still couldn’t understand anything that he said. Slightly nervous, she didn’t dare open the window to eavesdrop. Adam shoved the phone into his pocket as he headed for her side of the car.
    “Let’s walk. ” Adam stated softly as he opened the door, even though it sounded more like another order. Eve kept hold of her bag as she turned to get out of the car. Adam’s brow smoothed out as he reached his hand down and offered it to her. Pausing for a moment she looked up at him and with a resolved look on his face she placed her hand in his and he gently pulled her out of the car. K eeping a firm but delicate grip on