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thought on
    seeing Jase that morning had been that he looked younger than he had the
    night before. Now, with the wind ruffling his mahogany hair and his hand
    resting with casual expertise on the wheel of the Jeep, she realized that he
    didn't exactly look younger, he just looked happier. There was an almost
    carefree enthusiasm in the way he drove, and the hard lines of his face
    seemed more relaxed.
    "Still worrying about being kidnapped?" He slid her a taunting glance
    as he slowed the Jeep and pulled off to the side of the road.
    "Should I be?"
    He grinned briefly as he switched off the engine and reached into the
    backseat for a bag. "Maybe. I have been living away from civilization for a
    while."
    Amy arched one brow as she climbed out of the Jeep and collected the
    small beach bag she had carefully packed before leaving the inn. "If you try
    anything that underhanded, I'll report you to the Better Business Bureau
    of Saint Clair."
    He slammed the door of the Jeep with a laugh. "You'd have to find it
    first! Even if there were such an entity on Saint Clair, I have a feeling that
    reporting my ill-bred behavior would only enhance the reputation of The
    Serpent. People love a place with atmosphere."
    "Something tells me you don't have to work very hard to provide it,"
    Amy grumbled good-naturedly as they made their way into the secluded
    cove Jase had selected. "The Serpent just reeks of atmosphere!"
    "Yeah. Especially when there's a Navy ship in the harbor," Jase agreed
    with great feeling. "Managing a bar can be a real challenge sometimes."
    "You seem to be doing all right at the task." Amy kept her tone carefully
    neutral.
    "I take it you don't altogether approve of my chosen career?"
    "It's really none of my business, is it?" she countered, unrolling her
    blanket on the sand. She kept her gaze studiously focused on the striped
    beach blanket.
    "What sort of work do you do, Amy Shannon?" he asked in a too-casual
    drawl.
    "I run a couple of boutiques in San Francisco," she told him very
    carelessly.
    "Women's clothing?"
    "Ummm." She pretended to study the little gem of a cove, admiring the
    small stretch of sandy beach and the gently lapping waves. With any luck
    he wouldn't press the issue. Most people didn't. It was ridiculous to be
    embarrassed about the matter, but it was a bit hard to explain.
    "What kind of clothing?" As he watched her face, Jase slowly began to
    unbutton his shirt. "Sportswear?"
    There it was. The question she had hoped to avoid. "Lingerie," she
    mumbled, industriously unfastening her jeans to reveal the sleek white
    swimsuit underneath.
    "Lingerie. Fancy ladies' underwear?" She could hear the smile in his
    words. It was a reaction she'd seen before when she described her
    business.
    " Designer lingerie. French and Italian and New York designers. Very
    expensive stuff. Also very beautiful," she stressed as she peeled off her
    shirt.
    "Wait a second. You're telling me you sell sexy underwear?" he
    demanded, turquoise eyes brimming with laughter. "You're in a business
    like that and you have the nerve to criticize my profession?"
    "It's hardly the same thing," she sniffed, flinging off the last of her
    clothing and heading determinedly for the water's edge.
    But he was laughing delightedly behind her as she dove into the light
    surf. Amy wondered how often he laughed out loud like that. It was a
    surprisingly pleasant sound, full of rich, masculine amusement. It made
    her want to smile.
    He caught up with her a moment later, his body moving through the
    warm water with a lithe grace that told her how he kept himself in such
    strong, sleek shape.
    Amy was swimming easily, no particular direction in mind, when she
    felt Jase's hand on her waist. The strong fingers closed gently, snagging
    her neatly in the water and pulling her upright to face him.
    She stood breast-high in the lapping water and looked up at him
    inquiringly. He handed her a face mask and a snorkel that he had brought
    with him into