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were back in place. But for a second she’d seen something Zak Chambers clearly didn’t want to show her.
    “I hope you’ve got another ninja suit in your bag.”
    “You need to arrange for another guide as soon as possible, Ms. Ambrosini.”

Chapter Three

    Zak hurried to the safety and seclusion of the restroom to change, praying that the elevated temperature of her body would regulate. As she shed her soiled clothing, she scrutinized her naked breasts, fully expecting to see Sara’s handprints branded there. Even though it was unintentional, that touch anchored Sara to more than Zak’s flesh. The jolt that surged through her physical body was surprising and entirely too pleasant. But her touch aroused more than Zak was prepared to give, an unwelcome flicker of desire. The unresolved feelings she buried after her last assignment must be bleeding over. That was the only rational explanation. Not even Gwen had evoked such a strong response so quickly. But that had been a work situation.
    Recognizing the absurdity of her last thought, Zak splashed cold water on her face. Sara Ambrosini was also business, at least for the moment. This arrangement wouldn’t work for either of them. She seemed to do nothing but irritate the overemotional redhead, and Sara’s openness and interminable curiosity taxed her.
    Unlike Rikki, who was easy to handle, Sara posed a potential challenge. Zak was familiar with the frontal assaults of women like Rikki, with their sexual innuendos and teasing come-hither tactics. Emotions were not part of the equation and their curiosity ended in the bedroom. Zak dealt with women like this every day. Their bodies and desires, like hers, were superficial and without substance. She had wearied of the quest for physical pleasure and the uninspiring bodies and personalities that often failed to provide it.
    But women like Sara Ambrosini didn’t employ such blatant strategies. Her approach was unassuming, designed to lure potential partners with nurturing and sensitivity. Emotions were the agents of choice, clearing a straight, honest path to the heart. Curiosity was an endearing distraction to procure information and secure position. And unlike the cardboard cutouts Zak was accustomed to, Sara’s physical form was created solely to tempt and seduce. She had curves where Zak’s own body was straight and unflattering. She was soft against Zak’s unyielding muscles. Her body was pure substance and, like the emotions Zak had seen in her eyes, full of dangerous potential.
    She was familiar with such tactics in the context of her work and handled them with ease. But having a woman like Sara show emotional interest in her, even if it was only in her mind, terrified Zak. The Company hadn’t provided the tools or the expertise to dodge such an unfamiliar and formidable opponent. Her last assignment had been evidence of that.
    The long-term exposure to Gwen and their “relationship” had chipped away at the walls of Zak’s resistance and left her weak. Now was the worst possible time to be sucked into another emotional maelstrom. She’d never reacted this way to someone she’d just met. Physical exhaustion during past long-term assignments had caused hallucinations. Maybe this time the symptom was physical. Whatever was happening between her and Sara, for whatever reason—fatigue, fear, or a simple personality clash—had to end now. In order to provide protection in Africa, even temporarily, she needed to be on top of her game. There were too many other inherent distractions. If Sara didn’t arrange for the switch, she’d handle it herself.
    Having made the decision, Zak tucked the tail of her fresh T-shirt into her cargo pants. When the soft jersey fabric rubbed against her chest, a vision of Sara’s hands covering her breasts produced a moan she couldn’t contain. She closed her legs to block the sudden shock of arousal and rested her forehead against the cool reflective wall of the lavatory. Zak