Tango in Paradise Read Online Free PDF Page A

evenly.
    “Have you reconsidered my offer then?” he countered, neatly sidestepping the issue again. “If you’re worried about my fees, don’t. The photos I take of you will fall under the heading of pleasure, not business.”
    His confidence where she was concerned irked her even farther. “I’m afraid that just isn’t possible,” she stated politely, then quickly backpedaled as his smile faded again. The Cove needed his help andshe couldn’t risk the fiasco that was certain to occur if she failed to get him to agree. Just because he’d apparently taken on a personal agenda in the matter was no reason to give up.
    Even if the agenda’s only item seemed to be her.
    “I’m certain you’ll be able to find someone here at the resort who’ll be more than willing to—”
    “I didn’t ask someone else, I asked you.” He spoke softly, but the underlying element of steel made it clear he’d been insulted. “Not because you were the first woman I ran into when I arrived. Not because you run the resort. And not for some kind of damn trade.” He stopped abruptly, then averted his gaze. He picked up his fork, trying to balance the long handle on his finger. He studied the seesawing piece of silver as if it would somehow divine an answer to whatever he was privately debating.
    Before she could comment, he pinned her with his gaze.
    “I’ve changed my mind about that last part.”
    April tried to ignore the intensity he injected into such a simple phrase and focus on its meaning. “In what way?”
    “It’s very simple. I’ll do whatever you want, within reason, if you’ll pose for me.”
    “You don’t even know what I want!” She didn’t try to hide her surprise at his sudden turnaround.
    “You’re right, I don’t. But I can’t imagine theCEO of a major resort asking a guest to do something illegal. And it can’t be kinky, since you turn ten shades of crimson at even the slightest innuendo of anything sexual.” He flashed a quick grin when she did it again. “So, do we have a deal?”
    April’s mouth had dropped open after his first sentence and it took a moment before she was able to snap it shut. She worked hard on making her mouth curve into her best resort-owner smile. “You’re right, it’s nothing illegal,” she said in a voice that was still a shade too strained to be nonchalant. Refusing to even comment on the rest of his statement, she went on. “It won’t take more than a couple of hours away from your vacation. Which, by the way, I’m fully prepared to pick up the tab for in return for your help.”
    “As I said before, I don’t want your money.”
    Her eyes narrowed. “What, exactly, do you want?” Her voice was even, betraying none of the emotions roiling inside.
    “One hour of your time for every one I give to you.”
    Her disappointment was swift and surprisingly deep. Her fault, she thought. She shouldn’t have expected him to be different. He’d learn, as others had, that she didn’t barter herself for business.
    Then again, April sensed that if she pushed much further on the issue of her reluctance to be photographed, she’d have an entirely new problemto deal with. For whatever reason, she’d managed to intrigue Jack Tango. And the very last thing she needed was for someone with camera equipment and an incredible power of observation to focus either of those things on her private life. She couldn’t risk the Cove’s reputation on the chance that he wouldn’t find anything out.
    Besides, she thought, he’d said one hour of her time for every one of his. He hadn’t specified she had to spend hers posing. “It’s a deal. On one condition.” Jack looked honestly surprised at her answer. Good. She enjoyed having the upper hand for a change.
    “Which is?”
    “That I give my return hours as it suits my schedule. I’m going to need your help this evening, but I’m afraid I won’t have much, if any, free time over the next few days.”
    Jack nodded, then