Body Contact by REBECCA YORK Page B

gotten from Jack.
    Maddy lowered her eyes to her plate again—then felt a little jolt of sensation as Jack’s foot slid against her ankle. He’d slipped his right foot out of his loafer, and was running his sock-clad toes against her. Apparently he’d noticed the overheated atmosphere in the room and had decided it was important to fit in.
    The problem was, he hadn’t touched her in days. She didn’t mean touched in the strictly sexual sense, either. Since catching her when she’d tripped in her high-heeled shoes that first night, he had gone out of his way to avoid any physical contact. In fact, he’d acted like the awareness simmering between them didn’t exist. And she’d done her best to seem as unfazed as he. But the sudden touch of his foot against her leg sent tingles of electricity skittering along her nerve endings.
    His voice was as low and silky as his touch. “Reynard’s island is my kind of place. We’re going to have a great time. A little pleasure. A little business.”
    She swallowed, nodded, thinking that it wasn’t so difficult to imitate the other women. Most of them seemed as off-balance as she.
    Covertly, she studied them. They were all beautiful. Some were fashion-model slender. Others were built more like Playboy centerfolds—probably courtesy of breast implants and liposuction, she told herself.
    But they seemed to have little choice about their behavior. She was sure they all knew that they either played along with these guys, or they could be replaced.
    Her own choices were also limited. At least for now.Because everything that happened over the next few days was governed by the one big decision she’d made.
    She was going to Orchid Island to rescue Dawn Winston. No matter what. Up till now, she’d let her determination carry her along. Determination—and frantic work. Because every minute of the past few days had been filled with studying dossiers, plotting strategy, getting as comfortable as she could with her wardrobe, learning how to put on the makeup she was wearing, and ensuring that the security at Winston Industries ran smoothly while she was away.
    All at once, the frantic activity had come to a halt, and she was sitting here in this luxury airport lounge playing the role she’d thought she was prepared for. Jack had warned her what it would be like. But she’d thought he was exaggerating to get her to back out. Too bad she hadn’t taken him at his word.
    â€œExcited, baby?” he asked, his toes moving higher, walking their way up the curve of her calf.
    She licked her dry lips. “As excited as you.”
    His green eyes told her he knew she was lying.
    She was rescued from his exploring toes by the woman at the check-in counter, her voice coming from a loudspeaker.
    â€œFlight fifty-three-ten to Orchid Island is now ready for boarding. All passengers, have your boarding passes ready for the attendant.”
    Jack slipped his foot back into his shoe. The area was suddenly full of activity as people stood, grabbed their carry-on luggage, and moved toward the exit door.
    With a mixture of relief and trepidation, Maddy picked up the small, specially designed case that held enough makeup for a Broadway chorus line. That was another reason her face was so overdone. She looked like a woman who never traveled without the contents of a cosmetics counter. But actually there was more than lipstick, foundation and eye shadow in the bag. Hidden in the padded bottom and sides was the transmitter they would need to summon their transportation after they’d located Dawn.
    The thought of Dawn sent a sudden pang spearing through her. It had been over a week now since they’d had any information about Stan Winston’s daughter, so they had to be prepared for anything.
    Jack must have sensed her sudden shiver, because he draped an arm around her shoulder.
    â€œI’ve told you, honey, flying’s