Beautiful Protection

Closer to Temptation

It was already sunset and Xander did not know where's Erin at. She was true to herself of giving him free time. It was the best after what she has done earlier, only he was looking for her. He was caught off guard and he had been thinking about it all day.

He was walking by the beach when his phone rings. It was from Rebel.

"Sage." He started.

"There was a change of plan. Our Intel reported an early shipment bound to Shanghai."

"When?"

"On June 10th." Xander was in critical thinking. There must be a trigger that changes the date of shipment. It could be related to the missing documents.

"Let's stick to the plan. We can't arrest them this time, we need to gather all solids information so they cannot think of a way to escape." He reminded Rebel once again.

"Angel..." Xander did not hear the rest, a light tap from his shoulder made him froze.

"Who is escaping?" Erin asked with curiosity painted on her face.

He immediately ended the call with Rebel and reminded himself to contact him later.

"It's nothing." He eyed her flushed face. Erin was clearly enjoying the sun the whole afternoon.

"Where are you heading by the way?" She asked as she gave the sand a light kick.

"I'm looking for you," Xander stated.

"Great timing then, why don't we have dinner before returning to our room?" She suggested and he started to walk to the dining area. He stopped realizing she was not following him. Erin sat on the sand and stared at the pink sky.

Erin was smiling and her pink cheeks were a great compliment to see.

"The sky is beautiful!" She said.

"It is." He murmured, but he was not looking at them. Xander walked back and sat next to her.

This woman may look fragile but she has these hidden guts that always surprise him. Erin can look at him from head to toe, can tell him things he always gave another meaning, and the latest was the kiss. How can she easily give him a kiss? It was a simple peck but the effect lingered within him, he can still feel it. He should warn her or he can do bad the next time she will do it.

"Please don't do it next time." He voiced out looking at her face. Erin then turned to face him.

"Huh?" She was asking as if she doesn't have an idea of what he was talking about. Xander was debating if it's right to bring it up.

"What is it?" She asked. He looked at her looking for a sign if she was just teasing him, but she was seriously asking him. Xander then points to the cheek he kissed earlier.

She was quiet so he was forced to give more details about it, "Please don't kiss me next time."

Erin's face turned completely red. Now she gets it and Xander did not want to press the topic more. He just wants to give her a fair warning, so he stood up as the sun already set in the west.

"It's time for dinner. I'll go ahead." He said and left giving her time alone to think.

Xander did not bother to look back and arrived in the dining hall after ten minutes of walking. He decided to take the table where he can easily spot Erin when she will arrive in the area. The wall clock read six-thirty but Erin did not yet arrive.

Did she chicken out? Did he embarrass her earlier? Xander did not think so. He already knew her and that his simple warning earlier was nothing. He decided to wait in good faith but she did not arrive. It's already a quarter to seven. He then left the hall to check her in her room, but he spotted a familiar car along the way.

Willard Ferguson is here. His heart tugged at the thought of Erin being cornered by now. Xander did not waste any second and goes around looking for her. He just wished Erin spotted him first and hide from him.

Where she could possibly hide? Xander's thought while scanning the longshore. He was in the area where they watched the sunset and noticed the prints that could possibly of Erin's, so he decided to follow by chance. They were tired steps heading to the dining hall and it stopped, he can imagine how Erin saw Will as the step staggered and the steps heading backward were light. She was running away from him. Xander observed the prints and in relief knowing Will was not following her. He then carefully follow her prints and wished to find her sooner.

Erin could be hiding in fear and it pinched his heart. Even if he was busy panting, he could not be mistaken for what he felt as it's his first time feeling it. He guarded his heart all this time not to jeopardize his duty, and then she happened. It was an inconvenient meeting, but she managed to sneak into his heart the moment he held her for the first time in the pool almost lifeless.

He was busy thinking of her when Erin tugged his left arm. He could have punched her if he did not easily recover. They were behind the coconut tree breathing very closely.

"How long have you been hiding?" He asked in a whisper.

"I don't know, for almost an hour?" She answered.

"I know something is up when you did not arrive, so I decided to check your room and spotted Will's car."

"I know you will find me, Xander, so I do my part to stay hidden." She said and he was proud of her that she managed to do that.

"Erin!" They were both startled by the sudden shout. It was from Will and it was just nearby.

"I know you are afraid of the dark." Will continued and it was closer this time.

"I don't think I should be hiding..." Her words were cut off. Xander's hand was over her mouth covering them.

Her heart was beating loud not because of the steps from Will that was too close to them but from Xander. He was closer this time making sure she will not speak.

A crushed branch next to them made her stiffened, "Forgive me if I will do this," he murmured.

Her heart skips it's beat not because of Will but of something else.