Page 36 of Zorro

Identity. Appearance. How people saw you, or how you hid and they…didn’t.

Everly’s fingers tightened around her badge as she tried to shake the old mantra. She wasn’t here to impress anyone. She was here to speak. To deliver her part of the Welcome. To make it through this week in one piece.

“I tell you what,” Pippa said, brushing an auburn curl behind one ear as she studied Everly with assessing warmth. “Let’s get our coffee and then come to my room. We’re about the same size, and I have something that will look fabulous on you.”

Everly blinked. “I couldn’t?—”

“Oh, yes, you can, and coffee’s on me.”

She turned to order without waiting for more protest. Everly flushed, caught between polite refusal and the unfamiliar rush of wanting…to be seen. To choose to be seen. Maybe even knock Zorro’s socks off. Him and the rest of the damn team who’d only seen her in scrubs, a blood-spattered coat, or, God help her, his T-shirt.

They took their coffees and headed for the elevators, Pippa chatting easily about the boutique schedule and upcoming fall launches, while Everly tried to focus on anything but the swarm in her stomach.

The elevator doors opened.

Everly stepped off and turned toward her room, only to realize Pippa wasn’t following.

She was crossing the hall, heading toward the door directly opposite hers. Everly froze. “Wait…this is your room?”

“Yes,” came the deep voice from behind her.

She turned and went absolutely still.

The Terminator.

Zorro was right. He never leaves.

A startled laugh burst from her throat, too loud, a little hysterical. She clapped a hand over her mouth.

Elias Jackman. Zorro’s LT. Joker.

The living embodiment of command presence. Tactical stillness. Sharp-eyed judgment wrapped in muscle and control.

Her pulse tripped.

Of all the doors in all the hotels in Rio, she had to be standing in front of his.

Everly’s whole body reacted before she could think. Shoulders stiffened. Jaw locked. Her pulse spiked.

Pippa reached for his arm, casual and intimate. “Hey, babe. You’re done with the run? Where are the guys?”

“They needed another…ah…hour.”

He glanced at Everly. Her face flushed.

Was there a fight? Over her?

Zorro…

He gave her a slow nod, eyes sharp and amused. “Dr. Quinn. Did you ever get that ice bucket?”

Everly froze.

His brow lifted, just slightly.

Was there…a flicker of red behind those eyes?

She laughed again, sharp, breathless. Less haha and more I’m barely surviving this interaction.