Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 127712 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 639(@200wpm)___ 511(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127712 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 639(@200wpm)___ 511(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
I read the NDA. But it’s all very standard-looking. Two paragraphs, and that includes the first one that has both our names in it. Basically, it just says I will not discuss the project with anyone but Silas Mercer.
I sign it.
Mercer takes the paper back, slips it into the envelope with my name on it, and then lets out a breath. “I’m doing human trials.”
“Human trials for what?”
“A drug that will change the way we vacation forever.”
“What?” I laugh a little. This was not what I was expecting.
“It’s a… brain stimulation drug. It induces memories and emotions. So, for instance, I could give you this drug and with a little manipulation I could make you believe that you were lying on a beach in Bora Bora. You would feel the heat, you would sweat, you would smell the salty air. For all intents and purposes, you would be there.”
“No kidding?”
“I’m absolutely fucking serious. It’s…” His whole face lights up. “Amazing.”
“You’ve tried it?”
“Oh, fuck yeah. I give it a go at least once a month. You can too if you want. But you don’t have to. Your job here, Ryan, is to map the pathways in the brain. I set the trial up so that I would administer the drug while the subject was inside an MRI machine.”
“Clever.”
“I’m glad you think so. You’re here to watch the MRI recordings while they’re on their ‘vacation,’ then map the pathways. I need this for full FDA approval. They want the exact mechanism of action. Do you think you can do that?”
My mind is spinning. In a good way. A very good way. “Not only can I do this, I will enjoy this immensely.”
Mercer smiles at me. Then he stands up, takes my hand, and leads me over to the door. He kisses my knuckles without ever losing eye contact, and my entire body gets tingly and hot. “We’ll start tomorrow at nine AM, Ryan. Second floor.” He nods his head up. “Hallway B.”
“Wait. I get the day off?” I’m kinda disappointed. I’m just getting used to him. I want to stay, learn more, and… he’s still holding my hand.
He lets it go. “Today is get-to-know-the-island day. Walk around. Get familiar with it. Meet your neighbors. Make a friend. It’s kind of mandatory. We’re like a family here, Ryan. Everyone already knows who you are. Now you need to know who they are. So. Until tomorrow.”
Then he opens the door and pretty much dismisses me.
I leave. What else can I do?
I climb the stairs and end up on the side of the building looking at a little park with old maples. And that’s when I see him.
The shirtless guy who pointed to the office. He’s leaning against a tree with arms folded. Pretty much straight in front of me. Pretty much looking right at me.
He unfolds his arms and beckons me with a crooked finger. Then he turns and walks deeper into the trees.
Wait. Maybe he’s not actually beckoning me. I look over my shoulder to see if there’s anyone behind me, but no. I’m alone. In fact, the bustling Square is nearly empty now. A small group of people linger over by the coffee cart, but other than that—no one.
I look back at the man’s retreating form and watch him disappear into the woods.
Did I just… imagine that?
He wasn’t inviting me into the woods with him.
Was he?
But if not me, who?
I’m the only one here.
Should I go?
I was instructed to get to know the island. That would include the woods.
Nova, my inner voice cautions. A strange man just beckoned you into the woods. Someone you do not know.
This is true. And if I was in New York, following a stranger into the woods would be a monumentally bad idea.
But this is a private island. And what did Mercer say again? Everyone already knows who you are. Now you need to know who they are.
So this guy knows who I am. And I have been practically ordered to know him back.
I look over my shoulder one more time, then step out of the stairwell and enter the woods.
When I don’t see the man right away, I pause and call, “Hello?”
He steps out from behind a tree.
“Um. You were talking to me, right? I mean, referring to me? When you invited me into the woods?” I walk towards him, my hand out like we’re gonna have a little business handshake to cement our new friendship.
This handshake thing is an instinct. Something I learned after many, many awkward academic meetings over the course of my education. It’s my go-to icebreaker. But in this instance, I dunno, for some reason it makes me feel stupid. And I’m just about to pull my hand back when he extends his in return.
But instead of shaking my hand, he squeezes it. Not too hard, but enough for me to know that this is not a business handshake. Then he grins, and holy hell. He’s even more attractive in the daylight shadows of a summer wood than he was sitting out on that railing.