The Billionaire's Hideaway

by Marie Higgins

SIX

  Her smile grew the longer Cole hesitated in answering. She started to chuckle, and it grew quickly. She threw back her head and belted out the laughter. He studied her delicate neck, and thoughts of pressing his lips against her skin became very tempting. But he refrained only because he had to.

  When she looked back at him, the lights reflecting off the water touched her eyes and made them twinkle like diamonds.

  “You’re a funny man, Cole. You accuse me of coming here to look for a rich husband, when that’s the very reason you’re here.”

  “No,” he said softly, loving the way she laughed, but mostly, loving the way she fit into his arms. “I’m not here looking for a rich husband.”

  She laughed again, but this time, splashed water in his face, but he turned before it could get into his eyes.

  “You know what I mean,” she said.

  “Yes, I do. But you’re wrong, Erin. That’s not why I’m here.”

  “Not to find a woman?”

  Smiling, he shook his head. “No. I work here because I’m good at it. I’ve been working at resorts since I was in high school. I realized at that age how much I enjoy it. I’m out in the open, I get to meet wonderful people like you,” he winked, “and I get to order others around. And, the reason I work here is because they pay really well, and the tips are incredible.”

  She chuckled. “You’re not lying?”

  “I’m not lying.” And he wasn’t. That’s exactly how he got started in this business. Of course, it wasn’t until his rich grandfather died and left Cole a substantial inheritance, when he decided to buy a few resorts. A couple of years after that, he bought a few more, and even purchased some top-notch hotels. Soon, the resorts and hotels were thriving, and he was making good money.

  “Let me guess,” she said, tilting her head to the side. “You’re saving up your money so that you could buy your own resort.”

  He waggled his eyebrows. “Wouldn’t that be sweet?”

  “I’m sure it would be.”

  He cuddled her closer. “But not as sweet as you.”

  She narrowed her gaze, giving him a suspicious look. “Oh, now that’s a good pick-up line.”

  “Do you think so?” He ran his hand slowly down her back. “Is it working?”

  “Not at all.”

  But her sly grin told him differently. How he wanted to kiss her right now... In fact, he had a feeling she’d respond the way he wanted. If only there wasn’t that stupid rule. Who’d thought it up, anyway?

  You did, Hunt!

  “Darn. I guess I’ll have to try harder,” he said.

  Giggling, she pushed away from him. He let her sink in the water as she moved farther from his reach. Apparently, she wanted to play the cat and mouse game. He’d play, too.

  He dove in and kicked off the wall, giving him more speed to swim next to her. On purpose, he bumped against her before coming up for air.

  She stopped and laughed. They stood in the shallower end of the pool, side-by-side, facing the wall. They stared at each other as their laughter died down. Cautiously, he slid his arm around her waist. She shyly looked away and turned her back toward him, but he didn’t remove his arm. Several unnerving seconds passed with no words between them. Finally, her body relaxed, and she tilted her head back to rest on his shoulder.

  His heartbeat raced with excitement. Was he really going to do this? After all, he was the boss and he’d be breaking his own rule. But Erin was a hard woman to resist.

  Brushing his lips against her ear, he breathed in her jasmine scent. “What kind of game are you playing now?”

  She turned her head to meet his gaze. “Why? Do you like it?”

  He slid both arms around her. “I just want to know the rules so I can play along without getting hurt.”

  Her breathing deepened, and she placed her hands over his. “Do you think you’ll get hurt?”

  “I might, especially if I don’t know what I’m doing.”

  His breaths were ragged, but he couldn’t help it. His mind fought a losing war against his urges. He hoped none of his employees walked in and saw what was going on.

  She sighed and linked her fingers with his. “Oh, I think you know what you’re doing, Cole.”

  He brushed his lips across her bare shoulder.

  A shiver ran through her and she sighed. “Cole.”

  He wanted to turn her around in his arms and kiss her. Deeply and passionately. But his morals continued to stop his body. He must follow the resort’s rule.

  “Tell me, Erin. Tell me what game you are playing with me.”

  She closed her eyes. “No game.”

  “Then what are we doing?” After the words left his mouth, he could have slapped himself. Why had he said that? Did it matter what they were doing? And yet, at the moment, they weren’t doing much at all.

  “You... are my assigned assistant, and you’re helping me relax.”

  He grinned. “I suppose that’s what I’m doing.”

  He brushed his lips up her neck. She sighed and melted against him.

  Cursing under his breath, he wished she would just tell him to leave her alone. He wished she’d push him away and tell him never to touch her again.

  Actually, that was a lie. He enjoyed the closeness between them, and he wanted more.

  “Erin, do you know what you’re doing to me?”

  “I – I think so.”

  He kissed her neck and moved his mouth to her earlobe. She sighed again, but it was much deeper this time.

  “Sweetheart,” he whispered hoarsely, “if you don’t stop me now, I won’t have any control.”

  “I won’t let you do anything... Not unless I want it, too.”

  I’m a dead man. He lifted his head and searched for her mouth. She had already turned to seek for his. As he shifted her body around to face his, he covered her mouth with his. She hooked her arms around his neck, pressing close to him.

  The kiss was as passionate as he’d imagined, and she responded just as he thought she would. As his mind whirled with confused pleasure, he wondered why he’d let it get this far. Or better yet, why had she let it get this far?

  It nearly killed him, but he broke the kiss, resting his forehead against hers.

  “Erin.” He kissed her again, but briefly. “The game has gone too far. Where do you want me to take this?”

  Her breaths were hot and heavy against his face. But passion slowly faded from her expression. The mood had been broken. He only hoped she wouldn’t hate him now.

  ERIN CLOSED HER EYES and dropped her head to Cole’s chest. Slowly, her breathing returned to normal, or what could be considered normal whenever he was around. Why had she allowed his passionate kiss when she loathed men right now?

  But maybe she didn’t hate all men. Just the rich ones. That could explain why she lowered her expectations and let herself become interested in Cole. So far from what she knew about him, he was vastly different than the other men who’d yanked her heart out of her chest and ripped it to pieces before shoving it back into her chest cavity.

  But it was too soon to have feelings for him. Or for any man. Cole’s kiss was the best she’d ever had, but things between them needed to stop right here. He’d distracted her from her article, and good journalists never became unfocussed.

  Cole’s lips brushed her forehead. “Sweetheart? Are you okay?”

  Her heart did a little flip from his endearment. This man certainly didn’t belong in a place like this. He was such a gentleman and showed his respect for her every time he turned around. He should have a more professional job. But then, working at a resort was what he’d wanted. Who was she to destroy someone’s dream?

  She lifted her head and looked into his worried eyes. “Yes, I’m fine.”

  “You’re not upset at me?”

  “No.”

  “Are... you sorry you kissed me?”

  She should be, but... “No.”

  The worried lines on his face disappeared and
he smiled. Heavens, he looked so good right now.

  “Then maybe now is a good time for me to be a good assistant and walk you back to your bungalow.”

  “Yes. I believe that’s a good decision.”

  She waited for him to pull away first, but he didn’t. Was he waiting for her? Then why wasn’t she doing it?

  After a few moments as they held each other and stared into each other’s eyes, they laughed simultaneously.

  “Okay,” he said, “on the count of three, we’ll both let go of each other.”

  She nodded.

  “One... Two... Three.”

  Once again, she couldn’t move, and neither could he. She grinned and shook her head. “Should we try again? This time, count to ten.”

  He laughed loudly for only a second. He bent and kissed her mouth again, but then broke the kiss and stepped back.

  Regret filled her for not wanting to continue their water games. But in the morning, she’d feel differently. She just knew it.

  They didn’t talk as they climbed out of the pool. She grabbed her towel and wrapped it around her, suddenly feeling too exposed. He wrapped his towel around his waist and faced her.

  He sighed. “Erin, will you forgive me for acting like an animal?”

  Her heart wrenched. It surprised her that this man would take on full responsibility. That had never happened to her before. Usually, she was the only one offering apologies. Knowing how different Cole was from the others she’d dated made her want to take him in her arms and smother him with kisses, but she held back from doing so. She forced a smile, instead. “Forgive you? Why? I was acting like an animal, too. In fact, if I hadn’t—”

  “Shhh...” He put his finger to her lips. “It was nobody’s fault.”

  “Yes, it was.” She grinned. “It was the pool’s and the humidity’s.”

  A smile crept across his face, making the dimple in his cheek flash. “You’re right. It was their fault.”

  They walked out of the pool room together. Side-by-side, they left the hotel and strolled toward the bungalows. Neither of them spoke, but the night’s insects and the splashing of the ocean on the beach became their background music. When they reached the porch of her bungalow, she stopped and faced him.

  “Cole, I want to thank you for seeing me to my room. You’re a good worker. Mr. Hunt should know he picked the right man for the supervisor position.”

  One side of his mouth lifted higher than the other when he smiled. “Well, it was my job to relax you, so... I guess I did my job well.”

  “You know, I was going to say that we’d have to do this again tomorrow, but...”

  “No.” He shook his head. “That might not be a good idea.”

  “I agree.”

  “Good night, Erin.”

  “Nite. See you tomorrow. Have sweet dreams.”

  As she entered her bungalow, she knew one thing was for sure. Sweet dreams were not on her agenda because with him on her mind, she wouldn’t get any sleep tonight.

  SEVEN

  Erin slept in as long as she could before rising and showering. Her stomach twisted, and she wasn’t looking forward to seeing Cole today. Especially, not after last night’s kiss. She’d planned to accidentally run into him last night, but her main purpose was to get more information about Jonathan Hunt. Instead, she acted forward and was a big flirt. And worse, she’d encouraged him to kiss her.

  Now she played the regret game – a game she should have never dared to play.

  The island’s heat threatened to melt her once again, but she knew she couldn’t stay in her room forever. She called for breakfast to be brought to her then dressed in Levi shorts and a blue halter-top. On the bed stand was the week’s agenda. Today was horseback riding and a picnic. She shrugged. Sounded fun. It sure beat playing in the water, especially since it would conjure up images of her and Cole.

  Rubbing her forehead, she walked into the bathroom to apply her makeup before the food came. She first pulled back her hair into a ponytail, and then began with her morning ritual.

  Her mind wouldn’t stop replaying last night with Cole – like a movie that someone kept rewinding over and over again. The words they’d said to each other echoed in her head and wouldn’t give her any peace. But it was the guilt and disgust that had gathered like a bad taste in her mouth, which made her feel like a failure. She’d come to the island for one purpose, and so why hadn’t she stayed on task?

  She would just have to remember what Steve did to her. How he had used her, cheated on her, broken her heart, and fed it to the wolves. And how she hated him for making her so vulnerable.

  She’d been so trusting. So quick to love. All it took was one man to say the right words to her, and she fell like a sinking ship. She waited on him hand and foot, and did everything he’d asked. She sat alone waiting for him to call or come see her, without even thinking that he might be messing around with other women.

  Never again would she fall that hard or let a man control her life – which was why it was so important to watch herself around Cole. Already she noticed he was nothing like Steve, but he was still a man, nonetheless.

  A knock came upon the door, and she hurried to get her breakfast. Standing with a tray in his hands was none other than the man she couldn’t get off her mind. Back to wearing the uniform of shorts, tight shirt, and flip-flops, he still looked very handsome.

  He grinned that charming way at her which made his dimple flash. “Good morning, my lovely.”

  She wanted to sigh aloud, but couldn’t. She had to stop this. She had to stop him from being so incredibly sweet. After all, men only acted this way until they got what they wanted.

  “Thank you for bringing my breakfast.”

  He stepped inside and carried the tray to her table. “No problem. What else are assigned assistants for?”

  She lifted the plastic cover on the plate, picked up a slice of hickory smoked bacon, and took a bite. “Um, this is so good.”

  “I’ll tell our chef you appreciate his cooking.”

  She smiled. “Thanks.”

  “Hey, will you be going horseback riding today? I’ll have your horse saddled and everything ready for you. All you have to do is show up.”

  “Well, I have been thinking about it. I mean, what else will I do today? Swim in the pool?” As soon as she said it, she clamped her lips together. It was either that or stick her foot in her mouth.

  He chuckled. “Yes, you could swim. I enjoyed myself last night, didn’t you?”

  She lifted the orange juice to her mouth and took a sip. “You know I did,” she muttered while the glass was still touching her lips.

  “It’s up to you.” He shrugged. “If you want to stay here, so will I.”

  “I can’t let you do that.”

  “You have no other choice. I’m your assigned assistant, remember?”

  “But what about those others you’re assigned to?”

  “They don’t ask me to do much for them, anyway, so I’m here for you.”

  She set the glass down. “Then I free you from your obligations.”

  “You can’t do that. Not unless I agree, too. And I don’t agree.”

  “You’re a stubborn man, Mr...” She pushed at his shoulder. “You know, I don’t even know your last name.”

  “Just call me Cole.”

  Very curious. Why wouldn’t he tell her his last name? Here was another question that needed answering.

  She really didn’t have time to go horseback riding, yet if all the other guests were going, she might as well accompany them to poke around and be nosy. How else would she get the information needed for her article?

  She nodded. “Okay, Cole. I’ve decided to go horseback riding.”

  “Great.” He winked. “I’ll meet you at the stable at eleven-thirty.”

  “Okay.”

  He walked past her and out the door, closing it behind him. Curse her hide, but she was actually excited about spending time with him again. But
she must remember that her experience on the island was for her job. Nothing more, nothing less.

  COLE HELPED ERIN MOUNT the Buckskin, his second favorite horse next to his black Saddlebred. He wanted only the best for Erin.

  There was a change in her this morning, but he knew what it was. If she felt as guilty as he did about last night, this afternoon’s event would be very uncomfortable. Already, she had a difficult time meeting his eyes. And the few times she spoke to him, she said it over her shoulder while her gaze was elsewhere.

  Six other guests joined their group. Cole, and one other employee, Larry, were the only two helping on the ride, but that was all right. Maybe the guests would need him, and in the process, take his mind off the very beautiful Erin DeWitt.

  He wished he knew why he couldn’t get that lady off his mind. He’d been attracted to other women before, but for some reason, at this very moment, he couldn’t put a name or face to any in his memory. Perhaps it was because he still felt Erin had a secret, and he was dying to uncover the truth about her so-called relaxing trip.

  He hadn’t heard back from his investigator friend yet, and right now, Cole wanted to do his own investigating. Unraveling Erin’s many secrets sounded very entertaining.

  As he led the group, Erin stayed in the rear by Larry. She rode next to another guest, and the three of them talked for a while before she moved her horse ahead and talked with another guest. This behavior was normal, but as hard as the single male guests flirted with her, she still didn’t pair off with them. That in itself was strange.

  When they stopped at their first rest area, a couple of the women complained their muscles were cramping already, and they wanted Cole to massage their legs. He did it without question, only because he was here to make the guests happy.

  Taking a quick peek at Erin, he noticed her brows draw together in anger as she shot daggers with her piercing stare. He bit his lip to keep from grinning. He could tell when women were jealous, and Erin showed all of the signs.

  He wanted to laugh with satisfaction, yet he didn’t know why she would act this way. Why would she be jealous? She was a gorgeous babe. She could get any man she wanted. So why him who was playing the part of a resort staff member?