He was trying to lighten the mood, but she didn’t laugh. Instead, in her dry tone, she replied, “No I didn’t. I stopped reading after lion tamer.”
Caydan grinned. “Then you didn’t miss psychic. And my prediction for your future is a wonderful time at the beach without any threat of sharks.”
This time Allyson laughed, something he would never tire of hearing. And when she laughed hard, she even snorted, which he found cute as hell. Even though their conversation last night was more personal than he’d intended, there were a few lighthearted times they both relaxed and enjoyed themselves. With any luck, tonight would follow suit.
“You’re not going to take no for an answer, are you?”
Was it as simple as saying no? There was only one way to find out. “No.”
“Fine. But I’m telling you right now, if I get eaten by a shark, I’m coming back to haunt you.”
“Deal. Now go change, and I’ll meet you on the beach.”
Caydan ended the call and went to change. As he took off his hiking boots, he made contact with the gun strapped to his ankle. It was harsh reminder of why he was there. How is it she can almost make me forget? Subterfuge, lies, and scheming were the Hendersons way of doing business, not his. He stayed out of the spotlight, but he dealt in legit real estate. Though he was extremely good at negotiating the best deal, he’d never swindled anyone out of their money or property. He’d questioned the safety of a few locations, but he’d never felt as though a weapon was required.
But this wasn’t a business transaction, and the threat wasn’t in his imagination. The Hendersons were mistaken if they thought they’d held the rebels at bay. He and Roger had spoken at length and agreed it was only a matter of time before the rebels retaliated. There was no better way to do so than by attacking New Hope.
Even if the Hendersons were out of the picture, the issue would need to be addressed. Would the Tabiqians ever fully win? He wasn’t sure. But he was going to try his damnedest to help them get there.
His contract with New Hope was for a year, but his promise to himself for Tabiq was going to take a lifetime. Being on his guard, needing to wear a piece strapped to his ankle, wasn’t his normal. But life was full of changes, and unfortunately, this was one of them.
It was a swim and dinner. Nothing more. He’d call it an early night and tomorrow enjoy watching a few more things go wrong at New Hope. And with any luck, Shaun will still be distracted with his brother and won’t see it coming.
* * *
Swimming? I don’t swim. I wade in a pool. But it was too late to back out. She was already on the beach, and he’d caught sight of her. He stood there all muscle with what appeared to be a natural tan. She could barely pull her eyes off him, but ogling her coworker was going to draw attention.
“I thought you were going to chicken out,” Caydan said before turning toward the water.
She followed, saying, “That’s not my style.”
“Good. Because all you have in this world is your word.”
Before she could respond, Caydan dove into the wave rolling toward them. She was still in shallow water and quickly pulled off her swim wrap, tossing it onto the sandy beach behind her. With each step into deeper water, she muttered to herself, “No sharks. No sharks. No sharks.”
Caydan had resurfaced and called out, “Take a leap of faith and join me. Trust me; I won’t let anything hurt you.”
He sounded so damn confident, as though he could control the ocean. But his arrogance, although annoying at times, was somehow sweet right now. She stepped closer, not breaking eye contact with him. He extended a hand, but there was no way she could reach it from this distance. He was standing in chest-deep water, and she was in only up to her knees.
Really? All the way out there? She reminded herself people went swimming there every day. No one had been killed or harmed. There was no reason she should believe she was going to be the first.
As she stepped even closer, another wave rolled in, that one bigger than the first. It crashed into her and knocked her backward, pushing her underwater and back toward the beach.
When the water subsided, she came up coughing, feeling as though she’d swallowed half of the sea. She was struggling to get up, her bikini bottoms filled with sand. With her hair in her eyes, she couldn’t tell which way the beach was.
She felt strong arms lifting her from the water. Had the lifeguard seen her go under? They were paid to keep the guests safe, and she really needed saving.
When she was finally sitting on the sandy beach, and the coughing had subsided, she could hear his voice.
“You’re okay. Slow deep breaths to get the water out.”
Caydan had scooped her up. She tried to speak, but each time she choked. She felt his hand rubbing her back, trying to calm her. She knew she was safe, but her body was still in panic mode.
A crowd must have gathered because she heard Caydan barking at them to back off and give her space. It wasn’t the best way for him to address either guests or staff, but then again, she was totally embarrassed and didn’t want an audience.
Caydan must have realized that because, once again, she was in his arms. She didn’t know where he was taking her and didn’t care. As long as it wasn’t back into the water.
Allyson wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his chest. She could tell they had entered the building as she could no longer feel the warm breeze against her cool body. When he finally stopped, he loosened his hold. She didn’t. Allyson felt safe exactly where she was.
“Allyson, if you don’t let go, I can’t open your door.” She still held tight. “You need to put in your passcode, or I can take you to my room if you’d rather.”
She didn’t want this to end. But there was no way she was going to his room wearing her bikini. It was bad enough she was in his arms in the hallway. Untangling her fingers and letting her arms slip down from his neck, she let him steady her onto the floor.
“Thank you,” she said as she blocked his view and pushed the buttons to open the door. When she entered, he followed.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Making sure you’re okay.”
“I appreciate that, but I’m fine.” He looked her over, and she felt very exposed. She wished she had her swim wrap back on. “Really, I’m okay.”
“I’ll hang here until you change.”
“Change?” she asked.
He nodded. “Unless you forgot you asked me to dinner.”
A lot of things had slipped her mind when he was standing in front of her half naked. Including why she had invited him in the first place. She needed to regain control and get back to being professional.
“No, I didn’t, but I’d like to shower first. And I’m very capable of doing so without you here. If you don’t mind, I’d like some privacy.”
“Of course. And dinner?” Caydan asked.
Dinner? How could she even think of food right now? She was mortified. What idiot needs to be rescued after falling in knee-deep water at the beach? He must think I’m so pathetic. Unprofessional . . . pathetic. She rolled her eyes. There was no way she’d redeem this day. Caydan looked at her with pity. But the reason she has asked him to dinner in the first place still needed to be addressed. Pity might be better than how he looks at me after I tell him everything.
“Um, dinner. Yes. Will you come back in about half an hour? We can eat here, if that’s acceptable.” She needed them to be out of earshot. And after the little ordeal on the beach, they probably were going to have more eyes on them than before.
“I’ll see you then,” Caydan said as he let himself out.
Thirty minutes wasn’t long, but at least she could wash the sand off and put on some casual clothes, jeans and a T-shirt. Even though she had showered as quickly as possible, she still had a mass of wet red curls, looking like flickering flames. There was no time to blow dry and flat iron it out. She never wore it like this unless she was staying home. Lo
oking in the mirror, she shrugged. This was not what she needed to feel and look confident. Their talk wasn’t going to be easy. There was so many ways it could turn out, and none seemed to be in her favor. But Scott was right, honesty was the best avenue to take. If my hair is any indication of what the talk will be like, I’m in trouble.
No matter how the conversation went, she hoped he’d understand and they’d have an amicable relationship going forward. If not, her job was really going to suck. Because he probably will make it that way.
There was a knock on her door, and she knew it was time. When she opened, Caydan was holding a dinner tray. It wasn’t sea bass this time. Instead, it was two bowls of fish chowder. Of course, he remembered her frozen piña colada. Why did he have to be so damn nice today? That was making this a lot harder.
She held the door open while he entered and set the tray on the small table.
“You really didn’t need to bring it with you.”
“I know, but you were still so shaky when I left earlier, I figured I’d—”
“I know. Help. You seem to want to do that a lot. Maybe we can sit and talk about how you really could achieve that.” She needed him to realize this wasn’t a casual dinner in her room. It was business.
He took a seat across from her and said, “You seem to have an agenda laid out. So why don’t you start?” His tone said he understood this wasn’t going to be a replay of last night.
She cleared her throat and started with what seemed easiest. “As I mentioned this morning, another employee quit.”
“Yes, I’m aware of that.”
“Yet you haven’t mentioned to me why the other two quit. This is going to reflect poorly on our performance.”
“Ours? I would think because they report to me, it would be my problem.”
“It’s not that simple. One occurrence, yes, but not three. They are going to wonder why I haven’t stepped in.”
“And why haven’t you?” Caydan asked, challenging her.
“Please, Caydan, don’t make this more difficult than it needs to be. I need you to work with me, not against me.”
“And is that how you feel? That I’m out to get you fired?” Caydan asked.
No. Like you want to get yourself fired. Could that be it? He didn’t want to be there and that was his way out? There were easier ways to accomplish that without getting rid of people who actually needed work. But he didn’t fire them; they quit. He’s not responsible for their actions, just his own. Once again she found herself defending him, even if it was only to herself.
“No. I don’t believe you’d do such a thing. That’s why I want to talk to you about this. We need to fix it before it gets out of hand.”
“Is that all you want to talk to me about tonight? Because we could’ve done that over the phone,” Caydan said as he sipped his Scotch.
She could put it off longer, heck maybe never have to fess up at all. But if he found out any other way, he’d never forgive her. I’m not sure I would forgive myself either.
“No. I wanted to talk to you about . . . something else.” Allyson took a sip of her drink then placed it back on the table. She didn’t normally drink anything strong, but tonight she felt like she could use it. Mustering all her confidence, she said, “There is something you don’t know. And you should.”
“What is that?”
“Shaun is here because . . . because I asked him to come.”
“Okay. Why did you feel you needed him here?”
The words were choking her, and her stomach turned. “Because I wasn’t sure you were the right person for the job.”
“My résumé didn’t impress you?” Caydan asked.
You know it did. “This has nothing to do with your qualifications.”
He cocked a brow. “Then I’m puzzled. What else would you base your decision on?”
“My . . . my gut.”
He laughed. “Well that doesn’t sound like it follows any of the rules in that handbook you quote all the time.”
She didn’t find that funny. Allyson had been extremely worried about how he’d take the news. Laughing wasn’t one of the reactions she’d anticipated. Actually, it was odd.
“Caydan, I’m serious. Shaun is here for one reason: to see if you are what you presented yourself to be.”
He stared at her, and her hands trembled. She wished she could read what was going through that handsome head of his.
“What does your gut tell you now?”
To run, because you make it impossible for me to think clearly. “That we may have gotten off on the wrong foot. That I judged you without knowing you. And I never should’ve asked Shaun to come. You’re a good man.”
Caydan got up from his seat, reached out, and pulled her from hers. Looking down into her eyes, he said harshly, “Never question your gut. It’s your strength. It’s what makes you better than the rest, and someday it might save your life.”
Her legs felt weak as he held her. As she loosened his hold, she found herself leaning into him. Her mouth gaped open, and she was speechless. Was it fear, shock, or just the need for him to hold her again? Caydan didn’t seem upset at what she’d done but angry that she’d doubted herself.
“Caydan. I’m . . . I’m sorry. I should’ve told you before.”
He shook his head. “No, Allyson. You were right to be leery. I’m not the nice man you think I am. If you were smart, you’d keep your distance. And hell, maybe you should have all the Hendersons come here. Because when I want something, it’d take an army standing in my way just to slow me down.”
“And . . . what . . . what do you want?” Allyson stammered, her heart racing. Once again she clung to him for strength.
Caydan met her eyes. They were dark and piercing. She could see so much emotion, turmoil, in him that she wasn’t prepared for his lips when they claimed hers. There was nothing gentle about the kiss. It was powerful, and as his tongue entered her mouth, it begged to devour her. She wanted to pull away. This was wrong. It was against the rules. But she couldn’t pull away. Allyson wanted it as badly as he did.
Opening to him, her tongue meeting his, exploring and tasting the Scotch, she leaned into him. As her breasts pressed against his chest, his groan echoed through her mouth. He crushed her against him, almost painfully. Then in an instant, Caydan pushed her away.
He headed to the door. Before walking out, he turned and said, “That won’t happen again.” Then he left without another word.
Allyson stood with her heart pounding in her chest, confused. Had he kissed her because he was angry? Was he trying to prove he was in control? Or could he have really wanted her like she desired him?
He can’t. Not after what I told him. There’s no way. He hadn’t yelled at her or denied anything. But his words . . . You were right to be leery. I’m not the nice man you think I am. If you were smart, you’d keep your distance.
Keep her distance . . . is that why he was so hot and cold? She hadn’t expected his kiss, or his intensity. Nor how turned on she’d been from his touch. If he hadn’t pulled away, would she have? She knew what her answer should be, but her body was screaming something different.
She slid back into her chair and brought her finger to her swollen lips. His kiss was fresh on her mind, but so was his warning.
Who are you Caydan Pintino? What are you really doing here? She closed her eyes. You’re right. This can’t happen again. Even if I want it to, because damn, that was the best kiss I’ve had in my life.
Chapter 9
Allyson had both the worst and the best dreams last night. Both involved Caydan. But today was going to be different. Things were already looking up. Since she had been awake long before dawn, she’d had time to go through a huge stack of applications. One thing about Tabiq, the locals were all waiting to get hired at New Hope. It was her job to ensure only the qualified were hired. Hours later, after almost a hundred candidates, she had only a handful who met the criteria required.
That was
a good start, but she still needed to schedule face-to-face interviews with both herself and Caydan. As desperate as the people were, she knew they’d drop everything and come immediately. But she wasn’t going to set anything up without Caydan’s approval. They would all report to him. For how long is another story.
She could easily give him a call with her findings, but opted to send him an email with the candidate’s information attached.
There was so much she wanted to say in the email but decided less was more.
PLEASE REVIEW AND RESPOND WITH TIMES. I’LL SCHEDULE THE INTERVIEWS. THANK YOU
As she read it back, it sounded so formal, but she wasn’t going to put anything in writing that wasn’t professional. Even if behind closed doors, my judgment is questionable.
All she could do was await his response. Even if they met with them today, the new hires weren’t going to be able to just step into their roles. There was intensive training that would last a few weeks at best. After that, hopefully things would be back to normal. Like how it was before Caydan and I took over.
Of course, she wasn’t sure how things were going to go between her and Caydan, but they were both professionals, and like everything else, that would work itself out too. Just might take more time.
With the morning almost gone, it would be good to get out of her office for a while. The walls felt like they were closing in. One of the perks of working at such a beautiful resort was getting to enjoy the view, something she hadn’t yet taken advantage of. That needed to change as well.
As she opened her door to leave, she practically slammed into Shaun.
“Were you heading out?” he asked.
Not anymore. “Just stretching my legs.” She went back to her desk and asked, “Is there something you need?”
He entered the room along with Bennett. Neither of them looked happy. Had they learned already that she’d confessed to Caydan about calling them in? If so, word travels way too fast here. And I’m afraid of what else they learned.
“I need you to do something for me,” Shaun said as he took the seat across from her.
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