eyond Desire Collection

by JS Scott, M Malone, Marie Hall, et al

  Of course, it had nothing to do with him hoping he’d run into Riley. At least that was what he kept telling himself.

  He wandered towards the conservatory, which doubled as a dining room. The walls of glass offered guests a breathtaking view of the waves breaking on the craggy coast as the summer sun sparkled on the water’s surface. It was going to be another gorgeous day.

  Several long tables were lined at the back of the room and there appeared to be a wide variety of offerings one could help themselves to, from basics like cereal and bagels, to the more impressive, like homemade muffins, scones, and quick breads. But it didn’t end there. There were also stations manned by chefs—one for omelets and eggs cooked to order, and another for pancakes and waffles, with a variety of fillings and toppings available. It was just enough to make their guests feel special, without breaking the bank with extravagant extras. Frankly, he thought it a smart business move, since the staff would likely be working the kitchen anyway. It made him wonder if it had been Riley’s idea, since she seemed to be involved in every aspect of running the inn.

  After putting a little bit of everything on his plate, he grabbed some steaming coffee to wash it all down with and took a seat by the window. Glancing around the room, more than half the tables were filled. Not bad, assuming there’d be a steady rotation. It meant occupancy was probably close to full. His eyes roamed the room again, hoping to catch a glimpse of Riley.

  With their kisses playing in his head, he’d spent the night tossing and turning, recalling how she felt in his arms, her body pulled tight against his to keep the cold at bay. It had taken all the willpower he had to resist knocking on her door in the middle of the night. He wouldn’t normally think of two weeks as a long wait, but he didn’t know if he’d be able to resist her until the sale of the inn went through. Hell, he’d been on the island less than a day and had barely managed to keep his hands off her.

  Laughter and conversation pulled him from his thoughts. He looked over and found the three romance writers from yesterday had been joined by another six, all of them having a great time. Riley mentioned the writer’s conference wouldn’t start for another week. It said something about the inn that so many guests came ahead of time, and it left him hopeful that they might be able to keep the conferences going.

  One of the women—the one who’d helped him land that date with Riley—waved to him with a big smile. He tilted his head in their direction. “Ladies.”

  “If you start getting lonely, we’re happy to make a spot for you at our table.” She gave her friend a small nudge.

  “I appreciate the offer.” If all of Riley’s guests were this entertaining, it was no wonder Riley wanted to keep her programs going.

  What he needed to know was exactly how all the programs and conferences were doing, and how to improve those numbers so he could help Riley keep her programs. Anna would soon have those figures to work with, and though he might not be able to get his hands on them directly without drawing attention to the fact that he was at inn, he could certainly have his longtime friend and assistant, Ethan, try to get them. Ethan was good at digging up information others didn’t want found, and Thorsen knew Ethan was loyal only to him. Add lawyer and suspect computer hacker to the list of Ethan’s talents, and Ethan was indispensable.

  Thorsen dug into his meal, finding the omelet tasty and the pancakes light with a perfectly crisped edge, while letting his gaze wander around the room. He didn’t spot the newlyweds—not that he’d expect them to be up so early in the morning—nor Anna, but there were several families, a few more couples, and then what appeared to be another larger group of people. Unlike the romance writers, this group was more balanced with both men and women, the group fluctuating as some members came down for breakfast and others finished up. Perhaps it was the group of artists Riley had mentioned.

  Thorsen grabbed himself another cup of coffee, and then decided to stop by the front desk to see what, outside of the conferences and retreats, was on offer for entertainment. There was plenty more to do in town, but for now, he wanted to concentrate on the inn and the options offered to the guests. His original plans involved offerings for a high-end clientele—luxury spa days, golf, sailing—paired with catering to corporate events and weddings. However, he hadn’t thought of the inn and the island’s quirky nature, and unfortunately, quirky and high-end didn’t always pair so well.

  Seeing that it was a gorgeous day, he took the brochure and calendar of events that he’d picked up at the front desk and wandered out into the sun, the day made all the brighter by the sight of Riley walking across the lawn towards him. His body’s reaction to her was immediate, his pulse quickening as she drew closer. “Morning, darling.”

  “Hey.” She reached out and gave his hand a squeeze, her eyes catching the morning sun as she smiled at him. “Sorry…I can’t really talk. I’m heading into a meeting.”

  When her eyes clouded over, Thorsen knew exactly who she’d be meeting with. He’d have to give Ethan another call to find out more about Anna and who actually sent her. “Don’t suppose you’d like to get lunch afterwards? We could make it quick and casual if you don’t have a whole lot of time.”

  “I think I can swing that.” Though she managed a hint of a smile, she still looked worried and distracted. “Noon in the lobby? If I’m running late, I’ll call the front desk and have them track you down.”

  “Noon’s fine. But…don’t let the woman get to you, Riley. It’ll all work out, yeah?” Pulling on his years of training with Interpol, he managed to keep his mouth shut when in reality all he wanted to do was come clean about his role in the sale and reassure her that the Siren Song Inn would be fine.

  Except that it may very well not be—and it would all be his fault.

  Thorsen watched her go as if heading off to face her demise, making him wish there was something he could do. At least he’d be able to come clean with her in just a few weeks. He pulled out his phone and left Ethan a message, and then with a guilt-laden conscience over what this sale was doing to Riley, he wandered towards the beach while taking in the grounds.

  There was a large pool for guests who might not want to brave the cold Atlantic waters, in addition to a decent size barn, with a few horses turned out in a paddock. Though he loved to ride, he wondered if it was an activity that earned its keep, given the expense and liability of keeping horses and the potential risk of guests being injured in a fall.

  He looked at the brochures he’d picked up at breakfast. The inn offered rides along the beach and riding lessons as part of their Mermaid Isle day camp for kids. He supposed it helped lure families to the inn and the island if the parents could get a few hours to themselves while their children were being entertained and well-taken care of. And knowing most kids, horses were probably a big draw.

  Unable to resist the clean smell of a barn, he took the brick-paved path that led to it. The doors were on either end, so a pleasant breeze ran through the place, the scent of fresh hay and sawdust bedding mingling with the musky smell of the animals. Most of the stalls were empty, though he did find a few of the magnificent beasts. A couple of them were even curious enough to check him out and see if he had anything good to offer. He patted a big bay’s nose, always amazed at how soft their muzzle was.

  Wandering through to the other end of the stables, he stepped out into the sun, the ocean glistening in the distance. Some things had changed since he’d last stayed here, like the stables and the pool, but he liked that so much of it was still familiar.

  As he wandered across the grounds and towards the beach, he came upon a group of a half-dozen people scattered near the cliffs, painting and sketching the breathtaking view before them. He loved the arts, but his talents lay elsewhere. He could take out an armed man in seconds, speak four languages, and could break into nearly any safe. And yet his drawing skills had never progressed past drawing stick figures. Nor could he carry a tune or play anything other than a kazoo.

  The air was pu
ngent with the scents of the ocean, and the sound of waves breaking on the rocks competed with the cries of the seagulls flying above. He took the worn and weathered wooden steps that led down the small cliffside to the sandy beach below. A row of Adirondack chairs were lined up far enough away from the waterline to not get pulled out to sea at high tide. Close to half of them were occupied with vacationers, while children and adults played in the surf.

  He could already see himself walking the sandy beach hand in hand with Riley—and not just now, but as the seasons changed, as the years rolled on by. This is what he wanted. What he yearned for.

  His phone rang. Ethan. He took a seat and watched the waves roll in, while he started to formulate a plan for taking over the Siren and making sure his cousin didn’t cause trouble.

  Chapter Five

  Riley turned to Jack and Ava to plead her case, unable to look at Anna any longer. The woman was soulless. “I understand that changes need to be made, but this would destroy the Siren as we know it.”

  Anna shrugged with a huff. “Maybe you’re too close to the inn to see things objectively. I’m willing to entertain certain offerings—we’ll keep the corporate events and the weddings. Even some of the conferences, like the one being held for those romance writers. But the rest aren’t bringing in enough revenue to continue being offered.” She looked through some of her papers. “Says here that you’ve got several weeks of vacation time. Perhaps you should think about taking them, since they won’t carry over.”

  “If you could give us a moment alone, I’d appreciate it.” Jack pursed his lips and waited for Anna to leave. “I’m sorry, my dear. I know she’s a bitter pill, but we need this to go smoothly and she might be right. I think it’s best if you take the time we owe you. That way you can come back feeling refreshed, and you’ll realize things aren’t as bad as they seem.”

  Riley felt like she was trapped in a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from. “Please, Jack. Don’t do this.” Anger and hurt bubbled inside her chest, making it hard for her to breathe.

  Ava gave her hand a squeeze. “Riley, dear…I can’t imagine how stressful this is for you. But we can manage this, and you know we only have the inn’s best interest at heart. You’re owed this vacation time, so you may as well take it. There’s no point in letting it go to waste. We insist.”

  “But I don’t want to, Ava. Please.” Riley knew their meeting could have gone better, and she’d gotten defensive when Anna started to tear apart her program offerings. But she couldn’t help herself. She’d given this place her all. She couldn’t just stand idly by and bite her tongue while someone who’d been at the inn barely twenty-four hours made decisions that would affect everything at the inn and the island. “You know she’ll get rid of everything that makes the Siren special.”

  Jack let out a weary sigh. “We know what this place means to you, dear, and we’ll do our best to see that Ms. Blake understands the importance of keeping things as they are. But you have two weeks of free time to get away and enjoy yourself. You could go see your parents in the Berkshires. Or take a trip. Give yourself a chance to relax and recuperate. It’s not like you’ve ever stopped or slowed down in all the years you’ve worked here, so we’re insisting. You’re officially on vacation as of right now.”

  “But the writers are all coming in over the next few days, there’s a wedding this weekend, and there’s the gallery showing in town for our featured artists.” This could not be happening. The next two weeks were packed.

  “And we’ll take care of it.” Jack’s eyes pleaded with her for an understanding she couldn’t give him.

  “As you wish.” She just shook her head and walked out the door, knowing it wouldn’t do any good to argue with them. Blinking back tears, she walked through the inn, her head down as she tried to get control over her emotions and avoid her coworkers’ worried gazes.

  How could everything go so incredibly wrong and in so little time? And how the hell could they just send her away? Especially now. Two weeks . Did they really think she would just sit around and sun herself on the beach while Holt Enterprises ruined the place she held dearest?

  Well, she was damned if she was going to sit idly by and do nothing about it. She just needed a game plan. Two weeks. She had two weeks to save the place she loved. Two weeks to gather a small fortune, find a way to void the current deal with Holt, and try to buy the inn.

  Yeah…right.

  She rushed past the front desk and straight into a hard body, the man’s hands steadying her. “I’m so sorry.” He didn’t let go, forcing her to look up at him. Logan.

  “Hey...what’s going on? What has you so upset?” Deep lines of worry creased his brow as his blue eyes held her gaze. “Is it that woman?”

  She had to look away as her tears spilled over. With an arm around her shoulder, he tucked her in close and led her to the back office. Closing the door behind them, he sat them down on the sofa and ran a soothing hand down her back. “It can’t be that bad, can it?”

  “Worse.” She swiped at her tears, unable to look at him without starting her waterworks. “I’m being forced to take my vacation time. They don’t want me around to mess things up with that horrid woman.”

  “Oh, Ry…I hate to say it, but it might be for the best.” When she glared at him, he just smiled and shook his head, and pulled her into his arms. “You know I’m on your side, but you’re too close to this to see it objectively. And damn. It’s not like you don’t deserve a break. I can’t remember the last time you took more than a weekend off and you’re here from sunup to sundown.”

  “It’s just not fair. We’ve all busted our butts to keep this place going, and that woman from Holt has no respect for this place. I know Jack and Ava have few options but that…woman…is just so…annoying.” She felt utterly heartbroken.

  “We’ll get through it though, won’t we? And she’s just one of their lawyers. Once the sale is over with, I’m sure she’ll be back to wherever she came from.” He brushed her cheek and gave her a quick kiss before getting to his feet and pulling her up into a big hug.

  She slipped her arms around his trim waist and leaned her head against his chest, his steady heartbeat soothing her frayed nerves as she attempted to push her emotions to the side. At least she knew Logan would always have her back.

  “I guess I have a vacation to take.” She let out a weary breath and tried to slow her racing thoughts.

  “I could try to cheer you up once I finish up my shift.” It was a hopeful question, and she knew exactly what he was implying. Crazy as the summer was, it had been awhile since she’d last taken him up on his offer, and now that Thorsen was around, it really didn’t seem right.

  “That friend of mine…well, it sort of went well, and…” This was always the hard part.

  “No worries, Ry. I get it—and I’m really happy it went well. You need that right now.” Still tucked in at Logan’s side, they wandered out towards the front desk and lobby. “Will you leave the island? You certainly have enough time to take a proper vacation.”

  “And leave this place in your capable hands?” She looked up at him and managed a smile so he wouldn’t fuss over her. “I just might.”

  “You deserve it, Ry—and things will be fine. I promise.” He gave her a hug and a quick kiss on the top of her head. “That date…exactly how well did it go, cupcake?”

  “It was really nice, but if you’re implying…” She left it at that, always unsure of how Logan felt when it came to hearing about her dates. Though they were great friends, he was still her ex.

  With her still in his arms, he leaned in and whispered in her ear. “Well, he’s here, Ry—and looking rather jealous, if I’m reading him right. You’d think he’d already staked his claim.”

  “Nope. No claim staked, though I did agree to lunch.” When his eyebrows perked up at her, she stepped out of his arms and playfully slapped his chest, realizing that he’d gotten her to forget some of her worries, even if her heart was still h
eavy. “Your mind is always in the gutter, Logan. I’m just meeting him for a bite to eat. Nothing more.”

  He shrugged, his teasing smile a reminder of why she’d fallen for him. “Your mouth might be saying one thing, but that blush on your cheeks is saying something completely different—and it’s spelling s-e-x.”

  “Bad, Logan. You’re so very bad.” With a shake of her head, she left Logan standing there and wandered towards Thorsen. The mere sight of his tall, muscular form sent a warm tingle through her body even if her mood was dampened by the day’s events. “I didn’t realize it was lunch time already.”

  He gave a small shrug and tilted his head towards Logan. “I can come back if you’re not done with your meeting yet.”

  “No need. I’m done.” Done for two damned weeks. And just like that, her emotions bubbled up to the surface before she had a chance to wrangle them back to where they came from.

  “Hey…” He reached out and grabbed her hand, his brow furrowed with worry. “What happened?”

  She blinked hard, doing her best to ignore her burning eyes. “It’s just been one of those days. Not sure I’m ready to talk about it just yet, if that’s okay, but I’d love to grab a bite if that still works for you.”

  Still looking worried, he brushed her cheek, his touch immediately calming her. “There’s nothing I’d like more, but only if you’re up for it.”

  “Might as well, since it looks like I’ve got the rest of the day off.” Two weeks—and just as they were heading into some of the busiest weeks of the season.

  “You have the whole day off?” His eyes narrowed in question. “Not that I’m disappointed.”