by Vivi Holt
Then he beckoned her over. Well, technically she was supposed to be watching the target. And she didn’t really want to show off her pale stomach with the tiny stretch marks just beneath her belly button, or all the other imperfections that would let the world know she was thirty-four with a kid. But it wasn’t as if she was trying to impress him. He was her boss, nothing more – the touching, the caressing, even the kisses were all for show. And how far could the Meers get while she took a dip in the water, anyway?
She took off her dress and walked down the beach into the water. It was colder than she expected, but she dunked herself in and got her hair good and wet.
When she emerged, Callum was right there, smiling again. “Feels good, doesn’t it?”
She nodded. “Very.”
“Barely a wave. We could float here forever.”
Jessie smiled and pushed herself onto her back to stare up at the sky.
Something brushed her leg and she jolted, losing her balance and splashing below the surface. She thrashed around, trying to get a foothold. What was that – a fish? Seaweed?
The next thing she knew, two strong hands pulled her up out of the water and set her on her feet. Callum laughed and wiped away the water streaming into her eyes. “Are you okay?” He pulled her against his chest and rubbed her back in a comforting circle.
Her skin goose-pimpled as she gulped oxygen. “Something touched me.”
He chuckled. “I think that was just my board shorts. Look, there’s nothing there.” He pointed to the water, as clear as a swimming pool.
She could see there wasn’t anything around them but sand and a few small bait fish flitting about. She rubbed her eyes. “At least I handled it gracefully.”
He threw back his head and laughed.
His hands were still on her back and she didn’t want to move, ever. The water soothed as it lapped against her skin. The sun warmed the top of her head – gone were the cold, damp, crowded city streets and the anxieties over school and starting again in a new place. If Scott and her mother were here with them, it’d be just about perfect. They could all live in Haiti together, laze on the beach, read books, do the occasional PI job. It’d be paradise.
She shook her head as if to admonish herself. She couldn’t let her mind wander that way. Callum was her employer. She needed the work and the contacts he’d bring her. She had to focus for the sake of her family. Feelings were something she couldn’t afford, not as a single mother in a new town. A romantic relationship with Callum could cost her any chance at a professional reputation, just as her romance with Paul had. She’d lived with enough gossip, guarded looks and innuendo in Chicago – she wasn’t about to go through all that again.
Jessie pulled away, smoothing her wet hair from her face. “Thank you.”
Callum nodded. “You’re welcome.”
“I think I’ll head back to the cabana and see what Alton and his maiden aunt are up to.”
“I’ll be there in a minute. I’m going to swim a little longer first.”
8
Jessie waded back to shore and up the beach, nudging perfectly formed pink seashells with her toe or stopping to admire a scuttling crab as she went. She scanned the beach to take in the unfamiliar scenery – and more importantly, check on their targets. The Meers were still in their cabana. When she reached hers and Callum’s, she heard Liliana’s faint snoring and smiled. She had an idea, but she’d have to wait for the Meers to make the first move before she put it into action.
She’d read an entire chapter of her book by the time Callum returned and flung himself down on the cabana mattress, still wet. She smiled, but didn’t stop reading. He sighed, rolled onto his stomach, and within minutes she heard the steady breathing that told her he too was asleep.
When she saw Alton Meer signal to a waiter out of the corner of her eye, she turned to watch with interest. Liliana had awakened and was leaning up against a corner of their cabana, staring out across the ocean. Alton placed an order and the waiter hurried away, tucking Alton’s cash into his apron pocket.
“Excuse me?” called Jessie, waving down the server.
The waiter paused, then hurried over. “Yes, Ma’am. Can I get you something?”
“I’d love a soda and lime, and a Dr. Pepper for my husband.”
“Of course, ma’am. That will be $5.50, please.”
She nodded, reached for her purse, pulled out a $50 bill and put it in his hand.
He smiled. “I will get your change, ma’am.”
She shook her head. “Actually, you can keep the change if you’ll do something for me.”
His eyes narrowed. “Oh?”
“That couple over there …” She pointed to the Meers. “Can you tell me what they ordered?”
“The lady ordered a Tom Collins, and the man a gin and tonic.”
“Great. If you bring me their drinks and take them ours, you can keep the change.”
He stared at the bill in his hand and began shaking his head. “Ma’am, I don’t know …”
“I’m not going to do anything to it, I promise. I just want to introduce myself to them. You take them the wrong drink, they argue with you about it, I interrupt and fix the problem. Okay?”
He took a slow breath. “Okaaaay, I suppose that is all right.” He walked away.
She returned to her book, her thoughts swirling. What would she say? She knew there was a lot riding on how this played out. Perhaps she should wake Callum. She glanced at him still sleeping soundly. She knew he hadn’t been sleeping well on the sofa – she often heard him tossing and turning on the pull-out. Even now he groaned, making her wonder if he was having a bad dream, but then he went quiet again. She’d let him sleep a while longer.
Before long the waiter returned, handed her the Meer’s drinks wordlessly. He spun on his heel and headed to the next cabana. She heard his voice clearly from where she sat: “Here you go, sir … ma’am. A soda with lime and a Dr. Pepper.”
There was a pause, then Alton’s nasal voice rang out over the sand.. “Excuse me? We ordered a gin and tonic and a … what did you order, dear?”
“A Tom Collins. You know that’s my drink of choice, Alton.”
Alton nodded. “That’s right, a Tom Collins. These aren’t our drinks.”
“I’m sorry, sir. I clearly remember you ordering a soda with lime and a Dr. Pepper.”
“I most certainly did not.” Even from a distance Jessie could see Alton’s face darkening. She got up and headed over.
“I assure you …,” the waiter continued.
Jessie reached the other cabana in a few strides. “Excuse me?” She held up the gin and tonic and Tom Collins with a shrug. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but I think perhaps I have your drinks and you have mine.”
Alton’s face relaxed and he smiled at her. “Jessie – how lovely to see you again. Yes, those are our drinks. Thank you.”
She handed them to Alton and smiled at the waiter, who looked relieved and scurried off as fast as his legs would carry him.
“Incompetence – we’re completely surrounded, I tell you,” Liliana scolded, and fanned her face with a magazine.
“At least it’s all taken care of now.” Jessie smiled and reached for her drinks.
Callum awoke on his side, drool pooling on the white sheet beneath his cheek. He wiped his face with the back of his hand. That was the deepest sleep he’d had in days.
He sat up slowly and rested his elbows on his knees, shaking his head. He felt as if he was still dreaming, his thoughts were so muddled – he couldn’t quite remember where he was or what he was supposed to be doing. That sofa bed in the cabin was hard and uncomfortable, and he’d been working not to sleep too deeply, lest he find himself in bed with Jessie again. He scanned the beach, and saw the shadows had shortened and the sun beat down from directly overhead. He must have been out at least an hour, maybe more.
Sounds of laughter and conversation drifted in, and he spotted Jessie at the cabana next
to theirs in deep discussion with Alton and Liliana Meer. He frowned, stood and headed their way. What was she up to? She shouldn’t be contacting the target without getting his okay first. What if she let slip something that made them suspicious?
As he arrived, Jessie grinned and reached for his hand. “Callum, you’re awake!” She took it and squeezed, her eyes widening.
“I wondered where you were,” he said, squeezing back.
“Well, I ordered us some drinks – here’s yours.” She handed him a cup of Dr. Pepper. “When the waiter brought them over, he gave me Alton and Liliana’s drinks and they got ours instead. Isn’t that a hoot?”
He took it with a nod of thanks and sipped, his eyes narrowing. “Well, how about that?”
“Anyway, we got to talking and I forgot to bring you your drink. But since you were sleeping so sweetly …” She batted her eyelashes at him.
He couldn’t help smiling. “Thanks for letting me rest. I feel like I slept for twelve hours straight.”
“I’m glad. I think you needed it.” She winked.
He felt Liliana’s eyes on him, but she still sported those big sunglasses and a scarf over her hair, plus a wrap around her shoulders. A little pale skin showed past the wrap and her conservative swimsuit. There was no way Katrina could identify her even if he did get a photo – she was far too covered up. But it was clear from what he could see that Liliana had at least fifteen or twenty years on Alton. He wondered where they’d met and what kind of relationship they had.
Alton kept glancing in Jessie’s direction, half-smiling with his eyes gleaming. Callum frowned – did their target have something of a crush on his fake wife? He wasn’t sure how he felt about that, but definitely more uncomfortable than he should.
“So how did the two of you meet?” asked Alton, looking back and forth between them.
Callum sat on the sand next to Jessie. “Oh … we met at church.”
“We fell in love almost at first sight, didn’t we, sugar plum?” Jessie wove her fingers through his, then pecked him on the cheek.
His body warmed. “Yes, we did. And now here we are – newly married and ready to take on the world.” He smiled, leaned forward and kissed her full on the lips. The taste of her made his entire body hum. Every atom was awake in that moment and wanted to carry on the kiss forever. His hands found her shoulders and she trembled beneath his touch.
She pulled away, sucking on her own lower lip, her cheeks flushed. “Sugar plum, we’ll embarrass Alton and Liliana.”
Callum grinned at Alton. “You can hardly blame me, though.”
Alton shook his head, his face glum. “No, of course not. You’re newlyweds. You should be …”
“Sickening,” finished Liliana with a dismissive wave.
“Yes, newlyweds should be sickeningly in love.” Alton replied, then swallowed hard and looked away. Clearly it wasn’t something he was experiencing himself.
“So tell us, how did you meet?” asked Jessie, her gaze fixed on Alton’s reddened face.
“Oh …” He glanced quickly at his wife. “Um …”
“I’m sorry to interrupt the fun, but I’d like to take a walk.” Liliana rose gracefully from the bed. “Alton?”
He nodded and took her hand to help her up. “Of course, let’s take a walk. I think that is a wonderful idea.” They wandered off arm in arm, Jessie watching with narrowed eyes.
Callum couldn’t take his eyes off Jessie. His lips still tingled from their kiss and he wanted more. “So?” he asked when the Meers were out of earshot.
She arched an eyebrow. “Well, at least Alton’s a talker. He’s from Tampa originally. He and his mother moved to Atlanta when she married Kyle, who she met at a resort in Tampa – a conference or something. Then Liliana interrupted and asked him to find her sunscreen.”
“Huh? That’s … interesting.”
“I thought so. There’s definitely something we’re missing with that will, and I get the feeling we’re running out of time to find out what. Alton said something about being glad Atlanta was behind them. Right before Liliana interrupted again, of course.”
Callum curled his toes in the sand as he watched a volleyball game down the beach. They were waiting for Alton and Liliana to return from their walk, though he doubted they’d have much more to say that day – Liliana had made it clear she wanted to keep her husband quiet.
Jessie came up behind him and began massaging his shoulders. “Want to join that match?” she asked.
“That feels so good,” he groaned. “I’ll play if you will.”
She laughed and ran toward the other players, her hair bouncing against her back. He stood and followed. He loved volleyball – or any sport, really. Give him a ball and something to aim it at and he was a happy man. He joined one side, Jessie the other, and they were welcomed with high-fives. Jessie stood opposite him, eyes gleaming and knees bent as if ready to pounce. He couldn’t help smiling at her enthusiasm, although she couldn’t have been much more than five feet four inches tall.
“You’re going down, McKenzie,” she chortled.
He laughed. “Oh yeah, McKenzie? And who exactly is going to take me down?”
“I am, of course.” She pointed to herself, with mock indignation. “I think that’s blindingly obvious.”
She was cute, he’d give her that. Not likely to be a volleyball prodigy, but cute.
The other team served, the ball came flying over the net and Callum got under it just before it hit the sand. Someone else stumbled forward to swat it back over. Jessie surprised him by knocking it right back again, but one of his teammates set it just right. He leaped into the air and spiked it – directly into Jessie’s forehead, sending her onto her back with a huff, her head hitting the sand.
Callum ran around the net and dropped to his knees beside her, eyes wide. “Jessie! Jessie, are you okay?”
She groaned, her eyes shut.
“Jessie! Oh geez, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you – I was aiming for the ground.”
She inhaled sharply and pushed herself up on one elbow to stare him in the eye. “You missed.”
People crowded around, asking if she needed a doctor, if they could do anything, whether she was hurt. Jessie smiled around the circle of faces. “I’m okay. Really, it’s fine – it was a soft landing, thank goodness. My hubby just doesn’t know his own strength.”
The crowd dispersed and Callum helped Jessie to her feet, looping her arm around his neck and supporting her back to their cabana, where he helped her onto the mattress. “Are you sure you’re not hurt?”
“I don’t know … head is spinning … I keep zoning out … I …” She fell back on the mattress, her eyes shut.
Callum’s adrenaline kicked into overdrive. “Jessie!” he shouted. He scooped her up in his arms and began to run across the sand toward the main resort, his heart pounding. What if she had a concussion, or worse? It was all his fault – he was too competitive. He couldn’t help himself – if he wasn’t winning, he wasn’t trying, Dad had always said. It was a motto he lived by. And now he’d taken it too far.
Through the sound of his pulse thundering in his ears, he heard a faint giggling. He glanced down at Jessie and stopped short. She was laughing at him! Her eyes glimmered with tears, but not from pain. “Gotcha!”
His eyes narrowed, and he dropped her on the ground.
“Hey!”
His nostrils flared. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”
She just laughed, stood up and took off at a run.
Oh, now she was in for it. He went after her, hot on her heels. She ducked and he dived for her, but only caught a mouthful of sand in the process. She giggled behind a cabana and he chased her, hands outstretched. She disappeared behind the bar and out the other side, but he waited for her. She was still looking behind her when he jumped out and caught her in his arms. “I can’t believe you let me think you were hurt,” he growled.
She squirmed in his arms, but her
eyes still sparkled with mischief. “You deserved it after that shot.”
“I’m sorry,” he said again.
She raised an eyebrow. “Fine. I accept your apology.”
When he kissed her, she squeaked, then relaxed, falling against his chest. She wrapped her arms behind his neck and her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer. There was no holding back now. He couldn’t fight the feelings any longer and didn’t want to. She was too beautiful, too soft in his arms, and already too close to his heart.
Callum knew it was wrong – they were colleagues, and technically she worked for him, however brief the contract between them might last. It didn’t make sense for them to be together. But it felt right, and she’d drawn him in like a moth to a flame.
9
Jessie put on lipstick and smacked her lips together, regarding her reflection in the mirror beside the TV. Callum was in the shower, and she could hear him humming a tune over the water beating against the walls. She smiled. Their kiss earlier on the beach had set off a chain reaction of hormones that kept her thoughts swirling and her cheeks flushed. They hadn’t spoken about what happened, just enjoyed the rest of the day on the island, laughing and talking about life and their dreams, family and friends.
Everything but the big gray elephant that stood between them – what now? They’d stepped over the line, taken it too far. She worked for him and they’d kissed. It was that simple, and that complicated.
The ship lurched and she reached out to steady herself against the wall. When they’d re-boarded the ship earlier that afternoon, there were dark clouds on the horizon heading toward them. But she hadn’t heard a storm or any rain. The ship had left Haiti an hour ago and headed back out to sea.
She walked to the balcony door, opened it – and a crack of thunder sounded close by. The wind was cool and whipped her hair around her face. It might be a rough night if the weather continued this way.
