No More Playas

by Brenda Jackson

  Lance had to admit that she had summed things up perfectly. “Why are you so convinced that I love Asia?”

  A smile touched the corners of her lips. “Because I read your book, Lance. You’re doing a lot of things true playas just don’t do. The main one is admitting to a woman that you love her. No matter what, for a man of your caliber and die-hard determination to never commit to a woman, there would not have been any degree of desperation which would have made you take such drastic steps and confess such a thing unless it was true. Besides, I saw the two of you together that night in New York. I felt more than just pure lust flowing between the two of you as Asia wants me to believe. From you I felt love.” She gave a light laugh then said, “And from Asia I felt intense anger.”

  The waiter interrupted them by bringing a bottle of wine to their table and took the time to pour it into their glasses. As soon as the young man departed, Claire met his gaze again. “You’ve hurt Asia, and because of that, a part of me was very reluctant to meet with you. I was totally convinced that you got just what you deserved in losing her to Sean. But then another part of me, the one with the only romantic bone in my body, believes even you, a reformed playa, deserves another chance and I want to help you get it.”

  Lance was desperate to hear any ideas she had. “How?”

  Claire gave him a steady look. “Asia told me about your dare, and I don’t think it’s as bad as it sounds. Spending time together alone without interruptions or intrusions is what the two of you need.” She paused, then tipped the glass of wine to her lips and took a slow sip. “And I know a way to make it happen ... if you’re interested.”

  Lance was plenty interested and didn’t hesitate to say, “I’m definitely interested.”

  “Good. But I need to give you fair warning. If I’m wrong about you, Lance, and this is nothing more than a game you’re playing, then you might as well kiss your balls good-bye. And trust me when I say that I’m a woman of my word.”

  Lance blinked. It took less than a minute to realize the woman was dead serious. He shifted in his seat, not wanting to imagine the extent of pain that would be inflicted on a certain body part if she ever made good on her threat. “This is not a game with me. Time alone with Asia is all I’m asking for.”

  Claire nodded. “Okay then, I’ll help you get it.”

  25

  Lance and Asia

  Melissa James leaned back in her chair and studied the woman who was impatiently pacing her Manhattan office. She had been Asia Fowler’s agent since her first book, and over the years they had maintained more than a good, strong working relationship. They were also friends. And because of that friendship, she was more than open to the suggestion Asia’s sister Claire had made in her phone call this weekend.

  Like Claire, she was convinced that Asia marrying Sean would be a big mistake, although she wasn’t as totally convinced as Claire that Lance Montgomery was just what Asia needed. However, she could go so far and admit that like Claire she had been a witness to those sparks that definitely seem to fly when Lance and Asia got within ten feet of each other. The chemistry between them was unreal. That day when they had been in her office to discuss the television show they would do together, it had been pretty easy to pick up on the fact that the sexual attraction between them had been instantaneous, explosive, and outrageously volatile.

  “Melissa, are you listening to me?”

  Melissa blinked, jerked from her musing as she met Asia’s narrowed gaze. Melissa cocked her head as though she was offended that Asia thought she hadn’t been hanging on to her every word. “How could I not listen to you, since you’ve been ranting and raving since you’ve been here? I’ve heard everything you’ve said, loud and clear. You’re at your wits’ end. You have personal issues and you need to finish your new book, which is due on my desk the first of the year. You need total seclusion and want to know if I know of a place that will give you just that.”

  Asia expelled an irritated breath. “So, do you?”

  Melissa smiled. “Ahh,” she sighed sweetly. “I think that I do, but I’m not sure if you’ll be able to get it on such short notice, since it’s always high in demand.”

  Asia’s interest was piqued. “Where is it?” she asked finally, taking a seat on the black leather sofa in Melissa’s office.

  Melissa’s smile widened. “Come here and I’ll show you,” she said, turning around in the soft cushion of her leather chair to her computer. “It will only take a minute for me log on and pull it up on the Internet. It’s a private island, and for you it will be perfect.”

  Asia lifted a brow as she stood and walked over to Melissa’s desk. “A private island? You’re kidding.”

  Melissa chuckled. “No, I’m not. Just think about it. An entire tropical private island all to yourself for two weeks. When you’re not plugging away on your manuscript, you’ll get the chance to bask on the sugar-sand beaches, swim and play in crystal waters, and just enjoy being by yourself for a while.”

  Asia grinned. “Hey, I’m eager to go there already.”

  When Melissa pulled up the site on the Internet and it displayed a beautiful island surrounded by the sea-green ocean, Asia could only stare at the computer screen in awe. “It’s simply beautiful. Where is it?”

  Melissa glanced up at Asia and chuckled. “It’s located off the coast of Florida near the Bahamas, and is part of a chain of private and luxurious tropical islands called Exumas. This particular island is called Paradise and encompasses one hundred lush acres. The twelve-room villa will be your own personal kingdom, and from what I hear, it’s so private and secluded that it’s only accessible by private helicopter, seaplane, or yacht.”

  Melissa flipped to another screen that showed an aerial view. “I understand the owner purchased it a few years ago for an investment and periodically rents it out to those individuals who are in need of seclusion. Word has it that Tiger Woods and his wife were there a few months ago.”

  Asia nodded as she stared at the computer screen. She could believe that. “I bet it’s expensive.”

  Melissa shrugged. “Yes, but you pay for what you get. And if you really need to get away, this might be the place for you. It beats checking into a hotel for a few weeks.”

  “Who do we contact to see if it’s available?”

  Melissa’s lips curled into a smile as she stared at Asia for a moment. “How soon do you want to leave?”

  Lance gripped the phone so tightly, his hand almost shook with excitement and gratitude. “Thank you, Claire, for everything.”

  He hung up the phone. Everything had gone as planned. Thanks to an investment that had made him millions, he had purchased Paradise a few years ago, not knowing at the time just how important the island would be to his future ... a future with Asia.

  “I take it you got some rather good news.”

  Lance turned. He had totally forgotten about his brothers. Since they were flying out in the morning from O’Hare, it had made perfect sense for them to spend the night at his place. He met Lyle’s gaze. “Yes, that was a call from Claire Fowler, Asia’s sister.”

  “Asia has a sister?” Logan asked. His interest in the football game on television was temporarily diverted.

  Lance smiled. “Yes. Why?”

  “Then I definitely want to meet her if she’s anything like Asia,” Logan said.

  Lance shook his head. “You’ve never met Asia.”

  Logan shrugged as he leaned back on the sofa. “Don’t have to. She was able to blow your mind, which could only mean one thing.”

  “What?”

  “She must be one helluva woman.”

  “She is,” he murmured, his heart racing at the thought of just how much of a woman she was.

  “Hey, you two. I believe we were discussing Carrie before Lance got that phone call,” Lyle reminded them. “And if you don’t mind, I’d like to go back to our conversation. I’m worried about her.”

  Lance wanted to think that perhaps Lyle was worr
ying needlessly, but in truth, he was also concerned and knew his feelings were a reflection of Logan’s. Their sister had been acting pretty tense lately, and they couldn’t help wondering why.

  “I think that was a man who called her last night,” Lyle said when the room got silent.

  “Yeah, I think so, too,” Logan agreed, throwing his head back against the sofa and drawing in a deep breath. “She left right after the call and it was close to dawn when she returned home.”

  Lance leaned against the wet bar and rubbed his chin. “And what if it was a man? We’ve always wanted her to start seeing someone, to get out and date. I don’t consider the time she was seeing that baseball player as anything significant, since she really didn’t take him seriously. He was merely someone to pass the time with until he got too arrogant for his own good.”

  Logan inclined his head forward and met Lance’s gaze. “And you think she’s taking this guy, the one who called last night, seriously?”

  Lance snorted. “Within minutes of his call, she was racing out of the door. What do you all think?”

  Lyle gave his head a shake and smiled. “Yes, she’s taking him seriously.” He glanced over at Logan. “What do you think?”

  Logan heaved a small sigh. “I don’t know what to think. I know Carrie is old enough to make her own decisions about things, but I think something else is bothering her other than just a man.”

  Lance straightened and crossed his arms over his chest. “What else do you think is bothering her?”

  “I don’t know. I felt it when she was in Tampa and when I tried talking to her about it, she clammed up. Whether that call she got last night has to do with anything, I really don’t know.”

  Logan added, “I think for now we shouldn’t push her or start bombarding her with a lot of questions. We should let her know, as we’ve always done, that we’re here if she needs us.”

  Lance and Lyle totally agreed.

  26

  Asia

  This place is utterly breathtaking, Asia thought the moment she alighted off the seaplane onto the sandy beach and glanced around. It was truly a luxurious paradise.

  As she was leaving New York, the forecast said snow for the rest of the week, yet here the sun was shining brightly in the noonday sky and the huge two-story villa where she would be staying was sheltering under a bevy of palm trees. The huge structure was surrounded by a wrought-iron gate and had a brick-paved courtyard in the front. The back, from every angle of the house, gave a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean. She envied the person who owned the island, thinking that he was definitely a lucky man.

  “You’re going to love it here,” John, the pilot of the seaplane, said. “I don’t know of anyone ever leaving this place disappointed.”

  Asia smiled as they walked across the beach to the villa. “I can truly believe that.”

  After taking a tour of the place, she returned with John to the living room. “There’s a number by the telephone for you to call if you need anything, ma’am,” John said as he headed for the door. He had been kind enough to help carry her bags into the villa. “Unless you call us, for the next two weeks the only footprints in the sand here will be your own.”

  Asia grinned. She knew the older fifty-something man, who stood well over six feet with sun-bleached blond hair and tanned features, was letting her know just how secluded and isolated from civilization she would be. That would be fine with her, since she needed a temporary break from the rest of the world. She had talked to Sean on Thanksgiving, and he was sticking by the suggestion he had made when he’d last seen her. He wanted to give her time to be sure that marrying him was what she really wanted to do. “Thanks, John, I’ll be fine and really do welcome the isolation.”

  “All right. In that case, I’ll see you in a couple of weeks. Enjoy yourself.”

  “I will. Thank you.”

  Asia watched the seaplane take off moments later, leaving her completely alone. She sighed deeply, feeling absurdly pleased as she glanced around. The villa was large, and her New York apartment could easily fit in the living room alone. And the terra cotta floors, and the high twenty-one-foot vaulted ceilings that arched over wheat-colored walls, only added dimension to the villa’s decor. The sleeping quarters were large and spoke of luxury, and she’d selected one of the downstairs bedrooms that had separate dressing, lounging, and bathing areas as well as French doors that led out to a verandah that was furnished with wicker furniture, including a day bed. But what she liked and appreciated more than anything was the office attached to her bedroom. Even it was luxuriously decorated and had a huge ceiling to floor window that faced the ocean’s tranquil waters. How was she going to get her book finished with such a beautiful view outside beckoning her? A smile touched her lips. Although she was alone here, this was a place that was truly meant for lovers. She momentarily closed her eyes, and the face she saw looming in her mind was Lance’s and not Sean’s.

  She quickly snatched her eyes back open. Whenever she thought of passion she automatically thought of Lance even when she had no intention of doing so. It seemed her mind would immediately latch on to him and the feelings he was able to elicit within her.

  Passion for her meant a loss of control and devastating pain. She should have learned her lesson with David but evidently hadn’t—at least not completely, because Lance had been able to walk into her life and take her breath away, although she had fought to resist his temptation. But even now she had to grudgingly admit that Dr. Lance Montgomery was by far the most fascinating man she’d ever met. And he had been too experienced, too smooth, and too intent on luring her into a hot steamy affair, for the sole purpose of proving a point.

  She wasn’t here to dwell on Lance, but to dwell on Sean, as well as to finish up this book. Only her agent, sister, and mother knew where she was. She had thought of calling Sean and letting him know, too, but had changed her mind. She would look forward to seeing him on New Year’s Eve. She smiled at the thought.

  Claire was wrong. Everyone didn’t need passion. She would gladly settle for the sedate degree of pleasure Sean would give her if it meant keeping her heart from ever breaking again, and in return she intended to make him a good wife.

  Satisfied she still had her head on straight, she decided to go into the bedroom and unpack and then later she would go for a swim before setting up the office to start working.

  Dr. Montgomery, John thought, looked rather pleased when he saw the lights burning ahead in the villa. John found that rather strange, since after talking to Miss Fowler he’d gathered she was looking forward to being alone for the next couple of weeks.

  “What time did you bring her here?”

  Dr. Montgomery’s question invaded John’s thoughts. “Around noon. She’s a nice lady.”

  “Yes, she is.”

  John knew that Dr. Montgomery had bought the island a few years ago, yet this was only his third time coming here. It wasn’t hard to tell, even dressed in casual clothing, that the man had money. John had heard he was a psychologist who wrote books that sold millions and besides that, he was involved in numerous profit-making investment ventures. Most of the people who owned these private islands were.

  “Do you need help getting your luggage to the villa, sir?” John asked casually.

  “No, I think I can manage things from here. Did Ms. Fowler indicate that she would need you to come back and bring anything during the next two weeks?”

  John shook his head. “No. I told her to call if she needed anything.”

  Lance met John’s gaze. “She won’t be needing anything, and neither will I. And I prefer that we not be disturbed for any reason.”

  “All right.”

  Lance then politely thanked the man for the ride to the island before quickly crossing the beach to the villa.

  27

  Connor and Carrie

  Connor felt the soft feminine body curl into his and smothered a yawn as he slowly opened his eyes. Carrie could arouse him ev
en in sleep with even the most casual touch. But nothing with them was casual anymore . . . not since California.

  He felt her hand on his thigh, eliciting sensations within him with the erotic movement of her thumb rubbing across his naked flesh. His nerve endings, every cell in his body, came alive and was acutely tuned to her; his senses were immediately assailed by everything woman about her, including her fragrance. She had the scent of a woman who wanted to make love. He reached out and took her hand, folded her fingers into his as he shifted in bed.

  “Did I wake you?” she asked quietly, her voice like all the rest of her—soft and velvety.

  “What do you think?” he answered, amused, hot, aroused.

  She shifted closer, deliberately taking her leg and crossing it over his, to further stroke his passion. Her thigh came into contact with his erection in the process, and she smiled knowingly. “I think that you prefer doing something else rather than talking right now.”

  He pulled her closer into his arms and whispered, “And I think that you’re right.”

  He kissed her, immediately feeling that connection to her. Then there was this hunger, this need, this urgency that he always felt when they were together like this. And since their first time in L.A., he had found what had usually been his stark sense of keeping things less personal with a woman, slowly fading away with her. Shit, twice he’d almost lost control and taken her without using a condom, which showed just how messed up his mind was getting.

  But he didn’t want to dwell on any of that now. All he wanted to think about was how sweet her mouth tasted and how good he would feel once he got inside of her. For someone like him, who was full of experience and who’d in his lifetime enjoyed countless women, he couldn’t help wondering what there was about Carrie that was so different that he didn’t want to group her with the rest. Mainly because deep down he knew that she was in a class by herself.