Shit, he’d seen that look on her face once before, and the journalist who’d claimed she was a wannabe writer still covered his rocks when he walked by her.
“Well, Mr. Maddie Expert.” She jabbed two fingers into his chest. “Enlighten me. Tell me about myself.”
He took in her reddened mouth, swollen from his kisses, and her mussed hair, the result of his hands roaming in the silky strands. “I don’t think you’re the kind of woman who can—”
“—satisfy a globe-trotting, experienced stud like you?”
“What I’m doing a lousy job of telling you is that you’re not like other women that I’ve—Maddie, you’re special to me. You know, you’re my friend.”
“Yeah, I got it. Me and Rover, man’s best friend. So, what’s next, the ‘It’s not you, it’s me’ speech?” She rolled her eyes. “And what the hell was up with the foreplay on the dance floor? A few minutes ago? Remember? Tonsil hockey and porn-worthy breathing?”
“I was way out of line. I don’t blame you for being pissed. I knew when I stepped into this room that something might happen. I’m not proud of that. I’m not a saint, but I’m also not a bastard when it comes to my friends. That’s why I stopped. I’d rather have you as a friend than a short-term lover.”
“Cripes, you sound like those White House spin doctors you say you can’t stand.”
“Spin? Is that what you think this is?” He blew out a loud breath. “Wish you could hear the fuckin’ argument I’m having in my head.”
“Then say what’s on your damn mind.”
“I’m not in any position…” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t want any kind of relationship or commitment. I’m not boyfriend material. You know that.”
“What a surprise. A guy who doesn’t want a relationship.” She rolled her eyes again. “And you think I want that? You’re such an idiot sometimes.”
Regret mingled with desire as he blew out another hard sigh and cupped her small chin. Even though he’d persuaded himself he was doing the right thing, his body, especially the lower region, still wasn’t convinced. It would be so easy to take her in his arms, kiss her senseless and make love to her all night. “Listen to yourself,” he said. “You sound like you do this all the time, when you and I both know you don’t. You’re not the kind of woman who gives herself free and easy to any guy.”
Her soft hands traveled down the side of his face and rested on his shoulders.
He nearly bolted out of his skin.
“Alex,” she whispered, “I’m not Crystal.”
Her words extinguished his heat faster than ice water would have. He wrapped his fingers around her wrists and lowered them to her side. “Do not go there.”
“I admit I don’t know the whole story, but—”
“That topic,” he said through clenched teeth, “is not open for discussion.”
“Whatever the hell happened, I wish you’d build a bridge and get over it already.”
He threw his head back and tried to relax his jaw. “Look, I owe George a lot, and seducing his niece is not the way to pay him back.”
“What is it with you and this loyalty to my uncle? Do you know where all the bodies are buried or something? Believe me, nothing you tell me about my family is going to shock me. And when did you stop taking risks? You lay your ass on the line in war zones all the time.”
For crying out loud, Alex had more issues than Maddie had imagined. “What’s the problem, you’re not used to a woman who tells you what she wants and means it? Not to mention, you practically invented the hump-and-dump philosophy.” She drew herself up, trying to tamp down the feelings of humiliation his rejection of her had sparked. “Now you act self-righteous?”
“I’m sorry. I forgot this is Maddie’s world of sex and the rest of us star in it.”
She punctuated each word, poking her finger in his chest. “And you should be grateful.”
He covered her hands with his own and squeezed tight. “Let’s stop this.”
She exhaled. “I’m a consenting adult who wants to have a brief, no-strings-attached relationship in a vacation setting, with someone I happen to like, even though I think he’s uptight and moody.”
He rubbed the back of his neck, something he did when he was stressed. For an instant, sympathy yanked at her heartstrings as she saw the struggle, flickering across his features. But only for an instant.
The big, teasing jerk doesn’t deserve my sympathy. He’d accelerated her hormones to maximum speed and then slammed on the brakes. “Do you get your ya yas out of turning a woman on and then stopping?”
“Of course not.” He leaned his arm on the door and stared down at her. “We’re not two strangers. Anything between us would come with strings and complications. I have to focus on my career.”
“Sell that rehearsed kiss-off to someone else. I’m not buying today.”
“I’ve known you for six years and never once did I put the moves on you, or you on me. Why now?”
She backed away, leaned against the back of the sofa and crossed her arms. “Is it me, or do all women go through a debate before canoodling with you?”
“Why now?”
She sighed. “You mean besides the fact that we have incredible chemistry? Or that the opportunity landed itself in our laps?” It was her turn to rub the tension away from her neck. “I can be myself with you, and you know I’m not looking for a commitment. Neither of us would be possessive or expect more.” She paused for a fraction and lowered her voice. “And I respect and like you. I couldn’t do this with someone I didn’t respect or like.”
“I know. I also know that I’ve earned your respect and affection.” His intense gaze bored into her. “I’m not about to throw either away.”
“Did you grow a conscience when I wasn’t looking?” She pushed herself away from the sofa. “Remember, I’m your buddy. I know about your hot lover rep—”
“I’m not the top-service provider for a human stud farm with a lust checklist. And by the way, those remarks bug the hell out of me.” His eyes darkened. “You obviously don’t know me.”
“I swear you’re a week’s worth on the Dr. Phil show.” She’d deliberately hit him where she knew it hurt. He never strutted, and he was super-private about his intimate life. But he’d pissed her off. Again. “And you’re wrong, stud. I do know you. I also know you can spin a great story.”
He grabbed the doorknob. “Tomorrow you’ll thank me.”
She blew out an impatient breath. “Cripes, now you’re talking in clichés?” She yearned for solitude, so she moved away from the door. “Goodnight.”
“This is not any kind of line or a spin. I’m worried that you might not be okay when it’s over.” He turned the doorknob. “Sex changes relationships, even good friendships. I’m not willing to go down that road.”
Not trusting herself to speak, she took a deep breath and nodded her head. Rejection or not, she still had her pride, and she’d spent enough time discussing this. She’d long ago vowed to never shed tears over any man.
He said goodnight and left.
She leaned against the door. Was she…an idiot? No way. She silently chanted her personal mantra: Get over it. No dwelling or wallowing allowed. As Miss Scarlett once said, tomorrow was another day.
With that thought, she headed to the bedroom and dug out her tape recorder. Work. Her salvation. She cleared her mind and clicked the record button on. She padded around the suite and said, “Okay, travel fans, in this part of the world, there’s no skydiving or parasailing, and there are definitely no black bears to scare away. However, ladies, a quick scan of the white-sand beach reveals there are tigers. They range from chest thumpers to surfers. Bronzed bodies strut everywhere. Leave the one-piece bathing suit at home, girls, and bring the strings. For the guys, there’s sugar, spice and everything naughty.”
She returned to the bedroom, sat on the peach chair, and lifted her legs onto the ottoman. “I’m now comfortably settled in a suite at the Trade Winds Resort, where those of you who enjoy luxury spa pampering can indulge in an herbal massage in a tropical setting. After dinner, you can party the night away on a dance floor with a view of the stars carpeted across a midnight blue sky. Yours truly tried her hand on the karaoke stage. I was rewarded with a few wolf whistles and a pair of sexy chocolate eyes that looked me over like I was a Ferrari and he was ready to drive me…” She smiled at the memory of Alex’s seductive wink. Hmmm. And he insisted on friendship? Okay.
“Or you can create your own sizzling entertainment. You’ll want to wear ‘Vote for Assisted Showers’ T-shirts after a tryst in a roomy bathroom adorned with ivory marble fixtures and limestone mosaics. Ladies, imagine slathering soap over your man’s sun-kissed, hard body. On bended knees, you could run your tongue along his washboard abs and between his muscled thighs while he shampoos your hair. Then you could both slip beneath Egyptian cotton sheets on a bed so big you could lay and tangle yourselves any way you liked without ever touching the edge.”
She closed her eyes and imagined herself with Alex, rolling over and around the bed, every thrust bringing her closer to the headboard, while they both lay on the brink of eyes-rolling-to-the-back-of-the-head orgasms. Whew. Shake it off, girl.
She stood, rolled her shoulders forward, clicked her recorder off, and put it in her tote. She peeled off her dress, walked into the bathroom, and switched the shower onto the cool setting.
“Yup, tomorrow’s another day.”
The next morning, Alex sat with Tim and outlined his itinerary for interviews and photo sessions while having breakfast on the restaurant’s patio. He stared at the pitcher of pineapple juice and wished he were in England, away from his kryptonite—Maddie’s tempting offer.
Tim waved his hand in front of his face. “What the hell are you plotting now?”
Alex tapped his knife on the glass tabletop. “I spoke to George last night. I was right. Someone followed us.”
“What the hell for?”
“George said it was Hollister’s security staff. The billionaire claims that for safety measures, he has everyone tailed for a few days before he meets them. They called George because Hollister’s gofers wanted to double-check something with him. Apparently, George asked the PI how we were doing and they mentioned we were in the bar last night.” Alex spread strawberry jam on a carrot muffin and winced as he recalled the stinger conversation with his publisher. “George told me in no uncertain terms that I was to stay out of Hollister’s personal life. I’m to conduct a light interview, whatever the hell that’s supposed to mean.”
“The old billionaire’s eccentric. He doesn’t read off the same page as the rest of us.”
“Not eccentric.” Alex shook his head. “I’d say Hollister’s the Ernest Hemingway of bullshit.” Alex took a bite of the muffin and swallowed, but didn’t taste a thing. “I’m going to do my job the way I’ve always done it. Hollister handed us the can opener when he invited us here, so he can’t complain if worms crawl out.” He took a sip of juice. “By the way, until I’m positive we’re not being followed anymore, we should keep a close eye on Maddie.”
“Are you sure it’s only your eyes you want to keep on her?”
It was best to ignore Tim’s innuendo. “Let’s investigate what’s behind Hollister’s motives for this interview. We’ll question his staff and some of the locals who know him. You know the drill.”
“I knew it.” Tim threw his arms up. “The near-death experience in Iraq wasn’t enough excitement for you. Can we at least take advantage of all this luxury before you jeopardize our lives again?”
“I don’t buy the security excuse.” He took a sip of juice. “And rest assured, we won’t be risking our cajones on this one.” There was some sort of a link between Hollister, George, and possibly Maddie. His conversation with George had caused his journalist’s sixth sense, which had been humming ever since he’d arrived, to kick in at full speed.
“Yeah, okay, I’ll keep my eyes and ears open.” Tim nodded. “By the way, where’s your sidekick? I saw you two burning up the dance floor last night. Anything you want to tell me?”
“Nope.” Alex took another bite of his muffin. “What happened to your two honeys? Thought you’d be horizontal all day.”
“I stuck around and bought the girls a drink, then I left alone. Wasn’t in the mood for a threesome.”
Alex chuckled. “Did your moral compass point south?”
“Nah, wasn’t into it. Hey, your turn-the-table tactic doesn’t jive with me. Spill it. You, Maddie, a hot salsa and some cozy slow dancing. Now that’s a sight that would blow George’s toupee right off his head.”
“Shut up or I’ll assign you to a shitload of projects, you’ll never see another babe in or out of a bikini.” He followed Tim’s gaze and saw Maddie in a short yellow dress sauntering toward their table.
She’s smokin’.
He shifted his gaze from her mile-long legs and concentrated on his determination to keep her at arm’s length.
Tim whistled at Maddie. “Good morning, gorgeous.”
Alex’s eyes snapped at Tim. “Weren’t you leaving?”
Maddie returned Tim’s smile. “Good morning, handsome.”
“And you,—” Alex grabbed her hand, “—behave. This guy’s more trouble than you need.”
She pulled her hand away, sat beside Tim and picked up a menu.
Alex slid the basket of muffins toward her. “Muffin? There’s chocolate chip.”
“What’s good to eat this morning, Tim?” she asked.
Tim leaned into Maddie. “For you, I’m sure they’ll make anything you want. Man, you’re steaming in that dress.”
“You definitely know how to make a girl feel…wanted.” She spoke to Tim but batted her eyelashes in Alex’s direction.
Touché.
“I loved your song last night,” Tim said. “Great voice and those moves…”
She tapped Tim on the head with the menu. “You’re too much.”
“Would you like some pineapple juice?” Alex asked Maddie and shot Tim a take-a-hike look.
Tim ignored him. “I bet you launched more than a few cold showers last night.”
“Tim, go clean your camera. Maddie, I asked if you wanted some juice.”
A shadow of annoyance crossed her features. “How can I answer when I’m doing my best to ignore you?”
“Not now. Tim doesn’t need to be pulled into one of our disagreements.”
Tim winked at Maddie. “Pull me in, I don’t mind.”
“Don’t you have a photo shoot to get ready for?” Alex asked through clenched teeth.
“Not yet. And my cameras are clean.” Tim put his arm around the back of Maddie’s chair. “Tell me. What did this big dope do to you?”
“He’s being his old cranky self.” She graced Alex with her pissed-off glare.
“Old?” Alex feigned a wince. “Now that’s cold.”
Tim looked from Maddie to Alex. “Let’s bring back Chuck Woolery. I think we have a love connection here.”
Alex and Maddie both shot Tim a dirty look.
“Just trying to lighten the mood, kids.” Tim poured himself a cup of coffee from the carafe. “Ya know, my man here hasn’t had a date for oh—I don’t know, a year at least. He’s liable to be a little testy. Right, pal?”
Alex wanted to pour his friend a strong cup of shut-the-fuckup. “Tim. Go. Shoot pictures.”
Tim chuckled, straightened in his chair and drank his coffee. “Okay, gorgeous, let’s ease up on the old boy.”
Alex poured a glass of juice and slid it over to Maddie. She ignored him. At least she didn’t pour it over his head. “Tim and I discussed the itinerary for the next few w
eeks.”
“I’d like to take guerrilla-style shots. Nothing posed,” Tim said. “This place is a giant sandbox, so let’s have fun with it. You can both let me know what time you need me the night before a shoot.”
“Maddie, we can go over some of the itinerary now if you have time.” Alex veered the conversation to their assignment and work. It always worked when he had used it to lift her out of a funk, but this morning it was to change her mood toward him. He relaxed when she pulled out a pen and notepad from her bag.
“I’m going to Maui for a few days next week,” she said. “I won’t need pictures. The shots in my piece will focus on Makana. I want to take notes and compare Maui’s beaches with Makana and do some mountain biking down the summit. The media kit Maui’s press officer sent me included comp coupons for a tour, overnight stay and meals.”
“We’ll go with you,” Alex said.
She continued to write. “I can handle it on my own.”
“Not on my watch.”
She narrowed her eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re not to go anywhere unless one of us is with you.”
She held her hand up. “I don’t want to hear that you’re the senior guy or my uncle asked you to look after me—”
“Maddie,” Tim interrupted. “I have to agree with him this time.”
“Look, Batman,—” she nodded at Alex, then turned and pointed to Tim, “—you too, Robin. I know it’s hard to imagine, but sometimes I take the subway at night.” She put a hand over her mouth and faked a gasp. “Here’s a four-one-one for you both. I travel alone for my career.” Another fake gasp. “Like into the wilderness, white-water rafting and such. And don’t tell anyone, but I’ve been known to go parachuting and hang-gliding.” She batted her eyelashes. “Shocker, huh? Imagine, I’ve done all that without a bodyguard.”
“She has a point,” Tim said.
“You’re Robin. You don’t get a vote.” Alex nodded toward Maddie. “And neither do you, Wonder Woman.” She rolled her eyes and he continued, “My parents and sisters are in Maui for their winter vacation. We can join them for dinner. Is that okay with you, Ms. Saunders?”
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