Seducing the Enemy's Daughter

by Jules Bennett

  Just as she reached for the phone, it rang. Thinking the caller on the other end was Brady making sure his surprise arrived, she lifted the receiver, ready to offer her gratitude for the meal, but reiterate the fact she was too busy to socialize.

  “Sam Donovan,” she answered, still smiling.

  “Samantha.”

  Her father’s commanding voice, calling her by her full name, wiped the smile off her face just as sure as if he’d slapped her. It sounded nothing like the smooth way Brady had said her name earlier.

  Her spine stiffened, her sweaty palm gripped the phone. A business chat with her father was not what she needed right now.

  Too bad her pain medication hadn’t taken effect yet.

  “Dad, what can I do for you?”

  “I haven’t heard from you in a week. What is the status of my resort?”

  She hated how his voice always sounded so demanding, so cold. But even more, she hated how he referred to Lani Kaimana as “his resort.” Weren’t they a family? Sam knew if Miles were here in her place, their father would be a bit more considerate.

  Sam walked around the edge of her desk and sank into her chair. The stiff leather groaned, mimicking her reaction to this unexpected phone call.

  “I was just getting ready to cross-reference the numbers from last quarter and forward them to you. If you’ll give me an hour, you’ll have them.”

  An impatient sigh filtered through the phone. “Samantha, the day is nearly over. I expected the report this morning.”

  “I’ve been busy today and I just now got a chance to sit in my office and pull up the spreadsheets.”

  Her father’s sigh filtered through the phone. “I’m not interested in your excuses. Is there anything else I should be aware of?”

  Her gaze focused first on the flowers, then the dinner. She refused to admit her mind and her time had been spent on a handsome businessman passing through. That would definitely not sit well with the business tycoon on the other end of the line.

  “No, there is nothing else you should be informed of.”

  A knock on her door jarred her from her thoughts.

  “I’ll be waiting on that report, Samantha.”

  Listening to her father’s edgy tone, she watched as Brady poked his head in. She motioned for him to hold on.

  “I’ll get it right to you,” she assured her father. “If there’s nothing else, I have someone in my office waiting to talk to me.”

  “I’ll check back later in the week.”

  As usual, he hung up without a goodbye. Sam knew he didn’t even treat his business rivals this rudely, so why did he act so cold toward his own daughter? Why did Miles deserve all the praise, all the love? And why did she always let her father’s hurtful tone and words get to her?

  She should be used to this. After all, she’d been treated like the black sheep for more than twenty years now.

  Was it her fault her mother died? Was it her fault she looked exactly like Bev Donovan? According to her father, yes.

  “Bad time?” Brady asked from the door.

  Sam shook her head and smiled. “Perfect timing, actually. I was just getting ready to call you and thank you for the dinner.”

  He stepped into her office. “May I close the door?”

  “Sure.” Sam came to her feet, clasped her hands in front of her and hoped she came across as professional and that professional side hoped he wouldn’t pursue a date. The woman in her hoped he did. “Looks like you’re getting dinner with me after all.”

  “No, this is just for you.” He motioned to the cart. “I do want to take you out, but I know you’re busy. At least this way you may be forced to eat.”

  How could a woman’s heart not melt at that? The man was not pushing his way to get what he wanted, he was genuinely concerned for her welfare.

  Sam took in Brady’s casual appearance from his khaki pants to his mint-green polo shirt. She’d thought the suit was impressive, but the way his cotton shirt stretched across his shoulders and chest made her rethink her original thoughts. What would he look like without a shirt?

  “Are you okay?” he asked, bending down to look her in the eye. “You’re looking a bit pale. Do you have a migraine?”

  “Yes, but I’m fine.”

  Brady moved around the side of her desk, studying her face. “Why don’t you sit down and I’ll bring the food to you?”

  Before she could protest, his firm hands settled on her shoulders, easing her back into her seat.

  “Brady, I appreciate everything you’ve done, but I have to get a report to my father and I’m sure you have better things to do.”

  He made his way across her office and wheeled the cart closer to her desk. “Your father won’t care if you eat, and I have nowhere else I’d rather be.”

  Sam wiggled her mouse to wake up her computer. “I need to get this report cross-referenced and sent to him within the hour. After I’m done, then I’ll eat.”

  Brady frowned. “Anything I can do to help?”

  Sam tilted her head. “I can handle it on my own.”

  “Is that your polite way of asking me to leave?”

  Coming to her feet, she smiled. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I am rather busy.”

  He spread his hands wide and shrugged. “Since I arranged this nice meal, it’s my duty to make sure you eat it. I’ll just have a seat over here and wait for you to finish.”

  She didn’t have time to question his actions. If he wanted to keep her company, that was fine with her, so long as he didn’t interfere with her work. Besides, she kind of liked the idea of someone worrying about her. When was the last time that had happened?

  Before her mother died. Before her world changed. Before she was forced to grow up before she was ready.

  Having Brady’s attentiveness somehow made her spirits lift. The allure of having a perfectly handsome stranger take notice may be cliché, but it was also downright thrilling. Perhaps she should take the time to enjoy Brady while he was here if only she could add extra hours in the day.

  While Sam worked, Brady sat across from her desk with his long legs extended, ankles crossed. He’d tipped his head back and laced his fingers over his flat abdomen. Even though he wasn’t exactly looking at her, his presence was overpowering. His masculine scent combined with the dinner he’d ordered made her fingers fly across the keyboard. She wanted to take just ten minutes to herself and enjoy the dinner. And the man, if she so chose.

  She checked and double-checked the numbers before sending them on to her father. Finally, she pushed back from her keyboard, tilting her head from side to side to work out the kinks.

  “All done.”

  Brady’s gaze came back to hers as he straightened in his seat. “Now will you eat?”

  “Yes.”

  He quirked a dark brow. “Promise?”

  Sam cleared a space on her desk, while Brady gathered dinner. He placed the main dish in the middle of her desk and grabbed the bottles of water from the cart. But instead of taking a seat, he went to the arrangement in the corner, plucked out an exotic purple flower and handed it to her.

  “I would put the vase in the middle for a little romance, but I wouldn’t be able to see you.”

  Sam took the flower he’d extended to her. “I didn’t know a dinner for one could be romantic.”

  With his charming, killer smile, Brady took a seat across from her. “You’re not alone yet. Don’t ruin my romantic gesture.”

  His matter-of-fact tone sent shivers through her. “You’re so determined to spend time with me when I’ve made it clear I’m too busy to socialize. Don’t get me wrong, I’m flattered, but I feel like you’re wasting your time. I’m not even sure I could spare two minutes.”

  Brady shrugged. “It’s my time to waste. But I see this as time well spent. When I see something I like, I go after it. You strike me as a woman who does the same.”

  She eyed him over the food. “You’re right. I do.”

  An
d she wanted Lani Kaimana to be the best tourist attraction on the island of Kauai. If only she could get her father to see things her way and listen to her ideas. Or just listen to her, period.

  Too bad Brady Stone had entered her life at this particular point in time. She’d love to throw caution to the wind and see where this harmless flirtation led. Perhaps, once her life settled—please, God, let that be soon—she could afford to indulge in some Brady time.

  True, she never wanted a serious relationship again, but she had a feeling Brady wasn’t a long-term kind of guy. A man with so much sex appeal more than likely stuck to one-nighters.

  What would it be like to be held by those strong arms? What would it be like to ignore what was right and proper? Would she be able to let her stiff, boring lifestyle go and see where her desires led?

  Like everything else in her life, she could only fantasize. Until she claimed her rightful place in her father’s company, she couldn’t indulge in any desires. No matter how her body ached.

  Four

  Brady couldn’t believe his luck. Well, luck only played a small part. He had to give proper credit to his charm and Sam’s moment of weakness. He loved when a last-minute plan came together.

  Still smiling, Brady stepped into his suite, pulled his phone from his pants pocket and dialed his brother.

  Cade answered on the first ring. “Hello.”

  “You have no idea how close I just came to uncovering all the ammunition we need.” Strutting over to the French doors, Brady took pleasure in watching the waves crash against the sand. Much like Mr. Donovan’s business would come crashing to an abrupt halt in the very near future.

  “What happened?” Cade asked.

  “I had a very nice dinner sent to Ms. Donovan’s office. When I stopped by to make sure she’d received it, she was getting ready to send the report.” Brady breathed in the fresh, floral scent of the island. “I hung around by using the excuse that I wanted to make sure she ate. She never second-guessed me. I’d say I’ll have that information we need within a week.”

  Cade let out a low whistle. “That is some fast work, brother. And you claim I work fast with the ladies.”

  Brady’s eyes darted to the four-poster bed in the corner; yet another image of Sam sprawled out between the silky sheets stirred his emotions. “Nothing went on between me and Sam, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get close enough without arousing suspicion.”

  “You’ve been there two days,” Cade said. “I’ll say you’re making remarkable progress. Do you really think you can get those numbers within a week?”

  Making his gaze focus back on the dark, mostly deserted beach, Brady thought of the petite blonde down in her office. He wouldn’t let his hormones hinder his business dealings.

  “Yes.”

  “Fantastic. May I ask how you were so close to the report?”

  “I was in Sam’s office and she had a migraine.”

  Brady ignored the lump in his throat as a twinge of guilt flashed through him at taking advantage of her in a moment of weakness. But then hadn’t her father taken advantage of his during a moment of weakness? Turnabout was fair play…and all that.

  “She needed to get her report to Stanley and I offered to help.”

  Cade chuckled. “Man. Too bad she didn’t let you send it.”

  “When it comes to her business, she wants total control.” Something he had to admire. “She’s a Donovan, after all. Even though I’ve only seen her sweet, angelic demeanor, she may very well be like her old man beneath the surface. And I’m just attracted enough not to want to see the ruthless side of her.”

  “I have a feeling when she finds out who you are and why you’re giving her so much attention, you’ll be seeing more than ruthlessness.” His brother laughed. “Call me if you uncover anything else. And I don’t mean Ms. Donovan herself.”

  Brady disconnected the call, cutting off his brother’s continuous chuckle.

  Brady wanted nothing more than to retrieve those numbers and get them back to Cade, but seducing Sam would take time and patience. Two things he didn’t possess.

  The Donovans had only been in control for six months. Six months ago when Brady’s father had been battling lung cancer and struggling to keep his cooperation from going under, Stanley Donovan had swooped down like the vulture he was and took Lani Kaimana.

  Stanley had always been known as a callous businessman. And from the conversation he’d overheard between Sam and her father, Brady figured Stanley had no problem being a menace to his own daughter.

  Brady had seen the look of defeat when she’d hung up the phone, giving him the feeling that old man Donovan was not only a shark with competitors, but also a class A jerk with his family.

  But none of those facts or images negated that Brady and his brother had a job to do and until Lani Kaimana was back in the Stone family, Brady wouldn’t back down from seducing Samantha.

  Soft white sand slid between his bare toes as Brady strolled along the pristine beach between Lani Kaimana and the Pacific Ocean.

  In a way, Brady couldn’t fault Stanley Donovan for taking this bit of property. Who wouldn’t want to own a piece of paradise and make money from it in the process? But what he did fault Stanley for was taking advantage of a sick, dying man, stealing a resort from his floundering company and aiding in the possible demise of an empire.

  Hands fisted at his sides, Brady crushed the sand beneath his feet with each step.

  With Brady’s father gone, Stanley’s reign over the Stones would end. Brady and Cade were young strong men who wouldn’t be run over by a shark like Sam’s father.

  A gentle breeze floated along the water, sending whitecaps ruffling to the shoreline. This was the perfect weather for a romantic walk on the beach. Lately when he thought of romance, his mind immediately drifted to Sam. Of her sweet, innocent smile. Her sassy yet flirty mouth. The way her curvy, petite body looked in her clean-cut suits.

  She was a woman meant for romance, for long walks along beaches just like this, for evenings spent in five-star restaurants. Not for running herself ragged to appease an ass of a father.

  No romance, he told himself. The breathtaking ambiance of the evening had muddled his mind. His reason for being here was pure business. Nothing more.

  Then as if his fantasy and dreams came to life, Samantha Donovan was standing just ahead of him. She still had on her perfectly pressed suit, but she held her shoes by the strap, dangling from a finger at her side.

  Her long golden hair floated and danced around her shoulders as she stared out onto the horizon. As Brady approached—thanking God for this stroke of luck—he wondered what thoughts were running through her head.

  Did she have worries, doubts? Was she taking a break from her hectic position?

  “Beautiful, isn’t it?” he asked as he came to her side. When she turned to look at him, she jerked back as if she realized he wasn’t talking about the orange-and-pink sunset.

  She quickly masked her surprise by turning back to the water. “I don’t get out here often enough.”

  “You really should. The fresh scent and evening breeze will ease your mind and make you forget all your troubles.”

  She cast him a sideways glance. “I doubt that.”

  With a deep sigh, Sam turned in the opposite direction and began walking. Brady didn’t wait for an invitation, he simply fell into step beside her.

  When she glanced over, he smiled. “It seems a waste to walk on this beautiful beach alone, especially with a sunset as breathtaking as that one.”

  “Do your smooth moves normally get you the ladies?”

  His grin widened at her bluntness. “Always.”

  The soft laughter he’d come to expect from her floated along the breeze and warmed a spot deep within. Brady didn’t want to be warmed by her, he wanted information he could use to crush her family…even if that meant her. He couldn’t help who got caught in the crossfir
e.

  “So what are you doing out here?” he asked. “I didn’t take you for the type to take breaks.”

  “I started feeling claustrophobic in my office and needed to do some thinking. I’m still working,” she assured him as she tapped the side of her head. “I’m just doing it in here.”

  The water lapped up around their bare feet, splashing up onto her shapely calves and wetting the folded edges of his khaki pants.

  To onlookers, they probably looked like a couple out for a romantic stroll. And hopefully that’s how Sam would see his presence, but in reality, he was laying the groundwork for destruction.

  “You know the old saying about all work and no play?” he kidded.

  She stopped, turned to him. “Why do I have the feeling you get plenty of play in?”

  A strand of her fair hair came around and clung to her pink, glossy lips—her kissable lips. With the tip of his finger, he swept the hair aside.

  “Maybe because I do.” He watched her pale blue eyes widen with acknowledgment. “Maybe if you added a little more playtime into your life, you wouldn’t be so stressed.”

  Her defiant chin tilted. “I happen to love what I do and if I wanted to play, I would. I can take an hour to enjoy life.”

  “Fine, then. When you want to forgo some work and see what else life offers, come find me.” He turned, but glanced over his shoulder. “Oh, Samantha, playtime with me takes more than an hour.”

  He strolled off, literally into the sunset, and let her chew on that tantalizing thought.

  Sam strode through the open lobby, inhaling the refreshing salt water of the early morning. If only her life were as sunny and bright as the sunshine beaming in through the doors and windows.

  After a meeting with the disgruntled grounds crew, Sam had finally appeased them by explaining that a new budget was being looked over with all employees of Lani Kaimana in mind.

  She did not, however, mention the fact that the new budget she was looking over wouldn’t allow for too many raises until she could see how well the resort operated since switching ownership.