"You can't possibly, logically believe that you're to blame. You did nothing wrong. You know that, right?"
"I know that here." She touched her head, then pointed to her heart. "But here, I feel totally responsible. Michelle asked me not to go, begged me, almost crying, and I went anyway. I put John's feelings first, ahead of hers and left a defenseless woman all alone."
"No. It's not your fault. That man you saw tonight? He's the one responsible. Only him. And I can help you deal with him, make sure he and whoever he's working with never hurt you and your family again. Please. Let me do this for you."
"Why?"
"Because I care about you."
She scrunched her forehead and wiped tendrils of wet hair off her face. "You don't think I'm a horrible person? After what I just told you?"
"You are the best person I've ever met. What happened that night is so not your fault. It's bad luck, bad timing. If you were in the house, he would have attacked you too, maybe killed you. You're not to blame for another man's criminal actions. This is not a battle you should have to fight alone. You do so much for everyone else, let me do something for you."
She threw her arms around me and buried her face in my neck. We stood there, both sopping wet by now. Even in the dim light, I saw the outline of her body, with her clothes plastered to her skin. Shit. I needed to get her off me before she felt my cock poking her. Damn thing. This beautiful woman revealed a deep, disturbing part of her past, a part she was obviously ashamed of, and I get a hard-on. But I couldn't help it. I wanted her so desperately, anytime we got this close, I lost control.
Amber pulled away slightly. "No one has ever offered to go to battle for me."
"I will. Gladly."
A smile curved her lips and suddenly, those lips were on mine, sweet, hesitant, as though she still wasn't sure I wanted her. She held my face gently in her hands and I wrapped my arms around her and returned the kiss, with all the desire I felt. Thunder rolled, making the building vibrate. She shuddered, and I released her.
"Inside. Now. I want to get you out of these wet clothes."
We stepped onto the tile floor of the living room and before she even shut the door I was peeling off her shirt, unfastening her pants and sliding them down her body.
"Wait." She tossed the flash drive onto a table, pushed my hands away and laughed, a sound like music, one I wanted to hear over and over.
"No, I don't want to wait." I reached around and unsnapped her bra, then bent immediately and took one already-hard nipple into my mouth. "This time, we leave the light on."
I half dragged her to the dining room table. "Sit there and open your legs."
She bit her lip, like she wanted to protest, but didn't.
"What, is that uncomfortable?"
"No, it's just, I don't usually sit on furniture not meant for sitting. Tables and things. I'm afraid I'll break them."
I laughed. "Baby, you aren't going to break this table. I might, what I'm going to do to you. If so, I'll buy another one. Sit."
She did, watching me with eyes full of heat and a trace of uncertainty. I would chase that last part away. Show her I meant what I said.
"Lean back, a little. Put your hands, right there. Brace yourself." I put one hand at her waist and the other at her neck, then bent slightly and kissed her.
While my mouth devoured hers, I took the hand off her waist, satisfied she'd hold that position. I slid a finger between her pussy lips, not surprised to find her already wet and swollen. She reacted to me like I did to her. Turned on and wanting. Stroking slowly, lightly, I teased her, drawing circles on her clit, moaning as the nub hardened under my finger. She squirmed, wriggling her ass on the table, making me crazy to take her.
But I wouldn't. I wanted her hotter, wanted to watch her come. I knelt and licked her, my tongue now torturing her pussy, slipping in between her damp folds, flicking hard at her engorged bud. Her scent drove me out-of-this-world crazy. Musky, rich, the way the air smelled before a storm. Another boom of thunder sounded, matching my racing heart.
She grabbed my hair. "Fuck Nathan, I'm going to fall off this table. Stop."
Yeah, like I could stop if I wanted to. I rose, stepped back between her legs, and pushed her gently.
"Lean back again, that's it."
I bent my head to pay attention to her breasts. Damn, she had the most delicious tits. I wanted to fuck them, to slick them up and slide my cock between them. And I would, later. Now I'd taste them. I took one pointed nipple into my mouth and grazed it with my teeth. Her head fell back and she moaned, and to build the fire more, I slid two fingers inside her pussy.
She pushed herself into my hand. I stroked my fingers in and out, watching her thrust, ready to lose my mind. This woman responded to me, as though she was born to be mine.
And she was. So strong, so brave.
Before I exploded all over the place, I pulled away. "Don't move."
I raced to the bedroom and grabbed a condom. I'd bought a box after our first encounter, optimistically hoping for more. When I came back to the kitchen she remained on the table, and I stopped in the doorway, wanting to do her silly postcard thing. She looked so fine, sitting there, legs open, eyes wide and shining with desire.
"What? Is something wrong?" Those gorgeous eyes narrowed.
"No." I moved to her and cupped her face in my hands. "Everything is perfect. You're perfect."
I kissed her, my heart pounding, wanting to show her how absolutely flawless she was to me, how much I cared.
Hoping I could hold out, for a good long while, knowing I couldn't, I eased my cock into her, about losing it when she gasped and called out my name. With one finger I rubbed her clit, and with the other, teased her nipple. Setting a slow pace at first, I ramped it up after a minute, keeping a grip, just barely. Judging by her moans, she was close, and when she arched her back and shouted out her release, I let go, roaring out my own.
Guess we'd find out how sound-insulated these walls were. I'm sure I'd hear from my neighbors if they weren't.
We held that position, foreheads touching, breathing in unison, until the timer in the kitchen went off, making us both jump.
"Ready for dinner?" I smoothed back a lock of her hair and she leaned her cheek into my hand.
"Will it be as good as the appetizer?"
"I highly doubt it, but we need to keep up our strength. For round two."
She smiled, and my heart dribbled right out of my chest into her hands. She might be mine, but I was, without a fucking doubt, totally and absolutely hers.
Sunday
"What's on the schedule for today?" I reached out my arms and stretched them overhead. What I wanted to do all day was stay right here, in this warm bed with Nathan.
After pizza and another round of lovemaking, I'd fallen into a deep sleep. Sometime before I'd passed out, Nathan had woke me gently and told me he would put our clothes in the dryer. He wanted to check with me, make sure nothing of mine would be ruined by high heat. How could I not love a man who cared about my clothing?
Uh-oh, did the words love and Nathan show up in the same sentence in my mind? At least I hoped just in my mind. I had no intention of saying them out loud. Not yet, anyway.
"Today is Mariana and Daniel's wedding. I'll hang around at the resort for that, make sure everything gets set up correctly. I think there's only one meet and greet shift scheduled with the employees today. Don't you have our agenda memorized?" He turned toward me, laughter and lust in his eyes.
"Anything I had in my brain, I think you destroyed most of it last night."
"Good." He grabbed me. "Let's see if I can finish up."
He took me gently, slowly, and we both drifted off for half an hour afterward, me wrapped in his arms. Finally, we had to get up. Nathan's phone had been buzzing on vibrate and he'd ignored it, a practice I knew he didn't do often. He climbed out of bed to take a look.
"I have a few urgent issues to deal with. Finish up your notes. Do the shift.
Anyone who hasn't picked up their raffle ticket, see if you can find them and drop it off. I'll get to the Reef room if I can, but if not, call me with any problems. Plan on dinner, with me, tonight."
He brought me my clothes, still warm, watched me as I dressed, then kissed me tenderly goodbye.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The rest of the morning I moved in slow motion, like swimming underwater in the bay. A blissful languor wrapped around me and I couldn't wipe a big old smile off my face. I'm sure everyone who saw me thought I was nuts.
Too bad. I wanted to enjoy this bliss, to hold it as long as possible. Because I knew reality would come crashing down soon. It snuck in, a little, when I stepped into my suite and remembered last evening. But I'd already seen one of the security guards Nathan hired, so I relaxed. Anyway, I didn't doubt that Nathan scared off Turski. At least for now.
Not even going to think about him. I showered, reluctant to wash away the scent of Nathan. Last night had been so good, better than I could have ever dreamed. Not just the way we moved together during sex, so in tune with each other, but the way it felt, in my heart. Like he honestly wanted me to be happy. I'd already seen what lengths he would go to to protect me. Looking into his eyes last night, as they shone with need and tenderness, I believed he truly cared for me.
Trying to focus on the day ahead, I checked my laptop. Our schedule showed this last meet and greet took place at one o'clock, so I had some time. I finished typing up a few of my remaining handwritten notes on the employees and added several more comments about Bay Paradise Resort.
Music in the café should be more modern and upbeat. The wheels on the housekeepers' carts needed a squirt of lubricant. The property map given to guests needed to be updated, with the vending machine and laundry services better marked. Many calls to the front desk pertained to this and would be avoided.
Looking for other distractions, my gaze kept returning to the flash drive I'd put on the coffee table. Did I want to open it now? While I felt so good? Maybe I'd wait until I got home, not ruin my last day here.
Oh hell. Curiosity gnawed at me like a mouse chewing cheese. I needed to know. I plugged it in, my pulse pounding. One folder, labeled simply "For You." I held my breath and clicked it. One document called "The Truth." I clicked that. Enter password to open file. What would Dad have used? I put in word after word, anything and everything I thought of.
When my phone buzzed I jumped and looked at the time. Wow, was I sitting and plugging in words for an hour? A text, from Jen, wanting to know where all those pictures were I was supposed to send. I grinned, an image of last night floating through my mind. What would she think if she saw pictures of that? I texted her back, promising a few today.
Wedding shots could be fun. From what I'd seen on the bridal program, the ceremony was held outside. A perfect day for it, so far. I'd snap a few shots, get those to Jen, make her crazy to come down here. I rubbed my eyes. Time to get the Reef room ready. Having a great caterer sure helped. Mariana was using the same company for her wedding that we worked with this week. I was terribly impressed with the way they always showed up with fresh food when needed. They'd already made it to my notes. So nice to not have to worry about a problem vendor.
Ejecting the flash drive, I put it in my purse. I'd have another go at it later. This past hour, thinking of my dad, had brought up memories. To my surprise, most of them made me smile. I meant what I told Turski; Dad was a good man. He had problems, but so did everyone. Maybe he'd got involved with a grey crime area, but from what that bastard said last night, Dad had come around in the end.
I put on my Bay Paradise Resort uniform, probably for the last time. Would I get to keep the clothing? I laughed out loud, remembering how much I disliked it at first. Now, I wore it with pride. It represented an accomplishment, a job well done. With my mind no longer occupied on the flash drive, my thoughts drifted to the past evening.
How good it felt, to have told Nathan everything. He still liked me, didn't think I was an awful person. And he was right. The intellectual part of me knew I wasn't entirely to blame for Michelle, despite what my mom said, or even what my heart told me. Jen encouraged me to see another therapist, one I felt more comfortable with. Maybe I'd check into that when I got back home.
So, what would happen with Nathan and me? When I surrendered to him last night, I'd been driven by passion. I trusted him not to hurt me and I wanted him, wanted to make love to him.
But I knew, our lives were so very different. That hadn't changed. Next week, we wouldn't be on a tropical island together. I'd be freezing my butt off in an apartment with crappy heat, going to work, visiting Michelle, eating microwaved dinners. He'd be making billion-dollar business deals, jet-setting around the world, and watching a different ocean on the opposite side of the country.
Some of the magic shine I'd been basking in slipped away, so I pushed those thoughts aside. I'd enjoy my last day here, and deal with whatever happened next the best I could. Like I always did.
+++
The last two employees on our list came in to the Reef room shortly after one-thirty. I apologized for Nathan not being there and called him as he'd texted me to do. He was on the deck at the Tiki Largo bar and asked me to send the two women out there. He sounded happy and relaxed and I smiled, knowing I was responsible for him being that way after last night. He'd lightened up around the employees, a lot. Pretty sure I helped out with that too. He was a fun, likeable guy, once he dropped the hard-ass persona he kept front and center.
As I packed up the food, that sad cloud of doubt drifted back in. Did I really know him? Maybe all this had only been an adventure. A project to keep his busy mind occupied while on this trip. I'd come to believe, Nathan did find me attractive and sexy. No way he faked his behavior when we made love. But all that about standing with me… he said he would help me, but when it came down to it, I had a feeling I'd be on my own. Much as I wanted to believe last night had been real, had come from his heart, I'd had mine broken too often to give up my trust so easily.
Or maybe he just wanted me because I said no. Maybe after this final conquest, he'd be bored and leave.
This time, I couldn't push the blackness away and after I dropped off the leftover food to the employee lounge, I headed back to my room. I had little else to do and the beautiful, sunny day seemed to mock me. Might as well start packing.
My phone buzzed with a text from Nathan. The ceremony is about to start. Come join me.
Oh, the last place I wanted to be. Watching a happy couple get married. Bleh. But if I didn't go, I was pretty sure, Nathan would come get me. Too tired to run and hide, I dawdled around for ten more minutes, then headed to the deck.
Wow. The Tiki Largo bar and surrounding area had transformed, into a beautiful, white paradise. Swaths of tulle fabric enveloped the railings and hung everywhere. Thirty or so chairs had been set up facing the water. A long, white carpet led to a beautifully decorated wedding arch, where the happy couple already stood. She looked radiant, in a simple, white dress, and he wore a conservative suit. Even from a distance, I saw the mega-watt smiles they beamed at each other.
I spotted Nathan, my gaze instantly drawn to him. He stood at the back of the crowd and had put on a sport jacket and tie. The wedding was casual dress, so the jeans he wore weren't out of place and damn, he looked good. My heart squeezed.
How I wished we were two normal people, attending a special event together. Ready to have a drink of champagne later, and a bite of cake. Dance a slow dance, under a spinning mirrored ball. Corny, I know, but every wedding I attended, solo or with a half-ass date, I'd watch those couples together and I could tell, the ones that were in love. The way they smiled at each other, the way they touched. A feeling I longed to experience but doubted I ever would.
As though he sensed me looking, Nathan turned, and his face lit up. He gestured for me to move closer, so I did, slightly, but stood two feet away. He wouldn't want anyone to see us together. He took my hand an
d tugged me closer. Yeah, that tingle was still there, like the first time we'd touched. I shuffled my feet. I couldn't stay here long. Weddings made me sniffle anyway. Happy for the couple, sad for me. With Nathan so close, like a treat I couldn't have, double the agony.
We stood watching until they kissed, then he leaned down and whispered in my ear.
"Come here, I want to show you something."
I let him lead me away, back to the resort, into his little office. As soon as we were inside the cramped room, he shut the door, pulled me to him and kissed me. Not a simple, loving kiss, like the bride and groom. He captured my mouth with his, conveying his hunger as he crushed me to him. I reacted automatically, my tongue meeting his, even as I tried to turn off my desire.
How in the world would I get over Nathan, if every time we touched, he claimed a little piece of my heart? I pulled away.
"So, this is your lair? You weren't kidding, it's tiny." I glanced around. File cabinets, his desk and two chairs filled the space. "Is that what you wanted to show me?" Trying for nonchalance.
"No, that's what I've wanted to do, all morning and afternoon. This is what I want to show you."
He took a folder off his desk and pulled out a picture of a building. "Do you recognize this?"
I studied what looked like a photo printed from a real estate site. A two-story brick building, a townhouse. It had a curved bay window on the bottom, a balcony on the upstairs floor, and a black iron fence all around. Cute. "No. Should I?"
"It's a townhouse, a duplex, not far from where you live now. I bought it. I'm hoping you'll agree to live in one half, and I'll keep the other, for when I come to Chicago to visit. Which will be often." He took another picture from the folder. "I also have my eye on a place here, in Los Angeles. If you like this apartment, I'll buy it too. Maybe when Michelle is better and you can travel more."
I looked up at him, my mouth hanging open. "Why?"
He smiled and cupped my chin. "I hope last night drove away any doubts. I love you and I want to spend time with you." He raised his hand as I started to object. "You're not my mistress. You won't be living there for free. You'll pay rent, the same as you're paying now, to my real estate management agency. And you'll continue to have your own life, to come and go as you please. I won't interfere. I also hope you'll continue to work for Cameron Industries. But mostly…"
The Romance Challenge, Complete Series Box Set: BBW Hot Alpha Billionaire Romance Page 16
