He shielded his eyes from the glare of the late afternoon sun and tried to make out the other rooms that faced the pool but there was no sign of anyone else inside the house.
Besides, she was one of the hedonists, not the mistress of a wealthy fugitive. She’d been headed to the conference registration area back at the hotel.
The door to the bedroom slid open and the woman stepped out onto the patio, her arms loaded with first-aid items. She’d put her frumpy dress back on.
Brushing aside the disappointment that she’d covered up all her enticing curves, he hurried over to relieve her of the ridiculous amount of supplies she’d carried out—bandages in several sizes and shapes, two kinds of liquid antiseptic, paper tape and antibiotic ointment. “I guess they do keep the place well stocked.” He crossed the area to a glass table and set everything on top. “This ought to do it.”
She adjusted her glasses and gave the most adorable shrug. “I brought everything I could find.”
He couldn’t remember the last time his appetite for a woman had run so rampant. “I appreciate that.” Awkward silence stretched between them. He couldn’t help but focus on her tongue as it wet her bottom lip. He imagined that pink tongue sliding over his cock, rounding the tip and swiping a pearl of his seed off. God, he was growing hard again. He cleared his throat and offered his hand. “I’m Guy, by the way.”
She hesitated, just stared at his hand a moment, but then she took it and gave him a firm shake. “Laura…er…Annie.”
He held on, absorbing the heat from her soft skin until she pulled away. The fact that she didn’t seem to know her own name gave him pause, though. “So which is it, Laura or Annie?”
“Um, both, actually. I’m…a writer, a journalist, and I use a pen name, Dear Annie. I’ll be giving the keynote address for the conference.”
She was Dear Annie? He’d have never guessed that this demure, shy woman could be a sex advice columnist. She looked awfully young to have been writing for the four or five years since he’d first read her column. He schooled the shock from his expression.
“I guess you’ve heard of me.” Her eyelids fluttered. “Of course you have. You’re here for the WHS convention, right?”
Not in this lifetime. “Right.” It was only a small lie. He could hardly tell her his true purpose here.
“So you’re one of…you’re a hedonist?”
“Of course.” Why did deceiving her suddenly bother him so much? He hadn’t been honest when she’d inquired about what he was doing in her hedges before, but now he had a thread of a connection to her, he hoped.
Hell, he told lies in the course of his work every day. But this dishonesty felt more personal than something he did for his job. He hated for her to think he was one of the conventioneers, that he was associated with that group even though she was here with them, or at least for them.
“I’ve read your column.” He shifted from foot to foot, hesitant to praise her views, but he was posing as a hedonist and as such, he should agree with most of her anything-goes precepts. “I’m a fan. Can’t wait to hear your speech.”
A cloud passed quickly over her features. “Thanks.”
He ventured a glance at her left hand. Despite his objection to her philosophy on sex and relationships, he allowed himself a measure of relief when he noticed no ring or tan line on her fourth finger. In his line of work, he’d met men and women who regularly hid their marital status when away from their spouse. But it stood to reason that she was single, given the nature of her beliefs. “So there’s no Mr. Dear Annie?”
She let out a nervous laugh. “No.” Then her expression turned more serious as she stared up at him with those lovely eyes.
“I’m single too.” So what that she hadn’t asked. He glimpsed interest in her stare, he was sure of it.
Why had she spilled the fact that she was Dear Annie, or pretending to be? Since when was she so forthright with complete strangers? Wasn’t as if he wouldn’t find out, though.
She should tell him to leave. The man was way too tempting and she didn’t want to do something she knew she’d regret. But the longer she stared at him, the more handsome he grew. His broad shoulders and sexy mouth reminded her how lonely she was most of the time. And how horny.
I do not need a man.
He was definitely sending her some unmistakable vibes. It wasn’t as if she’d ever pursue a romantic relationship with someone like him, or anyone for that matter. She’d never open herself to the emotional abuse again.
Even though he wasn’t a pervert, he could be just as dangerous to her. He’d make her want him, desperately. Then he’d disappear from her life.
But when she breathed in his woodsy scent, her knees went weak. The air between them crackled with carnal energy. She swallowed hard and tried to focus on what they’d been talking about. “Um, why don’t you sit so we can take care of that cut?”
He never released her gaze as he folded his hulking frame into a chair at the table.
She handed him antibiotic ointment, careful not to touch him. “I’m sure you’ll understand if I don’t watch.”
He chuckled and she noticed he had dimples. “Absolutely. I don’t want you passing out on me.”
He grabbed antiseptic and she turned away. Although she wasn’t looking at him, she felt the heat of his stare on her back.
Her dress stuck to her left thigh and she remembered that the man she’d bumped into had spilled part of his drink on her. She rolled her eyes at the oversight. Why had she put on the flouncy dress she’d traveled in all day rather than one of the cute cruise-wear ensembles she’d borrowed from her sisters?
I do not need a man.
She shut her eyes and imagined herself in the little sexy black cocktail dress Diana had loaned her. She pictured Guy’s eyes nearly popping out of his head when he saw her in it. He’d sweep her into his powerful arms like one of her romance heroes. A whisper of desire rolled over her skin.
“All done.”
His voice jerked her out of her daydream. Just as well. She spun around and ventured a glance at his knee. His shorts were rolled up to his mid-thigh and the cut was now covered with a bandage, thankfully. She had to make herself quit staring at his exposed knee, but it had to be one of the best ones she’d ever seen and it was attached to a damn fine leg, long and thick with muscle.
He stood, towered over her, and all she could think about was how good it would feel to have those strong arms wrapped around her, keeping her safe. She took a step away, heat suffusing her face at her body’s visceral reaction to the mere presence of a handsome man. But she knew better. When it came to men, she made bad decisions that ended up biting her in the ass. “I should…probably clean up and change for dinner.”
He set his hands on his waist. “Are you going to the beach party?”
She shook her head. “I’m not one for…crowds. I’ll probably just eat dinner in the hotel dining room.” She wrapped her arms tightly around her body. She was already too attracted to him. A dozen warning bells went off in her head.
“All alone? That doesn’t sound like much fun.”
No, but it is safe.
“I’m not here to have fun, I’m here to give a speech. I’ll be fine. I have my books and my laptop. I haven’t checked my Facebook page in forever.” So what that she sounded beyond pathetic. Better that she should be alone than take a chance on getting hurt.
“A beautiful woman like you might not be safe with all the single men here.”
She refused to succumb to his flattery despite the moisture between her legs. “I’ll be fine. It was nice meeting you. I’m sure we’ll see each other around the resort or when your friend arrives next door.”
We’ll see each other around?
What had he done that she’d cooled her demeanor toward him by a hundred degrees? She wouldn’t even look at him. He should leave. If he stayed, asked her out to dinner, then he’d be too distracted to do the job he’d come all this way to do. Not th
at she’d easily accept his invitation. She was going to make him work for it.
He should chalk it up as a regretful loss, but he couldn’t seem to make himself give it up, not yet. Besides, he had professional reasons for pursuing her. Laura’s villa gave him the perfect excuse to be near the house that Harry would probably arrive at any time now.
Yeah, right. Like that’s the only reason I want to stay.
He checked his watch. There’d be no more flights coming to the island today, so why not enjoy himself tonight? Until Harry arrived, Laura was safe.
Safe.
An image of his mother barged into his mind. He hadn’t been able to keep her safe, but then he’d been a child when she was killed. Still, a stab of guilt poked at him.
He cleared the cobwebs from his throat. “I was planning to have dinner at the hotel too. Can I talk you into joining me?”
She pushed her glasses higher. One corner of her mouth lifted as if she was going to grin. In a heartbeat, she shut it down and erected a wall of ice around herself. “No, I don’t think so, but thank you for the offer.”
Damn. “I promise I’ll keep all the bees away and I won’t bleed anymore.”
That earned him a ghost of a smile, but like the last one, it was gone in an instant. Could he have mistaken the spark of interest he’d picked up on before?
“I’m sorry, Guy. I appreciate the invitation, but I don’t think so.”
Normally he took a no at face value but something in him refused to give in. He wanted her. No, he craved her. “Look, I’m not convinced it’s safe for a beautiful woman to walk alone at night. People on vacation tend not to follow basic security procedures, but things can happen even in paradise. It’s a long way to the hotel and the path is usually desolate.”
He flashed on the memory of another woman alone on a dark night. Well, not entirely alone. Forcing the painful image from his mind, he wiped a bead of sweat from his brow.
He met Laura’s stare. “I promise I’ll keep you from harm and I’ll be a perfect gentleman. I swear on my cats’ lives, all eighteen of them.” He clasped his hands as if he were praying, which in truth, he was.
Her eyes widened. “You have eighteen cats?”
He shook his head. “Only two. But between them they should have eighteen lives, right?”
This time her smile reached her eyes. “I suppose so.”
Perfect moment to close the sale. He wanted her, craved her and he’d do whatever it took to convince her she should give him a shot. “What do you say I pick you up here at eight?”
She sighed and he sensed her defenses weakening.
“Or nine, whatever’s better. You’re the boss.” He threw her a wink. Yeah, a yes was on the tip of her tongue.
“I can’t have dinner with you.”
The bottom fell out of his mood.
Laura had to be firm. She tried to ignore all the signs her body was sending her that she should agree to have dinner with him. Just because her libido was onboard didn’t mean she should be. Still, it was hard to deny her attraction to him, or that her body desperately needed a man’s touch.
He took a step closer. “Why spend the evening all alone?”
She hemmed and hawed. Why was she so frightened of a simple dinner invitation? It wasn’t as if he was asking her to sleep with him. She was flattered by how hard he was working to get her to join him but she couldn’t take the risk. “I’m sorry.”
He clapped both hands over his chest. “You’re killing me. What do you want, blood? Oh, never mind. I’ve already given you that.” His crooked grin broke through all her defenses.
She met his stare and her breath caught at the hope she glimpsed there. It killed her to let him down but she couldn’t risk opening herself to a man again. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“You’ve got a hot date with someone else, hmm?”
As if. “I’m just…not interested.”
He lifted a lock of her hair and twirled it around his finger.
Her legs turned to rubber. A pleasant ache settled low in her belly. Merely going out to eat with the man didn’t mean she had to take it any further. She stepped back out of his reach and folded her arms over her chest. “That sounded harsh, didn’t it?”
“Harsh? Nah. You destroyed me, but it’s okay.” His grin would melt an igloo if the rest of his total hotness didn’t do it first.
Paralyzing fear stormed through her.
“I don’t want to be rude, but you’ll have to go.” She gathered all her strength so she wouldn’t cave.
He held up his hands in surrender then headed toward the hedge where he’d climbed into her yard. “It was nice to meet you, Laura slash Dear Annie.”
It wasn’t until he’d gone that she let out the breath she’d been holding. His exit method put her in mind of how Lady Willingham’s masked lover would leave.
She already regretted turning him down, but it was for the best. Her life was hardly a romance novel. In reality, Guy wouldn’t sweep her off her feet or rescue her from a dangerous villain. After he’d gotten what he wanted, he would have shown his true colors and walked away without giving her another thought. Or worse—he’d have hung around long enough to abuse her in some way.
A vision from her childhood barged into her mind. Her father had her mother pinned against the wall in the kitchen of their old house. One hand clamped around her mom’s neck and the other held a half-full liquor bottle.
She and Diana cowered in the corner in tears. Suzanne—holding Wendy in her arms—stood with her back to them, shielding her sisters from their father’s terrifying outburst.
It wasn’t the first time, but it would be the last. Unable to stop herself, she’d peeked around Suzanne’s shoulder and saw the blood—her mother’s blood. The crimson stains corrupted the sunny yellow linoleum floor and the white cabinets. Laura had started screaming and hadn’t stopped until her father slammed the back door and her mother locked it behind him.
But that awful day was the last thing she wanted to think about. She forced her thoughts elsewhere, to the evening ahead. She still had to unpack her things and change for dinner.
Not that it mattered how she looked. She should have stuck with her usual style of loose-fitting clothes, rather than the form-fitting dresses Diana had sent her from New York. But she couldn’t have afforded to buy anything appropriate for evening and it wasn’t as if she had anything like that in her closet. She never had occasion to wear anything dressy—until now.
Ignoring the emptiness left in Guy’s wake, she forced her chin up and went inside to study her speech, which was the only thing she ought to be dwelling upon. After reading over all Suzanne’s cards, she set them on the counter then headed to her bedroom to unpack.
But she couldn’t keep Guy off her mind. It shouldn’t excite her that he’d tried so hard to get her to go out with him. Didn’t matter that he’d awakened feelings inside her she thought she’d locked away forever or that he turned her into a puddle of hormones.
She recalled his face and her desire flared. Shutting her eyes, she imagined him kissing her lips, cupping her breasts. She lay across the king-size bed and closed her eyes, imagining him there with her. Her breath grew ragged. Just a touch from him would wreck her.
She wouldn’t allow that. For self-preservation, it was a good thing she’d put the kibosh on his advances before anything came of it.
* * * * *
Guy strode past Laura’s villa around seven thirty and checked out the vacant property next door. He ducked behind the row of sago palms lining the driveway and tried to see into the front windows of the property. No lights were on inside and he didn’t notice signs that anything had changed there, nothing that would indicate the house now had guests.
His relief at knowing that Harry still hadn’t arrived made him uneasy. When had he ever celebrated not finding someone he was after?
Only since I met Laura.
He wished her face wasn’t half as gorgeous a
nd that her luscious body didn’t call to every torrid need he had. She could easily become a major distraction. But he couldn’t stop himself from approaching her front door any more than he could deny that his attraction to her was more powerful than any he’d experienced before.
He rang the bell and frowned at the keycard reader, hardly impenetrable security. But when he heard a chain lock slide, some of the tension knotting his shoulders relaxed.
The door opened and for a brief moment he wondered who’d answered, but the blonde hair and mesmerizing blue eyes gave Laura away. He liked that she’d ditched the glasses and the baggy dress. He couldn’t help but allow his gaze to touch every part of her as she monkeyed with a pearl earring. Dressed all in black with her hair pinned up and a just a hint of makeup, she stole his breath. “Wow.”
But her scowl didn’t bode well for his plan to take her to dinner over her objection. “What are you doing here?”
He hoped she wouldn’t be angry or at least not for long. “I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d drop by. Are you hungry? Because I’m on my way to the hotel restaurant for dinner.”
She shook her head incredulously. “Seriously? I guess you don’t understand the meaning of the word no.”
He leaned against the doorjamb in case she tried to shut him outside. “I do understand no, but like I said—”
“You were in the neighborhood. Yeah, right.” Her simple sleeveless dress hugged every feminine curve and gave him a stunning view of her long legs and sleek arms. Her sandals were nothing but a strap of rhinestones across her toes and a skinny heel that made him question how she planned to negotiate the trail to the hotel. But that was the least of his worries. The woman was so smoking hot, he wondered if he’d have to fight off any other men.
He folded his arms. “I don’t like eating alone. Do you?”
“I eat dinner by myself nearly every night.”
He put on an exaggerated frown but his chest tightened in earnest. “Sounds lonely.”
She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. “I have my cat and my laptop. I like catching up on my email while I eat.”
Deceptively Yours (Wanton Weston Women, Book Two) Page 4
