Her eyes grew wide, blinking so rapidly he thought she’d take flight.
“We are on…” he dragged it out, savoring the suspense a bit longer, “…the beautiful island of…” He grinned as she leaned in, eyes locked on his. “…Maui.”
She inhaled sharply. “Maui? As in Hawaii?”
Pierce simply nodded.
“Maui?” Her lips spread into a thin smile and her eyes lit up with wonder. Then her expression went in the opposite direction. “I don’t have any clothes or makeup or—”
He leaned in and kissed her to quell her rising panic. “We’ll play it by ear. I’ll get whatever you need.”
“Pierce, I can’t just disappear like this,” she said, alarm creeping into her voice and facial expression as she gripped his jacket. “I have a son and—” Another kiss and she remained silent for a moment.
Pierce had asked her to trust him, and she would…to a certain degree. She had a life. She had commitments. She was hoping to have breakfast or possibly lunch with Eric and get to see Anita and Lorrie. Instead, she’d ended up trusting a man she barely knew who had practically kidnapped her. Eric and Ava would have a field day! Oh, Lord—her schedule! Ava would kill her for sure. Especially if Peggy had managed to schedule that last-minute book-club meeting and signing. Good Lord would she be in trouble. Maui? Really? He took her to Maui!!! A man couldn’t get much more romantic than that on such short notice.
She turned toward him, too enamored by their surroundings to get sassy. “Thank you, Pierce.” She leaned against him, taking in the shadowy forms of mountains sloping toward the water. “Thank you.”
Her smooth, breathy voice washed over him. He kissed her hand, and she tilted her head to rest on his shoulder. Pierce had only planned to stay twenty-four hours in Maui, to spend the day on the beach. Most important was to have the dinner and dance he’d promised. Then they would fly home. But Raven’s passionate, childlike reaction to the ocean let him know that one day would not be enough.
Raven tugged on his shirt, then splayed her hands across his chest. “Pierce, do you think…I mean, I know you said only dinner, but…”
Pierce leaned in, pressed his lips gently to hers and pulled away. “We can stay as long as you like, baby.”
Her face lit up with something that was amazement and happiness rolled into one. That alone helped push away the reality of what he was doing since a bit of doubt had crept back up again before she had asked. He had never been so irresponsible as to leave with no word to anyone at MEG. Sim would be mad as hell, the idea of which, truthfully, made Pierce smile. Even if they went back to New York this second, the short time he’d spent in Raven’s company was already well worth the wrath.
Even though she didn’t show an interest in—even better, seemed to loathe—his partner, past history prevailed. He needed to keep her as far away from Simeon Cahill as possible. And if that means taking her halfway across the country for Pierce to stake his claim on Raven—then so be it!
Seventeen
Eric had made the dreaded call to postpone his appointment in Baltimore. Marie was not happy, but he’d had no choice. Simeon had demanded that all employees come in early. His tirades over Pierce’s absence had reached an explosive point. He was like a dog pissing on everything, hoping to hit the right tree—or in this case—the right information.
A weary, red-eyed Eric Ripley sat scrunched in MEG’s main conference room between one overly endowed clerk and a solemn accountant who needed to be taken down by some Right Guard or Left––whichever could tame the funky odor. Steve, normally composed and unruffled, locked gazes with Eric across the table, a flush spreading across his angular face. Simeon paced the room, snapping at someone every few minutes, totally living up to the company’s nickname: Madman Entertainment Group.
“Steve, I want to see you after this meeting,” Simeon demanded.
Steve simply nodded, then slowly scanned the area just outside the glass doors of the conference room until his gaze finally met Eric’s again.
What was up with this meeting? He had more than an inkling that Simeon was moving toward pushing Pierce out of MEG, and Steve certainly would be next. With Pierce and Steve gone, the climate at work would become unbearably bitter. Eric’s internship would likely be over, but that didn’t matter. Pierce was still “missing” and so was his mom. It looked as if Eric had accomplished what he set out to do. Thank God for miracles!
Eric had been ecstatic on hearing the word around the office that Pierce had entered a limo with Raven Armand and hadn’t been seen since. But would his meddling come back to bite him in the ass? He had learned that when people left MEG, Pierce let them go their own way; Simeon, on the other hand, destroyed anyone who left him unless he was the one to kick them to the curb, and even then he made sure that person would never find work in the music industry again.
“I want Pierce’s office locked!” Simeon roared, slamming his fist onto the table. “No one goes in there for any reason!”
Steve raised his hand. “There might be some documents in there we’ll need for the meeting with Warner. We need the projections he has on our last sales reports.”
Simeon stopped pacing long enough to think. “Get them before 5 today.”
“Of course,” Steve said smoothly.
Documents my ass, Eric thought. We need to clear out his office before Simeon destroys something that’s important to Pierce. Like his parents’ picture and my mom’s files.
“If you hear from him or know where he is, and decide you just ain’t tellin’ me,” Simeon’s gaze swept over everyone, “pack your shit, get your swagger on, and walk the fuck out of here.”
A few gasped, but no one spoke.
“Steve!” Simeon bellowed. “My office. Now! I want to know all about this new deal he was working on.” He walked off with an entourage of bodyguards following.
Eric swallowed and winked at Steve when Simeon wasn’t looking.
Steve rubbed his chin lightly and nodded.
Eric let out a slow sigh of relief. They were still a team. Steve could handle Simeon, Eric could handle everything else. If he didn’t get fired first. What a mess!
He soon sat at his desk, deep in thought. Moments later, Eric almost screamed when someone yanked him out of his chair and dragged him to an enclosed service area several feet away.
As Steve spun him around effortlessly, Eric’s fists almost connected with Steve’s flushed-pink skin before he could stop himself.
Eric braced himself. “Oh, man! You know not to come up on someone like that!”
“You thinking what I’m thinking?”
“I’m thinking it’s not going to be a hearty breakfast around this camp for a minute.”
Steve’s thin eyebrows drew in. “Well, I’m thinking along the lines of something that might get us fired.”
Eric favored him with a chuckle. “And that’s a bad thing?”
“Well,” Steve said with an impish grin, “it might also get us arrested.”
Eric’s smile disappeared. “Well, that’s different. I’m not killing anybody. I’m not going down like that. And if I’m serving time, it’s at Club Fed up there where Martha Stewart stayed.”
“That’s a women’s prison.”
“My point exactly,” Eric shot back with a grin and a suggestive lift of his eyebrows.
Steve shook his head. “We’re not going to kill anybody.”
Eric shifted in his seat. “I’m not stealing anything either.”
“Weeeeeell, it depends on your definition of stealing,” Steve ventured cautiously.
“Borrowing with no intention of giving it back.”
Steve rubbed his chin, blue eyes sparkling with mischief. “What if what’s borrowed actually belongs to the person we’re borrowing it for?”
“Pierce?”
“Hypothetically speaking.”
Eric’s lips spread into a slow smile. “I stashed empty boxes in Troy’s old cubicle.”
Steve b
lanched. “You already—”
Eric lifted an eyebrow.
“My boy.” He clapped a hand on Eric’s back. “But you know we could get into real trouble if we do this.”
“And Pierce could be in real trouble if we don’t. We can either stay and help row the boat, or inflate the first lifeboat, and hit the water.”
“I’ll take my chances with the lifeboat.”
Once everything was quiet in the office and most people left to finish out their weekends, Eric and Steve went to work as a team. Three hours later, after the copying was finished, Steve left Eric at his desk to clear out personal items of his own—his pictures, music, and books. He made color copies of his photos and put them back into the frame, so there were some signs of life in his cubicle, then deleted his emails and voicemails, knowing it was certainly better to be safe than sorry.
He picked up his cell to call Ava, then put it back down; it was too early to get her involved. Boy, he had really made a mess of things. Who knew that his actions would have such a domino effect? All he’d wanted was for two people to fall in love.
Then an idea popped into his head. He got on the Internet and printed several shipping labels addressed to Pierce’s home. If they got busted, hopefully the judge would let him off easy; it would be his first offense, but it certainly wouldn’t do his writing career any good.
Strong hands on his shoulders nearly made him jump. He turned, expecting to find Steve. No such luck.
Simeon stood over the desk, peering at the computer screen.
❤ ❤ ❤
As the shuttle pulled in front of the Kahana Resort in Maui, a tall, beige building surrounded by two kidney-shaped pools, a tennis court, and outside public grills, Raven asked. “What are you getting me into?”
“You’ll see…later.”
“I’d rather know now.”
“Well, this time you’ll have to wait, Ms. Armand. I’ve waited eight weeks for this.”
“You’re going to keep rubbing that in, aren’t you?”
“Most definitely.”
Raven didn’t bother to look at him. She could feel the heat of his stare making her flesh hot. Memories of being in his arms all night turned up the flame. Lord, why hadn’t she spent a little time with her dildo before making the trip to New York? If she couldn’t get herself under control and fast, she was going to make a decision she’d regret.
Raven and Pierce entered their suite. Cathedral windows several feet away provided a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean bathed in moonlight. As though awakened from a trance, Raven ran past the master bedroom, guest bedroom, full kitchen, dining room, and into the living room. She pulled open the patio door to a balcony that extended the length of the suite and wrapped around to the master bedroom.
She gripped the thick iron railing and scanned the beach then over to the pool in the middle of a palm-tree garden just behind the tennis court. Its water was powder blue under the recessed lights surrounding the enclosure. The sight was more beautiful than any painting.
Raven could feel Pierce watching her, probably wondering if she would later write about the view. Especially since he had forbidden her to do anything but enjoy her time here. He slowly walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. Raven placed both her hands over his, and drank in the beautiful scenery.
“Oh, Pierce, it’s absolutely gorgeous,” she said in a breathy whisper. “I would never have imagined it like this. Movies don’t do it justice.”
Pierce kissed the back of her neck. “The fridge is stocked with a few things,” he said softly. “How about I fix us a little something to eat?”
“I’m not really hungry. I thought I would be after that nap.”
He chuckled, wondering how she considered six hours of sleep a mere nap. “I can’t help it if that one drop of Black blood kicked in for you—”
“Hey, you didn’t stay awake either, buster.”
“Touché.” He touched his lips to hers. “You’re beautiful when you’re making a point.”
She gave in, saying, “If there’s some fruit or something that’ll be fine.”
He returned with a tray of fruits, cheeses, crackers, and a bottle of Moscato—another one of her favorites.
“Do you want to take a stroll on the beach?”
He handed Raven a glass of wine as she looked out to the water. A tiny sliver of light peered over the edge of the horizon.
Raven shook her head. “I’d like to sit right here with you and watch the sun come up.”
Pierce extended his hand to her before leading her to the glider on the patio and cradled her in his arms.
Neither one of them saw the sunrise. Moments later they were fast asleep
.
Eighteen
That next morning, Pierce woke first, stroking her hair until her eyes fluttered and opened. “Let’s go find some breakfast, then see what we can get into.”
She stretched languidly. “Sounds like a plan.”
Thirty minutes later they passed other luxury resorts, lush greenery, and a waterfall on their way to the strip mall up the street.
Women Who Run with the Wolves, a small shop with stained-glass wind chimes hanging outside, sold clothing, handcrafted items, and artwork in brilliant island colors.
“Aloha, how may I help you today?” asked a woman with soft brown hair, deep-set gray eyes, an easy smile, and a willowy build. Her manner was laid-back in that island way. “My name’s Danielle. Feel free to look around.”
“Ahhhh, that’s what I want.” Raven raced immediately to the racks of island print skirts and sarongs, bypassing the perfume and seascape paintings.
Pierce’s eyebrow shot up. “Nice.”
“Maybe two,” she said. Then her gaze shifted to a place just behind him. Pierce followed her line of vision to the royal blue, kelly green, fuchsia, and white lotus print wrap hanging from the ceiling over a large display of sarongs in vibrant colors. “Ooh!” she said softly. She had the wondrous look of a child seeing her dream toy. Her slender fingers trailed lightly over the material. “These colors…are magnificent!”
Pierce gently tugged the sarong, releasing it from hanger, and draped it lightly over her arm.
“It’s exquisite.”
“It’s yours.”
Her head snapped up.
“It’s worth anything to see that look on your face.”
He reached out for two other wraps that he thought she would like. “I’d like to see you in these, too.”
“You have good taste.”
“And not just in clothes.”
Her grin widened. “And not a humble bone in your body either.”
“Humble?” He gave her a wink. “What’s that?”
Raven released a husky, sexy chuckle, took the other wraps and laid them over her arm.
Pierce chose three more and passed them all to Danielle.
“Trying to make sure I stay barely dressed, or trying to make sure I don’t change my mind?” she asked with a smirk.
“I plead the fifth.” Pierce kissed her hungrily and walked to the register, leaving a stunned Raven standing in the center of the store. Danielle put the sarongs to the side as Pierce swaggered back to Raven, grabbed her hand and led her over to the lingerie section.
“Um, this one I can handle on my own, big man,” she said, ribbing him with her elbow.
“Purple’s my favorite color,” he countered, as he strolled away towards the artwork.
“I won’t keep that in mind.”
He shifted his gaze to the mirror over the register, which allowed him to watch as she flitted from piece to piece.
Raven quickly found the only purple lingerie set on the shelf, flipped to her size, and grinned before choosing a few more, then slipped in some garters and stockings to match.
When she stepped behind a wall, he plucked his wallet from his pocket and slipped a platinum charge card to Danielle before raising a fingertip to his lips. She nodded, placing it under a sil
ver tray on the register while they both waited for Raven to finish. Pierce had a feeling this would test Raven’s stubborn independence—she was the type of woman who did not need a man for the bare necessities or for the finer things. Probably not even for an orgasm!
Moments later, Raven handed the last of her purchases to Danielle. The woman’s thin fingers flew across the brown keys, entered discounts, and came up with a total. She swiped Pierce’s card through the machine and gave him the slip for his signature before Raven could whip out any form of currency.
Raven glared at him, then at Danielle, then back at Pierce. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Uh oh, here we go. Quickly, he put the slip on the counter, signed it, and slid it toward Danielle. The willowy brunette put her slim fingers on top of the slip. “The gentleman has already taken care of this.”
Raven snatched the slip from the counter. “There’s no way in hell I’m letting you pay for my clothes!”
“I invited you and promised to take care of you.” He removed the slip from her fingers and pushed it back toward Danielle. “And that’s exactly what I’m doing.”
“I can pay for my own things,” she shot back testily as she grabbed the slip again. “A man who pays for a woman’s clothes usually believes that he owns what’s underneath.”
A chilly silence filled the little tropical shop.
“I should’ve known,” he grumbled, taking a deep breath. “Let’s get something straight: would you have come here if I hadn’t brought you?”
Raven took a deep breath. “Probably not, but—”
“Had you planned on taking a two week trip to Maui?”
“No, but—”
“Then you are my guest!” Pierce snapped, taking the slip back from her. It was his turn to take a deep breath. Then he added, more kindly, “So quit bitching, and let me be good to you.”
The Pleasure's All Mine Page 13
