More Than Pleasure You: A More Than Words Novella

by Shayla Black

  She looks unmoved by my declaration. “But you also weren’t honest with me. You never mentioned a client or a potential hotel deal or due diligence for either. You told me about your dad and your sisters, your concussion, and your sad New York life—all the things designed to pull on my heartstrings.”

  “And every word I said was true.”

  “Just not the whole truth. You said you’d always do your best to give me honesty, and that turned out to be a lie. I should have listened to my gut about you, slick.”

  Her words crush my hope—and my heart. But I try not to panic. Life has tossed Skye a lot today. She was undoubtedly shocked to discover she was pregnant. Just like she was surely stunned to hear that I “betrayed” her. She’s understandably conflicted and confused as hell. And for all I know, her hormones are raging, too. I need to keep my cool.

  “Skye… I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry, honey. I couldn’t betray a client’s confidence, and—”

  “But you could betray me.” Her mouth purses, and something so angry darkens her usually soft brown eyes. “Get your things and go.”

  My chest seizes. I forget how to breathe. I don’t ask if she’s serious. It’s obvious she is.

  I reach for her. “Don’t do this. We have a baby coming. We need to talk this out. There are things you don’t understand.”

  She wrenches away from me. “I understand enough. We’re done.”

  “We’re not.” I shake my head. “We’re having a child together.”

  “I don’t need anything from you. The baby and I will be just fine.” Then she turns to Sherry. “This doesn’t mean I’m coming back to Finn or that he’s anything more than a friend. You need to let it go. I’m never going to love him the way Dana does. Now I’d like to be alone.”

  She turns away, and I watch her walk up the hill toward her little one-room cottage. For one of the few times in my life, I’m at a loss for words. In the span of one afternoon, I went from thinking I had endless possibilities to nearly having everything meaningful taken from me.

  What the fuck do I do now?

  I turn to Sherry, who actually looks somewhere between confused and contrite. “You’re no good for her.”

  “That’s not your decision. I love her in a way your son never will. I would have loved her for the rest of my life if you hadn’t stuck your big mouth in our business. I hope you can live with the fact that she may be raising a child alone because you’re a selfish bitch.”

  Then I walk away because I have nothing more to say. My heart hurts so fucking bad I’m shocked my chest isn’t bleeding out. But I also know I’m not giving up on Skye.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Monday, February 5

  “Can I talk to you?”

  Finn swivels his head around from the big-screen above the wide bar in the middle of the swanky Lahaina hotel. His eyes narrow when he sees me. “You’re still on the island? I thought you’d be back in New York.”

  He tone makes it clear he’d prefer that.

  I shake my head. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Whatever. You’re an asshole. I’ve got nothing to say to you.”

  I’ve got plenty to say to him. I’ve spent the last two days trying to get a hold of Skye. I texted and called. No answer. I left voicemails. No response. I even drove back out to the Aloha Rainbow house, but the gate barring the private road was locked shut. I thought about scaling it and insisting she listen to me. I didn’t. She’s telling me without words that she doesn’t want to talk. I’ve bungled everything like an idiot, rationalizing all my actions and basically shoving my head up my ass for the last month.

  After a lot of soul searching, it’s time to make things between us right.

  Finn is my last hope.

  A couple of tourists beside him order fruity drinks and eye us, so I choose my words carefully. “You don’t know my side of this, and she won’t hear me right now. Is there someplace we can talk privately?”

  “No.” He focuses on the TV again.

  “Please.”

  “How the fuck did you find me?”

  “I remembered where your wife works. I asked her how I could find you.” And after a sufficient amount of pleading and groveling, she told me, thank god.

  “Damn Dana’s soft heart.” Finn shakes his head, but I know he wouldn’t have her any other way.

  “She took pity on me. I’m hoping I can convince you to do the same.”

  He sends me an exasperated glare. “Look, Skye can’t take any more, and I’m going to protect her. That’s the least I can do. She only got personal with you because I was the stupid asshole who pressured her into finding a fake fiancé for my wedding. What I should have done was tell my mother to back the hell off. Trust me, I rectified the situation yesterday.”

  That’s good news. Finn is a grown man who should have long ago made his mom butt out of his love life. Hopefully, she’s gotten the message.

  “She any better with Dana now?”

  He looks startled by my question. “Like you give a shit?”

  “Yeah. Your happiness is important to Skye. She feels terrible that your mom has been so fixated on her taking Dana’s place in your life.”

  Finn huffs, obviously sick of it, too. “It’s a little better. But the whole situation will take time. You, um…know that Skye and I were never really a thing, right?”

  Since his anger has come down a notch, I slide onto the empty stool beside him. “Yeah. But I also know she considers you one of her best friends.”

  His face softens, and he motions to the bartender for another beer, then looks at me in question. “Same.”

  I shake my head to decline the drink and wait until the dude in the logoed tank top slides a cold one in Finn’s direction before I go in for the kill. “That means you have sway with Skye. And I’m hoping that, since you’re such good friends, you want her to be happy, too.”

  Finn glares at me. “That’s low.”

  Because he does want to see her happy and he’s figured out that I want his help in winning her back.

  “I’m willing to do anything. Name it.”

  “Even give up the deal you tried to sell her down the river for?”

  “Already done.”

  I called David Chang within an hour of Skye tossing me out of the Aloha Rainbow house. Despite it being Sunday in Hong Kong, I rang him up and explained that the land belongs to an older couple who will never sell because they’re leaving it to a girl who’s like family to them. And no, I won’t apply pressure to her because I’m hoping to make her my wife.

  David was stunned silent for a long moment before he laughed and agreed to look harder at some of the other properties I’d sent his way. I committed to helping him as long as he didn’t expect me to work against Skye’s wishes. He also said he had a lot of other opportunities for me to consider all through Hawaii, the South Pacific, and Asia, if I was game.

  I am. And I took that information to my dad. Then he and I talked. I have a plan for the future now. But it all hinges on Skye—and whether I can convince her ex to persuade her to talk to me.

  Finn blinks at me. “You actually walked away from a multimillion-dollar deal for your fake fiancée? Despite the fact you’ve known each other for less than a month?”

  I nod. “There will be other deals, but Skye is one of a kind. What we have may have started as pretend, but I love her. I’ve never said that about any woman in my life.”

  “What supposedly changed, brah?”

  “Everything. You know that.”

  “I know she’s pregnant. Good job, asshole. And if you only want her because you knocked her up—”

  “No. I was already thinking about our future when she gave me the news.”

  He scoffs. “Well, dream on. Even if she was speaking to you, she would never move to New York. And if she went to make you happy, it would tear her up.”

  “I know.” Which is why I know exactly what I have to do. “I just want to talk to her. Ple
ase.” When Finn still looks unmoved, I lean in and press on. “Look, you stood strong and married the woman you love, even when some of the most important people in your life were against it. You followed your heart. I need a chance to tell Skye what’s in mine. Ten minutes. That’s all I’m asking.”

  Yeah, he’s not thrilled, but Finn finally sighs. “God, I must be a sucker. But let’s be clear, I’m only saying yes and risking my friendship with Skye because she’s miserable and I’m convinced she loves you, too.” He drops his voice again. “If you fuck her over again, though? I’ll make sure you piss through a straw for the rest of your goddamn life.”

  He has absolutely no way to make that a reality, and we both know it. But if it makes him feel better to believe he’s got some leverage over me, fine. I will totally bend my pride. “Absolutely, but I won’t.”

  “When and where?”

  “Any time and place of her choosing between now and Friday.” I’m as accommodating as I can be.

  Finn nods. We exchange numbers, and he says he’ll be in touch. After that, there’s nothing to say. I have to find my fucking patience somehow, scramble to get everything in place, and hope like hell it’s enough.

  Because I already know I’ll never love anyone else the way I love shy, quirky, big-hearted Skye Ingram.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Friday, February 9

  Skye

  It’s been exactly one month since Stephen Lund crashed into my life. In thirty short days, he’s changed it completely. Then again, I never imagined for a moment that the guy who offered to take me to Finn’s wedding—the one who made my head spin and my heart race—had ulterior motives. I still don’t know the whole truth, but after six days of stewing and wondering, one thing is clear: We need to talk. Finn is right about that.

  What happens today will decide everything.

  Nervously, I smooth down the floral print skirt of my dress as the valet takes my car. Then I step into the open breezeway of the Four Seasons.

  I’m so confused right now I’m not even sure what to hope for, but Stephen has a ticket on a flight off the island tomorrow. He has since the day I met him. So it’s now or never for this conversation. Unfortunately, I had to wait until nearly sunset before my stomach settled. In the past week, I’ve learned that mornings and pregnancy hormones don’t always mix well.

  In my purse, my phone vibrates. I pull it from my clutch to see an encouraging text from Finn. After sending back my thanks, I tuck the device away.

  Thank god he’s been such a steady friend. Without him and Dana, I would have been so lost.

  The evening I kicked Stephen to the curb, the house we’d shared for three amazing weeks felt empty and ghost-filled. I’ve worked there for six years. Erma and Dean have promised that it’s my future. And for the first time I couldn’t stand to be inside those four walls.

  I’d known I was falling for Stephen fast and hard, but I didn’t realize how wretchedly in love I was until he was gone. Until I slept in our bed to be near him and smelled him on our sheets. Until I remembered all the laughter, flirtation, and pleasure we shared. Until his absence ripped me in half, leaving me incomplete, bleeding, and alone.

  When I called Finn, he and Dana came running, held me while I sobbed, and listened through all my tears. They’ve been great. They’ve held my hands. They especially encouraged me to call my parents and tell them everything. Finn knew it would make me feel better. He was right.

  I worked up the courage to pick up the phone the next morning. My parents were understandably shocked by my pregnancy, but supportive of whatever I choose to do. I’m not precisely sure how I’ll juggle being a mom, but I don’t need to know that today. I need to figure out my next steps with Stephen first. As much as the hurt part of me wants to curse him and cut him cold out of spite, this is his child, too. And if he doesn’t want anything to do with our baby, it’s his loss.

  If he writes off both me and his kid, that will prove that Sherry was right—and hurt so damn bad.

  But even knowing that’s a distinct possibility, my stupid heart refuses to love him any less.

  So here I am, at the Four Seasons, wearing a dress that feels more like armor, to settle this. There are too many memories at Aloha Rainbow. If we’d talked there, I’m not sure I would have been able to stop myself from begging him for just one more idyllic night in his arms.

  My heels click across the tile floors of the elegant open-air lobby, decorated mostly in muted tans and creams with lots of greenery, illuminated by classic wrought-iron light fixtures. My heart clatters even faster than my footsteps, so fast I swear it’s pounding out of my chest. By the time I reach the elevator, I’m trembling visibly. It’s tough to catch my breath on the ride up to the top floor.

  I step out of the car, and a quick glance at the plaque tells me Stephen’s suite is at the end of the hall to my right. All I have to do is find the courage to make my way down there and knock.

  Why does he want to see me? The question has been haunting me for two days, since Finn persuaded me this meeting is necessary. Is this his last-ditch attempt to get his hands on Erma and Dean’s land? Or does he want to buy me off so he doesn’t have to bother with anything as pesky as fatherhood?

  That doesn’t seem like the man I know…but did I know him at all? And if he really is that asshole, I’ll handle the future alone. I’m strong. Sure, I want Stephen Lund—more than I thought possible after only knowing him for a handful of weeks. But if he bails, I will survive.

  I have to.

  The thought bolsters me as I trek to the end of the hallway.

  What if he tells you he loves you again?

  My footsteps falter. I don’t have an answer for that. And after everything that’s passed, how could I ever believe him again?

  I press a hand to my unsettled stomach and knock.

  When the door opens, I’m shocked to find the senior Lund standing there, wearing a Hawaiian shirt, a pressed pair of khakis, and a kind smile. “Hi, Skye. Good to see you again. Come in.”

  “Mr. Lund.” I nod politely and ease inside, lip-biting and stiff.

  I can only imagine what this man must be thinking…

  “Call me Douglas,” he invites, shaking my hand in a warm clasp between both of his. “Please, sit.”

  I peek through the entryway, into a sitting room that’s bigger than the caretaker’s cottage I live in. It’s understated and lovely, with a view of the ocean that is absolutely breathtaking. What I don’t see is Stephen.

  Did he change his mind?

  “I’m fine, thank you.”

  “Bottle of water? Soda? I’d offer you something with teeth but…”

  I’m pregnant, and he knows it. Besides, I’m not sure I’ll be here long enough to drink anything. “No, thank you.”

  “If you change your mind, there’s a mini-fridge behind the bar. Help yourself to whatever you want.” He tosses me a smile. “But it’s a good thing you can’t drink Scotch. Stephen already availed himself of it all the night he left you. Thank you for coming to put him out of his misery.”

  Misery? Because his deal isn’t going through? “Thank you for letting us meet here.”

  What else can I say?

  “Stephen will be just a minute more. He’s thrilled you’re willing to talk.” I’m surprised when Douglas’s smile widens. “When it’s all said and done, I think you’re going to be happy, too. I sincerely hope I’ll see you again very soon.”

  With a tip of his head, he exits the suite and leaves me completely confused. For two days, I’ve had visions of this powerful Wall Street mogul berating me. I thought he’d accuse me of getting pregnant on purpose and call me a gold digger. Instead, he went out of his way to be warm and welcoming.

  What the heck is happening right now?

  I resist the urge to pace to the window and look out at the sun setting over the shimmering Pacific. I want to be braced for the moment the suite’s interior door opens and Stephen steps out. I have a speech re
hearsed. I’m staying focused on the baby and being an adult about our parenting arrangement. Deep down, would I like to know if any of the romance between us was real? Sure. But I’m not asking. Is it really important anymore?

  My heart says it is. It has no sense; I’m not listening.

  As the sun sinks closer to the horizon, the door opens to my right. I whirl around. The sight of Stephen Lund in an impeccable gray suit knocks the breath out of me. When those bright blue eyes of his fall on me, I can hardly speak.

  I need to be practical, not star struck, damn it.

  “Skye. Thank you for agreeing to see me.” He gestures me into the rest of the suite, where there’s a massive living/dining room with more panoramic views. There are fresh roses on the table. Two glasses of cold bubbling liquid beside a bottle of sparkling cider. The lights are low. We’re completely alone.

  It feels terrifyingly romantic.

  I put on my best business face. “I thought it was important that we talk. I have a custody arrangement in mind. I wrote my ideas up so you can look—”

  He stops me from digging into my clutch. “Before you go there, I have a few things I’d like to say. First, I didn’t romance you for the property. I need you to know that.”

  “You already said that. And I’m just supposed to believe you?”

  “No. Someday I hope you’ll trust what I tell you, but I know today isn’t that day. So I’m going to prove it.” He withdraws some papers from the pocket of his jacket and hands them to me. “These are generally considered confidential, but I have David Chang’s blessing to share them with you. It’s an e-mail string. Would you mind reading it? Start at the bottom.”

  I’m not entirely sure what he thinks this will accomplish, but I admit I’m curious. “All right.”

  Three minutes later, I’m blinking and struggling to take it all in. But one fact is completely clear: Stephen tried his damnedest for weeks to tempt Chang with other properties besides my beloved Aloha Rainbow.