Totally Tempting

“I think you were right about the drinks,” she said ruefully. “I’m beginning to feel the effects.”

He opened the door to the lobby for her and waited until they were in the elevator alone before he said, “I’m afraid you’re going to have a bad headache in the morning.”

They stepped out of the elevator and he unlocked the door to the condo. Once inside, she replied, “Probably. But it will be worth it.”

He nodded. “Hope you feel the same way in the morning.” They walked toward their bedrooms. They reached hers first.

“Thank you for tonight. I hope you weren’t bored,” she said.

“Not at all. I don’t think I gave the business a thought for, oh, at least thirty minutes.” He grinned at her.

She smiled. “I don’t know what I’m going to do about you.”

“A good-night kiss would be nice.”

His comment caught her off guard. It was the last thing she’d expected to hear from him.

“Of course,” she said and leaned toward him. She closed her eyes, expecting a peck on her cheek. Instead he slowly drew her into his arms and brushed his lips against hers. What was happening to her? Was it the rum that suddenly made her melt against him…and put her arms around his neck?

By the time he loosened his grip, they were both gasping for air.

“I’ve wanted to do that all evening,” he said hoarsely.

“I didn’t know,” she murmured and rubbed her finger along his strong jawline and cheek. Jodie attempted a smile. “Well, good night,” she managed to say before she stepped into her room and closed the door.

Dean closed his eyes and stood there. What had he done? Was he out of his mind? He’d taken advantage of the fact that she was there with him, which was unconscionable.

And why hadn’t she slapped his face!

Now he knew exactly how she felt pressed against him, how she tasted as her soft mouth opened to his like a budding flower. He’d not forget it, nor would he forget the fact that they still had five days together before heading back to Chicago.

He shook his head and strode into his bedroom. He stripped off his clothes and headed for a much-needed shower and some stern self-talk. Getting involved with Jodie Cameron would be the height of recklessness.

Unfortunately for his peace of mind, he’d discovered tonight that he’d been involved with her for years.

The first thing Jodie knew the next morning when she opened her eyes was that Dean had grossly underestimated the effect of the mai tais. She didn’t have just a headache; concrete drills were going off inside her head.

The second thing that registered was the heavenly scent of freshly brewed coffee wafting its way into her room. The thought of coffee was the call of the sirens that drew her out of bed. She put on the thick terry-cloth robe that was in the bathroom, carefully brushed her hair—even her scalp hurt this morning—and went in search of the elixir that might help her live.

Dean sat at the kitchen bar, next to the coffeepot, reading the paper. He glanced up when she moved carefully toward him.

“How’re you feeling?” he asked, his voice low.

She almost whimpered. Even that much noise made her head hurt worse. “I should have stopped after the first drink,” she whispered. She filled the large coffee mug sitting beside the pot to the brim and immediately lifted it to her mouth. It was too hot to drink, but she could live off the aroma for a moment.

“Aspirin will help,” he said, nodding toward a bottle there on the counter.

She filled a glass with water, took a couple of tablets and sat down on the bar stool next to Dean.

He wore shorts, a shirt and sandals. He looked rested and fit. She could almost hate a person for that when she felt like something that had washed up on the shore. He continued to read the paper, and for the first time she fully appreciated his taciturn personality.

She sipped her coffee and squinted out the window. The sun had been up for hours, but at this particular moment she didn’t care if she ever saw the sun again.

Dean laid the paper on the counter and got up. He walked over to the expanse of windows and drew the drapes closed.

“How did you know?” she asked with relief when he seated himself once again. He flicked on the small light near where he sat.

“I’ve overindulged myself a few times in my thirty-odd years. I know what it’s like.”

She placed her mug on the counter and rested her head in her hands. “The drinks tasted so innocent. I had no idea…” Her voice faded.

He raised his hand to rub her back in sympathy but thought better of it. He cleared his throat. “I know the idea doesn’t sound appealing, but you’ll feel better once you get some food inside you.”

“You are absolutely right. The idea doesn’t sound at all appealing.”

He grinned and picked up the phone. After ordering them both breakfasts, he hung up and looked at her. “Nibble on some toast, drink some juice—”

“Are you kidding?” she asked in horror, dropping her hands from her head. “I’ll probably never drink another glass of juice again.”

“It wasn’t the fruit juice that caused your pain.”

She groaned. “You’re always so logical.”

“So are you, most of the time. You’ll feel better as the day wears on.”

“That’s a relief. Right now I’d have to get better to die.”

He chuckled but didn’t say anything else.

When their meal arrived, he opened the door and took the tray, giving the waiter a tip before closing the door and bringing the food to the bar.

Jodie eyed the tray skeptically at the same time her stomach growled. Like it or not, she needed to eat something.

Did Dean always have to be right?

Miraculously by midafternoon she was beginning to feel almost human again. Not well enough to go outside just yet, but better. Anything was an improvement.

Dean had left after breakfast and hadn’t yet returned. She wondered where he’d gone. Not that it was any of her business. He might have hooked up with one of the women they’d met at the luau last night.

She frowned at the thought.

What was the matter with her? He’d dated a number of women since she’d worked for him and she hadn’t given the matter a thought. Until last night, she hadn’t figured he had much passion in him.

She’d definitely been proved wrong there. She groaned at the memory of her response to him. If she hadn’t felt so awful this morning, she probably couldn’t have faced him.

At least he’d been a gentleman and hadn’t mentioned what had happened last night.

Jodie finally went in and showered, the water having its usual soothing effect on her. By the time she dressed and returned to the living room, she felt human again.

She heard the key in the door and glanced around as Dean let himself inside. When he saw her, he grinned and said, “Ignore the ransom note, I managed to escape.”

Six

Jodie jumped up and stared at him in shock. “You were kidnapped?” she asked, her voice going up.

He paused before closing the door. “Sorry, I was just making a joke. I was gone longer than I expected to be.” She lowered herself back into the chair, feeling silly for overreacting. “How are you feeling?” he asked, making himself comfortable on the nearby sofa.

“Much better than this morning, thank you.”

“Did you eat anything for lunch?”

“I ordered some soup. I wasn’t up to going downstairs.”

“I’ve set up sightseeing tours for the rest of our stay here. We’ll meet Steve Furukawa for lunch tomorrow in Honolulu. While we’re there, we’ll see the Pearl Harbor Memorial and whatever else looks interesting. There are some great places to see while we’re here. I think you’ll feel well enough tomorrow to enjoy them.”

“Oh. Well. That’s nice. I mean, I’m looking forward to it.”

“Do you think you’re up to sitting out on the beach for a while? The fresh air will do you good.”

She nodded. “Good idea. I’ll go change.”

He got up when she did. “I’ll do the same.”

As she changed into a two-piece suit she’d bought the day before, Jodie realized that she hadn’t seen Dean in his swimsuit. He’d reported that it fit, and that was all that had mattered to her.

She just wished she wasn’t so physically aware of him.

They rode the elevator in silence. Jodie wore the matching cover-up to the suit. Dean had on one of his shirts but hadn’t bothered to button it. They both had large towels with them.

She did her best not to stare at his chest. Instead she trained her eyes on his face, only to discover that he was looking at her with a great deal of interest.

“New suit?” he asked as they left the building.

“Yes.” She stopped and put on her dark sunglasses.

Once on the beach, Jodie carefully laid out one of her towels and slipped off the beach cover.

“Very nice,” he said and she glanced around. He stood with his hands resting on his hips, obviously waiting for her to finish making her beach nest.

Dean stripped to his swimsuit was a Dean she’d never known existed. It unnerved her to have all her ideas about who the man was turned upside down. When did he have time to work out, which he had to do to be in such good shape?

She sat and he tossed his towel down and sat beside her. She wished that she could forget the kiss they’d shared. It had been an aberration; certainly not the norm. However, every time she looked at his mouth, she remembered how his lips had felt touching hers.

The man certainly knew how to kiss!

“This is nice,” he said several minutes later. “Is the air helping your head?”

“You’re being nice to me,” she finally replied. “And it’s making me nervous.”

“Why? Aren’t I always nice to you?”

“Shall I be polite or honest?”

“You’re talking about the office, aren’t you?”

“That’s the person I know—or thought I knew.”

He leaned back on his elbows. “Well, we’ve moved past that, haven’t we? After last night?”

She groaned. “I was hoping you’d forgotten about that.”

He turned onto his side, propping himself up on an elbow. “Why? We’d had fun at the party and we ended the evening the way most dates are ended—with a kiss.”

She slipped her shades down her nose and looked at him. “This is not a dating situation, Dean. I happened to be available to come here because my boss gave me the time off.”

“Worked out well, didn’t it?” He grinned. “You’ve opened my eyes regarding several things about my life. I’m hoping you can continue to teach me how to relax and enjoy myself. You’ve done a good job so far.”

Jodie sat up and folded her legs into a yoga position. “What’s going on, anyway? What do you hope to accomplish while we’re here, other than gaining another client?”

“I want to get to know you better. I’ve already told you.”

“Why? You’ve known me for years and have never looked at me the way you have since we arrived here.”

He chuckled, and despite her practical nature, she was charmed by the sound. A week ago she would have sworn he didn’t know how.

“I’ve never seen you in a swimsuit before…or a sarong, for that matter,” he offered casually. Then his tone changed. “I find you fascinating. You have so many facets to your personality, and I’ve discovered that I want to learn each and every one of them.”

“Dean. We’ll be back at the office next week and none of this will have mattered. I don’t want to make anything more out of our time together than it is.”

“I guess that means we won’t be sleeping together.”

Chuck was right. All men thought about was getting an available woman in bed with them! Then she realized he was laughing at her reaction.

“You’re teasing, right?”

“Actually I’m enjoying the expressions running across your face. Just so we’re clear, I wouldn’t say no if you decide to take me up on my offer.”

She shook her head and stretched out on her towel once more. Her heart raced so fast she was certain he could see it pounding in her chest. She knew he was teasing.

He had to be teasing, hoping to fluster her.

Well, she was made of sterner stuff.

Her tone casual, Jodie said, “I’ll think about it.”

He gave a whoop of laughter and said, “You do that,” and then trotted to the water’s edge to wade out into the water.

She watched him dive into a wave and appear on the other side. Of course she wasn’t going to sleep with him. That would be the dumbest thing possible for her to do. Okay, so he wouldn’t turn her down. So what? To him it would be a casual fling. But becoming intimate with him would change her life. Long after he’d forgotten about this trip, memories would haunt her. It would be impossible to work closely with him without recalling what they had shared.

No. The answer was no.

Jodie stood and walked toward the water.

The water felt good to her, cooling her overheated body. Jodie lowered herself into the water and began a leisurely crawl, feeling her muscles work as she glided through the water.

When Dean spotted her, he angled toward her, cleaving the water in strong strokes.

She smiled at him as he drew near. “I decided to see if the water felt as good as it looks…and it does.”

“How’s your head?”

“Still on my shoulders. From now on, I’ll have one drink and stop, no matter how good it tastes to me.”

They continued to swim parallel to the beach, Dean keeping pace with her. Eventually they waded toward the shore together and continued walking until they reached their towels. He quickly dried off and waited for her to gather her things.

“What would you like to do this evening?”

There was a provocative question if she’d ever heard one. “You don’t have to entertain me while we’re here, you know.”

“True, but we’ve both got to eat and I’d prefer not to eat alone.”

“That makes sense, I guess,” she replied. “Do you have someplace in mind?”

“Actually I do. I ate there the last time I was here and the Polynesian food is well prepared. If you’ve never tried it, you’re in for a treat.”

They stepped inside the elevator.

Finally she nodded. “All right. Thank you for suggesting it.”

That evening Jodie looked around the softly lit room, the hurricane lamps on each table making an oasis of light. “You’re right,” she said to Dean, “this is a great place with a distinct atmosphere.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Do you like the food I ordered?”

“It’s different but really good. Thanks for bringing me.” She sipped her iced tea. “How should I behave toward your prospective client tomorrow?”

He studied her for a moment in silence. Finally he said, “No striptease, no hula and no playing the ukulele.”

“Striptease? I’ve never done anything like that in my—” She stopped. “You’re teasing me again.”

“Can’t resist. You’re so much fun to watch when you react.”

“Fine. Just for that, I’ll take my ukulele and sing all through lunch.”

“You can sing?”

“No.”

“A threat then.”

“Very much a threat.”

“You’ll do fine tomorrow. You know our business very well. Speaking of which, once we get back, I’m going to talk to Frank Godfrey about putting you into his department as soon as possible rather than waiting until you graduate. We’re only talking about a few months. So treat tomorrow like a training session as I present what we have to offer and answer Furukawa’s questions.”

“You’re going to promote me now?”

“Not this minute, no. But when we get back to the office I’ll start the ball rolling.”

“That’s wonderful news! Thank you so much.”

“Don’t thank me. Frank’s a good supervisor and he’ll work you hard learning how we go about providing the necessary equipment to keep our clients secure.”

Over dessert and coffee Jodie asked, “Why are you promoting me now?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you don’t have a secretary lined up to replace me, for one thing.”

He groaned. “Don’t remind me. But that shouldn’t take too long.”

“Well, um…”

“Why do you make such a point that I’m difficult to work for?”

“Because you are difficult to work for. Or have you forgotten how many secretaries walked out on you before I was hired?”

He pulled his earlobe and looked uncomfortable. “I’ve mellowed since then.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

“Haven’t I?”

“You’ve mellowed because I learned how you like to work.”

“That doesn’t sound too hard.”

“That’s true. It doesn’t.” She looked around. “Shall we go?”

“Wait a minute. I’m missing something here, Jodie. Tell me.”

“You want your office to run smoothly. I know your likes and dislikes enough to anticipate how and what you want, that’s all.”

“In other words, you can read my mind.”

“Not at all.”

“That’s good to know considering some of my thoughts while on this trip.”

A burst of heat engulfed her and she knew she’d turned a fiery red. Jodie picked up her water glass and drank. When she had emptied the glass, she studied it without looking up.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”

Why should he apologize when she certainly wouldn’t want him to learn of any of her thoughts these past few days?

“It’s all right.”

He brushed his fingers across the back of her hand. “No, it isn’t. I’ve made you uncomfortable around me and that’s the last thing I want. You’re right. It’s time to go.”

They drove back to the condo listening to music. Once inside the condo, Jodie said, “If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll go to bed.”

“Of course. Sleep well.”

Dean watched her walk out of the room, still irritated with himself. What was the matter with him, coming on to her like this? He’d been off balance where she was concerned since he’d first seen her at the airport.

He wandered over to the window and looked out. The view continued to be spectacular, even at night. While he stood there, he thought about their trip to Oahu the next day.

In an airplane.

In a small airplane.

Of course, Jodie knew they would have to fly. From what he remembered, the flight was a short one. They barely got into the air before it was time to land. The small plane could make the experience a little bumpy since the pilot flew at a reasonably low altitude.

Perhaps the flight here from Chicago had helped to allay her fears about flying. He could only hope.

One look at her face the next morning and he knew his hope had been futile. Not that she said anything. However, despite the slight tan she’d gotten thus far on the trip, she was a pasty white. Not a good sign.

Without a word, he poured her a cup of coffee. He’d been up since dawn and had already had several cups.

“Thank you,” she murmured, immediately picking up the cup and sipping.

He waited until she set the cup down and then casually asked, “How are you this morning?”

“Okay,” she said quietly.

“I believe our flight leaves in a couple of hours.”

She didn’t comment.

“Jodie?”

Startled, she looked at him. “Yes?”

“Are you nervous about the flight?”

“How did you know?”

“I remembered you were a little nervous—” there was an understatement if he’d ever made one “—on our flights here.”

She nodded. “I don’t mind it once we get in the air and level out. It’s the taking off and landing that bothers me.”

“Unfortunately that’s what we’ll be doing this morning.”

“Oh. Well, of course.”

“Why don’t we go downstairs and get some breakfast. Are you up for that?”

“Okay.”

She didn’t sound at all certain.

While they ate, he chatted about the office and some projects he was working on, trying to keep her mind off her upcoming ordeal. She responded in monosyllables.

Finally he said, “I thought we might go to the Big Island tomorrow. It will mean another short flight, but I’ve been told the volcano is something to behold.”

She went from pasty white to an interesting color of green.

“Of course, if you don’t want to go…”

“That’s fine. Really. Whatever you want to do is fine with me.”

Sure it was.

Dean checked his watch. “We should head for the airport soon. Do you need to go back to the condo?”

She shook her head.

Today she looked like the secretary he’d known for years. She had her hair pinned up—he hadn’t realized how much he liked to see it down until now—and wore a lightweight suit. She looked like a business professional despite her pallor. Unfortunately for his peace of mind, he had the vision of her in a swimsuit and wearing a sarong. He would never view his efficient secretary in the same way now that he’d gotten to know her better.

She must have been hurt badly by the jerk she’d thought would be her husband. How else could he explain to himself the subdued person he’d known for the past five years?

Seeing her literally letting her hair down and enjoying herself had been a revelation to him.

Once in the car, he tried to make conversation by asking her about various subjects. She answered in monosyllables until he gave up and turned on the radio.

By the time they were seated in the smallish plane, he knew that the situation required drastic action.

He’d been on flights like this before. The plane took off at a steep angle. Since she’d admitted she’d never been on one this small, she probably would be startled.

“Jodie?”

“Mmm?”

He took her hand. “Do you know what I’d like to do right now?”

She turned and looked at him hopefully. “Get off the plane?”

He laughed. “Um, no. What I’d like to do is kiss you senseless.”

Well, that certainly took her mind off flying. She stared at him in astonishment. “Why?” she asked starkly.

“Well, for one thing, you have the most kissable mouth of anyone I’ve ever known.” He looked down at their clasped hands. With his other hand, he stroked the back of her hand with his finger. “And you fit into my arms as though you were made just for me.”

He felt her hand tremble and she turned a charming shade of red, which nicely replaced her ashen color.

The plane started moving. He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm, his tongue lightly touching her. She stiffened when they took off. He wasn’t certain whether it was the kiss or the flight. So he leaned toward her and kissed her on the mouth.

Her lips trembled, and he took his time caressing her mouth with his lips and tongue. Slowly she responded and he forgot his reason for starting this in the first place.

An amused feminine voice spoke near his shoulder. “I’m sorry to interrupt you, sir, but I’d like to offer the two of you something to drink, if you like. We’ll only be in the air for another twenty minutes.”

Jodie pulled away from him and stared at her. “We’re in the air?”

“Yes, ma’am.” The flight attendant grinned. “I can understand your distraction.”

Jodie looked at Dean. “You did that on purpose!”

Dean told the attendant to bring them some orange juice before he looked at Jodie. “I suppose I did. I’ve never accidentally kissed anyone.”

She glanced out the window and blanched.

“From now on you’ll sit in the aisle seat,” he said briskly. We’re doing fine.”

She turned and looked at him. “You know what I mean! You deliberately distracted me.”

Once again he lifted her hand and kissed her palm. “Did it work?”

“I know I’m being ridiculous about flying.”

“You just need to do it more often so you can get used to it.”

“That’s your prescription, Dr. Logan?”

“Absolutely. And here in the islands is a perfect place to practice. We’ll make certain to visit each and every one of them.”

“Oh, joy,” she muttered.

Their drinks arrived and he let go of her hand.

The landing was as abrupt as the takeoff. Jodie squeezed his hand so hard she must have been cutting off circulation. But he didn’t mind. She was adorable when she was vulnerable.