Reasons for Revenge: Scorned by the Boss

Probably not, she mused. The man had contacts all over the world and enough money to pay for whatever information he needed. But why go to all this trouble? And even if finding her was no big deal, how the hell did he get into her hotel room?

“Fine. You found me. But who let you into my room?”

He sat down on the edge of the bed and the towel pulled away from one of his thighs, exposing a good bit of tanned, very muscular flesh with just a sprinkling of blond hair. Oh, god.

“When I explained to the front desk that my wife had arrived a few days ahead of me, they were very happy to give me a key.”

“Your wife?” Okay, that was enough to pull her out of the fantasies her brain was currently indulging in. “You told them I was your wife? And they believed you?”

“Of course.”

Of course.

He said it as a matter of fact. And why wouldn’t he? The name Jefferson Lyon carried enough weight that they probably would have let him into her room even if he hadn’t claimed to be her husband. Money, as she’d learned long ago, didn’t just talk, it shouted.

“Caitlyn,” he was saying, and she forced her overworked mind to focus. “There were no other rooms available. The hotel was completely booked up. So what else was I supposed to do?”

“Go home?” she offered, throwing both hands high in exasperation.

“Not without seeing you.” He casually leaned back and propped himself up on his elbows. The towel slipped again and Caitlyn sucked in air. Now most of his thick thigh was exposed, with the soft blue towel just covering up the essentials.

Closing her eyes, Caitlyn rubbed at the spot between her eyes and told herself to count to ten. When she’d finished, she counted to twenty. Didn’t help. She was still furious and a little shocked and a lot needy.

So not a good combo.

Jefferson watched her and wished he could read her mind. The emotions flitting across her features were fleeting and so diverse he knew that her thoughts had to be wildly entertaining.

While she began to pace, talking to herself, Jefferson followed her with his gaze. Sunlight speared through the open French doors leading to the small private balcony. A soft wind made the sheer curtains dance and wave with languid abandon and the wash of golden light in the room played on Caitlyn’s long, lean legs, tanned to the color of warm honey. Something stirred within him and he scowled briefly as he recalled the desk clerk describing Caitlyn as “the one with the amazing legs.”

Jefferson had to admit the guy had been right. And why had he never noticed Caitlyn’s legs before? Shaking his head now, he pushed that stray thought out of his mind and concentrated instead on the situation. He was here with her and his plan was just getting started.

He could have gone downstairs to find her, but meeting her this way had been so much more … intriguing. He hadn’t had any trouble talking his way into Caitlyn’s room—and if he owned this particular resort, he’d have fired the clerk who’d bowed to Jefferson’s name and money long enough to hand over the key to a guest’s room. But since that employee wasn’t his trouble, he could only appreciate the fact that the Lyon name carried the weight he had needed.

Of course, the fact that Jefferson had bought up the remaining rooms in the hotel so he wouldn’t be able to leave Caitlyn’s room had probably convinced the desk jockey to be more lenient than usual.

“You can’t stay here,” she said finally.

“No choice. There aren’t any available rooms.”

“Go buy a house.”

“Private island,” he reminded her.

Hands at her hips, she lifted her chin and glared at him. “Not my problem.”

“Now, is that any way for a wife to talk to her husband?”

“I can’t believe you did that. In fact, I’m surprised you managed to choke out the word wife.”

Jefferson pushed off the bed, felt the towel at his hips slip a little and reached to straighten it. And he caught the flash of interest in Caitlyn’s eyes. Smiling, he said, “But I did. And now that I have, you’re stuck with me.”

“Don’t count on it,” she promised, and walked to the phone on the nightstand beside the bed. “I’ll call the front desk. Tell them you lied.”

He folded his arms over his chest. “I’ll tell them this is a lover’s quarrel.”

“They won’t believe you.”

“I can be very convincing.”

She frowned up at him and he wanted to grin at the frustration pouring off her in waves. He could almost see her thinking her way through this mess and looking for a way out. When she didn’t find one, she said, “Fine. Fine, they’d side with you anyway and probably end up kicking me out and giving you my room.”

“Oh,” Jefferson said, enjoying himself, “that wouldn’t happen. I’d never let my ‘wife’ be treated like that.”

She blew out a breath that ruffled the fringe of bangs on her forehead. “You’re such a jerk.”

“Pet names,” he said, smiling. “Isn’t that nice?”

“I don’t know what you’re up to, Jefferson,” she said. “But it won’t work, whatever it is.”

“What’s the matter? Afraid to be alone with me?”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“Is it?” One eyebrow rose. “Then, there’s no problem, is there?”

“Fine. You can stay here until they find a room for you.”

Which wouldn’t happen anytime soon, Jefferson knew all too well.

“But you sleep on the floor.”

“So you are scared of me. Or of yourself with me.”

“Your ego is astounding.”

“Thank you.”

“I can’t believe this is happening,” she muttered.

“Now, Caitlyn,” he said, striding toward the closet where the few clothes he’d grabbed before this hurried trip were already hung alongside hers. “We don’t want to start our vacation with an argument, do we?”

“What’re you doing?”

He glanced at her over his shoulder. “Getting dressed.”

“Here?”

“Where else?” He dropped both hands to the towel and unhooked it. Before he could let it fall, she was sprinting for the bathroom.

“Just … get dressed and go away. I have to get ready for a date.”

“A date?”

She paused in the bathroom doorway and tossed him a satisfied smile. “Yes, a date. Just enjoying ‘our’ vacation, Jefferson.”

She closed the door and he dropped the towel in disgust. She’d been there two days and already had a date? Didn’t bode well for his seduction plans. But then he reassured himself that by getting her to let him stay in her room, he’d already won the first round. She just didn’t know it.

Besides, he thought as he grabbed his clothes and got dressed, just because she had a date didn’t mean that she was going to stay on it for long.

Caitlyn smiled at Chad as he regaled her with yet another tale of his prowess at day-trading. She was almost asleep with her eyes open when he asked, “Can you believe it? I traded that stock with an eighth of a percent profit. Tightest deal I’d ever swung.” He sighed and leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying the memory of his triumph. “Nothing more vicious than the market.”

“Sounds fascinating.” She picked up her drink and wished it were full. Would it be rude to signal the waiter for a refill? She didn’t think she could take much more of this without slipping into a coma.

Her mother’s words of warning about handsome men came rushing back to her. Sometimes, honey, God gives and God takes away. Lots of times, handsome faces cover up empty heads.

God, she hated when her mother was right.

“Hello.”

Caitlyn jumped in her chair, whipped a quick look over her shoulder and couldn’t believe how happy she was to see Jefferson standing right behind her. Of course, she couldn’t let him know that. She wanted him to believe she was having a good time. Without him.

“Hello,” Chad said, shooting a confused look from her to Jefferson and back again.

Jefferson leaned down, planted a quick kiss on Caitlyn’s cheek. And before her skin had stopped buzzing with heat, he was smiling at Chad and extending his hand. “Caitlyn, darling,” he said affably, “you didn’t tell me someone else would be joining us for drinks. I’m sorry I got hung up on the phone. But you know how those business calls can run on.”

“Umm …” She watched him take a seat beside her, signal the waiter with a quick wave of his hand and then drop his arm around her shoulders. Caitlyn tried to shift out from under his grasp, but he only tightened his hold on her.

The man sitting across from them looked more confused than ever, and Caitlyn couldn’t blame him.

“So, sweetie,” Jefferson said, “who’s your friend?”

“The name’s Chad.”

“Really? Chad?”

“Jefferson …” Caitlyn muttered.

“Look,” Chad said tightly as the waiter appeared, took Jefferson’s order and quietly disappeared again, “I don’t know what’s going on here, but Caitlyn and I had a date for drinks and—”

“A date?” Jefferson laughed, and his amusement seemed to hit Chad the wrong way. Again, Caitlyn couldn’t really blame him. She wasn’t amused, either. Though, damned if she wasn’t relieved that Jefferson had shown up.

What was the old saying? Better the devil you know?

“What’s so funny?” Chad demanded, getting a little red in the face.

“Nothing.” Jefferson’s smile faded and his eyes narrowed to dangerous blue slits. “I always find the fact that a man thinks he has a date with my wife entertaining.”

“Your wife?” Chad stood up and shot Caitlyn a quelling look.

“Jefferson—Chad—”

“You’re not wearing a ring.” The darkly attractive, extremely boring man looked at Jefferson. “She didn’t say anything about a husband, man.”

“Well, we did have an argument earlier. She’s probably still upset with me. Isn’t that right, darling?” He pulled her in for a quick kiss, and while her lips burned with a fire that seemed to keep right on sizzling, Caitlyn’s voice dried up.

“I didn’t mean to come on to her—”

“I understand.” Benevolent now, Jefferson nodded and flicked his fingers at the man looking for a quick escape. “My wife is a beautiful woman. Hardly surprising you’d try to make a move. Now, though, if you’ll excuse us …”

Chad disappeared so fast Caitlyn half expected to see sparks shooting up from the heels of his shoes. Then she was alone with Jefferson. “Why are you doing this?”

He gave her shoulders another squeeze and smiled down at her. “Rescuing you from boredom, you mean? Well, because I’m a great humanitarian.”

“How do you know I was bored?” she countered. “Chad was fascinating. Seriously. I was hanging on his every word.”

“Your eyes were glazed over and your body language indicated imminent unconsciousness.”

Caitlyn sighed, slipped out from under Jefferson’s arm and picked up her drink. Draining it, she held the empty glass up to him, and once again he signaled for the waiter. What was the point in pretending? She was too grateful that Jefferson had arrived like the cavalry. If he hadn’t, she might have been stuck for hours listening to tales of pork bellies and futures trading. “Fine. I admit it. I’ve never been so bored in my life.”

“What did you expect?” he asked, grinning. “The man’s name is Chad. Is that even a name? Isn’t it really just a hanging piece of paper?”

Caitlyn chuckled. “Stop it. He seemed nice enough on the beach.”

“Aah, well. You met on the beach. Of course you’d expect him to be fascinating. Probably heatstroke.”

“He’s handsome.”

“So am I.”

She shook her head at him. “Don’t forget humble.”

“Goes without saying.” He sat up, leaned his elbows on the glass table and looked into her eyes.

All around them, the small, round glass tables were full as the resort’s guests gathered to watch the sunset from the comfort of an elegant bar. Beyond the sweep of the sparkling glass walls separating the bar from the patio outside, the sun sank toward the sea in a glorious blend of vibrant colors that washed the surface of the ocean with reflected glory.

Crystal clinked. The whispered hush of conversation rose and fell all around them. And music, something slow and bluesy, piped in from discreetly hidden speakers.

Jefferson’s blue eyes were locked on her and Caitlyn felt the power of them sink deep inside. If she didn’t know that he was up to something … Never mind—she did know and that was all that mattered.

She tried to ignore the romantic atmosphere and the fact that her mouth was still sort of humming from the casual, too-quick kiss he’d given her for Chad’s benefit. So, despite the fact that she really wished he were serious, that she really wished he did want her, Caitlyn steeled herself against her own desires.

“Jefferson,” she said as the waiter delivered her fresh raspberry martini, “tell me what’s really going on.”

He leaned in closer, keeping his gaze locked with hers and heat poured through her in a thick ripple. “Why is it so hard for you to believe that I’m here because I missed you? Because I realized that you were … more than just my admin. That you were important.”

Caitlyn blew out a long breath, lifted her drink and took a sip of the icy liquid. It didn’t affect the roaring heat within her, but it did help ease the knot in her throat. “We worked together for three years, Jefferson. If I’m so important, why did it take you so long to notice?”

He gave her a smile that was wicked. “Because it wasn’t until you’d gone that it hit me.” He reached across the table, took her hand and smoothed the pad of his thumb across her skin in slow strokes. “You’re … important to me, Caitlyn.”

Her stomach jumped and her heart jolted hard against her ribs. Oh, if she thought for even a moment that he was telling the truth, she’d leap across the table and kiss him as she used to dream about doing. But how could she believe that? How could she trust that a man who changed women with as much ease as he changed shirts could suddenly want only her?

She pulled her hand free and shook her head. “No, Jefferson. Whatever it is you’re up to, I’m not going to fall for it.”

“Right now,” he said, standing up, then drawing her to her feet, “what I’m up to is a sunset stroll on the beach. Would you like to join me? Or do I make you too nervous?”

Six

She didn’t go on the moonlight stroll with him.

She didn’t feel sorry for him as he complained in a barely concealed mutter while he tried to fall asleep on the too-short couch of her suite.

She didn’t feel guilty as she stretched luxuriously in her wide, empty king-size bed the last few nights. Especially if she wished—maybe—for company in that bed.

Caitlyn knew Jefferson all too well. He was up to something, whether he was forced to admit it or not. He wasn’t a man to come crawling after a recalcitrant employee. He wasn’t the type to crowd his way into her life without a self-serving reason.

And whatever he had planned, Caitlyn had no intention of making it easy on him. She was through with Lyon Shipping and Jefferson Lyon.

Now, if only he would go away.

Because nothing short of that was going to keep her sane. Three days of his constant presence, his persistent … attention, and Caitlyn was weakening. She felt it. The man had more charm, more personal power than anyone she’d ever known. And when he chose to focus that power on one woman, he was nearly irresistible.

When she went for a swim, he was there. When she stopped in the bar for a drink, he was there. When she took a surfing lesson and spent more time facedown in the ocean than standing on the board, he was there.

Which was exactly why she’d left the resort that morning for a walk into the small village the owner of Fantasies had had built for his employees. The only people on the privately owned island were the hotel guests and the resort staff, who lived in postcard-perfect cottages sprinkled across the island. The village contained both necessity stores and opulent gift shops where tourists were tempted to spend whatever money they had left after paying their hotel bill.

The only vehicles allowed on the island were electric golf carts and bicycles, so the main street made of brick was mostly empty and almost pristinely clean. The sidewalks were neatly swept and lined with flower boxes, spilling brilliant color and heavy scent into the sun-warmed air. Shop windows gleamed and displayed everything from fashionable clothing to designer jewelry. Tourists wandered, cameras firmly fixed to their eyes and shoppers loaded down with brightly colored gift bags made their way back up the hill to the resort.

Caitlyn ignored all of it. “He’s making me crazy,” she admitted into her cell phone.

Janine sighed heavily. “He’s got a plan.”

“Well, yeah. I just don’t know what it is.”

“I wish I was there, but— Damn it, Michael, the ferns go in the box first, not on top of the roses—I just can’t get away from here early.”

“I know.” Caitlyn sighed, too. If Janine and Debbie were here, she’d be able to keep herself busy with her friends. She’d be able to avoid Jefferson much more easily than she could now. Of course, she’d still have to deal with him being in her room every night, but at least she’d have the daytime hours to keep him out of her mind.

“He’s still staying in your room, isn’t he?” Janine demanded.

“I checked with the front desk just this morning. They claim to be full up, so there’s nowhere for him to go.”

“You could still toss his butt out and make him sleep by the pool or something.”

A good thought, she admitted, then shook her head and stepped around a cranky toddler being dragged along the street by his mother. But she knew she’d never do it. “No,” she said. “I can’t do that.”

“So … what?” Janine asked. “Instead, you’ll let him ruin your vacation? You don’t owe him anything, Cait. You quit, remember?”

“Of course I remember, but—”

“No buts,” Janine cut her off neatly. “He’s working you for a reason, Cait— Michael, for the love of God, go up and wait on customers. If you keep trying to arrange those flowers I’m gonna beat you to death with ‘em.” She blew out a breath, then said, “I swear, if I don’t get to that island soon, this shop is going to be a bloodbath.”

Caitlyn laughed and it felt good. “You talk a good game, Janine, but we both know you’re just not the violent type.”

“I could learn.”

“Caitlyn!” A deep voice called her name and she stopped dead on the sidewalk.

“Oh, god,” she whispered into her phone as she turned around to watch Jefferson striding toward her. “He found me. Damn it, he tracked me into town and he found me.”

“It’s a small island,” Janine reminded her. “How hard could it be?”

“Oh, he looks so good,” Caitlyn said. He’d come to the island in such a hurry he hadn’t packed many clothes. Instead, he’d bought a new wardrobe here in the village. And these clothes were nothing like what she was used to seeing him in.

Normally, he was a three-piece-suit kind of man. Elegantly cut. Perfectly tailored. The ultimate alpha male in charge of his world. But here on the island he was wearing casual clothing that managed to make him look amazing and all too … approachable. Today, he was wearing summer-white slacks and a short-sleeved dark red shirt, open at the collar to display a vee of tanned skin that had Caitlyn’s fingertips itching to touch it.

His tawny hair looked a little lighter from all the sun and his eyes looked even bluer than usual. He was clutching a cell phone to his ear, though, and the frown on his face didn’t bode well for whoever he was talking to.

“Earth to Caitlyn!”

“Huh?” Janine’s voice shrieked in her ear, but all Caitlyn heard was an annoying buzzing of sound. How could she think about anything but Jefferson when he was walking toward her, spearing his gaze into hers?

“Caitlyn, get a grip. Don’t let him get to you. You’ve got to be strong. You’ve got to—”

“I’ll call you back,” Caitlyn said, and folded up her phone in the middle of Janine’s tirade.

Jefferson stopped in front of her, held up one hand to keep her from speaking and said with an exaggerated patience, “The Peterson contracts are in the file, Georgia.” He rolled his eyes, blew out an impatient breath and demanded, “Look again.”

Caitlyn winced in sympathy. Poor Georgia. The older woman was as nervous as a fire walker when she had to speak directly to Jefferson. No doubt, Georgia’s nerves were making her even more helpless than usual.

“No,” Jefferson said, and gave Caitlyn a glare that plainly said, This is all your fault for quitting. “I don’t care if you’ve already looked and can’t find them. Look again. The contracts were to be sent to Legal this morning. If you can’t find—”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, give me the phone.” Caitlyn wiggled her fingers for it, and when he handed it to her, she said, “Georgia, hi. This is Caitlyn.”

Instantly, the other woman started babbling about broken copiers, a secretary who was out sick and the three letters she still had to get out before the end of the day. Panic trilled across the phone lines and had Caitlyn sighing.

“Relax, okay? Everything will get done.” She looked at Jefferson, who was watching her with barely concealed fury. Forgetting about him, she focused on the woman hyperventilating on the phone. “First thing, though, you need to get the contracts down to Legal. The Peterson contracts are in the file, I put them there myself. It’s okay. Go look again and take your time. I’ll wait.”

“The woman is incompetent,” Jefferson muttered, and shoved both hands into the pockets of his slacks. Irritation stamped on his features, he looked like a king who needed to lop off someone’s head.

“No, she’s not. You make her nervous.”

“She makes me crazy,” he countered irritably.

“That’s because you’re so impati— Georgia!” Smiling, Caitlyn nodded at Jefferson. “Good. You found them. No, don’t worry. Just take them down to Legal yourself. There’s still plenty of time. You’re welcome,” she said. “And it was good talking to you, too.”

Closing the phone, she tossed it back to Jefferson with a shake of her head. “Crisis averted.”

He tucked his phone into the breast pocket of his shirt. “Only because you took care of it.”

“You could have done it, too,” she said, turning away and continuing on her walk up the narrow street. Pausing now and then to look in a shop window, she slanted him a glance. “You just don’t know how to talk to people.”

“Excuse me?”

She faced him, tilting her head back to look him directly in the eye. “You give orders, Jefferson. You don’t talk.”

“I’m the boss.”

“And trust me when I say everyone knows it.”

“Everyone but you.”

“You’re not my boss, anymore,” she pointed out, and ignored the tiny, tiny, tiny twinge of regret that pinged inside her. Then she started walking again, determined to enjoy the sun on her face and the cool ocean wind that rushed through the tidy village.

“I should be,” he muttered, and shortened his long stride to keep pace beside her. “You shouldn’t have quit, Caitlyn. That phone call only defines the fact that you have your finger on the pulse of my company.”

She had to admit it was good to hear him say so. Everyone wanted to know that their efforts were appreciated. That their work was noticed. Too bad she’d had to quit to get him to realize it.

“You belong with me, Caitlyn.”

“What?” She stopped dead outside a jewelry store and looked up at him.

He scowled at her. “You heard me. You belong with me. With Lyon Shipping.”

“Aah …” Idiot, she told herself, turning her gaze from him to the shop window. Of course he’d been talking about her job. He hadn’t meant that he’d wanted her for himself. That’s what all of this was about, she knew it. Whether he was willing to admit it or not, he was here, on this island, tempting her, because he missed his trusty assistant.