Between the CEO's Sheets / House Calls: Between the CEO's Sheets / House Calls

“You haven’t been on the water since?” he asked.

Gina closed her eyes. Memories flooded in of the ski boat, the laughter, her mother’s smiling face and then…the collision. Gina went flying into the water, out of danger. Her parents hadn’t been so lucky.

She shook her head and stared at the hands she’d placed in her lap. “No. I haven’t had the courage. It’s been almost ten years.”

“So, why now?” Wade asked softly.

But she sensed he was really asking her, “Why me?” Why would she take her first boat trip with him? She’d been desperate for work she’d wanted to tell him. She needed the money and was determined to start her business again, without anyone’s help this time. She’d been betrayed, but not destroyed. She wouldn’t give up, and if that meant facing her fears, then so be it. She peered into a face filled with concern, an expression reminiscent of the sweet, caring Wade Beaumont she’d once known. “It’s time, Wade. That’s all.”

Wade leaned back in the seat and put his arm around her. “That’s not all. Tell me about the accident.”

“I—I don’t talk about it.” She’d never really spoken about that day except with a support group that had really helped and understood what she’d been through. Losing both parents had been devastating enough, but to be the sole survivor of the crash that had taken four lives had been equally difficult. The result was major survivor guilt.

“Maybe you should. Maybe it’ll help you overcome your fear of water.”

She shook her head and gazed out upon the open sea. “I doubt that.”

Wade took her hands in his and the look on his face, serious but earnest, urged her on. “Try, Gina. We’re going to spend a week on an island surrounded by water. There’ll be times we’ll have to come back to the boat.” He cast her a slight hint of a smile. “I can’t have you fainting on me.”

Gina peered into his eyes. They were warm with concern. But she wondered if that look was about keeping his personal assistant calm or if it was truly for her benefit.

He squeezed her hands gently, coaxing the words that she hadn’t spoken to anyone but her support group. “It was Memorial Day weekend,” she began, “and we never once thought to worry about drunk drivers on the water…”

Emotions rolled in the pit of Gina’s stomach. She’d purged herself of her burden, sharing the events of that horrible day with Wade. He’d listened to her as she tried to communicate without tears, but at times her voice broke and she choked up. Wade sat there with a soothing arm around her shoulders, listening. And when the last words were out of her mouth, he thanked her for telling him.

“Are you feeling better?” he asked.

Gina nodded feeling a small sense of relief. “A little.”

He stood and peered down at her. “You need to eat something.”

“No,” she said, placing a hand to her stomach. “No, I couldn’t.”

“If you don’t want to eat, there’s coffee down below.” He glanced at the blue skies overhead then looked into her eyes as if deciding what was best for her. Then he took hold of her hand, guiding her up. “You look tired, Gina. Take a little rest. Get away from the water for a little while.”

He spoke softly and his tone comforted. She thought she could fall for him again—if she hadn’t sworn off men completely and if he would always look at her like he was now, without contempt and regret in his eyes. “Maybe I will go down below.”

He walked her to the steps and turned, tugging her close. She nearly bumped into his chest when the boat swayed. He steadied her with both hands on her shoulders then, with a slant of his head, brought his lips to hers. The kiss was brief and chaste and when it was over she gazed deeply into his eyes and smiled.

Wade looked off toward the horizon a moment then returned his focus to her face with narrowed eyes. His soft expression turned hard once again.

“Don’t think I gained any satisfaction seeing fear in your eyes or hearing pain in your voice, Gina. I’m not that big a bast—”

Gina pressed her fingers to his mouth. “I know, Wade. You’re not—”

He pulled her fingers from his lips. “I am. Make no mistake. But I draw the line at preying on another’s weakness. Take that as fair warning.”

Gina shuddered at Wade’s harsh tone. He’d let her glimpse the man he’d once been, but only for a moment. The young man she’d fallen in love with was gone, she feared, forever. And she’d had everything to do with his demise. “Consider me fairly warned.” She turned to walk down the stairs, feeling Wade’s penetrating gaze following her every step of the way.

Wade guided the boat toward the mooring can in Avalon harbor on Catalina island and set about tying the lines to secure the boat from bow to stern. The trip had been uneventful, the weather calm, the sailing smooth. But his passenger had yet to return to the deck.

With the dinghy ready to take them ashore, Wade made his way to the cabin below. The galley was empty, the food he’d set out was untouched and there was no sign that Gina had even been there.

With a curious brow raised he walked to his master bedroom and bath, finding that room empty as well. He’d have guessed as much and smiled to himself, but his smile faded quickly when he finally found Gina, sprawled out on the bed in the guestroom.

“Gina,” he said quietly.

When she didn’t rouse, he entered the room and gazed down at her, lying across the bed, her hair in a tangle, the dark tresses half covering her beautiful face. The dress she wore rode up her thigh, the material exposing thoroughly tanned, shapely legs. She’d kicked off her shoes and made herself comfortable on the dark-russet bedspread. She looked peaceful and more tempting than a woman had a right to look. Hell, even her polished scarlet-red toenails turned him on.

Her eyes opened slowly, as though she’d sensed him watching her. With a sleep-hazy sigh, she stretched her limbs, reminding him of a cat uncurling after a long sleep.

“Mmmm…Wade,” she purred and continued that long slow sensual stretch while keeping those lazy half-lidded eyes on him.

God, she was sexy.

But deceitful, too, he reminded himself. He could scarcely believe he’d hired her. She was his employee now and one he wasn’t sure he could trust. But his brother Sam had vouched unconditionally for her. “Give her a chance, Wade,” he’d said. And Wade had because of Sam’s request. But the truth was that if she’d walked into his office without the benefit of his brother’s recommendation, he would have hired her anyway. They had unfinished business. Period.

“I’d love to join you, Gina,” he said softly, meaning every word, “but we’ve got a full day ahead of us.”

“Oh!”

Gina bounced up from the bed, realizing where she was and with whom. Wade enjoyed every second of that bounce and struggled to keep his lust from becoming visible. Wouldn’t take much to throw all rational thought out the porthole and spread his body over hers.

“Sorry, Wade.” She untangled the hair that had fallen into her face. “I guess I fell asleep. The rocking of the boat…”

She bent to put her shoes on and treated him to a luscious view. From his position, the dress barely contained her full breasts when she leaned over.

“This is embarrassing,” she said. “I’ve never fallen asleep on the job.”

“I won’t hold it against you. Anytime you want to slip into one of my beds, feel free.”

Gina rose then and looked into his eyes. “Too bad we have a full day ahead of us,” she bantered back, repeating his words.

Wade hid his amusement.

“Are we on the island?” she asked.

Wade shook his head. “Not yet. There’s a little matter of a dinghy ride to the dock.”

The sleep-induced rosy color drained from Gina’s cheeks. “How far?”

“Not far,” he said. “We’ll be ashore in less than five minutes.”

Gina groaned and Wade almost felt sorry for her.

“That’s five minutes too long.”

“Gina, you’re gonna have to trust me. I’ll keep you safe.”

She angled her chin and probed him with those dark sensual eyes. “Trust goes both ways, Wade. Do you trust me?”

Wade held her gaze for a moment then refused her an answer and walked out the door.

Trusting Gina had never been an option.

Four

Gina held her breath through most of the dinghy ride to the mainland. Wade glanced at her from time to time, but his primary focus was on getting the small boat to shore and mooring at the dock. Once there, he secured the dinghy and stepped off the boat with her suitcase, then reached for her hand. “You okay?”

Gina nodded. “I will be as soon as my legs stop trembling.”

Wade glanced down and raised a brow. “They look fine to me,” he said, with a gleam in his eyes. “Come on, let’s get you settled into your room.”

Gina got control of her legs once she’d reached solid ground. The sun shined in the clear-blue sky and children’s laughter rang out from the nearby beach. Catalina island was a nest for summer travelers wishing to get away from the daily grind of the big city. The mainland, visible on a clear day, was just twenty-two miles away. As they walked along the sidewalk, Spanish influences surrounded them, marking some of the history of the island. She noted a lovely tiled fountain bubbling up with a cool spray in the middle of a circular paved drive. Wade stopped for a minute in front of the fountain.

“Santa Catalina was originally named after Saint Catherine, the patron saint of spinsters,” he said. “Lucky for my company, the island is now a resort for lovers.”

“So the developer wants the resort to be known as an elite honeymoon destination?” she asked.

Wade nodded. “Can’t think of a better place locally. Most of the hotels have no phones and televisions in the rooms. People get real creative to entertain themselves. This whole island spells romance.”

Gina nodded as they walked past a row of swaying palms, the gentle sea breeze blowing by, the scent of sand and surf filling her nostrils. She supposed for most people that potent scent meant fun and sun and time away from the hassles of everyday life, but a resort surrounded by water only reminded her of things she’d rather forget.

Within a minute they were at the quaint town of Avalon and Gina looked down a long avenue, which she deemed to be the main street of town. The shops and cafés faced the water and swimsuit-clad vacationers swarmed them as others biked their way down the street. The only other vehicles on the busy thoroughfare were canopied golf carts. Wade continued to lead the way but soon stopped again, this time at a hotel. Villa Portofino. “Here we are,” he said. She looked up to see a hotel with all the trademarks of Italy.

Gina nodded. “Nice.”

“None better, unless you take a trip to Tuscany.”

Gina eyed him carefully, wondering why he’d picked such an expensive place for her to stay. This was just business and she would remind him of that again, if she had to. “So your hotel will have competition.”

“Not at all. We plan to build a lavish honeymoon resort with pools, tennis courts and a golf course. The Portofino is a great little beachfront hotel. It won’t give us any competition at all. This is where our employees stay when in town working on the project. You won’t be disappointed.”

Disappointment was the furthest thing from her mind when she entered the Bella Vista suite. True to its name, the suite’s wraparound balcony had a grand view of the lush hillside as well as the Catalina harbor. A king-size bed in the center of the room faced a large built-in fireplace and a table for two adorned by a vase filled with tropical flowers. The bath was full-size and encased with fine Italian marble. The whole suite was larger than her tiny guesthouse in Hollywood.

Wade set her bag down and walked to the window to stare out at the harbor. He’d waved off the bellboy, insisting on bringing her up here himself. “It’s a far cry from El Paso.”

Gina sucked in her breath. What could she say to that? Wade had made something of himself, despite his father’s meddling. He was his own man and he’d made the West Coast Triple B a success. Gina couldn’t argue with that. “I liked El Paso, Wade. It was the best summer of my life.”

He whipped around to stare into her eyes. “I thought so, too…once.” His eyes hardened on that last word.

Gina remembered her final week in El Paso. Sarah had been gone during that time, traveling from Dallas to Austin with her mother to interview for teaching positions. Mr. Buckley had been busy at work and Gina had been left pretty much on her own.

After their work was done on their uncle’s ranch, Gina would meet Wade and Sam for ice cream or a movie or just to talk. But before long, it was only Wade coming around. They’d gotten close that last week, closer than she might have imagined, spending all of their time together. And they’d fallen in love over hot-fudge sundaes, hot summer walks and hot sizzling kisses.

No one had really known that their friendship had escalated. It hadn’t been a secret, but they hadn’t made any announcements either. Certainly Sarah hadn’t known. Gina hadn’t the time to confide in her and when she’d returned from those interviews, Sarah had been edgy, anxious and unhappy, until she finally revealed her pregnancy to Gina and her parents.

Gina bit back her need to tell Wade the entire truth about Sarah. But destroying his friendship with Sarah wouldn’t make up for what Gina had done. She hadn’t trusted Wade and she had taken his father’s money and left El Paso. Her reasons wouldn’t matter to him, because Wade was a man who expected total loyalty. She had loved him back then, very much. But he wasn’t the same man she’d fallen in love with. And she wasn’t the same woman. The years had taught her hard lessons.

“What now?” she asked.

Wade became all business again. “Now? We have a late lunch meeting with James Robinique from the Santa Catalina Island Company. It’ll take a few hours.” He glanced around the room. “Enjoy yourself. Because after that, we’ll be working our tails off.”

Gina nodded. At least now they would get down to business. She never minded hard work. “How should I dress?”

Wade toured her body with a possessive eye. “Robinique is a lusty Frenchman with an eye for beauty. It won’t matter if you wear a burlap sack, he’ll still want to get you into bed.”

Gina’s mouth gapped open as Wade strolled out the door. Had that been a warning? Or had Wade coaxed her into coming here for an entirely different reason? She knew how important this project was to him, but enticing an island dignitary wasn’t in her job description.

Gina couldn’t believe it of Wade.

But the thought niggled at her far too much.

She grabbed a down pillow and flung it at the door Wade had just closed. The pillow smacked almost silently before falling to the floor, but it was enough to satisfy Gina’s frustration.

“There, now I feel better,” she muttered, wishing she had a burlap sack in her wardrobe. Because if she had one, she would surely have worn it just to spite Wade Beaumont.

A little later, Gina unpacked her bag, making sure to hang all of her clothes up carefully. She’d only brought one suitcase, packing enough clothes for the week, but she could make her wardrobe last two, if need be. She knew how to accessorize, how to mix and match and stretch out her clothes for maximum versatility. She prided herself on that. She loved design. She loved to create and one day, she vowed, her creativity would pay off.

A cooling breeze lifted her hair and she strolled to the wide French door Wade had opened, but instead of closing the door, she stepped outside. On a breath, she leaned against the balcony railing and gazed out at the ocean, tamping down shivers of fear, realizing that she’d crossed this ocean today with Wade by her side. She’d spent the better part of the trip below deck, but regardless of that, it was a first step to overcoming her fear.

Here she was on a small stretch of land, completely surrounded by water, working for Wade Beaumont. “Who would have guessed,” she whispered into the breeze. She was living through the two scenarios she dreaded most. And the one man she hoped to never see again had orchestrated both.

Gina decided on taking a leisurely shower, luxuriating in the scented soaps, oils and body washes provided. Feeling rejuvenated, she sat down at the dressing table and brushed her long hair, deciding on another upswept do, this time leaving strands of hair down to frame her face. She used a little mascara on her eyes, highlighted the lids and put on a light shade of lipstick.

She decided on a conservative black pencil skirt and white-linen cuffed blouse to wear for the lunch meeting. Gazing in the mirror, she nodded in approval. This was business and, despite Wade’s cutting remark, she wanted to appear every bit the professional.

An hour later when Wade knocked on her door, she was more than ready. “I’m all set,” she said, opening the door.

Holding a briefcase in one hand and wearing equally professional dark trousers and a white shirt, he had a no-nonsense appearance: tall, dark, imposing. Handsome.

He made a quick sweep of her attire and she bit back a comment about burlap as he glanced down at her black-heeled sandals. “We have some walking to do.”

Gina lifted one leg and twirled her foot. “These are the most comfortable shoes I own.”

Wade arched a brow, taking time to stare at her toes. “Tell me that once we’re back and I might believe you. Let’s go.”

She grabbed her purse, locked up her suite and Wade guided her downstairs with a hand to her back. “We’ll go over the details once again about the Santa Catalina Island Company,” he said as they walked along the streets.

Gina had read much about it in the reports, but Wade insisted on going over all pertinent information, more to reaffirm his knowledge, she believed, than to clue her in. He would do all the talking. Gina was there to take notes and provide any assistance Wade needed.

Wade explained once again how important this lunch was. The island company had been granted more than forty-thousand acres dedicated to conservation. Rarely did they agree to any building on the island. Anything proposed had to be in tune with the land and provide sanctuary for the wildlife and flora. The developer had sealed the deal, but Mr. Robinique needed to hear the plans directly from each contractor—whoever convinced him that the land would be best protected would gain the upper hand and have the best chance at winning the contract. Robinique’s influence over the final proposal couldn’t be discounted. Wade had three competitors, he reminded her, but only John Wheatley of Creekside Construction could truly compete with Triple B.

They climbed a hilly street to reach the snug Harbor Inn and, once inside, Mr. James Robinique rose from his table to greet them. He shook hands with Wade and then smiled at Gina.

“This is my assistant, Miss Grady,” Wade said.

Gina offered her hand and Robinique took it, clasping both of his over hers. “It’s a pleasure,” he said, his blue eyes never wavering.

Gina smiled at the good-looking Frenchman, taken aback by how young he appeared. From Wade’s accounting, she’d expected a more mature man. But James Robinique appeared no older than her. He clasped her hand a little longer than she deemed necessary and slowly removed it from his. When she took her seat, the two men also sat down.

Once the meals had been ordered and served, the two men enjoyed healthy portions of halibut sautéed in wine sauce and conversed while Gina nibbled on her chicken salad. Wade drank beer on tap and Mr. Robinique sipped on pinot grigio. Gina opted for iced tea. She was on the clock and taking copious notes.

“Let me assure you that we have every intention of preserving the environment on the island. As you can see from the architectural layouts, there’s a bird sanctuary on the grounds, not one tree will be downed and we have enhanced the outer perimeters with ponds and streams that will add to the island’s beauty and invite the natural inhabitants.”

With the layouts spread across the table, Robinique looked over the designs, making mental notes, nodding his head as Wade continued to make his case.

Gina jotted down his comments and questions, something Wade had asked her to do. Wade was nothing if not thorough and he wanted no stone left unturned.

Gina had to admire Wade’s tenacity. He went after what he wanted without compromise. To hear him talk, you’d never guess that the resort—which would house seventy-five rooms, forty deluxe suites, six eloquent cottages, a horse-filled stable, three pools, tennis courts and a golf course—would disrupt the land in any way.

Yet, Mr. Robinique wasn’t a pushover. He didn’t appear completely convinced. He had specific, detailed concerns pertaining to the ninety acres in question. Wade admitted that he must do one more survey of the land before he could satisfy those questions.

Robinique agreed to meet with him later in the week, suggesting that Wade make use of the nearby stables to go over the entire acreage.

When Wade nodded in agreement, Robinique glanced at Gina. She had stopped writing and he spoke directly to her with just a hint of a French accent. “What do you think of all this, Miss Grady?” With a wave of his hands, he gestured to the plans.

“I think Mr. Beaumont and the staff at Triple B have worked diligently to try to satisfy both the developer and your company.”

He kept his focus on her and smiled. “And I think Mr. Beaumont has a loyal employee.”

Gina lifted her lips.

Wade kept his gaze tightly fastened to Robinique.

“Tell me, Miss Grady, are you through now, taking all those notes?”

Gina glanced at Wade. He nodded and she slipped the notepad into the briefcase. “Yes, I think so.”

“Then your work is done for the day?”

“I’m not sure.” She looked at Wade.

“If you are satisfied with the presentation, then I would say that our work is done for now,” Wade offered. “But we will meet again later in the week.”

“Then, we are finished,” Robinique said, “unless you would care for coffee and dessert?”

Wade shook his head and looked at Gina. She too, shook her head. “No, thank you.”

When Robinique stood, Wade took his cue and the two men shook hands. “I’ll call you soon,” Wade said, lifting his briefcase.

“I will expect your call,” James Robinique replied, then turned to Gina. “Excuse me, Miss Grady” he began, his eyes a striking blue when focused solely on her, “but I cannot let you go without offering you our island hospitality. Would you care to join me for a drink later this evening?”

Gina felt Wade’s eyes on her. He had a way of doing that, blatantly watching her with those intense-green eyes. But it was the charming blue eyes on a man with impeccable manners that had caught her off guard. Wade’s words from earlier today flitted through her mind.

Lusty Frenchman.

Burlap sack.

Get you into bed.

James Robinique was certainly charming, but Gina wasn’t interested in him. At one time in her life, she might have agreed to spend some time with the handsome man. Now all she wanted was to do a good job. She was here on business and she needed to keep her head in the game. She opened her mouth to answer, but Wade beat her to it.

“I plan to keep Gi-Miss Grady busy most of the night…working.” One side of Wade’s mouth quirked up.

James Robinique blinked his eyes, then darted a glance her way before looking at Wade with a hint of envy. “I see. You are very dedicated then.”

Wade nodded. “This project is important to my company.”

Robinique gazed at Gina again, this time with more discerning eyes. “Yes, I can see that.”

Gina’s face flamed but, lucky for her, she’d always been able to hide her embarrassment under her olive complexion. Inside, she fumed. Wade had practically announced that they were lovers and all three of them knew it.