Mission: Seduction

“Very nice,” he said. “But I meant for it to be a quick peck. Then our lips met and I lost control. I’m sorry.” He didn’t look apologetic; if anything, his blue eyes blazed hotter.

Kelly smiled. “Don’t you dare apologize, Rafe. I enjoyed it every bit as much as you did.”

“But your sister,” he said sadly.

Happily, it was exactly as she thought. “Rafe, there’s a connection between us. You know, stuff happens sometimes. We went with it. Don’t be upset.”

The last thing she wanted was for him to regret their first kiss.

“I’m not upset, that’s kind of what I wanted to talk to you about, and I think maybe we shouldn’t wait. Do you mind if we take a walk on the beach?”

It felt as if the ground had dropped out from beneath her and she rebounded again.

This is it. Tell him.

Her mouth went dry and her heart skipped a beat. Taking his hand, she led him away from the party. She slipped off her heels and waited while he took off his shoes and rolled up his jeans. Then they walked side by side across the sand.

“I’m trying to get in touch with your sister but she won’t return my calls.” He exhaled the words on a long breath as they neared the water.

“Oh? I told you, right? That when she gets on a shoot, time flies. She’s the worst at returning calls, texts and emails.” That was true at least. “Perhaps I can help.”

He laughed. “I don’t think so. I’m not going to say too much right now. I need to speak to your sister first. It’s the right thing to do. But I wanted you to know that kiss was more than a save to me. I’d like to do it again.”

Kelly blushed with the news.

“Hmm. Me, too—a lot,” she said.

He squeezed her hand. “But that can’t happen until I reach your sister and explain.”

“Got it,” she said, though her mind raced to find a way to solve this situation. If she told him the truth now, he might never want to talk to her again. That would break her heart. If she let him get to know her, the real her, maybe he wouldn’t get so mad when the truth came out. “You’re an honorable guy. I kind of adore that about you.”

At least one of them should be honorable.

“Yeah, I’m not big on games and lies,” he said. “The truth is important to me. I have a code I live by.”

Kelly couldn’t help it. Each word ripped at her heart. “I agree with you to a certain extent, but sometimes white lies can help protect someone from harsh realities. Or they can cushion a terrible blow. I mean, the person needs to have a great reason for lying, but I think sometimes it’s necessary.”

He shrugged. “I’ll take your word on that. Should we go back and join the others?”

The idea of him being mauled by more women was too much for her. “I’m tired of the noise, and I really don’t want to deal with Greg anymore,” she answered frankly. “How would you feel about watching a movie?”

One golf-cart ride later and they’d arrived at the side entrance to the main building and quickly made it to her suite.

“I’m going to change out of this dress—I’ll be back in a minute,” she told him.

Tempted to run, she forced herself to walk casually to her bedroom. Once she closed the door, she hurried to her closet.

What am I doing?

Seducing Rafe.

Was she?

Never in her life had she been so unsure of herself. Tackling big waves was a lot easier than relationships. He wanted to wait until he talked to Mimi, but who knew when that would ever happen?

Kelly would have to figure out how to contact her sister and right away. Mimi might not like the subterfuge, but she was also a romantic—one of the reasons she fell in love three or four times a month. Surely, she’d understand Kelly’s predicament.

Determined to try again to clear the air with Rafe, Kelly chose her outfit carefully.

She picked the hanger with her favorite white eyelet halter. And digging deep in the bottom shelf of her dresser drawer, she found a white wraparound skirt to match the top.

Five minutes later she pulled her curls into a ponytail, slapped some lip gloss on her lips and decided she was good to go.

Kelly came out of her bedroom to find the television on.

“Supermodel Mimi Callahan was seen frolicking on the shores of a private Malibu beach with her new love, actor Sebastian Lockwood. These two were also seen kissing at the hot new club LaDon last night. Two of the most beautiful people in the world—could this be true love?” The announcer smiled broadly and gave a fake wink as the entertainment show moved on to the next segment.

Rafe shook his head.

“You must be upset. I’m sorry,” Kelly said softly. She reached for the remote and turned off the television.

Why did this have to happen tonight?

Tell him the truth.

Rafe faced the expanse of glass that framed the ocean, so she couldn’t see his expression. “We can watch a movie tomorrow or the next day,” she offered. “You probably don’t want anything to do with the Callahan girls. I get it.”

“No.” The word sounded strangled.

Kelly’s heart tightened painfully in her chest. He cared for Mimi, and now he was crushed. As much as Kelly had hoped she might fill in for her sister, she should have known no man got over Mimi that fast. Still, she ached to go to him and take him into her arms and offer comfort.

It was her stupid fault for doing all this in the first place. For making him think that Mimi cared about him when in truth her sister probably didn’t even remember who he was. Men were accessories for her. As easily cast aside as a pair of cheap costume earrings. She would fall madly and hopelessly in love with a guy, and then, in a matter of days or weeks, she moved on to the next one.

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