In one sweep of his arms around her, he pulled her against him. His gaze softened and he smiled fully. “You said you loved me.”
She hitched a breath. Maybe she shouldn’t have, but... he seemed to like that. “Yes, I said it because that’s how I feel.”
He bent his head and captured her mouth. As her heart soared, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing closer to him. The kiss wasn’t as wild as they’d shared before, but definitely more meaningful.
Cole broke the kiss and pulled back only slightly. “I don’t know what it is about you, but I can’t get enough. I think of you all the time, and I can’t wait to be with you again. I’ve never felt this way, either.”
She chuckled. “Good. I’d hate to think I was the only person with those feelings.”
He brushed his lips against hers again. “Erin, I don’t want you to write the story. It might ruin the reputation I’ve tried to keep for many years as a respected businessman.” He withdrew and met her gaze. “Do you understand where I’m coming from?”
“Yes.”
“What can I do to keep you from writing the story?”
She shrugged. “I’ve actually already decided not to write it. I don’t know what article I’ll write, but I’m sure my boss won’t be too happy, and I’m extra sure the magazine won’t reimburse me for this trip.”
He kissed her again, this time holding her tighter as his hands gently moved over her back. Happiness filled her, and she was relieved that they had repaired the damage that had been done to their relationship. But the fact still remained, she needed a story for the magazine.
She broke the kiss first, and leaned her head against his forehead. “Oh, Cole. I could kiss you all day long and not get tired. But, I need to write a story.”
“What if you can’t? What will your boss do?”
“Probably fire me.” She shrugged. “After all, I convinced them to let me go on this trip because of my article idea.”
“Let me think about what you can write that will help us both out.” He kissed her briefly. “Erin, I can’t lose you. In such a short time, you’ve become so special to me, and I don’t want this to end.”
She smiled. “Neither do I.”
The beeping sound of a cell phone made Cole jump. He dug through his pocket and pulled out his phone, glancing at the display. “There’s been a problem at the main office. I’ve got to go.”
“All right.”
He motioned to her suitcase on the bed. “Unpack, because you’re not going anywhere.”
She laughed. “If you say so.”
He gave her one more quick kiss before leaving. As she closed the door, she sighed heavily, and silently thanked God for making things right between her and Cole. And yet, there was still the big problem of having a long-distance relationship. How could they fix that?
COLE RUSHED INTO THE main office. Larry stood behind the desk, and when he noticed Cole, he moved around it, meeting him halfway.
“What’s wrong?” Cole asked. “Your text said it was an emergency.”
Larry nodded. “We need to talk in private.”
Cole led the way toward his office. Once both men were behind closed doors, Cole sat behind his desk as Larry paced the floor. It was obvious that the early twenty-year-old man had a lot on his mind. Cole hoped the young man wouldn’t wait very long before telling him what was on his mind. Cole wanted to get back to Erin. Now that the truth was out, he wanted to spend more time with her without feeling guilty. It wasn’t like him to confess his love to a woman after knowing her for a few days, but he couldn’t wait to do that now, especially because he knew it was the truth.
Larry stopped in front of the desk, looking directly at Cole. “I’ve been working at this resort since my first year in college. I love this job, and yet... I have allowed one of the guests to blackmail me.” Larry’s voice tightened. “It’s been going on for three years, and I don’t know how to stop.”
Blackmail? That was something Cole wouldn’t tolerate from his guests, especially when his employees were as responsible and dedicated as Larry was. “What happened?”
“Three years ago, a woman and her daughter came to the resort. I become attracted to Mandy, and she felt the same way about me. I knew I wasn’t supposed to act upon my emotions, because of the resort’s rule. But one thing led to another...” Larry gulped noisily. “I broke the rule, and one of the guests saw. The guest didn’t say anything but kept watching me and Mandy sneak around to have private moments. This guest took pictures.” He paused and his expression hardened. “Two days before Mandy and her mother left, this guest came to me and demanded that I give her money, or she’d take these pictures to Mr. Hunt – and Mandy’s mother. I didn’t want to lose my job, and I especially didn’t want Mandy involved, so I started stealing money from the resort.” Larry lowered his gaze to the floor.
Shock washed over Cole, and relief filled him. That was why money was missing from his accounts. But now, he needed to figure out how to solve this.
“Who was the guest who blackmailed you?”
“Mrs. Capelle.” Larry hesitantly raised his gaze. “She keeps returning, knowing I’ll be here. I’ve tried to get her to stop, but she won’t. She makes me give her money.” He shook his head. “I can’t do it anymore. I plan on quitting, and I know you’ll have me arrested because of it, but I can’t take the guilt any longer.”
Mrs. Capelle? Another wave of shock passed through Cole. “That woman is definitely devious. In fact, I know that our resort isn’t the only one she visits.”
Larry’s eyes widened. “Do you think she’s done this thing with other resorts?”
Cole shrugged. “I don’t know, but I have a friend who can find out for me.”
Larry nodded. “I hope you find out, because that woman needs to be stopped.”
“Agreed.”
“What are you going to do about... me?”
Cole sighed heavily. “I’m glad you finally came to me, but you should have said something when it first happened.”
“I couldn’t. I didn’t trust the supervisor that was here before you.”
It was on the tip of Cole’s tongue to tell the young man who he really was, but he decided against it. “Thank you for trusting me. Now, get back to work. I need to contact my friend and have Mrs. Capelle investigated.”
Larry’s face brightened and he smiled widely. “Oh, thank you Cole. You are the best. I’ll never forget your kindness.”
Chuckling, Cole motioned toward the door, and Larry left. Perhaps Cole did have a shred of kindness in him after all. He was very glad he wasn’t the billionaire that Erin disliked.
He withdrew his cell phone and called his friend. “Hey, Joey. I have someone else that needs to be investigated. This is very important, and I need this as soon as possible.”
THIRTEEN
Erin lay on the beach, soaking in the sun’s rays as she worked on her tan. Now that there were no lies between her and Cole, every day was more spectacular than the one before. Cole spent a lot of time with her, but they didn’t kiss or hold hands in front of the others. He still wanted his staff to obey the rules. But after hours, they swam together at midnight under the stars. They cuddled together in her bungalow – or his. And their kisses grew to be more personal and emotional.
This morning, he had breakfast with her, but then had to return to the office. Resort issues was his excuse, and she knew she had to let him do his job. But he definitely made up for lost time when he saw her again.
Sadly, though, her week was nearly over. Tomorrow she’d be leaving to return to New York and to the job that she had no article for.
“Enjoying yourself, my lovely Erin?”
Cole’s deep voice made her heart light as she looked up just in time to see him sit next to her on her blanket on the beach. She grinned, sitting upright and bracing her hands to her sides.
“Hello, handsome.”
He placed his hand over hers, squeezing it gently. �
��I have some good news for you.”
She blinked with wide eyes. “You do?”
He nodded. “I think I have the topic for your article in the magazine.”
“What?” She sat up fully. “You do?”
He grinned. “I just contacted the island’s police to have one of our guests arrested. She has been blackmailing my staff members for three years... and she has done this very thing with several other resorts, too. It’s no wonder she’s a wealthy woman.”
Erin gasped. “Who is it?”
“Mrs. Capelle,” he whispered, leaning closer to her. “But don’t say anything. She doesn’t know I’ve had her investigated.”
“What made you decide to investigate her?”
As she listened to Cole tell about his employee being blackmailed, and how Cole had come to the resort to see where the money from the resort was disappearing, she realized now why he had wanted to keep his identity a secret in the first place. It softened her heart to know that he had a good reason for not telling her the truth. Of course, she’d already forgiven him, but at least she knew now.
“Oh, that terrible woman. I never did like her. She had her nose too high in the air to become friends with anyone.” Erin bristled. “And I’m glad she’s going to jail for her crimes.”
“I couldn’t tolerate her, either.” Cole rolled his eyes. “I didn’t know why before, but I know why now.”
She leaned against him, smiling. “And I’m glad you figured out where your money was going.”
“Yes, that’s a relief.”
“So,” she relaxed back on her elbows, “what do you think I should write about?”
He arched an eyebrow. “You don’t think she’s a con-artist?”
“Yeah, I guess she is.”
“Don’t you think a scandal like that would sell magazines?”
Erin grinned. “Yes, it would.”
Cole lay on his side, facing her. “I was also thinking about something else.”
“What?” She gazed into his dreamy green eyes.
“I don’t want you to leave tomorrow.”
Her heart clenched. “I wish I didn’t have to.”
“Tell me, Erin, how much do you love your job?”
She shrugged. “I’ve worked hard for where I am. I enjoy writing. I also enjoy getting my paychecks.”
He laughed. “Yes, I’m sure you do. But what if you found another job? A job that paid you better, and was in the perfect paradise location, and one where you didn’t have to stress over anything for the rest of your life?”
She laughed. “It sounds like a dream-come-true, and I’d want to hear more about it.”
He drew his finger along her arm. “I’m in great need of a publicist. I’m thinking of turning the resort into something different, and I’ll need a lot of help in accomplishing it.”
“You want to change the resort? To what?”
“To a family resort. I want more kids to come and enjoy these beaches. I want older couples to come, as well as newlyweds. And... I’ll even lower the prices.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“No, I’m completely serious.”
“And in making these changes, I’m going to need a lot of help, which is why I’ll need a publicist.”
“You want me to be your publicist?” she asked warily.
He nodded. “I can’t think of anyone better suited for the position.” He paused. “Would you be interested in that job?”
She shrugged. “I guess that all depends on you.”
“Me? Why?”
She cuddled against him, laying her head on his shoulder. “Because if I take the job, you’ll be my boss, and I won’t be able to show you how much I love you.”
Laughing, he wrapped his arms around her and laid her back on the sand as he loomed over her. “That’s actually one of the advantages to this job. You’ll be able to show your love to the boss any time you want.”
She kissed his chin. “And would the boss be able to return my feelings?”
He gazed down into her eyes and become serious. “My darling, I’ve never loved a woman like I love you, and I can’t think of anyone else in my life. I want to give you the world if you want it. Just say the words and it’s yours.”
The tender moment brought tears to her eyes and melted her heart. “What words do you want me to say, Cole?”
“Say you’ll marry me and become my wife for as long as we both shall live.”
Her heart soared and she nodded. “I want you to be my husband for as long as we both shall live... and longer. I don’t ever want to let you go.”
He tightened his hold on her. “You’re in my arms now, and that’s where you’ll stay. Forever.”
The End
The Tycoons Series
Billionaires who just want to live the Blue Collar life and meet their perfect match...
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Author’s Bio
Marie Higgins is an award-winning, best-selling author of clean romance novels that melt your heart and have you falling in love over and over again. Since 2010, she’s published over 80 heartwarming, on-the-edge-of-your-seat romances. She’s broadened her readership by writing mystery/suspense, humor, time-travel, paranormal, along with her love for historical romances. Her readers have dubbed her “Queen of Tease” because of all her twists and unexpected endings.
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