And Brock hated losing.
Had he let his desire for Vanessa cloud his judgment? She’d come with impeccable references. He knew she was sharp as a whip. So what was up? How had these three hotel events become minidisasters?
They sat at a back table watching the hula performers mesmerize the crowd, and every so often two pairs of male eyes glanced at Vanessa, darting her interested looks when they thought no one was watching. Brock couldn’t blame the men seated at their table. Vanessa wasn’t just another pretty face, she had something unique—a Marilyn Monroe appeal with pouty lips and luminous platinum hair that begged to be touched.
He couldn’t blame the men for looking her way, but he didn’t like it.
Nor did he like the rush of possessiveness he felt about her. Hell, they hadn’t slept together yet and he was casting innocent men cold, hard, she’s-mine looks.
Had he let his lust for Vanessa mar his good instincts? As much as he didn’t want to believe it he had strong suspicions about Vanessa Dupree’s actions of late.
“I think we averted the disaster,” she said, licking chicken drippings off her fingers. Brock watched her tongue wrap around her index finger, then shot a narrow-eyed warning at the bald-headed father of four, who found Vanessa’s mouth a little too fascinating.
“You think?” Brock shook his head. “I’m not sure.”
“Well, at least we provided seats and food for everyone.”
“Cost the hotel a bundle. Our competitors soaked us for the pork dishes they provided. Can’t host a luau without Kalua pig and they took advantage.”
“I’m sorry, Brock.”
She did sound sincere. “How sorry?”
She tilted her head and glanced at him directly. “How sorry do you want me to be?”
He may have a reputation as being a playboy, but Brock wasn’t the kind of man who exchanged sexual favors for anything other than pleasure. He wanted Vanessa, but not that way. Not that he thought for a second she was offering. She hadn’t made his pursuit easy and he’d backed off enough to give her time to decide what she wanted.
Now, trust was an issue. He didn’t know why, but he had a bad feeling about this. He rose from his seat. “I’ve got to go over receipts with Akamu. I’ll leave you in charge here.”
“Okay. I’ve got it under control.”
Brock stared at her for a moment, then made sure the wandering eyes at the table met with his stony gaze. “I’ll be back soon.”
Hell, he thought. She’s got me acting like a love-struck teenager.
Yet Brock had to put his suspicions to rest. He spent a minute speaking with Akamu, then headed straight for his office. Once inside, he closed the door and called his friend Code Landon.
“I need a favor, Code. That’s if you can tear yourself away from Sarah long enough to help a friend.”
“Sarah’s busy in the studio working on an album.”
“I thought she retired from show business. What’s up? You can’t keep your wife home these days?”
Code laughed. “Not in this lifetime, buddy. I built her an in-home studio. She’s making a record of lullabies for the baby. Pouring her heart and soul into it. I’ve never heard anything so beautiful.”
The change in Code’s demeanor since he fell for Sarah Rose was almost tangible. The onetime bitter, confirmed bachelor was now a happily married man with a child on the way. Brock had been his friend since childhood. There wasn’t anyone he trusted more, outside of his own brothers. “You hit the jackpot, Code.”
“I know. You should try it sometime.”
Brock flinched. The woman who entered his mind first and foremost was the one he had undeniable suspicions about. The one he would beseech his best friend to investigate. “Hey, someone has to represent the bachelors of the world.”
“Man, you don’t know. You just don’t know. Now, about that favor, lay it on me. Sarah’s gonna want my undivided attention as soon as she’s through.”
“Vanessa Dupree. I need to know everything there is to know about her. And I need it, yesterday.”
“Okay. Give me what you’ve got already and I’ll take it from there.”
Brock told Code what he knew about her personally then faxed him her résumé. When he hung up the phone, the image of Vanessa in that easy-to-undo sarong stayed on his mind.
Code wouldn’t have anything to tell him until the morning at the very earliest, and Brock’s patience had worn thin.
He stared at the phone for a second, then rose and headed back to the luau that was winding down. He had unfinished business with Vanessa that couldn’t wait a second longer.
Vanessa stood at the shore watching the crushing waves die down to creep along the sand. Distant noise from the housekeeping crew taking tables and chairs away drifted in the air. With the tiki torches extinguished now, only a wide beam of moonlight lit the beach.
Vanessa rubbed her forehead, smoothing out throbbing tension that pounded in her skull. Sabotage had its drawbacks. She had worried herself sick over the luau and wondered how much longer Brock would tolerate her alleged mistakes. And she worried about Melody whom she hadn’t spoken with in days. Her sister sent her vague text messages saying she’s keeping busy trying to forget her heartache.
“Poor Melody,” she whispered and another protective wave of motherly concern swept through her.
Brock’s strong arms wrapped around her from behind and drew her back onto his chest. “Talking to yourself?”
Alarmed, Vanessa froze. Had he heard her call out Melody’s name? He was too smart to fool much longer and she wasn’t nearly through ruining him yet. She turned around and smiled, trying to read his expression. “Not really, just waiting for you.”
Brock’s brows rose, surprised. “The wait is over, baby.”
Vanessa backed up a step. “I’m sorry about the luau.”
Brock shook his head. “I’m not Brock, your boss, right now. It’s after hours.”
Vanessa was so relieved she thought she’d faint. She’d escaped her fate one more time. “Oh?”
“Take a walk with me.”
Vanessa nodded and bent to remove her sandals. The minute she did, cool soft sand slipped between her toes. Brock entwined their fingers and they walked away from the luau area at Tranquility Bay.
“Being originally from Texas, I never had an appreciation for the ocean. But now, I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”
“Hawaii is a magical place,” Vanessa agreed. She’d never seen such lush gardens or beautiful exotic flowers. The moment she stepped off the plane, she’d been pleasantly overtaken by the fragrant tropical scents that filled the air.
The night air grew cooler and she trembled. Brock noticed and put his arm around her, his large hand warming her bare shoulder. “Cold?”
“A little.”
“How about a drink to warm you up?”
That sounded safe enough. They’d go to Joe’s Tiki Torch just down the beach and be surrounded by people. Brock’s sensuous touch always confused her. She had trouble remembering how much the cliché playboy millionaire had hurt her sister.
“That sounds nice. I could use a drink.” That much wasn’t a lie.
As they walked farther along the beach they passed the bar. Rock and roll music blasted out the doors. “Aren’t we going in?” she asked, coming to a halt. She gestured toward the bar with her finger.
Brock shook his head, grabbed her pointed finger and tugged her along. “I have someplace better in mind. Where it’s quiet.”
When they reached the marina, Brock led her up the dock steps toward his yacht. Warning bells rang in her head. “On second thought, maybe I should just go home.” She faked a yawn. “I’m tired.”
Brock kept walking. “One drink, then I’ll take you home if you want. I have something to discuss with you.”
Uh-oh. Vanessa slammed her eyes shut. He would lower the boom now and maybe toss her overboard.
When she hesitated on the dock, he added, “It�
��s important. Something personal.” Then he smiled and she felt a wave of relief. Whatever Brock Tyler was, he wouldn’t hurt her physically. He was a lady-killer in an entirely different fashion.
When they reached the Rebecca, Brock helped her board his boat and led her down the steps to a cozy sitting room. “It’s warmer down here,” he said. “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll get you a drink.”
Vanessa glanced at the large cushy sofa and opted to follow Brock to the bar. One drink. That’s all she’d promised him. She watched him pour her a glass of plum wine while he poured himself something more toxic, whiskey straight up.
“So what did you want to discuss with me?” she asked, leaning on the bar. She held her breath hoping he wouldn’t bring up the chaos at the luau.
Brock grimaced. “My mother’s and brother’s wedding. They’re both getting married and want a double ceremony.”
“How nice,” she replied, thinking of mother and son sharing a wedding day. She’d bet that didn’t happen too often.
“They want the wedding here, at Tempest Maui.”
“Oh, well…that will be—”
“A nightmare if all doesn’t go well. We can’t have any mix-ups. I’m going to have to discuss the details with you tomorrow.” He sipped his whiskey and a thoughtful expression crossed his features. “I want it to be perfect for them. We’ll need to find a suitable date. They don’t want to wait too long.”
Vanessa kept silent.
He brought both of their drinks with him around the bar and handed her the plum wine. He touched his glass to hers in a toast. “Here’s to things running smoothly from now on.”
She forced a little smile and brought the glass up to her lips. “Of course.” The sweet fruity wine slid down her throat, calming her fragile nerves a bit. She strolled over to the sliding glass door and looked out to the bay.
“Still cold?” he asked.
She shook her head. “The wine’s warming me up. I’m fine now.”
Brock opened the slider and sea air freshened the room. He faced her as a breeze blew a few strands of her hair onto her cheeks. She made a move to tuck those strands behind her ears. Brock gently took her wrist and lowered her hand down. “You look good windblown.”
A chuckle escaped. “Really? Most women wouldn’t consider that a compliment.”
“You’re not like most women.”
She set her hands on her hips. “Now, I’m not sure that’s a compliment either.”
“Trust me. As a man who knows a lot about women, saying you’re one of a kind is a compliment.”
Vanessa sipped her drink and stared out the sliding door to the stars above. She felt things for Brock she had no business feeling. He drew her in and made her feel special. She hadn’t had any luck with the opposite sex. She’d only known men who’d taken advantage of her. Brock was no different, she told herself over and over.
Until she looked deep into his eyes and saw someone quite different. Someone whose eyes gleamed with love when he spoke of his family. Someone who wanted to make his mother’s and brother’s wedding day special. Someone who was respected and considered a fair man by his employees.
Guilt set in. She was too close to the situation. She hadn’t planned on getting personally involved with him. How could she? She was out to destroy him. For Melody and for herself.
Yes, she had to admit that she’d transferred some of her anger at the men who’d hurt her in the past onto Brock. She’d wanted him to pay, maybe not only for what he’d done to Melly, but for all the smug confident guys who’d disillusioned her in the past.
“I can’t do this,” she blurted. Surprised that she’d voiced her sentiments aloud, her eyes went wide and she took a step back.
“Don’t go,” Brock said, reaching for her. His hand slipped to the bow on her sarong. “Don’t go,” he said more softly, looking deeply into her eyes.
She moved her hand to his to halt him. The touch sparked electric currents that sizzled between them. She looked down at his strong capable hand, then gazed into his eyes again.
“Stay with me tonight.”
It wasn’t a command, but a request. His soft tone and the promise in his eyes tore away every shred of resistance she had inside.
Oh, wow.
She wanted to stay. More than she would have ever imagined. She dropped her hand to her side.
Brock blinked and slowly, effortlessly pulled the sash of her bow. She felt the material give and loosen, just like the clamp around her heart.
The material slid down her body, unraveling and dropping past her hips to puddle at her feet.
Brock gazed at her body, covered now with only a tiny black pair of panties. “My God,” he said, blowing out a slow breath of appreciation. He shook his head, swallowed and continued to stare at her. “Come here, baby.”
Vanessa hesitated a moment, recognizing the impact of what she was about to do. Unable to stop herself, she walked straight into Brock’s arms.
Seven
B rock brought his lips to hers and kissed her tenderly, reverently, taking his time. He caressed every inch of her he could reach and whispered his intent to drive her absolutely crazy tonight. Heat built quickly and she responded with little sounds of pleasure. She kissed him back fervently, locking her lips to his and then opening for more potent kisses. His tongue met with hers and the instant sensual connection heightened every sensation tenfold.
He took his time and drew out the pleasure, making her moan and sigh. Her nipples pebbled to tight buds. Moisture pooled at her pulsing core.
Still, Brock moved slowly, his hands working magic, prickling her skin with jolt after jolt of dire intensity.
“I’ve wanted you. Be patient, Vanessa.”
She’d never experienced anything so powerful in her life. She wanted him inside her, claiming her, making her feel like a desired woman. It’d been so long since she’d felt anything remotely like this. Her heart pounded in her ears. Her entire body shook with need. She gave in to Brock, surrendering her body and soul to him.
It felt right.
And honest.
That was a joke, since she’d lied to him over and over. Nothing about the two of them was honest. But this…this, was something she’d dreamed about only in her secret, most private fantasies.
He moved down to suckle her breast with his mouth, the palm of one hand rubbing the tip of her nipple, the other teasing the dampest spot between her legs. She moaned softly, the pleasure about to burst her wide open. “Please, Brock,” she breathed out.
“I know, baby. I know.” He broke off his kisses and looked into her eyes.
Raw desire, a potent hunger she’d never seen before, reflected back at her. Her heart beat feverishly and her desire for him escalated even more.
He lifted her in one smooth move and she clung to him. He walked briskly past the galley to the master suite. There, he set her down on the big masculine-looking bed and instead of joining her he took a step back. “I’ve pictured you here a dozen times. But the real thing,” he said, with true awe in his voice, “the real thing is staggering, Vanessa.”
Vanessa closed her eyes. She couldn’t believe where she was. She couldn’t believe who she was with. But it didn’t matter. None of it. Not anymore. She wanted Brock Tyler and tonight her mind and body focused on only one thing.
She smiled as she watched him take off his shoes. A real man knew that’s where you started to undress for a lady. Next, he tore at the buttons of his shirt. She took a deep breath, fully inspired by his broad chest, the ripples of muscles that weren’t overkill, but just perfect. The zipper came down slowly and she witnessed him in full form finally, his silky manhood erect.
Her throat constricted. If it were humanly possible she was even more aroused than before.
He covered himself with protection and instead of coming down to her, he reached for her hand and lifted her off the bed. When she stood, he kissed her, crushing his mouth to hers in a lusty display of heated passion.
Then he lifted her slight form up, holding her buttocks. “Hang on to me,” he rasped out and she draped her arms around his neck tight and wrapped her legs around his waist.
“Oh, wow,” she whispered, breathless. Then the tip of his manhood nudged inside her, teasing her with his full erection.
“Okay, baby?”
She bit her lip from screaming yes, yes, yes and nodded.
Holding her carefully, he drove himself deep, filling her full, guiding her with his hands until she learned his pace. Then she moved on him, gyrating her body, the grind and drawback inching her closer and closer to ecstasy.
Brock kissed her hard on the lips, moving with her as she took him inside deeper and deeper.
When they were both on the edge of completion, Brock lowered her down onto his bed and struck the last potent chord, arching up and groaning along with her raspy moans of intense pleasure.
She came first, her explosion stunning her. She bent her body upwards and took all Brock had to give. She shattered completely, Brock only seconds behind.
He dropped onto her and kissed her soundly before rolling next to her, his arm wrapped tightly around her shoulder.
“Wow,” she said, curling up to him.
He hugged her close and kissed the top of her head. “You could say that.”
“I do keep saying that, don’t I?” She was blissfully happy.
“I plan to keep you saying that.”
She nibbled on her lower lip, hardly containing her joy. “Really?”
Brock turned onto his side to look into her eyes. God how he hoped his suspicions about her were unfounded. He had good instincts, but he’d been mistaken before. This was one time he hoped he’d been paranoid and dead wrong. This was one time he hoped his instincts failed him.
Vanessa was the woman he wanted in his life right now. No other woman had intrigued him like this. He’d fallen deeply in lust with her.
He glanced at her pillow and noticed the lavender orchid that had adorned her hair. He picked it up and twirled it around in his fingers, staring at it. The flower reminded him of her—soft and delicate but firm to the touch and more resilient than it looked. He positioned the flower behind her left ear then gazed into her blue eyes. “Consider yourself taken from now on, Vanessa.”
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