Wishful Sinful (Rock Royalty Book 5)

by Christie Ridgway

  As he prepared to shift around to take the chair beside the other man, movement caught his eye. A petite female headed his way, wearing a sundress that bared shoulders, arms, and knees. His attention snagged on the hint of cleavage displayed by the neckline. Not because of any immodesty, but because he’d glimpsed that same hint of breasts only once before—above a bright pink top in Payne Colson’s living room.

  Now Honey wore one of the dresses the resort’s boutique salesperson had displayed for his approval. A warm golden color like her hair, it made the whole of her appear like something a man might drizzle onto a piece of toast…or directly onto his tongue.

  As she wound her way closer to him, he became aware of his stare, but he couldn’t blink. His muscles were frozen and his brain was, too, now fixated on what she might be wearing underneath that little dress. He remembered each matching set of delicate undergarments he’d selected and purchased.

  What the hell had he been thinking? Now the wondering would torture him.

  His expression must have darkened, because as she came to his elbow, her eyebrows rose.

  “Are you all right, Boss?”

  Her cool tone only made him hotter. Her rare use of the word “boss” only made his thoughts dirtier.

  He pictured bossing her in bed. Against a wall. With her breasts pressed to the tiled shower, his hands running over the sleek, wet flesh of her hips. He’d grind his cock into the cleft of her ass and whisper filthy suggestions into her ear.

  Gasping, she’d fling one hand up, her fingers trying to find purchase on the slick surface as she undulated against the cage of his body.

  “Walsh?” From far away he heard her voice. “Walsh?”

  Then she touched his arm, her fingertips shooting a fiery bolt across his skin. His muscles spasmed, his fingers went briefly nerveless, and he lost his hold on his plate. It fell to the ground, shattering, just as York Featherstone turned in his chair.

  Fuck. Blinking, Walsh yanked himself out of the debauched daydream.

  No food had splattered on the other man, thank God, but looking like a clumsy oaf, or worse, wasn’t the introduction he had planned.

  “Sorry—” he began.

  “All my fault,” Honey put in, beaming a smile to the older CEO even as she bent to reach for the broken pieces of crockery. “I can be clumsy sometimes.”

  Walsh frowned. “It’s not your fault,” he ground out, yanking her up by the elbow as a staff member approached with a broom and dustpan. “That was all on me.”

  But his admin was speaking right over him, introducing herself to York Featherstone, and then indicating Walsh.

  “Do you know the head of MadSci?” she asked. “Walsh Hopkins.”

  Activity flurried around them as he shook hands with the silver-haired CEO. Wait staff poured cups of coffee, Walsh was brought another plate of food, and Honey and he took seats at the table. She drew a basket of pastries close while beginning to chat with Featherstone’s niece, Dayna.

  That left Walsh to converse with York. He didn’t expect to launch into a discussion of business, but he also didn’t expect the other man’s seeming fascination with his admin.

  “Honey?” the man repeated, his gaze on her. Then he glanced over. “Did I catch her name right?”

  “Yes,” Walsh said, his tone clipped. He cleared his throat. “She’s worked for me for over two years.”

  “Ah. Not your wife, then? Or…companion?”

  “My assistant.”

  York nodded, then ignored Walsh to interject himself into the conversation between the women. “Did I hear you say this is your first trip to Mexico, Honey?”

  “I’ve only visited Tijuana before,” she said, then segued into questioning the other man about his knowledge of the area, food, and customs.

  Leaning back in his chair, York presented the picture of relaxation as he sipped from his coffee, and told her about some nearby underground caverns, a spectacular site to watch cliff divers, and the recent activity of the Colima volcano.

  “You need to get a real taste of the area,” he advised.

  She flicked a brief glance at Walsh. “I’m not sure…”

  “We have work to do,” he said, then realized he sounded like Scrooge talking to Bob Cratchit. “But of course you’ll have leisure time.”

  York smiled, glanced at Walsh, then fixed his attention back on Honey. “Excellent. Then I suggest you join me and Dayna on the jungle hike arranged for later this morning.”

  “A jungle hike? That sounds great,” she gushed, then her gaze touched Walsh’s face again. “But business—”

  “Can wait,” he said smoothly. “For both of us.”

  Like hell would he let his admin take off with York Featherstone, Walsh thought grimly, keenly aware of the man’s reputation for going single-mindedly after what he wanted.

  That shark-like focus was a desirable business trait—but outside of the office Walsh vowed to keep his innocent admin far away from the other CEO’s sharp teeth.

  Chapter 6

  Fifteen minutes into the hike, Honey found herself grinning.

  Dayna Featherstone, keeping pace beside her on the path, glanced over. “What?”

  Honey gestured with her arms, making wide circles to indicate the verdant tangle of trees, vines, and shrubs surrounding them. “It’s like we’re in another world. It’s incredible.”

  Their group of a dozen or so hikers was loosely strung along the route, a guide from the resort leading the way. York Featherstone walked ahead of Honey and his niece and Walsh brought up the rear with an older gentleman who used a walking stick.

  “It’s gray and gloomy at home in Seattle this time of year,” Dayna said. “There’s a lot to be said for sunshine.”

  “It feels wonderful on my skin.” After breakfast Honey had changed from the dress into the tangerine shorts and a matching tank top. Beneath them she wore one of the bikinis from the boutique, but she didn’t fret about that now—her outer clothes completely covered it and the two pieces weren’t any more revealing than the underwear she’d been wearing.

  Their guide had advised dressing in swimwear because of a waterfall and pond at their turnaround point. Honey hadn’t thought for a second she’d take a dip, but now she wasn’t so sure. “This might sound odd, but I’m starting to feel like a new person.”

  Embarrassed by her sudden confession, she cleared her throat. “It does sound odd, huh?”

  “Not at all.” Dayna reached up with both hands to tighten her ponytail by tugging on the ends of her brown hair. Like Honey, she wore shorts and a sleeveless top. The athletic sandals on her feet were similar, too. “Whenever I go on vacation it’s like breaking free of my chrysalis.” As she said it, a beautiful yellow-and-black butterfly flew out of a tree to flutter past their noses.

  They both laughed.

  Honey decided she didn’t do that often enough, either.

  Nor did she often hang out with other women. Beyond her good friend Melody, who ran the coffee cart at the 8000 Ocean Avenue building, only on occasion did she take time to chat with female acquaintances after classes at the gym. Her work environment was mostly peopled by men and the social side of her calendar didn’t add much either. It was too often empty.

  “I need to get out more,” she murmured.

  “Has your boss locked you in the office?” Dayna asked. “I can relate.”

  Honey had learned that the other woman, at thirty, didn’t work as her uncle’s immediate assistant. She held the title as one of the VPs in his company that was much larger than MadSci.

  “It’s not just that.” Beyond work, her family situation required her attention. “My parents are going through an acrimonious divorce.” Understatement. “My younger brother and sister are still teenagers, so I try to give them all the time and support I can.”

  Dayna looked at her with sympathy. “Who’s giving you support?”

  She shrugged.

  “What about a boyfriend?”

 
; Honey resisted the urge to glance back at Walsh. She’d been crushing on him for two years which she was certain now had caused her to cease seriously looking. “No.”

  “Not at the moment for me, either.” Dayna sighed. “I’ve not even had a little feel-good fling in ages.”

  With the warm air on her skin like a caress, Honey sighed, too. Not only had she been preoccupied with her boss, but she feared her sexual side had been stunted by an event that had happened years ago. Maybe it was time to get past both of those things…permanently. “A feel-good fling might not be so bad.”

  “Not so bad? It’d be great.” Dayna threw her a smile. “What do you think? Should we find some men to hook up with during this trip?”

  “During this trip?” Honey’s eyes widened. “With what men?”

  The other woman lifted a toned and tan shoulder. “Well, there’s our group, of course. Maybe there’s some eligibles in the bunch. Then there’s the other men staying at the resort. Surely there’ll be some guys who are single, straight…and amenable to a quick affair.”

  A quick affair. Yes, definitely a new Honey was emerging, because the idea actually held some real appeal. Perhaps those kisses in the plane yesterday had knocked something loose. Made her loose. She smothered her snicker with a hand.

  Dayna still heard it. “What’s funny?”

  “It’s just that it really is a new me if I’m considering something like that.” Yet she definitely was. The prospect of having a fling, of having sex again after so long a hiatus, made her stomach feel as if all the jungle’s butterflies had taken up residence—and she thrilled to the sense of excitement and anticipation.

  She glanced down at her bright top and shorts and the bare skin of her legs. Yep, she’d been in her chrysalis for too...darn…long.

  “Let’s make a pact,” Dayna said.

  “Um…” Maybe she should proceed with caution, Honey thought for a moment. But no. That’s what she’d been doing forever, and this new time, this new place, and this new friend were infusing her with new courage. She sucked in a bracing breath. “Okay, I’m game.”

  “While we’re here we’re going to have fun where we can find it.” The other woman threw up her hand, as if giving an oath. “And leave without regrets.”

  Honey lifted her palm as well. “No regrets.”

  Then they smiled at each other in perfect accord.

  Her mood remained high when it came time for a water break forty-five minutes later. Dayna wandered off to check in with her uncle, but Honey perched on a flat-topped rock, one arm curled around her upraised knees.

  “You seem to be having a good time,” a voice said from behind her.

  She glanced over her shoulder, then scooted along the hard surface to make room for Walsh. He wore long nylon shorts and a T-shirt with hacked-off sleeves that displayed his powerful biceps and strong forearms. The edge of his hairline was damp with sweat. When he tilted back his head to guzzle his bottle of water, she looked away from the supple movements of his throat.

  “Um, how about you?”

  “It’s all right.”

  Guilt snuck in a pinch. He’d intended to work today, and instead he’d come along on the hike because she’d shown enthusiasm for it. “We could go back now, discuss the Gunderson project on the way—”

  “I don’t want to talk about work.”

  “Okay.” She slid her sunglasses down on her nose to get a better look at him.

  “Tell me about your new friend. She doesn’t seem your type.”

  Honey bristled. “She’s perfectly nice—”

  “I didn’t say she wasn’t. I’m just surprised that you warmed up to her so quickly.”

  “We clicked.” She shrugged, and moved her sunglasses back to cover her eyes.

  “Ah. What have you two been clicking over?”

  Having flings. Finding men. A weekend without regrets. Not that she’d say any of that. “Relaxing.” She glanced over at him. “Finding time away from the office and other obligations. Doing things like this hike. You should think about that, too.”

  “I work out plenty in my home gym.”

  He had the hard-body to prove it. “But I’m not referring to working out, Walsh. That phrase has work in it, right? And I’ve seen you on your treadmill.” Sweat running down his face and limbs, his leg muscles flexing and shifting as he pounded out the miles. “You read business journals while you do it. Check your email.”

  “Yeah, well, I enjoy work,” he muttered.

  She tilted her head, taking another long look at him. “What else do you enjoy?” As far as she knew, he didn’t have any hobbies. There was that grand piano in his condo, but she’d never seen him touch the thing. It was either a designer piece or a leftover from the previous penthouse owner.

  “Things.” He frowned at her, then added in a defensive tone. “I hang out with the tribe.”

  “That’s fairly recent, though.” For years, she knew, the members of the Rock Royalty had been pretty much estranged from each other

  “Well, what do you do?” he snapped. “Besides working whenever I call and bending yourself over backward for your family—who should be caring for themselves.”

  “The twins are only sixteen,” Honey protested.

  “Yeah, but your mom and dad still take advantage of you—” He broke off. “Shit. I take advantage of you as well.” Pushing off the rock he came to a stand. “Never mind me, I’m in a lousy mood.”

  Before she could respond, he stalked off.

  Dayna strolled up and glanced over her shoulder at the retreating Walsh. “Trouble?”

  “I—” But Dayna’s uncle joined them then, and Honey wasn’t about to discuss her boss in front of the other CEO.

  So as the walk resumed, all the chat stayed on surface things. Honey didn’t mind, because the casual talk allowed her to recapture that sense of wellbeing she’d felt earlier. York pointed out the wild passionfruit and mango trees. He knew a lot about the native birds, too, and told stories to her and Dayna about the trip he’d taken with his wife to Belize.

  “She wanted to see monkeys in the wild,” he said, smiling a little. “Africa was too far as her illness advanced.”

  Dayna turned to Honey. “My aunt passed away from breast cancer five years ago.”

  “Oh,” she said. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Thank you.” York nodded. “But I didn’t share that to make you sad. It’s a reminder that life’s short. Be sure to see the monkeys.”

  And Honey didn’t stay sad, because as they continued to hike, York pointed out yet another beautiful bird.

  Dayna slanted her a glance. “See the monkeys,” she whispered in Honey’s ear. “Have a fling.”

  It made her smother another laugh. More butterflies fluttered around and in front of them, bright cheerleaders or—perhaps a more apt description—swirling sirens drawing her onward.

  Not long after, Dayna wanted to dish about the infamous Velvet Lemons. “Have you met them?” she asked. “The most famous band in the world! My mom adores them.”

  Honey shook her head. “They’ve been on a world tour almost as long as I’ve been working for Walsh. I’m not sure he’d introduce me to them, anyway.”

  Dayna’s eyes flared. “The stories…”

  “I get the impression they’re all true.”

  The other woman’s voice lowered. “Sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll.”

  Honey glanced around and spoke in a whisper, too. “I’ve been to the Laurel Canyon compound, though.”

  “The scene of the scandals,” Dayna breathed.

  “And I’ve met all the Rock Royalty a number of times.” Instantly, heat rose up her neck. “Well, that makes me feel like a bragging five-year-old. Sorry.”

  Dayna laughed. “That was going to be my next nosy question.”

  Lifting her hands, Honey fanned her face. “Hot guys. The two princesses are great. Cilla’s engaged to Ren—”

  “I read that at the hair salon!”
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br />   “—and Cami has an indie music career.”

  “That’s the only musician in the group?”

  “Professionally. Bing Maddox can set drumsticks on fire, though.”

  Dayna shook her head. “You live an exciting life.”

  “You already know that’s not true. And when I’m with them…”

  “Yes?”

  “I feel like a colorless peahen beside the peacocks.”

  “You need a better appreciation of peahens,” Dayna said, and putting her wrist on top of her head, wiggled her upraised fingers. “They have these lovely little crowns.”

  Honey smiled.

  “I’m serious. We need to make an appointment for you at the resort’s salon.”

  Self-conscious, Honey touched her mass of hair. “Oh my God!” It felt five times bigger than normal.

  “Humidity,” Dayna pronounced, “plus natural curl. The right cut will take care of that…and do wonders.”

  Honey made a face. Everyone always wanted to do something with the heavy stuff. “I don’t know.”

  Her new friend pulled her ponytail holder out of her own hair. “In the meantime…” She held it out and used her other hand to dig into her pocket. “I’ve even got pins for your bangs.”

  “I must look scary.”

  “You’re going to look amazing.” Dayna grinned. “Which means you’ll definitely get a chance to see the monkeys.”

  Honey could only laugh and use the band and pins to tame her suddenly exploding haystack of hair. Then their path took a turn and opened into a clearing. Her breath whooshed out as she gazed at the beauty spread before them.

  It was Paradise. Eden.

  Ahead, rose a wall of rock. Over its top, water fell in a delicate curtain as lovely as a bridal veil. It splashed into a clear, deep pool.

  Honey swallowed, then glanced at Dayna. “Wow.”

  “Wow,” her new friend agreed. “That could be seeing the monkeys all in itself, you know?”

  She did. The spectacular view seemed like a celebration of nature. Of life. That sense of renewal infused her again, and she straightened, feeling stronger, buoyant, more confident than ever before.