He didn’t really care about high-end things, like pure nickel fixtures and marble flooring—though this place certainly had those.
No, he’d pay anything for anonymity. In fact, he had paid a lot of money for exactly that. No one could get in his building without credentials, and while his business and home only took up the top two floors, there were a dozen other businesses in the office space below him. The building was paid for, and he only rented to small, single-owner companies, doctors and dentists, and the only law firm in town.
He had security cameras running twenty-four hours a day on the property, each elevator, every floor, and the huge parking lot. No one went in or out of the building without being filmed. And that wasn’t cheap.
His new documentation had cost money. His flight from Chicago had cost him more than that, and sometimes he wondered how his heart could even beat for Sami when it wasn’t even whole.
Marjorie had begged him not to leave, but he’d cut her right out of his life as if she were the cancer instead of his family. But he knew—he was the cancer. Anyone who got too close to him could be in danger, and once again, he wondered why he was changing into his swimming trunks and pulling out his sunscreen.
He should be hibernating in this room, texting Sami that he didn’t feel well after the bumpy flight, and leaving her to enjoy the beach alone.
Andy didn’t particularly care about the beach. But he looped a towel over her arm and perched his sunglasses on his nose as he left his bungalow. Past the hot tub, a set of steps led down to the sand, and he saw Sami’s dark hair trying to be stolen in the breeze as she walked through the sand.
They’d be more comfortable in one of the loungers by the hot tub, and he wondered if he could take one down there. Thinking it better to ask forgiveness rather than permission, he retraced his steps and picked up a lounger.
He groaned under the weight of it. While his building had a gym in it, he didn’t hit it as often as he probably should. Even when he did, it was to run on the treadmill, not lift weights. And certainly not to lift bulky, metal items like a pool lounger.
After making a few rearrangements in what he was carrying, he balanced the lounger across his shoulders and managed to get walking. Sami had stopped about halfway between the bungalow and the beach, and she spread a towel on the sand and looked back toward the house.
She paused and watched him, calling, “What are you doing?” when he got closer.
“Bringing a chair,” he said. “I’m not sitting in the sand all night long.” He arrived at the spot she’d designated and dropped the heavy object off his shoulders. “That was heavier than I anticipated.” He rolled his right shoulder and rubbed his left.
She gave a light laugh and shook her head. “I don’t think you’re supposed to remove them from the pool area.”
“First, that’s a hot tub up there. Second, there was no sign.” He grinned at her and picked up her towel. “We can share, right? I don’t think I can bring down another one.”
Sami said nothing, which drew Andy’s attention to her. She stood there in her beachwear, which consisted of a flimsy, see-through cover up that wafted around her body like a cloud. Beneath that, he could see she wore a red swimming suit, with such a low V-neck that it went all the way to her belly button.
He cleared his throat and stopped ogling her. “What did you order for dinner?”
“Roast beef sandwiches.”
She was practically perfect in every way. “With the fried plantains?”
“Of course. And I put in an order of gallo pinto for breakfast tomorrow with the resort staff.”
“Genius,” he said, grinning at her, his mouth already watering for the bean and rice dish this place served with overeasy eggs.
“And they’re bringing them right to us,” she said with that sexy smile on her face. She glanced at the lounger.
“I’ll sit first,” he said. “And you can squeeze in beside me.” He sat in the lounger, but there was no room for a side-by-side sitting. He put his legs clear over on the side and patted the spot next to his hip as if she’d cuddle right into his side while they waited for dinner.
Maybe she would.
Hey, a man could dream, right?
Surprisingly, she took her towel from where he’d laid it on the end of the lounger and spread it out beside him before turning her back to him and sitting down. He lifted his arm, and just like that, she slid into his embrace.
Sort of.
She did lay her head against his chest, but they almost made the top of a triangle with their bodies, no cuddling on the horizon.
Andy honestly didn’t care. Having her close and being able to breathe in the fruity scent of her hair and the soft floral scent of her perfume was enough.
“Here’s to the perfect beach weekend,” he murmured.
She simply hummed in the back of her throat and snuggled into him a little more.
Chapter Six
Sami woke the following morning with a stickiness in her mouth that testified she’d eaten way too much ice cream and fried plantains last night. She had enjoyed herself on the beach with Andy, the two of them crammed into that single lounger.
At first, she didn’t want to sit with him, but he’d acted like it was normal, and in the end, she’d done what Erin had counseled her to do. Stop denying how she felt. See how he felt.
He’d kneaded her shoulder until she’d leaned fully into him, and then he’d simply swirled slow circles on her upper arm. He’d tipped the waiter who’d brought them dinner, and he’d insisted they eat dessert first so the ice cream wouldn’t melt.
Sami would’ve never allowed herself to eat dessert first, ice cream or not. But Andy was continually doing things that made her marvel, and she really liked that.
The scent of warm food met her nose, and she bolted upright in bed. “What time is it?” She grabbed her phone and saw it was exactly eight o’clock. She literally never slept past six-thirty, and apparently Costa Rica had relaxed her enough to get the rest she needed.
No one called for her, and no one came to get her. So she stayed in bed, enjoying the sight beyond her window and the sense of being lazy. She normally got out of bed early and went, went, went until she dropped dead in the evening.
This weekend was going to be completely different than that. A knock sounded on the door, and she said, “Andy?”
“I come bearing breakfast,” he said, poking his head into the room. “Are you dressed?”
He thought she slept naked? “Yes,” she said, wondering what about her had given him that impression. The ponytail she wore every day? The same pair of slacks in various shades of gray, tan, or black?
“I come bearing beans and eggs.” He held a breakfast tray in both hands and came toward her, situating it over her lap while she pushed herself up so she could eat.
“You’re not going to eat?” she asked, realizing he’d brought in both orders.
“I am,” he said, climbing up on her bed and sitting opposite her. “Two forks.” He grinned and picked up a utensil. “So what are we doing today?”
“The beach,” she said, mimicking him with the fork.
“All day?” He paused with a bite of food halfway to his mouth. “You don’t want to go shopping or something?”
“You’ve known me for eight years.” She wasn’t sure what else to say.
“Point taken.” He put his food in his mouth, but he didn’t remove his eyes from hers. “What about going into the market?” he asked. “We’ll stay by the port, where all the tourists are. Get some fresh fruit. Stroll around and see if there are any street performers. Find the monkeys crossing the street on the telephone wires. That kind of thing.”
Sami liked the sound of all of that. “Sure,” she said. “Should we go after breakfast? Save the beach for later, when it’s really hot?”
“Sounds like we have a plan.” Andy ate his plate of gallo pinto, and Sami wondered if she could ask him a few questions. She’d held back yester
day, because what he’d told her had obviously been difficult for him.
“I’ve been thinking,” she started, and Andy looked right into her eyes. He didn’t question her, didn’t say anything. She’d always appreciated that about him. “Would you like to come to one of my family dinners? My parents host them at their house every Sunday night, and it’s pretty casual.”
He gave absolutely no reaction, and Sami worked to hold still. She took another bite of breakfast, her eyes locked on his face.
“Why?” he asked.
“Why?” she repeated. “Why what?”
“Why are you inviting me to dinner with your family now?”
“Because…I know you’ve never said anything about your family, but I guess I didn’t realize you were completely cut off from them.”
“It’s okay, Sami,” he said. “I’m okay not talking to them.”
“I know,” she said. “Obviously. I mean, you said your dad tried to kill you. Of course you’re not going to stick around. I just thought…not all families are like that.” Her throat felt too dry. “My family is loud, and my brothers all have girlfriends now, so there’s even more people there. But it’s fun most of the time, as long as we leave before my dad gets out the games.”
She added a smile to her face, hoping Andy would understand that she just wanted him to come with her to see what a family who loved each other was like.
Andy took another forkful of food, chewed, and swallowed. “I was hoping you’d invited me, because you wanted me to meet your family.” He lifted his eyes to hers, and they hooked on tight and sunk in deep.
Sami felt like he’d splashed ice water in her face. “I—”
He reached over and took her hand in his. “Maybe I lured you to Costa Rica for a fun, relaxing, romantic beach weekend.”
“You’re my boss,” she said, the words scratching her throat even as sparks and pops entered her system from his touch.
“I know who I am,” he murmured.
Sami blinked, trying to get her bearings. “Do you remember me telling you about a man named Eric Loveday?”
Andy’s eyebrows scrunched up. “No.”
“He was my last boss,” she said. “And my last boyfriend.” She wouldn’t have to say more. Andy now he looked like she’d thrown her ice-cold soda in his face.
“Oh.”
“Yeah,” she said. “I just don’t know.”
“Don’t decide today then,” he said, releasing her hand and moving to the end of the bed to stand up. “I’m going to go shower. Let’s go to the market. Just have fun together.” He flashed a smile in her face and paused. “Okay?”
She nodded and gave him a smile in return. “Okay.”
He left, and Sami looked down at the remains of breakfast. If there was anyone who knew how to have fun in a foreign country, it was Andy. She wanted to go exploring this side of Costa Rica with him, and maybe, if she held his hand as they walked around, that would be okay too.
Her smile spread across her face again, and a new kind of excitement zipped through her bloodstream as she too stepped into the shower, with its rainfall showerhead and deliciously warm water.
Hours later, her feet hurt, but her smile hadn’t disappeared for more than a few minutes. Apparently, there was a festival going on right now, and the street performers, food, and activities in the port were in full swing.
She’d been holding Andy’s hand for most of the day, and she literally couldn’t imagine a more perfect day with him. With anyone.
She spotted a restroom and squeezed his hand. “I’m going to head over there.” She slipped away from him, maneuvering through the crowd to the bathroom. A sigh filled her lungs, and she blew it out happily as she went inside the small building.
The scent in here wasn’t anything to smile about, but she took care of her business quickly and came out of the stall to see a man standing in the women’s restroom. She froze, trying to memorize the pieces of his face should she need to recall them later.
She had no idea what to say to him, or if he spoke English or not. She hadn’t realized that the restroom had completely emptied out, leaving her and this man alone together.
“Hello,” she tried, deciding to bypass washing her hands.
He didn’t answer. He wore shorts and a T-shirt and didn’t seem to have a weapon that she could see. His dark eyes held plenty of danger though, and everything inside Sami screamed at her to get out of the building as quickly as possible.
She edged toward the door, but he moved to put himself between her and the exit. Her heart pounced around inside her chest, and she glanced around for a weapon of her own. “I just need to go,” she said. “You can let me go.”
He held out his hand as if she had something that belonged to him, his lips parting as if he’d say something.
“I don’t have any money,” she said, which was at least true. But if this guy knew how much Andy had, she’d probably already be gone, tossed in the back of some van with a bag over her head.
“Andy,” she called, deciding she was not going to just stand here and take whatever this guy gave her. “Andy.”
“Sami?” he asked.
“Come in here,” she said, her pulse throbbing in her throat. It raced so fast, it seemed like it was everywhere at once.
Andy appeared, took one look at the guy, and said, “Get out of here. Now.” He stepped over to Sami and took her hand in his. “Let’s go.”
The man didn’t move, but he did let Andy take Sami past him. Back out in the bright sunshine, the air wasn’t so foul, but Sami couldn’t quite get a good breath. They’d only gone a few paces when she started wheezing, and Andy’s grip on her hand became painful.
“I can’t—” she gasped. “Stop. Andy.”
He pulled her out of the main stream of people and put both hands on her shoulders. “Look at me, Sami. Right into my eyes.”
She couldn’t. Couldn’t focus. Couldn’t even see him, though his voice was right there, right in front of her.
“Breathe in, okay? With me.” He took an exaggerated breath, and she tried to copy it. The air felt like the wrong thing to breathe, like fire in her lungs.
“Out,” he commanded. “You’re not looking at me, Sami.”
Her eyes bounced around, finally latching onto his. There he was. Right in front of her.
“In,” he said, and she breathed with him, this time the air not tasting like poison. “There you go. Breathe out. Real slow.”
She pushed the air out between her teeth, creating a hissing noise. The panic drowning her subsided, until it was just her and Andy standing on a busy street in Costa Rica.
“Did he touch you?”
She shook her head, tears gathering behind her eyes. She would not cry here. Not in front of him. Not because of a man in a bathroom who’d said nothing and kept his hands to himself.
“Let’s get back to the bungalow,” Andy said, tucking her into his side and guiding them through the afternoon crowd on the pier.
When they arrived to the peace and quiet of the bungalow, he wouldn’t leave her side. She appreciated that and told him so, feeling much more settled away from all the noise, all the people, all the smells.
“Of course,” he said. “I’m glad I was there to help. I’m glad you called for me.”
She nodded. “Me too. I didn’t know how far away you’d be waiting.”
“Promise me you’ll always call me if you need help,” he said, latching onto her with that powerful gaze again.
“All right,” she said, though she wondered why she’d need help. She spent ninety percent of her time with him, and their existence had always been normal.
Until now.
Fine, maybe until last Christmas and that blasted mistletoe, the raging jealousy over a simple kiss. Suddenly, she had another question for him. “So you never said if you’d come to dinner with my family,” she said. “But I’ve got another question for you. Perhaps you can pick which one you’d like to answer.”
“Oh, boy,” he said with a smile.
“How long have you been thinking about a romantic beach weekend…with me?”
Chapter Seven
Andy’s pulse tap-danced in his chest, the time to say everything right in front of him. He couldn’t, of course, tell her everything, but she’d already shown him she could handle his secrets.
“China,” he said. “I started having feelings for you in China.”
As he suspected, she gaped at him, those chocolatey eyes widening again. She opened her mouth to say something but snapped it shut again. Andy didn’t know what else to say either. Was he pathetic that he’d admired her from afar for so long? Did she think him romantic?
Doubtful, he thought, the couch here in the living room so comfortable. If he closed his eyes, he could probably doze here for a little bit. Sami didn’t seem too keen on going to the beach now, and a measure of foolishness stole through him.
He shouldn’t have taken her to the market. Though it was located near the port, and supposedly safe for tourists, there were obviously still some issues.
“When I heard you call my name, I got scared,” he said. “For a few seconds, I thought sure my father or my brother had found me. Found you.” If he kept talking like this, she’d know about Marjorie. She’d know about the danger she was in if she pursued a relationship with him.
She should know, he told himself. Before things went too far, she should know. She should get to choose.
“Why would it matter if they found me?” she asked.
“That’s how they got to me last time,” he said. He kept his arm around her shoulders, enjoying the way she’d settled into his chest, the feel of her beside him almost intoxicating. “I had a pretty serious girlfriend named Marjorie. We’d been together for a couple of years, and I was actually shopping for a diamond ring.”
He paused, the images from his past sneaking through his mind again. “When I told my father I’d written him his last check, things got nasty. He said I had all that money, and why wouldn’t I take care of him? That my mother would want me to take care of him.”
The Billionaire's Secret Flame Page 4