Dangerous Paradise

by Debra Andrews

  * * *

  Later in the day, Kelly and Robert drove the several hours north to the ranch—her childhood home. She stared out the window, guilt enveloping her. She’d given Robert false hope. She sighed. If only she could bring herself to marry him. No mess. No fuss. No pain. She’d have her beloved childhood home and a family. He’d be happy.

  She inhaled a deep, shaky breath. But marriage for the wrong reason hurt everyone. A few months ago, she’d been ready to marry him, but she had to admit, perhaps the overwhelming financial mess had frightened her—not to mention that a man had tried to strangle her—and to endure it all alone had seemed overwhelming.

  Perhaps, also, she’d been ‘settling’ with Robert and afraid to feel too deeply. She couldn’t bear the pain of again losing someone she loved beyond her own life. An image of Alex came to mind, and she had to thrust him from her thoughts.

  Robert steered the car. “Can you handle another surprise, Kelly? Do you remember the Westwood Grande Hotel, near the ranch?”

  “Yes,” she said numbly, finding it hard to get excited about anything.

  “That’s where I’m holding the celebration for the beginning of production on the movie. I also want to celebrate your birthday at the same time.”

  “You don’t have to.”

  “But I want to. It’s a big day for you. You’re inheriting partial control of Cochran Investments.”

  “It won’t matter. I’ve seen the reports, Robert. The company will have to file bankruptcy.” Unless, I ask you for an extension on the loan.

  He turned the car onto the road leading to the ranch. Gravel crunched beneath the tires and dirt puffed up as they drove down the long driveway. “I had a large section of the ranch walled in. I want to keep you safe.”

  The new wrought-iron gates swung open and he steered the vehicle down the tree-lined drive. She’d spent so much of her youth on horseback, galloping over these hills.

  “Kelly, I can’t wait for you to see the house.”

  “I can’t either, but I don’t like the idea I need walls and bodyguards to keep me safe here.”

  “For now you do,” he said firmly.

  She sighed. Here, alone with her memories, maybe she could figure out what to do with her life once Cochran Investments was dissolved. Perhaps she’d find answers about her father here in her family home? Her heartbeat quickened. Perhaps the truth has been here all along. “Kelly, I’ve made a few changes to the place.”

  At first sight, Kelly felt as if she’d been punched in the stomach. Instead of the traditional, Spanish-style home she’d loved as a child, the 1920’s mansion, she’d thought he was buying partly to please her, had been converted into a mammoth, contemporary of glass and straight lines. The house gleamed white in the hot, afternoon sunlight.

  “But we must be at the wrong house, Robert.”

  “No. This is it.”

  She gaped and took in the facade. How could she have ever thought he was sensitive to her feelings? She slid out of the car and wanted to rant at him.

  He took her elbow. “I hope you don’t mind the changes.”

  Speechless, she stepped up to the house with him. The back of her throat tasted bitter. When they entered the etched glass doors and encountered the soaring, but stark, cold entry, her stomach heaved.

  She ran in the direction of what she hoped was still a bathroom. She locked the door and lost her lunch in the ultra-modern toilet. Trembling all over, she sank to the cold marble floor and hugged her knees. She hadn’t expected Robert to keep the house as a shrine to her parents, but why had he bought her home when he had planned to obliterate everything? Tears spilled down her cheeks. She’d lost even this last part of her parents.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Two days later, Alex drove up to gates near a sign that displayed the bold words: Hillyard Rancho. At the sight of Hillyard’s name on Kelly’s old, childhood home, Alex clenched his hands on the steering wheel. Purchasing her home had been another way for Hillyard to manipulate her into marriage, and Alex planned to tell her so. Besides, Hillyard was too old for her. If he could think of any other reasons why she shouldn’t marry a man who could give her everything she wanted—and was rich enough to protect her from a killer—he’d tell her that as well.

  Reaching through the car window, Alex jabbed the button on the intercom.

  A deep, gravelly voice sounded on the speaker. “How can I help you?”

  Was he the bodyguard hired to protect her? “This is Alex Drake. I’m here to see Kelly.”

  “Miss Cochran’s not home.”

  Impatience grinded Alex’s nerves. “When will she return?”

  “Can’t give out that information, mister.” Click.

  “Bloody, bloody hell.” He’d never speak to her at this rate.

  Alex was about to back up his car and leave when a motion caught his attention. Kelly galloped on horseback across the rolling hills, dust swirling beneath her horse’s hooves.

  He slid out of his car and stepped to the closed gate. Of course, Hillyard would instruct his employees to lie at the mention of Alex’s name. He waved his arms to get her attention. She galloped the horse in his direction.

  In the distance, a burly man, looking like an ex-lineman, stepped out of the house. Two Rottweilers shot out the door and passed him as they all ran toward him. The growling dogs made the gate first and jammed their heads through the bars, snapping at Alex.

  Kelly trotted the horse up to him, then, tightening the reins, held the horse in place. Her auburn hair was pulled back into a thick ponytail of waves and curls. She wore a riding helmet, boots, and tight riding pants. Seeing her, gave his senses a jolt.

  “Why are you here, Alex?” she asked, glaring down at him.

  “We need to have a chat.”

  The bodyguard bounded up, which caused the dogs to go even crazier with their barking.

  “Max,” Kelly said, “call off the dogs.”

  The man gave a command and the animals fell silent. He jerked his thumb toward Alex. “Mr. Hillyard said if Drake was to come here, I was to turn him away. I don’t want to lose my job over this.”

  Kelly sighed. “It’s all right, Max. I take full responsibility. Now open the gate.”

  Max punched in the security code. “The boss will machete my head off for this.”

  When the gate swung open, Kelly turned to Alex and said coolly, “Get in your car. I’ll meet you at the house, but first I have to take care of the horse and shower.”

  Alex drove his car down the lane. At the house, the bodyguard opened the door and allowed Alex inside, then shook a beefy fist in Alex’s face. “You hurt, Miss Cochran—”

  “I’m not here to hurt her.”

  “That’s not what I’ve heard from Mr. Hillyard. He said you’re a dangerous man.” After one last sneering glance, Max left Alex alone in the three-storey foyer.

  Alex gazed at the marble sculpture placed in the center, barely recognizable as a naked woman. While cooling his heels for a good forty minutes, he studied the contemporary artwork that decorated the foyer and living room walls. To his taste, the pieces felt cold and empty.

  What the hell was keeping Kelly?

  At last, she descended the stairs, looking fetching in a white blouse and blue jean skirt. Her hair hung in damp spirals down her back. Her full red lips, and her cheeks rosy from her ride, reminded him of her face flushed with passion and all the times they’d made love.

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “What do you want?”

  You. Seeing her again took his breath away. He lifted his gaze from her mouth to her deep blue eyes that sizzled with anger.

  He forced himself to focus on why he’d come. Even he wasn’t sure. Except to see her again. To get over her? He didn’t know. He was a wreck, confused at what she did to him. She sparked weakness and longing, plus jealousy––because she was staying at Hillyard’s house––all at the same time.

  “I suppose you’re safe here, but can’t
you see what Hillyard’s doing, buying your childhood home? He’s manipulating you into marrying him.”

  “Not a chance. If he had, he wouldn’t have made all these changes. It’s not the same house that I lived in and loved.”

  Alex blurted, “I’ve missed you horribly, Kelly.” In those words, he acknowledged the feelings he’d been fighting and that had twisted his gut since their return from the island. His intense feelings for her frightened him, and he didn’t know what to do with them.

  “And what about your wife, Alex? I was nothing to you.” She turned and hurried up the stairs. “Excuse me, but I have something to do while Robert is away. I found my father’s old desk.”

  “I’m coming with you.” Alex grasped the handrail and followed her. “Why haven’t you returned my calls these last two days?”

  She turned mid-stair and gazed down at him from her higher elevation. “I misplaced my cell phone.” Her face paled and she gasped. “I can’t believe it. Robert must have hidden it from me.” Then her eyes narrowed as she snapped, “But if he didn’t want me to speak to you, it’s only because he's trying to protect me.”

  Alex mounted the steps behind her. “You don’t need to be protected from me. Bloody hell, Kelly, I never lied to you. Everything I’ve ever told you was the truth.” He followed her through a door to a second set of stairs.

  * * *

  A minute later, Kelly strode into the large attic, with Alex following. The space, with a high peaked ceiling, was filled with stacks of boxes and discarded furniture. Everything was all old junk to Robert, but to her it was remnants of her life. In one corner was her old dollhouse and rocking horse. In another were crates of their old books and the family’s CD collection. Robert had told her she could have anything she wanted up here.

  She struggled to control her mixed emotions of anger, hurt, and love––just being near Alex caused her heart to pound rapidly. When she’d first seen him, he looked so good dressed in a black shirt and black jeans, she wanted to throw herself at him and cry again every tear she’d shed on his behalf.

  With a shaky breath to control her emotions, she whirled and picked up a hammer and screwdriver from the huge, antique desk. “This was my father’s. I can’t wait any longer for Robert to find the key. I’m breaking the lock.”

  She wedged the screwdriver into the keyhole and swung the hammer. The lock didn’t break, but dust motes swirled in the sunlight pouring through the attic window. She backed away from the desk. While waiting for the dust to settled, she flicked a bitter gaze to Alex. “I’m surprised you could tear yourself away from Vanessa and your second honeymoon.”

  He took the hammer and screwdriver from her trembling hands. Taking four sharp hits, he broke the lock. “Vanessa’s lying.”

  Was she? “Then why didn’t you say so in the detective’s office?”

  Gritting her teeth, Kelly opened the drawers and found only a few desk supplies. She flipped through miscellaneous loose papers, her shoulders sagging. “Nothing. I’d hope to find my dad’s journal, or something to clear him.” She swallowed the despair. When she regained control of her emotions, she raised her gaze to Alex. “I’m going to lose the company, too.”

  “Kelly, I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “I can’t even ask Robert for an extension. He would . . . if I marry him.”

  Alex gripped her arms above her elbows. “I was told you’d married him. I’m so relieved. You’re not still thinking of doing that are you? Have you been with him?”

  She pulled away. “What do you think? I’m living here.”

  His face grew grim. He whirled and stalked to the door. He paused with his hand on the frame, but he didn’t turn to look at her. “Bloody hell, Kelly. I’m such a fool. I shouldn’t have come. I should’ve stayed on the other side of the world.”

  “I haven’t been with Robert,” she blurted out, “but I’m not sure what business it is of yours.” She swiped away the tears in her eyes and turned her back to the desk. “And am I supposed to believe you gave me one thought when you didn’t call for the entire month that we’d been back? So now you try to call me?”

  Alex strode across the room. “I thought about you every day. Kelly, the night Vanessa’s talking about, I was drinking too much—trying to forget about you. She turned up at my house, and I passed out. She’s trying to say something happened to prevent our divorce, but I know I wouldn’t, Kelly. Even drunk . . . she disgusts me.” He ran his hand down his face in anguish. “I left England the next day to come here to see you.”

  “You did?”

  “Yes.” He gathered her in his arms. “Come back to England with me. There was magic between us.” He brushed his finger against her cheek. The simplest touch from him sent heat crashing through her. “There still is.” His blue eyes deepened in color. “Life will be unbearable if I should lose you to Hillyard. I’ll have the courts straighten out the paperwork for my divorce.” His gaze dropped to her lips. “Kelly, I’m going to prove to you that you can’t marry him.”

  Cupping her jaw, he crushed his lips down on hers and sank the other hand in her hair. He tasted of mint. Twining her hands around his neck, she crushed her breasts against his chest. He belonged to her. His arm was around her, pulling her closer and she felt the hardness of him against her as if he couldn’t get close enough to her either.

  He exhaled a ragged breath along her cheek and tugged at her shirt, freeing it from her skirt. Wanting him bare as much as he wanted her, she yanked at his shirttail, slid her hand underneath and trailed her fingers over his taut abs. His heart raced against her palm. He slipped one hand beneath her bra and cupped her breast. His thumb caressed her nipple, causing heat to flood to her lower body.

  She sucked in her breath and dropped her shaking hands to his belt. He was rock hard against her palm and groaned at her touch. Still kissing her, he lifted her on the desk and slid his hands up her legs, bunching up her skirt. His fingers sunk inside her underwear and sensations shot through her.

  “Oh, Alex. Please, now.”

  He groaned and kissed her again. Then, he lifted his lips from hers as if it took every effort to stop. Both their breathing came in heavy rasps. “No, Kelly, we can’t do it this way. Not in Hillyard’s attic. You have to leave this house.” He held her securely in his arms and rested his forehead on her head.

  Wincing, she raised her face to him. “I can’t believe we just did that . . . ” She checked her watch and gasped. “I have to go. I have an appointment with Dr. Hubbard in an hour.”

  Disregarding her shock, Alex stroked his thumb across her cheek. “Pack up. You’re coming back to England with me. I’ll get my divorce finalized, like it should’ve been months ago if Vanessa hadn’t found a way to change it, and you’ll stop this nonsense. We’re going to live together.”

  “I need more.”

  He released her. “Blast it, Kelly. I’m not going to be trapped into another marriage. We don’t need some man-made laws to legally bind us. I want you. You want me. Let’s don’t make it any more complicated than that.”

  She shoved her shirttail into her skirt. “Is that what you think a commitment to me would be? You’re going to be an unhappy and lonely old man someday.”

  “Yes, but I’ll have had my freedom.”

  “But do you love me or is this only about sex? If you love me, I’ll go with you anywhere and live with you.”

  “I care for you . . . but I can’t give you marriage,” he said flatly. “It’s unrealistic to expect that such an institution or feelings can last a lifetime.”

  She choked out a harsh laugh. “I can’t seem to reach you inside, can I? You obviously don’t love me and probably never will. You know, Robert does. I’m a fool not to marry him.”

  Alex clamped his arms over his chest. “Maybe you should . . . So I should just leave?” But he didn’t go, and then he narrowed his eyes. “Well, he’s doing a good job of trying to manipulate you into it. Exactly what hold does he have over you?”
>
  The blood drained from her face. “What?” she asked in a shaky breath.

  “It looks like I hit the bloody nail on the head. Just how much blasted money do you owe him that he can hold guilt over you to convince you to marry him?”

  Kelly floundered under Alex’s intense gaze. “He’s done everything for me . . . He helped me through college.” She winced, and then sighed. “Okay, I owe him nine million dollars, but that won’t convince me to marry him.”

  “Nine million dollars!”

  The dogs barked loudly outside the dormer windows.

  “Someone’s here,” she blurted.

  Alex strode to the window. “A black Mercedes just drove through the gate. Hillyard?”

  She nodded and straightened her clothing. “I didn’t expect him until this evening. Max must’ve called him. Alex, he’s done so much for me. I don’t want him hurt, finding us up here.”

  Frowning, he pinned her with his gaze, while he tucked his shirt into his jeans.

  Kelly hurried down the steps with Alex following her. Tears burned her eyes. He might desire her as a lover, but he didn’t love her. Had he any idea how much that hurt? And she had to protect Robert.

  They reached the foyer just as Robert jerked open the door. “Max called me. Drake, what the hell are you doing here?” he demanded.

  “I stopped to speak to Kelly before returning to England. Good-bye.”

  Kelly exhaled the breath she’d been holding. Alex was civil enough. She was glad, for his sake, too. Didn’t he realize the power Robert wielded in Hollywood?

  “And I have a doctor’s appointment.” Kelly reached for her purse on the table in the foyer and headed out the front doors. The two men stepped out of the house and onto the drive with her.

  “Wait, Drake. Before you go,” Robert said in an irritated voice. “I need to speak to you.”

  Alex nodded and leaned against his dark blue Jaguar. Although his expression was grim, he was still the handsomest man she’d ever seen.

  Robert clasped Kelly’s hand and led her to his car. “Take mine.” He opened the door for her to slide inside. “I’d like to go with you, honey, but there’s some business I have to handle. I’ll tell Max you’re ready.”