“That was beautiful,” he said.
She could only smile, her eyes closing. This was what she’d been trying to forget for months. The all-encompassing pleasure Hayden rung from her so easily.
The damn man knew exactly what to do to make her body sing for him.
Opening her eyes, she stared at the straining bulge at the front of his pants. Unless the gala had been a fluke, she knew how to please him, too.
She reached for his erection, cupping him through the material of his trousers, before Hayden’s hand wrapped around her wrist.
“I can’t take much of that,” he said.
“Perfect,” she replied, moving closer to him as her fingers sought him once more.
He hissed out a breath before stopping her. “This was about you. I promised.”
“I don’t care,” she said, catching the zipper.
“I do.” He kissed her, an obvious attempt to distract her, and she let him. Avery parted her lips, tasting herself on his tongue. He rolled over her, covering her body with his, and she arched her back to press her breasts against his naked chest.
“Stop making this hard,” he ordered.
“I thought that was the idea,” she said, wiggling against his cock.
“Christ,” he swore, squeezing his eyes shut.
“Don’t you want me, Hayden?” she asked, twining her arms around him.
“More than I’ve ever wanted anyone.”
Staring up at him, there was no hiding from the truth of his words. He meant what he said, at least for now.
Pleasure swirled through her at the knowledge, making her feel powerful in a way she hadn’t felt in years.
“I’m right here,” she said.
His forehead dropped against hers. “If I let this go further, I’ll get you for one night.”
“Yes.” She arched up for a kiss.
He drew back. “I want more than that.”
She hissed. “That’s my line.”
“Give me this vacation, Avery. Let us explore what we have and enjoy it while we can.”
“Before real life sets in.”
“Exactly.”
Be his temporary mistress. Then, she could press her lips to every inch of his body. She could learn all the ways to make him forget his own name.
And when he was done with her, he’d walk away without a backward glance.
While she was growing increasingly sure she’d never stop wanting him.
“This can work,” he said, his words a devilish temptation. “We can work. Give us a chance.”
She closed her eyes, willing her heartbeat to return to normal. All she wanted was to curl up in his arms, or better yet, pull the clothing from his body and wrap her mouth around the cock that strained for her touch.
But while she might be willing to forget for a night all her reasons for keeping him at arm’s length, she couldn’t do it for the weeks he wanted.
Isn’t the pleasure he offers worth a little heartache? her inner voice asked.
Last time, heartache nearly destroyed me.
You’re not married to Hayden. This is different.
Was it? She’d been with Jon for years, and yet in the months she’d known Hayden, he’d inspired feelings in her that her husband never had. Staying on this slippery slope was a dangerous game. One that had the power to rip her apart if she wasn’t careful.
No, she couldn’t give him what he wanted. Even if she longed for it with every cell in her body.
“We are so good together.” He ran his lips over hers.
“The sex was never the problem,” she said, cupping his cheek in her palm.
Some of the joy in his eyes faded, and she hated that her words were the cause.
“I can’t give you more, Avery. I won’t lie about that.”
For all his faults, he always told her the truth. He wouldn’t consider a lasting relationship. He wouldn’t ever allow himself to be vulnerable with her. To really care for her.
To love her.
Not in the way he’d loved Sophia.
She closed her eyes. At one time, he’d been capable of being the man she wanted him to be. Only he’d been that man with someone else.
In the light of day that truth might not sting, but right now, with the soul shattering orgasm still gripping her, that knowledge hurt.
Leaning up, she pressed a soft kiss to his lips before pushing him off her.
“Avery?”
Not looking at him she tugged her dress back into place and slipped on her discarded panties.
He sat up, staring at her with resignation.
When she was satisfied she was presentable, she turned back to him. Seeing his beautiful face tugged at her heart but she stood firm. She was alone now. No one else would guard her heart for her.
Moving back to his side, she pressed a hand to his shoulder and leaned down.
“Thank you, Hayden,” she said, kissing his cheek.
He didn’t say anything as she left the room, didn’t try to call her back with false promises they both knew he’d never keep.
She almost wished he had.
Instead, she left the room with her head held high.
And tried to ignore the way her throat tightened with tears.
Chapter Ten
“I’d say Hayden might want to see these files, but we both know you’d only make me run them up to him,” Karen said, sitting on the bed as Avery rooted through her closet.
She glanced over at her friend. “I’m a little busy.”
“Running away.”
Avery rolled her eyes. “Overly dramatic, much?”
“What would you call this?”
“Research and a little R and R.”
Karen snorted. “Sure.”
Tossing her swimsuit into the canvas backpack she’d be living out of the next two days, she turned to her audience.
“You know as well as I do, we do some recon in our environment when we take a job. Get the lay of the land. See if there are any opportunities not being capitalized on.”
“That’s what you call driving across the island? You’re literally getting as far away from Hayden as you can without getting wet.”
“I’m not avoiding Hayden.”
“Which is why I’ve been giving him his updates this week? He was none too pleased about that, FYI.”
She shook her head, throwing the sunscreen in her bag. “It’s not my job to make him happy.”
“Kinda is.”
“Not in that way,” she denied. “I just need some space, is all. Everything will be back on track Monday morning.”
Karen tilted her head to the side. “You’ve been very cagey about what happened during your dinner last weekend. Want to fill me in?”
“Not even a little,” she said.
“Avery, I’ve got no problem with you sleeping with the boss, but when it starts impacting work there’s an issue.”
“I’m not sleeping with him, and it’s not impacting work.”
“You’re leaving—”
“It’s the weekend! I’m just going on an overnight trip. Hell, it basically for work. You’re headed up the mountain to hike the crater. Why is what I’m doing any different?”
“Because I’m using my downtime to see the sights. You’re avoiding our scrumptious boss by running away to a wild rainforest. There are things that eat you in rainforests, you know.”
“Not on this island. Besides, the east end of the island is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination. What if we’re missing an opportunity to expand or partner with a hotel in the area?”
“This could easily be a day trip.”
“A long one.”
“Where we set up professional interviews and meet with the GMs out there. You’re going…camping. You are the least camping sort of person I know.”
She threw up her hands. “I just rented a cabin. It’s not like I’m going to be sitting around a campfire trying to figure out how to sterilize water.”
“The concierge advised you to take a sleeping bag. You’re camping.”
Abandoning her pack, she turned to Karen. “This isn’t a big deal. I’m taking one night off. Are you, of all people, going to tell me I should stay here in my hotel room and spend the weekend reading reports?”
Karen sighed. “No. You should enjoy your time here. It’s just…”
“What?”
“You’ve been sad,” Karen said, her voice soft. “The last time that happened, you withdrew from the world for two years. I don’t want you sliding back into old habits.”
She closed her eyes, knowing her friend’s concern came from a place of love.
“I’m not backtracking,” she said. “Jon and I have been over for years. I’m starting to pull my life back together. That’s not going to change.”
“Hayden was part of your resurrection,” Karen said. “You know he was.”
She rolled her eyes. “Yes, the man is a magical lay. It’s a wonder any of these building are still standing what with the earth moving every time he drops his pants.”
“You know what I mean.”
She’s not wrong.
Avery ran a hand through her hair, knowing her friend had a point. Hayden had woken her up that night at the gala. He’d stopped her from sleepwalking through another year of her life.
“I can’t let him derail me,” she said simply. “Not when I’m finally starting to make progress.”
She pushed a T-shirt into her bag with a little too much force.
“Kai down at the front desk helped me hire his cousin as my guide,” she said. “He’s providing everything I need. You’re welcome to come if you want. It’s supposed to be one of the most beautiful drives in the world.”
Karen shook her head. “If you need some soul-searching time, I don’t want to intrude. Plus, my mountain hike awaits. Come Monday, though, I need your head back in the game. I think we’re getting a clearer picture of what’s going on here. I’ve been sifting through the financial documents, and you know numbers don’t lie.”
“Great,” she said, adding sunglasses to the crown of her head. “We can dive into it Monday.”
Swinging the backpack over her shoulder, she surveyed her room, making sure she had everything she needed. Satisfied, she headed for the door.
“Make sure the door is locked when you leave,” she called.
Karen waved her off. “Have fun in your cabin. Don’t get eaten alive by the bugs.”
With a smile, Avery left the room and headed down toward the lobby where her car would be waiting.
It had been days since she’d crossed paths with Hayden—not that it had been an easy task to accomplish. He’d given her some space in the beginning and then started seeking her out.
Lea had become an unexpected ally in the past week. She’d been more than happy to intervene and distract Hayden when Avery needed to slip away, and had helped her schedule meetings and appointments during every waking moment of the day.
She supposed it was in the other woman’s best interest if Avery started making herself scarce.
The thought shot a sharp stab of pain into her heart but she resolutely ignored it. Fooling around with Hayden had been a mistake. An incredible, mind-blowing mistake.
That had led to a week of self-recriminations.
When she’d discovered Jon’s cheating, something inside her had shattered. For the past two years she’d just been going through the motions, until Hayden crashed into her life.
But he also represented a temptation she wasn’t sure she was healed enough to handle. What did it say about her that she always circled back to the same sort of man? She’d have to be blind not to see the similarities between Jon and Hayden. Both had been born to wealth, both had been raised to shoulder larger destinies. Both treated women as commodities to be enjoyed and forgotten.
And here she was, about to sign up for round two.
Avery squeezed her eyes shut. She’d barely survived her divorce. Maybe she was gun-shy, but sue her. There was only so much battering one heart could take before it shriveled away to nothingness.
Reaching the lobby floor, she headed to the check-in counter and flagged down Lea.
“I’m off,” she said, hefting her backpack. “I shouldn’t get any calls from the mainland, but if there are any queries for me, please let them know I’ll get back to them on Monday.
“Absolutely, Ms. Clarke. Enjoy the east side. The rainforest is gorgeous this time of year.”
“I can’t wait.” She needed the break, the chance to trade in her files for novels and simply while away a few hours reading in the sunshine. Some peace and quiet would help her rebuild her resolve to keep Hayden out of her life.
Her phone buzzed with an incoming call, and she fished it from her bag, checking the screen.
Unknown number.
Were telemarketers tracking her down even in the middle of the Pacific?
“I think Keon is ready for you. He’s parked right outside the entrance,” Lea said.
Glancing up, she dismissed the call and put her cell away.
“Thank you. I appreciate the help this week.”
The other woman smiled. “My pleasure.”
With a wave to Lea, she headed out of the hotel toward the car waiting in the drive.
Or what she’d thought would be a car.
A smiling man stood leaning against a pickup truck, the back piled with food and bedding.
“I’m only going for one night,” she said to the man she assumed was Keon.
He grinned. “Just trying to cover all the bases.”
Glancing over the edge of the truck, she arched a brow at the massive case of beer. “What exactly do you think I’ll be doing tonight?”
“Kai made me promise to take good care of you. Are you all set?”
She tossed her backpack into the back, realizing she didn’t need the sleeping bag she’d arranged. Keon had pillows and blankets piled in the trunk. Far more than one person would need.
“I’m all set,” she said.
“Great. It’s a long drive, so we’d better get to it. Do you want to ride inside or in the back?”
She blinked. “Is that allowed?”
He shrugged. “Island life,” he said as if that explained all. “The road to the east is beautiful. It cuts through the rainforest, sometimes running along the edge of a cliff. You’ll have a better view in the back.”
“All right, I’m up for an adventure,” she agreed.
“Make sure you have your camera ready when we hit the start of the forest,” he said, turning to get into the driver’s seat.
Grabbing the back of the truck, she swung herself up. A futon had been laid out to provide a comfortable spot to sit, and she quickly settled herself in for the ride.
“All set?” her driver asked.
“Ready when you are,” she replied, slipping on her shades. This was exactly what she needed.
Peace.
“Wait.”
Avery flinched at the sound, turning to see Hayden striding toward them. How did he always know where she was? Had she inadvertently summoned him by thinking his name too many times?
“Good morning,” she said cautiously, staring down at him.
“What are you doing?”
She lifted her chin. “Going away for the weekend,” she replied.
A frown crossed his brow. “But you’re working.”
“Not on the weekend. I’ll be back Monday morning.”
Hayden gripped the side of the truck, staring up at her. “Where are you going?”
“I thought I’d drive to the other side of the island. There’s a national park there along the water’s edge, and they rent out a few cabins. It might be a tourist destination we can promote. I’ll make sure to take lots of pictures and report back my findings next week.”
“So it’s a working weekend.”
Some of the tension drained from her shoulders. “Precisely.”
“Then I should come with you. We are partners, aren’t we?”
The tension flooded right back.
“I can handle this myself,” she said, her tone less than welcoming.
“I’m sure you can. But for the good of the hotel, it only makes sense that I tag along. Unless you have a different reason for going. Trying to run away from me?”
“This is not your kind of weekend,” she tried. “I’m told the cabins are very basic.”
“Good thing you seem to have packed for an army.”
“Keon is just an excellent guide. And trust me, this isn’t your thing.”
“I can handle a night without luxury.”
Avery hesitated, seeing no way out without admitting she wanted time away from him and his constant campaign to win her over.
A glimmer of an idea crossed her mind, and she bit back a smile.
“Fine,” she said. “I should have invited you sooner. Why don’t you go pack a bag? We can delay our departure a few minutes.”
Driving off when he was packing might be the coward’s way out of spending a weekend together, but if it helped keep her pants on, the trick would be well worth it.
“That’s very generous of you,” he said.
She smiled in acknowledgement.
“But I wouldn’t want to hold you up.”
“What?”
Grabbing the back of the truck, he swung himself over the edge, dropping onto the futon beside her.
“You don’t have any supplies,” she said.
He shrugged. “We can stop somewhere along the way and pick a few things up.” He tapped the open window into the cabin. “Is that okay with you, Keon?”
“Not a problem, Mr. Wexton.”
“Good man.”
“You are going to wear a ten-dollar T-shirt?” she demanded.
“For a weekend with you? I’ll even buy fifteen-dollar jeans.”
She shook her head.
He leaned closer, invading her space. “Unless you’d rather tell me why you’ve been avoiding me. Going to admit I’m getting to you?”
“Never,” she said.
“Then there should be no problem with this trip.” He settled in beside her. “Ready when you are.”
As the truck pulled out of the driveway, Avery closed her eyes and prayed for patience.
Because spending the night in a secluded island cabin with Hayden without either killing him or kissing him was going to require the strength of a saint.
The Billionaire's Paradise (Sexy Billionaires) Page 10