Unless her father listened to her, there would be no turning this resort around. He’d purchased the piece of property when it was operating at a loss, something they couldn’t fix overnight.
She knew her father trusted her or she’d never be here to begin with. So why couldn’t he also entertain her ideas?
Just as she turned toward her office, she saw Brady. She hadn’t had much time to think of him this morning, but she’d spent plenty of time last night tossing and turning between her lonely sheets.
She took a moment to appreciate such a fine specimen of man. And, considering he wasn’t looking her way, she allowed herself the satisfaction of raking her gaze over his broad, muscular body.
His crisp white polo shirt did amazing things to his golden, sun-kissed biceps. And the way his faded denim covered his long legs as he ate up the ground made her wonder why she’d never noticed a man this way before.
Allowing her eyes to linger longer than necessary only made her heart beat faster.
Was this just a case of good old-fashioned lust? Did she just find Brady Stone appealing because he was a stranger passing through? Because he’d given her flowers, a nice meal and was there to comfort her when she’d not felt well?
Oh, and the walk on the beach. Planned or not, that had been the most romantic moment of her life. And that proved how pathetic a life she’d been living.
So, why now? Why this man?
Before she could answer her own questions, Brady turned his head. His eyes locked with hers and a knowing grin spread across his face.
Damn. She’d been caught staring.
Oh, well, she couldn’t undo the damage now. With her shoulders back, chin up, Sam made her way toward him.
“Good morning,” she greeted with a smile.
Brady nodded, offering a warm smile of his own. “Morning.”
“I forgot to thank you again for the flowers, dinner. When I ran into you last night, my mind was elsewhere.” She kept her smile going, not a hardship when looking at such a magnificent man. “Are you still enjoying your stay?”
“So far.”
Another happy guest. “If there’s anything I can do to make your visit more pleasant, don’t hesitate to ask.”
His grin kicked up a notch; a naughty gleam twinkled in his chocolate eyes. “I bet I can come up with something. Is that an open-ended invitation?”
She’d walked right into that one.
The way he looked at her—as if he knew where her thoughts had traveled since meeting him—made her palms dampen. Add mind reading to his impressive personal résumé.
After their few short conversations, she should’ve known where his mind, and other body parts, would go with her innocent comment. He was a guy, after all.
“I do have a tight schedule,” she told him, hoping she sounded professional and not like a nervous schoolgirl. God, couldn’t she make up her mind? “I’d be willing to accommodate your needs. I mean—”
He leaned into her ear. “I know what you mean, Sam.” Easing back, he smiled. “When can I expect you to…accommodate me?”
Sam glanced around the nearly empty lobby. “Umm…”
Brady eased back and chuckled. “How about we start with a dinner not in your office?”
She so wanted to say yes. Did she dare take some time for herself? “I don’t know, Brady.”
“We already shared a romantic walk in the sunset,” he reminded her. “Dinner isn’t nearly as romantic as that.”
He had her there. Besides, the man was just passing through on business. What could one meal hurt? She wasn’t going to start a time-consuming relationship with him.
“Are you free tonight?”
“Absolutely. I’ll take care of all the arrangements.” He reached out, easing a strand of hair from her shoulders. “Meet me in my suite at six.”
Before she could tell him she couldn’t possibly meet him that early, he’d walked away. And Sam recalled the rule she’d recently made about dating guests. Oh, well, she’d never been a rule breaker, so doing it once wouldn’t hurt.
She watched him cross through the lobby and exit into the breezy summer day. Dear Lord, the man looked just as good going as he did coming.
Sam forced herself to concentrate on the rest of her hectic workday, but her mind betrayed her. Instead of figuring out how to bring more tourists to her father’s newly acquired resort, all she could think of was how long she’d gone without sex.
And why was she even thinking about sex? It wasn’t as if she were going to be intimate with Brady tonight or anything. She didn’t even know him. But he was clearly interested in her and that had her thinking of the two of them tangled between sheets.
Sex. Even the word hadn’t been on her mind since trying to gain her father’s respect and a place in his company. She’d put all her personal desires aside in order to concentrate on her career.
Her whole life, Sam had wanted to be important to her father. Her mother had passed away years ago, leaving shattered, five-year-old Sam and eight-year-old Miles behind to be raised by a business mogul who knew nothing about raising little girls. Good news for Miles.
She’d gotten through her life just fine on her own and she liked to believe that’s what made her strong. Sam knew she didn’t need anyone to lean on, especially not a man. Actually, she was a bit thankful her father had made her stand on her own two feet. She shuddered at the thought of being one of those clingy women.
But a little flirtation—and maybe more—with Brady Stone seemed to be rejuvenating her depressed state. Seeing him just a few stolen moments here and there helped her hectic days pass with much more pleasure.
When her eyes started to burn from glaring at a computer screen for too long, Sam glanced to the corner of the monitor.
Oh, God. It was 5:59.
She quickly saved the proposal she’d been working on and turned her computer off. She took a swig from the tepid bottle of water on her desk and turned off her lights.
After racing down the hall to the elevator and getting on, she sagged in relief against the cool metal.
But then stiffened as she caught her reflection in the steel doors.
Oh, this was not good. How could she continue her flirtatious, so-far-harmless fling with Brady if she looked like she’d pressed her suit with a crimping iron?
Strands of hair tangled around her shoulders. Her makeup had worn off, her concealer giving way to her dark circles. She not only looked rumpled, she had the appearance of a haggard raccoon.
Oh, yeah, she was looking good.
The elevator dinged on the top floor. Sam took a deep, calming breath and stepped out, fully intent on backing out of the dinner date.
She knocked on his suite door and waited. But when the door flew open with a smiling Brady standing on the other side, her recently rehearsed speech fled her mind.
Five
“I thought you’d gotten a better offer,” he said as he motioned her in.
“Not a better offer, but I do have to cancel.” She remained in the hallway, trying not to look beyond the alluring man to the candlelit dinner by the French doors. “I ran later with work than I intended and I’m a mess. Perhaps we can do this another time? Say when I have time to freshen up?”
He reached for her hand, pulled her inside. “Nonsense, you’re here now and you look beautiful as always.”
Sam allowed herself to be drawn into the lion’s den.
Why did she feel like prey for this overpowering man? And why did she let him persuade her decisions?
Because she liked being needed, even if only for a while. And because she was a woman. A woman who found herself a little too attracted to a total stranger. So what if her appearance wasn’t perfect? Obviously, he didn’t care, which just proved yet another point—Brady Stone obviously wanted to be near her for no other reason than because he enjoyed being with her as she did him.
A mixture of enticing aromas filled her senses. Between the scrumptious-smelling di
nner and Brady’s fresh, masculine scent, her reasons for leaving fled her mind.
Sam’s gaze traveled across the suite, through the patio doors where the sun still remained high in the sky. A small, intimate glass table with one tapered candle and two plates covered with silver domes beckoned her closer.
“Looks like you’ve thought of everything.” She crossed the plush beige carpeting. Being alone with Brady in such a personal atmosphere made her nerves jitter with excitement, her heart pound with anticipation. “I hope you didn’t go to any trouble.”
“None at all,” he assured in that rich, deep tone that gave her chills.
A delicate pink rose lay beside one of the table settings. Twice in just over twenty-four hours this amazing man had brightened her dull days with a touch of beauty.
“This looks lovely,” she told him, turning around.
He smiled, taking one long stride after another until he came within a foot of her. “It goes with the company.”
Why did such come-on lines work so well when they came from his mouth? No grown woman with any sense would fall for this smooth-talking charmer. Obviously, where this man was concerned all her judgment flew out the window. And for some unknown reason, she didn’t care.
“I don’t know how good my company will be.” She looked up into his dark eyes, breathed in his hypnotizing scent and trudged on with her plan to get out of his presence. “I haven’t stopped since this morning and I’m afraid if I sit, I may fall asleep in my plate. So, you see, not good company.”
His eyes darted to her lips. “Then I’ll have to do something to keep you awake.”
Before she could even take a breath, he stepped closer, his mouth claimed hers.
The shock only lasted a moment before pure pleasure took control. Brady’s arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her taut against his hard, lean body.
She had no choice but to answer his demand with one all her own. She didn’t want to take the time to consider how much time had passed since she’d been held this way, kissed this way. Nor did she want to acknowledge the fact she needed the intimacy more than her next breath. And she certainly didn’t want to think about how fast Brady was moving. So what if she’d only known him two days?
His tongue parted her lips. She let him in.
She slid her arms around his neck, threading her fingers through his thick, wavy hair. No way would she let him ease back, not now that she’d tasted him.
Brady’s hands splayed across her back, his fingertips dug into her suit jacket, creating an arousing friction from the warmth of his hand and the satin material on her bare skin.
A moan escaped. Hers, his? She didn’t know. Did it matter since their mouths were fused as one?
He nipped at her bottom lip. “I’ve been dying to do that for two days.”
Breathless, Sam opened her eyes. “I’m glad you didn’t wait any longer.”
“I don’t normally attack women, but I can’t control myself around you.”
“Attack? If only I’d get attacked like that more often, maybe I wouldn’t be so caught up in work.”
His soft chuckle vibrated through his chest and against hers. “Are you awake now?”
“Huh?”
“You said you were tired.”
Disappointment flooded through her. She unlaced her hands, releasing her hold on him and stepped back. “Oh, um, yes.”
“Now, don’t get your back all up again.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, even though she’d knowingly tilted her chin and straightened her shoulders.
He closed the short gap she’d created. “I was just using your tiredness as my excuse.”
Sam placed a hand on his chest before he could lean down again. “You don’t strike me as the kind of man who needs an excuse to kiss a woman. Especially if you always kiss with such…passion.”
Brady’s enticing smile widened. “Passion? Does that mean you’ll stay awake and keep me company?”
His scorching stare roamed over her face, doing nothing to squelch the desire that had erupted inside her.
Perhaps dinner was a mistake. How could she concentrate on anything else other than the desire to get completely naked with this man she’d known for only forty-eight hours?
His heart beat in a calm, easy manner beneath her palm. Obviously he wasn’t as worked up as she.
Did she affect him in any way whatsoever? Was his attention toward her typical as with any other woman? There wasn’t a shred of doubt in her mind that Brady had more experience in the sexual department than she.
“Look,” she said, removing her hand from his chest, distancing herself from temptation. “I’m running a resort, so my time is pretty limited. I don’t even know if I have time for a fling.”
Brady’s intense stare lasted only a second before he erupted into laughter. “Do you always speak what’s on your mind?”
“There’s no misconception that way.”
“I’m not into flings, either.” His eyes darted back down to her lips. “I want to spend time with you while I’m here. Tonight we’ll have dinner. No pressure.”
Before she could answer, her cell vibrated in her pocket. “I have to take this,” she said, pulling out her phone.
“Take your time. I’ll pour us some wine.”
He moved away, giving her the privacy she needed. Without bothering to glance at the caller ID, she flipped up her phone. “Hello.”
“These numbers are unacceptable, Samantha.”
Glasses clinked over her shoulder, but the noise did nothing to drown out her father’s anger. “What do you mean?”
“The number of guests is down ten percent this quarter. I trusted you to bring the numbers up.”
Sam stepped farther away from Brady. “I’m doing what I can. If we could sit and talk about my ideas—”
“Not this again.” Stanley grunted. “I just want you to do what I sent you to do. Don’t second-guess me and don’t forget who’s in charge.”
Sam jerked as if he’d slapped her. Thankfully, the love seat was nearby. She sank onto the cushions. “As if I could.”
“Are you in your office?” he asked.
Sam’s gaze darted to Brady. “I had to step out for a moment.”
Stanley let out a sigh. “Perhaps you should concentrate on your work instead of socializing, Samantha. My resort won’t run itself.”
Sam ended the call, suddenly not in the mood for dinner—or Brady. Her father always managed to toss cold water on anything good in her life. She found it sad the man did nothing but stew about business and finances.
No wonder her mother had been unhappy.
Brady’s grip on the wine bottle tightened. He had a feeling his plans for the night had just evaporated. And for the first time in his life, business wasn’t in the forefront of his mind.
The hurt and the confusion in Sam’s eyes had him placing the bottle on the table and crossing to her.
She glanced up when he brushed a strand of hair off her shoulder. “Are you okay?” he asked.
Pushing to her feet, she stood, her body brushing his. “Just business.” She pasted on a fake smile. “But I’m afraid I won’t be very good company tonight. Could we do this another time?”
Because he knew she didn’t want to appear weak, especially in front of a virtual stranger, he nodded. “Absolutely.”
She hadn’t said who was on the other end of the call, but Brady knew. Speaking with Stanley Donovan was obviously upsetting to everyone.
He escorted Samantha to the door, all the while cursing her father. Besides the fact Brady needed to get information from Sam, he’d planned on doing a little seducing, as well.
But more than that, he hated the fact the old man could wipe the light right out of Sam’s eyes in a matter of moments.
He couldn’t afford to let her innocence and vulnerability get to him. Business was business. He had to keep telling himself that or he’d be pulled under by Samantha’s sweet
way.
She turned to him once they reached the door.
“Thanks for going to all the trouble.”
Without another word, she opened the door and left.
Brady turned only to have the cozy table by the patio doors mock him. This was not how he’d planned the evening. Granted he’d planned a little seduction and a little deceiving, but he certainly hadn’t wanted Sam to leave hurt and confused.
With a tightening in his chest, Brady moved to the desk, picked up his phone and dialed Cade.
“Hello.”
“We have a problem.”
“What’s wrong?”
Brady walked back to the sitting area, taking the warm seat Sam had just vacated. “Stanley just called Sam and, from the one-sided conversation I overheard, he’s mad about the report she sent.”
Cade muttered a curse. “Did she say anything about the call?”
“She’s too discreet to discuss business with me.” Brady rested his elbows on his knees and rubbed his forehead. “My concern now is Stanley finding out about my stay here. I need to step up my game plan.”
“Sounds to me like he’s just as much of a jerk to his own daughter as he is to everyone else.”
Brady had gotten that impression, as well. How could a father be so harsh to his own child? How could any man treat Sam with such disrespect?
God, he was no better than her father. Disrespect? Brady had disrespected Sam from the moment she’d walked up to the registration desk to assist him. Backing down now, though, was not an option he would even entertain. Sam would get caught in the crossfire, but there wasn’t a thing he could do about it. Business always came first. Period.
Besides, he owed this mission to his father. This property had been purchased and the first shovel of dirt dug by his dad when Brady had been only ten years old. The name Lani Kaimana was chosen by his mother. She’d always wanted to live in Kauai and his father had made sure she always had a place to come to. Lani Kaimana had been his family’s first resort, and Brady needed to bring ownership back to its rightful place. So Sam’s feelings, and his for that matter, could not interfere with his conquest.
“What do you want me to do?” Cade asked.
Seducing the Enemy's Daughter Page 4