“Nothing. I just wanted to give you heads-up in case Donovan decides to make a move on another property.”
“Keep me posted.”
“Same here,” Brady said. “Talk to you later.”
As he disconnected the call, Brady knew he should find Sam and make sure she was truly okay. But first, he’d let her have some privacy.
He hated that he had to use her feelings to his advantage, but he had no choice—not if he wanted to ruin Stanley Donovan. Brady had never let his hormones control a business transaction and he didn’t intend to start now.
Brady pocketed his key card and left his suite. He had no clue what room Sam occupied here, or even if she stayed on the grounds. All he knew was he needed to find her.
He’d start with her office and go from there. Once he made sure she was okay, he could return to his original agenda.
Six
Two days. Two whole days had passed since he’d seen Sam—not for lack of trying to find her. Obviously she was busy and didn’t want to be found, but Brady wasn’t giving up. He had to get Sam, get closer to her.
He made his way down the wide marble hall for the umpteenth time in the past forty-eight hours.
She had to return to her office sometime. Clearly she was a hard worker and not someone to sit behind her desk all day and delegate orders.
Surprisingly, her office door was ajar. He peeked his head inside, expecting to find Sam at her desk nursing another migraine. But her office was empty.
Being a man to take advantage of every opportunity, he stepped inside the spacious room and took a seat at her desk. He hadn’t planned on glancing at the paperwork lying on top of the desk calendar, but, well, it was there and he couldn’t resist.
His eyes roamed over the budget proposal, his mind agreeing with each number he saw. Not only that, Brady found himself intrigued by the renovation ideas she’d listed at the bottom. This woman had smart business sense—unlike her father. Perhaps business was her forte after all. His respect for her kicked up a notch.
With ideas like the ones listed on the paper, Lani Kaimana could be the most prestigious resort in the world. The ideas had to be Sam’s. Stanley couldn’t come up with something this good, this fresh and new.
If old man Donovan listened to Sam, this resort would be absolutely packed. Brady only wished he had someone as talented and passionate about her work in his corner.
A brilliant idea popped into his head and he nearly jumped out of his seat with excitement.
He needed to get Samantha Donovan on his team.
But first, he had to gain back the resort.
God, if all his plans fell into place—and in the order he intended—not only would he have his property back, he’d have Samantha as a major asset to his company.
“Looking for something?”
Brady jerked, his gaze locking with Sam’s. The muscle in her jaw clenched as she stood leaning against her doorway, arms crossed over her chest. He’d been so absorbed in her proposal, he hadn’t heard her come in.
Brady cleared his throat. “You.”
She made her way toward her desk, coming to stand beside him. “If you’re done snooping through my business, I have work to do.”
In no hurry to leave, Brady leaned back in the creaky, leather chair. “I won’t use much of your time. First of all I wanted to make sure you were all right. I was worried the other night.”
“I’m fine. Thank you.”
“Good. Second—” he pointed to her paperwork “—that’s some pretty impressive stuff. Are you planning on a major overhaul of this resort?”
Sam let out a short, clipped laugh. “If I had my say.”
He came to his feet, ready to lay his own proposal on the line. “So, those plans aren’t set into motion?”
“I wish.”
“What I saw impressed me,” he told her, trying to smooth out his path.
He couldn’t have her doubting his trust and presence now. He’d come too far and had too much to lose.
“Really?” Her tone softened as she leaned a hip against the desk. “Why is that?”
“I own a real estate company with my brother and we specialize in renovating resorts and businesses. You really know what you’re talking about here.”
Her eyes darted to the open file. “Thank you.”
“I’m serious,” he reiterated. “You’ve got good business sense.”
“I appreciate that, even though you were snooping.”
She placed a hand on the desk and leaned her body onto it, drawing his attention to her simple, white button-up shirt as it drew across her breasts. Her attention, however, was on the file.
He redirected his attention. “Your figures are impressive.”
Sam’s mouth quirked up as her eyes darted to his. “I know what you think of my figure. Now, I have to get back to work if you’re done chatting about useless ideas.”
Brady resisted the urge to kiss her again. “First of all, I meant the figures here.” He pointed down to the file he’d been caught reading. “Second, these are hardly useless.”
“My father disagrees.”
Brady placed his hands on her shoulders. “Then we’ll make him understand.”
Samantha’s brows drew together. “I barely know you. Why would you offer such a thing?”
“Listen to me before you make up your mind.” His heart beat so fast he feared she’d hear the thumping. “This resort has more potential, and from the look of your proposal, you know it, too. I have properties I’m acquiring that I could use input on from someone with such verve for renovating.”
Her eyes roamed over his face. “I appreciate your enthusiasm in my work, but I still don’t understand why you’d want to do this. Aren’t you here to work yourself?”
Her unsureness didn’t faze him. He had an agenda and he would see it through.
“I overheard your conversation with your father,” Brady told her. “I know he doesn’t appreciate you or your ideas. I see what you have to offer and it shouldn’t be wasted.”
She shook her head and glanced away. “This isn’t a good idea. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to work.”
Brady nodded and exited her office. He’d let her chew on the suggestion he’d planted in her head and see how she felt once she calmed down.
And once he let Cade in on his plan, there would be no way Sam could refuse the two Stone boys.
Sam studied her proposal, warmed at the thought someone took her seriously. But she wasn’t giving up on her father. If she gave up on her dream for this resort, she’d regret it.
Just like she regretted ever talking to Brady Stone. He’d planted an idea in her head and she wished she could erase the tempting thought from her memory.
Could she trust a virtual stranger to help her rejuvenate this resort? Heaven knows he’d done wonders in reviving her once-buried sexual urges.
But this was business, and she had to keep her personal emotions locked away.
Running this resort was her one—and probably only—chance to prove herself to her father. If, and that was a big if, she let Brady in and confided in him, what would stop him from using her weakness to open a greater resort right next door? Kauai was a growing island and the last thing she needed was another competitor.
Sam laughed. Obviously her father’s cynicism had rubbed off on her. Her gut told her to trust Brady. Besides, at this point, she needed someone in her corner.
Sam took a seat at her desk, picked up her phone and dialed her brother’s office line. His secretary put the call through immediately.
“Sam.” Miles’s low, silky voice came through the phone. “What’s up?”
“Has Dad talked to you about the resort?” she asked.
“I know he’s upset.”
Miles paused, just enough to arouse Sam’s curiosity. “About?”
“Ask Dad.”
Sam eased back in her seat, tucking the phone between her shoulder and her ear. “I’m
asking you.”
He sighed. “It’s not my place to say.”
Frustration flooded through her. “The more you and Dad keep me out of the loop, the more damage you’re doing to the company. Communication is the key to running a good business.”
Miles laughed. “Sounds like you need to take your argument to the top, little sister.”
“I’m an equal here,” she told him. “I need to know what’s going on that you’re not telling me.”
“All right. Dad is concerned that if the numbers don’t go up he’ll have to bring someone else in as manager or, as a last resort, he’ll have to sell. He’s giving you six more months.”
Shock and disbelief settled into her chest. “What?”
“Now you see why Dad was so insistent on you turning the place around,” Miles explained.
“How could the two of you keep something this vital from me?” she demanded, gripping the phone.
“It wasn’t my idea.”
Without saying goodbye, Sam hung up on her brother, more upset now than she’d been before.
With her blood pressure rising, she punched in the number to her father’s office. He answered on the second ring.
“Samantha, I’m very busy. Can this wait?”
Obviously he’d looked at his caller ID, so why did he even answer?
“No, it can’t.” For once he would listen to her, and she would come before his precious company.
“Make it fast.”
Sam crossed her legs, rocked back in her leather chair. “Why the hell wasn’t I informed that I’ve been working on a probationary period?”
“I didn’t feel it necessary to inform you.”
Sam gripped her padded armrest. “Miles knows.”
Her father sighed. “Sam, let it drop. You just take care of my resort.”
Blood pulsed through her head. Her teeth clenched.
“Fine,” she told him. “I’ll take care of everything on my end.”
Once she’d hung up the phone, Sam forced herself to breathe in slowly and exhale the same way. She needed to calm down and think before making any rash decisions.
She’d tried. Nearly all her life she’d tried to gain her father’s respect. As an adult she’d practically begged him to earn a place in his company. Now she saw what he was really doing. As if she were a child, he seemed to just pat her on the head and humor her, giving her small jobs to keep her out of his hair—and even that was temporary.
Well, no more. She was more than ready to be appreciated, more than ready to be taken seriously as a businesswoman.
She wasn’t sure what step to take next, but she knew one thing, she was done being pushed around by her father and her brother. Controlling men were officially a thing of her past. From here on out if they didn’t see her for the talented career woman she’d become, she would do what she wanted, what was best for her. Risky decisions may come back to haunt her, but she had to do something drastic—or at least consider her options.
And if her father and Miles didn’t appreciate her, she knew of someone who would make them.
Seven
Brady had just folded his last pair of khakis and placed them in his suitcase when someone knocked on his suite door.
Who could that be? He hadn’t called down for the bellboy yet.
He opened his door and smiled at Sam.
She clasped her hands together. “I’d like to talk, if you have a minute.”
He motioned her in. “Please.”
She stepped in, bringing her soft, jasmine scent with her. Brady inhaled one good, deep breath. Enough to fill his lungs with the sweet aroma of Sam and just enough to entice him even more.
He closed the door and turned. “Is something wrong?”
“Depends.”
Sam’s gaze darted about, her teeth worried her bottom lip. She was nervous about something, and he should be glad. But instead he was concerned.
He gestured toward the sofa. “Have a seat.”
Sam glanced across the room toward the bed, noticing the almost-packed suitcase. “Are you leaving?”
“I need to get back to the office for a meeting with my attorney. I was hoping to see you before I left.”
She took a seat on the couch and crossed her elegant, bare legs, allowing her pale blue skirt to inch up just that much more on her tan thigh. Brady swallowed hard and resisted the urge to adjust in his seat.
“Well, then, I’m glad I caught you before you left.” She rested her elbow on the arm of the sofa, clasped her hands together and tilted her chin. “I’ve been thinking about your proposition.”
Did he dare hope she’d reconsidered?
“But first I want to know if you were serious when you said you saw more potential with this resort, because this place means everything to me.”
He knew the feeling. Lani Kaimana was his family. It was the backbone of his father’s legacy and the foundation they’d used to build upon. The Stone’s literally made this place, and he would not see his bitter enemy destroy it over bad business decisions.
From this angle of attack, using Sam and her ideas, he could not only have the resort updated, but he’d be doing it all at the cost of Stanley Donovan.
Priceless. Absolutely priceless.
Her questioning eyes held his gaze, so he answered honestly. “Absolutely. I never lie about business.”
She cleared her throat. “In that case, I’d like to discuss working with you on some plans. That is, if you’d planned on coming back.”
Brady couldn’t stop his mouth from dropping open. He’d never guessed she’d actually come to him. Oh, sure, he’d hoped, but what made her change her mind in such a short amount of time?
“May I ask why the sudden change?” Now he did shift closer to the edge of his seat—every fiber of his being was aroused. “Last we talked you weren’t even considering the notion.”
“Let’s just say I had a rude awakening. I’m not committing to anything, but I’d like to discuss how you intend to help me.”
Oh, he intended to help her. He had to stay in control of this situation and use it to the advantage of his company.
The thrill of being one step closer to destroying the Donovans rushed through him.
He reached out, brushed her hair from her shoulder. “Perhaps when I get back we can have dinner and discuss my plans.”
“A business date?” she asked.
“We’ll start there.”
With a laugh, she came to her feet. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Perhaps my coming here was a mistake.”
Brady stood, as well, and, just as Sam turned, grabbed her arm. He couldn’t let her leave, not when he was so close to getting what he wanted—and he wanted her. In his business. In his bed.
Her eyes met his, and he couldn’t ignore the spark of desire. It practically radiated from her baby blues, from the heat in her body beneath his touch. This woman wasn’t getting away so easily.
“Nothing about you being here with me is a mistake,” he whispered. “Nothing.”
Common sense went straight to hell as he lowered his mouth to hers, all the while keeping his gaze locked. He waited for a sign, something to make him stop. But when she parted her lips and fluttered her lids, he knew he’d received a sign…just not the one he’d expected.
His lips touched hers and a flood of emotions took over. Desire, passion, want. Need.
The sweetness she offered with only her mouth made his knees weak.
He’d never gotten weak knees over a woman before.
Opening her lips, she welcomed him in. His tongue swept through and, other than his hand on her upper arm, they remained apart.
But, God, he wanted to grab her and drag her down to the sofa. How easy this would be to have her clothes off and satisfied.
He knew she wanted this as much as he did, so why wasn’t he taking what he’d wanted since he met her?
Because a woman like Samantha should be handled with care. Obviously something
she wasn’t used to. He intended to show her a different side of himself—one she wouldn’t expect. One that would be impossible to dismiss.
Seduction was key in reaching his goal. He could tell Sam was the type who pretended not to need anyone, but deep down, she wanted the affection, the love.
Brady kissed the corners of her mouth and eased back.
“That’s why we would have a hard time working together on this,” she murmured, lifting her lids.
Her swollen mouth only looked more inviting, especially now that he’d tasted her again. “Because we can’t contain our attraction?”
She nodded, her eyes darting back to his lips.
He stroked his thumb along her arm. “I don’t see why we can’t keep business separate from pleasure.”
“What happens when we decide we’ve had enough of each other?” she asked. “Does your offer to help cease?”
Enough of each other? Since he hadn’t had her yet, he couldn’t imagine getting enough of the lovely Sam Donovan.
“You make it sound as if we’re already sleeping together.”
She shrugged. “Are you saying we wouldn’t if we continued to see each other on any level?”
Brady swallowed the lump in his throat. “You do really speak your mind, don’t you?”
“Are we or aren’t we sexually attracted to each other?”
“We are.”
Her heavy-lidded eyes roamed over his face. “I assumed sex is what you wanted from me.”
Why did that sentence sound so, so…dirty? Even though he did want to sleep with her, why did he feel like he was cheating her, and himself, of something more?
“I won’t lie. The thought of you naked in my bed is more than appealing.”
She smiled. “This is all moving a bit fast for me. I mean, I didn’t even know you a few days ago and now you want me to trust you with my business and my body. I keep asking myself what you’ll get out of all this.”
Brady wasn’t surprised at her hesitation. This was a woman who would make a man beg and not even realize he’s doing it. Damn if he didn’t wish they’d met under different circumstances.
Seducing the Enemy's Daughter Page 5