Sexy Bachelor

by Maggie Monroe

  I peeled back the seal. It was all here. The Davenport Corporation had a completed application to develop Conch Cove. I read through the description of the proposed project. They wanted to build a resort. Impressive.

  I pulled my phone out to take a few pictures of the pages so I could read through the details later.

  “What’s this for?” the intern asked.

  I tucked the papers inside the envelope and placed it back on his desk. “A business article I’m writing.”

  “Cool.” He bobbed his head. “I’m Doug.”

  “Thanks for your help, Doug.” Finally, I had a story to break for Christine.

  The intern reached on the floor and revealed five more packets just like the one I had read. “These came in first, though.”

  Shit. So much for the scoop on who had won the auction. Apparently, they all had their proposals submitted in case they won. Or at least they were all as confident as Blake Davenport that they would outbid the other.

  I shuffled through each package, jotting down the relevant information on my pad. I knew most of the names, and there were two I assumed were shell companies. No surprises or breaking news here.

  I meekly handed back the last envelop. “Any more?”

  “Nah. That’s all I have.”

  “Well, thanks again.” I turned to leave, but stopped at the door. “If anything else comes in will you give me a call or text me?” I flipped one of my business cards on his desk.

  “Like what?” He turned it over between his fingers.

  “I don’t know. If you see something interesting. Another application for the Conch Cove land. Just anything. Ok?”

  He smiled. “Sure. And now I’ve got your number.”

  I sighed. “That’s not what I meant.”

  He rocked back in his chair, and for a second I thought he might bounce onto the floor.

  “Gotcha covered, girl.”

  “Awesome. Thanks.” I darted out of the office before he misinterpreted everything else I said. He may not be a reliable source, but if another application came in today there was a good chance he would let me know, assuming he could identify what he was reading.

  I had another stop I wanted to make before I started writing my article. I checked the directory in the lobby and found Commissioner Fernandez’s office. She was a known environmentalist.

  I tapped on the door. She was hunched over a map in the corner of her office.

  “Come on in.” She didn’t look up.

  “Commissioner, we met at the last council meeting. I’m Alyson Covington.”

  She stood upright and turned to smile. “Nice to see you again. What can I do for you?”

  “I’m here reporting on the Conch Cove development. I was wondering what the council’s position is on developing that end of the island. Would you like to make a statement?”

  There was a pen lodged above her ear. “I wasn’t aware there were any applications.”

  “The Davenport Corporation submitted one for a resort and—”

  “A resort?”

  I nodded. “Yes. What is your stance on a resort at that end of the island?” I would go through the list of proposals. There was a golf course and an amusement park in the stack too.

  “I’m afraid I need to pull together some information before I make any kind of statement on that tract of land.”

  “But, how would you vote for the resort?”

  “Excuse me.” She hustled past me in the small space and opened the top drawer on her desk. “I need to work.” It sounded as if she was whispering to herself.

  “Would you like to comment on the zoning issues?” I asked. I needed a quote. Something. Anything. I couldn’t write a story on six applications that hadn’t even crossed over the intern’s desk yet.

  “I will release a statement after I have had a chance to review the information. I work within the confines of facts. I need facts.”

  Did she realize she was speaking to a journalist? I placed my card on the corner of her desk. “Here is my contact information.”

  “You will receive a copy along with the rest of the press. I don’t play favorites, Miss Covington.”

  “I wasn’t suggesting that, Commissioner.” Great, I had offended her. I debated slipping the card off the desk and into my bag. “Thank you for your time.”

  I ducked out of her office while she frantically worked on the tip I had given her.

  I was spinning my wheels. Nothing panned out. I made a few calls from my car to the companies who had submitted applications. No one would comment on whether they had won the auction.

  It was three o’clock. With only two hours until deadline I was screwed.

  Chapter Five

  Blake

  I walked into Buddy’s after six. Lea said she and Caleb would be on the terrace. The bar where the locals gathered after work had grown on me, kind of like the rest of the island.

  Paul had called on my way over. The Davenport Corporation bid had been accepted. Ruth must have been a shark at the table. My instincts were right to send her in. We outbid the competition without going over our budget. Our application was in with development services. I couldn’t think of a better time to have a few beers to celebrate.

  “Look what the cat drug in,” Buddy taunted me. Like the rest of the locals here they had started to accept I was a part of the Padre landscape. The Escapewas reason enough for me to travel to town.

  “Funny stuff.” I tapped the bar. “Lea and Caleb here?” I asked the bartender.

  “Yep. They’re out there.” He pointed to the sound side of the bar as he tossed a towel over his shoulder.

  “Thanks, man.”

  I strolled toward the sundeck.

  “You made it.” Lea jumped from her seat and hugged me.

  “I’m always up for a beer.” I smiled at her.

  Caleb was sitting at the table. “How’s it going?” he asked.

  I sat across from him. “Good. How about you?”

  “Good.”

  Lea started to laugh. “Wow. You two really know how to have a conversation.”

  “Darlin’ we’re both here. That should be good enough.” Caleb squeezed her hand, and she smiled.

  “It is.” She hadn’t taken her eyes off him.

  I cleared my throat. “So tell me what’s going on at the Escape. Are you ready for me to move my stuff out? Do you have a buyer for that end unit? I hope you’re asking top dollar with that view. Best damn view on the beach.”

  Lea shook her head. “No. We are not talking about work. No talk about the Escape. I don’t even want to hear about your latest conquest. This is drinks and dinner only.” She looked at both of us sternly.

  I expected Caleb to mutter something under his breath like he usually did, but he didn’t argue. Maybe he had learned when to accept defeat.

  “All right. Tell me about the wedding. How’s it going?” I asked.

  Caleb looked at me. “You realize you have opened Pandora’s box?”

  I laughed. “I just want to make the girl happy.”

  “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He tipped a cold bottle to his lips.

  Lea handed a beer to me out of the bucket on the table. It was icy. “Can you believe the wedding is in three months? Three months,” she repeated.

  “No, seems quick,” I replied.

  She spoke hurriedly as if she expected Caleb to argue with me. She wasn’t completely off-base. We argued a lot. It was hard not to with our history.

  “Ever since January it seems like all we’ve done is wedding planning. Madison has been amazing since she and Cody just did this a year ago, but still, I wasn’t really sure what I was doing.”

  “I’m sure it will be great. I’m looking forward to seeing North Carolina again.”

  “What about Holly?” Lea slowed her words. “Are you excited to see her?”

  “We always had a good time together. It will be good to see her.” Lea couldn’t help that they were best friends, bu
t this line of questioning was transparent.

  “And that’s it, Blake?” she pressed.

  “That’s it. I’ve moved on. I’m sure she has to.”

  Lea crossed her arms. “Of course she’s moved on. Why wouldn’t she move on? But the question is who have you moved on with? Someone in Dallas?”

  I took a sip.

  Caleb interrupted. “I’m going to go ask Buddy something. I’ll be right back.” He pecked her on the cheek and walked inside the bar.

  “So? Who is she?” Lea leaned forward, her eyes lighting.

  “I didn’t say there was one girl.”

  She slapped my arm. “You’re such a jerk. Hooking up with a bunch of different women doesn’t count as moving on.”

  “It does for me.” I raised my eyebrows and smiled, knowing she was about to slap me again.

  “I don’t get why you and Holly broke up. Christmas was fun wasn’t it?”

  I sat my empty bottle on the edge of the table and reached in the bucket for a second round. “Sweetheart, Holly is a great girl, but it wasn’t going to last. She wants what you and Caleb have, and it wasn’t fair to her to drag it out. I was trying to do the right thing.” I twisted the top off the beer and tossed it on the table. “I couldn’t lead her on.”

  Lea huffed. “But the wedding is going to be awkward for you. She’s my maid of honor. And you’re standing up with Caleb. Wait.” Her eyes filled with panic. “You’re still standing up with Caleb aren’t you?”

  I placed my hand on top of hers. “Yes. Yes. I wouldn’t back out of that. I promise I won’t make it awkward with Holly. I’m a drama-free kind of guy, right?”

  She finally smiled. “You are. If you could patch up things with Caleb I guess I shouldn’t worry.”

  “That’s right. If we could go from trying to rip each other’s throats out to drinking beer at Buddy’s, you should have a little faith in me. I can handle Holly. Any woman for that matter.”

  I thought about where Caleb and I had been a year ago. I had walked into the Dune Escape office ready to tear it from his hands and demolish it into a pit of rubble. I had sued him for complete ownership of the motel. It wasn’t the best family introduction, but it was the only one I knew.

  My father had betrayed both of us. He may have kept me hidden as the family’s dirty secret, but I had emerged on top.

  I looked up from the table. Lea was watching me.

  “I get Holly’s not the girl for you, so tell me your type.” She leaned on her elbows.

  “Why? So you can set me up with one of these island girls? One of Madison’s friends?” I shook my head. “Not interested.”

  “You like blondes or brunettes better? Athletic? Smart? Oh, what about someone in the business world? You could hash out business negotiations together. That sounds like you,” she teased. “Late night spreadsheets. So hot.”

  I shook my head. “That is definitely not happening.”

  “Then who? Who are you looking for?” The smile dropped from her face.

  “All I’m interested in is a little fun. I have enough to keep me busy.”

  “Come on, Blake. You are working yourself to death. Driving between here and Dallas, flying all over the place. You need someone in your life. You need more than fun. You need a girl.”

  “What I need right now is for this project to go through.” I looked around for Caleb. He might be the only who could save me from her inquisition.

  “Conch Cove?”

  “The one and only. It’s my next project. The deal was accepted before I walked in here. Now I have to get through the red tape.”

  “I guess the good part is that we’ll be seeing more of you. I know you’ll stay close by if the deal is that big.”

  “You don’t give up do you?”

  “No. You are the only family Caleb has. And even if it’s unconventional, I think you two need each other.”

  “I’d say it’s unconventional. I’m his uncle, and we’re the same age.”

  She pulled another beer from the ice. “Family is family and neither of you are responsible for the choices your parents made. What matters is you know you’re family. That’s not going to change. I think spending time together is a good thing for both of you.”

  “Then why is my nephew spending all his time in there while we’re out here?” I turned to see what was taking Caleb so long.

  I spotted Caleb.

  “Damn it,” I whispered. “She’s as bad as you are.”

  “Who is that?” Lea was staring at Caleb and the gorgeous brunette standing next to him.

  “That is a problem.” I took a swig of beer and stood from the table. “I’ll be right back.”

  I left Lea sitting at the table and walked toward the bar where Caleb was talking to Alyson Covington.

  “Miss Covington, third time today?”

  Caleb took a step back, shoving his hands in his pocket. “I was explaining to your friend here that I’m not a part of your business or company.”

  I patted Caleb on the shoulder. “Thanks. I can handle this. I’ll be back out there in a minute.”

  Caleb took the hint and rejoined Lea at the table.

  I faced the reporter who had been hounding me all day. “I think this may qualify as grounds for a restraining order.”

  Her face turned a shade of white. “I’m not stalking you. I’m trying to do my job.”

  I chuckled. “Are you sure about that?”

  “I did some more research and found an article from the spring about your condo conversion at the Dune Escape and thought I’d talk to Caleb Davenport, who I discovered is also your nephew? That is crazy confusing. But true?”

  I crossed my arms. “My family is off limits. Stories about my family are off limits. Caleb doesn’t work for Davenport Corporation.”

  “But he’s one of your business partners, right?” she asked. “I have the right to ask him questions about your business relationship.”

  I grabbed her upper arm and moved her closer to the door. Buddy was watching us.

  “Ouch. What are you doing?” she squeaked.

  I lowered my voice. “For the last time. I do not grant interviews. My family life is not your concern.”

  I expected her to turn for the door, but instead she rose on her toes, her nose almost tapping mine. “I have a right to be here. And I have a right to ask questions. Have you ever heard of the first amendment?”

  I could feel the heat of her breath rush over my cheek. I fought the instinct to kiss her pouty lips. I could wipe that defiant look off her face.

  “I don’t give a shit about the first amendment, Miss Covington.” My pulse quickened. She wasn’t backing down. Her lips, the full ones I had been studying all day, were within inches of mine. Her eyes fired with hints of amber.

  “Then you have no comment on Commissioner Fernandez’s press release?” she taunted.

  “What press release?” I didn’t want to sound surprised.

  This close to her I could study her eyes. Her lashes were long and silky. Her eyes were almost green, but they looked dark under the bar lights. The hazel colors blended together. I swallowed hard, fighting the urge to touch her. She might be even prettier when she was backed into a corner.

  She settled back on her heels. “Commissioner Fernandez released a statement at five o’clock announcing she is going to block any new development on the island. Would you like to respond?”

  Fuck. I inhaled sharply. “I don’t comment on political stories.”

  “Good God. Don’t you comment on anything? You must have an opinion on something. She’s trying to kill the land deal you made today. You have to care about that,” she pushed for a response from me, but she didn’t get the one she wanted.

  “I’ve never lost a deal.” I smiled.

  “What if this is your first?” she prodded.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Your first deal that goes under. Have you thought about the possibility that you may have spent millions th
at you’ll never be able to recoup?”

  God, she was annoying. Sort of like a bee buzzing around my head, needling me for answers; only she diverted my answers with those legs and lips, and the breasts that kept playing peek-a-boo behind the open collar of her shirt.

  “Miss Covington, I don’t make bad deals. I do my research. And if you had done yours you would know that I don’t grant interviews. I’m going to return to my table now, drink a beer, and try to forget this unpleasant exchange. Have a good night.”

  “Wait.” I didn’t expect her to tug on my arm. “One quote. Please. I can’t go back to my editor with nothing. She’s going to fire me.”

  I turned to face her. The determined look was gone and had been replaced with utter hopelessness. She surprised me.

  “Fired?” I questioned.

  She nodded. “I’ve already missed my deadline. This story is going to cost me my job.” She sat in an empty chair. “I know you don’t care with your millions of dollars.” She threw her hands in the air. “But this is my first job. I can’t get fired. I hate it here, but this is home until I move. I mean until I get promoted or picked up for something better. If anyone can understand moving up, it should be you.” She looked at me. “You had a first job once too, didn’t you?”

  I sat next to her, fighting the urge to run my fingers through her hair. This girl was a total mess, but right now she was the most beautiful mess I had ever seen.

  “I never had anything given to me.” The words sounded bitter on my tongue. I was the definition of a man who had pulled himself up from the boot straps. “I worked hard. I still work hard every day.”

  “Maybe the people on the island should know that. That you’re like them—you’ve struggled for what you have. They could relate to someone like you.” She blinked back tears. “Please let me help you tell some of this story.”

  Buddy was no longer watching us. I felt the muscles in my shoulders relax.

  What were the chances I would run into her three times today? And each time I reacted the same way. Thrown off by her body, but even more interested in how she didn’t back down. She challenged me without even thinking about it.

  “Tell me something,” I demanded.

  “What do you want to know?” There was a fire behind her eyes. Her words always quick as if she was able to guess my next move.