by Lori King
When she landed on the island there was a sleek town car waiting for her. The driver had loaded her enormous suitcase into the trunk but had given her a weird look when she refused to part with her duffle bag. No one touched her go-bag but her. It contained everything she’d need to survive on her own for weeks. Hell, she could even wage a small war with the contents in her bag.
To the driver’s consternation, instead of getting in the backseat, Trinity had climbed into the passenger seat with him in front. At first he had been guarded, but Trinity’s natural charisma and innate charm had him loosening up in no time. The driver turned out to be quite nice and had given her a little background about the island and its locals on the ride to the hotel. He nearly shocked the shit out of her when he told her the island catered to alternate partnerships and ménage relationships, but Trinity recovered quickly, intrigued by the setup. She’d grinned at the thought of the naughty fun she was going to have and silently thanked her friend for coercing her to come on the trip.
The Palace Resort and Spa was a truly extraordinary sight. They had driven up to the resort on a deserted road lined with the rain forest on either side until the striking structure came into view. Rising over the treetops with the sea at its back, the resort reminded Trinity of Aladdin’s palace with a contemporary twist. There were several towers that held the VIP suites, and even though it was one of the smaller hotels in the Palace chain, the main building hosted an impressive number of rooms.
At the hotel she’d been able to bypass the tedium of checking in, being immediately led up to the owner’s suite on the top floor by a manager that had been waiting for her arrival. She absently wished that Julian hadn’t informed everyone she was coming, but it did make things go more smoothly.
The owner’s suite was magnificent.
Unique in its design, there was only one VIP suite per floor in the tower and each had a 360 degree view of the island. More like a self-sufficient condo than a hotel room, there was a large, open living room with a full kitchen and two bedrooms on opposite sides of the suite in a split arrangement. It was almost shameful that she would be the only one staying there since it was so big, but she wasn’t complaining.
With its lavish furnishings, quiet elegance, and wide windows that overlooked the sea and the bay to the north, it wouldn’t be difficult to spend a few weeks enjoying herself here. Although she loved it all, her favorite part of the suite was its large balcony with a patio table and its very own lap pool. She could just imagine sitting on the deck having a big-ass glass of wine as she watched the sunset over the water.
Wanting to get the work part of her vacation started so she could get it over and done with, Trinity unpacked quickly then left the resort, heading over to take a closer look at the construction site next door. She’d been pleasantly surprised when the valet handed over a set of car keys to a sleek little silver convertible when she came back down to the main entrance. Sending warm thoughts to her friends when she was told that Julian had arranged for the rental to be at her disposal for the duration of her stay, she got in and headed the short distance to the construction site.
The Palace Resort and Spa sat on a large plot of land, which was cleverly used to host a variety of activities, including two pools, tennis courts, and a beautiful golf course located south of the building. The new expansion plans included building a sister site on the plot of land just north of the existing location, nestled into the bay on the western side of the island.
Surprisingly, the lot was almost empty of workers, giving Trinity the time and space needed to look around. She’d parked and got out, glad she had thought to change into hiking boots to go with her jeans and simple white shirt before she’d left her room. From a brief glance at the progress, she had instantly known that the project was way off the mark. What should have been a solid foundation of the building’s structure was no more than a skeleton of concrete and wood. With a shake of her head she had worked her way carefully around the structure, wanting to get a better view of the entire site.
A man had called out to her, startling her enough to reach for the grip of the Sig Sauer hidden in the waistband of her jeans. She’d paused when she saw the security logo on his shirt and greeted him with a smile instead of a face full of Glock.
“Hi,” she’d greeted him.
The security guard frowned at her. “Ma’am. You’re trespassing. You need to leave.”
“Actually, I’m a friend of Julian King’s, one of the owners of this place. He said I could come by and check out the new project since I’m visiting the island.” Trinity had lied, not wanting anyone to know exactly what she was doing there just yet. She’d shot him what she hoped was a look of innocent concern. “It doesn’t look like much yet, though. I thought it would be further along by now.”
Trinity had noted the security guard fidgeted at that.
“There’ve been some slight delays. I’m sorry, but I’m still going to have to ask you to leave. It isn’t safe for you to go walking around here. I wouldn’t want you to get hurt.”
“No problem, Billy,” Trinity had said, flashing him another smile as she peeked at the badge attached to his pocket. She’d gotten back in her car with a friendly wave, planning to go back and see things closer after she got a better look at the records.
Hunger pains distracted her. Deciding to take the scenic route into town, she’d headed north up the western coast, knowing from her study of the island that the road would branch and take her straight into town before she hit the private villas on this side of the island.
It wasn’t more than ten minutes into her drive that she’d noticed a black jeep coming up behind her on the empty road. Fast. Too Fast. Instincts kicked in gear as she noted the mud-splattered window that obscured her view of the driver and also hid the license plate of the approaching vehicle. On the chance that she was just being paranoid she slowed her car, allowing him to pass her, and in doing so saved her life.
As she slowed, the jeep surged forward, slamming into the back of her car. Cursing at the hard jolt, Trinity used every bit of skill and experience she’d learned to keep control of the car. She pulsed her foot on the brake instead of slamming down on it, swerving slightly to slow down further. The jeep rammed her again, this time throwing her into a spin.
“Son of a bitch!”
Someone really was trying to fucking kill her!
Trinity jerked hard on the wheel, trying to counter the move. Her heart nearly stopped for a moment as the car slammed into the guardrail, the only thing protecting her from going over the cliff. Moving fast, she jumped out of the car and pulled her Sig, training it on the jeep as it quickly turned around and sped down the road. She didn’t hesitate and fired repeatedly at the rapidly departing vehicle.
Cursing again, the loud pounding of her heartbeat was joined by the low throb of a motorcycle engine coming from the same direction the jeep had fled. On guard, she turned and pointed her gun at the individual on the bike as he pulled over and parked a few feet away. Her breath hissed out for a very different reason as she got her first good look at the newcomer’s face.
Around six three and built like a golden god, the man was wickedly good looking. Built like a prized fighter, he was packing some serious muscle and had a fierce aura about him that all but screamed cop! He had an almost shaved head that only showed a hint of dark hair that matched the five o’clock shadow covering his chiseled jaw. Intense green eyes seared into hers as the man pulled his own weapon, approaching her slowly.
“SPPD, put your weapon down.”
Damn, she was good. She’d called it right. Trinity cocked her head to the side, intrigued by the easy command in his deep voice. Never one to pass up an opportunity to poke at authority, she couldn’t help it. “Badge me.”
He froze. “What?”
Trinity grinned. “Badge me, baby, ’cause I ain’t putting this down ’til I see your brass.”
Sunset Point
Hearts and Handcuffs
When Amber Green is offered a new job and a chance to move to a tropical paradise, she says yes and packs her bags, leaving her old life behind. Or so she thinks…
Millionaire Reid Sullivan is a widower who is immediately intrigued by Amber, and offers the beautiful woman a job to work for him as his live-in housekeeper after hearing she needs a place to stay.
Dante DeSoto is a hard-ass detective from Chicago whose investigation leads him to Sunset Point after the sudden death of Amber’s ex-boyfriend. Upon meeting the gentle beauty, he is convinced of Amber’s innocence. Dante decides to stay on the island so that he and Reid can help protect her.
Both men want Amber, but they’re going to have to find a way to share. With old demons and new dangers dogging them every step of the way, the three lovers will have to fight for the happily ever after they long to share.
Genre: Contemporary, Ménage a Trois/Quatre
Length: 53,399 words
Chapter One
Amber Green sat on the front of the bow of the Sunset Point Ferry and breathed in the fresh air of the salty ocean water that sparkled off the glistening sea before her. As Amber sat on the bow, the ferry would often hit a wave, which would cause salt water to splash against her cheek. She didn’t even bother to wipe off the wetness. Instead, she just enjoyed basking in the sunlight.
Amber chose a bench against the railing and rested her head as she closed her eyes in complete contentment. The ferry was the main transportation for Sunset Point for everyone and everything, coming and going. She couldn’t believe how clean and fresh the salt water smelled or how crystal clear the blue water was. She knew for a fact that she wasn’t in Chicago anymore just by the peacefulness and the tranquility of the sea. There was something in the air she noticed as the ferry embarked closer to Sunset Point that seemed so refreshing and exotic. Everything about this experience to Amber was exciting and exhilarating. She was never more thrilled to start a fresh new beginning than once she arrived at Sunset Point Island. This was the beginning of Amber Green’s first chapter of her new life.
As she sat on the bench of the ferry, Amber rested her eyes and thought back to the reason that had caused her to head to Sunset Point in search of a new life.
Amber thought back to what seemed like just hours ago, when she had been fired from her job at the beauty salon where she worked part-time. Her boss, Patrice, had informed her that her services were no longer needed and she was relieved of her job as a hairdresser. Patrice, the ball-busting witch she worked for, had told her she was tired of the constant phone calls throughout the day from her boyfriend Charlie. She also was tired of Charlie coming into the salon harassing Amber for her tips she had made for the day so he could go drinking with his buddies at the local bar. Patrice told her that it wasn’t good for her business having her boyfriend harassing her at work all the time and she was making a business decision by firing her. Amber was actually thrilled to no longer be working for Patrice. The woman was rude and never gave Amber any decent comments when it came to her clients’ hairstyles. Amber knew she was a good stylist and tended to ignore her snarky remarks. She was constantly putting her down in front of her clients.
Good riddance.
Amber had gone home to an empty apartment that day. Charlie was most likely drinking with his buddies somewhere in a bar. That was when she came up with the idea. Enough was enough. Amber needed a change, and with her being fired today this couldn’t have come at a better time. She went to her bedroom and grabbed everything she owned, which all fit into a suitcase, and the rest went into a large carrying bag. She was just about to walk out of the bedroom when she realized she forgot to grab her favorite toys. Lately she had been using her B.O.B. more frequently since Charlie was rarely home. Sex was just okay between her and Charlie. He never wanted to try anything new. It was the same thing every time, never a thrill for either of them. Charlie got his rocks off and left her to bring herself to orgasm with her own hand or battery-operated boyfriend.
Amber opened her nightstand and grabbed her pink butt plug and favorite purple silicon vibrator. After shoving them into the side pocket of her suitcase, she then walked out of the apartment and headed for the nearest cheap motel until she had a chance to call her one true friend, Trinity.
Trinity Cross was like a sister to Amber. They were raised in the same foster home until Trinity was adopted at thirteen. Today she had a successful job working for Mac Securities. Amber had always thought that Trinity was beautiful. She had light-brown hair, hazel eyes, and an awesome body. One that Amber would kill for.
Amber decided on the cheapest motel she knew that was within walking distance. She needed to save every penny she had from now on since she no longer had a job. Once Amber checked in to the cockroach-infested dump, she sat on the dirty God-only-knows-what’s-on-this bedspread and picked up her cell and dialed Trinity’s number.
“Hey, sweetie,” Trinity said as she answered the phone. “I’ve been meaning to call you. I’m gonna have to cancel my appointment with you next week.”
“Oh, umm, that’s fine. Listen, Trinity…I’m in a little trouble.”
“What did that bastard do now? Are you okay?” Trinity asked.
“I’m leaving Charlie,” Amber said.
“Hell yes! About damn time!” Trinity exclaimed. “I’m toasting his ass good-bye right now.”
Amber let out a weak laugh. “I know you never liked him…and I guess you were right. I just saw it too late. He…he got me fired today.”
Trinity gasped. “What? That’s bullshit. You’re one of the best fucking hairdressers at that place!”
“Thanks. Charlie was calling me on my cell, but I was with a client so I didn’t answer. Then he started calling the main line, demanding to speak to me, and well, you know how my manager is…”
“You mean the queen bitch of the world, Patrice?”
“Yeah, her. Anyways, she told me that she couldn’t have people thinking they could get personal calls at the main desk, so she fired me. When I got home Charlie wasn’t there, so I packed my stuff up and left. Oh, god. Trinity, I lost my job. What am I going to do? I don’t even care about Charlie. How sad is that?”
“Fuck him. Don’t worry, sweetie. Everything is going to be fine.”
“Do you think I could stay with you for a few days? I just need to figure out what I’m going to do. I was thinking maybe I should move, start somewhere fresh—”
“Oh my god, this is perfect! Come here! Hold on one sec—” Amber could hear Trinity talking to someone in the background. “Hey, Max. You can get my friend Amber a job as a hairstylist in the spa, right?”
“Ah, I suppose so. But what are her credentials?” she heard the man say. .
“She does my hair.” Amber heard her friend snap.
“Well, then. She’s hired,” said the man.
Amber grinned to herself. Trinity had always been a take-no-shit-from-anyone gal. “Amber? I’m on an island off the coast of Florida called Sunset Point. It would be perfect for you! I got you a job at the Palace Resort and Spa.”
“Holy crap! How in the world did you do that?”
“I’m sitting with the owner right now. Where are you right now?”
Amber paused on the phone. “I found a hotel close by my old place—”
“Which is probably a shithole.” Trinity cut her off. “Listen, this is what we’re going to do. I want you to text me the name and room number of your hotel. Stay there until a guy named Moretti comes to get you. He’ll take you over to my apartment for the night then have someone drive you to O’Hare airport tomorrow, where you’ll catch a flight to Florida. You’ll have to take the ferry over to the island.”
“Wait, wait! Trinity, I can’t afford to—”
“Sure you can. Your ticket will be waiting for you at the airport. All you need is some money for the ferry. Do you have enough for that?”
“Well, yes. But I—”
“Good. Once you’re here I’ll either pick you up or
have a car sent to get you. Promise me you won’t open the door to anyone but Moretti.”
Amber let out an aggravated sigh. “Trinity, you’re like a bulldozer.”
Trinity laughed. “And that surprises you? Amber, promise me.”
“I promise.”
“Good. Now pack up your shit and get moving, girl. Welcome to your new life. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
The ferry horn blew and brought her back to reality. Amber sat up in the bench she was seated in and looked at the beautiful, exotic island that she would now call home. As she looked at the tropical paradise before her, she could see the white sandy beach that was surrounded by crystal-blue water.
Amber looked over her shoulder as she saw other tourists taking pictures of the two dolphins that were diving in the water beside the ferry. She couldn’t wait to dig her toes in the sand and step into the cool ocean water.
Amber noticed as the ferry ventured closer to the docks that there were numerous ski boats, fishing vessels, and a few boats that could have been yachts. Sunset Point was a striking and colorful island. There were large trees strategically placed around the grounds surrounding large colorful bushes, and planters were sprinkled as far as she could see. As the ferry grew closer to the island of Sunset Point, Amber could smell the faint aroma of the tropical flowers that fermented the salty clear-blue skies.
As soon as they permitted her, Amber picked up the only suitcase she had with her and her large bag that contained the rest of her belongings. Everything she owned was in these two bags. Amber exited the ferry with all the other patrons as they made their way toward the island.
At the end of the dock there was a man holding a sign with her name on it. Amber walked toward him.
“Excuse me, sir. I am Amber Green.”