The Romance Challenge, Complete Series Box Set: BBW Hot Alpha Billionaire Romance

by Sterling, Arlanna

  "Like we talked about."

  I didn't mean to aggravate her, but I needed to know. She sounded upset, more so than my questions should make her.

  "Are you all right? Really? Tell me what's wrong."

  "I had one of my dreams. Someone was chasing you."

  Ah. A dream. That explained the tight fear in her voice. When she was seven, she began having "weirdies" she called them. Dreams, premonitions, bad feelings. I paid attention, after a while, when her weirdies turned out to be valid. Like when she cried for two hours when she was nine, telling me our neighbor kid was drowning. He damn near did that week, in the municipal swimming pool.

  Then, one day, she told my mom she had a nightmare. Dad kissed another woman who wore a scarf and smelled like roses. Mom slapped her, hard enough I heard it in the other room with the television on. I put frozen peas on Michelle's cheek and held her while she cried. We covered the mark with makeup and Michelle didn't talk about her visions much after that. Only the one other time. When I didn't listen.

  "I'm fine. No one is chasing me. I think you just miss me because I'm gone. Right?"

  "Maybe. Be careful, okay? Promise."

  Oh, sweet Michelle. My heart squeezed.

  "I'm always careful. I'll be extra, I promise. Did you get the pictures I sent? Of that thrift shop I went to?" I heard her breathing, fast and hard. I needed to distract her. "What a bunch of cool stuff! I got you a present."

  "What?"

  "It's a surprise. It will give you something to look forward to." And take her mind off the place I'd asked her to go. "I'll send you pictures, close-up parts of it, and you can guess, okay? I'll tell you if you get it right."

  "Like a puzzle."

  "Exactly. You remember those we used to work? On the card table in the living room."

  "Yeah." Breathing slower now.

  "Listen, I've got to get to work, so I'll talk to you tomorrow, okay? You going to be all right?"

  "Yeah, I will. Okay. Bye."

  Much as I hated to dredge up bad memories, I hoped by mentioning the statue, something might click in her mind, that she would remember Dad giving her more details during one of their afternoons with each other. The two of them spent a lot of time together, watching movies or messing around in his garage out back of the house. She'd sit for hours and help him work on his old cars, handing him tools, wiping up spills. If he'd lived longer, no doubt they'd still be puttering around, building cars.

  I blew out a breath. One more call, to Chuck Taylor. A text, I decided. He must have been out late last night and might not be up yet.

  Thank you so much for your help.

  My phone buzzed an instant after I sent it. Chuck.

  "Go buy yourself a lottery ticket. I am. Last night was my final shift. For good. I'm retiring, going to let the wife drag me around Europe for a while. Finding that statue, a lucky break. Nice way to finish up my time, with Lady Luck on my side."

  "You deserve time off. I'm happy for you. And I know you should have stopped working that case a long time ago. I appreciate you sticking with it."

  "Aw, I poked around a little in my spare time, no big deal. Send me a text, let me know if that's the statue. And if you find out anything else, let me know that too. Max couldn't tell me much about the guy who brought it in. But I told him to call me if he remembers."

  "I'm planning to hire a private detective. Now that I have a lead, kind of. Can you recommend anyone?"

  "Sure can. I'll get a short list together and send you an email before I take off on vacation. Good luck."

  "Thanks again."

  A combination of positive news and great sex put a smile on my face. I leaned back in the chair and stretched my arms over my head. I should go for a swim. I didn't particularly want to socialize, wasn't thrilled about the staff, or anyone seeing me in a swimsuit, and totally didn't want to run into Nathan. Evaluating the small pool area, though, was on my list of things to do. Loosening up my tight muscles would do my body good, so might as well get that chore done, while happy endorphins danced through my system.

  Swimsuit shopping was the absolute worst chore ever, right up there with cleaning the hair out of the shower drain, on my list. But I'd found a great store back home. Small, with helpful sales people. The clerk I worked with took her time and found the perfect suit for me. One-piece, black, with side panels that shaved off ten pounds, and a pattern that hugged my curves just right, accentuating my breasts and hiding the rest. I didn't swim much but was pleased to have this suit when I needed it.

  As I shimmied into the garment, I hummed a song our dad used to sing. An Irish lullaby, he said. Full of good fortune and joy. I would focus on that thought, that feeling of hope building in my heart. Maybe Chuck was right, and Lady Luck really had come for a visit.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Thankfully, the pool wasn't crowded. I swam a few laps without ramming into anyone and I didn't see any resort employees. While I moved through the water, I thought about Nathan. Dinner tonight. Out in public, or so he said. He could easily have changed his mind by now and realize what he'd done. The bright light of day often chased away the crazy magic of a passion-filled night.

  How would he react to me today? I went over several scenarios in my mind, then finally stopped. I couldn't drive myself crazy this way. I'd deal with however he chose to handle the situation.

  Gracefully. I'd deal with it gracefully. While I showered and dressed, I practiced my reaction. Cool and calm when he told me how sorry he was, that going to bed with me was a huge mistake. Or, that he enjoyed our hook-up, but we shouldn't tell anyone. Dinner, sorry, he forgot, he had other plans. I'd smile my professional smile, tell him I understood, and we'd move on. No problem.

  I dressed and headed to the conference room. I beat Nathan there. By the time he arrived, I was busy typing notes.

  "Did you have a good swim?"

  Crap. He saw me at the pool. Though the smile he directed my way looked perfectly innocent, his eyes shone with a wicked light. One that promised naughty activities.

  Not what I rehearsed for.

  I cleared my throat. "I did. It's a nice pool. I've got a few comments I'll send you."

  He put his laptop on the table, opened it up, and sat down next to me. I crossed my legs. Tight. That hint of bay leaf scent greeted me, and moisture formed, drenching my panties. We needed to keep our distance from each other. If I got too close, I'd grab him and throw him down on the floor, right here.

  "I've got a great spot we can try for dinner tonight. Do you like pasta?"

  I scooted away from him, a tiny bit, but enough to bring a frown to his face. "I can't go out to dinner tonight. Now that I have a lead about Michelle's attacker, I've got to work on that."

  "By doing what? You don't even have the statue yet."

  "I can call the owner of the pawn shop, find out if he knows anything about who brought it in." I mentally crossed my fingers for telling a fib. Max wouldn't share any more with me than he'd told Chuck. Once I hired a PI, I could send him to Pawn Castle with enough cash to jog the shop owner's memory.

  "The police can't do that for you?"

  "The police aren't really on the case anymore. My detective pal, Chuck, that was his last night on the job. I'll continue with my plan to hire a private investigator."

  "So the PI can do the work. Probably faster than you."

  I edged further away. "I know how to do research."

  He scooted his chair to follow me. "Yes, you do. You're an excellent researcher. But a PI will have access to records you don't. He or she can come up with more information in less time. Allowing you to concentrate on other things." He ran his fingertip down my arm.

  I pulled away. "I need to do this. Myself. I need to do something. I can't just goof off while there's a chance I can find this guy."

  He sat back in his chair and studied me. Annoyance settled on his face for a moment, then his mouth twisted into a slight grin. "How about this. I'll hire an investigator to get sta
rted, right away, today, if you'll have dinner with me tonight. And after dinner, dessert."

  I clamped my thighs shut tighter. The way he said "dessert" made my pussy clench. He was not talking about apple pie. But I needed to stand firm. I took a deep breath.

  "I know I said I would be fine with a hook-up, and last night was really great. But I don't think I can have casual sex."

  Honestly, I hadn't known what would come flying out of my mouth, since I fully expected Nathan to give me a brush-off again. But as soon as I saw him, felt the way my body responded and how my heart tightened up, I knew.

  Casual with Nathan would not work. The night before with him was too good, too real. I'd only want more and that wouldn't happen. Yeah, we might have fun here. We'd go out to dinner, have drinks, more sex. But when we got back to the real world, it would be a different story. He'd go his way, I'd go mine. And I'd miss him too damn bad.

  "I thought it was great too. And not necessarily a one-night thing. That's why I want to take you to dinner. So we can get to know each other."

  "Nathan, we shouldn't get involved. You said yourself, you don't want employees and their supervisors dating."

  "I said direct supervisors. I'm not your direct supervisor."

  "You're still my boss, and the owner of the company I work for. We need to keep our relationship strictly professional." I turned back to my laptop.

  From the corner of my eye I watched a flicker of anger cross his face. Then he leaned toward me. "What's really going on?" His tone stayed even, but I heard a steel bite beneath the surface.

  "I told you, I have to concentrate on my family life. I have things to do."

  "That isn't logical. I can help you with whatever you need, like I did last night."

  "I didn't ask you to help. I'll pay you back."

  "That's not what I meant." He tapped his finger on the table.

  "Look, last night, it was fun. But it has to be a one-time thing. I'm not the type of girl you're used to. I don't play at romance, and I don't want to get hurt." I held up my hand as he started to talk. "Please, don't argue with me. I've made up my mind." I looked back at my computer. "We have a meet and greet with the employees scheduled tomorrow and all weekend, right? Tell me about that."

  Anger churned in his eyes, like the ocean during a storm. I held his gaze, though I truly wanted to turn away. To leave this room, and the powerful force that pulled me to Nathan.

  He looked like he wanted to say more, but instead, leaned away from me and set his features back into his coolly professional look. "Yes. I want to personally meet every employee. The Reef room will be set up with food and beverages at various times this weekend, so we can catch the staff members. Since all employees are required to work either Friday, Saturday or Sunday, we'll have the chance to meet everyone we haven't yet."

  He closed the laptop he'd just opened. "You have access to the employee work roster. Arrange a schedule for us to be in the Reef room, so that everyone can get in to see us at some time before, during, or after their shift. Email it to me. I'd like you to put together a comment box and suggestion slips, and post notes about the event at the time clock and in the break room."

  His tone said all business now, but I caught a glimmer of anger still shining in his eyes.

  "I'm having this catered by a local restaurant. They know the basics of what I want. I'll send you an email with the budget. Get with the restaurant for the details and go to the Reef meeting room to check out what else we need. Housekeeping will set up tables and chairs, but see what you can add. I want to promote a relaxed atmosphere, so everyone feels like they can talk openly to us."

  He stood, pulled out his wallet and tossed a card at me. "The company credit card. My offer for dinner still stands. Whenever. Dessert after is optional. I want to get to know you better. And I will."

  Oh, that tone. I narrowed my eyes at him. It did not sound like a request, more like a command. I didn't do commands. My annoyance must have shown, because I got that half-grin again, like he knew he was pissing me off and kind of enjoyed it.

  "I always get what I want." He turned and walked out.

  Not this time, buddy. Not this time.

  +++

  My phone buzzed, and I picked it up. Lora, at the front desk.

  "There's a couple here. They're using the Coral room next Sunday for their wedding. The woman said you would talk to her about some issues. Tablecloths, she said."

  I vaguely remembered a short email a month ago. "I passed that request on to Julia."

  "She wants to talk to you personally, the owner. She's got her wedding planner with her and they're both in the Coral room now. She's kind of, uh, excited."

  "Okay, I'll be right over. Thank you." I searched through my emails until I found it. A message, forwarded to me by a staff member. Mariana, was the bride's name, and Daniel, the groom. They wanted to know if they could bring in their own tablecloths. I'd forwarded the note to the company that handled our weddings, Silver Bells. The owner, Julia, worked with our staff and the brides, to make sure all ran smoothly. A perfect arrangement that Mauldin Management started, and I intended to keep going.

  I hadn't planned to get involved with tablecloths at a wedding, but if a guest wanted to speak with me personally, I'd oblige.

  Lora hadn't been kidding. Excited was an understatement to describe the woman flying across the meeting room. I stood in the doorway and watched for a few minutes, as she whipped a tape measure around, barking out orders in Spanish to a dazed-looking woman holding a notebook.

  "She's something, huh?"

  I turned my head to see a man standing a pace behind me. He came closer, joining me in the doorway.

  "Everybody has that look on their face the first time they see Mariana in action."

  Oh hell. Was he talking about me or the person in the room with her? I hoped my amazement wasn't showing. "Are you Daniel, the groom?"

  "Sure am." He stuck out his hand, and we shook as I introduced myself. "It's okay, I stared at her like you were doing for about six months, when I first met her. Like a force of nature. She never holds still, always moving. She's a fireball. Sometimes a bitch on wheels, too."

  He shoved his hands in his pockets and grinned. "But once you get to know her, man, she's the best. She'll do anything for anyone to help out, got a heart as big as the ocean. I'd rather marry a woman with a little bitch in her, some fire, then a boring, well-behaved chick. Hey, chula!"

  Mariana looked in our direction, and her face lit up like the sky on the Fourth of July. She sailed across the room and into Daniel's open arms. He scooped her up and twirled her around while she rained kisses on his face.

  A sudden ache tugged my heart, and I almost looked away. It was like watching a deeply intimate moment, though they weren't behaving promiscuously. The passion they felt for each other came across so strong though, they might as well be rolling naked together on the floor.

  What would it be like to have a woman greet me that way? She clearly adored him and he was crazy in love with her. They both kind of glowed. Going to be a good marriage. Daniel finally put her down, and she turned to me.

  "You are the owner here?"

  I stuck out my hand. "Yes, I'm Nathan Cameron. Nice to meet you."

  "Mariana." She pumped my hand, then pulled me away. "Come with me. I have questions. We're using our own tablecloths, okay? I like purple, you have white. And I want the tables set up another way, like on this drawing. We're going to spread rose petals around the floor, yes?"

  "All that sounds fine. Did you contact Julia at Silver Bells? They do our wedding planning and they work with our staff here."

  "Oh yes, Julia, very helpful. But then, I have two more requests. We want wax candles, not the battery kind. To make it so much more romantic. And I'd like to allow several of my guests to bring their dogs in with them. They're a part of the family, you know?" She held my arm and squeezed it, cocked her head, and gave me the most charming smile.

  I saw why
Daniel was captivated. I smiled back but shook my head. "No open flames, and no dogs except service animals in this room. I'm sorry."

  She stuck out her lower lip in a pout.

  "You can have the dogs outside, if you'd like. Aren't you doing an outdoor ceremony? We'll make sure there are water bowls set up and bags for scooping. Tell Julia I said it was okay and ask her to provide those items for you."

  The pout turned into another beaming smile. "Gracias, Nathan. You are muy amable. Daniel!" She waved to him. "Don't go away. We need to finish the wine list."

  With another squeeze on my arm and one more dazzling smile, she ran off.

  Lucky Daniel. To have that affection, that fire, showered on him. It reminded me of what I'd recently enjoyed with Amber.

  It had taken a great deal of restraint to resist grabbing a pair of binoculars earlier and getting a closer look at Amber in her swimsuit. I'd seen her naked not too many hours before, but watching her all sleek and wet, I wanted to peel that suit off and join her in the pool. Show her an interesting position or two we could try in the water.

  But she was shy. Even though we moved together in bed like clockwork, I suspected she hadn't been with many lovers. She seemed surprised that I showed her so much attention, that I wanted to give her pleasure. Too many guys were takers in bed. They didn't get that, the more you gave a woman, the more you received in return. Idiots.

  Then she turned me down for dinner. I got that she had family issues to deal with, and maybe I scared her off, jumping in so quick to offer my assistance. But I had the resources, and it would make me happy to use them to help her. Especially if it freed up her time for me. There were other reasons she said no, reasons she wasn't sharing with me.

  So I'd give her space. Give her time to do what she needed.

  Up to a point.

  Sometime last night, or this morning, I'd decided, I wanted more of Amber. Which shocked the hell out of me. The solid wall of bricks I kept up wouldn't normally let me consider the possibility of a relationship. Every time I started to get caught up with a woman, I pictured Tanya, and those police photos I got ahold of, with her smashed-up car.