For Business...Or Marriage?

by Jules Bennett

  Cade stood by the door he’d just closed behind the masseuses and Abby remained by the patio doors. He didn’t speak, but was looking at her as if trying to contemplate what to do or say.

  Abby nearly laughed. Cade Stone at a loss for words and actions.

  “I don’t know about you,” she said, taking a step forward, hoping to cut through the tension, “but I enjoyed getting pampered.”

  “This isn’t going to work.”

  His words stopped her. “What?”

  Moving forward in a slow, deliberate manner like a panther to its prey, Cade closed the gap between them.

  “I can’t be part of your research for honeymoon amenities anymore.”

  Abby looked up into dark eyes, covered mostly by heavy lids. “If your schedule is too full, I can try to adjust it. I mean, this research is to benefit—”

  He kissed her.

  Without grabbing her, without touching any part of her body. Just lips to lips.

  But Abby’s whole body heated as if he’d touched every inch of her skin from head to toe.

  He may not need to touch her more, but she needed to touch him. Abby raked her hands up his shoulder, gripped hard and secured their bodies together.

  Cade didn’t hesitate. He wrapped his arms around her waist and arched her back. His lips tore from hers, only to trail more demanding kisses down her neck and into the open V of her robe.

  Abby groaned as her nipples tightened and tension curled low in her belly. She didn’t know what she was doing—what they were doing.

  Well, okay, she knew what they were doing, but she couldn’t explain why. Why now? Why…

  God, did it matter? Now was certainly not the time to analyze this situation.

  Her hands moved up to either side of Cade’s smooth, freshly shaven cheeks. “Cade.”

  She whispered his name as his mouth parted her robe even further. The ache in her was unlike anything she’d ever known. She wanted him, wanted this, wanted to make love to him since she’d fallen in love—nearly a year ago.

  But just as abruptly as he’d driven her to this passion-induced haze, he stepped back, leaving her cold and confused.

  “That’s why,” he said in a hoarse, raspy voice. “I can’t be with you in this setting and not want you.”

  Even more confused, and even more aroused, Abby clutched her robe together as if trying to keep his kisses locked inside.

  “You want me?” she asked.

  His gaze darkened. “I think that’s obvious.”

  “Then why push me away?”

  “Abby—”

  She held up her hands. “Sorry, I’m sorry. Mona. You’re getting married.”

  Her hands were shaking. Abby shoved them in the pockets of her robe, praying Cade hadn’t seen just how unnerved she was.

  The muscle in his jaw clenched as he stepped forward again. “Abby…”

  She offered him a smile. The fact that he was, yet again, at a loss for words humbled her. He was feeling torn, which was a good thing for her. But she really didn’t want him to be miserable.

  She wanted him to see that he could have it all—a business and a wife who loved him. But he’d have to come to that conclusion on his own.

  Yes, it was obvious he wanted her, but Abby wanted, deserved, more. She deserved to be loved.

  “It’s okay,” she assured him. “I’ll go stay in the other room. I’ll have your luggage sent over along with your schedule for the next few days while we’re here.”

  Cade lifted a hand as if he wanted to touch her again, but just as quickly dropped it. Her heart ached for him, for her. For this whole situation.

  Hopefully everything would all work out in the end. If Cade loved her, she’d be the richest woman in the world—and not monetarily.

  If he chose to go ahead with his wedding plans to Mona, well, Abby would just continue to work for Stone Enterprises. She needed the job and she needed to know Cade was happy.

  No matter what he decided.

  Eleven

  Cade emptied the tub of the now cold bathwater and watched as the dwindling bubbles shifted down the drain, some still clinging to the side of the tub.

  As he sat on the edge, he still couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment in time when his life had gone from perfect and heading in the right direction to chaotic and heading down two different paths.

  The urge to march to Abby’s room and say to hell with everything was too strong…strong enough to scare him senseless. Obviously. If he had any sense, he never would’ve kissed her the first time, let alone a second.

  This last kiss was just to prove a point to himself and to Abby that they had entered dangerous territory. But he’d done more than kiss. Once he’d started, he’d wanted more. So he’d taken it.

  Cade cursed and came to his feet, shaking the excess water from his hand. He shed his robe and padded into the bathroom to shower and rid his body of the scented oils which only proved to be a damning reminder of this afternoon.

  As he stepped into the oversize shower with nozzles shooting water from all directions and overhead, he tried to get his mind back on work. He was in Cozumel, for crying out loud. There was real estate just waiting to be snatched up at a good market price.

  With the economy in such shambles, he needed to act now so he could reap the benefits later. So many resorts were closing due to lack of tourism. He intended to get those properties before they looked like ruins and offer cheaper rates.

  The timing couldn’t be more perfect for Stone Enterprises to go global and with Mona’s help, he and Brady were on the fast track to bigger things than they’d ever imagined. Well, just as soon as he told his brother.

  Yes, he thought as the hot water pelted his whole body at once. The timing was perfect.

  So why the hell did he choose this point in time to become sexually attracted to Abby Morrison?

  Cade rested a hand on the tile wall and dropped his head, allowing the water to run down his face. His attraction was beyond sexual, though God knew he’d give just about anything to be with her.

  Whatever he was feeling—he couldn’t even find the right term—was making him ache, making him miserable when he wasn’t with her.

  A tight band of unease slid around his chest and squeezed at the thought of marrying Mona. He’d always thought of Mona as pretty and charming and all the other qualities that would make a good wife. But suddenly, or maybe not so suddenly, everything about her paled in comparison to Abby.

  Cade flicked the knob and shut off the water. No amount of washing would scrub away the memory of Abby lying on her belly, the side of her breast mocking him as she groaned with delight from a stranger’s hands. He wanted to make her groan like that with his touch.

  Nothing would erase the image of her with her head tilted back, her creamy throat exposed as he trailed bruising kisses down to the opening of her robe.

  Cade slammed his hand against the wall, but even self-inflicted pain didn’t help.

  He’d never, ever been in a position where he couldn’t handle his life, business or personal. And now the two collided like a fatal train wreck.

  How the hell was he supposed to clean up this mess?

  A soft knock at the suite’s door had him pulling a towel off the warming rack. Abby?

  One part of him wished she stood on the other side of that door, the other wished she was tucked in her room trying to forget what had just happened between them. Yeah, right.

  He shook off the image of the hurt in her eyes when he’d pushed her away as he went to answer the door.

  A glance through the peep hole showed only the bellboy with his luggage.

  Securing his towel with one hand, Cade opened the door with the other.

  “Hola, Señor,” the bellboy greeted as he rolled the luggage cart over the threshold. “Señorita Morrison had these sent as well as this.”

  Cade took the manila folder the man extended to him. “Gracias.”

  After tipping the young man, Cade c
losed the door and sat on the edge of his bed to see what Abby had sent.

  When he opened the folder, he was a bit disappointed to find his schedule for the duration of their stay as well as information on potential properties that were either on the market or rumored to be in trouble of closing.

  What did he expect? A love note? What was this, junior high?

  He scanned the schedule and saw where she’d slid in snorkeling for tomorrow morning before his meeting with a small, local real estate company.

  Snorkeling? He had no idea she liked that sort of thing.

  There was quite a bit he didn’t know about her, though. The idea that she might enjoy a little adventure appealed to him in a way that tugged at his heart.

  Damn. His heart couldn’t get involved. That was unacceptable. He was just thinking with another organ, that’s all. He refused to believe anything else.

  The adventurous side of him, though, looked forward to relaxing a bit with the ocean and a snorkeling mask.

  But how could he relax when an image of Abby in a bathing suit, or God help him, a bikini, had been conjured up in his mind? And why the hell did she insist on dragging him into her research?

  He tossed the folder behind him and dropped the towel. Seeing as how he had his own private pool just outside the patio doors of his “honeymoon” suite, he decided to go for a swim and cool off, so he slid into his trunks.

  Cade had to admit, the suite was perfect for lovers. They never had to leave if they chose not to. They could still enjoy the beauty of the ocean, the crystal water and keep their privacy. He supposed Mona would like this place.

  So why then, when he thought of honeymoons, did his mind automatically go to Abby?

  He stepped down into the water and knew he had some important calls to make.

  Flowers, check. Church, check. Hundreds of candles, check. Music, check.

  Abby went through her list as she did every morning. All the plans were coming together quicker and easier than she’d thought. But when the bride couldn’t care less about details, planning a wedding could be done with ease.

  God knew she’d worked with her fair share of Bridezillas in the past. If Cade weren’t the groom, Abby would be enjoying planning this wedding immensely.

  Unfortunately, Cade was the groom and some other lucky woman was the bride.

  Abby saved the changes to the menu items on her laptop and shut it down. She was dressed and ready to go snorkeling with Cade. They hadn’t spoken since yesterday when he’d practically devoured her, then abruptly sent her on her way.

  But she couldn’t fault the man. He was probably torn in many directions now and Abby knew with all of her heart that he wanted to do the right thing. He just didn’t know what that was anymore. And sometimes, neither did she.

  She grabbed her orange beach tote, slipped some cash and the room key in the inner pocket and zipped it shut.

  With a deep, courageous breath, she went and knocked on Cade’s door. She hoped he’d had a sleepless night in that big bed. Hoped he’d tossed and turned and wondered what she was doing.

  She knocked and stepped back, waiting.

  When he opened the door, Abby had to bite back her smile. He looked exhausted. Good, that meant he was thinking.

  “All ready to go?” she asked in her perkiest voice just to tick him off.

  His eyes raked over her aqua tank and white shorts with her bright yellow bikini straps tied around her neck. He’d put on his navy board shorts and gray T-shirt that pulled gloriously across his chest.

  “You sure you want to go?” he asked.

  Even though she felt like throwing up due to all the nerves in her belly, she smiled. “Of course. I’ve never done this before. I’m excited.”

  His brief hesitation alarmed her, but then he returned her smile. “Let’s go, then. You’ll love it.”

  “I suppose you’ve been?”

  He closed the door behind him, checking to make sure it locked. “Several times. I love the water.” He held out his keycard. “Can I put this in your bag?”

  Abby slid the card into the side pocket, held on to the straps of her bag over her shoulder and walked with Cade down the dimly lit hall. Surprisingly, she wasn’t as uneasy about seeing him as she thought she’d be. Granted, she wished he would’ve pulled her into the room and said forget snorkeling, but at least he wasn’t avoiding her, either.

  A driver was waiting at the front entrance to take them to the docks where a catamaran awaited them.

  “It’s a beautiful day for your first snorkeling adventure,” Cade said as he assisted her onto the gleaming white boat.

  She took a deep breath of fresh ocean water and fresh, masculine Cade. Once they were on board, the guide informed them that they would be going out to the second largest coral reef in the world. Seeing as how Abby had never seen the largest, she was sure to be impressed.

  There were two of everything—snorkel masks, life jackets, flippers. As the guide continued to explain all the fish and plant life they might encounter, Abby pulled her tank over her head and dropped it into her bag.

  Just as she unbuttoned her shorts and hooked her thumbs in to slide them off, she caught Cade’s heated glare.

  Keeping her eyes on him, she slipped out of her flip-flops and pushed the shorts down her legs. With the edge of her foot, and her eyes still on Cade’s, she scooted her belongings off to the side.

  When packing for this trip, she’d tried on every suit she’d owned. She wished she’d had the extra money to purchase a new one, but she hadn’t. In the end she’d chosen her favorite—the one that enhanced her curves.

  The yellow two-piece was simple and plain, save for the bright red flower on her right breast. The top was two triangles and strings, the bottoms tied on her hips with little red beads dangling on the ends.

  “You can’t get in the water like that,” she joked with a grin, motioning to his still fully clothed body.

  But the joke was on her when Cade pulled off the gray T-shirt he’d worn with his navy and white trunks. To say the man was ripped would be a vast understatement.

  She’d gotten glimpses of him yesterday during their massage, but now that they were facing each other, she got a full, agonizing look at him.

  The sun beat down on his bronzed shoulders and Abby wanted nothing more than to toss their guide over the side and let him go snorkel while she explored all those nice ridges and planes on Cade’s body.

  “Any questions?”

  Abby jerked her gaze to the guide who’d been talking the whole time about safety in the water and what to expect.

  “None from me,” she said a bit guiltily, since she’d not heard a word. “Cade?”

  Without taking his eyes off her, he shook his head. “We’re good.”

  Once they were suited up, the guide showed them to the end of the catamaran where Cade promptly jumped off.

  He bobbed in the water and motioned for Abby to join him. Even if he were swimming in shark-infested waters, Abby would still have jumped in without a second thought.

  Twelve

  She hit the warm water and secured her mask like Cade showed her. After he ducked under the water, she did the same and was positively amazed at the secret world below she’d never known about.

  Abby could easily see why Cade enjoyed this. The colors were so vibrant, so alive. She couldn’t take in all the beauty at once. She tugged at Cade’s hand over and over to point out various plants and fish and other sea creatures.

  Every now and again Cade would tap her on her shoulder or leg, depending on how they were swimming, so he could show her something, as well.

  After what seemed like only minutes, Cade motioned for her to turn around and head back to the boat.

  They surfaced next to the ladder and Cade helped her up first, then hoisted himself up and onto the boat.

  “That was amazing,” Abby squealed the second she’d taken the mask off.

  Cade smiled as he took off his gear. “I thought
you’d enjoy that.”

  “I can’t believe I’ve gone my whole life without doing this.” She sat on a small bench, slid the flippers off her feet and reached for the towel in her bag. “I want to go again as soon as I can.”

  Cade laughed, drying off with a towel the guide handed to him. Leave it to Cade to expect things like towels to be provided.

  “Just say the word,” he told her, drying the droplets off his chest. “I have a yacht docked in the Keys. I can take you out anytime you want to go. The jet can be there in no time.”

  As soon as the words were out of his mouth, his face turned grim and his smile faltered. Abby turned away as she squeezed the water from her hair.

  They both knew he’d never be able to take her out on his yacht. Not once he was married to another woman.

  The return trip to shore was quiet, as was the ride in the car back to the resort.

  Cade thanked the driver and assisted Abby from the car. He shouldered her bag and Abby imagined when they walked through the open-air lobby that they looked like a traditional, honeymooning couple.

  Man, could looks be deceiving.

  Side by side they walked down the hall, stopping in front of his room. He lifted the bag from his shoulder, pulled out his keycard and handed the tote to her.

  “I’m really glad you let me experience your first snorkel experience with you.”

  Abby took her bag, and a sudden feeling of dizziness overcame her. “I’m glad, too.”

  Had she eaten breakfast?

  “You okay?” he asked. “You’re looking a little pale.”

  She held out a hand and grabbed the edge of the door frame. “I’m okay. Just give me a—”

  Everything went to black.

  Panic flooded through Cade as Abby’s body went limp. Thankfully he had quick reflexes and caught her before she could hit her head or go down on the floor.

  Keeping her tight against him, he swiped his card through the lock and opened the door.

  He scooped Abby into his arms. Her tote slipped from her shoulder, landing just inside the door, as he carried her through the room and onto the bed. “Abby! Abby!”