She'd never felt this empowered or sexy any time during the year she'd been with Jasper. Tom made her want to take risks and live a little. She could almost hear her girlfriends cheering her on.
"Just what do you have in mind?" His arms closed around her as she situated herself in his lap, her legs hooked around his back and her arms looping his neck.
For half a heartbeat, uncertainty billowed through her. She batted it back. This trip was about stepping out of her comfort zone and doing things she'd never done before—taking the initiative with a guy being one of them.
"This."
Caryn melded her lips with his. Her whole body relaxed against Tom's strong one. His arms tightened around her as he took over the kiss, deepening it. She arched her back, crushing her breasts against his chest. It was crazy and insane, the intensity of the desire snowballing inside of her. They hadn't seen each other for two days, had had only one date.
She moaned against his mouth as his hands drifted down her back, cupping her bikini-clad bottom. His fingers traced the curve of the elastic band until they dipped between her thighs. The hard length of his erection brushed her belly.
God, that felt so good. He felt so good.
She moved her leg to give him better access, knocking over one of the glasses on the blanket. The sound of it clanking against the plate jolted her from the sexual haze engulfing them both.
Reluctantly, she pulled her mouth away from his. His heavy breath blew against her ear, doing nothing to cool her ardor.
They were shrouded in a cabana on a public beach. No one could see in, but the curtains, while lovely, were not soundproof. She'd never been noisy in bed; however, the way Tom made her feel and act, she suspected that if they got to the place where they made love, she would be pretty noisy.
Summoning some inner strength, she laid a soft kiss on his lips before scooting back to where she'd been sitting. She ran a hand through her hair. "That was intense."
"Yeah," Tom replied, and she stifled a giggle when he grimaced as he adjusted his shorts.
"You want to take a swim?" The idea of cooling off in the water seemed like a good plan. While she was all for taking steps outside of her comfort zone, leaping into the bed of a man she'd only known for a couple of days sort of scared her. Heck, it had been three months before she and Jasper had slept together and then she hadn't been as turned on as she was right now from a simple kiss with Tom.
Cooling off would clear her mind.
"Sure."
Fifteen minutes later, Caryn had to wonder why the hell she thought swimming with Tom was a good idea. With his hair slicked back, the sun shining down on him, enhancing the droplets of water sparkling on an impressive six-pack, he looked sexier now than he had when they were kissing in the cabana. Was it possible for this man to look bad at all?
Taking a deep breath, she duck dived and swam beneath the surface until her lungs begged her to breathe in some fresh air. She broke the surface and ran smack bang into the chest she'd been trying to escape.
"I was beginning to think you weren't going to surface at all."
The concern in his voice surprised her. "My life may be in a bit of a jumble at the moment, but I like it just fine."
Now why had she said that? She was attempting to keep things between them casual. While leaping into bed wasn’t her normal modus operandi, if any one could tempt her into trying something new, Tom would be the man. Hadn't her friends often hooked up with guys for a couple of weeks for great sex before moving on to better things? Both of them had found the guys they were meant to be with and told Caryn that sex with the "one" was heaps better than sex with the "wrong" one. Pity she hadn't picked up on just how wrong sex with Jasper had been. How she’d been the wrong person for Jasper but her older brother, Corey, had been just right.
She pushed that thought firmly away. It may have been six months since their breakup, but there was no way she wanted to picture Corey and Jasper together. Just like she was pretty sure her brother didn’t want to picture her having sex with some guy.
"Are you cold? We can go in if you want." Tom's question broke through her thoughts. How long had she been standing here like a statute?
"Yeah, I'll go in. Stay if you want."
"No, I'm happy to head back to the shore."
The conversation between them appeared stilted, or was she only imagining the tension? Either way, for her, the lunch date was over. She needed to cleanse her thoughts of her past and think about what she wanted to do with her future. She may have enough money to last her two lifetimes, but spending the rest of her life alone didn't appeal. Even the fact that the man swimming beside her fueled sensations she'd never experienced before didn't mean he was the man for her.
Maybe it was time to cut short her trip and head back home. Home to Australia.
6
"We don't know who this Brad Jones is. His profile has disappeared from that website you told me about."
Tom didn't know whether to be relieved or angry that Brad Jones was nowhere to be found. "And my picture, is it being used by anyone else?"
"Not that we can tell."
"I want guarantees, Aaron. I don't want to wake up one morning and find my name all over TMZ because I stood some woman up."
"I will make sure this doesn't happen again."
"Good." Tom was happy Aaron had taken his complaint seriously. Actually, as an agent, Aaron had no option but to look after the best interests of his client. "I still want you to see if you can locate this Brad Jones or the person who is catfishing these women."
"Are you sure you want to get involved in this, Tom? I mean, the guy’s profile is gone and with it your picture. What would chasing after him achieve for you?"
It was a good question and one Tom didn't have answer for. All he knew was that he would have to come clean with Caryn, and when he did he wanted to be able to tell her who this person was. That is, if she'd talk to him after he told her who he really was.
"Because innocent women are being hurt by this asshole."
The silence lengthened. Had Aaron hung up? Tom pulled his cell away from his ear and saw the call was still connected.
"Who is she?" Aaron asked eventually.
Tom blew out a breath and started pacing around the living room of his villa. He probably gave himself away when he'd told Aaron to go after Brad. "She's the girl who spent good money to come to this resort to meet a guy who had no intention of ever meeting her, and he used my picture to lure her here."
"Are you sure it's not a groupie and you're the one being catfished?"
He stopped his pacing. When Caryn had first approached him, he'd assumed it was a new ploy by a groupie. But after their dinner, he'd forgotten all about his initial reaction, especially after she told him she didn't watch reality television shows. Not once had she let that act drop. Even the best actresses dropped the persona they were playing, didn't they?
No. He wouldn't let Aaron plant any seeds of doubt. He was the one who was playing a role, not her.
"I'm not being catfished."
"But you are spending time with her, aren't you?"
He sighed. There was no point hiding anything from Aaron; they'd been together a long time. "Yes, I am spending time with her." He blew out a breath and prepared himself for the backlash he was about to receive from his agent. "I like her."
"Christ," Aaron muttered. "Okay, fine, you like the girl. I'm not going to tell you that you can't see her. Or spend time with her."
"I wouldn't let you. You're my agent, not my parent."
"Just be careful is all I suggest. Watch for any indication that you're not the one being taken for a ride."
"You don't have to worry about me."
Aaron's chuckle sounded down the phone line. "I know I don't. Out of all my clients, you're one of the easiest ones I have. Just don't change that, okay?"
"I'll try not to. I like my career too much to fuck it up."
"Wish all my clients felt like that."
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Tom recognized that tone, and it could only mean one thing: Sienna Fairley was up to no good again. "You'll sort Sienna out."
"How do you know I was talking about her?"
"We've been together a long time, and the last time we were together you mentioned that Sienna didn't listen. It doesn’t take too much to figure out she is the one causing you problems."
"I should dump her as a client, but she’s also one of the hottest actresses at the moment. Everyone wants to work with her, regardless of her reputation."
"And you don't want to throw her to the sharks among the other agents out there, right?"
"Maybe. Listen I’ve got to go. Be careful, Tom, and check in with me."
"Okay, talk to you later."
"Bye."
The call disconnected and Tom tossed his cell on the bed. Aaron's abruptly shutting down their conversation was out of character; he normally waited for Tom to say good-bye. Tom needed to get ready for his appointment in the spa, so he wasn't going to complain too much about an aborted telephone call. What happened between Aaron and Sienna Fairley wasn't his concern. He had other things to worry about, like Brad Jones’s profile disappearing. What if Caryn decided to look at the profile again? What would she think when she couldn't find it?
What a fucking mess this was.
He planned to come clean with Caryn today after his massage. He planned to visit her at her villa, sit her down, and tell her exactly who he was. But after his conversation with Aaron, maybe he should keep his identity quiet for a little longer. He didn't think she was part of an elaborate con, but it was probably best to be cautious around Caryn.
Tom rolled his shoulders to try and ease the tension that had crept in them since he'd disconnected his call.
He could definitely use that massage now.
Tom walked into Eucalyptus Spa and was immediately assailed by the unique citrus scent. Behind the counter he spied the spa's manager, Jocelyn Palmer. She looked up and smiled as he approached.
"Good morning, Tom. How are you? Enjoying your stay?"
"Morning, Jocelyn. I'm well, and yes, this resort is magical. I'm enjoying my stay very much."
The other woman cocked her head to the side and studied him. "Good to hear. We pride ourselves on making sure every guest's experience at Casa Blanca Resort is everything they could ever hope for."
"You're certainly doing that, and this is the perfect place to relax before I start shooting the next season of my show."
"Will and I enjoy watching you transform homes into houses that are comfortable to live in without being over the top."
"Thanks, that's what I aim for. Except for the occasional family, most of the clients on my show don't have a lot in their renovation budget, so I try to get good quality products that will last for them."
"Well, you definitely achieve that. Will often drools over the woodwork you do. You should come over to our place one day; he'd love to talk to you. You know he helped with the construction of all the villas here?"
"No, I didn't know that."
"Yep, he hand laid every inch of the African wood in the Bay Laurel villa where you’re staying. He hand carved the fireplace mantel in the Rockrose villa from a single solid piece of rosewood."
An image of Caryn floated in his head as Jocelyn continued extolling Will’s handyman virtues to a complete stranger. A warm glow filled him at the image. One day he hoped the woman he loved would sing his praises like this. Aaron's words of warning were forgotten as he let his imagination run with the fantasy of Caryn being in love with him.
Whoa now, cowboy. Let's not talk of love.
Yes, he needed to listen to that voice. Talk of love after only two dates over the course of a week was a bit ridiculous.
"I'll have to check out the villa," he said, pulling himself from his thoughts so Jocelyn wouldn't think he was a total blockhead by saying nothing.
"Well, it is occupied at the moment, so you'll have to seek the guest's permission to enter it," she cautioned.
Tom smiled. He knew exactly who occupied Rockrose. "That's okay." He leaned over the counter and winked at Jocelyn. "I planned on dropping in on her after my massage today."
Her eyebrow rose in question. "Hmm, is that right? Well, as per our marketing slogan, kick off your shoes and fall in love."
He couldn't help but laugh. "You're kidding, right?"
Jocelyn rummaged in a drawer and handed him a brochure. Sure enough, there it was. "Well, I can't argue with that when it's written in black and white, can I? It is a good slogan."
"And it's effective, too. There's been a lot of romances born out of visits to our resort. Why do you think we have an onsite wedding planning business?" Jocelyn finished with a wink.
"Well, it's safe to say for me, my life is too busy for anything but work at the moment." But the image of him and Caryn standing on the beach, dressed in white, holding hands in front of a marriage officiant, darted into his mind. Now he was well and truly getting ahead of himself.
"Never say never." She glanced over her shoulder and nodded at someone he couldn't see. "Your therapist is ready for you. Head down to room three and enjoy your massage."
"Thanks."
Tom made his way to the room, hoping the massage would not only clear the knots in his muscles but the fanciful images still lurking in his mind.
Two hours later, he guzzled a bottle of water as he walked into the spa’s foyer. The place was busier than it had been when he first arrived. Looked like most of Casa Blanca Resort’s guests preferred a lazy beginning to the day. He chanced a glance at the reception desk and was relieved to see that Jocelyn wasn't manning it. But he did see a certain raven-haired lady that he hadn't been able to erase from his mind during his massage.
He wandered over and ran a finger down her back, enjoying the way her flesh jumped under his touch.
"Hello, pretty lady," he murmured against her ear before kissing the soft flesh beneath her earlobe.
"Tom, you scared me. What are you doing here?"
"Same as you."
A cheeky grin crossed her face. "An eyebrow and bikini wax?"
"Ahh, no, I just had a massage."
Caryn laughed "That’s a shame. Would've loved to see you getting waxed."
Tom shuddered at the thought of hot wax being poured on him then stripped away. "I'll leave that to you. How long will you be?"
"Not sure. Why?"
"Just thought we could catch up and do something."
Caryn tilted her head to the side as she considered his request, the action exposing the long column of her neck. "Well, I'm checking to see if I can get a massage as well, so why not come over for dinner? I think we'll be able to call Junonia and get food delivered to the villa."
"Sounds perfect. I'll see you at six."
He dropped a kiss on her cheek and headed out the door. Perhaps he should stop by the gift shop before he headed back to his villa. He had a feeling tonight could end up being a good night. As a former Boy Scout, he always believed in being prepared.
7
Caryn smoothed down her skirt. Had she lost her mind when she'd splurged on a red halter neck dress? She'd been walking back to her villa, after organizing dinner for her and Tom, when she'd spied the dress in the window of the resort boutique. As though lured by a siren's call, she walked into the store and tried it on. The young sales assistant had convinced her the dress had been designed with her in mind. Caryn had to give it to her, she knew all the right things to say. And, well, she couldn’t deny it—the girl was right. She did look great; she didn't know why she was so nervous about wearing it for Tom. Hell, he'd seen her with less clothing when they'd spent the day at the beach.
With one last look, she walked out of the bathroom and sat on the bed to put the sandals she had worn the first night she'd met Tom. She'd just finished buckling them when the doorbell rang.
Just like the first day when she approached the bar for her meeting with Tom, large butterflies batted thei
r wings against her belly. Her hand strayed there in an attempt to settle them. It was just dinner out on the back patio overlooking the pool. It wasn't the first time they had shared a meal.
Caryn reached the front door and pulled it open, her breath lodging in her throat at the sight in front of her. Tom stood with one hand resting on the doorframe, the other in the pocket of his khaki chinos. The top two buttons of his loose, white shirt were undone, giving her a glimpse of the very fine chest she knew lurked beneath the fabric. He looked cool and sexy, and boy, was she in trouble. Resisting him was going to be an exercise in a mental fortitude she wasn't sure she possessed.
"Are we having dinner here, in the doorway?" he drawled.
Aware that she'd spent the last however long staring at him, Caryn shook her head to clear the sexual mist rolling in.
"No, please come in." She stood back, allowing Tom to enter. He paused beside her and she gripped the door a little tighter, the wood unforgiving beneath her fingers.
Her eyes drifted shut as he leaned in and kissed her softly. A featherlight touch, just enough to mellow the butterflies, like a horse whisperer calming an anxious filly.
"You look beautiful."
"Thank you." Would it be silly to say he looked handsome too? After her experience with Jasper, her confidence around men had taken a serious beating. Whose wouldn’t after not recognizing the guy you were sleeping with preferred your brother? Now she was always on alert for how close her date’s hands reached for the check when the waiter dropped it off or whether he seemed to notice another man’s cologne—signs that she wasn’t the prime target in a guy’s field of vision.
Tom stopped in the middle of the room and looked around her villa. It didn't take a rocket scientist to know what he was doing. She remained silent as he walked over to the mantle above the fireplace. His hand ran over the wood, and she couldn't help but picture that same hand running over her body. Her nipples peaked against the thin fabric of her dress and heat pooled between her legs.
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