CHAPTER 18
“Sakina?” Tate repeated. “Why are you here?”
“How’s the search going?” She walked further into the room and stopped by the bed. “Did you find anything to clear your name, Tate?”
He swallowed. “Better question, how did you know we were here?”
“I stopped by Kayla’s hotel.” Sakina smiled at her. “Spoke to your lovely friend Malissa and she filled me in. Guess it was luck, huh?”
“What was luck?” Kayla held her breath, tugging on Tate’s shirt. “I don’t understand.”
“You’re not the only one,” Tate said.
“What can I say about you two?” Sakina grabbed papers off the bed. “Why couldn’t you leave things alone? This wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t come, Kayla.” She dropped the papers and ripped a gun from her pocket.
“Oh my god.” Kayla grabbed Tate’s arm.
“What the hell?” He panted. “Sakina?”
“Everything would’ve been fine if she’d stayed in Florida and if you’d minded your own business.”
“No.” Tate shook his head, exhaling. “God, don’t tell me you—”
“Sakina.” Kayla shivered. “Did you kill my brother?”
She squeezed the gun, darkness filling her eyes. “Yes, I did.”
Kayla dropped her head, consumed with mind-blowing shock.
“This can’t be true,” Tate said. “I’ve known you a long time. You loved Kirby, Sakina. You couldn’t have done this.”
“He was leaving me. The person who’d been there for him all this time.”
“No,” Kayla shouted through tears.
“You’re wrong, Sakina,” Tate said. “He loved you—”
“Bullshit.” She raised the gun. “He loved Liron and you knew it.”
He held up his hands. “I swear to god I didn’t know he was even gay.”
“Liar.” Sakina’s face twisted as Kayla lunged at her.
“Who do you think you are?” Kayla screamed.
“Whoa.” Tate held her back. “She has a gun, Kayla.”
“Fuck her gun!” Kayla swung a fist at Sakina but hit air. “She killed my brother!”
“Don’t act like you cared about Kirby,” Sakina spat. “You didn’t once call him or visit him in ten years. You didn’t even come to the funeral.”
“Go to hell.” Kayla grabbed at her but Tate kept her in place.
“Don’t you get it?” Sakina screamed. “I loved Kirby more than both of you. I was the one he could always depend on.”
“You framed me?” Tate squinted. “You put the knife in my bedroom closet?”
“I took the spare key you gave Kirby.” She shrugged one shoulder. “I made the anonymous call, everything. I knew you’d think it was Jewel with the way she’d been bothering you.”
“Why, Sakina?” He held his hands out to her, gaping. “What did I ever do but be nice to you?”
“It’s not personal.” She lifted her head. “You were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Kirby told me about the fight you had and how mad you were he didn’t get the loan. After I killed him, it seemed like the perfect motive for sending the police in your direction.”
“You sick bitch,” Kayla said.
Sakina sat on the bed. “I didn’t intend to kill him, but I snapped. Didn’t even realize what I was doing until it was over.”
“You gutted my brother like a fish.” Kayla grabbed Tate’s shoulder as he held her behind him. “How can you do that to someone you loved?”
“Because at that moment…” A tear settled on Sakina’s top lip. “I hated him more than I’d ever hated anyone. All I saw was everyone in my past who’d always hurt me.” She stood, slow. “I wanted Kirby to pay. I wanted them all to pay.” She aimed the gun past Tate and to Kayla. “You should’ve stayed in Jacksonville.”
“No!” Tate rushed toward Sakina, head butting her in the stomach.
She dropped the gun as Tate tackled her onto the bed.
Kayla grabbed the gun and held it on the two as they tussled. “Stop, Sakina!”
“No!” She rolled underneath Tate, scratching and clawing. “It can’t end like this. It can’t.” She wailed. “It can’t.”
“Call the police, Kayla.” Tate held Sakina’s arms to the bed.
Kayla got her cell phone out her pocket.
“Shoot me, Kayla.” Sakina kicked. “Shoot me!”
Kayla wheezed as she dialed the police.
“Shoot me!”
“No.” Tate forced Sakina still. “It’s over, Sakina.” He looked at Kayla. “It’s all over.”
THREE NIGHTS Later
“I can’t believe this is the last night we’ll spend together.” Tate slid from underneath Kayla after an hour and a half of the best lovemaking she’d ever had.
“It’s not the last night.” She relaxed beside him, tracing her finger along his sweaty chest. “We’ll have more nights together than you can ask for.”
“It’s not the same.” He played with her fingers, eyes watery.
“Don’t be sad.” She kissed him, inhaling his exotic scent one last time. “I’ll be back before you can miss me.”
He tucked his arm underneath his head. “How will I make it one day without you?”
“It’s killing me too.” She caressed his hair. “But, I can’t just walk away from my life.”
“Why not if it means starting a new life with me?” He sat up, facing her. “Come on, Kayla. Is Florida that great of a place to walk away from me?”
“I can’t stay.” She laid her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. “It’s not the right time, and we need to take it slow and do things right.” She moved away from him as a tear fell. “Then we’ll see.”
“See what?” He shook his leg under the cover.
“If moving here is a step I should take.”
“You mean it?” He threw his head back, howling.
“Jamaica is a wonderful place. It’s like a dream, and I’d love to live here.”
He sighed, taking her hand. “I’ll make you regret not staying.”
She laughed, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “I already do.”
He kissed her nose. “I promise we’ll make it work, and you’ll be ready to move here in less than a month.”
She guffawed, climbing on top of him. “You’re sure of that, are you?”
“I am.” He pushed her hair behind her ears.
“When I came here all on my mind was finding out who killed Kirby.” She rubbed his breast. “I never expected I’d fall in love.”
He raised an eyebrow, smirking. “You admit it?”
“I fell in love with you the first day we met.”
“Since I fell for you before we met, that’s easy to understand.” He clasped her naked buttocks. “Do you have closure now that Kirby’s murder is solved?”
“I thought I would.” She propped her elbows on his chest. “I wanted so much to relieve the guilt I had for not being in his life. Finding out who killed him seemed to be the best way to do that. But, I still feel guilty.”
“I have an idea. Before you leave tomorrow why don’t we go by his grave? Maybe talking to him would bring closure.”
She grimaced. “What in the world would I say?”
“Anything you want. He’ll listen, Kayla. Trust me, he will.”
“Okay.” She smiled, tapping his chest.
He smiled.
“Man, I’ll miss being in these arms. And, the sex...” She waved, pretending she’d lost her breath. “Lord, if only I could bottle it up and take it with me.”
They laughed, rolling around on the bed.
“I told you, you’ll be back in these arms before you know it.” Tate ended up on top of her, his weight pushing her into the thick pillows. “Are you ready for new adventures?” He sucked her neck. “I have more in store.”
“Bring them on.” She hooked her legs around his waist, dissolving in his kisses. “I love you, Tat
e.”
He stopped kissing her and looked into her eyes. “I love you too.”
She caressed his damp face. “Promise me you’ll never stop showing me how much.”
“I promise.” He kissed her palm. “You’re mine now, Kayla. Whether you’re in Jamaica or Florida…you’re all mine.”
She lay back, smiling.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stacy-Deanne (Dee-Anne) is an award-winning author of sensual romantic suspense, contemporary romance, and women's fiction books. She's written Top 100 bestsellers, and her work has been praised and reviewed in USA Today numerously. She loves writing stories that focus on main characters who rarely get the spotlight such as characters with physical disabilities, mental illness, and terminal diseases.
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Stacy is known for bringing versatile stories to her readers. With her you never know what you're gonna get, which separates Stacy's work from the pack. Stacy's books are full of passion, thrills, intriguing characters and so much emotion you can't get enough! If you want something different and unpredictable then definitely check out her work.
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With Stacy every book is an adventure.
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A MAJOR AFFAIR
THE COLONEL’S DAUGHTERS QUINTET NOVELLA 1.5
CJ MATTHEW
Major Edmund Quinn, WSO F-15E Strike Eagle
The dream mission: spend a week of leave snooping around a luxury Kauai resort, enjoying all the amenities, then report back to a skeptical investor.
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DeAnna Drake, middle manager of a Waikiki resort
The nightmare mission: spend a week snooping around a luxury Kauai resort, enjoying all the amenities, then hijack their secrets for her employer.
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Two novice corporate snoops who never expected to fall in love, or to discover that love changes everything.
A Major Affair is lovingly dedicated to two very dear friends:
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DeAnna and Edmund Janowicz
CHAPTER 1
DeAnna Drake struggled to quell her jittery excitement and ease the tension gripping her neck, as she carefully observed the man across the desk. Mr. Martin, the hotel chain’s executive vice president, was a hospitality industry legend in Hawaii. Reputed to be an ace interviewer and negotiator, he dangled a bright key to her future. She flexed her fingers to relax her hands and softened her mouth into her brightest smile. The one normally reserved for VIP hotel guests.
After a quick check of his laptop, he studied her. “You have an outstanding work record, Ms. Drake. Haven’t seen such rapid advancement since I came up through the ranks.”
She swallowed a laugh. While she was a firm believer in destiny, in this case her rapid-fire promotions had been less about fate and more to do with her workaholic tendencies. Eight months ago, she’d been recruited for a middle management job at this Hawaiian hotel chain’s flagship facility on Waikiki. Since stepping off the plane, she’d worked torturous hours, clawed her way up the steep learning curve, and earned several small promotions.
Thank you, sir,” she said. “Your career is the model for staff orientation and management training.”
Talk about a once-in-a-life-time interview. A chance to fill the newly created management position at the hotel chain’s sister resort on Maui. Her months of grueling work here in Honolulu were about to pay off.
Without a trace of modesty, Mr. Martin dipped his head in acknowledgement. Confirming the stories were true, his unbridled ego and self-confidence were intact. She bit her bottom lip. Were the rumors of his ruthless business practices also fact?
Mr. Martin clicked his laptop closed. “I’ve created a new corporate position, executive operations manager, as part of a pilot program. Every component has been designed and developed by myself. Rubber stamped by the corporate president.” He jutted out his chin. She responded with a firm nod. Hoped she looked duly appreciative.
“Ms. Drake, you’re doing very well right here. Why transfer?”
Narrowing her eyes, she leaned forward, and met the vice president’s gaze. “I’ve learned a great deal working here at our flagship property. With no personal ties in Oahu, I see the promotion to Maui as a tremendous opportunity and the relocation as a plus. Most importantly, the chance to participate in a pilot program of yours, to be instrumental in its success, is the best kind of career challenge.”
Her instincts applauded. She’d be a bigger fish in a slightly smaller pond. And the topper? She’d be working with the best: Mr. Martin.
Those same instincts had served her well in her personal life. Eight months ago, she’d suspected her boyfriend was cheating. During a painful confrontation, her fears had proven to be correct. Her long-term relationship imploded, and she’d escaped to the job in Hawaii.
“Good answer,” Mr. Martin said, pulling her back to the moment. His smile vanished so fast, she blinked. “I’m definitely impressed,” he continued. “You appear to have the makings of a great upper-level manager.”
“Thank you, Mr.—”
“Before I make you an offer, there is a second requirement. Think of it as a working interview. The new job description will involve doing whatever it takes to assure your hotel is out-booking, out-performing every other comparable resort. The pilot program is located on Maui for a reason. Our property there posted a decline in census and revenue last quarter. This quarter appears to be following that trend.” His forehead creased and his mouth curled into a sneer.
“Unacceptable,” he announced. She opened her mouth to agree. He kept talking. “The new executive manager’s primary role will be to analyze each department, sort through all the data. Pinpoint the issues and implement necessary changes. Stop the trend. Turn it around.”
She saw something in his face and went with her intuition. “You’re questioning the accuracy of the data?”
“Perhaps.”
“Bad data would make it impossible to correctly evaluate which departments are performing at peak efficiency.”
“Excellent. My thoughts exactly. In fact, I’m confident some areas of the Maui resort are on target and others need attention. We require more accurate, more specific data.”
“Sir, I’m not a bean counter. We—”
“Don’t get ahead of me. I’m sending a team of experts to secretly and thoroughly reevaluate our Maui resort. However, I want different data from the selected property on Kauai.”
Wait. “You want me to snoop around our hotel in Kauai?”
“You’ll go to Kauai, but not to our property. I want you to spend a week or so at our biggest competitor, Fragrant Garden, booked in as a guest under a false name. You’ll pick up ideas, secure the names of their important vendors. Figure the profit margins. Especially on peripherals, like tours, rentals, surf and scuba lessons, weddings, and so on.”
Uh oh. Her palms started to sweat, inner alarms clanged. “You want me to be a corporate spy?”
“Corporate espionage is illegal.”
He hadn’t answered her question. “So, not espionage. I’ll be a secret shopper?”
“Precisely.” He gave her a white-toothed shark smile. “Are you ready to begin part two of the interview?”
Absolutely. Secret shopper she could do. Still, she had more questions. “I’ll be at the Fragrant Garden for a week?”
He nodded slowly. “Or longer. I’ll read your reports on Fragrant Garden. After one week, we’ll be in touch. If I have further questions, you’ll stay on for a full ten days. Or if I’m satisfied, you can relax. Take the remaining time as paid vacation. Or go directly to Maui. Start as the new executive manager. And we’ll begin implementing your improvement ideas at once.”
“To clarify, the data gathering on Kauai is a one-time
assignment? It’s not in the executive manager’s job description, is it?”
“One time assignment.” Mr. Martin rose. “If you don’t have any more questions for me, I’ll need your decision within twenty-four hours—”
“One final question.” The week on Kauai would be a huge challenge. With the juicy reward at the end: promotion, new job, and new location. One last detail remained. She sat straighter in her seat. “Salary?”
His laugh sounded genuine. Pulling a business card from an inner pocket, he placed it on the desk, slid it across to her with the tip of his index finger.
She waited a beat, flipped the embossed card over. An amount had already been hand-written on the back. If she hadn’t braced herself, she’d have gasped aloud. The scrawled number, $100,000, stunned her. Visions of a car danced in her head. An apartment bigger than a closet. Face carefully blank, she casually dropped the card in her bag and stood.
“I don’t need additional time to consider.” Extending her hand, surprisingly steady, across the desk, she said, “I accept. I’m ready to begin the Kauai fact-gathering assignment immediately.”
“Terrific.” He gripped her hand and shook. “Congratulations, Ms. Drake. My people will need several days to set up your fake identity. Reservations, credit card, ID. Take the weekend off. You can fly to Kauai Sunday afternoon.” His hard eyes raked her hair and face. “You should consider starting your snooping-shopping with a day in the Fragrant Garden spa.”
He turned her hand in his, glanced down to her clear polish manicure. “Your expense account will cover a makeover, and a visit to the clothing boutiques. You need to look like you can afford to stay there. My assistant will email all the details along with your flight information.”
A spa day plus a new mini wardrobe? Goose bumps rose along her arms. “I won’t let you down, Mr. Martin.”
Tropical Tryst: 25 All New and Exclusive Sexy Reads Page 81