by Tia Siren
Gray shuddered, his powerful body straining as he reached his own peak. His trembled and shook, and groaned loudly before sinking his teeth into her shoulder. She felt the twitches his rod made inside her tight sheath, and she whimpered as each pulse of his orgasm sent an aftershock rolling through her body.
He moved away from her slowly and said, “I’ve got bad news,” he said with a sigh.
Terrified to ask, Riley arched an eyebrow at him.
“Dad texted me. He’s short-staffed and needs me to tend the bar. Will you be okay alone today?”
She nodded and giggled. “You do this to try and keep me in bed?”
He chuckled. “Yeah, I’m that memorable.”
She touched his cheek. “You are.” Then she slipped her hands behind her head, feeling happy despite the past 24 hours. “I’ll be fine. I can always come check you at the bar if I get bored, right?”
“Sure.”
“Good.” She stretched, almost smiling at the idea that was bouncing around in her head, one she hoped would be good news for him later that day.
He dropped a kiss on her mouth and dressed hurriedly before leaving.
Riley climbed out of bed and found clean clothes in her bag. She headed for the shower, trying to think through all the things she had to say that day, all the changes she was about to make, and everything she had to do. It was not going to be easy to pull it all together, but she was confident she could do it. A smile played along her mouth as she showered. “Baby, you’re gonna be so happy when you hear this little plan of mine,” she muttered as the soapy water rolled down her body, washing him off of her.
An hour later, a several-cups-of-coffee-fueled Riley knocked on the main office door. While her plain, modest shorts and t-shirt didn’t exactly scream serious, wealthy investor, she had no doubt that Gray’s father knew exactly how beneficial her little change purse could be to his flailing business.
Jon opened the door and looked at her quizzically, as if somewhat unpleasantly surprised. “Yes?” he said.
“Good morning, Mr. Smith. If you have a moment, I’d like to talk to you.” Before he had a chance to turn her down, Riley stole a glance over his shoulder and rushed out, “It’s important and fairly private, so I can come back if you already have people in your office.”
His eyes narrowed. “No, I’m alone. Come on in.”
She followed him inside and watched as he took a seat behind his desk.
Once Jon was settled, he cleared his throat. “I trust you’re not thinking of suing the resort for that little escapade yesterday.”
Escapade? She shook her head. “No, I don’t think anyone bears any real responsibility for that. Last I heard, it’s never too lucrative to litigate with God or Mother Nature.”
Jon gave her a wary glance. “Good. Then what can I do for you, Miss Teeter?”
Riley inhaled a long breath. “For starters, you can hear me out.”
“I’m listening.”
“Good, because I’d like to talk to you about your need for an investor.”
“An investor?”
“Yes,” Riley said, then took a second to examine the man. Gray resembled his father quite a bit, but there were plenty of differences, too. Gray’s rock-hard determination must come from his mother, she surmised, because Jon seemed far more wishy-washy somehow, something of a pushover, which Gray certainly was not. She also noticed that, while his office was neat and well-kept, it seemed a bit too lived-in as if he spent far too many hours there.
He grinned suddenly and then turned his face serious. “With all due respect, Miss Teeter, I’m very busy this morning, and we have some, uh…staff issues with the resort today. I’m afraid now is not the best time, but I would love to talk to you about that. Or discuss it with your father, on the phone or—”
“Well, sir, I’m afraid this may be the only time I have to talk to you about it,” she countered, and it wasn’t exactly a full-fledged lie. She had to gather a lot of information before making a decision, and she hadn’t wanted to involve Gray yet because she didn’t want to get his hopes up only to dash them. Furthermore, she didn’t want to make him feel like she felt obligated to help his family. Truthfully, if it didn’t work out she wouldn’t even mention it to him. On the other hand, if things looked copasetic and doable she had every intention of talking to Gray before she took one more step forward, though she wasn’t about to confess that to Jon, who certainly didn’t seem to have much faith in his son or his judgment in the first place. Plus, Gray’s father clearly thought she’d talked to her dad about investing. It was time to set the record straight.
Jon leaned back in his chair and glanced around his office, then pointed at a chair.
Riley sat down and instantly locked her eyes on his. “Listen, I’m not promising I’m going to invest or that I know anyone who will. I’m just here to see the numbers so I can decide if it would be a viable investment or not. I’m a firm believer in preparation and due diligence, and before I sink a dime into anything I want to know exactly where my money will go.”
Jon’s eyes narrowed, and a sardonic smile lifted one corner of his mouth. “Forgive me if this assumption is incorrect, but I thought your father was interested.”
“He’s not. I am.”
His brows lifted in surprise before dropping and pressing together. “It sounds as if you’ve already got your suspicions that the investment won’t be a sound one.”
Riley folded her hands in her lap. “It isn’t that. It’s just… Well, as much as I sometimes hate to admit it, I am my father’s daughter, and I know exactly what he would say about this investment.”
“And what would that be?”
“That it’s foolish and too risky. He wholeheartedly believes the economy is doomed to tank again, sooner rather than later, and he’d suggest that you could well lose a large chunk of business both here and at your fledgling resort. He would say you’ve allowed your other venture to draw your attention away from this place. Your slack and lack is noticeable to the staff and clientele here, and while you think your situation can be fixed with an investment to cover your debts, one thing you cannot fix is the dissatisfaction of your guests who left with a bitter taste in their mouths and will never come back. That’s a loss you cannot recover from…and even worse, in the tourist industry, people talk, and reviews do make a difference.”
Jon leaned even farther back in his chair, so far Riley feared he might end up on the floor. “And what do you say?”
“As a guest?”
“Sure.”
“Well, as I said, your customer service is lacking. I’m guessing you’ve made staff cuts because you were forced to in order to make payroll. The rooms are in desperate need of renovations, and you don’t offer enough onsite activities. There’s little to do besides drink or swim, and while those are enjoyable and there are many local attractions…” He stared at her, his face unreadable. So she continued, “It’s just not enough, especially with all your competition close by.” She wasn’t even going to mention the restaurant or the pool.
“That about sums it up,” he said, steepling his fingers in front of him.
Taking note of the irony in his voice, Riley leaned forward and said, “Listen, I’m not telling what you probably don’t already know from the feedback, complaints, and online reviews. You’ve gone from five stars to three in just a year. That’s clear. Maybe what isn’t clear to you is that you’re working your staff too hard. They aren’t happy, and it shows. Every guest request is met with impatience and resentment from your staff, even if they do offer fake smiles to try to hide it. You have some major problems here, and you’re doing little to nothing to fix them.”
He opened his mouth to argue but closed it again.
Riley took her opportunity. “As a potential investor, I need to know whether it’s a financial issue or simply a lack of passion for your work and your business, a lack of concern about your guests and their experience here. I also need to take a good, lo
ng, honest look at the books, at all your financials, in order to make an informed decision.”
Jon paused for a moment, then sighed and asked, “Tell me, did he put you up to this? Is this Gray’s way of trying to see exactly what he’ll get out of the deal? If that’s the case, you can tell him I said the answer is nothing, whether or not you or your family invest. I’m sure he sent you to string me along, because he thinks that’ll put him in my good graces and earn him some sort of chunk of the business, maybe an inheritance he doesn’t deserve, but that won’t be the case.”
“Excuse me?” Riley stared at him in surprise. Gray didn’t even know she was here.
“And, no, he’s not entitled to any of this business. It isn’t just because his mother had an affair and tried to pass the boy off as mine. It’s because when everything is said and done he’s just not capable of running this place. He can’t handle it, and I won’t let him ruin what we’ve worked for.”
What? Gray’s…not even his? Torn between horror and disgust, all Riley could do was stare at Jon. She didn’t know Gray. She’d barely scratched the surface. Finally, she said, “He has no idea I’m here. I came because he really does love this place and wants to see it succeed. I don’t need my father’s money. I have a personal trust, funds of my own, and I was willing to use it to help you get back on your feet, because it was important to Grayson. As for ruining the business, I don’t think you can pin that on Gray. You might do better to listen to him, because he has great ideas. You’re just too blind to realize it.” She stood and moved to leave, but turned around once more. “You’re dead wrong about him. I hope you realize that one day. I had no idea he wasn’t your son, but that answers so many questions as to why you treat him with so little respect. It also tells me that no matter what I do you’ll never give an inch. You refuse to see his strengths because his mother hurt you, and that, sir, is a sign of a poor, self-involved businessman who’s doomed to fail. I’m half your age and I see it. You’re the one who needs to wake up.” She shook her head and walked out, slamming the door behind her, not even taking one last look over her shoulder at his cold, indignant face.
“What the hell, Riley?” Gray snapped, startling her.
She hadn’t noticed him outside the door. She had a feeling he might have heard her yelling. She needed to explain. “Gray? I was just—”
“Just what? Going behind my back? What the hell did you just do?” he demanded, stopping her right outside the door, his eyes flashing. “Thanks for fucking everything up. This is my life, not yours! Take your stuff. Go to your parents. Go back to fucking New York. Go find someone else’s life to ruin.” Then, without another word, he turned and stomped down the hallway, shaking his head.
Chapter 23
Riley stood at the window, staring down. The famous New York City skyline winked and twinkled back at her. The skyscrapers poked up into the dark sky, and honking, crowded traffic, mostly yellow, snaked down the streets. From the 60th floor of that huge high-rise, they looked so tiny, like a little boy’s Hot Wheels, as small and childish as she suddenly felt.
Tears scalded her eyes. How is this possible? she wondered. She’d woken up that morning in Gray’s bed, in his arms, and by nightfall she’d be sleeping in her old bedroom in her parents’ penthouse apartment in New York. None of it made any sense.
All of it broke her heart.
The memory of that awful fight with Gray hammered at her heart and brain. How could he be so angry with me, when I was just trying to help? How could he accuse me of sneaking around, of being underhanded? More so, she didn’t see how his father could be such a colossal prick. Sure, her parents were self-centered jerks who never thought of anyone else, but even they wouldn’t say such hurtful things even if they were true. Jon was an ass, and Gray was acting like one. Like father, like son. Except that wasn’t exactly the case, was it?
The flight home, taken in haste and with his recriminations ringing in her ears, had been hard. Harder still was walking into the apartment to face her parents’ disapproval and the inevitable, “We told you so,” spoken with those uppity, smug, we-know-everything looks on their faces. She wanted to run away, to turn around and head right back out the door, but she had nowhere to go. She knew she could never go back to Gray, not after what he screamed at her in that hallway outside his father’s office.
Tears soaked her cheeks. Her idea had been done with good intention, but instead it had ruined whatever they’d built between them. The things Gray had said to her were almost more hurtful than that shark’s teeth would have been, she was sure of it.
Knock-knock
Riley hastily scrubbed her cheeks with one hand before calling out, “Yes?”
“Miss, your mother and father have gone out for the night, and I’m going to retire now. Please ring if you need me.”
Riley cleared her throat again. “Thank you, Louisa, but I’ll be fine. Enjoy your rest.”
“Yes, miss. Thank you,” the woman said, then gently closed the door.
Riley slumped against the large window. The opulence around her, all that gold leaf and the vast expanse in a city where space was at a premium, was enough to make her sick. She desperately longed for the simpler things, just white sand, shimmering waters, the low rhythm of reggae, and the coconut scent of suntan oil. She sighed and turned away from the panoramic view. Well, I guess this is what happens when someone does something presumptuous and stupid. She gets her heart smashed to bits and ends up in the exact same place she tried to leave behind. She paused for a moment, and her anger swelled again. Damn it! I should’ve known better than to trust someone like Gray. Or try to help his family. What the hell was I doing down there anyway, acting like some silly, love-sick tourist? She sighed. She’d chased love like a spoiled, rich child, nearly drowned in the process, and now was crying over a broken heart? She was the idiot. The only person she should be mad at was herself.
Riley checked the time. It was barely eight. At that hour, in Florida, she would’ve been laughing with or at Gray, having fun and anticipating a good, long session of kisses followed by delicious sex. Instead, she was imprisoned in the high-ceiling rooms of that penthouse, trapped by steel, glass, and a height she had never wanted to climb to again.
Frustrated and restless, Riley grabbed her purse and headed for the door. She paused for a moment as she stepped in front of the full-length mirror encased in a ridiculously overpriced antique gold frame. “Who the hell are you anyway?” she asked the reflection staring back at her. Her blonde hair was in a neat chignon. Instead of the comfortable, ratty shorts and novelty t-shirt she’d been wearing for a few days, her body was held captive in a sleek suit comprised of linen slacks and a sleeveless silk shell. Instead of the flip-flops that allowed the sun and sand to soothe her feet with their warmth, she was perched atop a pair of highly expensive, name brand sandals, with a tall, wedge heel. She shook her head again and asked, “Who are you, and why do you look so familiar? Wait. I know. You’re the woman I thought I had outrun. I guess I didn’t get very far, huh?” Then again, maybe I went too far, she thought. After all, part of her was still back in Florida, on the beach and under that tropical sun, lounging in the love she thought she knew so well.
She stomped through the apartment on her precariously high heels, click-clacking across the marble floors. Wealth met her at every turn. There was all that designer furniture, and the walls were adorned with masterpieces that cost more than some people’s homes. Where the marble stopped, like sand on the shore she missed already, an ocean of plush carpeting spanned the area. The wall-to-wall windows gave entrance to that sunlight everyone in the city talked so much about but never really took time to feel on their faces. Everything about New York was postcard-perfect. And just as flat and two-dimensional, she thought with a cringe as she walked a little faster, on a futile quest to outrun her heartache.
Chapter 24
Gray sat on the barstool, his eyes pinned to the mirror behind the bar.
“Hey
there,” said a slinky redhead as she slithered her firm behind onto the stool beside him.
“Not tonight,” he said, then tipped the bottle to his lips. He didn’t really care if she thought he was a dick, an asshole, or the consummate douchebag, as he was damn sure he was all of the above.
“Wow. Jerk much?”
“Hey, at least you didn’t mistake me for a drug dealer willing to sell to the kiddies,” he mumbled, practically slurring the nonsensical remark.
She stared into the mirror, glancing over at him, her face twisted in both chagrin and confusion. “Say what?”
He waved his bottle. “Never mind. I’m just a shitty person, not the guy you wanna talk to right now. Thanks for trying, lady, but you need to move along now.”
The long, manicured, fire-red nails at the tips of her fingers tapped the wooden bar. “Hmm. I see that,” she said with a nod and a flick of her fiery mane.
Then why the fuck don’t you go away? Gray thought, looking at her scornfully. His heart hurt so badly that he felt an actual physical cramp below his ribs with every breath he drew, and he seriously considered just trying not to breathe for a little while, hoping to permanently ease that ache.
“So what’s up with the dope dealer thing? Someone thought you’re, uh…holding?”
“Something like that. These damn tourists. They…” He sighed. There was too much alcohol in his system and too little food. He was talking too much, and he feared that at any minute he might break down and start bawling. Then again, if I keep making a damn fool of myself, maybe this chick will take the hint and scoot her fine ass away from me, he told himself. “Yeah, little bastards with their pockets full of Mommy’s and Daddy’s money come sniffin’ ‘round here all the damn time. They think they run the whole fucking show, even though they’re only here for a day or a week or whatever, and we actually live and work in this hellhole.”