Summer Escape with the Tycoon

by Donna Alward

“I could see that. But it didn’t look like happy memories.”

  He shrugged and picked up the cherry tart. “Honestly, I was just realizing that I haven’t really stopped working since I was twelve years old.”

  “Then a vacation is long overdue,” she answered and lifted her glass. “I know you’re not crazy about divorce lawyers, and I’m not crazy about autocratic people who barge into my hotel room. But maybe we can call a truce? Make a pledge of civility?” She lifted her glass. “What do you say? To long-overdue vacations.”

  A pledge of civility? His problem wasn’t going to be being civil. It was going to be reminding himself that he wasn’t interested, because she was more intriguing by the minute. He lifted his glass anyway. “To long-overdue vacations.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  THEY ARRIVED AT their next destination—a lodge just outside Campbell River—late in the afternoon. Her bags were already waiting in her room; one of the company vans had taken the luggage ahead while the passengers whiled away the day at the wineries.

  The previous night’s accommodations had been posh and luxurious; tonight’s were less ostentatious but equal in comfort and services. When Molly was taken to her room, she was treated to an expansive view of the mountains out the large window and a sumptuous king-size bed with a fluffy duvet and plump pillows. The decor was simple and expensive, but there was something inherently calming about it, from the clump of fresh lavender and sweet grass on the pillow to the soothing bath salts at the edge of the oversize soaker tub. According to the brochure, the lodge was often used for yoga and spiritual retreats. As she let out a deep breath, she could understand why. It was perfect.

  They were on their own for dinner, so she first headed to the spa for the Ayurvedic massage she’d booked as part of the package. Soft music, scented oil and sure hands meant that an hour later she emerged feeling incredibly relaxed and about ten pounds lighter. The masseuse had encouraged her to drink a bottle of water before leaving the spa, and by the time she returned to her room, she didn’t feel like going to the dining room, so she called down and ordered room service.

  The fresh pasta with pesto and feta perked her up, though, and around nine o’clock she thought she might head down to the hot tub for a quick dip. She left her dishes outside the room and slid on a pair of flip-flops before heading to the outdoor hot tub.

  The air had cooled once the sun had gone down, and Molly discovered half their group lounging in the huge tub. She hung up her robe and left her flip-flops under the hook, and then stepped into the steaming water wearing her modest one-piece swimsuit, hurrying so her body was on display as little as possible. The couple from Alberta were soaking near the steps, and she offered a smile as she sank up to her armpits in the bubbles, letting out a happy sigh.

  “It’s lovely, isn’t it?” asked Joan, the woman beside her. “We had dinner and decided to go for a dip and I’m so glad.”

  “I had a massage and dinner in my room. But then I thought, why not?” She smiled at the other woman. “I came on this trip to take advantage of what it had to offer, so here I am.”

  “Speaking of taking advantage of the amenities,” Joan said, her voice a little lower, and Molly turned to follow the path of Joan’s gaze. Her body heated at the sight of Eric coming across the wood decking in his bare feet.

  “Oh. It’s not like that,” Molly muttered.

  “Are you sure? You seem to be together a lot.”

  “We’re the only singletons on the trip. There’s really nothing.”

  Except for the little knot of attraction that settled low in her belly. He wore swim trunks and a T-shirt, which he stripped off and tossed on top of the pristine white towel from his room. She put on a smile and kept her shoulders at the same level as the water, increasingly self-conscious of her figure in a bathing suit.

  He got in, gave her a wink and slipped across to the other side of the pool, where he began chatting with other guests.

  “See?” She turned to Joan and smiled. “Definitely not pairing up.”

  Joan laughed then. “Sweetie, I’m forty-eight years old and I don’t get fooled easily. You can’t take your eyes off him.”

  Good thing the pool was hot and her cheeks were already flushed. She shrugged and said, “I didn’t say he wasn’t good-looking. I’m not blind.”

  Joan laughed again, and then they settled into a conversation, getting to know each other a little better and chatting about the wineries from earlier today.

  People started getting out not long after. Molly considered it, but Eric was still here and she was still self-conscious about being in her bathing suit. Thank God she hadn’t worn a bikini. She was so confident in some ways, but not about her figure. There was no flattering cut or supportive undergarment to help her now. The little pudge at her belly and flare of her hips would be on full display if she stepped out of the water.

  So she waited.

  And so did he.

  And he met her gaze—his was warm and alluring as a smile crawled up his cheeks.

  Nerves went from her belly to her chest, making it hard to breathe. He slid across the hot tub to her side, not too close, and sat on the seat at the edge, his arms spread along the top of the tub on either side. “So,” he said, and she noticed that his hair was damp at the edges, making it nearly black.

  “So,” she parroted, trying to act nonchalant. Huh. This usually wasn’t a problem. She had a reputation for being cold in the courtroom. Unflappable. Right now she was definitely feeling...flapped.

  “Come here often?” He lifted an eyebrow, and she couldn’t help it. She giggled a little.

  “We have to stop meeting this way,” she replied, playing into the cliché.

  “Of all the gin joints...”

  She really laughed now and pushed her damp hair out of her face. She could feel the curls against her fingers; the steam and dampness had taken her simple waves and made them go a bit crazy.

  “This is a great spot,” she said, leaning back to look at the stars that had popped out overhead. “I mean, I know this is supposed to be some great adventure tour, but I feel as if I’m in the lap of luxury. Wineries and great food and a massage and a soak in a hot tub. It’s positively indulgent.”

  “Enjoy it now. In a few days we’ll be roughing it.”

  “I know.” While they were getting along so well, she decided to let him in on a little secret. “I’ve never been camping.”

  “Never?”

  She shook her head.

  “I went when I was a kid. Summer camps and stuff. I’m sure the gear here will be a little more high-tech than what I was used to.”

  “What were you used to?”

  He looked over at her, his smile lazy. “Four of us crammed into a two-man tent with sleeping bags and pillows. No mats or air mattresses. But it might have been the best time of my life.”

  “Really?”

  “Except for the time we were clearing out and we found a huge spider in the tent. Our camp leader came in and sprayed the heck out of it with bug spray. The thing was coated in white foam and it still didn’t die for a good five minutes.” He gave a shudder. “I’m not saying I’m wimpy about spiders, but that thing was huge.”

  Her eyes were feeling rather huge at the moment as she stared at him. “Um...are there big spiders here?” she asked.

  “Nothing poisonous, I don’t think. Sorry. I didn’t mean to freak you out.”

  “I’m not,” she defended, determined to appear steady when inside she was picturing a spider in her tent and trying not to shudder at the thought.

  But the mood had changed a bit, and Molly felt a bit off balance. She hadn’t really been tested so far on this trip, and now she was afraid of looking silly in front of him as the more challenging aspects were just ahead. He seemed so...capable. Of anything.

  “Just think, though,” he said soft
ly. “We’ll be out there surrounded by nature, seeing orcas and sea lions and who knows what else? It’s pretty amazing.”

  “I’m trying not to be intimidated.”

  “But you are?”

  She nodded, deciding to confide a little. What would it hurt? That was the whole purpose of the trip, wasn’t it? To stretch her boundaries a little? Besides, after this trip was over, she’d never see him again. There was some safety in that.

  “I’m good at what I do, but I’ve lived a pretty sheltered life.” Especially since Jack’s death, when she’d been left an only child. “I’m not used to feeling vulnerable. So while kayaking with killer whales sounds amazing and exciting, it’s also way out of my comfort zone. I mean...” She gestured down at herself. “I’m this size. And an orca is...”

  “Much, much bigger.”

  “I have this fear that one will swim under my kayak and flip me over.”

  “We’ll stay close to shore. I don’t think you have to worry about that.”

  “Probably not. But...it is what it is.” She smiled weakly. “Please don’t use that against me.”

  “I won’t.” He studied her with a somber expression. “I don’t believe in using people’s fears against them.”

  She thought about that for a moment. “Really? Because I’d think that might be a strategy for someone in acquisitions. A negotiating tactic.”

  He tilted his head as he thought for a minute. “No,” he answered. “I might exploit a weakness, but not a fear. And, yes, there’s a difference.”

  He removed one arm from the edge of the hot tub and turned to face her, only inches away. Her pulse hammered at her throat as his gaze captured hers. “What you just said? That’s a fear.” He moved an inch closer. “But the way I’m feeling right now, this close to you? That’s a weakness.”

  Her breath caught. “Are you asking me to exploit it?”

  His gaze dropped to her lips, then back up to her eyes. “Oh, it’s tempting. Very tempting. But, no, not tonight.”

  She was surprised at the disappointment she felt at his words. His dark eyes held her captive for a long moment, while she pondered the wisdom of taking the single step forward. That was all it would take, really. One step and her lips could be on his. Her body brushing his, coming alive.

  And then what? Up until this moment they hadn’t even liked each other! And there was still the majority of the trip to get through, and if they kissed now and regretted it tomorrow, it would be awkward as hell. Because he would surely regret it, wouldn’t he?

  She swallowed. And he leaned back and said, “Good night, Molly.”

  Water splashed as he skirted around her and stepped out of the tub, steam rising off his lean body as he hit the cool outer air. Wordlessly, he grabbed his towel and briskly rubbed off most of the water before putting on his T-shirt and looping the towel around his neck.

  “Good night,” he repeated quietly and padded away.

  Once he was gone she let out the breath she’d been holding and got out of the tub. Hot water slid off her suit and down her legs as she rushed to get her towel and robe.

  He’d almost kissed her.

  But at least he hadn’t seen her in her bathing suit.

  * * *

  The woman had curves. Delicious ones that he had only glimpsed that day in the hotel room and last night in the hot tub. As Eric watched Molly pick her way across the gravelly shore toward inflatable boats, he realized that the last few days she’d worn clothing that did little to accentuate the dip of her waist and curve of her hips. The wet suit she was wearing, though—little was left to his imagination, and what was left was incredibly tempting.

  He was attracted to her. He had come close to kissing her last night, which would have been a massive mistake. It was the spider, he realized. And the confession she’d made to him about being afraid. It had made him forget that he didn’t like divorce lawyers and, right now, women in general.

  Though that was hardly fair. Sure, he was sour about the divorce, but if he were honest with himself, it wasn’t all about the money. Not at all. He’d loved Murielle. Maybe not in the great love-of-a-lifetime way from the books and movies, but he had loved her and tried to show her in his way. It hadn’t been enough.

  She’d also made him pay, and she’d had a Molly on her side. He hadn’t.

  The tour guide, Shawn, nudged him. “You ready, Eric? Everyone’s getting in the boats now. We’ll head downriver a bit to the first pool and then get you in the water.”

  He climbed into one of the two boats—not the one Molly was in. He was looking forward to the trip, and the fresh air and the group’s excitement scattered his heavy thoughts. Snorkeling was fun and today they’d be snorkeling with salmon. According to the tour information, tens of thousands of pink salmon returned to this river every year to spawn. They might even see some of the much larger but rarer Chinook salmon.

  The ride in the boat was fun all on its own. The current of the river was fast, and they bounced along the waves while the summer sun beat down on Eric’s head. They passed a pair of fly fishermen, who each lifted a hand in greeting, and went under a bridge that soared high above the river. It didn’t take long and they slowed and put in to shore, where they would get in the water, put on their snorkel gear and be able to see what was happening beneath the surface.

  “If anyone isn’t up for snorkeling, they’re welcome to stay in the boat and continue downriver with us,” Shawn said, while the other guides helped sort out gear and gave instructions.

  Eric looked over at Molly. For a moment she looked tempted, but then she reached for a mask and snorkel and slipped them over her head, a set to her jaw that was becoming familiar.

  “Just a reminder to pair up as you go,” Shawn called out. “The current will carry you downriver—you won’t have to do much of anything. And the water’s not overly deep. Relax and enjoy the view.”

  Eric made his way over to where she stood, alone on the bank. Once more the couples and groups were together and she was on the outside. “Need a buddy for the buddy system?”

  She looked up at him and sighed. “Do you suppose we should just resign ourselves to the fact that we’re going to be paired up because we’re the odd ones out?”

  He shrugged. “I can think of worse things. You’re not so bad. For a divorce lawyer.” In fact, he kept forgetting about that little tidbit more than he cared to admit.

  She stifled a snort. “I guess you’re okay. For an uptight businessman.”

  He laughed. “I know I’m uptight. It comes from being super focused. Believe it or not, you’ve seen me at my most relaxed.”

  “Me too. Pretty sad, isn’t it?”

  He was going to make a comment about how they’d both needed the trip, but they were interrupted by final instructions and then getting into the water. Molly stepped in beside him and they began to wade out. She stumbled on one of the round stones on the river bottom and reached out to grab his arm. Once she was steady she laughed and rolled her eyes.

  “That wasn’t intentional.”

  “I know you can’t keep your hands off me.”

  She snorted then, and he laughed. Why was he bantering, flirting, if he wasn’t interested in starting anything?

  Maybe it was because this was a limited-time thing. When they’d first met they’d both been cranky and annoyed. But now...a vacation fling didn’t seem like a half-bad idea. It would never go anywhere. He was used to weighing risks. This was fairly low-risk from where he was standing. Eight more days, then back to their own lives. No harm, no foul.

  “Whatever keeps me from breaking my neck,” she answered, letting go of his arm. “Priorities.”

  Self-preservation was a darn good priority. And one he wasn’t exactly following at the moment. It wasn’t just being thrown together because they were the odd ones out. There was something about her tha
t drew him in.

  “You ready?” He adjusted a setting on his wrist camera, and she tilted her head with curiosity.

  “What’s that?”

  “An underwater wrist cam. I’m hoping to get some neat video.”

  “Boys and their toys,” she muttered, but grinned up at him. He thought about maybe sharing some clips after the trip, but they probably wouldn’t even speak again once it was over.

  He was ready but she still hesitated. “What’s wrong?”

  She shook her head. “I’m fine. I’ve just never snorkeled before. I’m gearing myself up.”

  “If you can swim, you can snorkel. Just put your face in the water. Easy.”

  “Easy,” she repeated, as if she didn’t quite believe him. When he looked down, he saw her hands were shaking. But then she lowered her mask, put the snorkel in her mouth and slid into the water, putting her face in. Her personal flotation device kept her buoyant, and before he put his mask on he saw the tempting curve of her bottom break the surface. Lord, that wet suit was going to be the death of him today. He pulled down the mask and followed her into the water.

  He put his face in and took a moment for his vision to adjust, and then he was entranced. The river bottom was alive. He turned his head and looked over at Molly, who was pointing ahead of him. When he tilted his head, he saw a school of salmon rushing past, darts of silver flashing in the sun-dappled water. They both stood and broke the surface at the same time.

  “That’s incredible!”

  “Oh, my God, that’s so cool!”

  Then they both started laughing.

  “This is really your first time?” he asked.

  “I’ve always been too chicken on our family vacations. Instead I’ve done the glass-bottomed boat thing.”

  He wondered why a woman like her would choose to be on the outside rather than right in the middle of the action. “Well, we’ve got lots of day left. Let’s go.”

  They spent the next thirty minutes in the water, the current carrying them forward as they explored the river. Occasionally they’d pop up and check their surroundings and the group; at one point they got back in the inflatable boats and headed downriver to a pool away from the rushing water. He could sense when Molly gained confidence and comfort; she moved through the water with greater ease and was quick to point out new schools of fish. They didn’t see any of the famed Chinook salmon, but that was okay. Eric had had a blast, and by the smile on Molly’s face when she peeled off her mask and snorkel, she had, too.