“What’s that?”
He gave her a full smile despite his now throbbing head. “Lust.”
Her mouth gaped open.
He worked hard to hold on to his grin. “Just another reason why we shouldn’t work together so closely. How can your mind stay on business when you’re busy wanting to get me into your bed?”
She yanked her hand back. It was a minor triumph, but one he was paying for with the current vise grip on his brain. He ran his hand under his nose to make sure it hadn’t started bleeding.
“You’re a cocky son of a bitch, aren’t you?”
“It’s not cocky if it’s true.” He couldn’t help but be amused by her look of outrage.
Her cheeks reddened. “I really don’t like you.”
He felt the burning glare right through her dark glasses. “Now, remember, you’re the one who asked me to touch you. Don’t blame me for what I got.”
She continued to stare daggers at him. He’d admit it. He was just playing with her now. She was even more gorgeous when she was mad.
His smile grew wider. He hadn’t felt this amused in ages. “It’s okay to want me, Carrie. I don’t mind at all.”
The next moment, his chair flew backward about ten feet before turning over and dumping him unceremoniously into the pool. He sputtered as he came to the surface, laughing despite the pain crushing his skull from using his ability. He knew the more out-of-control elements of her telekinesis were completely tied to her emotions. He must have hit the bull’s-eye.
She now stood at the side of the pool with her hands on her hips. “You might try to hide whatever is wrong with you, but I can tell that it’s eating away at you and making you miserable. And you know what?”
“Oh, please tell me. I’m all ears.” He began dragging himself out of the water.
“You might not want to be my partner when we get back to Mystic Ridge. But you’re my partner right now, and for the moment you’re stuck with me. Amanda asked me to find out why you’ve changed. For some reason she cares about you. And despite all signs that I should steer totally clear of you, I care, too, and I want to help you whether you like it or not.” At his look of surprise, she smiled. “I will find out what you’re trying to hide, Patrick. And you can’t stop me.”
He ignored the sinking sensation that statement caused in his gut. “Then it’s just too bad that I’m not hiding anything, isn’t it?”
“We’ll see about that.”
“I think you have enough problems of your own to deal with without adding mine to your list.”
“So you’re admitting you have problems?”
“Yes. Apparently I do. She’s about five-seven with dark hair, light brown eyes and she’s totally dry while I’m dripping wet.” He stood up, his clothes trailing water as he moved toward her. Despite the ego-warming from learning that Carrie Stanfield lusted after his body, his patience was growing thin with these games. The headache from hell wasn’t helping matters much.
She looked at him warily as he approached, but stood her ground, not taking even a single step back when he drew almost close enough to touch her. But he didn’t touch her. Only a few inches separated their faces as he leaned toward her. He could smell her cologne—a light floral scent that succeeded in reigniting his heated attraction toward her.
She cared about him. That was another problem he had to deal with.
She inhaled sharply. “Are you trying to intimidate me?”
“Is it working?”
“No.”
“You need to try harder to master your telekinesis. Do you know what happens to TKs who can’t control their abilities perfectly?”
She frowned, which only drew his attention to the sexy curve of her lips. “What happens to them?”
“They’re put on medication that dampens their powers so they’re not a threat to anyone—way stronger than the drugs you took to fly down here. It’s not bad for a few hours. Not great for the rest of your life. And a small percentage will spend time in mental institutions, either voluntarily or involuntarily.”
“Oh.” There was no blush to her cheeks anymore. In fact, the color had drained completely from her face as she turned away from him.
He felt a sharp stab of remorse. What he’d told her was true, but he shouldn’t have said it so bluntly.
“Carrie…” he began. She slowly turned to look at him. He shook his head. “I know you don’t totally believe in yourself, but I know you can do this. I’ve seen uncontrollable before, and you’re not it. I can see some things that you even hide from yourself.”
She inhaled shakily. “Yeah, well, I guess that makes two of us.”
“You’re not empathic.”
“You might have psychic insight, but I have gut instinct, and it’s never let me down before.”
“And what does your gut tell you about me?”
“That you’re trying to run away from your problems, but they’re creeping up behind you. Either they’ll defeat you or you’ll defeat them.”
“You should write horoscopes for a living. Or fortune cookies.”
“Instead I’m working for PARA. And…I know I want to keep this job, no matter who my partner is.”
He nodded. “Then prove it.”
“I intend to.” She held his gaze.
He was close enough that if he leaned forward only a fraction, he could brush his lips against hers. The outline of her nipples strained against the thin material of her bikini top. He had the sudden urge to pull the straps off her shoulders, bare her breasts to the sunlight, and circle his tongue over the hard, sensitive tips while she moaned his name. It was nearly an unstoppable compulsion that made his cock painfully hard again and it strained against the zipper of his pants.
He wanted to touch her so badly his hands ached.
Carrie’s gaze had grown more intense. Was she aware how hard she’d made him? Should he be embarrassed about that?
It had been so long since he’d touched anyone for more than a few seconds. He’d thought it wasn’t a problem, but it was. Carrie wasn’t the only one with inconvenient lust issues in this temporary partnership.
There was something about her, something he’d seen when they first met, and it was enough to keep her on his mind ever since. Aside from her looks and the way she filled out that bikini top, he liked the way she pushed him. How she challenged him. She wasn’t afraid to admit that she cared enough to help him even though he hadn’t given her a damn reason to feel that way.
Running away from his problems. Funny way to put it, actually. Before he was the accident he’d been in the best shape of his life. He’d been training for a local marathon with the goal of competing in the Ironman triathlon in Hawaii.
The next thing he knew, he was stuck in a wheelchair, dealing with painful physio sessions and doctors who told him that even if he was able to walk again, he’d never run again. Not like before.
Now he ran every single morning, relishing how it felt as his feet pounded the pavement, the wind on his face. He’d never take it for granted again.
Without the healing charm he’d have had to spend too much time with his painful exercises. Months. Years. All with the goal of walking with the assistance of a cane for the rest of his life.
Not nearly good enough. At least the charm was a sure thing.
Hell, maybe he was running away from his problems, but at least he could run.
“I need to change out of these wet clothes,” Patrick said, before finally turning away from Carrie.
“Patrick—” she began, but he never found out what she was going to say next.
He didn’t run away from her. He walked. Quickly.
6
SHE WASN’T GOING TO a mental institution. That much she knew for sure.
Everything else was uncertain.
Patrick didn’t want to be her partner anymore, which told her one very important thing. She was close to discovering the truth about him. It was as encouraging as it was frustrating.
Aside from that unpleasant part of the conversation, there had been a moment when she’d sensed something from Patrick. A heated intensity at odds with his more reserved “I want my room on a different floor” behavior. The way he’d looked at her, that aching need in his eyes as his gaze skimmed her body had made her hot. All she’d wanted to do was to—
“I want you off my property.”
Carrie turned to see Will speaking with a dark-haired man at the far end of the pool deck, next to the short stone fence that led to the beach and ocean, where the sun was sinking beneath the horizon in a gorgeous display of pink, orange and yellow. The man had a camera strapped around his neck and was taking pictures of the sunset.
“Just a couple more for our files,” he said.
Will looked distressed.
Carrie walked toward him. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes, fine. Everything’s fine.” Will frowned. “I just want this guy to leave.”
“He’s leaving.” A beautiful redhead in a dark blue wrap dress that hugged her curves approached slowly.
Will’s eyes widened at the sight of her. “Ruby. I’m surprised to see you.”
She smiled at him. “I told you I’d be back.”
“You did, but…I thought you were transferred to the resort in Acapulco.”
“That was only temporary. You’re keeping track of my whereabouts, are you?”
“No, I…” Will shook his head. “Sorry, I’m being rude. Ruby Smythe, this is Carrie Stanfield.”
Carrie shook the woman’s hand. “Hi.”
“Ruby works for the Loa Loa,” Will said, then glared at the man beside her. “So does her picture-taking friend here.”
The man crossed his muscular arms. “I only do what I’m told to do.”
“What if I tell you to shove that camera up your ass?”
The smile held. “I only do what Ruby tells me to do.”
Ruby gave Carrie an appraising look. “Are you with Will?”
“With him? Oh, no, I’m just here to—”
“Carrie’s on her honeymoon.” Will’s blue eyes flicked nervously to her. “Having a wonderful time, too, aren’t you?”
She could take a hint not to mention she was on assignment with PARA. “Yeah. I love it here. I mean, just look at that sunset.”
Ruby’s attention hadn’t wavered from Will. “Oh, well congratulations, Carrie.”
“Thanks.”
“So you’re still running this place by yourself, Will?” she asked.
“I am.”
“Must get lonely.”
His shoulders stiffened and he slid a hand through his short hair. “Not really. I have plenty of guests to keep me company. And my staff, of course.”
“Of course.” Ruby moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue as her gaze traveled over his trim body. “Anyway, I’ll be seeing you again.”
“I’m not signing the papers.”
“You’ve read them?”
“I have, and I’m not signing them.”
“It’s a very generous offer. More generous, really, than this property is worth.”
“I don’t care about the money,” he said firmly.
“I know you’re having a hard time letting go of the past.”
He shook his head. “It’s got nothing to do with that.”
“Sometimes it’s a good thing to embrace new possibilities. Look to a future that could hold happiness and joy for you rather than obsess about what’s gone forever. I only want what’s best for you, Will. I worry that you’re making your decisions for the wrong reasons. That you won’t even open yourself to change.”
Will smiled but it was tight and forced. “Thanks for stopping by, Ruby.”
“Fine. Be stubborn. But I’m not even close to giving up.” She held his gaze for a moment longer before she nodded. “Okay. Diego, let’s go.”
The camera guy followed her off the patio and Carrie watched as they disappeared around the edge of the building.
“Sorry about that,” Will said.
“Seemed a bit tense between you two.”
“I don’t want to sell. There may come a time when I have no choice, but right now it’s not an option. I can’t let go of this place.”
“It reminds you of your wife, doesn’t it?”
He peered at Carrie. “Are you empathic like your partner?”
“No, but I’m not blind. You and your wife ran this place together and now that she’s…she’s gone, Violet Shores keeps her close to you.”
A flicker of pain crossed his tense expression. “Yeah. That about sums it up.”
“So you’re not interested in Ruby?”
“What do you mean, interested?”
“I got the impression she might have you on her romantic radar.”
He laughed, sounding embarrassed. “She’s not even a friend.”
“I think she’d like to be more than that.”
“She’s my competition. She’s trying to convince me to sign those papers when it’s the last damn thing I want to do.”
Carrie couldn’t help but feel an immediate affection for her first client and his plight. “Look, it’s none of my business, and I know we just met, but sometimes when you’re stuck in the past you can’t see the wonderful opportunity right in front of you.”
He crossed his arms. “You’re absolutely right.”
“I am?”
“Yeah. It’s none of your business.” But he smiled back at her. “Where’s your partner?”
She cringed, thinking of Patrick’s abrupt departure. She couldn’t figure him out. Although, admittedly, she’d only just begun trying.
“He’s not here, that’s all I know. I get the feeling I won’t be seeing him again until tomorrow morning when we head out to the island. I’ll have to check out the local shops before they close tonight.” She turned to the sunset and the endless expanse of ocean. “Listen, about this goddess—what was her name again?”
He hesitated. “Erzulie.”
She exhaled shakily, just thinking how crazy this all sounded. “Did you see her? Did you talk to her? Is that why you think she cursed this place?”
“No, I didn’t actually see her, but I felt her presence. Strongly. I asked her to help me—I told her about Violet. She…told me to go away. When I kept talking, I felt her get angry with me. She told me to leave and not disturb her rest again. She’s well known down here, and everyone I ask says when she’s mad, she won’t hesitate to curse you.”
Carrie frowned. “But she’s the goddess of love and sex.”
“She is.”
“She doesn’t sound very friendly, considering who she is.”
Will smiled. “Who said there’s anything friendly about love or sex? Wars have been fought over both.”
He had a good point.
“Don’t worry. We’re going to dig up the amulet tomorrow and Patrick will be able to tell if it’s a threat. If she really did curse you, he’ll destroy it, the curse will be broken, and all is well.” That was her understanding of what was going to happen. It sounded fairly reasonable, all things considered.
“Thank you.” Will finally relaxed. “But you know, maybe this place is just naturally doomed to failure. Maybe I should sign on the dotted line and hand the property over to Ruby so the Loa Loa can have an unobstructed view of the ocean.”
“Maybe you should.”
There was a steely look of determination in his eyes. “No way.”
She nodded. “Then there you go.”
Will relaxed after a moment, staring out at the horizon. “I can see the two of you together, you know. You and Patrick.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Are you psychic, too?”
“Sometimes I think I might be.” He leaned against the half wall separating the pool deck from the beach. “I get this hunch when I meet people. I can sense their chemistry. You should have met my wife. She was a regular matchmaker.”
“Patrick and I are business p
artners only,” she said firmly.
“Well, if things change, remember I’ve got a honeymoon villa a mile from here on the east island. It’s all decked out and nobody wants to use it. King-size bed. Huge tub. No distractions. It’s been deserted for more than a month. Total privacy.”
This didn’t help her get the image of Patrick out of her head in the slightest. “We’ll investigate your love goddess, but I don’t think we’ll be investigating any honeymoon villas.”
His grin faded and his expression darkened. “Just be careful tomorrow. Erzulie…she’s a bit of a troublemaker.”
Carrie raised an eyebrow. “What a coincidence. So am I.”
PATRICK WANTED TO CHECK on Carrie, but it was better if he didn’t. She had his BlackBerry number. If there was a problem, she’d call.
Coward.
Let’s not be cruel, he thought. He was avoiding her so she wouldn’t get upset and start breaking things. It was for her own good, too.
Sure it was.
He ignored the hot tub in the corner of his room and instead read the file on Erzulie, followed by a legal thriller he’d brought along. When he got tired, he turned off the light and stretched out in the king-size bed.
Tomorrow they’d find the amulet and that would be that.
Easy. He liked things nice and easy.
Since when?
Since now.
He wondered who would become Carrie’s new partner. Would he or she be patient? Would they help her practice her TK? He decided right then and there to personally pick his replacement so he could make sure Carrie was in good hands. It was the least he could do.
Carrie had been right about one thing: he didn’t need a partner. It wasn’t a requirement at PARA. It would just limit the kinds of assignments he was sent on in the future.
He closed his eyes, and just before he fell asleep he found that her image filled his mind. She was an annoying, nosy, demanding, gorgeous, sexy, fascinating woman and he wished he could touch her for more than a few stolen seconds. He hadn’t been lying when he said he’d sensed her lust. She wanted him.
He had no damn idea why, but she did.
His body ached for her now. Guess he wasn’t made of stone, after all. That would have been much more convenient. He slid his hand down his stomach toward the indisputable evidence of his desire for her.
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