Mission: Seduction

“What? I’m not supposed to tell you when some guy approaches me out of the blue and wants to buy your property? Whatever may have happened between us before, you’re wrong, babe. I always want what’s best for you.” He shook his head. “You don’t make it easy though. You could take that money and buy two more resorts, if you wanted.”

She growled in frustration. He always had an answer for everything. And getting angry wouldn’t work. He’d shut down and give her that patronizing look. The one that said he’d wait until she calmed down and became a reasonable human being.

She hated that look.

“I don’t want three resorts. I only want Last Resort. What’s wrong with that?”

His eyebrows shot up. “You’d walk away from a cash deal like this one for some big house by the beach.”

“Greg, that place is personal to me, okay? That’s the only way I know how to explain it to you. I need it. I will always need it.... It’s somewhere I can catch my breath, remember what’s important in my life. If you ever try to sell it, I will use you as chum.” Her last syllable had been a screech and she’d stood up during her speech.

Greg remained there, sitting peacefully, watching her, which made the scene even more frustrating for Kelly.

“Kelly, is everything all right?” Rafe asked, standing next to her.

“Yes.” She turned and gave him a tight smile. “This is my manager, Greg Sanders. Greg, this is my...friend, Rafe. Greg and I were just discussing some business.”

Her manager nodded by way of greeting. Greg never liked seeing her with other men, but that was his problem. He called them distractions. Funny, when she was dating him, the surf bunnies he hung out with didn’t seem to distract him.

“Do you want to dance?” Rafe’s gaze focused in on her, and immediately pulled her from the riptide of fury she was feeling. His grin was heart-stopping. No wonder women swooned around him. That rugged jaw and the intensity in his eyes hinted at danger. Every girl wanted a taste of the dark side.

“I’ll talk to you later, Greg,” she said by way of a dismissal.

“You have two days to make a decision, then Baywear will move on to their second choice,” Greg called out to her. He didn’t sound happy. How many times had she brought up Baywear and her desire for that contract? Annoying as he was, he only wanted to help her.

She stopped, deciding she should address him fairly. “I promise. We’ll talk tomorrow. And though it doesn’t sound like it, I do know how hard you worked for this. But I’m not just going to sign on the dotted line anymore. It’s important for you to understand that. I need to think about what it is I want for the future.”

Greg frowned.

Kelly took Rafe’s hand and told him, “Tonight, we party.”

Greg mumbled something, but she couldn’t hear him over the growing din of noise.

Last Resort had been turned over to the California Tan team, and they’d decorated it as a colorful, twinkling paradise. There were lights, food and plenty of giveaways. The party planners had even hired bikini-clad girls to dance inside giant plastic balls that rolled around on the surface of the pool. They spun into one another like some kind of bubble derby.

Everything organized about these parties was to entice buyers to pick up loads of product. Many guests at these events were circuit sponsors. If it wasn’t for them, Kelly would be counting pennies and still working at her local surf shop. Her parents were well-off, but she and her sister had always been determined to make it on their own.

The Beach Bums band was set up on a makeshift stage. One of their best-known ballads filled the air.

Rafe held her loosely and she slipped her arms around his neck. Emboldened by his voice mail message left for her sister, Kelly felt totally confident. She opened her mouth to tell him the truth, but his gaze scorched her. Pressing herself into him, she laid her cheek on his chest.

“Things seemed heated when I walked up,” he said.

She didn’t want to talk about Greg. She had a lot to think about and right now all she really wanted to do was lose herself in Rafe. Being here with him, like this, gave her an unexpected sense of calm. It was strange, given they’d just met face-to-face, that he should feel like home to her. She had that same feeling about Last Resort, but it was as if he were the missing piece of the puzzle.

For a few seconds she thought about what it would be like to settle down with someone like Rafe. To give up the travel, the competitions, the adrenaline rush.

Already she was making a home for herself on the island—a home Rafe completed with his mere presence. Of course, she couldn’t actually say that to him. The poor guy would freak and run away faster than a cheetah.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to interfere with your business,” Rafe said apologetically.

“No. That’s how Greg and I talk over things these days. He gets on my nerves, and I’m sure I do the same to him.”

“From the way he looked at you, the two of you are more than friends.” His tone was guarded, cautious.

Lifting her head, she met his gaze. His face was a blank mask.

“We were, a long time ago. But that proverbial boat launched and sank almost simultaneously. We’re better business partners. This is nice,” she said as she rubbed her cheek against his chest.

“It is.” They swayed together perfectly in tune with each other.

She must tell him the truth, Kelly thought. This would be a good time. Maybe in public he wouldn’t get upset at her for her deception about Mimi.

“Rafe, there’s something I want to talk to you about.” She kept her head down, too much of a coward to look him in the eye.

“I have something I need to talk to you about, too,” he said, “but let’s wait until we’re alone. I really just want to enjoy—uh—hanging out with you.”

Don’t give in to temptation. Be honest with him and rip the bandage off.

But his hands stroked the base of her spine and she gave a happy sigh. One night with Rafe might be the only one she ever had. Realistically, once he did know the truth, he might not forgive her.

It was selfish and stupid, she admitted, but she’d dreamed about him for so long. Never knowing how it felt to—

“Hey, stop hogging the marine.” A brunette—one of the California Tan girls—interrupted their dance.

Oh, come on. The image of punching the girl’s cute, perky nose filled Kelly with a giddy type of euphoria. Unfortunately, the consequent lawsuit accompanied by an arrest record and plastic surgery bills would not.

“Marine, am I hogging you?” Kelly leaned back, gazing sweetly at Rafe.

A boyish grin spread across his face. “Oh, no. I’d say it’s me who’s hogging you.” He kissed her softly on the lips.

Hissing in a breath, it took her a moment to register the contact. Then his tongue slid across her teeth and she was lost.

He deepened the kiss, and her body rocked forward. The length of hardness against her belly sent her senses reeling. His hands pressed into her lower back and she had an urge to wrap herself around him.

“Whatever!” The brunette stormed off, her high heels clicking against the wooden dance floor.

“I don’t think she’s very happy with either of us,” Kelly murmured against his lips.

“Don’t care. Thanks, by the way, for the save.”

Was the kiss a save? Was it simply for show?

“Rafe, I’ll always be happy to rescue you from the evil half-naked bikini witches of the world.”

The music changed to a faster beat, but they kept moving slowly, their arms around each other.

“That kiss—it...” He paused, as if he had to choose his words carefully.