Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 47223 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47223 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
With a nod, she traipses off to a waiting Savannah, who introduces her to some of our overseas investors. She greets them, her smile genuine and lovely.
“That didn’t go well,” Josh mutters.
I shrug, trying to be grateful for Kate’s standoffishness. “It went fine. Kate is here to work. She seems serious about doing her job.”
“Of course she is. And I’m sure she’s damn good at it. Savannah wouldn’t accept anything less. But you know what I’m saying.”
“That she didn’t seem interested in pursuing anything beyond business.” I shrug. “That’s for the best.”
Or at least I’d feel that way if my skin wasn’t buzzing with desire and my cock wasn’t hard as goddamn stone.
“I think you’re wrong. On some level, she’s interested in us. I’m going to prove it.”
Unfortunately, Josh will give it his all. I just can’t let him succeed. Thankfully, Kate seems eager to help me keep this mutual fire from burning out of control.
Still, I can’t resist seeking her out across the room. She stares back at us, her lids heavy, her mouth lush, and her stiff nipples stabbing the front of her dress. Every part of my body responds in kind.
It’s going to be ten long fucking days in Hawaii.
CHAPTER THREE
Thursday
Josh
The good news? We leave Boston right on time early Thursday morning, flying first class to Honolulu, then puddle-jumping to the Big Island. The bad news? After traveling for something like sixteen hours, the three of us arrive at the site on the outskirts of Hilo an hour before sunset. The worse news? After the taxi drops us off, it only takes a glance to see that this piece of shit should have been torn down forever ago. It’s going to take an act of God—and a fortune—for us to make this resort a destination people flock to.
“Are they fucking kidding?” Marcus spits.
Leave it to my pal to say aloud the less-than-professional thing I’ve been thinking. I wish he’d focus that propensity on Kate, who, despite our travel, still looks beautiful and pulled together. Unfortunately, he’s made it clear that his interest in her will be purely temporary, sexual, and individual.
I think he’s making a mistake. But one problem at a time.
The beautiful blonde between us draws in a stunned breath. “Savannah said I’d have my work cut out for me, but wow.”
“She was being polite.” I smile wryly.
“You’re right.”
But rather than bitch or give up, she drops her purse and carry-on near a rusting ice maker that probably hasn’t been functional since the Clinton administration, retrieves a notebook, and starts walking the narrow path surrounding the place.
“Where are you going?” Marcus calls after her.
Why does he care? Unless he’s interested beyond her pussy, after all…
Kate turns back, a frown settling between her brows. “We’re going to lose sunlight quickly. I need to walk the perimeter before then. Clearly, the hotel south of us has put up something that resembles a fence so we can approximate the property line. We’ll have to verify, of course, but I’d like to see the rest, especially to glean any possible egress issues for heavy machinery. This whole…structure needs to come down.”
“You’re calling this shit hole a structure? You’re being kind,” Marcus quips.
She sighs. “I have a million things to do. I need to get started.”
Then she’s gone, disappearing under something that used to be a decorative arch, but was long ago reclaimed by nature.
“Nothing here looks stable or safe. I’m going to follow her,” I tell him.
Marcus curses and scrubs a hand down his face. “I’d accuse you of using this situation to your advantage, but if Kate dies her first day on site, it would upset Savannah. Then Chad would kill us both.”
If that’s the excuse he needs for giving a shit… “Let’s go.”
Together, we set our luggage beside Kate’s things and follow. Normally, I wouldn’t leave suitcases lying around, but there’s literally no one in sight. The moist ground and dripping trees make it obvious it’s rained recently. The front of what used to be this hotel is more than half mud, but I don’t see a single footprint. In fact, nothing looks as if it’s been disturbed by human hands in years.
“Where should we set up our office?” I ask him as we follow Kate.
“Beats the hell out of me. This is going to be a shit show. You know that, right?”
I shrug. “Kate seems determined to make it work.”
“Because her future at Force Financial depends on it.”
It does. “I want her to succeed.”
“Because you want her.”
“So? You do, too. Are you going to help her or make sure she gets fired to punish her because of it?”
He scowls. “Don’t be an asshole…”
“You’re only saying that because I’m asking you a question you don’t want to answer.”
Zinger dropped, I dart after Kate.
Marcus is right behind me, scrambling and cussing as he shoves tree limbs aside and kicks vegetation out of his way. Maybe that’s a metaphor for our connection with our gorgeous new colleague, and I need to roll with it. If I pursue Kate, my best friend won’t be able to help himself. I know Marcus; he’ll move heaven and earth to touch her with me.