At Any Price(94)

Later, I gnawed on my cold steak. I couldn’t get it down fast enough, I was so hungry.

“You know, they can heat that up for you or fire you a new one,” he said, approaching in a white terry robe, his magnificent chest peeking from its opening.

“I just made a cold steak sandwich with my roll.” I held it up for his inspection and he took a bite, nodding his head after a minute.

“That’s not bad.”

“Get your own.”

“I’m not hungry anymore. For food, anyway.” He shot me a meaningful look.

“If you are hungry for anything else, it’s going to be a while before I can recharge.”

He glanced at the clock. “It’s not too late to go out. Do you want to go up on the patio for dessert or a glass of wine?”

I eyed the bed longingly. “I’m worn out. I’m going to go to bed, I think. You go ahead, if you want.”

He looked at me then. “I’m going to clear my schedule tomorrow.”

I smiled. Had I gotten through to him? “Thank you.”

“I’m not familiar with many of the local sights as I don’t usually play tourist when I come. But I know there are many good places to visit.”

“From the little I saw today, there are. It will be great to finally spend some time with you.” Though whether it was in bed or out and about, I wasn’t sure I cared, at this point.

He grimaced as if in regret. “Yeah, I’m sorry. But this was a business trip and I only get down here once a year at most.”

Maybe I hadn’t gotten through to him after all. I struggled to hide my disappointment. “Sure,” I said, nodding overenthusiastically. “I get it.” Work always came first. That was his indirect message and I thought of Lindsay’s question, Has he stood you up for work, yet? As if any woman in Adam’s life would have to accept that in order to have him. Well, not me.

“I think I’ll take a short walk.” He changed into his clothes and I pulled on my T-shirt and brushed my teeth, collapsing into bed. I knew damn well that he wasn’t strolling the deck. He’d grabbed a flash drive and stuck it in his pocket when he thought I wasn’t looking. He was headed to the resort’s business center to log in from there. If I were a gambling person, I would have bet on it.

Hours later, I was vaguely aware of him coming to bed. After a moment, I felt his warm breath near my neck. He planted a kiss on my cheek before rolling over to sleep.





Chapter Fourteen




St. Lucia was even more beautiful the next day, as I toured it alongside Adam. We were able to spend time at a secret beach known only to the locals. And I suggested we go back to Diamond Falls so he could see it, too.

He’d told me we should go somewhere different because I’d already seen the falls the day before. But I had insisted. And in the end, as we watched the gorgeous white waters of the cataract tumble over the colored yellow, blue and taupe rocks of the cliff, he wrapped an arm around my waist and kissed me on the cheek, thanking me for bringing him.

The coastal water was a shade of brilliant turquoise against baby-powder white sand. And it was so warm, unlike the water off the coast of California, which was really only tolerable—and even then still chilly—during the height of summer.

We returned to the hotel in the late afternoon and I immediately went to the bathroom to wash off the beach. I took my time, leisurely letting the warm water sluice over my body, reinvigorating me after a full day of sun and sightseeing. I had my eyes closed, rinsing my hair, when I felt a rush of air near me.

The shower was open to the rest of the bathroom, tucked in a corner of colorful bright blue tile. I felt his presence behind me long before he actually touched me—to nudge me out of the way of the water spray!

“That’s enough water hogging,” he said with laughter in his voice. I stepped aside but didn’t leave the shower, watching while he scrubbed himself down, washed his hair and rinsed himself of sand, salt and soap. The masculine hardness of his body was beautiful to behold. I wanted to reach out and touch it, map the valleys and hills of the firm muscles under his skin. I didn’t think I could ever get enough.

When I looked up into his face, I saw him watching me watching him. He smiled and held my gaze, lowering his hands from where he rinsed his hair, reaching for me and pulling me against him.

“You better watch out.” I murmured against his lips as I pressed my hands to his hard chest. “You might accidentally get a tan while you are here.”

He laughed. “Are you mocking me, Ms. Strong?”

“If you got a tan, you’d definitely lose your geek card.”