Island Pleasures(11)

Fetching it from her bag on the floor, she cringed when her editor’s name popped up. Not now. Her cell rang again and she set it to silent.

Quinn continued his conversation in a low tone with his back toward her. No rescue there. She was on her own. Again. Not liking the watchful stare of the security guard, she snagged her things and ducked out the door. She expected the man to tell her to stop, but he didn’t and she rushed down the hall.

She’d run from Quinn again, but she needed to get her bearings, along with a nice hot shower to ease her post-coital aches. Later, when she was in a better state of mind, she’d seek him out. Hopefully he wouldn’t be too angry, but then again, hot and heavy things happened between them when he was.

Her nipples tingled and the ache between her legs intensified. Ignoring her body’s reaction, she called Daphne.





Chapter Six





The moment the sun set over the horizon, the festivities began. Woody leaned against the bar and took another pull on his beer. He winked at a pretty young woman who placed her order. She blushed, but before he could introduce himself, a male guest with more looks than brains caught her attention. Some of the singles here would have a romantic interlude during their stay. He had witnessed many hook ups in his time at the resort, even engaging in a few. But other than a meal with a pretty lady, or if he were lucky enough, some naked fun in a bed, he left unfulfilled, back to square one—alone.

He was a handsome guy. His mirror told him that every day. And in his experience, women loved a redheaded man with a great body and tan. But even though he wasn’t yet thirty, he couldn’t shake off the depressing feeling he’d end up remaining a bachelor well into the next decade.

A familiar face in the crowd caught his eye. “Surprise, surprise,” he murmured.

The bogus Cassidy, better known as Carly, slouched near the edge of the dance floor. Her previously braided hair floated around her shoulders and her eyes shone without the heavy glasses she’d worn earlier. She appeared lost in thought. His heart went out to her. Unlike Quinn, he wasn’t upset she’d been shady for the sake of her job. He found it amusing. After all, Castillo Resorts had nothing to hide.

He finished the rest of his beer and approached her. “Care to dance?”

She stared ahead without any reaction.

“Car, erm Cassidy, are you okay?” he asked, wincing over his stumble.

“I guess Quinn told you I’m not Cassidy, or you figured it out all on your own since I’m a poor liar.” Her shoulders drooped.

He nudged her chin up with his fist. “You have your reasons, even if they were….” He caught sight of a purple bruise on the side of her neck. Hmm, a hickey. He touched the mark.

“What?” she asked, knocking his hand away. Her cheeks flushed.

“I can pretty much assume something happened between you and Quinn after the beach.” He squeezed her shoulder in support, but she winced and rotated her arm. How rough had his friend been? He tugged her against his side. “What happened? You can tell your old friend Woody.”

“I’ve messed up big time with the exposé I wanted to do about the resort and with Quinn. You must despise me as much as he does.”

He bussed the side of her head. “I’ve done my share of rotten things in the past. I’m not too proud of them, but most of those I harmed have forgiven me for my crimes. You don’t seem to be in the mood to party with this rowdy bunch. Why don’t we go to my place? I can mix up my homemade sangria and we can get drunk.” He waggled his eyebrows and she giggled, her mood lifting. “And if you want to have your way with me in order to forget Quinn, I’ll bite the bullet. I even have a pair of handcuffs lying around you can use to keep me in line.”

“Oh, you.” She tapped him in the chest.

He kissed her palm. “If you need an ear or a shoulder to cry on, I’m volunteering both.” Say yes….

She curled her fingers around his hand. “You’re a really awesome guy. Now I feel as if I have nothing to be ashamed of, even though I do. Thank you.”

“You can thank me later by praising my sangria.”

He escorted her out front. After he helped Carly into his car, he shot off a text message to Quinn, who would no doubt come rushing over. But would Woody have enough have time to see if she was up for the more adventurous types of fun he had planned—with himself and his wingman?



***



After searching the hotel and beach, going as far as having her name called on the overhead system, Quinn still couldn’t find Carly. He’d used his passkey to confirm her suitcase and clothes were still in her room. Where could she be? Hiding? He wouldn’t put it past her, especially after what they did in his boss’s office with a security camera recording the entire episode. She probably doesn’t know that though…yet.