Island Pleasures(9)

She tried jimmying the locks on the file cabinets and desk drawers. Not even her shiny new locksmith tools could give her access. She turned the PC on, but the password screen mocked her.

“I’m pathetic. I’m not even dressed like a real thief,” she groaned, banging her forehead against the door. Still dressed in her bathing suit, a white mini skirt, and her flip flops, she looked more like a beach bunny than a thief. She turned the faucet on and splashed cold water on her hot cheeks. She lacked the espionage skill to reveal the dirty little secrets of one of the most powerful and well respected men in the business world.

She leaned against the counter at the sound of a door opening and female voices speaking just outside her hideaway. Please don’t let them come in. From the tidiness of the room and the smell of bleach, it appeared to have been cleaned already.

After a few minutes of banging around outside and a vacuum going on and then off, the voices faded. A door opened and closed and then nothing.

Exhaling loudly, she winced when a shooting pain ran up one shoulder. Rubbing the sore muscle, she cracked her head from side to side. Perhaps a massage would help? She’d get the hell out of here, return to her room, and shower. Then she’d book an appointment with one of the spa masseuses and figure out another way to save her career. She didn’t even want to think what would happen if she went back to Daphne with nothing newsworthy, other than tan lines.

Taking down her hair, she shook it out. Grimacing at the grit and sand imbedded in the strands, she scratched her scalp. Encouraged by the silence from the other side of the door, she opened it. Holding the clip between her teeth, she pulled back her hair and walked out into the main room.

She squeaked and her clip fell out of her mouth. Quinn sat in the high back leather desk chair, waiting for her.

I’m so screwed.

He rose. “What are you doing here?” His nostrils flared and his mouth formed a taut line. He took a step toward her.

“I can explain.” She held up a hand to ward him off.

He stalked her until the wall next to the bathroom halted her progress.

“Are you going to come up with another lie, Carly?” His chest heaving, he clenched his fists.

She released a nervous laugh. “Lie? You’re delusional. I’m Cassidy, not Car—”

A growl rose from him and he boxed her in with his body. His palms came down on either side of her face and he seethed in rage.

“Cut out the bullshit. I knew who you were from the moment you arrived. You can’t lie to save your life.”

“Why, you-you—” She jabbed at his chest.

He twisted her arm behind her back and jerked her against him. She lost her ability to speak—stunned by the way Quinn manhandled her, but also turned on.

He curled his lip. “From the moment we saw one another, you’ve been deceitful, getting off by making me a fool once again.”

“That’s not true! I had no idea you worked here. If I’d known, I’d never—”

“Never what, Carly?” He fisted her hair.

She gasped in surprise and rose up to her toes to lessen the sting of his hold. Her nipples puckered and liquid heat pooled between her thighs. “I never meant to hurt you, not now or when I left you without a word after we made love. I’ve always cherished what we did together.” Her pleading tone grated in her own ears, but she didn’t care.

Quinn responded by wedging his knee between her legs. She bit down on her bottom lip, overcome with desire as her body responded.

“How can I believe you and trust you? You even lied about your mother’s death.” His voice broke and he rested his forehead against hers. He trembled against her and whispered something she couldn’t catch. When she wiggled her arm, he let it go and backed away. Refusing to allow him to distance himself, she cupped his face, blinking away hot tears.

“I wasn’t lying about my mom’s death or when I said making love to you was one of the most amazing experiences I ever had. No other man since then has come close to you.”

“You’re still lying,” he snarled and thrust her away.

“I’m not! My body sure as hell isn’t!” She lifted her breasts to draw his attention to her pointed nipples. “I’m so turned on I can barely think. If I’m not hot for you, than who?”

His throat moved as he swallowed. “You’re pretty chummy with Woody. If you ask him, he’ll fuck you on the desk or against the wall.”

She lifted her hand to slap Quinn in the face then dropped her arm. She wouldn’t allow him to insult her any longer.

“Oh really, Mister Know It All? Maybe you’re right. I’m going to find Woody right now and ask him to fuck me sideways into tomorrow. How’d you like that?” She raised her chin, daring him to argue. He took a step toward her, and she darted to the door. She had just touched the doorknob when Quinn lifted her off her feet.