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Her fingers stilled over the keyboard as the plane lurched into the sky. “Excuse me?”
“You’ve never mentioned a man, never mentioned dating at all in the whole time you’ve been working for me. Now I understand why there wasn’t someone. Your time was limited.”
Limited. Yeah, that’s the only reason she didn’t date. Had she really not dated in a year? God, how pathetic was that?
“So you spent years planning weddings, creating an aura of romance for other people but there was no one to romance you,” Cade added, as if talking his way through her analysis.
“Don’t make it sound so glum.” She spared him a glance, but quickly looked away when she saw how he was practically dissecting her. “I enjoy seeing other people happy and knowing I helped make the most important day of their life even more memorable.”
“Surely you’ve had prospects, gentlemen who wanted to date you, get to know you on a personal level.”
Abby shrugged. “A few. I’m picky.”
“You should be,” he agreed. “If marriage is something you want, and love is truly something you believe in, you shouldn’t settle for anything less than the best.”
Turning to face him, Abby quirked a brow. “Aren’t you settling?”
His smiled widened. “Not at all. This business arrangement is perfect for all parties involved.” His tone softened as he laid a hand on her arm. “People don’t always marry for love, Abby.”
Looking into his mesmerizing, dark, inky eyes, she spoke from her heart. “They should.”
“So you’re holding out for the real thing?” he asked, sliding his hand from her arm.
She offered him her sweetest smile. “Didn’t you just tell me not to settle?”
And that comment right there gave her the ammunition, the courage, and the knowledge to hold on to what she wanted.
And she wanted Cade Stone.
Hadn’t he fought for everything he’d ever wanted? That was how he’d gotten to the prestigious position he was in today. So, he should appreciate a woman who didn’t just turn her cheek and let her desires pass her by. Besides, if she didn’t at least try to open up, let Cade see the personal side of her, she’d never know what could have been.
They both needed to know each other on a personal level. Nothing could develop further between them otherwise.
God, not only did she get wasted and ride a mechanical bull, now she was thinking of a life she could have with the man of her dreams who was currently engaged to someone else.
Lyrics for a country song, anyone?
But a little spark of hope ignited deep inside Abby.
They were on a honeymoon quest, right? Well, she’d just have to make sure he saw exactly what he’d be getting for his money at these luxurious resorts. Private sauna for two, couple’s massage, candlelit dinners on the beach…
Hey, someone had to research all the couple’s amenities. There was no reason she couldn’t multitask. Mixing business and pleasure may be a no-no to some companies, but she’d never been told it was at Stone Enterprises.
Abby bit the inside of her cheeks to keep from giggling like a school girl. Look out, Cade. You’ve met your match.
He’d told her not to settle for anything less than the best. How could she go against her boss’s command?
Cade wasn’t quite sure what was up with Abby, but something certainly was. She’d been acting weird since last Friday. She’d left the office that day just like any other day, but then after midnight he’d gotten that damn call to come pick her up at the bar because she was too drunk to drive.
Granted he wasn’t sure what she did in her off time, but he never in his wildest dreams would’ve guessed her to be a barhopping, bull-riding woman.
Damn. There go those thoughts again. Too bad he couldn’t delete that particular file from his mind as easily as he did unwanted documents from his computer.
And now, even though their rooms were side by side, he hadn’t seen Abby since they checked into Cielo Islandés.
Usually on a business trip she would check in with him, let him know his schedule, what needed to be done before they left and what he could expect. But not this time. She’d practically disappeared.
But, in her defense, she was pulling triple duty. Between the planning of the wedding and honeymoon, she was also assisting him with researching potential properties to invest in and purchase.
Cade carefully hung his suits in the closet and shut the white double doors. As always, Abby had requested the suites so he had plenty of room to move about, but now he was antsy. How was he supposed to be thinking of a honeymoon getaway when all he could think of was Abby and this unleashed sexuality that he hadn’t known existed?
