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“Thanks, Vanessa. You can toss the messages from my father. He’s going through you because I’ve stopped answering his communications. I’ve reminded him this is not my first time at the rodeo, and the only bullshit I’ve encountered so far is his expectation that I update him at his whim. That should convince him to stop pestering you, but if he persists, reiterate that I’ll call him on Friday when I’m back in L.A. If he wanted to be closer to the action, he should have done the deal himself.”
His voice remained level, and not particularly frustrated, but she stole a peek at him anyway. There it was. The brooding frown. Inspired by his father, but damn, the sight of those assessing eyes staring at her from beneath dark, lowered brows made her pulse quicken. The corner of his mouth tipped up, suggesting he knew exactly the effect he had on her. Apparently his father’s expectations didn’t bother him overly much. Not nearly as much as the mention of his returning to California on Friday bothered her.
You’ll be waving good-bye to the man who showed you the meaning of multiple orgasms. Of course it bothers you. You’ll miss the sex.
Legitimate point, but another, more cautious part of her wondered if she was enjoying the whole package a little too much. Maybe they both were?
Into the phone, he said, “I leave the exact phrasing to you. Any other messages?” He paused to listen to his assistant, and his attention shifted to the floor, then the ceiling. “Would you contact her and tell her I appreciate the offer, but I’m not in a position to take her up on it?” His eyes slid to Chelsea, and he rubbed the back of his neck. “No, I don’t anticipate that changing in the foreseeable future.”
Another pause, during which she told herself neither the offer nor the person making the offer were any of her business, and the fact Rafe had obviously just refused an invitation from another woman shouldn’t relieve her…or worry her.
“Thank you,” he finally said. “Anything else?” As he listened, his smile returned, genuine enough to make the corners of his eyes crinkle. “Arden’s in New York? She has the nerve to say I get around. She gets around. Say hi for me. Tell her I’ll call her this weekend.”
They exchanged a few final comments, but she didn’t track them, because all of a sudden the relief evaporated, leaving just the worry. The mysterious Arden again.
Stop worrying. Her inner voice spoke firmly this time. You knew the score from the start. This thing stays casual, and that’s the whole point. Don’t let multiple orgasms mess with your head or your heart.
The thoughts helped. She controlled her own destiny, and right now that destiny involved exploring her wants and desires w
ithout the constraints of someone else’s expectations. She’d enjoyed herself so far, and she’d keep right on enjoying until their time together ran its natural course. All good…even if the natural course ended in two more days.
“I sent the reservation reports and your analysis to our marketing team,” Rafe said as he took the chair he’d pulled around to her side of the desk so they could share the computer screen. “It matches our expectations, but now they’ve got data around which to build their marketing schedule. I… Do you need a break? You look a little”—he fiddled with her heart-drop earring and considered her with uncomfortably perceptive eyes—“somber.”
“I’m fine.” She dredged up a smile to prove it. “Registration system overview is next on your list, right?”
“I’ve been looking forward to it all day.”
And now she wasn’t forcing the smile anymore. “Just the highlights?”
“Just enough for me to confirm to my IT team they’re integrating Capterra data into our proprietary information management system.”
“Okay. That’s easy enough.” She turned to her computer and called up the application. “This is the main screen—”
“Fuck me.” He scrubbed his hand over his face. “We have to spice this up or I’m going to die. Role play. Take my reservation.”
“Role play?”
“I’m after the complete guest experience, remember?”
Oh, priceless. He was giving her his version of puppy dog eyes, and it flat-out sucked. He couldn’t pull off innocent and needy to save his life. Tamping down on a grin, she gave him her version of exasperated. “I’ll do your stupid role play on the condition you stop looking at me like that.”
His expression immediately shifted into the familiar, satisfied smirk. The bastard. She lost her battle to hold back her grin. “You think you’re smart, don’t you?”
He tapped her screen, and prompted her with, “Ring. Ring.”
She rolled her eyes. “Good afternoon. Thank you for calling Tradewinds Resort, Maui. How may I assist you today?”
“I’d like to reserve your best villa.”
“Of course, sir. What are your dates of travel?” She clicked on the calendar and prepared to input dates.
“I’m flexible. What’s the optimal time to visit?”
She nudged him for being difficult. “That’s not common. Most people have their dates pinned down by the time they call or go online to reserve.”
“I’m uncommon.” He nudged her back. “As I think you know by now. And you didn’t answer my question.”
“Maui is beautiful year round. Temperatures don’t vary much with the seasons, so optimal time depends on your vacation goals. If you want to escape cold weather at home, come anytime from November through May, which also happen to be prime whale watching months. If you prefer fewer crowds at the beach and other attractions, visit us in the spring or fall.”
