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“Thank you, but I generally work alone.”
I raise a brow at her. “You know nothing about this company or the investors who have entrusted us with their multimillions in capital. You’ll have a lot of autonomy, but you’ll also have our oversight.”
Just then, Josh sidles up and hands Kate a glass of champagne. “We’ll be there to help you however you need. I look forward to being on the same team and getting to know you better.”
“I’m sure working with you two will be a pleasure,” she says diplomatically as she reaches for the bubbly.
“The pleasure will be ours”—he smiles—“Kate.”
Outwardly, she looks composed, even detached. But when Josh’s fingers brush hers as she takes the stem, the pulse at the base of her neck leaps and thrums, just like it did when I took her hand in my own.
Every instinct I possess screams at me to press her back against the wall and seize her mouth—then kiss my way down her body so Josh can devour her lips while I taste her pussy. I stifle the urge. I can hardly bitch at him about professionalism and reputation if I’m the one who crosses the line. Besides, Kate is a colleague. She might be attracted to us—and single, based on her bare ring finger—but that doesn’t make her willing to have sex with either of us—much less both of us. It’s a horrible idea.
She musters a stiff smile. “I’m looking forward to a mutually beneficial working relationship and evaluating this property as a potential source of profit for Force and the investors. Now if you’ll excuse me…”
With a nod, she traipses off to a waiting Savannah, who introduces her to some of our overseas investors. She greets them, her smile genuine and lovely.
“That didn’t go well,” Josh mutters.
I shrug, trying to be grateful for Kate’s standoffishness. “It went fine. Kate is here to work. She seems serious about doing her job.”
“Of course she is. And I’m sure she’s damn good at it. Savannah wouldn’t accept anything less. But you know what I’m saying.”
“That she didn’t seem interested in pursuing anything beyond business.” I shrug. “That’s for the best.”
Or at least I’d feel that way if my skin wasn’t buzzing with desire and my cock wasn’t hard as goddamn stone.
“I think you’re wrong. On some level, she’s interested in us. I’m going to prove it.”
Unfortunately, Josh will give it his all. I just can’t let him succeed. Thankfully, Kate seems eager to help me keep this mutual fire from burning out of control.
Still, I can’t resist seeking her out across the room. She stares back at us, her lids heavy, her mouth lush, and her stiff nipples stabbing the front of her dress. Every part of my body responds in kind.
It’s going to be ten long fucking days in Hawaii.
CHAPTER THREE
Thursday
Josh
The good news? We leave Boston right on time early Thursday morning, flying first class to Honolulu, then puddle-jumping to the Big Island. The bad news? After traveling for something like sixteen hours, the three of us arrive at the site on the outskirts of Hilo an hour before sunset. The worse news? After the taxi drops us off, it only takes a glance to see that this piece of shit should have been torn down forever ago. It’s going to take an act of God—and a fortune—for us to make this resort a destination people flock to.
“Are they fucking kidding?” Marcus spits.
Leave it to my pal to say aloud the less-than-professional thing I’ve been thinking. I wish he’d focus that propensity on Kate, who, despite our travel, still looks beautiful and pulled together. Unfortunately, he’s made it clear that his interest in her will be purely temporary, sexual, and individual.
I think he’s making a mistake. But one problem at a time.
The beautiful blonde between us draws in a stunned breath. “Savannah said I’d have my work cut out for me, but wow.”
“She was being polite.” I smile wryly.
“You’re right.”
But rather than bitch or give up, she drops her purse and carry-on near a rusting ice maker that probably hasn’t been functional since the Clinton administration, retrieves a notebook, and starts walking the narrow path surrounding the place.
“Where are you going?” Marcus calls after her.
