Chapter 6Lanie had chosen a black cotton skirt and red sleeveless top for dinner, along with the black flats, sans hosiery. Having braced herself for Marla, it was a surprise to find no one in the dining room. Thinking they were on the patio, she headed that way, coming to an abrupt stop when she saw Marla and Josh standing in the foyer.“There you are.” Josh came forward to sweep her into a hug. “I have to go now, but I couldn’t leave without telling my best girl bye.”“Gag,” she said against his ear, making both of them laugh. He dipped his head, and she lifted her cheek, expecting a parting kiss. At the last moment, Josh turned, bringing his lips against hers. Her first instinct was to push him away, but she endured the embrace, assuming this show was for his father’s benefit.When Josh stepped away, she saw Jason out of the corner of her eye. Maybe he had been there all along, but she hadn’t noticed him at first. His tight lips and narrow-lidded gaze expressed his annoyance. As i
Chapter 7Awaking in her own bed, still dressed, left Lanie confused for a second. The last thing she remembered was the movie. What had happened after that? Forcing herself to focus, she got the vague impression of warmth and safety, but nothing else. So, how had she ended up in her room? Jason had seen to it, but had he carried her, or had he gotten her to walk?The question plagued her through a quick shower, and she was awkward when she joined Jason in the breakfast room. He was finishing up, so there wouldn’t be much of a need to converse.“Good morning. Did you sleep well?”Was there a hint of mocking in his tone? No, it was more like teasing. “I did.” She left it at that, biting back the urge to ask how she had made it to her bed.“Do you have plans for today?”Lanie shrugged. “Not really. I was just going to relax.” She had a suitcase of work awaiting her, but it wasn’t urgent. She was trying to get ahead on some of her orders, but they weren’t due for delivery just yet.“I ha
Chapter 8Hoping he hadn’t noticed her lapse, she quickly rubbed in the oil, coating his skin wherever she saw bare spots. It was almost as pleasurable to rub the oil over him as it was to have him put it on her. They were both breathing faster by the time she finished. Lanie lay down beside him, her arm resting against his on the too-small blanket. To her relief, Jason didn’t try to engage her in conversation.It was more than an hour later when he rolled away from her to sit up. “Let’s swim.”“No, I—” She protested when he pulled her upright, fighting the urge to cover her breasts in the miniscule triangles. “I’m not in the mood to swim.”He frowned, though he seemed to have trouble keeping his eyes level with hers. “Do you know how?”“Yeah, of course. I was just enjoying the sun.”“It’s hot out here. Let’s have a refreshing swim, eat some lunch, maybe more sunbathing, and do a little snorkeling before we call it a day?”Lanie really didn’t want to get in the water with him. The tho
Chapter 9Over dinner, he asked, “Have you been to Miami before?”Lanie skewered a piece of shrimp on her fork and brought it to her mouth to chew before answering. “Not really. I saw the airport.”“Not the most charming side of Miami.” He sipped his wine before continuing. “I have a suite at a hotel in Miami Beach at Bal Harbour. I thought you might enjoy exploring the city for a couple of days?”She licked her lips. “That’s kind of you, but you don’t have to entertain me, Jason.”He shrugged. “It’s no bother. I had arranged a chunk of free time to spend with Josh. I had planned to take him to Miami, so everything is set.”“I hate to put you out.”Jason smiled over the rim of his glass. “You’ll actually be doing me a favor. I have a very boring party to attend, and I could use a companion.”Lanie arched a brow. “You want me to go with you?”He cocked his head. “Is that so strange?”Self-consciously, she touched her brow piercing. “I won’t fit in with your friends. You’d have a much b
Chapter 10She fought a blush. “Oh, of course. Is that the tour?”With a nod, he said, “For the most part. There’s a kitchenette on the other side of the living room.”“Oh.” Based on the rest of this place, the kitchenette probably had all the modern appliances and a dining room suitable for twelve.“Would you like to freshen up before we hit the shops?”Lanie pulled lightly at the collar of her dress. “Yeah, thanks.”“Can you be ready in half an hour?”With a nod, she scooted away, turning back to return to her room. Lanie managed a casual wave as she entered, but collapsed against the door when it closed behind her, her cheeks hot. She pressed her hands to them, as though trying to hide the evidence. She had nearly followed him into his room. He hadn’t seemed put out, but she couldn’t help being embarrassed. Why not paint an “Open” sign on her crotch? Knowing she was being ridiculous didn’t ease the shame as she went into the bathroom.Her soaking tub turned out to be a huge oval su
Chapter 11Her first impression of Bal Harbour Shops was one of lush greenery, giving it a wild air. Her next impression was one of confusion, as she paused by a statue. “What is this?” It looked like a clock had melted into an oddly shaped tree limb.“Damned if I know,” said Jason, his mouth twitching, “But it makes the shoppers feel like they’re in a sophisticated wonderland, right?”She grinned at his mocking tone. “Of course.” With a tilt of her head, she tried looking at it from another angle. “I’ll never understand modern art. My professor said I was a philistine.”Jason laughed. “If you ask me, the people who pretend to get this stuff are pretentious fools.”She turned her critical gaze to him, assessing. “How is it that you’re so down-to-earth, just like Josh?”Jason shrugged, looking faintly embarrassed. “My mother wouldn’t let me be spoiled to the point where I lost touch with reality. She made me do volunteer work, help with charities, and even had us all serving a meal at
Chapter 12Bewildered, Jason paid for her shoes while wondering what exactly had happened. She had been upset, no doubt about it. The shoes, which should have brought her pleasure, had seemed like a burden or something. As he walked down the corridor in the direction of the ladies’ restroom, he tried to figure out what had gone wrong.He was confused about why she was upset, and she also confused him. Shouldn’t she have been eager to take his money? When the shoe broke, his first assumption had been sabotage, so she would have to get a new pair. To a woman like her, it would be natural to let the man pay.Except it wasn’t that simple. He pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a bit of a headache forming. Her actions didn’t mesh with what he’d expected, what her background had led him to expect. Was it an elaborate con? Did she think she could convince him of her suitability for Josh by pretending not to want his money? Yet, she had been so intrigued by the hotel when she thought Josh
Chapter 13Lanie stood with her back to him, quivering slightly with anticipation. She heard a clicking sound as he opened the box, and then nothing for a few seconds. Something cold slithered around her neck, and she gasped, looking down. A gold collar with a single emerald in the center rested around her neck. Diamonds surrounded the emerald.Reflexively, she tugged at it. “Take it off.”“Relax.” He pulled her hand away, holding it at her side. “It’s just on loan from the Harry Winston store in the hotel.” Jason caressed her wrist. “Besides, it has a theft-proof clasp. You’ll never be able to take it off yourself.”She turned around, giving him a half-hearted glare. “All right,” she said with something less than graciousness. “Since it’s a loaner, it’s beautiful.”He grinned. “But it wouldn’t be beautiful if it was a gift?”Lanie found a small smile. “It would always be beautiful, but it would certainly exceed the within reason limits we set.”“These would definitely do so then.” He