All Chapters of Sunstroke: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

SUNSTROKEPart OneThe story beginsI won't jump on him the minute he gets here. I'll take my time.Bailey George paced back and forth in the tiny living room of the miniscule apartment she and Zack Wallace had been sharing for the past year. She had pinched herself every day since they'd moved in together. Her family hadn't been too excited about their baby girl, a sophomore, "living in sin" with a big bad senior, and a fifth year senior at that. But then they met Zack, and he won them over so smoothly, they had no objections left. She hoped when she broke her news to them they would realize she was as at fault as Zack.She was nervous about his reaction, but they loved each other. Underneath her nerves, she was secure in the knowledge that, together, they'd handle the situation. So maybe her plans might have to change a little, but that would be okay. Just as long as they were together.She stood in the middle of the combination living/dining room, checking everything for tonight

"Bailey?"Bailey George turned and looked across the busy lobby of Casa Blanca Resort and Spa to see Lacey Walker, the owner, threading her way through the crowd. She stopped and waited for her. In the past few years, especially since Lacey's architect husband had taken her son, Michael, under his wing, the women had become close friends."Hey, Lacey. What's up?""Whew!" Lacey juggled the large box she was holding. "We're really rocking this week. Just checking to make sure everything was set up the way you wanted and the menus are okay.""It's fine. Are you kidding?" Bailey laughed. "Everything is perfect, just as it always is."Lacey winked. "We want to be sure we're taking good care of one of our favorite law firms. We're just thrilled to have you here."As one of the junior partners in Blake, Rothbart and Padilla, it had become Baily's responsibility to plan the partners' annual retreat. A few years ago, she and senior partner Warren Blake agreed that the retreats did a lot t

Thirty minutes later, Zack's car was parked in the lot and he was in a luxurious suite with Moroccan décor and the biggest bed he'd ever seen. And then there was the view. When he looked out the window, he saw a long stretch of beach bordering the Gulf, smooth waves rippling the surface of the teal water. There were people on the beach, some sitting, some walking. A young boy ran down the beach with a dog following. And, right below him, he could see others on a patio enjoying drinks and conversation.He stashed his gear, wondering what to do next. He wasn't used to having time to do nothing. When he had any free time, he spent it deep sea fishing or getting his exercise doing sexual calisthenics with the female of the moment.Female of the moment. Doesn't that just make me sound like the biggest jackass in the world.The problem was, in twenty-three, no almost twenty-four years, he hadn't found a woman he cared to spend more than two days with. After all these years, he still had a

Bailey was desperate to say something to break the silence, so she blurted out the first thing that came to mind."So how do you like Alaska?"When he took a moment to answer her, she wondered if there was something wrong."I left Alaska," he said at last."Oh?" Smart answer, Bailey. Duh! "But I thought it was everything you wanted"He nodded. "It was, for a long time. Uncle Nate had bought a small charter company and steadily built it into one of the premier charter services in the state. God, Bailey." His smile said it all. "You wouldn't believe the places I've flown. Most of Alaska is accessible only by plane, so we were flying people and supplies into places so desolate, sometimes I thought I'd reached the end of the world." His eyes got a faraway look. "It was like being as close to heaven as you could get. Sunrise on all that pristine snow was incredible.""So why did you leave?" Maybe she could just keep him talking about himself and not about the two of them.He was quie

When Bailey opened the door and saw Zack standing there, the outdoor light shining on him, the blue shirt he now wore the exact color of his eyes, for a moment, she simply could not breathe. Her pulse ratcheted up so much she was sure she could hear it pounding in her head. She was afraid she'd actually lick her lips.Big mistake, Bailey. The last thing you need is to be alone with him."Okay if I come in?" he teased."Oh. Of course. Yes." Idiot.She opened the door wider and stepped back to let him inside. He stopped right in front of her and dipped his head, inhaling."Still wearing the same scent of jasmine that always knocked me out.""I can't believe you remember it after all this time."He cupped her chin and tilted her face up so he could look directly into her eyes."There's not a damn thing I've forgotten about you, Bailey. Not one single thing." He dropped his hand and looked around the living room. "Quite a place, this resort. Must have cost them a bundle to build."