For Business...Or Marriage? (4 page)

N
erves danced through Abby’s body as she stood next to the intimate table, the soothing ocean waves at her back. She prayed to God that her smile looked genuine and not twitchy. At this stage in her plan, she couldn’t afford to appear unsure or jumpy. If there was one thing she knew about Cade Stone, it was that he was strong, independent and powerful. He would expect nothing less from the woman in his life.

“I hope you’re hungry,” she said, hoping to break the tension.

Cade, still rooted in place only a few feet away, glanced from her, to the table, then back again. “Is this for…us?”

Us. How could such a simple word hold so much meaning and sound so right?

Abby gestured toward an empty chair. “Who else? We’re researching, remember?”

With slow, cautious steps through the thick sand, Cade moved toward the seat. “Researching?”

“Honeymoons. You are getting married. Right? And I’m in charge of planning everything right down to the romantic getaway. I know, I know,” she cut him off before he could say a word. “You’re not marrying for romance or love, but you still need time to yourselves before you and Mona take on the real estate world.”

Abby waited until Cade sat down before popping the champagne and pouring a glass for each of them. After setting the bottle back in the ice bucket, she lifted off the silver dome lids to their plates and took a seat across from him.

“I hope you like what I ordered.” Abby smiled, even though Cade hadn’t taken his eyes off her and still looked confused and amazed all at the same time. “This was short notice considering I put all this together after we landed.”

“I’m impressed.”

Giddiness coursed through her. “I know how much you like fish, so I knew that was a safe choice, as were the steamed veggies. But the dessert threw me. I couldn’t decide between the Key lime pie or the chocolate truffle.”

He eyed the smaller dome next to his plate. “And you chose?”

“The truffle.”

Easing back into his seat, Cade smiled. “Perfect. I’d always choose chocolate over a fruit dessert any day.”

“Me, too.”

Could the man be more perfect? Sexy, powerful, and he loved chocolate. What single, sane woman wouldn’t want a relationship with that? All the necessities to form a firm foundation.

“I don’t want you to worry,” she told him as they each picked up their forks. “I plan on doing the company work during the day and planning the wedding and researching the honeymoon in the evenings.”

“I’m not worried. I know you’re a genius at multitasking.”

The flaky fish fell apart in her mouth and she tried her best not to groan. “This is amazing.”

“Yes, it is.”

At the low, sultry tone, Abby glanced up to see Cade’s eyes directly on hers…not a bit of food in his mouth.

Was the romantic ambience making him see her in a different light? Not just in a sexual way, but in a way that tugged at his heart?

She swallowed. “I have your itinerary for the next few days, but I left it up in my room. I didn’t really want to discuss business tonight.”

There. She’d planted a seed. No matter how minute, she wanted him to know that she was a woman, not just an assistant. Hence the flowy dress, the tousled hair, the hint of makeup.

Even though Cade didn’t believe in love, wasn’t
even looking for it, that didn’t negate the fact that he was a man. Surely he could appreciate the different look she’d attempted to achieve.

Oh, who was she kidding? She was pleased with her appearance. She’d taken great care in putting together precisely the perfect beach look. Granted she wasn’t supermodel thin or tall like so many of the women Cade had had draped over his arm the past several months, nor did Abby resemble Mona and all her natural beauty. But Abby knew, with her curves and all, that she was not unattractive.

That wasn’t being vain, she just wasn’t one of those women who always talked about how ugly they were just to get compliments. But she was realistic and she knew she paled in comparison to Mona.

“Just what did you intend to discuss?” Cade asked.

As if right on cue, the harpist she’d hired began to play off in the distance.

“Couples on their honeymoon don’t have to discuss anything.” Abby came to her feet and pulled her wooden white chair around the small table and sat down right next to Cade. “They just feel.”

She unveiled the chocolate truffle and slid a clean fork into the thick delicacy. When she held the bite in front of Cade’s lips, he merely stared at her. Not backing down, Abby quirked a brow.

He opened his mouth, slid his lips around the fork and took the bite she offered. Her own mouth had gone dry and she could only hope this was the first of many things she offered that he accepted.

A dollop of chocolate lingered on his top lip, but Abby refrained from swiping it off. This was only the first stage of her seduction plan; she had to move slowly. After all, as of right now, she knew Cade only thought of her as his assistant.

His tongue darted out, cleaning his lip, and she was sorry he had taken away the slight imperfection. For just that brief moment, he had seemed more human, more approachable—more on her level.

“Are you going to eat any?” he asked, his voice husky.

“Are you kidding? I’m not letting this go to waste.”

He smiled, took the fork from her and proceeded to feed her a bite. Abby opened her mouth, keeping her eyes on his.

Could this moment be any more perfect? Soft, soothing music behind them, one of the sexiest, most powerful men in the world feeding her the most decadent dessert…ah, yes, she wanted to freeze this moment in time. Or, at least file away this euphoric feeling for the days when she needed a pick-me-up.

Cade’s eyes widened, then turned to slits as he watched her take the bite. Abby wanted desperately to know what he was thinking. Was his mind on business or was it possible he was enjoying the moment? She so hoped she had the ability to distract him—even if only for a short time.

A soft breeze caused her hair to tickle her shoulder. She slid her hands through the messy strands and lifted them off her neck. Now Cade’s eyes lowered
toward her breasts and she couldn’t help but wish he’d say something, do something.

Desire definitely ignited in his heated gaze.

She knew the look of desire when she saw it, but she didn’t just want Cade to find her sexy or attractive, though that was a nice place to start. She wanted him to want to put a ring on her finger and believe in everything that simple band stood for.

She wanted him to see that love did exist and was within his reach.

Man, did she have her work cut out for her or what?

Abby let her hair fall down her back and came to her feet. “Let’s take a walk,” she said, holding her hand out for him to take.

When he slid his warm, strong hand in hers and rose from his chair, she wanted to proclaim a victory. She’d never touched his hands. Well, not palm to palm. Brushing fingers accidentally while handing over documents didn’t count, either.

There was nothing intimate about the way they held hands. Their fingers weren’t interlaced, he wasn’t rubbing his thumb across the back of her hand. But Abby would take this small step and call it progress. At least he didn’t act appalled at the fact he was holding hands with his assistant strolling along the beach. Knowing Cade, he was thinking of how big he could make a resort here and what amenities to add to make it the best on the island.

“So, is this what you would like if you were on your honeymoon?” Cade asked, surprising her.

She absorbed everything all at once—the harp to one side, the rhythmic ocean waves to the other, her body full from an amazing meal and the man of her dreams holding her hand while walking on a deserted beach in the moonlight.

“It would be a dream come true.”

“Then I hope one day you get your wish,” he said in a tone so soft, she barely heard him over the surf. “You deserve to do things for yourself and not just for others. You’re a hard worker, but at some point you’re going to have to take a break if you want to find that man to take these long walks on the beach.”

She smiled. “Are you sure you can give me advice on taking a break from work? Aren’t we currently working while researching a honeymoon?”

A slight shrug and a smile confirmed everything she said was true and he had no place to argue. This easy banter helped ease her and give her more confidence. Cade was so easy to talk to, so fun to be with, especially when he relaxed.

Cade stopped walking. “I really appreciate all the effort you’ve put into this.”

She turned to him, the slight movement causing a strand of hair to blow across her face and cling to her lip gloss. Before she could take the wisp away, Cade pulled the hair from her mouth in a slow, easy manner, his fingertip trailing across her cheek. Abby felt his touch all through her.

The thin material of her dress floated against her body in the breeze, making her ultra-aware of the skimpy thong she wore underneath. Her nipples
puckered at the realization that this was the first time she’d stood before Cade wearing something sexy, something she’d picked out just with the idea of being with him tonight.

Not that she thought they were going to go back to his room and get down to something other than business, but she had to at least feel sexy or she’d never be able to drum up the nerve to go through with this seduction thing.

“Abby?”

Cade’s tipped head and questioning tone pulled her back to the fact the man of her dreams was trying to get her attention.

“Sorry. I was dreaming of doing this again one day. With my husband,” she quickly added.

“You want to come to Cancún for your honeymoon?”

Abby shrugged. “Anywhere would be fine with me. I would even stay home if I knew we wouldn’t be disturbed. That’s what honeymoons are all about—privacy.”

“And what you do with that privacy,” he said with a knowing grin, releasing her hands.

A shiver crept up her spine. “Exactly.”

He shoved his hands in his pockets and stepped closer. “Seeing as how you used to be in this business, how would you recommend a couple spend that private time?”

Had his voice just taken on a sexier, lower tone?

“Well, I just did the wedding planning and put together some honeymoon packages. What they did
after that was up to them. I’m pretty sure they didn’t need guidance.”

“No, but what about special touches?” Cade’s eyes roamed over her face, down to her breasts and back to her mouth. “Like tonight, for example. Did you ever arrange intimate dinners like this?”

She licked her lips. “Yes.”

“What else can you do?”

His eyes never wavered from her mouth and Abby had to force herself to keep her knees locked and not melt into a puddle.

“Whatever the couples preferred,” she told him, trying to concentrate on his question. “You get to know a couple pretty well while planning their wedding. I tried to make some things a surprise and tailor events to their tastes. One couple was adventurous, so I planned a skydiving lesson for them. That may be a bit too much for my taste, though.”

Charcoal eyes still bore into her as one corner of his mouth kicked up in a half grin. “What kind of taste do you have?”

Was that a rhetorical question? From the look on his face, he wanted to know what she tasted like. Abby just hoped that whatever spark he was feeling carried over when they weren’t surrounded by such intimacy.

“I’m simple.” She wiped her hair back from her face. “This dinner was great. I like being out in the open like this, but still all alone.”

“Essentially, you’re a private person and want to keep your lover to yourself?”

Her lover? It had been so long since Abby had had a lover she didn’t even know anymore.

“I suppose.”

A moment passed, then another. Nothing could be heard but the distant harpist and the subtle waves and ripples of the ocean. She should be uncomfortable, but she wasn’t. Nothing about being here, at this exact point in time, was wrong.

Cade’s whisper broke the silence. “Why aren’t you seeing anybody?”

“No time.”

He stepped closer, so close now their thighs were touching. So close, she could feel those lean, strong muscles in his legs.

Oh, God. Was he going to kiss her? His eyes remained on her mouth. Instinctively, Abby’s lips parted.

The intimacy was cut short by Cade’s cell phone. He swore, took a step back and ran a hand through his hair before pulling the phone from his pocket.

“Stone.”

Abby stepped back, as well, cursing whoever was on the other end of that call. She’d been mere milliseconds away from being kissed. There was no doubt in her mind.

“Yes, Mona.”

Abby turned toward the ocean, wrapped her arms around her waist as if that would keep the hurt from seeping in. Cade was talking to his fiancée. If that wasn’t a dose of reality slapping her in the face, she didn’t know what was.

With Cade’s low, powerful tone behind her, Abby knew she could either give up and accept the inevitable or she could step up her plan to fight for the man she wanted, the man she knew was capable of love.

Giving up wasn’t an option.

W
hat the hell was wrong with him? Flirting was one thing, but he’d been on the verge of taking a huge step beyond that.

Cade walked through his suite door, unbuttoning his cotton shirt. He’d cursed himself with every step since he’d left the romantic ambience of the beach just minutes ago.

But the scene had been magnetic, drawing him in and making the hold nearly impossible to break.

Before Mona’s ill-timed—or perfectly timed, depending on how he looked at it—phone call, he’d been less than a breath away from kissing Abby. Kissing Abby?

She was his assistant for crying out loud. Never once in the year that she’d worked for Stone Enter
prises had he had any inkling of desire to get intimate with her. But tonight, the intoxicating combination of Abby’s sexy-as-hell dress, the secluded beach, the dinner and a harpist—that she’d planned just for them—had him wondering just what she was up to.

Planning a honeymoon was one thing, but Abby had gone above and beyond. Granted, she was the best assistant he’d ever had and she always did her job to the best of her abilities. But, he feared, it was those abilities that were going to get him in trouble.

Why the hell was he having these newfound emotions for Abby? Especially now that he was on the verge of a multi-billion-dollar deal, he couldn’t afford to allow any interruptions.

Of all the times in his life to find a woman he wanted to pursue, this was the absolute worst.

Cade grabbed the phone on the nightstand and dialed Abby’s room.

“Hello.”

Damn. Even her voice reminded him of sex on the beach.

“I need my schedule for this week.”

“Now?” she asked.

“Five minutes ago.”

He slammed down the phone, angry with himself for being rude to her, but angrier with her for playing games with his libido. And she probably had no clue the hold she had on him.

Not a minute later a knock sounded on his door. Crossing the coral-colored tile floor, Cade jerked
the door open and strode away, expecting Abby to follow.

He stepped through the double doors, into the living area and turned. Damn it. She was still wearing that dress that did amazing things to her body, especially her breasts. Which reminded him he still stood with his shirt wide open.

She lifted the file in her hand. “You have a meeting with a contractor tomorrow at eleven. I’ve arranged—”

“What the hell is going on?”

Abby’s hand dropped, as did her face. “What?”

“The beach. The intimate dinner. That was more than research for a honeymoon.”

One hand went to her rounded hip. “Whatever you’re implying, just spit it out.”

Frustrated, Cade ran a hand through his hair. “I’m not implying anything. I’m stating facts. You could’ve worn a T-shirt and jeans, not…” He ran his hand up and down, motioning to her dress, what there was of it.

“What I’m wearing, or not wearing, shouldn’t be an issue. Every woman in Cancún is wearing something like this. Would you rather I wear my thong bikini?”

Cade swallowed. Mercy. Was she serious?

Focus, Cade. Focus.

“I’d rather you dress as the professional you are,” he explained between gritted teeth.

“And what about you?” She gestured to the open
space of his shirt. “You always ask your assistant to come to your room when you’re half-naked?”

“I’m not half-naked,” he retorted. “I just want my schedule.”

Abby slapped the folder down on the end table next to the pale yellow sofa and crossed to stand directly in front of him.

Poking him in the bare chest, she stared up at him. “I have been nothing but professional since I started working for your father a year ago. And if my wardrobe is a problem, then it’s
your
problem.”

He grabbed her finger. “No, my problem is with your behavior lately.”

“Behavior?”

Damn. He was starting to feel like a fool. When she repeated his own words back to him, they did sound rather silly, but she started it.

Well, hell, now he sounded like a child.

“First your bull-riding exhibition,” he said, glaring down at her. “Then you try to get out of coming on this business trip right when I need you the most, and
then
you show up at my door tonight looking like sex wrapped in a sheet. If Mona hadn’t called earlier, we would’ve…”

She arched an eyebrow and grinned, her finger, encased in his hand, still poked his chest. “What? Would you have kissed me, Cade? Is that what’s got you all riled up?”

The passion in her eyes, the tinted color in her cheeks and the sweet, floral scent wafting around him had him taking her finger from his chest. He
tugged her until she fell against him, her mocking smile now replaced by surprise.

He didn’t wait for another sassy, albeit true comment. He covered her mouth with his and to hell with the consequences. He needed to feel her, to taste her and, damn, she tasted as good as she looked and smelled. Like pure sin.

She resisted for all of two seconds before grasping onto his bicep with one hand, while the other trailed up his bare chest and around his neck. Her fingertips toyed with his hair.

As he swept his tongue through her parted lips, she groaned and matched his demanding kiss. The woman was just full of surprises.

That passion he’d seen in her eyes was real and she freely gave as much as he took. But he wanted more.

With his shirt still unbuttoned, only the thin, wispy fabric of her dress separated them. But he could feel the tips of her nipples and that was enough to drive him positively insane.

Who knew she had all this fire behind her innocence?

He couldn’t get enough of her. As if of their own will, his lips traveled across her jaw line, making a damp line down her smooth throat. Abby arched her back, offering him more. But he had a feeling even if he took everything she had, he still wouldn’t have enough.

Both hands now fisted in his hair, urging him to her breasts. “Cade.”

He froze. Her sultry, pleading tone should’ve had him ripping that material from her curvy body instead of pulling him back to reality. Just as abruptly as he’d pulled her to him, he pushed away.

His body shook. He couldn’t breathe.

They’d been on the verge of taking their professional relationship into territory it had no business going. And he had no one to blame but himself. As much as he’d like to place the blame on Abby and this newfound seductress side of her, he couldn’t.

Even worse than the lack of professionalism was the fact he’d just cheated on his fiancée.

“I’m sorry,” he rasped. God, was that his voice?

Abby wrapped an arm around her waist, bringing one hand up to her moist, swollen lips. She was shaking, too.

“I didn’t mean to…” Cade turned, took a deep breath and looked back to her. “I don’t know what to say, Abby.”

She went over to the table where only moments ago she’d dropped the folder. When she came back, she handed it to him, but remained arms-length away.

“Here’s your schedule with the contractor tomorrow and his credentials.” She shoved her messed hair over her shoulders and smoothed her hands down her dress. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend that meeting.”

He kept his eyes on hers, though he wanted to watch her chest rise and fall. “Why?”

Her chin tilted up a notch. “I think it’s best if I don’t.”

And with that, she spun on her heel and left the room. But, unlike most women who had been rejected, she didn’t slam the door. Though the soft click was just as deafening and just as final.

He’d screwed this up. But, unfortunately his problem wasn’t that his behavior was unprofessional or that he had already promised to marry another woman.

Cade’s problem was that he wanted Abby Morrison now more than ever. And when he wanted something, he never gave up until it was his.

He’d broken his promise to be faithful to Mona, even though they weren’t in love. But how could he marry one woman when all he wanted was to be with another?

Cade prayed to God this was just sexual attraction. Sex he could handle. Sex he could live without until he married Mona.

But he had a feeling this was more than lust and carnal thoughts.

An orchestra or a simple harp?

No. No harpist.

Abby resisted the urge to slam down the screen on her laptop. She simply couldn’t concentrate on wedding plans…especially those of the man who’d kissed her like he was going to devour her, then rejected her all within one breath.

But she had debts to pay off and planning this god-forsaken wedding would take care of all her mother’s medical bills. She couldn’t avoid it. No matter how
much she wanted to stop this preposterous “business arrangement,” Cade had to see on his own that this wedding was a mistake.

If, and only if, he came to his senses, would Abby come clean and confess her feelings. Until then—if then ever came to be—she would continue to work with Cade in a professional environment.

On a personal level, though, she couldn’t halt her plans to show him what a honeymoon with a woman he loved could be like. After that kiss, that body-shaking, toe-curling kiss, she knew Cade wanted her on a physical level. Now if only he could see the love she wanted to give him. If only he’d open his eyes and heart to what was within his reach.

The ache in Abby’s chest only worsened when she came to her feet and saw the dress she’d worn last night draped over the white wicker chair next to her canopy bed.

She turned the opposite way and went to the wide double doors that led out onto the balcony. Resting her arms on the wrought iron railing, she breathed in the refreshing ocean scent. A soft breeze caressed her, lifting her hair to dance about her shoulders.

A tremor swept through her body. She didn’t even have to close her eyes to remember the way Cade’s lips had felt against her heated skin. But she closed them anyway, as if locking the memory inside forever.

What if he didn’t ever come around? What if his business was more important than his happiness?
What if he never saw her as anything more than his assistant?

But, what if he did?

Abby knew giving up was not an option, but the devil’s advocate kept interrupting her daydreams. She only had four weeks to show Cade romance and passion. To show him just how much life had to offer if you could spend it with the one you loved.

He had no reason to be so cynical about love. His own parents had had a long, happy marriage until his mother passed. His father had never remarried. From what Abby learned before Cade’s father’s passing, the man had said no one would replace his one true love and the memories of his wife would last the rest of his life.

Abby rubbed her arms and blinked back tears. Something was keeping Cade from seeking love, but what? His own brother, Brady, was happily married and expecting twins in a few months.

Cade just had to see there was more to life than business mergers, luxurious resorts and jetting off to the next hot piece of real estate.

On a sigh, Abby turned. She had wedding plans to get back to. Even though she thought this was a mistake and she was going to do everything in her power to make Cade see that he needed love in his life, she still was being paid to do a job.

Settling back down at the small desk in the corner of her suite, she sent a quick e-mail to Mona to ask her opinion on the music.

Once the message was sent, Abby couldn’t stom
ach another plan. She’d chosen the flowers, fresh of course, planned the extravagant menu, booked the location at a historical church in San Francisco and arranged for the special lighting that she always used for evening weddings to illuminate the happy couple.

Ugh, just the thought of the pale glow around Cade and Mona made Abby ill. But, just because she didn’t agree with this wedding didn’t mean she’d slack on her duties…no matter how nauseating and heartbreaking they may be.

Her computer chirped, letting her know she had a message.

Abby clicked on the Inbox icon to see a reply from Mona.

“That was fast,” Abby muttered.

Abby,

Anything is fine. Just plan this as if it were your own. No need to consult me, I’m leaving everything in your capable hands.

Mona

Insane. Positively insane. But at least she didn’t have to consult the woman anymore. She hated the thought of hurting Mona, but if she wasn’t even remotely in love with Cade, she shouldn’t get hurt. At least, Abby hoped not.