Secret Games (Tropical Temptation) Read online

  She looked up from her hands and studied his face for a moment. “I’m listening.”

  Tate held his hands out to his sides. “You can just walk away.”

  …

  Zoe couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Walk away?”

  “Sure, why not? You hate this job. You practically said as much last night at the bar. You’re stressed out and on the verge of tears. No job is worth all of this. Just walk away.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  She turned her back to him so he wouldn’t see the tears in her eyes. “You wouldn’t understand.”

  “Try me.”

  Zoe wanted to tell him. She knew it would be a relief to finally get everything off her chest. How long had she been trying to hold everything together—eight years? Ten? It felt like an eternity. And thanks to her absentee father, she’d had to do it all without any real emotional support.

  But Tate was still practically a stranger. She couldn’t burden him with her problems. He wouldn’t understand them anyway. No one did.

  “You do realize that there are other jobs out there. There are other ways to make money besides selling your soul.”

  She turned back to face him. “I’m not selling my soul.”

  “You’re stuck in a job you hate; that’s selling your soul to me.”

  “I need this job. The benefits…” She shook her head. “You never had to work for a micromanaging, overbearing boss. You wouldn’t understand.”

  “I think I might understand better than you think.” He touched her arm, and the warmth from his fingers spread out over her skin, heating her insides and causing a tingling sensation in her lower abdomen.

  “I can’t.” She pulled her arm away as tears stung her eyes. “I can’t quit. Not yet.” She might not need the money and benefits to survive, but her mother did. Even before her father left them, she had shown signs of depression. His departure had just made everything worse. For years, Zoe had been trying to help her mother weather the storms of her illness until it became too much for her to take, both financially and emotionally.

  When the job at the resort had come along, it was like a dream come true. Zoe still felt guilt over jumping at the chance to escape the darkness of her home, but she had to do something before her mother’s depression dragged her down, too. She tempered that guilt with weekly Skype sessions with her mother and by hiring her a full-time nurse at the facility. Her mom was making progress, but things were slow, and she had suffered several setbacks. Regardless, her mother had been more lucid in the past two months than she had in the past two years. This facility was her last hope of beating back the disease that had plagued her most of her adult life.

  She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “Look, my reasons for wanting this wedding to go off without a hitch are none of your business. What is your business is keeping me and the resort happy so you get good word of mouth and get paid.”

  He blinked and stepped back, as if stung. “You wouldn’t withhold pay for something that is out of my control.”

  She flashed him a suspicious look. “Is it really out of your control? Are you sure there’s nothing you could do to speed things along?”

  He scratched the back of his head in thought. The movement lifted his T-shirt, giving her a peek at his hard, washboard abs. “There are a few more favors I could collect on. I’m not sure it would do a heck of a lot of good, but I suppose it is worth a shot.”

  “Good.” She dragged her gaze away from his perfect torso and flipped through her notes. “There has to be part of the chapel that doesn’t require the special wood. Maybe you could start working on that while we wait.”

  “As long as it doesn’t rain, I suppose we could work on some of the inside furniture while we wait for the wood for the outer structure.”

  “Perfect.” Zoe let out a long puff of air in relief. “It’s a good start. I’m sure if we put our heads together, we can come up with more ideas.”

  “It still might not get done in time,” he warned.

  “But our chances are better than if we sit here and do nothing.” She cleared her throat as she realized just how close they were standing, and how easy it would be to stand up on her tiptoes and kiss those wonderful, firm lips. “If we work together, we might be able to pull this thing off.”

  “I’ll see what I can do and email you an update tonight.”

  “No, that’s not going to work. My inbox gets so full from client emails that I’ve been missing your updates. I think that’s how things got so off track to begin with. We’ll have to meet in person so I can keep better tabs on what’s going on.”

  He raised his brows. “You want to meet in person? Every day?”

  “Not during the day. We’re both too busy.” She tapped her chin in thought. “At night perhaps. Yes, I think it would be better if we met at night.”

  “You want to visit me at night.” His features looked skeptical.

  “Say, over dinner?”

  “I—”

  “Dinner makes the most sense. I’ll reserve one of the private conference rooms and talk to our chef, Gavin, about sending up some food. He’s a good friend of mine, so I’m sure he wouldn’t mind the small favor.”

  “No, I’m sure he wouldn’t,” Tate mumbled.

  Zoe ignored his words. She was on a roll, and wanted to get all of her thoughts out before they became lost among all of the to-do lists in her head. “If we meet at night, then there won’t be other places we have to be, or other people to meet.” She smiled. “The conference rooms are soundproof, too, so our meetings will be private and free of distractions.”

  He twisted his lips into a seductive smile. “Private conference rooms where we won’t be disturbed, eh?”

  “It’s perfect, really. I’m surprised I didn’t think of it before.” Not only would she get daily updates on the chapel’s progress, it was the perfect excuse to see Tate Carrington on a regular basis. If she couldn’t have sex with him anymore, at least he would provide a visual distraction. He was also fun, and she was counting on that to keep her from burning out before this wedding was over.

  “And if this ‘project’ takes all night?” he asked.

  She shrugged. “Then it takes all night. You have to understand how important this wedding is to me. It needs to go off without a hitch. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen.”

  “You want us to do whatever it takes.” He waved his hand between them. “In a private, soundproof conference room.”

  “So we won’t be disturbed or distracted.” She held out her hand to him. “What do you say? Do we have a deal?”

  He glanced down at her hand, then flashed her a knowing grin. “Yes, ma’am, I think we do.” He took her hand, but instead of shaking it, he brought it to his lips. The light press sent shivers down her spine and heat through her core. “Until tonight, then.”

  “Yes, until tonight.” The kiss lingered on her skin, burning its way through her body like a fire eating its way up a tree. Zoe stared wide-eyed at his broad, muscular shoulders as he walked away, wondering what she had just agreed to.

  Chapter Six

  After she left Tate that morning, Zoe spent the day in crisis mode. First, it was explaining to Sadie why her pet ocelot couldn’t be part of the wedding party. Then, it was tweaking the wedding menu with Gavin to include an alcoholic tropical punch that one of Kaleb’s Youtube fans swore would get the party hopping.

  But her biggest headache was hunting down a rare type of rose Sadie insisted on having at the wedding—rainbow roses. Sadie was convinced that rainbow roses were a natural occurrence and grew on bushes all over North America, but according to the internet, a rainbow rose was a manufactured flower, derived from a special coloring process performed on a cut white rose.

  Then there were Zoe’s other clients, all of whom she’d ignored because she was so busy with Sadie. She couldn’t leave them in limbo forever, and answering the same handful of
questions for several different couples had drained the last bit of energy she had.

  By the time Zoe showed up at the conference room that evening, she was emotionally spent. She didn’t have the energy to decide which type of dressing to use on her salad, let alone make any decisions about the chapel.

  “Are you okay?” Tate finally asked. He had been telling her about his progress—or lack of it—at the construction site. Unfortunately, Zoe was just too tired to care.

  “I’m sorry. It’s just been a really long day.”

  He studied her face for a moment, then stood up and took her hand. “Come on.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “Off the resort. Seems as if you need the night off.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t take another night off. There’s too much to do.”

  “You can, and you will.”

  “Tate—”

  “I’ll let you ride on my motorcycle.”

  Her tiredness instantly dissolved. “Really?”

  “Absolutely.”

  She considered him for a moment before answering. “Okay, but only a short trip. We still have a lot to do.”

  He chuckled and took her hand. “Whatever you want.”

  It didn’t take them long to find the main parking lot, and Zoe let out a gasp as they approached a sleek red-and-silver motorcycle in one of the last spaces of the lot.

  “Like it?” Tate asked.

  “It’s beautiful.” She ran her fingers across the leather seat. The bike looked rather expensive, and for the first time, she wondered just how lucrative the construction business was these days.

  “Saved three years for her,” he said, as if reading her mind. “Gavin thinks I obsess over it as if it were my own child.” He chuckled and slid his fingers over the handlebars. “He just doesn’t know you like I know you, right baby?”

  “You know Gavin?” Zoe asked.

  Tate blinked and stepped back from the bike. “I…ah…yeah. I got to meet a lot of the staff my first week on the island.”

  “Let me guess, you two clicked right away?”

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “You could say that.”

  “Gavin has that effect on people. We got along right away, too.”

  Tate frowned. “You two aren’t…”

  “Dating?” she guessed. “No. While Gavin is a good friend, we never really clicked in that way.”

  “Good.”

  She flashed him a questioning look. “Good?”

  “I mean here.” He handed her a helmet. “You’re going to need this.”

  She considered him as she slid the helmet on her head. “Where are we going?”

  “To a place I found not too far from here.” He got on his bike. “Come on.”

  She hesitated, then slipped up onto the seat behind him.

  “Hold on tight,” he said.

  She slid her arms around his waist, hyperaware of how her breasts pushed up against his back and her thighs rubbed against his hips. As he started the motorcycle and headed out onto the street, she became aware not only of how hot, but how big he was.

  The wind whipped over them as he navigated the streets and more and more space came in between the buildings. It was exhilarating and freeing, riding on the back of a motorcycle. Excitement rippled through her as she tightened her grip on his waist. This was amazing. Not only did she love the speed, but the rumble of the motor between her legs was getting her worked up. And being so close to Tate was doing things to her insides, things that reminded her of just how good the sex had been with him last night. As they sped down the road toward Tate’s mystery destination, she felt invincible and daring. It was easy to leave all her cares behind.

  She could see why Tate loved his bike so much. By the time they pulled up to a small, secluded clearing in a densely thick forest, her job and the resort felt miles away.

  “Oh my God, Tate. It’s beautiful,” she said as she took off her helmet. “I had no idea this was even here.” The pristine spring was so beautiful, it looked as if it had come from a resort brochure. The tropical flowers surrounding it were gorgeous, and the gentle waterfall on the far side provided the perfect backdrop.

  “I found it on one of my morning trips.” He got off the bike and extended his hand. “While you were away, I used to explore the island in the early mornings before work. I’d just take my bike and go wherever I felt like it.” He helped her off the bike and tugged her close. “Sometimes, I’d even go for a swim.”

  “A swim?”

  “Sure, why not?” He shrugged and pulled her to the water’s edge. “The spring is warm, but not too hot.” He winked at her and smiled as he knelt and cupped a handful of water. “It’s perfect for swimming.”

  His energy was contagious. “I wish I could go swimming, too.” Taking a dip in the spring seemed like a perfect way to end a tiring day. “I used to swim a lot in our neighbor’s pool as a kid.” Back before her father had left them with hardly any money, and they’d been forced to move into a run-down apartment.

  “You can. That’s why I brought you here.”

  “To go swimming?” She shook her head. “But I don’t have a suit.” And it had been so long. Zoe was afraid that if she got into the water, she’d never want to get out.

  “You don’t need one.”

  She gave him a skeptical look. “We have no towels. We’ll get your bike wet.”

  “There is plenty of time for us to air dry before we head back.”

  “I don’t know…” How long had she been working on the island and not taken the time to go for a swim? The resort offered so many amenities, but she’d been so bogged down with her job—and too worried about her mother—to relax and enjoy any of it.

  “Are you chicken?” He flicked his hand, splashing water in her face. Zoe gasped and sputtered as she wiped the water from her eyes.

  “No, of course not.”

  “I think you are.” He smirked and stood. “Last one into the water buys ice cream on the way home.”

  “You—” Zoe stood dumbfounded as Tate stripped off his clothes, revealing his chiseled and tanned body, and jumped into the pond. She held her breath as he dove underwater, coming up seconds later and shaking his head, throwing water everywhere.

  “I guess you’re buying,” he joked.

  “I—” Zoe tried not to look at Tate’s naked body, but it was impossible. The man was just so perfectly formed, so spontaneous and carefree. He was everything she wanted to be.

  She wasn’t an idiot. She knew exactly what would happen if she jumped into that water. She and Tate would both be naked and wet and they’d probably end up having sex. Under normal circumstances, Zoe would be all for it, but after what had happened to Natasha and Freddie, she wondered if being with Tate would be such a smart idea.

  Then there was the wedding to consider. They still had to work together, and things were already too sexually charged between them. She couldn’t afford for him to become an even bigger distraction than he already was.

  “Come on. What are you waiting for?” He splashed some water over the edge of the spring, soaking her calves.

  Damn, he looked good. Jumping into the water probably wasn’t the smartest move she could make, but it looked so inviting. What was the harm in having a little fun?

  “Better look out. Here I come!” Flashing Tate a determined look, she peeled off her clothes and cannonballed into the lake next to him, making sure he took the full brunt of the splash.

  “What the hell was that?” he said when she came up for air.

  “That was for getting me wet. And that—” She pushed water at his face. “Was for not giving me any warning about the bet.”

  “You’re just a sore loser.” He splashed her again.

  “Two out of three.”

  “You’re on.”

  Time seemed to move in reverse. Zoe forgot all her obligations and responsibilities, and once again became a teenager, having a good time on a hot summer night. As
they chased each other around the spring, splashing each other and laughing, she couldn’t remember the last time she had so much fun.

  “Wait!” Tate finally cried when she cornered him underneath the waterfall.

  “You give up?” she asked as she scooped up another handful of water.

  “Never!” He dragged her under the falling water, laughing as she sputtered and wiggled to get out of his grasp. His grip was firm, and despite her struggles, he was able to pull her behind the waterfall and into a small, secluded alcove. She laughed as she pushed him back under the waterfall, then collapsed against the side of the large rock formation in exhaustion.

  “Okay, you win,” he said as he came out of the rushing water. “Ice cream is on me.”

  “I want two scoops,” she said as he closed the distance between them.

  “Fine.”

  “With hot fudge. And cherries.”

  “And whipped cream?” he asked as he grabbed her waist and spun her around in the water. Instinctively, she clung to his shoulders and wrapped her legs around his middle, desperate to try to stabilize herself.

  “Yes! Lots of whipped cream.”

  He stopped spinning, but continued to hold her close. Zoe could feel his growing erection pressing against her thigh. “I like whipped cream.”

  The mischievous look in his eyes changed, shifting into something more intense and hungry. Zoe’s body responded, becoming hot and needy despite the cool temperature of the water.

  “I like it, too.” She shifted her gaze to his lips, remembering how good they felt on her skin last night. More than anything, she wanted to feel them again, to lose herself in him like she had done in the honeymoon hut.

  “Zoe.” He leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers. The kiss was so gentle, so perfect, that Zoe felt like weeping with happiness. She tightened her grip on his shoulders and parted her lips, inviting him deeper.

  He took advantage, and as his taste filled her mouth, a sense of urgency bubbled up through her core, heating her skin and fogging her mind with desire. He groaned his response, tightening his grip around her waist as he explored her mouth.

  The moment was so beautiful, so perfect. Zoe wanted nothing more than to let things continue, to open herself up to him completely. She couldn’t do that, however. At least, she couldn’t do it yet.