Forever Our Beach (Flirt Club)

2. Caleb

2

Caleb

My hands tingle from where I’m still holding her. The softness of her skin making other parts of me hard. An experience that’s taking me a little by surprise. Every day I’m surrounded by beautiful, fit women, wearing next to nothing as they prance around the resort. Women who are on the richer side of things, allowing them to take care of themselves, either through their own means, their family’s name, or through whatever man they’re here with. And when it’s not here on this island, it’s at one of my other resorts around the world. But never have I had a reaction like this from just a touch and seeing her from the back.

Although it’s something I should have expected because nothing about her has triggered my normal reactions.

From the moment she walked into my view—from my perch where I was keeping an eye on Colette’s interactions with our guests due to some concerns that had been brought to my attention—she had my undivided attention. Exhaustion lined her muscles, yet she stood deceptively tall with her chin held high. Never would I have guessed that she hid so much pain. Pain that I heard when I stepped from my hiding spot, needing to hear her—Megan’s—voice.

She stares at me, and I can’t look away, mesmerized by her bright green eyes. Eyes that hold the weight of the world in them. I vow to see them clear and sparkling before she leaves. They’re framed by long, pale eye lashes that match the strawberry blonde color of her hair, proving she’s not wearing much for make-up. A natural look I wholeheartedly approve of. Her tongue darts out, wetting her berry kissed lips and I wonder if that’s what she tastes like.

Before I can lean, someone jostles me from behind, breaking our connection. I take a deep, steadying breath as my mind races. What the hell was I about to do? Kissing a woman I’ve never really talked to before… crazy and so not like me. I might enjoy the ladies—and they enjoy me—but it’s always consensual and after some platonic interaction. There are too many women who’d be happy to try and trap me or just even be eligible for some of our money. In the past, my womanizing ways may have kept my brother, Lucas, and his security company busy, running investigations behind women trying to sue me for money or paternity, but I’ve grown up since then. And I’m a little more discerning with the buffet of beauty that constantly surrounds me.

The moment I release her arms, I feel empty, as if something is missing so I allow myself to place my hand on the small of her back, urging her towards the doors leading deeper into the resort. “I’m sorry that there was an issue with your reservation. I will personally look into what happened and will ensure that you receive a full refund for this vacation.”

She stops, spinning so my hand is now on her waist. “You don’t need to do that. I’m here so I’m paying once you get my money back from”—she stiffens a little, making me suspect that she’s not being fully truthful about knowing who has her money—“whomever has it.”

“Don’t you worry. We’ll be looking into it and getting the law involved as needed.” I give her hip a little squeeze when she stiffens again before urging her to walk down the path toward the private side where our family villa is located. When her feet drag a little, I worry she thinks that I think she’s involved with whatever happened. I rush to reassure her. “I know you weren’t involved. You’d be at the top of the box office to act as surprised and upset as you were upon hearing about the cancellation. So put this all behind you. Enjoy everything we have to offer. Relax and spend some time soaking up the sun and all the experiences.”

She nods, but when I glance down, seeing her chewing on her bottom lip, it hits like a punch to my chest. I don’t want her worrying… about anything.

When we come to a tall gate attached to a fence hidden by the lush foliage, looking like we’ve reached the end of the property, her forehead wrinkles as her nose scrunches. The look is cute, bringing a smile to my usually stern face. I point to the little box on the gate. “Wave your key in front of the reader.”

Her eyebrows rise but she doesn’t hesitate to follow my command. The gate swings open, revealing my private sanctuary. “Wh-what is this place?”

I urge her through the gate. My smile grows wider as the look of awe on her face increases. “This is the private area for the owner, the family, and their friends.”

“Are-are you sure they’d be okay with me staying here. I mean, I know I booked a suite in one of the private cottages, but this”—she spins around—“this is worth way more than I could ever afford.”

Hearing her not refer to me as the owner reinforces my opinion of her. She’s not here to try and scam us or trap me. She’s honestly a good person who’s had some bad shit happen to her. Her strength of character amazes me. And being completely honest, I’m sure that what little she inadvertently revealed about her former fiancé cheating on her is only the tip of the iceberg.

“It’s perfectly fine, Megan. Can I call you that?” I hold my breath, waiting for the answer which thankfully she immediately nods, allowing me to relax. “They let me live here and I know the owner would want you taken care of. What happened to you is not in keeping with the type of business we—they—run.”

She chews on her lower lip and all I want to do is to pull her lip away… with my teeth before licking it all better.

“—you name?”

I rub the back of my neck. An uncharacteristic move for me as I’m normally extremely confident… cock or arrogant even, but then I have to be. I may have come from money, but this business—More Hospitality—was my baby. I started it from scratch and it’s now a multi-billion-dollar business. Do I tell her my name, hoping that she doesn’t connect it with the name of the owner, or do I go by my middle name? Either option is full of risks if I want anything more with her. Just that thought scares me. I’m not that guy who worries about things like this.

Yet, one glance at her and I know what I need to do. Whatever this is that I’m feeling between us—and I have my suspicions even if I don’t want to admit it—I’m not about to start it with a lie. I hold out my hand and grin. “It’s nice to meet you, Megan. I’m Caleb.”

She shakes my hand, but instead of letting go, I pull her up the three wooden steps to the wide, wrap-around wooden patio and lead her to the giant sliding doors that lead into the Magnolia suite.

“This is your room. There’s a door on the inside that leads to the massive communal areas that the family uses, but you’ll find a stocked kitchenette in your suite.” I can tell that she’s not going to leave her suite except to go back to the main resort for meals or to the beach and pool, limiting the areas and the times I can arrange to accidentally run into her. I step closer, into her personal space. “Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?”

Even before she answers, I know what it will be when a massive yawn crosses her face. The earlier weariness that I noted is back in spades, lining every muscle with exhaustion. And from this close, I can see how she tried to hide the dark circles under her eyes.

“I—”

“Actually,” I interrupt, “why don’t you get some rest. If you have no allergies or dislikes, I’ll have some supper delivered to you and then we can meet tomorrow.”

Her shoulders slump with relief. “That sounds wonderful. Thank you again so much for all that you’re doing for me.”

I brush back a couple of strands of her strawberry-blonde hair, wrapping it around her ear. “Then that’s the plan then. Go on in a get some sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

The moment the glass door closes behind her, I head back to my office, cell phone in hand. This investigation is going to need Lucas’ help. I just hope it doesn’t read anything into my offering up one of the family rooms to her because I’m not about to admit what this feeling in my chest is.

Mule kick, my ass. Pop lied. It hurts far worse.