| |
AFTER AVOIDING LUNCH the next day with Marc, Izzy stopped by the front desk.
“Is Melissa in her office?” she asked the receptionist who’d just finished checking out an older couple raving about how much they’d enjoyed the “adults only” pool area. Their comments made Izzy remember her “adults only” evening in the hot tub with Gunner. Precisely her reasoning for popping by Melissa’s office.
The receptionist nodded at her. “Yes, but she asked for no interruptions. Emergency only.”
Izzy moved behind the counter. “Thanks. This is an emergency.” She gave a little knock on Melissa’s closed door and, without waiting for a reply, slipped inside.
Melissa’s head whipped up, livid at the unpermitted entrance.
“Hey, Melissa.”
“Marc’s not here.” She dismissed her, moving her attention back to the computer screen.
“I know. I came to see you.”
“Go away.” She scribbled a note on the paper in front of her as her other hand continued using the mouse to scroll down the screen.
“So, Marc tells me you were in charge of the movie and popcorn yesterday featuring the library basement and myself as the heroine.” Izzy plopped down on the sleek white chair across from Melissa’s desk, stretching her legs and folding her ankles onto the edge of the contemporary white and metal desk.
“Popcorn wouldn’t have made up for the torture that was yesterday.” Melissa looked straight at her. “But I would trade you for popcorn. I would trade you and my shoes and walk barefoot for the rest of my life to end this exchange between us.”
“Okay, well let’s cut to the chase—”
“Kate’s with Rosemary in the craft room for the next...” She glanced at the watch on her wrist. Who wore watches anymore? “...twenty-eight minutes and I’m sure she’d love to converse with you.”
“I had sex with Gunner.”
Melissa didn’t even flinch. “I’m not surprised. I’m more surprised it took you so long. He turned you down flat either, though. I suppose that in itself made it less insufferable to watch.”
“I wasn’t going to sleep with him. I didn’t plan to sleep with him. It just sort of happened and it was amazing. A-m-a-zing. The best sex I’ve ever had. He’s such a jerk, but his touch was soft and thoughtful, but aggressive and rough, too, and his mouth...” Izzy whistled. “His mouth was a piece of heaven I’d like to flavor again.”
In fact, he kissed like she hadn’t been kissed in a long time. He growled, touched, and consumed her like...well, like he hadn’t had sex for a while either. It was presumptuous of her and probably wrong, but either way she needed to know his past.
“I don’t understand why we’re having this
conversation.”
“All my sisters are gone and you can help me, whereas them, not so much.”
“I can’t help you.”
“You don’t even know what I want.”
Melissa leaned forward, folding her bare arms over the desk. Today she sported a stunning turquoise sleeveless dress that made her eye color pop. “I don’t care what you want.”
“The hot tub was a onetime thing. I wouldn’t be opposed to getting naked with him again, but I need to know his background first.”
“I’m opposed to this.” She waved her hand between them. “I’m not your BFF but I can have Abby on the phone in an instant. I will arrange a limo to pick her up or drop you off in Oakston if you stop filling my head with your sex life.”
“Abby can’t help me.”
“I don’t think anyone can help you.” Melissa dismissed her again, shuffling papers around her desk. Who even uses paper today when iPads are more accessible? “I have actual work to do and bragging about your onetime fling doesn’t categorize itself in my job description. Had it, I wouldn’t have accepted the job.”
“But you had no choice in accepting this job, did you, Melissa?”
Melissa’s probing eyes squinted and made their way back to Izzy. “What are you talking about?”
Izzy sat up. “When we were on the cruise there may have been a moment when you told me and Abby all about your dad forcing you to work here.”
Sternness stole every feature of Melissa’s face. Izzy elaborated. “You were as drunk as a sailor.”
“Are you planning on blackmailing me?” Melissa’s tone sank to a darkness Izzy hadn’t expected. What did she think she’d told Izzy besides being miserable at the resort, and not being able to run away with the man she loved? First, Melissa was always miserable. Second, Marc was married, so that ship had long sailed. Izzy decided not to touch on anything she’d discovered and take Melissa’s high temperature down a couple degrees.
“I need Gunner’s file.”
“I don’t have Gunner’s file.”
“But Marc does and you have a key to his office and I need in his office to get Gunner’s file.”
Silence stretched out between them as Melissa tossed the idea back and forth in her head. “Izzy, why don’t you ask Marc for the file? He would give it to you, or at the very least, answer the questions you’re seeking.”
“Because I’m asking you.”
“I can’t get into Marc’s office.”
“You’re his secretary. You have a key.”
“No, I don’t. Marc took my key away when he stepped in for Robert.”
“But you would have made doubles.” It was a guess at best. If Melissa’s father, the mayor of Willow Valley and an untrusting man at that, sent her to work for Robert, more than likely the reasoning circled around the files...again. Always the files.
Melissa’s jaw tightened. “Marc changed the locks after he took the key.” No denying the second set of keys.
Seeing no further help, Izzy stood. “I guess I will get out of your hair then.”
She hadn’t made it to the door before Melissa said, “Wait.” Izzy turned to find her standing up, looking a nervous mess, and wringing her hands. Her face scrunched up with worry. “What did I tell you?” She rolled her eyes. Melissa, actually rolled her eyes. “When I was intoxicated.”
Izzy contemplated stringing her along without any real answer, but on the other side, she’d had the dad who kept secrets and had tried to force his children into doing what he wanted, so she understood.
Izzy shook her head. “Nothing much. You mentioned your dad forced you to work here and talked about not being able to leave now. Something about running away with the man you love.” She sent her a smile. “Marc’s happy.”
“Marc?”
“The man you love.” Or so she’d assumed in some twisted way Melissa loved Marc. As much as Melissa could love a person. “Kate’s his soul mate. But, as for your father, talking from experience, it’s best to confront him and get away from his toxicity. It won’t end well.”
Melissa’s face hardened. “I live my life, my way. It has nothing to do with my dad.”
Izzy nodded, once thinking those words were true, but now doubting them. “I bet there’s a file in that basement with the mayor’s name on it and I bet that has been what you’ve been monitoring until Marc took over.”
She pointed at the door. “Get out.”
“Yours is probably down there, too. Do you think my mom hasn’t read it?”
“Shut the door behind you.” Melissa sat down, dismissing Izzy. She left, knowing she’d touched a nerve. The question remained, what exactly was Melissa’s angle? She’d have to ponder it another day, when her mom returned.
There was no way she could ask Marc for Gunner’s file. That left her without his file, still curious about him and unable to forget the way his touch felt.
Hopefully a day at the spa would erase the memories of Gunner and maybe a night at the bar to follow would help, too.
***
GUNNER NEEDED A SHOWER and some sleep. Crossing the pool room in the dead of the night, he thought about jumping in the pool to cool down. He needed a severe cooling down. He ripped his shirt off and was about to kick his shoes off when he saw a movement by the waterfall. Izzy stepped out.
Bloody hell, seriously?
He’d been thankful this morning when Marc headed to the basement with them, instead of her.
The way she sauntered over to him now, a mischievously playful look crossing her face, was the exact reason he hadn’t wanted to see her. Her look screamed she was ready to play some more. Hell, he was ready to play some more. That’s why he needed a cold shower because he couldn’t get this vixen out of his bloody mind. He didn’t want her. One time was one too many.
“Hey there, stranger.” She stopped in front of him, running her fingers across his bare chest. A silky white dress showed her bared shoulders and grazed the floor. “Going for a swim?”
Not now.
“I have an idea,” she said. “Why don’t we go for a swim together. I can change into my swim suit or we can go skinny dipping? No one is awake at this late hour.”
Except her.
The offer tempted his exhausted mind and longing body, but he listened to his wise...or unwise head...and declined.
She caught his arm as he passed. “Come on, handsome. You know you want to.”
His blood boiled for her, but he refused to make this mistake twice, so he did the only thing he knew that would really piss her off...he pushed her into the pool and walked away.