For Business...Or Marriage? (9 page)

S
o far, their trip had been a success. Cade had had contracts drawn up on a resort in Puerto Vallarta and had his eye on another in Cancún.

Oh yeah, and the fact she’d bared her soul to him and made love with him four times. That was certainly beyond her expectations for this trip.

But he hadn’t confessed his love to her, nor had he mentioned Mona’s name.

Abby figured she could look at this two ways—either she was a home wrecker or Cade had already spoken to Mona and was leaving Abby out of the messy ordeal.

Please, God, be the latter.

Cade had told her there wouldn’t be a wedding, but she hoped he didn’t regret his decision or end up
resenting or placing blame on her. Was the merger at risk now because they’d acted on their feelings?

Abby boarded Cade’s jet once again. Now they were making a visit to Jamaica, though this one would be brief, only one night. Cade had seen some pictures of a resort in shambles and pretty much decided it wasn’t worth the money, but he still wanted to see it in person.

And since there wasn’t going to be a wedding, there would be no honeymoon, so Abby didn’t have to do research.

During this trip, Abby planned to lie on the beach in her floral bikini with a non-alcoholic drink in hand and relax while Cade met with the owner of the despaired hotel. He’d already told her there was no need to accompany him and she should take some time for herself.

“We’re making a side trip tomorrow after we leave Jamaica,” Cade said as he buckled his belt beside her. “I just hung up with Brady and I’d like to swing by Kauai to talk to him in person. That’ll give you some time to chat with Sam about baby things.”

She raised a brow and grinned. “Baby things?”

“Well, yeah.” He shrugged. “Women all congregate around pregnant women and giggle and chat about booties and diapers and…whatever.”

Abby laughed. “And I assume you and Brady will be discussing man topics like business while Sam and I talk about…whatever.”

His charcoal eyes gleamed, not something she saw often. “Precisely.”

Cade reached for her hand during the takeoff and Abby didn’t know what to think. Actually, she wouldn’t allow herself to think because if she did that, she’d start to fantasize about where this burst of romance was headed. She feared she’d get her hopes up only to be devastated in the end.

Just because he wasn’t going to marry Mona, that didn’t mean he wanted to spend his life with her.

Once the plane reached cruising altitude, Abby unfastened her belt and reached beneath her seat to retrieve her laptop.

“Don’t.”

Settling the device in her lap, she looked to Cade. “Don’t what?”

His hand covered hers, his eyes held steady. “Don’t work.”

“I wasn’t.”

His shoulders sagged just a bit as he squeezed her hand. “I need to explain what’s going on with Mona.”

“Cade, so long as you’re honest with Mona, me and yourself, you don’t have to explain anything to me. Just tell me you’re definitely not going to marry her.”

Please, God, let him utter those words. Otherwise she would be nothing less than scum. Then again, so would he.

“Okay,” he told her.

Not quite what she wanted to hear.

“Because you feel like you cheated on her?” Abby clarified. “Or because you see that it would be wrong
to spend your life with someone because of a business transaction?”

He sighed, reached with his other hand and smoothed the hair from her forehead. “Because I don’t feel like this when I’m with her.”

A bit of giddiness crept up.

Oh, who was she kidding? A ginormous amount of giddiness bubbled up like a volcano and threatened to explode.

She’d prayed that he’d feel the same when they weren’t in bed. Emotions and feelings could sometimes get jumbled in the bedsheets.

“How do you feel?” Abby risked asking.

He searched her face. “I can’t define it. I know you love me and I know you want me to say that back—”

Abby placed a finger over his lips. “I only want you to say it if you mean it. Not out of obligation. I would rather have complete honesty.”

He covered her wrist and drew her hand away. “That’s why I find you so remarkable. You’re always giving, expecting nothing in return.”

The rest of the short trip went in silence and Abby didn’t think of work once.

Lounging on the beach after making love to the man of her ultimate dreams was definitely the kind of relaxation Abby needed.

Fantasizing about being with Cade and actually having him run his strong hands over her body as he pleasured her were on two ends of the spectrum.

She’d had no idea he’d be so attentive to her needs
in bed. Honestly, her thoughts hadn’t gone that deep. For a man that was all business and take-charge with everything in his life, he’d been laid-back. Still in charge, but sensitive.

Their time together had truly been blocked out of all reality and taken to a place where just the two of them existed.

Abby stretched her arms over her head and settled even more into her lounge chair as the sun baked her tingly skin.

While Cade hadn’t professed his love to her, Abby couldn’t deny the fact he’d all but shown it to be so in his actions. He’d said he didn’t believe in love, but Abby had a feeling he may be reconsidering.

And while she couldn’t stop her hopes on that topic from soaring, she also had to keep reminding herself that Cade was always honest. He would never lie to her or betray her. If he didn’t want to be with her, he wouldn’t have been.

Abby rolled over so she could sun her back. Laying her head on the pillow she’d made with her arms, she closed her eyes and relived, for the umpteenth time, every second of her intimate moment with Cade.

What woman didn’t do that? Replaying their private moments was what kept her waiting for him to return from his business meeting. She wanted another night like the one they’d shared. And another and another.

Now that she’d had a taste of what being in Cade’s life would be like, there was no way she’d back down.

She’d put people’s needs ahead of her own for too long. Now was Abby’s time for happiness and nothing made her happier than waiting for her lover to return.

Well, that went as expected, Cade thought as he strolled through the double doors leading out to the white sandy beach.

Abby had told him she’d be suntanning all day while he was in his meeting with a real estate agent and the owner. But the meeting had only taken about two hours and Cade knew this wasn’t the right investment for Stone Enterprises.

Time to board the jet for Kauai.

But he stopped in his tracks when he saw Abby lounging in a blue-and-white beach chair with a drink in one hand and a young boy’s hand in her other. Even from a distance her laughter bubbled up and floated to him.

Jealous? No. How could he be? He was happy to know that while men may flirt with her, it was he who held her heart.

He’d had women express their love for him before, but he knew Abby’s gift of love was genuine.

But, this did open his eyes a bit more as to the woman Abby Morrison was. She could truly have any man. What guy wouldn’t want a smart, sexy, girl-next-door? No one had to tell him how fortunate he was.

He strolled up to her and discovered the boy who held on to her hand was just that, a boy.

“Abby.”

With a wide smile she turned her attention to him.

“Cade. Are you done already?”

He nodded. “I am.”

Abby turned, said something in a language he didn’t understand and the boy hurried off with one hell of a grin on his face.

“What language were you speaking?” he couldn’t help but ask.

Abby swung her legs to the side, grabbed her orange mesh tote and came to her feet. “Patois. It’s the native language.”

Baffled, Cade took a step back to allow her to pass. She walked toward the sidewalk and he found it difficult to keep up with her with his damn dress shoes on.

“Hang on.” He took hold of her elbow and stopped her. “You speak the native language in Jamaica? How on earth did you learn that?”

She shrugged. “I lived for a time in Miami up until high school when my mother relocated to San Francisco. My best friend was Jamaican.”

She turned again and began walking through the lobby of the resort and on out to their awaiting car. Cade fell paces behind, but he was amused, puzzled and downright impressed with her hidden talents.

Once he settled in beside her on the plush leather seat, Cade turned to face her.

“Let’s back up. You speak this unique Jamaican language?”

“Oh, not very well.”

She crossed her legs and Cade couldn’t help but notice she hadn’t even put on a cover-up. Had she not changed on purpose just to torture him? There was smooth, glistening skin everywhere and now the interior of the car smelled not of the expensive leather, but of coconut oil.

But he didn’t give a damn about what the lotion was doing to the seats. He’d pay to have them replaced if he had to. Right now all he wanted to do was get Abby on his plane and into the lavish bedroom. This was one of those times he was glad he’d upgraded to top-of-the-line additions where the private jet’s bedroom and bath were concerned.

“So what were you talking about?”

“That boy just asked if I wanted my hair braided,” Abby went on. “I gave him a ten-dollar bill and told him I didn’t need anything done, but he could use the money to buy his momma something nice. Of course, not in that many words. I’m sure my speech was sketchy.”

Cade lifted her hand, brushed his lips across the back of her knuckles and smiled. “You’re amazing. You know that?”

“You’ve been saying that a lot lately.”

“That’s because I just opened my eyes recently.”

Abby smiled, pulled her hand from his and reached into her tote. When she pulled a bright red cover-up out, Cade stopped her.

“Leave it.”

“Why?”

He took the flimsy material from her hands. “Because I want you just like this when I get you aboard my plane. I want as little as possible to remove.”

Her eyes widened, as did her smile. “You want your pilot to see me boarding your plane in my bikini and flip-flops?”

Cade pulled his cell from his pocket just as the car pulled into the airport. “Simon, please remain in the cockpit. Ms. Morrison and I are in a hurry. Please go ahead and start the engines.”

“We’re in a hurry, huh?” she mocked with a raised brow.

“Definitely.”

K
auai was by far the most gorgeous place Abby had ever seen. She’d always heard Cade and Brady talk about the resort, but she couldn’t believe she hadn’t ever heard them speak of the beauty of the exotic land.

Huge hibiscus in various shades bloomed everywhere. Lush greenery covered all the hills and valleys. And at the base of all the tropical plants was the most pristine white beach she’d ever seen.

And the water. Oh, the turquoise water nearly stole her breath. The mountains in the distance seemed to surround and protect all this beauty.

“Abby!”

Abby turned at the squeal to see Sam trying to waddle and run at the same time through the lobby
area. Granted the two women had only met once before, but they had chatted via e-mail and over the phone several times since Sam had married Cade’s brother, Brady.

“Look at you.” Abby hugged the very pregnant woman and leaned back to look once again. “You still look absolutely gorgeous.”

Sam rolled her eyes. “Ugh. I’m rivaling the weight of those dolphins out there.” She motioned behind her toward the ocean. “Where’s my brother-in-law?”

“Right here.”

Cade strolled in through the open lobby area and he never failed to make Abby’s heart race. The soft, ocean breeze blowing through ruffled his dark hair, and his gleaming white smile stood out against his tanned skin.

And he had just made passionate love to her on-board his jet, not only on the bed, but in the shower, as well. She’d barely had enough time to pull her hair into a loose bun at the nape of her neck and throw on a pair of white sandals and a pink sundress.

Cade moved between the women and hugged Sam. “You’re looking really good. Where’s Brady? I can’t believe he let you out of his sight for more than a minute.”

“Me, too,” Sam laughed. “He’s very protective of his girls.”

Abby watched as the other woman rubbed a hand over her protruding stomach. The gesture, Abby was sure, was done without thought, but with much love.

Sam and Brady were two of the most generous people Abby had ever met; it was no wonder they were immediately attracted to each other.

They were poster children for the beauty Kauai represented—Brady with his coal black hair and exotic looks, Sam with her pale blond hair and vibrant blue eyes.

“Cade. Abby.” Brady came charging toward them.

“Told you,” Sam said with a smile as she turned toward her husband of only seven months.

Brady slid his arm around Sam’s waist—or where her waist used to be—and drew her to his side. “About time you got Abby out of that office to see what all her hard work goes for.”

“Oh, I don’t mind,” Abby told him. “But I must admit, this is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen.”

“That’s what we like to hear,” Brady told her before turning his attention to his brother. “How long are you staying?”

Cade shrugged. “A few days. We have some issues that I need to discuss with you in person and I’d like to take a day to relax.”

Brady’s brows rose. “Relax? Cade Stone?”

“It happens on occasion,” Cade defended.

Abby opened her mouth and before she could think better of it, she asked, “When?”

Brady threw his head back and laughed, Sam snickered, but tried to be polite about it and Cade just stared at Abby.

“Okay, maybe not since you’ve been working for us, but I did when our father still ran the company.”

“I don’t recall that,” Brady chided. “But, I will say you’re long overdue and I’d love to have you here with me and Sam for as long as you want.”

Abby was thrilled to be able to spend some time on the island that meant so much to the Stone boys and to the company. This resort was the first property purchased by their father. Of course, then it was stolen by Sam’s father and just recently taken back into Brady and Cade’s hands.

Abby didn’t know a lot of the details surrounding Lani Kaimana—which meant Royal Diamond—but she did know that somewhere in the middle of all the turmoil and backstabbing of companies, Brady and Sam had fallen in love and were now expecting twin girls in a few short months.

Talk about a romantic story. She couldn’t wait to get the scoop from Sam later. There was no way a woman who beamed that much at a man wouldn’t want to tell every detail about their journey to the altar.

“Let’s get started on business so we can get you to that relaxation,” Brady told Cade.

Sam leaned up and kissed her husband on the cheek. “Use my office. It’s bigger.”

He hugged her with a smile. “You always have to brag.”

Abby looked to Cade expecting…what? A hug? A kiss?

Nope. No PDA for them.

She wished that didn’t hurt, but she could no more stop her feelings than she could stop the evening tide from coming into shore.

Cade glanced her way as he started to walk with his brother. “We’ll meet up later.”

Abby could only nod and will away the lump in her throat. This was the man who’d just given a whole new meaning to the “mile high club,” right? So was he being distant because he was in businessman mode now or because he was around Brady?

“Being in love sucks sometimes, huh?”

Abby tore her gaze away from Cade’s retreating back and stared at Sam. “Yes.” Obviously the woman had been in Abby’s shoes or she wouldn’t be able to read her so easily.

“Well, you’re doing better than I was. I denied being in love for a long time.” Sam took hold of Abby’s hands. “Come on. Let’s go shopping and eat lots of chocolate.”

Abby laughed. “You can eat all the chocolate you want because you have a reason. Me, I just say the word and gain a pound on each thigh.”

As if they were old friends, Sam wrapped an arm around Abby’s shoulder and led her to the front entrance where a driver was waiting.

“Oh, I just wish I could have the sexy, pinup-girl figure like you,” Sam said as the driver opened the door for them. “Tell you what. I’ll eat a lot of chocolate while you watch and you can try on clothes that don’t have an elastic waistband while I watch. Deal?”

Abby nodded and got into the car. “Can’t argue with that.”

“What the hell were you thinking?”

Cade knew the bombshell wouldn’t be pretty. And he’d only dropped half of it.

Brady slammed a hand down on Sam’s desk causing a picture to tip over. “You got yourself engaged to Mona Tremane because of some absurd notion that we needed to go global and couldn’t do it on our own?”

Because he wasn’t in the mood for a fight, Cade eased back in the black club chair and crossed his ankle over his knee. Maybe if he appeared nonchalant about this situation, Brady would settle down.

But probably not.

“Basically, yes.”

Brady ran his hand through his hair. “And when is the big day?”

Good question. “That’s complicated.”

“Because you’re in love with Abby.”

Cade’s heart literally stopped for a fraction of a second. How could Brady assume to know these things when he himself had no idea what name to put on his newfound feelings?

“If you’re thinking of a lie, don’t bother,” Brady went on. “I’ve known for months that the two of you were going to wind up together.”

“Months? What the hell are you talking about?”

Brady shrugged. “I’ve seen the way the two of you argue in the office about petty things like an old married couple. Besides, I’ve also seen how you
look at her when she’s not looking at you in the same love-struck way.”

What? Abby had been giving off vibes and the one person who should’ve picked up on them—meaning himself—hadn’t?

“You can’t possibly know what I feel,” Cade corrected, suddenly not so relaxed. “Let’s get back to this business merger with the Tremanes.”

Brady leaned back in the oversize office chair and smiled. “Business merger? That tells me, and you, right there that you shouldn’t be going through with this.”

Cade didn’t say a word. How could he argue with the truth?

“I’d already decided I couldn’t marry Mona,” Cade confessed. “I can’t hurt Abby that way.”

“Or yourself,” Brady added.

Cade remained silent.

“So what are you going to do?”

Cade shrugged. “I have no idea. When I first started with this plan, nothing was going to stop me from going global just like Dad wanted. But now…”

“Since you’re already down, I’d like to kick you some more.” Brady’s seat creaked as he leaned forward and put his elbows up on the desktop. “Why the hell didn’t you talk this over with me? We are partners, not to mention brothers, and there’s no way I would’ve let you go through with a wedding if that was the only way.”

“I honestly saw the opportunity and jumped on
it. I knew you’d disagree and try to talk me out of it.” Cade swallowed and realized he’d left out the biggest part of his confession. “I asked Abby to plan the wedding.”

Brady cursed and shook his head. “Are you trying to kill the poor girl? Did you not know that her mother passed just before Dad and she’d had to leave her job as wedding coordinator to care for her?”

“How did you know all of that when I just found out in the last few days?”

“Because I listened when she talked,” Brady ground out through clenched teeth. “I knew when Abby started working that she was depressed, but she did everything not to let it show. I would just speak casually and pick up hints she didn’t know she was dropping.”

God. Cade didn’t know what was worse, the fact that his brother knew about Abby’s problems or that he knew she’d fallen for him.

“Did you tell her to stop planning this preposterous wedding?”

Cade nodded. “I told her I couldn’t marry Mona, but I haven’t talked to Mona, yet. She hasn’t returned my calls. I’m still trying to figure out a way we can sink into this amazing opportunity that will still allow me to keep Abby.”

“And if you can’t?” Brady prompted.

“Then I’ll have to decide which one is more important.”