[Invitation to Eden 04.0] Hydrotherapy (6 page)

Jenna removed her fingers and let out a heavy sigh. Why did he have to be such an asshole? They had such a good thing going, and he had to ruin it by leaving with her money. If he had just been honest with her, things could have been so different. If he needed money, then she and her mother could have helped him with a loan or something. He didn’t need to steal, and he sure as hell didn’t need to break her heart.

Sighing, Jenna got out of the Jacuzzi and turned off the jets. Perhaps a good night's sleep would help give her some perspective. She padded over to the cabinet and pulled out an oversized towel. As she wrapped it around her, something fell onto the floor. Frowning, Jenna bent over and picked it up.

Condoms.
She glanced back at the cabinet and saw that there was a neatly-stacked pile of condom boxes next to the tiles. Each box held various colors, flavors and sizes, but all of them were brand new and well within the expiration date.

Grimacing, she glanced back at the Jacuzzi and wondered what kind of place provided condoms to their clients. Was this hotel like the Ecstasy Spa, and fulfilled guests' sexual fantasies? It was possible. Heck, even probable. It would be naive to think that Chicago was the first city to come up with such a concept.

Jenna started to put the condoms away and paused. Nibbling her lower lip, she flipped the package over and stared at the picture.

“Ribbed,” she murmured to herself. Back at the Ecstasy Spa, Celeste had only given plain condoms to the staff. She had said it was to cut expenses, but Jenna guessed that she just wanted to save the good ones for her kinky sexcapades with her two boyfriends.

Tapping the box on the fingers of her free hand, a plan formed in Jenna’s mind. Smirking, she slipped the package into her beach bag and made her way over to the large, four-poster bed.

Yes, she was still mad at Caine for what he had done to her family, but that didn’t mean she still didn’t have needs. Caine had better watch out. Jenna was no longer the wide-eyed innocent he had seduced back in St. Lucia. She was older now, and thanks to the Ecstasy Spa, more experienced.

As Celeste had taught her, sex and love were two different things. Jenna knew how to separate the two. She’d take from Caine what she needed—sexual satisfaction she couldn’t get anywhere else—and then, once she was finally satisfied, she’d end the relationship on her own terms and never look back. Give the man a little taste of his own medicine.

The poor guy would never know what hit him.

Chapter Four

The next morning, Jenna was surprised to find breakfast brought to her room. An assortment of her favorite croissants, muffins and fruit was accompanied by coffee and a strawberry mimosa—her preferred cocktail. Jenna wondered if the Oasis Spa treated all of their staff the same way. She could get used to stuff like this.

She had always been an early riser, so after breakfast, she packed her beach bag, slid a condom into her pocket, and headed downstairs to the reception area thirty minutes before she was to meet Caine and his cousin. Simone had told her yesterday that the block of rooms where Jenna stayed was reserved for staff and was part of the spa. Guests stayed in a different wing, which was fine with her.

Except for a few staff members cleaning the waiting area, the spa was mostly empty. Not surprising, since the spa didn’t officially open to guests for another few hours. The champagne fountain had been turned off, and the reception area looked deserted. Jenna found that she missed the bustles of the waiters and the calypso music. It definitely had a more relaxing feel.

“Ah, there you are,” Caine said when she reached the reception desk.

“You’re early.”

“I’m always early when diving is on the agenda.” He winked at her. “Excited?”

“A little.” Okay, a lot. It had been years since she had been under water and the thought of doing it again had kept her up half the night.

“Good, let's go.”

“Are you sure it's okay for us to do this?” she asked as she fell into step beside him.

“Sure. I'm the boss, aren't I?”

“You’re Human Resources.”

“Close enough.”

“No, it really isn’t.”

“Don’t worry about it.” He took her down a familiar-looking corridor.

She rolled yesterday’s conversation through her mind as they walked. “You told me that you brought me here, not Vardalos.”

“That's right.” He picked up the pace, forcing Jenna to quicken her steps to keep up. Caine opened a side door and led Jenna out onto the same deck they were on yesterday.

The rising sun felt warm on Jenna's skin. A few runners were out on the beach, but most people hadn't even gotten up yet.

“Then who did I have that email conversation with?” she asked.

“Me.”

Shit.
All of this time she had thought that she was interviewing for an office management position, and Caine was leading her on. “Who reserved the seat in first class, and sent me a wad of cash?”

“I did.”

“Why?”

Caine shrugged. “I wanted you here with me.” His voice sounded matter-of-fact, as if his words explained it all.

“Why now? Why not six months ago, or a year ago?”

“The time was right.”

This was getting more confusing by the minute. “The time was right? For what?” Caine quickened the pace, forcing Jenna to jog to keep up. “Does your boss even know I’m here?”

Caine nodded to the right. “The stairs are this way.” He ignored her question, instead taking her down off the deck and onto a small, dirt path.

“Caine.” Jenna’s chest ached and her bag felt like a ton of bricks, yet she didn’t dare slow down. “You didn't answer my question.”

“Oh?” He took a side path, turning into a space where the terrain was uneven and the grass tall and thick. “What was your question again?”

Jenna huffed as she gingerly stepped over a large stone. “Does the Master of the

Island—Mr. Vardalos—even know I’m here?”

“Not exactly.”

Jenna stumbled over a root system and reached for Caine's arm. He grabbed her waist to steady her, his strong arms wrapping around her midsection and creating butterflies in her stomach.

“Whoa,” he said as she dropped her bag and stumbled into his chest. Jenna put up her hands and splayed her fingers over the broad expanse of muscle.

“Sorry,” she muttered as she looked up and met his gaze. Caine's features softened as he shifted his focus to her lips.

“What do you mean, not exactly?”

He jerked his gaze back up to her face. “He knows that we need help at the front desk and has approved an open requisition. He just…” He cleared his throat and let her go. “He just doesn’t know that I’ve hired someone.”

She watched the muscles in his back ripple as he walked away from her and down the steep incline toward the water.

“Wait a minute,” she said as she picked up her bag and scrambled to catch up to him. “So you hired me without telling him?”

“That's right.”

“Do you have the authority to do that?”

“Yup. Watch your step.”

Jenna ground her teeth as she maneuvered her way over a fallen branch. “Where is Mr. Vardalos now?”

He stopped walking and considered her words. “Probably in the States.”

“In the States?” Jenna said as he started walking again. “Why?”

“Convention or something. I'm not sure,” he said over his shoulder. “Only a little farther 'til we get to the water.”

“Have I even met him?”

“Not yet.”

“So, I don’t really have a job. This was all a hoax.”

Caine sighed. “Don’t worry about the damn job, Jenna. I told you that you have the position, although I doubt that you’ll want it by this time next week.”

“You have no idea how long I’ll need the position. You know nothing about me.”

“I know you hate working in a spa so much that you quit and moved thousands of miles away after only a couple of emails.” He frowned and shook his head. “I did you a favor, Jenna, so don’t act all high-and-mighty with me.”

High-and-mighty?
Jenna couldn't believe what was happening. “I can’t believe you lied to me.”

Caine stopped suddenly, causing her to yelp in surprise. When he turned to face her, she could see the frustration in his features. “I'd never lie to you, Jenna.”

“This whole thing is a lie.” She waved her hands in the air, indicating the island around them.

“Okay, I won’t lie to you
anymore
.”

“Oh yeah? Then tell me, why am I here?”

He considered her for a moment before responding. “You ask too many questions, you know that? For once, just enjoy the moment for what it is.” He turned his back and started once again down the path. “You coming?” he called over his shoulder.

Jenna let out a long breath as she followed him. None of this made any sense. The more questions she asked, the more confused she got.

“Here we are.” Caine stepped out from the brush onto a large rock face overlooking the water.

“Wow,” Jenna said as she came up beside him. “It's beautiful.”

Beautiful didn’t even begin to cover it. Breathtaking was closer. It was as if they had stepped off the busy section of the island and into a whole different world. All of Jenna’s confusion and anger melted away as she looked around at the vegetation and colorful birds in the small cove.

“Kind of reminds you of St. Lucia, eh?” Caine asked. “That's the boat down there.”

Jenna put her hand up to shield her eyes form the sun and squinted down at the dock. A mid-sized boat was tied there, painted white with the blooming flower on the side.

“Is that—does that say ‘Jenna’ on the side?” she asked as she stared at the letters on the back of the boat.

“Yeah, it is.” He took her hand. “Come on, let's go.” He led her to the stone staircase, cut into the side of the rock face.
He named the boat after me.
It was surreal. People didn't normally name boats after their ex-girlfriends, especially if they broke up with them by running away with their life savings. Perhaps there was some truth to his earlier claims. But if he was telling the truth, then who took her family’s money?

“Ahoy there!” A tall, skeletal figure rose from the back and waved. Her long pale hair had been gathered in a ponytail at the top of her head, and her neon pink bikini shone bright in the sunlight.

“Simone,” Jenna said. “What’s she doing here?”

“Knowing Simone, she’s probably causing trouble.” Caine pressed his lips together as they approached the boat. Jenna could feel the anger radiate off him in waves, but for the life of her, she couldn't understand why.

“Ah, there you are,” Caine's cousin Rex said as he emerged onto the deck. “What took you so long?” He glanced over at Jenna. “Ah, I see.” He took off his Kangol hat and nodded. “Ms. Jenna. So nice to see you again.”

Jenna wished she could say the same. “Rex.” There was always something off about that guy. Jenna couldn't quite put her finger on it. It probably had to do with the fact that he showed a little too much interest in her mother when they were together, but then put her down whenever she wasn’t in the room.

“What are you doing, Rex?” Caine fisted his hands as tension filled the air. “We’re supposed to be working.”

“What you mean?” Rex hobbled to the end of the boat with his cane and held his hands out to the sides. “You said that you wouldn’t dive unless we allowed Jenna on the boat. Well, if we’re going to have a party, then let’s make it a party.”

“Oh,” Simone clapped her hands with glee. “I like parties.”

“This isn’t some God-damned party,” Caine muttered under his breath.

Rex grinned as he replaced his hat and rapped his cane on the dock. “Aw, come on now, cuz’. Cheer up. Simone is certified to dive. It’s all good.” He flashed the tall, white-haired woman a seductive grin. “It’s very good.”

Simone strutted up next to Rex and slid her arm around his waist. “I’ve never seen treasure before.” She cocked her head to the side and batted her eyelashes. “Please?”

“Come on, Caine,” Rex said. “Be a pal.”

“I promise to behave, Caine.” Simone snuggled closer.

Rex frowned and rubbed his hand suggestively over her hip. “Don’t behave too much.”

Simone giggled. It was a strange sound, par snort, part wheeze. The noise made Jenna wince.

“There’s too many people.” Caine took Jenna’s hand. “This isn’t some pleasure cruise, Rex. We have a job to do.”

“Could have fooled me.” Rex removed his arm from around Simone and pointed his cane at Jenna. “If this was a business trip, then she wouldn’t be coming now, would she?”

Jenna let go of Caine’s hand and stepped back. “Perhaps this wasn’t such a good idea.”

“No, you’re coming with us.” Caine grabbed her fingers and started leading her down the dock. “Besides, Simone was just leaving.”

“Excuse me?” Simone frowned as she shimmied over to the side of the boat. “I’m the one who brought the beer.” She pointed to the blue cooler on the deck. “If I go, the beer goes, too.”

“Aw, come on, Caine. Don’t send away the beer,” Rex said as she stepped up behind Simone and made a show of checking out her ass. “We’ll need to celebrate when we bring up that piece from the friar.” He rubbed his palm over Simone’s backside suggestively.

“Friar?” Jenna asked.

“And gold,” Simone added as she pressed her ass into Rex’s fingers. “Don’t forget the gold coins.”

“There aren’t any gold coins,” Caine said.

“There isn’t?” Simone straightened, removing her backside from Rex’s eager hand.

“Of course there is, darling.” Rex slid his fingers over Simone’s ass cheek and flashed Caine a warning look. “There’s plenty of gold to go around.”

“Rex—”

“Don’t ruin this for me, cuz’.” Rex said as he dropped his gaze to Simone’s ass. “You’ve already taken so much away from me. Don’t take this, too.”

Caine made a frustrated noise.

“Could someone please tell me what’s going on?” Jenna asked.

“He didn’t tell you, honey?” Simone grabbed Rex’s hand and kissed his palm. “These two hunky sailors are treasure hunters.” She slid one of Rex’s fingers into her mouth and slowly ran her lips and tongue over his digit. “And Rex is going to save one of the biggest pieces for me.” She turned to face Rex and flicked her tongue over the tip of his finger. “Isn’t that right, baby?”