Seducing the Enemy's Daughter (4 page)

She’d gotten through her life just fine on her
own and she liked to believe that’s what made her strong. Sam knew she didn’t need anyone to lean on, especially not a man. Actually, she was a bit thankful her father had made her stand on her own two feet. She shuddered at the thought of being one of those clingy women.

But a little flirtation—and maybe more—with Brady Stone seemed to be rejuvenating her depressed state. Seeing him just a few stolen moments here and there helped her hectic days pass with much more pleasure.

When her eyes started to burn from glaring at a computer screen for too long, Sam glanced to the corner of the monitor.

Oh, God. It was 5:59.

She quickly saved the proposal she’d been working on and turned her computer off. She took a swig from the tepid bottle of water on her desk and turned off her lights.

After racing down the hall to the elevator and getting on, she sagged in relief against the cool metal.

But then stiffened as she caught her reflection in the steel doors.

Oh, this was not good. How could she continue her flirtatious, so-far-harmless fling with Brady
if she looked like she’d pressed her suit with a crimping iron?

Strands of hair tangled around her shoulders. Her makeup had worn off, her concealer giving way to her dark circles. She not only looked rumpled, she had the appearance of a haggard raccoon.

Oh, yeah, she was looking good.

The elevator dinged on the top floor. Sam took a deep, calming breath and stepped out, fully intent on backing out of the dinner date.

She knocked on his suite door and waited. But when the door flew open with a smiling Brady standing on the other side, her recently rehearsed speech fled her mind.

“I
thought you’d gotten a better offer,” he said as he motioned her in.

“Not a better offer, but I do have to cancel.” She remained in the hallway, trying not to look beyond the alluring man to the candlelit dinner by the French doors. “I ran later with work than I intended and I’m a mess. Perhaps we can do this another time? Say when I have time to freshen up?”

He reached for her hand, pulled her inside. “Nonsense, you’re here now and you look beautiful as always.”

Sam allowed herself to be drawn into the lion’s den.

Why did she feel like prey for this overpowering man? And why did she let him persuade her decisions?

Because she liked being needed, even if only for a while. And because she was a woman. A woman who found herself a little too attracted to a total stranger. So what if her appearance wasn’t perfect? Obviously, he didn’t care, which just proved yet another point—Brady Stone obviously wanted to be near her for no other reason than because he enjoyed being with her as she did him.

A mixture of enticing aromas filled her senses. Between the scrumptious-smelling dinner and Brady’s fresh, masculine scent, her reasons for leaving fled her mind.

Sam’s gaze traveled across the suite, through the patio doors where the sun still remained high in the sky. A small, intimate glass table with one tapered candle and two plates covered with silver domes beckoned her closer.

“Looks like you’ve thought of everything.” She crossed the plush beige carpeting. Being alone with Brady in such a personal atmosphere made her nerves jitter with excitement, her heart pound
with anticipation. “I hope you didn’t go to any trouble.”

“None at all,” he assured in that rich, deep tone that gave her chills.

A delicate pink rose lay beside one of the table settings. Twice in just over twenty-four hours this amazing man had brightened her dull days with a touch of beauty.

“This looks lovely,” she told him, turning around.

He smiled, taking one long stride after another until he came within a foot of her. “It goes with the company.”

Why did such come-on lines work so well when they came from his mouth? No grown woman with any sense would fall for this smooth-talking charmer. Obviously, where this man was concerned all her judgment flew out the window. And for some unknown reason, she didn’t care.

“I don’t know how good my company will be.” She looked up into his dark eyes, breathed in his hypnotizing scent and trudged on with her plan to get out of his presence. “I haven’t stopped since this morning and I’m afraid if I sit, I may fall asleep in my plate. So, you see, not good company.”

His eyes darted to her lips. “Then I’ll have to do something to keep you awake.”

Before she could even take a breath, he stepped closer, his mouth claimed hers.

The shock only lasted a moment before pure pleasure took control. Brady’s arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her taut against his hard, lean body.

She had no choice but to answer his demand with one all her own. She didn’t want to take the time to consider how much time had passed since she’d been held this way, kissed this way. Nor did she want to acknowledge the fact she needed the intimacy more than her next breath. And she certainly didn’t want to think about how fast Brady was moving. So what if she’d only known him two days?

His tongue parted her lips. She let him in.

She slid her arms around his neck, threading her fingers through his thick, wavy hair. No way would she let him ease back, not now that she’d tasted him.

Brady’s hands splayed across her back, his fingertips dug into her suit jacket, creating an arousing friction from the warmth of his hand and the satin material on her bare skin.

A moan escaped. Hers, his? She didn’t know. Did it matter since their mouths were fused as one?

He nipped at her bottom lip. “I’ve been dying to do that for two days.”

Breathless, Sam opened her eyes. “I’m glad you didn’t wait any longer.”

“I don’t normally attack women, but I can’t control myself around you.”

“Attack? If only I’d get attacked like that more often, maybe I wouldn’t be so caught up in work.”

His soft chuckle vibrated through his chest and against hers. “Are you awake now?”

“Huh?”

“You said you were tired.”

Disappointment flooded through her. She unlaced her hands, releasing her hold on him and stepped back. “Oh, um, yes.”

“Now, don’t get your back all up again.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, even though she’d knowingly tilted her chin and straightened her shoulders.

He closed the short gap she’d created. “I was just using your tiredness as my excuse.”

Sam placed a hand on his chest before he could lean down again. “You don’t strike me as the kind of man who needs an excuse to kiss a woman. Especially if you always kiss with such…passion.”

Brady’s enticing smile widened. “Passion? Does that mean you’ll stay awake and keep me company?”

His scorching stare roamed over her face, doing nothing to squelch the desire that had erupted inside her.

Perhaps dinner was a mistake. How could she concentrate on anything else other than the desire to get completely naked with this man she’d known for only forty-eight hours?

His heart beat in a calm, easy manner beneath her palm. Obviously he wasn’t as worked up as she.

Did she affect him in any way whatsoever? Was his attention toward her typical as with any other woman? There wasn’t a shred of doubt in her mind that Brady had more experience in the sexual department than she.

“Look,” she said, removing her hand from his chest, distancing herself from temptation. “I’m running a resort, so my time is pretty limited. I don’t even know if I have time for a fling.”

Brady’s intense stare lasted only a second before he erupted into laughter. “Do you always speak what’s on your mind?”

“There’s no misconception that way.”

“I’m not into flings, either.” His eyes darted
back down to her lips. “I want to spend time with you while I’m here. Tonight we’ll have dinner. No pressure.”

Before she could answer, her cell vibrated in her pocket. “I have to take this,” she said, pulling out her phone.

“Take your time. I’ll pour us some wine.”

He moved away, giving her the privacy she needed. Without bothering to glance at the caller ID, she flipped up her phone. “Hello.”

“These numbers are unacceptable, Samantha.”

Glasses clinked over her shoulder, but the noise did nothing to drown out her father’s anger. “What do you mean?”

“The number of guests is down ten percent this quarter. I trusted you to bring the numbers up.”

Sam stepped farther away from Brady. “I’m doing what I can. If we could sit and talk about my ideas—”

“Not this again.” Stanley grunted. “I just want you to do what I sent you to do. Don’t second-guess me and don’t forget who’s in charge.”

Sam jerked as if he’d slapped her. Thankfully, the love seat was nearby. She sank onto the cushions. “As if I could.”

“Are you in your office?” he asked.

Sam’s gaze darted to Brady. “I had to step out for a moment.”

Stanley let out a sigh. “Perhaps you should concentrate on your work instead of socializing, Samantha. My resort won’t run itself.”

Sam ended the call, suddenly not in the mood for dinner—or Brady. Her father always managed to toss cold water on anything good in her life. She found it sad the man did nothing but stew about business and finances.

No wonder her mother had been unhappy.

Brady’s grip on the wine bottle tightened. He had a feeling his plans for the night had just evaporated. And for the first time in his life, business wasn’t in the forefront of his mind.

The hurt and the confusion in Sam’s eyes had him placing the bottle on the table and crossing to her.

She glanced up when he brushed a strand of hair off her shoulder. “Are you okay?” he asked.

Pushing to her feet, she stood, her body brushing his. “Just business.” She pasted on a fake smile. “But I’m afraid I won’t be very good company tonight. Could we do this another time?”

Because he knew she didn’t want to appear
weak, especially in front of a virtual stranger, he nodded. “Absolutely.”

She hadn’t said who was on the other end of the call, but Brady knew. Speaking with Stanley Donovan was obviously upsetting to everyone.

He escorted Samantha to the door, all the while cursing her father. Besides the fact Brady needed to get information from Sam, he’d planned on doing a little seducing, as well.

But more than that, he hated the fact the old man could wipe the light right out of Sam’s eyes in a matter of moments.

He couldn’t afford to let her innocence and vulnerability get to him. Business was business. He had to keep telling himself that or he’d be pulled under by Samantha’s sweet way.

She turned to him once they reached the door.

“Thanks for going to all the trouble.”

Without another word, she opened the door and left.

Brady turned only to have the cozy table by the patio doors mock him. This was not how he’d planned the evening. Granted he’d planned a little seduction and a little deceiving, but he certainly hadn’t wanted Sam to leave hurt and confused.

With a tightening in his chest, Brady moved to the desk, picked up his phone and dialed Cade.

“Hello.”

“We have a problem.”

“What’s wrong?”

Brady walked back to the sitting area, taking the warm seat Sam had just vacated. “Stanley just called Sam and, from the one-sided conversation I overheard, he’s mad about the report she sent.”

Cade muttered a curse. “Did she say anything about the call?”

“She’s too discreet to discuss business with me.” Brady rested his elbows on his knees and rubbed his forehead. “My concern now is Stanley finding out about my stay here. I need to step up my game plan.”

“Sounds to me like he’s just as much of a jerk to his own daughter as he is to everyone else.”

Brady had gotten that impression, as well. How could a father be so harsh to his own child? How could
any
man treat Sam with such disrespect?

God, he was no better than her father. Disrespect? Brady had disrespected Sam from the moment she’d walked up to the registration desk to assist him. Backing down now, though, was not an option he would even entertain. Sam would get caught in the crossfire, but there wasn’t a thing he could do about it. Business always came first. Period.

Besides, he owed this mission to his father. This
property had been purchased and the first shovel of dirt dug by his dad when Brady had been only ten years old. The name Lani Kaimana was chosen by his mother. She’d always wanted to live in Kauai and his father had made sure she always had a place to come to. Lani Kaimana had been his family’s first resort, and Brady needed to bring ownership back to its rightful place. So Sam’s feelings, and his for that matter, could not interfere with his conquest.

“What do you want me to do?” Cade asked.

“Nothing. I just wanted to give you heads-up in case Donovan decides to make a move on another property.”

“Keep me posted.”

“Same here,” Brady said. “Talk to you later.”

As he disconnected the call, Brady knew he should find Sam and make sure she was truly okay. But first, he’d let her have some privacy.

He hated that he had to use her feelings to his advantage, but he had no choice—not if he wanted to ruin Stanley Donovan. Brady had never let his hormones control a business transaction and he didn’t intend to start now.

Brady pocketed his key card and left his suite. He had no clue what room Sam occupied here, or
even if she stayed on the grounds. All he knew was he needed to find her.

He’d start with her office and go from there. Once he made sure she was okay, he could return to his original agenda.

T
wo days. Two whole days had passed since he’d seen Sam—not for lack of trying to find her. Obviously she was busy and didn’t want to be found, but Brady wasn’t giving up. He had to get Sam, get closer to her.

He made his way down the wide marble hall for the umpteenth time in the past forty-eight hours.

She had to return to her office sometime. Clearly she was a hard worker and not someone to sit behind her desk all day and delegate orders.

Surprisingly, her office door was ajar. He peeked his head inside, expecting to find Sam at her desk
nursing another migraine. But her office was empty.

Being a man to take advantage of every opportunity, he stepped inside the spacious room and took a seat at her desk. He hadn’t planned on glancing at the paperwork lying on top of the desk calendar, but, well, it was there and he couldn’t resist.

His eyes roamed over the budget proposal, his mind agreeing with each number he saw. Not only that, Brady found himself intrigued by the renovation ideas she’d listed at the bottom. This woman had smart business sense—unlike her father. Perhaps business was her forte after all. His respect for her kicked up a notch.

With ideas like the ones listed on the paper, Lani Kaimana could be the most prestigious resort in the world. The ideas had to be Sam’s. Stanley couldn’t come up with something this good, this fresh and new.

If old man Donovan listened to Sam, this resort would be absolutely packed. Brady only wished he had someone as talented and passionate about her work in his corner.

A brilliant idea popped into his head and he nearly jumped out of his seat with excitement.

He needed to get Samantha Donovan on his team.

But first, he had to gain back the resort.

God, if all his plans fell into place—and in the order he intended—not only would he have his property back, he’d have Samantha as a major asset to his company.

“Looking for something?”

Brady jerked, his gaze locking with Sam’s. The muscle in her jaw clenched as she stood leaning against her doorway, arms crossed over her chest. He’d been so absorbed in her proposal, he hadn’t heard her come in.

Brady cleared his throat. “You.”

She made her way toward her desk, coming to stand beside him. “If you’re done snooping through my business, I have work to do.”

In no hurry to leave, Brady leaned back in the creaky, leather chair. “I won’t use much of your time. First of all I wanted to make sure you were all right. I was worried the other night.”

“I’m fine. Thank you.”

“Good. Second—” he pointed to her paperwork “—that’s some pretty impressive stuff. Are you planning on a major overhaul of this resort?”

Sam let out a short, clipped laugh. “If I had my say.”

He came to his feet, ready to lay his own proposal on the line. “So, those plans aren’t set into motion?”

“I wish.”

“What I saw impressed me,” he told her, trying to smooth out his path.

He couldn’t have her doubting his trust and presence now. He’d come too far and had too much to lose.

“Really?” Her tone softened as she leaned a hip against the desk. “Why is that?”

“I own a real estate company with my brother and we specialize in renovating resorts and businesses. You really know what you’re talking about here.”

Her eyes darted to the open file. “Thank you.”

“I’m serious,” he reiterated. “You’ve got good business sense.”

“I appreciate that, even though you were snooping.”

She placed a hand on the desk and leaned her body onto it, drawing his attention to her simple, white button-up shirt as it drew across her breasts. Her attention, however, was on the file.

He redirected his attention. “Your figures are impressive.”

Sam’s mouth quirked up as her eyes darted to
his. “I know what you think of my figure. Now, I have to get back to work if you’re done chatting about useless ideas.”

Brady resisted the urge to kiss her again. “First of all, I meant the figures here.” He pointed down to the file he’d been caught reading. “Second, these are hardly useless.”

“My father disagrees.”

Brady placed his hands on her shoulders. “Then we’ll make him understand.”

Samantha’s brows drew together. “I barely know you. Why would you offer such a thing?”

“Listen to me before you make up your mind.” His heart beat so fast he feared she’d hear the thumping. “This resort has more potential, and from the look of your proposal, you know it, too. I have properties I’m acquiring that I could use input on from someone with such verve for renovating.”

Her eyes roamed over his face. “I appreciate your enthusiasm in my work, but I still don’t understand why you’d want to do this. Aren’t you here to work yourself?”

Her unsureness didn’t faze him. He had an agenda and he would see it through.

“I overheard your conversation with your father,” Brady told her. “I know he doesn’t appreciate you
or your ideas. I see what you have to offer and it shouldn’t be wasted.”

She shook her head and glanced away. “This isn’t a good idea. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to work.”

Brady nodded and exited her office. He’d let her chew on the suggestion he’d planted in her head and see how she felt once she calmed down.

And once he let Cade in on his plan, there would be no way Sam could refuse the two Stone boys.

Sam studied her proposal, warmed at the thought someone took her seriously. But she wasn’t giving up on her father. If she gave up on her dream for this resort, she’d regret it.

Just like she regretted ever talking to Brady Stone. He’d planted an idea in her head and she wished she could erase the tempting thought from her memory.

Could she trust a virtual stranger to help her rejuvenate this resort? Heaven knows he’d done wonders in reviving her once-buried sexual urges.

But this was business, and she had to keep her personal emotions locked away.

Running this resort was her one—and probably only—chance to prove herself to her father. If, and
that was a big
if
, she let Brady in and confided in him, what would stop him from using her weakness to open a greater resort right next door? Kauai was a growing island and the last thing she needed was another competitor.

Sam laughed. Obviously her father’s cynicism had rubbed off on her. Her gut told her to trust Brady. Besides, at this point, she needed someone in her corner.

Sam took a seat at her desk, picked up her phone and dialed her brother’s office line. His secretary put the call through immediately.

“Sam.” Miles’s low, silky voice came through the phone. “What’s up?”

“Has Dad talked to you about the resort?” she asked.

“I know he’s upset.”

Miles paused, just enough to arouse Sam’s curiosity. “About?”

“Ask Dad.”

Sam eased back in her seat, tucking the phone between her shoulder and her ear. “I’m asking
you.
”

He sighed. “It’s not my place to say.”

Frustration flooded through her. “The more you and Dad keep me out of the loop, the more damage
you’re doing to the company. Communication is the key to running a good business.”

Miles laughed. “Sounds like you need to take your argument to the top, little sister.”

“I’m an equal here,” she told him. “I need to know what’s going on that you’re not telling me.”

“All right. Dad is concerned that if the numbers don’t go up he’ll have to bring someone else in as manager or, as a last resort, he’ll have to sell. He’s giving you six more months.”

Shock and disbelief settled into her chest. “What?”

“Now you see why Dad was so insistent on you turning the place around,” Miles explained.

“How could the two of you keep something this vital from me?” she demanded, gripping the phone.

“It wasn’t my idea.”

Without saying goodbye, Sam hung up on her brother, more upset now than she’d been before.

With her blood pressure rising, she punched in the number to her father’s office. He answered on the second ring.

“Samantha, I’m very busy. Can this wait?”

Obviously he’d looked at his caller ID, so why did he even answer?

“No, it can’t.” For once he would listen to
her, and she would come before his precious company.

“Make it fast.”

Sam crossed her legs, rocked back in her leather chair. “Why the hell wasn’t I informed that I’ve been working on a probationary period?”

“I didn’t feel it necessary to inform you.”

Sam gripped her padded armrest. “Miles knows.”

Her father sighed. “Sam, let it drop. You just take care of my resort.”

Blood pulsed through her head. Her teeth clenched.

“Fine,” she told him. “I’ll take care of everything on my end.”

Once she’d hung up the phone, Sam forced herself to breathe in slowly and exhale the same way. She needed to calm down and think before making any rash decisions.

She’d tried. Nearly all her life she’d tried to gain her father’s respect. As an adult she’d practically begged him to earn a place in his company. Now she saw what he was really doing. As if she were a child, he seemed to just pat her on the head and humor her, giving her small jobs to keep her out of his hair—and even that was temporary.

Well, no more. She was more than ready to be
appreciated, more than ready to be taken seriously as a businesswoman.

She wasn’t sure what step to take next, but she knew one thing, she was done being pushed around by her father and her brother. Controlling men were officially a thing of her past. From here on out if they didn’t see her for the talented career woman she’d become, she would do what she wanted, what was best for her. Risky decisions may come back to haunt her, but she had to do something drastic—or at least consider her options.

And if her father and Miles didn’t appreciate her, she knew of someone who would make them.