Authors: Anna Robbins
Red mottled her cheeks. “I had a little too much to drink before coming over, but I meant every word. Where is this going, Dylan?”
“Why does it have to go anywhere? I thought we were friends who were having a good time. You knew nothing else would come out of it.”
“You can’t mean that.” Her hips swayed in the tight satin dress she had worn the previous evening. “I know you’ve enjoyed our time together,” she purred seductively.
He didn’t move as her hand climbed up and into his hair, her body molding against his. Her eyes were gleaming with a hint of desperation that he never found attractive. “I have enjoyed it. And I had hoped to enjoy more time with you.”
“And you can. I just want to know that our time isn’t being wasted. I want to make sure that we are headed somewhere before I invest my feelings further.” She lowered her lashes coyly.
In other words, she wanted some type of assurance that she could get her hands on his money. She wasn’t the first to try to wrestle for his fortune, but he found it rather distasteful. Reaching behind his neck, he pulled her arms away from him. “As I’ve mentioned before, I have no intention of getting serious. My business keeps me busy and I have no desire of getting more involved than we already are.”
“You bastard!” She jumped back as if burned. “You led me on. You made me believe you cared about me.” The false tears that sprang to her eyes did little to sway him.
He sighed. If he thought that she was even remotely sincere he would never have done so. He didn’t want to hurt her. He just wanted her to know where he stood.
“I need some time,” she said, sniffling. “I need to think about what I want.”
“I understand. Take whatever time you need.”
Her tears dried quickly as her mouth dropped. “I’m serious, Dylan. I’m leaving for the holidays and won’t be back until after the New Year. You’ll have to do without me for the Governor’s benefit.”
His brow quirked at her threat. If she thought bailing on him would make him reconsider his matrimonial hesitations she was wrong. “I’ll make other arrangements. Don’t worry about it.”
“Fine.” She gathered her emotions together and cleared her throat in a delicate way. “Merry Christmas, Dylan. I hope you enjoy it.” She didn’t need to add the word
alone
. He heard it ringing in the air for hours after she stomped out the door.
Keeping himself busy, he put in more hours at the office than was necessary, but he had no desire to head home.
Besides, when did a company not need the CEO there overseeing its operation?
“Mr. Thane, I’ll be leaving for the evening. Is there anything you need before I go?” his middle-aged assistant asked, waiting patiently in the doorway.
“Tina, how many times do I need to ask you to call me Dylan?”
Her lips curved. “I’m not sure.”
He laughed and scrubbed his face lightly. He hadn’t noticed that the sun had set in the windows to his back. Glancing at the clock, he noticed it was past seven. “You’re leaving late today. I’m not working you too hard, am I?”
“No, Mr. Thane.” The woman gave him a full smile. “I was just finishing up a few things. I’ll be sure to leave on time the rest of the week.”
“Good. I can’t afford to lose you.”
“I know.”
“All right, then.” He laughed, waving her on. “Head on home. I’ll see you tomorrow.” For a woman who wouldn’t call him by his first name she certainly gave him enough cheek.
And he wouldn’t change her a bit. While reserved on the outside, he knew Tina could be ruthless when dealing with contracts, and it was often her sly sense of humor that made a deal stick.
She had been with the company since its inception. Not leaving when things had gotten tight. She’d believed in his dream of turning a small private investigator’s office into a high-profile security firm.
And he cherished her loyalty. Having no family of his own, she was about the closest thing he had to it.
After packing his laptop, he made sure to lock his office before heading to the parking garage. In reality, the lock on his door was just a formality after the heavy security system he had installed on their floor.
But some habits you just couldn’t break.
He arrived home with little fuss and headed straight for the fridge for a cold beer. Not bothering with a glass, he headed up to the second story and into his office, glancing out at the ocean through the panels of glass.
It was quiet, but not eerie. He had spent a portion of his life far too cramped while being shuffled in and out of foster homes, and he was grateful for the space. And the silence.
If it got lonely at times, he blocked it out with work. You couldn’t be lonely if you were busy.
Sliding into his leather office chair, he booted up his laptop, thinking over his conversation with Charisse that morning.
It was a shame that she decided to be demanding at this time of year. It was a season that begged to be spent with someone, but he wouldn’t bargain his freedom for that companionship. Charisse was quite a package, and no doubt many men would be willing to give her what she wanted, but he wasn’t one of them.
Alone. The word seemed to haunt him even now. But it had never bothered him so much before. Why now?
Glancing up, instinctively searching for something he sensed was out of place, he looked at the bottle he had pulled out of the ocean.
Was that the reason for his unease? The letter had struck him, made him feel a depth of loneliness that he hadn’t experienced in years. Made him feel what the woman had felt when writing the letter.
Setting aside his drink, he pulled the letter out of the bottle again, reading the curvy feminine script. He chuckled at the final sentence that lightened the mood of the overall letter, but the sadness remained.
Abby Carter. Who was she?
The question haunted him.
Turning to his computer, he opened the necessary software, not bothering to feel any remorse about running a background check on the unknown woman.
Invasion of a person’s privacy didn’t concern him anymore. He was only interested in gathering information.
Within thirty minutes, he knew the basics of her life. She grew up twenty minutes away from his house, was twenty-seven, she was employed as a nanny for a family with twins, she lived in her own apartment not far from where her parents lived, and she had excellent credit.
Lips twitching, he didn’t think he had ever researched anyone so clean cut. It almost seemed like a fake history but he knew it wasn’t. He wasn’t jaded enough to think that decent people were extinct. They were out there. There was just never a reason to research them.
Her background was unspoiled, uncorrupted.
He should have left his research then, but he had to see her picture. Had to put a face to the background he had acquired.
In two clicks, a picture of Abby Carter filled his screen, pulling the breath from his lungs. Gone from his mind was any image of a woman with mouse-brown hair, plain features, and too-padded body, the usual kind that would lead such an unblemished life.
Pulling in ragged breaths, he took a quick gulp of his beer. Abby Carter was breathtaking. Angelic in looks, her feathery blond hair cascaded over her petite shoulders, showcasing a voluptuous body that a man usually only dreamed about. She wasn’t a reed-thin mannequin that models and movie stars aspired to. She was old Hollywood. With her hair color and translucent green eyes that twinkled with the laughter that passed her full, ripe lips, she rivaled any pin-up girl he had ever seen.
He quickly cataloged her other features: straight, white teeth, most likely from the help of an orthodontist, dimple in left cheek, one piercing in each ear, no visible tattoos, and the longest legs he had ever had the pleasure of looking at.
An image of those legs slowly wrapping around him, his hands on her waist, while she moaned in his ear, had him adjusting in his chair. He was a man after all. A full blooded male who was looking at one of the most gorgeous women he had ever seen. And he wanted more. Need to know more about her.
Without thinking, he picked up the phone and dialed.
“Hello?”
“Chris, it’s me. I have a job for you.”
“Sure thing, boss. What is it?”
He looked back to the picture. “I need you to do leg work on someone for me. I need to find out where would be an ideal location to stage a chance meeting this week.”
“Subject’s name?”
“Abby, or Abigail, Carter. She lives in the area. Shouldn’t be too hard to locate.”
“I’m on it. Give me 24 hours and I’ll get back to you.”
He heard the click in his ear before he returned the phone to its base. He didn’t regret his impulsiveness. He had learned long ago to accept whatever he did, because if he questioned his instincts, he could be dead.
His path was already set. He would meet Abby Carter before the week’s end.
Chapter 3
The thrum of bass vibrated the floor as she walked into the dimly-lit club. Nightline wasn’t large by club standards, but it did enough business that there was never a dull moment.
Originally a line-dancing venue, Nightline had expanded to include salsa, hip hop, and swing dancing. With the range of music offerings, the club guaranteed to have a variety of people attending as well.
Ashley looked over her shoulder. “You ready?”
“Absolutely.” Abby sounded confident, but inside she wasn’t so sure.
Pulling away from the group ahead, Ashley fell back into step with Abby and put her arm around her. “It’s going to be all right. If you aren’t enjoying yourself after an hour we’ll call it an early night.”
“Thanks.” Abby laughed but was partially relieved. Agreeing to ride in Ashley’s car, she didn’t know how long she would be forced to stay. “But I do have high hopes for tonight.”
“I should hope so.” Ashley glanced around the room. “It’s not packed yet, but there are still a number of guys here that should do for our little experiment.”
“I would hardly call it an experiment.” Abby laughed as they wove through the throng of people and found a raised table to the side of the floor for their group.
“I would. Seeing if you can find a guy tonight to take your mind off of anything serious? Sounds like an experiment to me.”
Abby rolled her eyes but remained silent. It did sound like an experiment. And yet it sounded fun. Why shouldn’t she just relax and meet someone that would provide a moment of entertainment?
“All right. I leave it in your capable hands of steering me toward the ‘right’ guys.”
“Oh, no, no, honey.” Ashley shook her head slowly. “They will come to us. Just wait.” Flashing a smile to a waitress, she flagged her down. “Hey, Christina. I’m glad you’re working tonight.”
“Always.” The busty redhead chuckled. “What can I get you?”
“The usual, but add in an extra order of mozzarella sticks.”
“Got it. Anything to drink?” she asked, looking at Abby.
“Pina Colada. Virgin.” She slanted a glance at Ashley. “I think I’ll start slow tonight.”
“Good idea. I’ll have the same,” she said to the waitress.
“All right then. I’ll send them out when ready. By the way, there’s a new group here tonight over by the pool tables.” She winked. “Have fun tonight.”
Ashley laughed. “Thanks for the tip.”