The Billionaire's Demands (A Boardrooms and Billionaires Series Book) (Entangled Indulgence) (10 page)

Chapter Eight

The questions that had haunted her the night before still rattled around Camryn’s mind the following morning as she dragged her bags behind her to the lobby. She hadn’t given Matt a thought in years, yet there he was, front and center in her memories and in the restless dreams she had when she finally fell asleep around dawn.

Those dreams hadn’t produced any answers and all she had to show for her anxiety was a raging headache that had settled behind her eyes with the piercing intensity of ice picks.

“Camryn!”

She glanced up to see Patrick Martindale striding toward her across the lobby, and the ice picks hammering behind her eyes ramped up their tempo. If Matt was the lost love of her life, Patrick was the scourge she’d like to forget.

“Patrick.” They exchanged the standard cheek kisses of people who knew they had to touch but really didn’t want to. “How are you?”

“Good. Good. Out here closing a big deal.”

Of course he was. Patrick did nothing without a reason, and whenever he could brag about his accomplishments, he took advantage of the moment.

“What are you doing here?”

“Same. Business.” Before she could say much else, Booth walked up next to her.

“Who’s this, dear?”

Camryn didn’t miss the possessive glint in Booth’s eyes or the subtle pressure of his hand against her spine. She did her level best to keep her voice even and smooth as she tried to unobtrusively put a few steps of distance between them.

Booth’s grip stayed firm.

“Let me introduce you to Keira’s new brother-in-law, Booth Harrison. We’re both here in San Francisco on business.”

Camryn watched the various expressions flit across Patrick’s face, chief among them the realization that the two of them were traveling together.

“We’re off to Hawaii next.” Booth’s jovial smile and good-natured description of the next leg of their trip took another few minutes of conversation and Camryn fought her inner urge to tell the truth about why she was really there. Despite her best intentions, every time she attempted to mention she was headed to Hawaii for business, Booth neatly shifted the subject.

And if she were slightly reveling in Patrick’s speculative stares and thinly veiled male irritation, she could hardly be blamed for shifting a step or two closer to Booth, now could she?

“Have a good trip.” Patrick leaned forward for one last kiss on the cheek.

“Thanks. Congratulations on your new project.”

The entire encounter was surreal, and she watched Patrick walk back across the lobby with a mixture of bemusement and subtle satisfaction. The two of them hadn’t been a successful match and it had always irritated her that the man seemed to be constantly one-upping her. But what were the odds he’d be here
and
her thoughts from the night before would be filled with images of a long-ended relationship? Was the universe trying to tell her something?

She brushed off the odd thoughts and shot Booth a quick sideways glance. “You wanted to make him think something was going on between us.”

“And it worked.”

She couldn’t quite hold back the soft sigh that filled her chest. “Like a charm.”

…

Booth was still smiling to himself an hour later as the plane began its ascent toward Hawaii. A quick glance at Camryn showed only her profile as she stared at the fading skyline below them.

“Patrick’s a bland fellow. Know him long?”

Camryn turned away from the window. “We dated for about a year a few years ago.”

While he wasn’t surprised at the revelation, a hard stone of annoyance lodged in his chest at the news. The stupid, spineless wanker had kissed and caressed Camryn. Had made love to her. “Why did you break up?”

“Because I couldn’t think of one reason to stay with him.”

“That doesn’t sound promising.”

A small smile ghosted her lips. “It wasn’t, but that didn’t stop several people from suggesting I was making a serious mistake walking away from a relationship with Patrick Martindale, up-and-coming financier.”

“We’ve covered a few of his deals in the
FJ
. He is definitely up and coming.”

“And entirely too obsessed with making money.” Camryn turned back toward the window. He couldn’t stop his gaze from roaming over her profile. The long column of her throat was regal and elegant, and the soft sweep of cheekbone as it rose toward her upswept hair captivated him.

Had he ever wanted to simply touch another woman so badly? The need burned under his skin until he was clenching his hands into fists to keep from reaching out. “There are those who say earning money is the only sign of success.”

“Do you think that?”

“Do you?” For reasons he couldn’t explain, Booth was curious to know her answer.

Camryn turned away once more from the window and unhooked her seat belt, moving to the leather seat opposite his. “I know I live a fortunate life. I’ve never had to deal with the fear of not paying my bills or not being able to take a vacation or go out for a meal. I’m deeply grateful for what I have.”

“I hear a ‘but’ in there.”

“But I’ve never understood putting money before everything else.”

“Some would say your work ethic suggests otherwise.”

A hard laugh welled up in her throat. “People see what they want to see, Booth.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I work hard because I’ve been given gifts in my life and to sit around like a sloth is hardly showing my gratitude. Further, what else would I do with my time? I have talents. Responsibilities. It’s hardly interesting to me to think of sitting around all day doing nothing.”

The conviction in her words was telling—as was her assessment of her life. Booth had known of the McBride sisters for years and had followed their progress in the media industry. The existing wisdom was that they were workaholics in the extreme. But hearing it from Camryn’s point of view, he sensed something else: a woman who took great pride in her ability to accomplish goals and dreams. “Let me guess. Patrick had a problem with your ambition?”

“Among other things.”

“What other things?”

“Nothing.”

“Come on, Camryn. It’s something.” Booth leaned forward and took one of her hands in his own. “What is it?”

“Really, Booth. It’s nothing.”

The bleak look in Camryn’s gaze suggested otherwise, but Booth gave her space.

For now.

…

The flight passed in comfortable silence and Camryn was grateful. She’d been concerned after the first hour, when Booth’s questions had hit far too close for comfort, that it was going to be an interminably long ride. While she wasn’t completely unwilling to share herself with others—and whatever else he was, Booth was fast becoming a friend—she could hardly be expected to share the embarrassing details of her personal relationship with Patrick.

Come on baby, you’re so cold. Lighten up. Be a bit more adventurous. Live a little, in bed and out.

Patrick’s harsh assessment echoed through her mind as memories assailed her and the words on the page of her book vanished as she went under, caught in the memory of their relationship.

Although Patrick hadn’t been her first serious relationship since breaking up with Matt, he had lasted the longest. And where she’d initially thought them compatible, she’d quickly learned otherwise. He had resented her professional accomplishments, her time spent at work, her time spent with others. It hardly mattered that he had a series of interests of his own; whenever she engaged in aspects of her own life, he was resentful.

It still chafed that she’d stayed with him as long as she had. So it was more than a little satisfying that Patrick, of all people, would be the one to see her and Booth in the lobby of the hotel.

Unable to hold back the smile, she could still feel the imprint of Booth’s hand on her back like a brand. He’d come to her rescue, even if she could acknowledge that some of his actions may have been the selfish motivation of a male marking his territory.

And why was that so damned sexy? She was a modern woman, for heaven’s sake. Surely she wasn’t looking to be branded like a possession?

But try as she might, she couldn’t ignore that bass drum of desire that beat in her blood, alive and well under her skin. She enjoyed Booth’s company and she was wildly attracted to him, two of the most necessary ingredients in contemplating someone you wanted to get naked with. Add on the highly appealing qualities of trust and respect and she wasn’t finding it all that easy to keep resisting. She’d been so focused on waiting until they were past the trip to think about a fling, but maybe this was the perfect time and place. Away from prying eyes and out of their normal element.

“Look out the window.”

Camryn was pulled from her sexy and decidedly wicked musings by Booth’s comment. She looked through the small airplane window next to her. Light, fluffy clouds hovered by the glass as they descended toward the island visible in the distance. “It’s beautiful.”

“Isn’t it?” Booth took the seat next to her and buckled in. “We’re kicking off the conference tonight with a luau on the beach. It loosens everyone up and the weather will be gorgeous.”

“I just have to say it again, Mr. Harrison. You really do know how to entertain.”

“We’ve had a big year at the
FJ
. It’s only right to support the people who got us there.”

Whether by coincidence or some cosmic intent, Camryn couldn’t help but compare Booth’s words with her remembered conversations with Patrick. “You really do see your work as a team effort.”

“Absolutely. I may be the head of the team and of course own more of the responsibility, but I can’t do it alone and I’d hardly want to. Rewarding them properly isn’t just good business sense. It’s a hell of a lot of fun.”

“It’s more than that.”

“How so?”

“You don’t see others’ success as a threat.”

“Why should I?” His gaze clouded over before those amazing blue eyes grew clear with understanding. “Let me guess. There have been other men in your life who haven’t been quite so magnanimous.”

“Understatement.”

“I knew that guy was a wanker.”

Camryn let out a giggle. “I assume you mean Patrick?”

“Damn straight.”

“Apt description. But sadly, he’s not the only one in my life who’s acted like an ass. My father could give him a run for his money.”

Once more, a world of emotions painted his face before he seemed to settle on a thought. “I want you to do me a favor.”

“What’s that?”

“You’re in Hawaii for the next three days. I’d like you to make me a promise.”

“All right.”

“Let me show you that whatever experiences you’ve had to date aren’t universally indicative of male behavior. Let me show you that I’m different, Camryn.”

The pull of his gaze consumed her and with no small measure of clarity did Camryn realize she didn’t want to escape. Didn’t want to put Booth in the same box as the other men who had shaped her thoughts and decisions, goals, and dreams. Didn’t want to miss out on what might be possible between them.

“Yes, Booth. I’d like you to show me.”

…

Camryn moved around her luxurious hotel room, a light ocean breeze playing through the windows as she unpacked. The fresh scent of salt water captivated her, a soothing balm to her raging thoughts of the last few days.

Her hand stilled over the material of one of the dresses Sinclair sent her with and she imagined the dress covering her body, Booth’s hands running over that same swath of silk. The shift from material to skin as his hands explored her body.

Delved into her secrets.

The ringing of her phone pulled her from the heated fantasy and it took her a moment to reorient herself to the room. Snatching her phone off the bed, she purposely tamped down the irritation rising to the surface. “Camryn McBride.”

“Cam, it’s Brandon. I’m sorry to bother you but we’ve had a development on the Morrison buy that you need to know about.”

“You’re not bothering me at all.” She sat down on the bed, the silk print forgotten. “What’s going on?”

…

Booth knocked on Camryn’s door, already anticipating the moment she answered. Damn, when had he grown so fanciful? Or so impatient? He was a man who prided himself on his patience, and Camryn McBride tested every single bit of it.

He’d barely removed his hand from the door when it flung open, his vision standing across the threshold. Only in his vision, heated sparks of anger didn’t flare from her eyes and when she dragged him through the door in his fantasy it was with sexual impatience, not raw fury. “How dare you do this to me?”

“Do what?”

“Bring me here simply to get me out of the city.”

“What?” The virago who turned on him was such a surprise he actually took a step back. “What’s wrong with you?”

“You. Your family! That’s what’s wrong with me.”

The anger sparking off of her had him nearly taking another step back before he caught himself. “Camryn, calm down and tell me what’s going on.”

“You really don’t know?”

“Know what?”

“We lost the Morrison deal.”

“The magazine you were buying? Deals fall through all the time.” He lifted his shoulders, the shrug designed to calm her but he saw the moment he miscalculated.