He turned when his phone rang again. “I’ve got to take this. It’s the west coast.”
I nodded. I watched as he walked onto the balcony, sliding the door behind him. Ten minutes later he was back inside, his cell phone stuffed in his front pocket.
“My entire day is booked with calls. I need to know if you want the job.” His eyebrows arched, and for a minute I knew he didn’t see me as the woman he shared a bed with. I was an employee holding him up.
“Yes. I’ll take it.”
“Good. I think you’ll like working for Lachlan Corporation.” He walked to the table and jotted something on a piece of paper. “Here. This is Mark’s number. Give him a call and tell him to set you up with email. And have a new computer shipped to you at my address. He can overnight an HR packet too.”
I took the slip of paper. “But won’t they know about us if I tell him that?”
I saw the playfulness return to his eyes. He shifted the hair from my shoulder, laying a kiss along my neck. “Syd, you’re sleeping with the boss now. And I can do whatever in the hell I want.”
He tipped my chin toward him. My heart beat faster. I could feel his breath against my face. Smell his cologne in the air. I moaned as his lips possessed mine, stealing the air from my body. I clung to him, desperate to taste him.
Suddenly, I heard the ring and felt the vibration from his pocket as his phone rang. He pressed his forehead to mine. “Back to work.” He sighed and walked out of the room. “Roger, good to hear from you.”
I sat at the table. I had no idea how this was going to work.
I didn’t need to wait for my fancy new computer to arrive to jump on the first order of business for Lachlan Corporation. I drove toward Beach Combers Cove. It was good to get out of the condo. I couldn’t stay in there all day, watching Mason pace on the phone. I shifted between wanting to rip his clothes off and wanting to ask him a hundred questions about the job and his company. Neither was on his agenda today.
I parked at the end of the row of trailers. The signs were posted marking the impending demolition of the lot. I tried to wrap my head around the fact that I was now representing the company building the resort, not trying to unearth dirt on it.
I knocked on Shawna’s door. The plastic pool next to the beach chairs was half full. The door swung open and Lindy started to giggle.
“Hi, Lindy. Is your mom home?”
“Lindy, I’ve told you not to open the door.” Shawna stopped. “Oh, hey. I didn’t know who had knocked, and she has this way of running to the door. She can even unlock it.”
“That must make you a little nervous.”
“Tell me about it. As long as an ax murderer doesn’t show up I guess we’re ok.” She laughed. “Come on in.”
“Oh, thanks.” I hadn’t expected Shawna to show me inside. This was our third meeting. We usually sat outside.
The kitchen booth was lined with Barbies and an assortment of pink and purple doll dresses. Lindy scooted onto one of the benches and began to dress one of the dolls.
/> Shawna turned to me. “Are you writing another article?”
“Yes. But I should tell you I’m not with the News & Record anymore.”
“Really? What paper now?” She rinsed off a plate in the sink and began to dry it.
“Actually, it’s not a paper. I’m doing public relations work for Lachlan Corporation.”
I saw the smile on the side of her face. “Mason’s a sweet talker, isn’t he?”
“I guess he is.”
“I knew it the second I saw him in the Pancake House. I bet he gets whatever he wants with those baby blues. A man like that probably doesn’t hear the word ‘no’.”
“I doubt he’s heard it often.” I sat across from Lindy, picking up one of the bare dolls and I started to help her wriggle a dress over the arms.
“So, you have a new job and you’re here to discuss what exactly?”
“Mason told me about the site he’s clearing so you can move.”
“Not the worst plan, but I’d rather stay here. If we have to move I’m glad we can stay on the island. Lindy won’t have to register at a new school.”