Every Little Thing (Hart's Boardwalk 2)

Deep down he knew Lawson was right. He had to make the decision to sever his connection to Bailey for good. The thought terrified him.

And that made him question everything.

Maybe—

“Ow!” a female screeched in his ear as he collided with a sharp elbow.

He caught the slim arm in his hand and steadied the woman it belonged to. Shock moved through him as he found himself looking into Bailey’s eyes.

But this wasn’t Bailey.

He let go of the woman and she tottered on the boards in her red high heels. Her reddish blond hair was straight and long, and she flipped it over her shoulders as she eyed him like he was a hunk of red meat and she was starving.

Which was appropriate since she didn’t look like she’d had a meal in a while.

Her large boobs were barely concealed by the skintight dress she wore, a dress that showed off sharp hip bones and an altogether waiflike figure.

The woman eyed him with lust in her eyes but Vaughn was unaffected. She was attractive enough in an overly made-up way, but he didn’t like dating women who clearly starved themselves to look good. Naturally slender, curvy, voluptuous, Vaughn had no preference; as long as a woman was confident and healthy he’d find her sexy.

This woman appeared to be neither but he found himself arrested by her face.

It was her eyes.

And her nose.

They were Bailey’s.

“I beg your pardon.” He apologized for barging right into her.

“Oh, don’t worry.” She waved him off. “I was admiring this new hotel.” She gestured up at Paradise Sands. “It wasn’t here the last time I was. It’s surprising. It adds much-needed class to the place.”

Vaughn frowned. “You don’t like Hartwell?”

Her eyes raked over him. “I’m liking it more now.”

He gave her a benign smile, not wanting to be rude in any way in case she was a guest. “Are you staying at the hotel?”

“No. I’m staying with my sister. You wouldn’t know what the rates were here, though, would you?”

“Yes.” He held out his hand as he realized who this was. “I’m Vaughn Tremaine. The owner. And you are . . . Bailey Hartwell’s sister?”

Her eyes widened, and he could almost see the dollar signs replacing her irises. He knew the type. His father taught him to spot her kind from a young age. And he was sure he’d heard jokes being thrown around about Bailey’s younger sister; that she was a gold digger making her way through all the rich men in Europe.

It was probably Iris who had said it. Maybe even Bailey herself.

“I am. I’m Vanessa.” She kept a hold of his hand, and stepped in closer to him. “Do you know my sister well?”

Yes, she’s the best sex I’ve ever had and she’s currently ruining my life. “We’re acquainted.”

“Isn’t she a bore?” She rolled her eyes. “I just dropped my luggage off at her dinky little house. Would you believe she wants me to sleep on the couch?” She said the word like it was dirty. “I thought I’d check out your hotel.”

“Why don’t I guide you inside and you can talk to reception?”

“Oh.” She pouted. “Can’t you help me out? Personally?” She brushed her fingers over his lapel.

Vaughn felt a rising panic, and extricated himself from her grasp. “That’s a little below my pay grade.”

The last thing he needed was rumors reaching Bailey’s ears that he was flirting with her sister. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d found himself caught between two sisters and considering how disastrously it ended last time, he really wasn’t up to replaying that scenario.