Chapter One
Landon Smyth wanted the woman currently in his sights, and he was a man who always succeeded in obtaining his desires.
She was a vision to behold…absolutely mesmerizing as she tapped her French-manicured fingernails in rhythm to the beat of the Dutch Caribbean island music. He took his time trailing his gaze up her long, tanned legs in appreciation to where her left hand rested against the provocative cut of her flowing white skirt.
No wedding ring.
There was no sign of a tan line on the ring finger of her left hand. Considering the number of Europeans here on the island, he made sure to check her right hand as well.
His mystery woman was completely lost in her enjoyment of a local steel drum band entertaining the tourists who were visiting the tropical island of Aruba. He’d seen her countless times mixed among the crowds both at the resort and in the various markets over the past week. Unfortunately, he’d been conducting business and hadn’t afforded himself the time to introduce himself until now.
Landon was going to ensure that was no longer a detail he left unattended.
He couldn’t have possibly asked for a better locale to enjoy some time to himself than this hidden treasure of an all-inclusive resort on the Caribbean’s friendliest tropical island. It was the major reason he would be signing on the dotted line to acquire a controlling interest in this commercial property and additional rights for the two adjoining properties if everything went through as he expected in tomorrow’s meeting.
The opportunity to buy into such a paradise, where the sun was always shining, the white sand was constantly warm, and the light breeze off the ocean felt like a lover’s caress, was golden. It was rare such a gem could be found where the sliding glass door of a patio led directly to the beach, where the white caps came up to dance on the shoreline mere feet from the guests’ rooms. He certainly didn’t intend to spend his last night here in paradise by himself, if at all possible.
Landon confirmed once more that his mystery woman wore no wedding band to indicate that she was taken, nor had he seen her in the company of another man these past five days. Hell, she’d been alone every single time he’d caught a glimpse of her.
Was that her intention? To enjoy her solitude?
He would have to chance interrupting her solitude to see if she was receptive to his company.
There was only one way to find out.
“Jerry,” Landon called out over the other patrons at the bar and the low bass tones escaping the large speakers positioned near the stage. The majority of the tourists crowded around the bartender were in true vacation mode as they danced with umbrellas in their cocktail drinks and lost themselves in the familiar music. They were making the most of their rather expensive all-inclusive package. It was worth every penny and more, just like his business decision to invest in this small piece of nirvana and several of the other properties dotting this picturesque shore. “You’ve been working the night shift all week. Do you, by chance, know what drink that beautiful guest over there has been enjoying?”
Jerry flashed a toothy smile when his line of sight followed the direction Landon had gestured with his glass of rum, Coke, and lime twist. The stunning woman was now swaying gracefully in time with the music while her long black hair did the same, though the light trade winds coming in off the ocean caused a few silken strands to caress her sun-kissed cheek.
She’d been watching the band entertain the tourists for the past thirty minutes, and he found himself once again wondering about the color of her eyes. Brown? Green? Or were they blue, like the turquoise tint of the early evening tide rolling in behind her?
“She does not drink alcohol, sir.” Jerry was currently twirling a bottle of rum in his nimble fingers so that it landed label out to help the patrons choose from the various types of alcohol provided by the resort. His movements were fluid as he adorned the rim of the glass with a stemmed cherry alongside an orange slice. He slid the cocktail across the bar to another patron before reaching for another glass. “She prefers still Voss water chilled with a wedge of lemon.”
Landon was becoming more and more intrigued with the sexy brunette with each passing minute. He took a healthy drink of his rum and Coke as he studied the mystery lady who’d captured his attention. This distraction was downright infuriating, and there was only one way to solve that conundrum.
Within seconds, the mystery woman’s chosen beverage was placed before him, accompanied by a friendly wink of encouragement. Landon took a moment to stare at the nonalcoholic drink in perplexity. He’d recognized the wristband she was wearing as the designated one for those customers who paid to have alcohol in their package. Why wasn’t she enjoying that particular amenity she’d paid quite a lot for?
“Hello,” a feminine voice purred right before a lovely blonde filled his vision. There was no denying her beauty, but there was only one woman on his mind this evening. “I was hoping you’d buy me a drink.”
“Actually, I was just on my way to join someone else,” Landon replied somewhat apologetically, not wanting to hurt her feelings. “Enjoy your—”
“I’m sure she can wait. She’s been there for quite a while already.” The blonde feigned a demure smile as she reached for the glass of filtered water. Landon wasn’t surprised at her boldness, but he also wasn’t a man to play games. He clenched his jaw when she went so far as to take a sip of the water he’d specifically ordered for another woman, leaving a red lipstick stain on the rim. Her somewhat surprised gaze dropped down to the contents in disappointment and amusement. That was, until she decided to use the nonalcoholic drink to her advantage. “I’m quite certain my company will be much more entertaining.”
“Would you care to dance?”
Landon didn’t have to look to know his mystery woman was behind the lucrative offer, though her suggestive proposition had him doing just that. The white summer dress she wore was accentuated with a teal flower tucked behind her right ear, though it wasn’t needed. Her exquisiteness alone outshined the vibrant color.
She was even more stunning than he’d originally thought.
No other woman on this island could hold a candle to her beauty.
And her voice? The intoxicating sound was like a sip of fine whiskey…smoky and smooth. The distinctive resonance only made him want to hear more words escape her sensual lips. She’d covered them with a dash of pink he found enchanting, but he sought the answer to the question that had been on his mind all week.
Blue. Her eyes were a startling blue so unlike the water over the reef. The vivid color of the mighty ocean didn’t hold a candle to the gorgeous shade that he had no doubt captured the interest of many men before him.
“I’d like that very much,” Landon responded quietly, speculating what motive she could possibly have to approach him now. He gave the blonde a cursory glance as he held out his hand toward his mystery woman. “Shall we?”
Landon stepped past her, guiding them to the designated dance area in front of the band that was now playing a softer rolling ballad that enticed other couples to enjoy the intimate ambiance. He turned and drew her into his arms, the intoxicating scent of lilacs and another floral fragrance greeting him as the length of her body melded into his as if they were made for one another. He wrapped his right arm behind her to pull her even closer as they swayed to the music.
“I guess a thank you is in order.” Landon savored this moment as she tilted her head to catch his words over the soft melody. The humidity in the air rose another degree. “You saved me from what could have been a very bad encounter.”
“All in a good day’s work,” his mystery woman replied softly as she placed her soft palm against his, following his lead as he slowly guided her around another couple. Her blue eyes sparkled as if she had a secret she wasn’t willing to share. “Didn’t your mother ever tell you not to talk to overly forward strangers?”
“As a matter of fact, she did,” Landon countered amiably, enjoying this light banter after such a complicated week. “Which is why you’re now required to tell me your name. It should be obvious I can’t fly back to the mainland and tell my mother I ignored her advice. She’d be devastated.”
Her light laughter at his rationale rang through the air, joining the soft melody and causing him to wish they weren’t surrounded by people. He could admit to being a selfish man when it came to certain things. She was definitely on that list. He wanted her all to himself, and he would make no apology for that.
“Kelli,” she finally answered with an infectious smile. “You can call me Kelli.”
“And I’m Landon Smyth. It’s nice to meet you, Kelli. See?” Landon pointed out as he slowly weaved them throughout the other dancing couples. “Now we are no longer strangers.”
“It’s nice to see a man who cares so much about his mother’s feelings.”
Landon drew her closer, if that was even possible, when a woman who obviously had too much to drink stumbled backward toward him. Kelli’s breasts pressed against his chest, and he didn’t miss her quick intake of air at the intimate position he’d drawn them into. A physical attraction this palpable couldn’t go overlooked for long.
There was no need for more words when they both recognized where this evening would end—his bed or hers. It was inevitable.
Landon allowed himself to finally unwind and appreciate this blissful setting he’d all but ignored this past week. There was a light breeze steadily blowing in off the ocean as the moon and stars lit up the night sky with their radiance, heightening the sensual mood of the evening in which he intended to enjoy very much with the beautiful woman in his arms. They thoroughly appreciated the ringing melody of the first song and were well into the second when he could no longer just hold her in his embrace.
Landon released her hand so that he could softly stroke his thumb across her lower lip. Damn, but he needed to taste her. He dipped his head and captured her lips. He savored the faint taste of strawberries and wanted more, already recognizing that one night with her wasn’t going to be nearly enough. He couldn’t resist running his tongue across her lower lip before pulling away and resting his forehead against hers.
“Let’s continue this in my private suite, Kelli.”