The drive back to the resort was quiet and loaded. Hannah could feel the weight of their paused conversation. Her heart raced as she remembered Carter’s reaction to finding out she didn’t have a boyfriend. What did it mean? Sure, she knew he was a little attracted to her, but that was normal right? His reaction was way too exaggerated for her to understand, though.
At least she’d been able to collect what few brains cells she still possessed to deflect his questions about her exact living conditions. Anything that came even close to discussing her house couldn’t be allowed.
Driving back next to him now, it felt as if an electrical storm was gathering about them, ready to break any moment. She regretted not simply telling Carter about owning the house from the beginning because now it would be impossible. And now she was very sure that she didn’t want anything to come between them.
Carter pulled up in front of the resort and tossed his keys to the valet while Hannah waited for Addi to unbuckle and jump out. Hannah held out her hand, and when Addi grabbed hold of it, Hannah relaxed slightly. Everything was fine. Nothing out of the ordinary was going on. She was being silly.
She repeated this in her mind through the whole elevator ride and while she stood waiting for Carter to open his front door with her heart hammering at a frantic pace. Carter held the door for them to pass through, and she felt his eyes on her, making the back of her neck prickle with sensation and awareness. Her nerves were humming just from the charge in the atmosphere around them.
“Addi,” Carter said, “Why don’t you go shower and take a nap? You look wiped out.”
“Okay, Daddy. Will Miss Hannah still be here when I wake up?”
Hannah looked to him for direction and his expression made her catch her breath.
“I certainly intend for her to be. Now go on.”
Addi looked between them for a moment, then went into her bedroom, shutting the door behind her. They both stood very still, listening to her movements in the room beyond. Unable to take the stress a moment longer, Hannah asked, “Are we going to finish that conversation?”
“Yes,” Carter said, coming towards her. “I believe you wanted to know why I was so interested in whether or not you had a boyfriend. Let me show you why.”
Hannah knew then that he was going to kiss her and realized she’d been waiting for it since the restaurant. And she’d been wanting it. He pulled her too him, grasping her shoulders then sliding his hands down her arms, leaving goosebumps in their wake. Keeping his eyes locked on hers as he silently asked for permission, he reached for her waist, sliding his hand beneath her open kimono, pressing his warm palm against her bare back until she stood flush against his chest.
Without thinking, she ran her hands up his chest, feeling the deep rise and fall as he breathed heavily, amazed that she had this affect on him. It all happened in seconds, but it was taking too long, so she moved her hands to the back of his neck and tugged, urging him down to her.
His lips scorched hers with an intensity that sent her reeling. As she clutched at his shoulders and rose up on her toes, he tilted his head and deepened the kiss. She was overwhelmed by the sensations flooding her body, but still she reached out to meet his questing, demanding mouth with her own explorations. This was madness and perfection and deliverance all at once. Dreading the moment when he would break away, she clung more tightly to him, reveling in the sensation of her body pressed to his.
His arms banded about her waist and lifted her off the floor. Her flip flops fell off, and she stopped kissing him in surprise until she realized he was walking the few steps into the living area. He pulled her down onto his lap and held her close. “Do you understand now why I wanted to know… why I wanted to plant my fist in the face of that smirking beach bum of yours?”
Hannah laughed and kissed his jaw, a particular focus of her fascination since she’d first met him. “I’m figuring it out.”
“I’ve never been so irritated in my life.”
His words were muffled since they were spoken against her skin as he kissed her neck. She chuckled. “You have been exceptionally moody the last few days. I couldn’t figure out what was causing all the dark expressions.”
“Let’s talk later. I’m much more interested in kissing you again.”
His hand tightened against her waist as he spoke, and this time his kiss was more tender as he lingered over her lips. Hannah felt as if she were melting into him and the only thing that kept her together was her desire to learn the contours of his lips and the texture and warmth of his skin. She knew they would have to stop soon and be logical, discuss all the reasons why this was crazy, but not yet. Not until she’d quenched the longing within her to have more of this.
But a firm, maddening knock on the door shattered the perfection of the moment with an imperious command.
“Who in the blazes is that?” Carter asked, as provoked as she was.
“I don’t know,” she said, “It’s your door.”
Before they got any further, Hannah looked over his shoulder and gasped as Carter’s mother walked inside, closely followed by a young woman who was beauty personified. “Shoot, Carter.” Hannah pushed his hands from her waist and sat up.
Carter shifted and turned to see. Hannah felt him tense when he saw who had come in, but he didn’t seem to be in a hurry to stand up. As she scrambled to get off Carter’s lap, Hannah felt like she was back in junior high again and getting caught making out on the porch swing. Carter, however, seemed perfectly collected. As he stood up, he put his arm around her briefly, running his hand up and down her arm. The gesture calmed her more than any words could have.
“This is certainly a surprise, Mom.”
Hannah couldn’t hear any of the usual warmth in his voice, and there was a pulsating tension in the room that made her think he was angry but keeping it in check. Barely.
“Well, I for one nearly had a heart attack,” Mrs. Ellis said in reproachful tones. “With the nanny, Carter? Really?”
Hannah felt sick to her stomach at the things Carter’s mom must be thinking of her. Why did she have to come today of all days? Or just at the worst possible moment?
“Her name is Hannah, remember?” Carter’s tone had a sharp edge to it.
Sensing how protective Carter felt, Hannah reclaimed some of her dignity. She took a deep breath and moved to gather her things. Whatever conversation was about to happen, it would go better without her in the way. No doubt the fashion model with extensions and a pushup bra would be staying for it though.
Carter’s mom didn’t back down from his subtle warning. “Oh, I remember perfectly. I knew something like this would happen. That’s why I came back.”
“You should have called,” Carter said, dividing his attention between his mom and watching Hannah pack her things. She felt it every time his eyes rested on her.
“Why? We talked about me coming back for a visit.”
“You were barely gone three weeks.”
“I know, but I was so anxious for you to meet Jenelle.” Mrs. Ellis turned then and took Jenelle by the arm, pulling her forward. “Isn’t she lovely? She’s the Penhurst’s daughter. You remember them, don’t you? They stay at the Spiney Creek every spring. The banking family.”
“Yes, I remember. Nice to meet you, Jenelle.”
Hannah shivered when she heard the cool tones in Carter’s voice. If he’d sounded like that when she’d first met him, she wouldn’t have dared talk to him again. Jenelle was made of sterner stuff however.
“A pleasure,” she purred, taking his hand in a delicate, lingering clasp. “Your resort is breathtaking. I’m so looking forward to spending a week here with you.”
A jealous, possessive desire to slap the woman almost overcame her. No doubt her emotions were all raging too high for her to handle this well right now. Dang it. Where were her flip-flops?
Carter spoke, putting Jenelle in her place. “With my mother you mean. I’m very busy with the opening of my hotel at the moment, I’m afraid.”
His mom made a clucking noise. “Yes, we saw what you’ve been busy with.”
That was all Hannah could stand. She slipped her feet in her flip flops and pulled her bag over her shoulder. She turned to Carter, saying “Please call me to discuss my schedule tomorrow.”
Carter strode after her, walking between his mom and Jenelle to meet her at the door. “Hannah wait. Don’t go.”
“No, it’s best if I leave.” Hannah opened the door, but he grabbed it and kept her from opening it wide enough for her to walk through.
“We need to talk.” Carter’s voice was quiet but anxious as he spoke for her ears alone.
“Yes, we do, but not right now.”
“I’ll come to your place later.”
“No!” When he looked surprised by her reaction, she shook her head. Talking quickly to smooth it over, she said, “I need time to think this through and so do you. Let’s talk tomorrow.”
He reached down and took her hand, lacing his fingers through hers. He stared down at their hands not saying anything. Hannah looked over his shoulder and saw Carter’s mom watching them with hard eyes and tight lips, while Jenelle walked around the apartment as if deciding how to give it a woman’s touch. “Carter,” she whispered. “Let me go.”
“I feel like I won’t get this back again if I do.” But despite her words, he released her hand and stepped back, pulling the door open. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Hannah. Don’t worry about any of this. I’m going to take care of everything.”
Hannah nodded, mostly so she could leave before she did something ridiculous—like cry. It was all too overwhelming. And now she had no idea what was going to happen with her job. Would Carter keep her around even though it was clear his mom wanted her gone? She had no idea, but just the possibility of not seeing Carter and Addi everyday was too much to bear.
As soon as the elevator reached the lobby, she ran outside into the sunshine, feeling at odds with its cheerfulness. Not caring who saw her, she continued to run, through the courtyard, past the fancy, empty pools and out on to the sand. When she reached her house, she kicked her flip-flops off in front of her house and sat her bag down on the steps. She walked down to the water’s edge, the wind whipping her hair in her face.
The sand was smooth there, continuously being groomed by the tides flowing in and out. She dug her toes into its coolness, amazed that such sleek uniformity could be caused by the chaos of the waves. If only it could have the same settling effect on her, but never before had she brought such a problem to the sea.