“Ladies and gentlemen, the captain has turned off the fasten seat belt sign. You are now free to move around the cabin.”

Kayla sat back and closed her eyes. Was she crazy? Yeah, probably. Would a normal person risk everything on a feeling?

It had taken a few weeks, but she had gotten her affairs in order and had done everything she needed to do. She had quit her job and said goodbye to everyone at work, sold her car, and put her house on the market.

Her mother was still angry and might never talk to her again. That probably should have cut deeper than it did, but hey, she was her mother’s daughter, too. It was only natural she would put herself first, right?

Kayla knew she had made the right decision when the news story broke that Spencer had called off the engagement and stepped down as CEO of Dumas Industries. The media had had a field day with that. He hadn’t given a reason, but speculation abounded. Some said he had a drug problem and was going into rehab. Gambling and health issues were also raised as potential causes. Others hinted at a secret lover, one who had captured his heart. That was the one she was hoping for.

She only hoped she wasn’t too late.

The flight lasted forever. The ferryboat, an eternity. By the time the limo pulled through the gates, Kayla felt as if an entire lifetime had passed.

“Welcome back, Ms. O’Connell.”

“Thanks, Dominic. Do you know where I can find him?”

The man’s smile grew as he inclined his head toward the beach. “Shall I have your bags taken right to Mr. Dumas’ suite?”

Contacting Dominic and enlisting his help had been another gamble on her part, but she had wanted at least some assurance that this wasn’t going to blow up in her face. What if she had spent her savings only to arrive and discover he wasn’t here? Or, even worse, to find that Spencer had decided to forget her by sexing up someone else? Now that she had come to terms with things, she was feeling pretty possessive about Spencer Dumas and his magical unicorn dick.

Fortunately, Dominic turned out to be a great ally. He assured her that Spencer had not moved on, and strongly encouraged her to see her plan through, confiding that “Mr. Dumas just hasn’t been himself since he returned.”

“Positive thinking.” She smiled back. “I like that.” Her smile faded somewhat. “But maybe it would be better to leave them here by the desk, just in case I have to leave in a hurry.” Her whole life was now contained in those three pieces of luggage. In the event she was wrong and Spencer ended up kicking her to the curb, she couldn’t afford to leave without them.

She walked out onto the beach, spotting the lone figure on the far end, staring out at the ocean. Her heart found a familiar rhythm at the sight of him. Even from far away and facing the other direction, the man just did it for her.

“Mr. Dumas?”

When he turned, her heart thumped wildly. His shirt was unbuttoned, showing his tanned, toned chest and abs. His hair was longer than it had been. Wilder. Sexier. She couldn’t see his eyes from behind the reflective sunglasses, but she could feel his gaze.

She attempted a smile.

After an endless pause, he turned his back to her and shoved his hands into his pockets.

Her heart dropped.

“I thought part of the agreement was you never saw me again,” he said, his voice as flat as she had ever heard it.

“It was, if I had taken it.”

He laughed, but it was a hollow sound. “Am I supposed to believe you walked away from five million? What was it you said to me once? Oh yeah, yank someone else’s chain. I’m not buying it.”

She stepped closer. “It was seven million, actually. Your father upped the pot when I tore up the first contract.”

“Even better,” he said, his voice as cold as she had ever heard it. “I underestimated your negotiating skills. Is this part of the bargain, too? You came to see me long enough to laugh in my face and tell me what a sucker I am?”

Kayla’s heart ached. “No,” she said, drawing from the same courage that had gotten her this far. “I’m actually here about a job.”

“A job?”

She had reached his side. Rather than looking at him, she, too, stared out at the sun setting over the horizon. “Yeah. I hear you’re looking for a new PR director, and as it turns out, Brandyville wasn’t really working for me, you know?”

In her peripheral vision, she saw him look toward her. She kept her eyes forward.

“Yeah? Why is that?” Some of the chill had left his voice. He was still suspicious, she could tell, but at least he was listening.

She shrugged. “Same old story. A guy.”

“A guy, huh?”

“Yeah. He swept me off my feet, then just disappeared.”

Long seconds passed with only the soft laps of waves and the occasional caw of some tropical bird interrupting the silence between them. She waited, holding her breath. Either he would accept what she said or he wouldn’t, but she was giving it her best shot.

“Maybe he thought you weren’t interested. That you got a better offer.”

Kayla discreetly released her breath. “Maybe. He wouldn’t be the first. But I thought he was smarter than that, you know?” She shrugged. “I thought that maybe, when he looked at me, he saw something no one else had.”

“He sounds like a dumbass.”

“Close. He’s a Du-mas.”

He chuckled at that.

“It’s a real shame, too, because I left everything behind on the hopes that he might be willing to give it another chance.”

“Everything, huh?”

“Yep. Quit my job. Put my house on the market. Used practically all my savings for airfare and a week’s worth of accommodations to try talking some sense into him.”

“Risky. What if he’s not willing to listen?”

“Then I’m shit out of luck, I guess. But, at least I know I gave it my best shot.”

He moved so fast. One second they were standing side by side with miles of space between them, and the next, he had gathered her in his arms and crushed his mouth to hers.

“You’re a fool,” he whispered.

“So everyone keeps telling me.” She grinned, wrapping her arms around his neck. “So, how about it? Have you got a place for a fool here on your island?”

“That all depends. What are you willing to do?”

“Anything.”

“Anything?”

“Yeah. Did you miss the part about me being broke, unemployed, and homeless?”

“What about references? Got any?”

“No, just this.” She reached down into her pocket and extracted small bits of torn-up paper.

“What’s this?”

“That is what’s left of your father’s contract. I wasn’t sure you’d believe me.”

His eyes softened. “That’s a pretty solid reference. I think I might have the perfect position for you. Several positions, in fact.” He pulled her closer against him and ground his hips against the softness of her belly suggestively. “Are you game?”

“I’m here, aren’t I?”

Spencer gave her a wicked grin. “Yes, you are.” He swept her up into his arms, and she squealed as he carried her away from the resort.

“We’re not going to your suite?”

“No. I got something else in mind for you.” Spencer’s voice had gone low and husky, hitting the exact timbre that resonated through her most feminine parts.

He veered left, taking them on a narrow path through palm trees and tropical foliage. A few minutes later, they re-emerged onto pristine white sand.

Kayla looked out as he continued with purpose, her eyes widening. “Is that an overwater bungalow?”

“It is.” He smiled. “I’ll give you a complete tour ... later. Right now, I need to be inside you.”

A thrill went through her. He didn’t ask. He didn’t seduce. He just told her exactly what he wanted, and that was okay, because it was exactly what she wanted, too.

“Is this part of the interview process, Mr. Dumas?”

“Only for you, Ms. O’Connell.”

She barely got to process the gorgeous surroundings before Spencer stalked right into the bungalow and dropped her onto the bed. Despite his claim, he didn’t immediately start removing her clothes, or his. Instead, he held his body over hers and kissed her as if his life depended on it.

Spencer Dumas kissed like he did everything else—with complete focus, attention, and an intent to derive as much pleasure from it as possible. He was an excellent kisser.

“I missed you,” he whispered, resting his forehead against hers.

She believed him.

“I missed you, too.” She slipped her hand into his waistband and caressed his tight, sculpted behind. “Now, how about we get on with that job interview?”