From behind, smooth, low words brushed her ear. “With clothes or without?”
A surprise rush of heat filled her core. She had to concentrate to brace her legs to keep her knees from caving in. Was it his sultry tone, the provocative question or the sumptuous image of his big hands sliding over her well-oiled body that left her every inch burning for attention?
“We have a resort in the Bahamas.” His breath was warm against her crown now. “What would you say to a long weekend?”
She tried to laugh it off. “I wasn’t serious.”
His chin grazed her temple. “Let me know the moment you are.”
Her legs turned to water and, eyes drifting shut again, she swayed. Guess his mood was improving. It was all she could do not to pivot around, wind her arms around his neck and bring her suddenly hungry mouth to his. Of course, there was the baby to consider. But what about tonight?
When all was quiet and Bonnie had been put to bed, she was certain he would try to kiss her again. And if the caress was anything like the scorching moments they’d already shared…
But then reality struck again. Zack was bored, edgy. He was only filling in time the way he might with any woman he found attractive. No matter what he said, what he did or what he offered, she needed to remember that her being here was primarily a convenience.
Composed again, she told him, “I should make that call.”
She felt his considering pause for a heart-pumping moment before the warmth of his body at her back evaporated. With a fluid gait, he crossed over to the table and, broad shoulders squared, lowered himself into the same chair he’d been sitting in.
“If your cell doesn’t have reception,” he said, collecting a document to peruse, “feel free to try mine.”
She acknowledged the offer with a polite nod before going into the living room to set the baby down in her recliner. Her eyes bright, her darling expression content, Bonnie didn’t make a squeak. Trinity cupped her crown for a moment—so soft and warm—before asking, “Do you mind looking after her? This call should only take a minute.”
His head flew up from his work then his jaw shifted to one side. “What if she cries?”
“Panic?”
While Zack’s face lost a little of its color, grinning, Trinity made her way to the bedroom where she’d stowed her belongings. She wasn’t worried the baby would cry, and if she did, despite his claims, Zack would cope. And if he didn’t cope, well, help was two seconds away. This call had to be made, and she wanted complete focus when she and Kate spoke.
In the privacy of that room, Trinity turned her cell on, and noted the bars. After filling her lungs, she dialed. Typically efficient, Kate answered on the second ring.
“Something wrong, Trin?”
“A little hitch. I won’t be in today. Probably not tomorrow, either.”
“Are you ill?”
“Stuck in Colorado.”
“Ah, the snow. I skimmed something about the crazy weather out that way. So your flight was canceled?”
Trinity’s stomach swooped. She couldn’t lie. Honesty went hand in hand with respect. Kate deserved the truth.
“I missed my flight, but for a very good reason.” She explained about waiting for a cab, finding the baby, needing to stay until she was in the right hands. “But snow’s still falling, the power’s off and I can’t see the authorities getting out to collect Bonnie before tomorrow.”
“Stop there. Who’s Bonnie?”
“The baby.”
“I didn’t think you knew her.”
“I don’t. It’s just she has these amazing blue eyes and we both agreed the name suited her.”
“Both agreed? You mean someone at the hotel. I’m confused.”
“Actually I’m staying at a private address, a cabin a bit out of town.”
“You don’t know anyone in Colorado.”
“Zack was in the cab when we found her.”
“So you’re staying in the woods with a man you hadn’t met before yesterday? I hope he’s a gentleman.”
Trinity nibbled her lower lip. “Most of the time.”
“Okay. Now I’m worried.”
“Don’t be. I’m here of my own free will.”
“I see.” A pause. “Does this man happen to be good-looking?”
“That has nothing to do with—”
“Is he hot or not?”
Trinity sighed. “He’s hot.” Scorching, as a matter of fact.
“So who is this guy?”
She might as well admit to it. “Zack Harrison of Harrison Hotels.”
Silence ensued, followed by a long, low whistle. “New York’s most eligible bachelor. Looks, wealth, charisma and…”
“And a reputation as an amoral womanizer who’d sell his grandmother to seal a deal.” Kate was preaching to the converted.
“A real devil in disguise,” her boss confirmed, “and the girls line up for miles to be prodded by his pitchfork. Not that you’d be that stupid.”
Trinity’s chest tightened. Kate didn’t need to know about her slip. That kiss. Those terrible urges. She schooled her voice.
“His reputation has nothing to do with what’s happening here.”
“Good God, of course not. Must be hard being in the same room with a man whose only concerns are for his own bottom line. Closing that community center to use the land for up-market high-rises. Has he mentioned anything about his Colorado deal?”
She was talking about that hotel Zack wanted to buy? The one whose owner’s only son recently had passed away. Shivering, Trinity hugged herself. She knew where her boss was going with this.
“Kate, I couldn’t put in print anything I heard off the record here.”
“You know I admire your ethics. I’d just love to know how anyone gets through life without a conscience. Slapping a base offer on the table is one thing. Publicly blaming the poor man for his own son’s death as a way to wear him and the price down even more is shameless.”
Trinity was left gaping. She’d heard nothing of that story until now, and she found it hard to believe, even of Zack. But wasn’t she being naive? Zack Harrison was known for his ruthless dealings. Because he’d shown a sliver of compassion and had brought that baby home didn’t change his history.
Kate was saying she’d look after that interview scheduled for today and her other line was ringing. She had to go.
After promising to call in again, Trinity disconnected but she hung back returning to the lounge. She needed time to gather her thoughts. So much had happened since yesterday afternoon when she jumped in that cab.
A devil in disguise…
From the moment she’d laid eyes on Zack, she’d known women would fall at his feet. He oozed sex appeal and the kind of self-confidence that females flocked to and other men admired. Most likely he’d lost count of the notches carved on his bedposts around the country. The world. The Bahamas, for instance?
Her eyes prickling with emotion, she tossed the cell on the bed.
She must have been dreaming to have felt so safe in his arms last night.
While Trinity took care of