Jennifer Faye - Her Festive Baby Bombshell

“You mean you equate our talk of books to digging into my life and finding out how my mind ticks? No.” He shook his head. “My personal life is off limits.” His tone lacked its earlier warmness. In fact, it was distinctly cold and rumbled with agitation. “You might research prospective business associates, but I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t put my life under your microscope.”

What is he afraid I’ll find?

She gave herself a mental shake. He was right. She was treading on a subject that was none of her business. His dislike of Christmas had nothing to do with her presence on—what was the name of this island? She scanned her mind, but she didn’t recall him ever mentioning it.

“What did you say the name of this island is?”

“I didn’t.”

Surely this wasn’t another one of those subjects that was off limits. Even she couldn’t be that unlucky.

As though reading her mind, he said, “It’s called Lockwood Isle.”

Not exactly original, but fitting. “Your own island nation.”

He shrugged. “Something like that. It’s a place to get away from everything.”

Her phone buzzed with a new email. “Not exactly everything. I see there’s internet access.”

“As much as I’d like to totally escape, I do have an international company to run. I can’t cut myself off completely.”

Holly was relieved to know that she could keep in contact with her mother. Even though she’d made financial arrangements with her aunt for her mother to make her very first visit to Florida, she still wanted to talk with her daily. Holly needed the reassurance that there weren’t any setbacks with her health.

Her gaze strayed back to her host. She might not have to worry too much about her mother right now, but she did have to worry about Finn. That kiss on the plane, it couldn’t happen again. He wasn’t looking for anything serious and neither was she. Her focus had to be on getting his recommendation for the new job.

Finn stopped walking. “Here we are.”

She glanced up at the white house with aqua shutters. The home was raised up on what looked like stilts. Each post was thick like an enormous tree trunk. It certainly looked sturdy enough.

Still staring at the impressive structure, she asked, “Why is the house on pylons? Are there a lot of storms?”

“No. But some of them bring in a high storm surge. I like to be prepared.”

She had a feeling it wasn’t just storms he liked to be prepared for. He struck her as the type of man who carefully plotted out not only his business but also his whole life, avoiding as many storms as possible.

* * *

“Will this do?”

Later that afternoon Finn glanced up from his desk in his study to find Holly standing there in a white sundress, holding a file folder. The bodice hugged her generous curves and tied around her neck, leaving just enough of her cleavage to tempt and tease. He swallowed hard. He should tell her to change clothes because there was no way he could conduct business with her looking so desirable.

Instead, he said, “Thank you.” He accepted the file. “By the way, don’t forget to pack lots of sunscreen.”

“Pack? I never unpacked.” Her eyes filled with confusion. “We’re leaving?”

“Yes. Tomorrow morning we’re setting sail on my yacht.”

“Yacht?”

“Did I forget to mention it?” When she nodded, he added, “We’ll be cruising around the islands for a couple of days until my business is concluded.”

“Sounds great.” Her voice lacked conviction.

“Have you been sailing before?”

She hesitated. “No.”

Why exactly had he brought her along on this trip? Oh, yes, because her credentials were excellent. But that was when she was in a skyscraper in New York City. She didn’t seem to fare so well outside her element. But it was too late to change course now. He just had to hope for the best—definitely not his idea of a good strategy, but the only one he had at this particular moment.

“Don’t worry.” He hoped to ease the worry lines now marring her face. “The yacht is spacious. You’ll have your own stateroom.” He took a moment to clarify the importance of the meeting. “I have worked for a number of months to bring these very influential men together. Discretion is of the utmost importance.”

She nodded. “I understand. I’ve worked in your legal department for the past five years. Everything that passed over my desk was confidential. You can count on me.”

He knew that. It was one of the reasons he’d agreed to this arrangement. Now, if he could just keep his mind from straying back to her luscious lips. His gaze zeroed in on them. They were painted up in a deep wine color. It was different from her usual earthy tones. But it was a good look on her.

He forced his mind back to business. “Did you reply to all of the outstanding emails?”

“I just finished them. The personal ones I’ve forwarded to your account as directed. I thought you might have some last-minute items you need completed before the meeting.”

She was good. Really good. Normally that would be awesome, but when he was trying to keep her busy to avoid temptation, he wished she wasn’t quite so competent.

“Have you returned all of the phone calls?”

She nodded. “I even called my mother.”

“Your mother?”

“I just wanted to let her know that we arrived safely. She’s actually off on her own holiday.”

Was Holly attempting to make small talk? Boy, was he out of practice. He wasn’t even sure how to respond. “That’s good.” He was better off sticking to business. “It sounds like you have everything under control. You can take the rest of the day off. We’ll head out this evening as soon as all of our guests have arrived. Why don’t you take a book and relax by the pool until then.”

“I didn’t bring a book. I didn’t see a need since I planned to be working.”

“But not from the time you woke up until you went to bed.”

“You mean like you’re doing?”

He glanced down at the papers littering his desk. “Guilty as charged. But you don’t want to end up like me. You’re young and have so much to look forward to.”

“You make it sound like you’re old and your life is almost over.”

“My life is Lockwood International. It’s the reason I get out of bed in the morning.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Sorry? Sorry for what?”

“That you think that’s all you have to live for.”

“It’s the way it has to be.”

The pity reflected in her eyes had him recoiling. He didn’t deserve pity or sympathy. She had no idea about his life—none whatsoever. Not even the press knew the entire truth.

Living and breathing everything about Lockwood International was his punishment. He’d lived while the rest of his family had perished. It was what his aunt had told him quite frequently when he rebelled about doing his schoolwork or having to stay in boarding schools. She told him he had no room to complain. He had lived while the others had died a painful death, and then she’d glare at him like it was all his fault. And for the most part, she was right.

Holly moved to the window. “Have you looked around this place? It’s amazing. When’s the last time you enjoyed it?”

“I don’t have time for fun.”

“Everyone needs to loosen up now and then. You don’t want your guests showing up and finding that scowl on your face, do you?”

What scowl? He resisted the urge to run his hands over his face.

“I don’t scowl.” Her eyes widened at the grouchy tone of his voice. What was it about this woman that got under his skin? “I just need to stay on track and focus.”

“Then I won’t distract you any longer.” She turned to the door.