The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion (Entangled Indulgence) Page 3

  “Hey, you get the forms filled out for the Tallahassee University Hospital clinical study?” Zach asked.

  “Dude, I already got one Mom, I don’t need you ragging on me, too.”

  “What study?” Kennedy asked.

  Zach put one arm on either side of Kennedy, framing her with his muscular body. “Clinical research trial in Florida’s Tallahassee Research Hospital.”

  She could see the fine, golden hairs on Zach’s muscular forearms, felt the heat pulsing between her and his chest. One small move backward would close the scant distance between them. Oh, how she longed to rest her head in the curve of his broad shoulder, feel the comforting stroke of his hand through her hair.

  Instead she leaned closer to the computer screen. “You want to do this?” she asked Michael.

  “Of course he does.” Zach spoke for Michael. “Biostem’s patented technology can help produce neural stem cells in the brain. That treatment combined with occupational therapy gives Michael great odds for busting this disease’s ass.”

  Naturally, Zach would want to fix the problem, find a way to change reality. But she’d learned all too well that not every problem was fixable. Still, she wanted to believe in miracles where Michael was concerned. “Sounds promising,” she said.

  “What’s more promising is my fantasy football league lineup,” Michael said, obviously not interested in discussing his illness anymore. “You got your picks in, Zach?”

  “Yup. My team’s going to kick your team’s fucking butt.”

  “Guys, watch your language,” Michael’s sister Jessie called as she stepped into the screen’s view. “Kids in the room.”

  Kennedy laughed as Jessie’s four-year-old son Robert chanted the F bomb while his younger sister Serena gurgled butt repeatedly, giggling.

  “This from the sister who swears like a Marine,” Michael said.

  “I’ve toned it down a lot—besides I am a Marine,” Jessie said, then disappeared from their view as she corralled her children and marched them out of the laptop’s Skype feed.

  Michael shook his head. “She may not be on active duty anymore, but that IED explosion didn’t steal her spunk or her potty mouth.”

  “I heard that!” Jessie yelled.

  Zach chuckled and a wave of nostalgia crested through Kennedy. She’d missed the ease and familiarity among her friends. Six years ago, Jessie’s injuries had forced her to give up her career in the Marines, but she continued to use her skills as an explosives expert for her husband Blake’s Hollywood action hero movie franchise. And she’d claimed all the happiness she deserved with a man who loved her with a fierce intensity.

  Long ago Kennedy had believed in that fairy tale as well, but her dreams had turned to dust.

  Zach pushed away from the counter, grabbed a cup and brewed a single cup of coffee, then returned to sit next to Kennedy. “Once a Marine, always a Marine.”

  “More like once a pain, always a pain,” Michael said, but he couldn’t hide the pride in his voice. “Why the heck didn’t my parents have the good sense to give me brothers? I’m surrounded by clucking hens and now it’s harder to get away.”

  “That’s why you have me,” Zach said. “I’ve got your back.”

  Though his body no longer framed hers, Zach’s shoulder and leg brushed against her as he peered at the screen and slugged back his coffee. Her skin tingled, electricity sparked along her nerve endings. Would she ever stop wanting the one man she couldn’t have?

  She lifted her cup and sipped, ignoring her body’s traitorous reaction. “Speaking of sisters, where’s Hannah?”

  Michael sighed. “She wanted to come to Italy, but got bogged down with her work.”

  “It’s not like Hannah to put her job before family.” Not only that, but Kennedy hadn’t gotten more than a Sorry, gotta run, or super busy, try later from Hannah for months whenever she’d texted or private messaged her on Facebook. That had royally ticked her off. Still, Kennedy promised herself to reach out again, because something wasn’t right about Hannah choosing her career in Los Angeles over seeing her older brother. “I’ll call her.”

  “Thanks.”

  Michael’s father and his famous brother-in-law, Blake Johnston, stepped into view and waved, towels in hand. His mother, Shannon, hovered in the Tuscan kitchen, opening the fridge and drawing out a pitcher filled with lemonade while she and Zach continued talking, bantering back and forth with Michael. It was just as if they were sitting in the same room and not separated by an ocean and a six hour time difference.

  Kennedy watched Shannon pour a glass and pop a straw into it, then she moved closer into view. After she placed the drink in front of Michael, she asked, “Do your parents know about your new sleeping arrangements?”

  “There’s nothing to tell,” Kennedy answered, sending a mini prayer of thanks to the Gods of the Vacation Cruise Line that had interrupted cellular service and provided virtually no Internet.

  “When do they dock?” Shannon asked, then lifted the glass for Michael to take a drink.

  “Next month.” Kennedy shifted away from Zach’s side. No point in giving Michael’s mother any reason to be hitting speed dial on her cell phone with the latest gossip. Hell, no point in giving her body any more reason to cry uncle and cave to the thrilling sensation racing through her veins. “I’m calling Mom as soon as they return.”

  “If you don’t, I will,” Shannon said. “Because you two are looking awfully cozy.”

  “We’re just working together,” Kennedy said as Shannon stepped away and faded from view.

  “Just like the good old days,” Michael said.

  Beside her, Zach inhaled a sharp breath. She could feel his grief as if it were palpable. Her own sadness threatened to burst through her internal blockade. Kennedy reached under the table and took Zach’s hand, squeezing it. They glanced at each other and something beyond their attraction and their grievances about the past connected them.

  Whatever happened between them during the resort’s renovation, she and Zach had one thing in common. Their love for Michael. As long as Michael was happy, they would do whatever was necessary to get along.

  As they ended their Skype call, she recognized the longing for connection in Zach’s good-byes to the entire Sullivan family. And Kennedy promised herself that she’d do anything to keep their relationship strictly friendly despite her heart and body desperately craving so much more.

  Chapter Three

  During the next four days, Kennedy tried to avoid being alone with Zach by clocking out late and starting work early. Though the hours were grueling, she was pleased with how quickly her plans for the renovation were taking shape. Unfortunately, Zach had an innate ability to time his exits and entrances into the lodge to match hers, and that made for some very uncomfortable sleepless nights when the desire to yield to her temptation warred with her good sense to stay strong.

  As they had every morning, her construction crews circled her, waiting for their orders. Bright leaves, golden and red and burgundy, swayed in the autumn breeze. Some had drifted to the ground, still fully hued, but beginning to take on sepia tones along their edges. The rustling in the branches lulled her. But Kennedy finished outlining the day’s work orders with a firm tone. “Caleb, here are the resort’s design plan modifications. After we finish our morning talking points, take five of my crew and finish stripping the old wallpaper. We’ll demo the rest of the wing tomorrow,” she said and hid a yawn behind her hand.

  “You okay?” Caleb asked.

  She let the early morning sunshine caress her cheeks. “Not sleeping well, but I’ll survive.”

  “Zach’s not being a dick, is he?” he asked.

  Kennedy smiled. Caleb had always been the first to check on her if she took a spill when she was a kid. Heck, he protected most of her friends, too, including Michael’s sister Hannah. And he’d grown up to become a man who protected her country. “No,” she assured him. “He’s being perfectly polite.” And perfectly del
ectable whenever she was alone with him. Which was far too often for her comfort.

  The lodge door creaked open. “Kennedy,” Zach said. “The designer coming today?”

  She snapped her gaze at him. Rays of sun reflected the tips of bronze weaving through his chestnut hair. Her mouth drained of saliva.

  “Yes,” she stammered.

  “The drywall up in the east wing?” he asked.

  Zach’s indigo V-neck shirt hugged his broad shoulders and taut chest muscles. Her heart hitched and she felt instantly hot. “Finishing today,” she said. “The solar panels are ordered and the hot springs demo is complete.”

  “Excellent.” He moved down the stairs, then turned to view the exterior. “It’s going to be ready in time for Michael’s fundraiser in December.”

  Zach’s jeans stretched across his muscular thighs and tight bottom. Dear lord, the man was yummy. Her sleep-deprived brain might be operating on half-octane, but every girl part she possessed was wide-awake. “We’ll paint next week,” she said. “Clear the rotting logs and undergrowth around the springs. Pour the foundation for the new spa.”

  He held himself with an ease that belied his innate ability to command and control. His years at Sweetbriar Springs as the hotel’s assistant manager had given him the tools he’d required to live up to the tough, no-holds barred corporate autocratic methods his father had expected of him. “You want to give the springs a trial run?” he asked after the crew broke away. “Just you, me and a bottle of champagne?”

  Her cheeks flashed hot. Persistence was Zach’s middle name. And all her naughty hormones voted to say yes to his offer. “No thanks,” she said in a detached, businesslike tone. “I’ll check them after we install the new gazebo.”

  “The gazebo’s a nice touch.” He closed the distance between them ever so slightly. “Too bad you’re wasting all that privacy to use it alone.”

  “Privacy is highly underrated.” She drew another figure on the board. “What are you up to today?”

  “Wrapping up a deal in Costa Rica for an all-inclusive resort renovation.” He paused, then drew his cell phone out of his back pocket. After pushing a few buttons, he held up the screen. “Paradise for lovers.”

  She could see the play of muscle in his strong arms. Her pulse fluttered and her skin prickled. “Indeed. Listen, I’ve got the swatches, and the designer you hired is going to Asheville to buy the accessories for the alcoves,” she replied with forced formality. “I’ll check the roof’s stability for the solar installation before she arrives.”

  “Good.” His mouth curved ever so slightly. “You want help picking the final color palette? I’m available tonight.”

  She chewed her lower lip. “You do have excellent taste.” But she doubted he’d try to sway her to choose a blue color palette over a purple one. No. He’d try to sway her to choose a bed in room 105 versus one in room 104. “But so does the designer. Isn’t that why we hired her?”

  “It’s your call.”

  “Thanks,” she said, checking over her notes one more time in a desperate attempt to keep their conversation professional. “Saxton’s delivering the new beds and updated furniture by the end of next week.”

  He gave her a lopsided smile. “I could use a new mattress. Mine’s lumpy. How’s yours?”

  Her belly fluttered as if a thousand starlings had taken flight inside her.

  Lonely. More lonely than you’ll ever know. More lonely now that you’re back.

  “It’s fine,” she said.

  “Are you sure?” he asked, raising his brow and winking.

  The movement, so casual, yet so effective, along with the sultry tone in his voice, rooted Kennedy to the ground. “Positive,” she said, her voice tight and strained.

  “I hear you. At night.” He moved closer. “Your midnight murmurings. Your tossing. Your turning. I hear it all.”

  The cool air heated between them. The lodge and grounds became misty, the sounds of gears and hammers muted. Everything surrounding them faded as if the world no longer existed.

  She stared at the devilishly drop-dead gorgeous man who’d developed into a powerful corporate maverick. This man had mastered his ability to manipulate, control, dominate. He had the charisma and the charm to lure her back into his bed.

  Her fingers tingled and she heard the roar of her heartbeat in her ears. One step. Just one step and she’d be in his arms.

  But she couldn’t allow him to get that close to her again.

  …

  Kennedy’s green eyes glittered and a blush shimmied up her neck and into her cheeks. Her fiery hair danced around the planes of her face.

  “I’m sorry I’m keeping you awake,” she said.

  Zach heard the catch in her voice, the husky sensual tone, the hint of sorrow. Sorrow he’d rather not revisit, although her soft cries during the night had called to him and stirred his compassion. That she could still hide beneath the surface of her tightly guarded emotions frustrated him.

  Sure, he had other women with no strings attached before he had returned to Sweetbriar Springs. It had been so easy to pretend he didn’t want Kennedy when she wasn’t in the picture. For five years, it had been so damned easy to pretend their breakup hadn’t shattered his heart when he was flying to parts unknown and losing himself in the arms of strangers.

  And he’d been a damned fool all along. Those other women had paled in comparison to Kennedy. Whatever had burned between them when they first met still flared. And he’d be damned if he didn’t figure out why she’d rejected him when clearly she still wanted him.

  Zach touched a loose strand of her hair, twirled the copper silk around his finger. “I’m awake. You’re awake. Why not be awake together?” he teased.

  “You need your sleep. If I’m disturbing you, consider earplugs.” She clasped her hands behind her back. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a roof to inspect.”

  She turned on her booted heel and marched to the scaffolding. Banging, sawing, and hammering accompanied every step in Kennedy’s confident stride.

  He’d been close, but Kennedy had a knack for squeezing out of emotionally tight situations. Zach kicked a stone and it sailed onto the front porch, landing next to the hanging swing he’d yet to remove from the rafters.

  A sharp pain pinged inside his temples. He’d stolen his first kiss from Kennedy in that swing. He remembered her taste, the sigh of her pleasure, the warmth of her body responding to his mouth on her lips. The exhilaration and the tenderness, the exquisite stirring of his youthful heart. The growing affection between them.

  Zach pinched the bridge of his nose and pressed the recollection back inside his mind’s vault.

  Kennedy’s assistant walked outside, clipboard in hand, taking the stairs two at a time. “Got another batch of paperwork for you to sign,” Caleb said.

  “Got a pen?”

  “Here.” Caleb passed it to Zach. “Place looks better.”

  He scribbled his name, handed the sheets back. “We keep up this pace, we’ll be finished by December. Open for business by Christmas.”

  Already he and Kennedy had transformed the lodge from dull and listless to glamorous and dynamic. The rusty iron gates had been replaced with glossy black metal. The interior had been stripped of old wallpaper and outdated paint, then primed for the new color palette.

  Zach looked around the compound. Heavy equipment moved dirt, the gears shifting and creaking. Voices called for more wood, more help, more muscle.

  “Have the supplies arrived for the hot springs renovation?” he asked.

  “Due next week,” Caleb said. “You wanna go to the tavern with us tonight? We’re shooting darts, knocking a few beers back.”

  “Can’t. I’m busy.”

  “Maybe next weekend.”

  “Perhaps.” Doubtful. If he had his way, he’d be with Kennedy.

  He gazed at the top of the lodge. The sun rose high in the sky. He could see Kennedy climbing the ledges across the roof. She’d never
been intimidated by heights. Nor had she been frightened of anything but the dark. She was supple and surefooted. Her hard hat hid most of her hair, but a few errant curls whipped her cheeks.

  Something clutched low in his belly, making him want more than a physical reunion. Making him remember days when she’d tease him about his fear. How could he imagine scaling fifteen-story luxury hotels during their construction phase when he had an extreme phobia of heights? She’d coaxed him to the roof time and time again in her determination to help him overcome his anxiety.

  “She walks on that roof like she owns it,” he said.

  Caleb grinned. “Hell, she’s been climbing scaffolding and crawling on roofs ever since she’s been old enough to untie her mama’s apron strings and hitch a ride to the construction sites in her daddy’s truck.”

  “Her father taught her well.”

  “If anyone can get Sweetbriar Springs and the surrounding region in the black again, Kennedy’s the person to make it happen,” Caleb said.

  In the days since he’d arrived at Sweetbriar Springs, shocked to find his ex-fiancée on the site, Zach had grown a grudging respect for Kennedy’s business savvy. That she’d gone on to get an MBA hadn’t surprised him. He’d never had any doubt in her abilities. Now she’d melded her hands-on experience with book smarts.

  A surge of pride flowed through Zach’s veins. “She’s always wanted to build.” Not just houses and lodges and skyscrapers, but dreams. Dreams that had once included Zach. And after the charged moment they’d shared earlier, he doubted her dismissal of their attraction 100 percent.

  Zach clenched his jaw, worked the tension back and forth. He’d returned to Sweetbriar Springs for Michael. The man who’d befriended him in college and brought him home for holidays and summer jobs was like a brother to him. Michael deserved to see this project succeed. But Zach hadn’t counted on working with Kennedy, still wanting her. And knowing she returned his physical feelings only added to his desire. He had to get this damned attraction out of his system once and for all.