Chapter 61
The following morning, Erin was on her customary walk through the resort gardens but today was different. It was her first free day since she’d started at The Palms and, as she stood under the cloudless blue sky watching the waves roll onto the beach, she felt … peaceful.
There was no longer any urgency to ensure that everything was perfect. No frantic calls to deal with, or urgent guest matters to troubleshoot.
The party was over. In more ways than one.
The cool ocean breeze caressed her bare shoulders as her palm-print sarong flapped gently against her legs. The two-piece she wore was a fluorescent-pink halterneck she’d picked up weeks ago, and this was its very first wear.
Erin closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, before casting off the sarong and securing it under her flip-flops. Then she raced into the surf and gave a little scream as the cooler water temperature welcomed her. She hadn’t expected that.
‘It’s so … cold …’ she exclaimed in exhilaration, though the nippiness began to wear off as her body adjusted and she submerged herself entirely to speed up the process.
Popping back up from beneath the gentle waves, Erin waded further away from the shore, keeping a close eye on the hotel buildings so she wouldn’t lose her bearings.
Over and over she dived down and resurfaced as the sun rose beyond the palm trees and the earlier chill was completely obliterated by a now-seducing warmth.
Mack had been right, this was the best time to enjoy the Caribbean sea.
The thought of him brought Erin instantly back to reality like a slap to the face, jerking her back out of the soothing calm she’d been enjoying among the waves. She cringed afresh at the memory of last night, and the baseless accusations she’d made.
Suddenly, she no longer felt like swimming anymore and she waded back towards the shore, the water tugging her back as it tried to keep her in its arms, but there was no winning her over.
She strode onto the sand, taking a sharp course to the left to retrieve her belongings, the surprisingly strong current having swept her away from where she’d started.
Sighing, she picked up her sarong and shook it off, sending a flurry of sand into the air.
‘Hey, watch it!’ The voice came out of nowhere.
Turning in surprise, she realised that she’d dusted someone else on the beach entirely with sand. He sputtered, trying to remove the grains from his mouth while Erin’s heart sped up automatically upon realising who it was.
‘You seem to sneak up on me a lot,’ she intoned, unable to meet Mack’s gaze as he came closer, brushing his hands against his white T-shirt as he attempted to dust himself down, the smooth plains of his chest firm beneath the cotton.
She was going to have to bid farewell to that and that face that made her light up whenever she saw it. Forget the smile and the scent of his cologne, which had all too quickly become a favourite.
She sucked in a deep breath to subdue the sudden emotion that threatened to overwhelm her. This was insane. How did he affect her like this? Did he have some mysterious power over her? And worse, why did she have to mess it all up by accusing him of wanting to take down The Palms?
When in reality he’d saved it.
Erin cringed afresh, figuring exactly why he’d sought her out and what he was going to say.
Surely he was here to fire her, deliver the news in person instead of Grant, who Erin imagined would also soon be surplus to requirements at The Palms, given his admission to them both about his central role in the hotel’s anticipated demise.
Erin still wasn’t sure whether to be angry at Grant or feel sorry for him that the guy had so little faith in the resort, or indeed his own talent.
This job is my life …
Well, both she and Grant were going to have to figure out a new direction for themselves now. And in her case, perhaps one that didn’t dominate every aspect of her existence.
Which was almost the only good thing about of all of this, she thought, gulping afresh at the sight of Mack’s athletic form.
Get a hold of yourself, for crying out loud. At least you didn’t do something really stupid like fall in love with him …
The word pierced her. Love. When was the last time she’d allowed herself to even entertain such an emotion?
When was the last time she even wanted to?
Up to now, work had been more than enough for her, and the very concept of love had eluded Erin for pretty much her entire life since her mother left.
Much like her dad, she’d built a wall to protect herself, terrified to risk the pain of someone she cared about abandoning her again, but her brief time here had changed that. He had changed that.
The reality was startling, but nonetheless true. Erin wanted – needed – companionship, a partner in crime, and yes … love too.
‘Where are you?’ Mack asked her then.
Erin didn’t want to look at him, certain the emotions she was feeling would be painted clearly for him to see, but yet she couldn’t look away. The liquid pools of his eyes took hold of her and once again she was powerless.
‘I’m here, of course,’ she replied airily.
‘Are you, though? Seems to me like your mind is elsewhere.’
‘I suppose I’m thinking about how sorry I am for what happened at the party, for accusing you like I did. It was … unforgivable, considering …’
‘Luckily for you, I’m a very forgiving guy. And it’s not a problem. Shows how much you care about this place.’
Mack stepped closer. He raised a hand to her chin and exhaled deeply, washing her in the minty scent of his breath, while Erin looked up at him, trying her utmost to get a read on him.
And try to keep her cool. ‘But I don’t think you’re being quite truthful.
Do you want to know where I think you are? ’
‘No, but I’m sure you’re going to tell me.’
‘You think you blew it, so you’re already hours away from now on a plane to somewhere else, and there’s nothing ahead for you but work – again,’ he stated, his accuracy almost frightening, but Erin refused to acknowledge it.
Yes, she had already checked out a couple of job opportunities online and was grateful at least that her time in St Lucia had been so brief that she hadn’t even found a place to stay on the island yet. So yes, she could easily make the necessary quick escape and start over.
‘Do you know where I am?’ he continued. ‘I am on the most amazing Caribbean island, standing on a spectacular beach, looking out over clear-blue water, with the most amazing woman. I’m feeling the sun on my skin, knowing that my assistant isn’t too pleased about my extending my stay here, since it leaves her alone and fielding my calls for an unspecified period. ’
Then slowly and deliberately, so as not to startle her, and much to Erin’s surprise, Mack wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. She wanted to resist, the synapses in her mind automatically telling her she should, but everything in her heart was telling her to let it happen.
‘What do you mean?’ Her voice came out an octave higher than she’d intended.
He looked down at her and grinned. ‘I’m not quite done with St Lucia yet. You were right, this place is full of surprises. There’s a last-minute snag I need to attend to, a potentially urgent … staffing issue.’
‘Is that so?’ Erin responded coyly, as a swell of relief mixed with hope rose in her chest. Maybe she wasn’t going to be fired after all? Maybe this place had one last surprise in store for them both.
‘Yes, that’s so.’ Mack pulled her closer. ‘You see, along with a lot of other great stuff, The Palms has something truly unique,’ he murmured, as he lifted her chin with his finger and she trembled in his arms as he raised her face upwards. ‘Something you won’t find anywhere else.’
‘What’s that?’ she breathed, her heart skipping a little.
‘You, of course,’ he whispered, any distance or turmoil between them soon becoming a faint memory, as she gave in and let her heartbeat fall back into rhythm. ‘But you already knew that.’
As they lost themselves in the kiss, Erin’s mind had but one thought.
I could get used to this …