Chapter Twenty-Three
Taylor
It’s only been three days since I was honest with Jack about Chandler and though I’m glad I shared this with him, my ex lived up, or should I say down, to my expectations of him as a first-class jerk.
Apparently, he’s been having me watched, already knew about Jack, and threatened to undermine his new nightclub.
I’m due home soon and though I considered leaving early, now that Jack is on Chandler’s radar, returning won’t change anything. It will just give the senator what he wants while hurting someone I care about.
Despite my worry, Jack doesn’t seem concerned.
He’s hired a private investigator to look into Chandler’s dirty dealings, and his lawyers are preparing to take on the senator if there are issues with the permits.
I admire his calm. I, on the other hand, am not sleeping well and it’s been hard to enjoy my time here when, internally, I’m freaking out.
As a means of exerting some kind of authority, I don’t return any of Chandler’s messages, no matter how unsubtle they become.
He’s angry and wants me to promise I’ll be home in time for that festival so he can look the part of the powerful senator with the doting woman on his arm.
I’m in no mood to pacify him. I don’t worry he’ll throw me under the bus because of my so-called involvement with his campaign fraud.
Should he pull that trigger, I’ll pull mine and we’ll both go down.
Not something Senator Chandler Cross wants to happen.
I’m on my own this morning. Jack has a meeting with his partners, so I walk downstairs to the lobby.
I approach the front desk and discover on the daily hotel paper that there is a yoga class on the beach in ten minutes.
It sounds like the perfect antidote to anxiety, so I rush up to my room to change and hurry outside, walking past the restaurant and the sitting area until I finally reach the sand.
I spend the next hour under the Florida sun, breathing deep, inhaling the scents of salt water and coconut sunscreen, stretching, and finding some measure of peace. By the time the class ends, I’m more relaxed than I’ve been in a long time.
I gather my things and slowly walk back to the hotel. I’m just about to open the door when a familiar voice says my name. I stiffen and turn to see my cousin David sitting in a chair in the outdoor dining area to my right.
He gestures for me to join him.
I have no choice since I don’t want to make a scene. I step around his chair and ease myself into the one across from him. “What are you doing here?” I ask, not bothering to say hello or make small talk.
“I’ve been here,” he says, a smarmy smile on his face. “I should thank you for picking such a lovely place to vacation. It’s made my duties of keeping an eye on you much more pleasant.”
How did I not know I was being watched … and by someone I know, no less? I can’t believe this man is related to me. My mother’s sister, my aunt Natalie, is such a good, kind person. Her son? Not so much.
I lean back in my seat, fold my arms across my chest, and wait for him to explain why he’s revealed himself to me now.
“You’ve been a bad girl, Taylor. Chandler isn’t happy you haven’t returned his texts or calls.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Does he expect me to want to have a conversation with him after he threatened Jack’s livelihood?”
David leans forward, arms on the table. “Jack is the problem. The senator doesn’t want to be embarrassed in public by you being seen with another man.”
I scowl at him. “That’s ridiculous. Nobody in Miami knows who I am. It’s just another excuse to try and control me. I’m doing what Chandler needs me to do. The rest of my life is mine to live as I want.”
He lets out a put-upon sigh. “You don’t believe that any more than I do. Listen to me for once. Do as he asks. We all have to bow to the man, so why make your life harder by being difficult?”
I blink and lift my sunglasses, perching them on top of my head. “You said we. We all have to bow to the man. Does he have something on you, too?”
David lowers his voice. “Do you think I enjoy spying on my family?”
“Yes,” I hiss out. “You’re obnoxious and rude, and you have a smile on your face when you needle me about my actions. I had … have no reason to believe you’re being coerced, too.”
“I admit I enjoy the perks of this job. The connections to important people, the way I’m treated for being the senator’s right-hand man. And maybe sometimes I forget I’m being forced to do certain things in return for him keeping my secrets.”
I am floored by the revelation. “You’re damn good at your job,” I mutter.
But I’m still furious with him. Still hate him for being Chandler’s snoop and reporting my actions back to the man.
“And you do like it way too much.” Which, in my opinion, doesn’t make him a good man forced into a bad situation.
He lifts his glass and takes a sip of water. “If this is the life I’m forced to live, you can bet I’m going to make the most of it.”
“Selfish.” I shake my head in disbelief.
He shrugs. “Call it what you want. Now, can I assure the senator you’ll be back in time for the festival? No excuses, no games?”
Five more days.
I nod, because I’m boxed in and have no choice. “Yes,” I say through clenched teeth. “Can I be assured he’ll leave me alone until then?”
“I’m sorry. I can’t speak for him when it comes to you. He does as he pleases.”
I clench my hands in frustration. “I need to go.” Before I get sick. I haven’t had a true bout of nausea since the yacht, and I don’t want to tempt fate by sitting with someone I despise with my stomach churning. I rise to my feet.
David does the same. “Think about what I said. Accept your fate and things will go so much easier for you … and the people you love.”
I walk away from the table and yank open the door to the hotel.
The cool air conditioning feels good on my skin, but I’m still burning with anger and frustration.
I pass through the darkened area with a seating area on my right and turn the corner toward the front lobby, walking right into a broad chest.
“Oh! I’m sorry—”
“Taylor.” Jack’s hands grip my forearms and steady me.
“Jack! I wasn’t paying attention. Sorry.”
“It’s fine. You look upset. What’s wrong?”
I shake my head, not wanting him to know David is here. I dread any confrontation between the men. Then again, I don’t want to lie to him either. It doesn’t take me long to weigh my options and make a decision.
“Let’s go upstairs and talk?”
Once we’re in my hotel room, I explain my run-in with David and how he’s the one that’s been watching me in Miami. “I need to be back in time for the Performing Arts Festival where I’m supposed to be by Chandler’s side during his speech.”
“Yeah, that’s not going to happen,” he mutters.
But I don’t know what’s going to happen before then that will change things for me.
“So, I’m supposed to go to the Bahamas on Rainey’s family trip this weekend. Actually, in two days, and since you’re still here … come with us?”
I immediately shake my head. “It’s a family trip.”
He places his hand over my stomach, then meets my gaze. “You’re family, Taylor.”
A lump rises in my throat because he really means that. “But—”
“No buts. You’re here for another five days, so we can go. If that means your cousin David finds a way to follow us, so be it. But we’re taking my father’s private jet, so I don’t think we have anything to worry about.” He winks at me and a shiver races down my spine. He’s sexy and convincing.
I bite down on my lower lip as I give it thought. And the truth is, he’s right. There’s nothing stopping me from joining him for the weekend.
“Okay. I’ll come.”
He leans in and brushes his lips over mine for a kiss that’s full of heat and longing. Lifting his head, he says, “I’m glad you’re joining me on vacation. Rainey really forced the issue, and I was going to be the odd man out. The only one without a partner.”
I laugh. “We wouldn’t want that.”
“Nope. But the truth is, I want to spend more time with you before you have to go back to Charleston.” He takes my hand in his and rubs his thumb back and forth over my sensitized skin. “I have a proposition.”
“What’s that?” I ask. Taking in his features, I can’t help but wonder who our baby will resemble more. Him? Me? Or a mix of us both.
“I say we don’t discuss the senator unless we have to. We’re going to find a way out of your situation, so let’s just enjoy our time together instead?”
I nod, only too happy to agree. “I’d give anything to stop dwelling on the man.”
“I know just how to help you do that.” Threading his hand through the back of my hair, he cups my head and pulls me in for a kiss.
I wrap my arms around his neck and our tongues tangle.
He tastes familiar and sexy and I end up sitting on his lap facing him, resting on my knees on the mattress.
His erection is solid beneath my sex and desire washes over me.
The kiss turns hotter, harder, and we tumble backward on the bed, forcing me to shift and twist to get more comfortable.
“Oh my God,” I laugh at the position I almost ended up in.
He grins. “I like to see you happy.” His lips cover mine once more and Jack does as he promised.
He takes my mind off anything but him.