Page 4 of Tropical Inferno

Hawk watched her go before picking up his phone, glad he had a full battery again. He called Jim and explained the situation.

“You’re a lucky man,” Jim said. “We’re sold out except for one of the private guest houses… the Mermaid. The people staying there had to leave early this morning due to a death in the family. It’s available for five days. You want it?”

“Do you have anything for my friend?”

Jim paused. “I’m sorry—we’re completely sold out. This wouldn’t even be open if they hadn’t left unexpectedly.”

“Yeah, okay, no problem.”

“Listen…we can check you in under your other ID but the story about your suspension is all over the sports channels. I can’t guarantee you won’t be recognized.”

Hawk mentally gritted his teeth. “Don’t worry about that, I’m lying low. Anyway, I appreciate this. I’ll be there in a few hours. Have to help her take care of the rental car and all that.”

“Who is she?” Jim asked casually.

Hawk chuckled. “Honestly? I don’t have a clue but I think I’m going to try to figure it out.”

Jim laughed. “Good luck with that!”

2

The ordeal at the car rental agency wasn’t as bad as either of them had been expecting, and they were both grateful she’d bought the extra insurance. It only took about an hour to handle the paperwork and pay her bill. She was drained by the time they walked outside, though; it didn’t seem fair for so many things to go wrong on one vacation. She still hadn’t located her suitcase either.

“Look, if you want to leave, I’ll take you to the airport right now,” Garrett told her as they walked into the blazing sun. “If you’d like to salvage what you can of your time here, I have a proposition for you.”

She frowned, startled out of her thoughts. “Like what?”

“I have friends over at the Blue Dolphin—I just booked one of their guest houses. You’re welcome to share it with me—not a bed or a bedroom!” he added quickly as she immediately began to protest. “Your own bedroom, all the privacy you need. I plan to relax, get some sun and think about what I’m going to do next at work.”

“You work?” She arched a brow at him and he scowled.

“Well, yeah. Guys with mohawks and tattoos can have jobs.” He wasn’t sure why he was so affronted; he’d probably think a guy like him was a loser too.

“Sorry.” She bit her lip. “I didn’t mean to offend you…you just seem so…”

“Non-corporate?” He cocked his head. “And no, I’m not an accountant or a doctor.”

“Lawyer?” she teased, grinning engagingly.

He grinned back, shaking his head. “No. Family business. That’s why I need to make some decisions. Anyway, I’ve got the place for the next five days. It’s huge, with every amenity, and I really don’t plan to do much but soak up the sun. You can use it like a hotel, come and go as you please, enjoy the water, the spa, whatever you want. I don’t want anything in return—I’m just trying to buy myself some good karma.”

She eyed him, trying to see past his incredibly sexy gray eyes, the strong chin and that perfectly sculpted ass. He had an athlete’s body, now that she looked at him carefully, and it was truly beautiful to behold. He’d also been so kind to her, it was hard to imagine him as some kind of killer or rapist. She couldn’t stay with him, though. She didn’t even know him. That had naïve written all over it, and she’d already shown enough stupidity just by coming here. Except she was already here and it was going to cost her even more money to change her flight. He was offering her a lifeline, a way to salvage the vacation she’d been saving for—for nearly a year—and it was at the resort she’d been thinking about for months. How could she say no?

* * *

An hour and a half later she followed him into the Blue Dolphin Resort with a much lighter step than she’d had since leaving Toronto. This was the vacation she was supposed to have, and if fate was determined to intervene so she could have it, who was she to say no? It wasn’t supposed to be with a sexy stranger who made her feel both safe and terrified at the same time, but it was too late to turn back now.

“Hi,” Garrett said to the woman behind the desk. He handed her his ID.

“Welcome back, Mr. Raven.”

“Thank you.” He took the keys from her and nodded. “The airline should be delivering my companion’s suitcase at some point.”

“Your name?” the woman asked Madison.

“Madison. Teller.” She handed the smiling woman her passport. “They said my suitcase would be here by eight.”

“Perfect. We’ll have it delivered. Do you want to leave a credit card on file for—”

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