Page 4 of An Unexpected Love

Jill nodded. She’d ventured far enough onto the beach to actually see him now. Her heart sank—no wonder he’d seemed familiar. No wonder he was insulting. For the second time in a twenty-four-hour period she’d happened upon the grouch.

“I don’t suppose you took time to eat dinner, either.”

“I…had something earlier. On the plane.” That had been one of the benefits of her unexpected move to first class.

“I was there, remember?” He snickered softly. “Plastic food.”

Jill didn’t agree—she’d enjoyed it—but she wasn’t going to argue. “I don’t know what concern it is of yours,” she said.

“None,” he admitted, shrugging.

“Then my going without dinner shouldn’t bother you.” She bristled again at the intense way he was studying her. His mouth had twisted into a faint smile, and he seemed amused by her.

“Thank you for your advice,” she said stiffly, turning away from him and heading back toward the water.

“You’re not wearing your lei.”

Jill’s fingers automatically went to her neck as she stopped. She’d left it in her room when she changed clothes.

“Allow me.” He stepped forward, removed the one from his own neck and draped it around hers. Since this was her first visit to the islands, Jill didn’t know if giving someone a lei had any symbolism attached to it. She didn’t really want that kind of connection with him. Just in case.

“Thank you.” She hoped she sounded adequately grateful.

“I might have saved your life, you know.”

That was a ridiculous comment. “How?”

“You could’ve drowned.”

Jill couldn’t help it. She laughed. “Not very likely. I had no intention of swimming.”

“You can’t trust the tides here. Even this close to shore, the waves are capable of jerking your feet right out from under you. You might easily have been swept out to sea.”

“That’s absurd.”

“Perhaps,” he agreed, amicably enough. “But I was hoping you’d realize you’re in my debt.”

Ah, now they were getting somewhere. This man wasn’t given to generosity. She’d bet a month’s wages that he’d initiated the conversation for his own purposes.He’d had plenty of time on their flight from Seattle to advise her about swimming.

No, he was after something.

“What is it you want?” she asked bluntly.

He grinned that cocky, unused smile of his and nodded. Apparently this was high praise of her finely honed intuitive skills.

“Nothing much. I was hoping you’d attend a small business dinner with me.”

“Tonight?”

He nodded again. “You did mention you hadn’t eaten.”

“Yes, but…”

“It’ll only take an hour or so of your time.” He sounded impatient, as if he’d expected her to agree to his scheme without question.

“I don’t even know who you are. Why would I want to attend a dinner party with you? I’m Jill Morrison, by the way.”

“Jordan Wilcox,” he said abruptly. “All right, if you must know, I need a woman to come with me so I won’t be forced to offend someone I can’t afford to alienate.”

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