Page 5 of Give In

I press my fingers briefly to my eyes and take a breath.

Behind me, Heath clears his throat.

chapter

two

Heath

I’m on the other side of exhaustion.

Technically, I don’t have to wait in line, since I do actually own this resort. But there didn’t seem to be any reason for me to throw my weight around in the middle of the night, especially behind the harried-looking woman in front of me.

When it becomes clear that something is wrong with Clover’s room, I step forward to intercede. The woman behind the desk recognizes me, but I put my hand up to ward off her attention.

“What is the problem?” I ask

Clover turns to me, her big brown eyes watery. Ah, hell. I don’t do well with crying women.

“My room… my room’s not ready. It’s not going to be ready until tomorrow, even though technically it is tomorrow, but they’re not going to have it until tomorrow afternoon. Isn’t that funny? I’m going to have to sleep here in the lobby, so that’s cool.”

“I don’t think that will be necessary,” I say. I glance at the woman at the front desk. “Candy, is it?” I ask.

She smiles broadly. “Yes, Mr.—”

“I’ll just take her to my suite,” I say quickly to interrupt her. I glance at Clover. “I have an extra room, so you’ll have your own space and privacy. If that’s alright with you?”

She nods.

“Excellent. Now, Candy, if you can just get the keys.”

“Of course,” Candy says.

“Perhaps to make up for her troubles, you can ensure she has an upgraded room tomorrow,” I suggest.

“Oh, that’s not necessary,” Clover says.

“It would be my pleasure,” Candy says. She slides the room keys across the countertop.

I swipe them, then pick up Clover’s bag and head towards the elevator. “Come on, baby girl, let’s get you to bed. I’m sure you’re as tired as I am.”

“You didn’t have to do that. But I’m very appreciative,” she says. “Truly.”

Her eyes aren’t just brown, I realize as I look down into her pretty face. They’re shot through with amber like when a shaft of light hits a glass of bourbon just right.

Everything about this woman screams red flags. She’s looking for someone to take care of her and can’t even hold down a job. But as much as I should probably run, I find I don’t want to. Not only is she gorgeous with her full-figured curves, but I’ve always been a sucker for a redhead. There’s an earnestness about her that pulls at me. Drawing me to her like the proverbial moth to her flame.

She’s also the most interesting person I’ve met in a very long time. Spending a little more time with her might distract me from thinking about the fact that I’m going to see my ex-wife in less than twenty-four hours. An experience I’m not looking forward to.

I lead us to my suite that I keep on the top floor of the resort. As much as I might prefer to be able to just walk out onto the sand, generally speaking, when I’m here, I’m working. Checking in on things, as it were.

“The view is spectacular during the day,” I tell Clover as I set our bags down in the open expanse between the two bedrooms. There’s a kitchenette and a couple of bathrooms as well as a sitting area with a giant flat screen that lowers down from the ceiling.

I pick up the phone in the kitchen and place a quick order for some food.

Her body is aimed at the wall of windows overlooking the dark night. “This is beautiful,” she says with a hitch in her voice.

I step behind her, not touching her, but the urge to pull her to me and offer comfort is strong. “You okay, baby girl?”