An Innocent In Paradise

Alleria. They’d needed to have their boat overhauled and intended to stay a week while the work was done. It had never crossed their minds to buy land here, least of all the entire island.

But when the week was over and their sailboat was ready, they decided to stay another week, slowly falling in love with the sleepy harbor town, its charming residents, miles of white-sand beaches and an amazing rain forest.

They learned during that visit that one of the smaller cruise lines featuring sailing yachts had recently negotiated to add Tierra to its itinerary. The brothers recognized that the island was on its way to becoming a key Caribbean destination within a few years. They made an appointment with the major landowner on the island about buying property and that’s when they found out that the island itself was up for sale.

The brothers had survived on their gut instincts long enough to have a sixth sense for knowing when something sounded right. They spoke to their fledgling investor group and within two months they were the proud owners of their very own Caribbean island. Once the ink on the contracts was dry, the first order of business had been the design and construction of a luxury resort that would truly establish Alleria as a premier destination for the most discerning travelers in the world.

Now, seven years later, that goal had been met, and the hotel also served as the corporate headquarters for all the Sutherland enterprises. They had offices in New York and San Francisco, as well; but Alleria was the home as well as the heart of their operations.

Logan smeared a fresh tortilla with a hearty spoonful of refried beans and a healthy dab of hot sauce, then wrapped it up and bit into a little taste of heaven.

Aidan sat back in his chair, patting his stomach. “That’s it for me.”

“I’ll be done after this last bite,” Logan admitted.

“Good,” Aidan said. “Then we can talk.”

“We’ve been talking all night,” Logan said, gazing at his brother with suspicion as he took a sip of his drink.

“Yeah, but, funny thing, this subject never came up,” Aidan said, stretching his legs out to the side of the table. “You see, Ellie was talking to Serena day before yesterday and she mentioned a certain new cocktail waitress you’ve been spending time with.”

It was a good thing Logan had swallowed his margarita or he would’ve spewed it all over the table. And that would’ve been a waste of good alcohol. His eyes narrowed on his brother. “So now you’re listening to employee gossip?”

Aidan shrugged. “When the source of the gossip comes from the management level, I’m willing to pay attention.”

Just his luck, Logan thought. Serena was manager of catering which included the cocktail lounge and the various restaurants throughout the hotel. And Ellie was one of her best friends. “So what’s the problem?”

“Dude, you’re dating an employee?” Aidan said. “Are you out of your mind?”

“She’s not really an employee.”

Aidan snorted. “Interesting that you’d say that since she’s on the payroll. And, according to Serena, she actually does work in the cocktail lounge. Sounds like an employee to me.”

“Temporary employee,” Logan said.

One wary eyebrow shot up. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Logan pushed his plate away and sat back in his chair. It had only been a matter of time before the subject of Grace came up, so he figured he’d better deal with it here and now and put a stop to the gossip.

He explained to Aidan how the new cocktail waitress had come to the island under false pretenses and how he’d fired her, then spelled out the circumstances under which he’d allowed her to stay on.

“Okay.” Aidan nodded agreeably. “I get how she arrived and I’m willing to go along with her staying, if you think it’s justified.”

“It is.”

“But I haven’t heard how all that turned into you dating her.”

“Because she’s…”

Aidan leaned forward. “Sorry? I didn’t catch that. What’d you say?”

Logan scowled. “None of your damn business.”

“Ah.” Aidan nodded, his mouth twisting in a grin. “So she’s hot.”

“Shut up.”

Aidan chuckled. “I’ll take that as a yes.” His smile faded and he said, “Look, when we talked the other day, I heard something in your voice I don’t remember hearing before. So sue me for being concerned.”

“Nothing to be concerned about.”

Aidan studied him for another long moment. “I’m not convinced.”

“Tough. It doesn’t matter anyway. Grace doesn’t expect anything from me but great sex. Besides, she’ll only be here for another few weeks and then she’s leaving.”

“You sure she’s leaving?”

“Yeah. She’s leaving.” Saying the words aloud brought a frown to Logan’s face. Strange, but he didn’t want her to leave just yet. He was still having a good time with her. Why break it off when they were having a good time?

Okay, yeah, Grace was unlike any woman he’d ever known; so, yeah, he could admit he was, well, sort of captivated by her. Who wouldn’t be? She was a beautiful woman with an amazing brain and an even more incredible heart. He liked her.

But that’s all this was. It wasn’t like he cared for her. He didn’t care for any woman. It was just that she was…unique. Funny. Smart. And sexy as hell. They’d been having fun together and that would continue for as long as it lasted. Then she’d go home. Things would be over between them and that would be the end of it. No harm, no foul.

But Aidan had been watching him carefully and now he shook his head in disgust. “Crap, man. You’re falling for her.”

“What?” Shocked at the idea, Logan snorted a laugh. “That’s a load of bull. I’m not falling for her.”

“Yeah, you are.”

Irritated by his brother’s scrutiny, Logan grabbed his margarita and chugged it down. “How stupid do you think I am? I haven’t forgotten that she lied and manipulated her way onto the island, so why on earth would I ever trust her, let alone fall for her? So let it go.”

“You’re sleeping with her.”

“So what?”

“You of all people should know how women are.” Aidan sat forward with his elbows resting on his knees and shook his head. “Once you’re sleeping with them, they think they’ve got you by the balls. And, damn it, what do you really know about this woman? She comes here under false pretenses with this bizarre story about spores, which is damn strange to begin with, by the way. I mean, really. Spores? Is she into biological warfare or something?”

“They’re good spores,” Logan muttered.

“Oh, I feel so much better, thanks.” Aidan shook his head. “So, anyway, once this woman gets here, she latches onto you faster than a tic on a hound dog and now you’re falling for her. How did that happen?”

“I’m not falling for her,” Logan repeated through gritted teeth. “It’s nothing like that. And seriously? Tic on a hound dog?”

“I just spent two days on the phone with Tex,” Aidan said with a shrug. “I’ve gone country.”

“Good to know.”

“Okay, now look,” Aidan said slowly. “I understand if you have feelings for this girl.”

“You don’t understand squat.”

“No really, there’s nothing wrong with that.”

“You’re completely off base,” Logan said. “Just drop it.”

But Aidan was on a roll. “I’ll drop it as soon as you hear me out. Has it occurred to you that she’s after your money?”

Logan barked out a laugh, then laughed harder at the very idea. Grace? A gold digger? Come on. “You’re so wrong it’s not funny.” He relaxed in his chair. “Look, you don’t know her, so I’ll give you a pass on that. But trust me, it’s impossible. She’s not like that. Her whole world is wrapped up in her research. You should see her room.