wide blue eyes staring at him as he backed off, was etched in his memory. He feared it could make its way to his heart, if he wasn’t careful.
But when it came to women Jack was always careful, and Mallory was no exception. He couldn’t allow her to become more to him than a private fling. A memory he could cherish and hold on to, but one he could never reveal-not to anyone back home and not even to himself.
He picked up his pace. Was it his imagination or could he feel her burning stare sear into his back as he retreated to the hotel? He shook his head and let himself in through the back door of the restaurant-the fastest way off the beach and out of her line of vision. Away from his own fanciful musings.
Jack passed through the dining area and then the front desk. He rounded the corner to the elevators, pausing by the gym on his way.
He’d been impressed with the facilities when Lederman had taken him on a hotel tour before their sauna. The spa sported a full-service gym with instructors available for a wide range of requests, including a new full cardiovascular workout-under a doctor’s supervision.
Jack peered through the glass window to the nearly empty gym. There was no better way to alleviate stress and strain than to work up a good sweat, and no better means of obtaining information than to make conversation with hotel employees. Both would hopefully take his thoughts and desires off Mallory and center them on work where they belonged.
He signed in and grabbed a white towel from the stack behind the registration desk.
“Can I help you?” A dark-haired woman with muscles he’d be proud to possess walked over.
He hung the towel around his neck. “I just thought I’d give the treadmill a run.”
She nodded. “No problem. Let me familiarize you with the equipment and you can get started. I’m Eva.” She extended her hand. “I’m the manager.”
He shook her iron grip. “Jack Latham.”
Her eyes widened with recognition. “Nice to meet you. Paul…I mean, Mr. Lederman mentioned you were one of his special guests.”
Jack didn’t miss the familiarity in her tone when she spoke of Paul Lederman, but he let it slide. He laughed and brushed off her words with a sweep of his hand. “That’s Paul for you. But I’m not looking for any special treatment.”
She shook her head and her ponytail swished against one shoulder. “Are you trying to cost me my job?” she asked, laughter in her eyes.
“I can’t imagine Paul firing you.”
“Me neither.” She met his gaze with what he could only call a certain yet knowing stare. She was an attractive young woman with curves in all the right places and by her posture and confidence, she obviously knew it.
Silence stretched for a moment in which Jack questioned her relationship with his potential client, then reprimanded himself for looking for fires where there were none. “You always do what the boss says?” he asked.
She glanced away without meeting his gaze. “He pays the bills.”
And Jack wondered if he’d hit paydirt. “I’ll bet he wishes all his employees were as loyal as you.”
“He’s a man that inspires loyalty, but being that special guest of his I’m sure you know that. Now let’s get you started on that workout.” She gestured toward the treadmill.
Jack doubted Paul would have an affair with a woman who worked in the same place his wife lived. Lederman was arrogant to the extreme but he wasn’t careless. Not where his empire was at stake. His disappearances were more telling than a young girl’s infatuation and if there was a mistress to be found, she wasn’t on the premises.
But Jack had a hunch Paul had done nothing to discourage this employee’s interest. Her husband’s flirting, if that was what had happened, couldn’t please Mrs. Lederman. And careless trifling with female employees could be evidence of the man’s willingness to take greater risks.
Jack smiled at the pretty manager. “This is one impressive setup you’ve got here.”
“It certainly is. I’m lucky to work in a place like this, but as you probably know there’s a story behind it.”
Jack didn’t know but he sure as hell wanted to find out. “You can say that again. But I didn’t realize Paul had begun working out.”
Eva nodded. “He starts on the treadmill, too.”
“I bet I could benefit from his routine.”
She looked him over approvingly. “Oh, it looks like you do just fine on your own.”
He hung his towel over a chair and climbed onto the exercise machine. He pressed in the buttons on the computerized equipment and started an easy run.
She watched him, hands on her hips. “Seems like you know your way around these machines. Unlike Paul. You should hear about the first session I ever gave him.”
Jack laughed. He’d be more than happy to hear about any session between his potential client and this obviously sensual woman. “I’m not going anywhere so go right ahead.”
MALLORY MADE her way from the beach. Sand clung to the soles of her feet and she rinsed them off beneath a minishower before slipping back into her sensible shoes and lifting her sensible jacket off the railing. She sighed, wondering when the trappings of conventionality had become so obvious and constraining.
It was this trip, she thought, feeling every bit of remaining grit rubbing against her feet as she walked. And it was Jack. Around Jack she wanted to be a sexy, desirable woman so she could watch arousal flare in his dark eyes and know the heat was meant for her alone.
Instead she found herself dressed in garments that were supposed to make her feel an equal in the business world and she’d never felt less womanly or desirable in her life. In fact she felt trapped between the two Mallorys and like Jack, she didn’t know which one was real and which one was the impostor.
She slung her suit jacket over one arm but thanks to the salty air and the growing heat, the material stuck uncomfortably to her skin. She took two steps and decided she couldn’t take the stabbing pain any longer. Giving up, she pulled off her shoes, hoping she could make it through the lobby and into the elevators unnoticed.
She never made it past the front desk.
“Good morning, Ms. Sinclair.”
Startled, Mallory turned to find Mrs. Lederman walking toward her. “I see you’ve found the beach already this fine day.”
Mallory slid a self-conscious hand to her hair. “Is it the wind-blown mess or the scent of the ocean that gave me away?”
The other woman laughed. “Actually it’s the trail of sand.”
Mallory glanced down to see the traces of sand she’d left behind with each step she’d taken. She sighed, feeling the heat of a flush rise to her cheeks. “I guess you could say I wasn’t dressed for a stroll on the beach.”
“Not a problem. We’ve got kids running through here barefoot all day. This is a resort not a palace. I hope you’re finding it to your liking?” The older woman’s gaze never left Mallory’s face, making her feel as if she were truly interested in her comfort and happiness.
Despite the woman’s elegant appearance, she possessed a distinct charm along with motherly instincts Mallory couldn’t help but admire. Her own mother had never been as kind or caring. When Mallory had tracked dirt into the house as a child, she’d found herself with a broom in her hand and facing a disgruntled look on her mother’s face. And when she’d annoyed her mother, her father’s displeasure was sure to follow.
She glanced at Mrs. Lederman. This woman had every reason to dislike her and treat her with callous disdain, yet not a cruel word or gesture had escaped her perfectly lined and coated lips. Mallory didn’t appreciate the painful memories of her childhood this woman evoked, nor did she enjoy the resurgence of longing in her heart. A yearning for acceptance she’d thought she’d banished long ago.
But how could she banish the desire to be loved and accepted when every move in her life had been calculated to gain her parents’ respect and admiration, she thought to herself. Their love was a moot point. They reserved that emotion for each other alone.
“Is everything all right?” Mrs. Lederman asked.
Mallory forced a smile as she met the other woman’s compassionate gaze. “As a matter of fact, everything’s
