“No problem.” He turns and walks down the hall with me.
“Please apologize to Melinda. I’m sure she’s not very happy that he dragged you out of bed.”
“I’m still working. The invisible fence went off again.”
“Why do you think that keeps happening?”
“We’re remaining vigilant, but we think it’s a critter.”
I nod. When we reach the library, I pull the phone out of the drawer I stuffed it in. Twelve missed calls. I look at the text messages.
Jackson: Just kidding. You can check up on me all you want.
Jackson: I’m at the Marriott in Blue Ash, Ohio. Call the switchboard or information. I’m in my room.
Jackson: I keep trying you. I’m sorry. I was only teasing.
Jackson: I flew with Mason Sullivan on his jet. Please talk to me.
Jackson: I’m sending Brian to you if you don’t respond.
I take a deep breath and dial his number. I’m ready to get yelled at for not responding to him.
“I’m sorry,” he says in greeting.
“I left the phone in the library and went to bed. You didn’t have to get Brian up to come to check on me.”
“Well, I was only teasing, and then it occurred to me that you’d talked to the flight crew and couldn’t figure out how I got to Ohio.”
“I’m sorry you couldn’t reach me. I just figured you were unhappy I was asking.”
“I wasn’t unhappy; I just wasn’t funny.”
“Usually you’re funny.”
“I do try, but I missed the mark.”
“Why did you go to Ohio?”
He spends the next half hour telling me about a manufacturing problem. “Your stock options may dip in value.”
“I don’t care about that. You can have your fifteen percent back, and I’m fine with my five percent.”
I hear him take a deep breath. “I want you to have everything of mine.”
“I know you think you do, but in six months or even a year, you’ll change your mind.”
He doesn’t respond.
“Thanks for bringing Gabby and Damien out,” I say after a moment. “We really had a great time together.”
“What did they think of the Big Island suite?”
“They liked it.”
“Jim just pulled up in a car with Mason. Can I call you later?”
“I’m here at your disposal.”
“Miss you, I can’t wait—” And the line goes dead.
It’s six o’clock in the morning in Ohio, and his workday is just starting. I’m determined to get some sleep before I check in with this week’s temp.
Chapter 35
Jackson
We’re in the home stretch. Corrine has worked the last month and a half from Maui, and I’m ready to see her every day—not just every other weekend. I’m not leaving Hawaii without her. She’s done a fantastic job organizing the poker tournament, and I know it will be crazy for her while everyone is here, so I’ve flown in with San Francisco sourdough bread, her favorite chocolates, and a dozen roses. I’d give her more jewelry if I didn’t think it would send her packing.
Right now, she’s meeting with an event person to bring in hula dancers for the luau we’re planning for the first night, so Brian picked me up on his own. I watch the scenery as he drives me away from the airport, and I’m surprised by what I see. Usually Corrine has my attention, and I’m not watching the landscape.
I’ve made dinner reservations in town at a quiet restaurant Leilani recommended, and I’m more than ready to enjoy some time with Corrine. I’m tired of not being in the same city and not happy we still don’t have answers about who’s been harassing her.
When we arrive at the house, I see her outside with a man I don’t recognize and one of the groundskeepers.
“Hello!” I call as I walk over.
“Hey, look who’s here,” Corrine says with a big grin.
I put my arm around her, pull her in close, and kiss her temple.
“We were worried we’d need a tent for the luau, but we may not. Either way we’ll watch the weather, and if we do, it’ll go here.” She motions to where we’re standing. “And behind us is where they’ll dance. The hope is to get most of the guests up and doing the hula.”
I chuckle. “That may take a few mai tais.”
“I’ve got you covered,” Corrine says with a wink and a smile.
I’m introduced to Marty, the man standing with them, who’s the dance company salesperson. We talk for a few more minutes, but once he heads out and the groundskeeper goes back to his job, I finally have Corrine to myself—and in person. “You look absolutely stunning this evening.”
She kisses me, and my cock is alert. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’m going to show you how much I missed you later tonight, but Leilani made some dinner reservations for us.”
“I’m ready to go whenever you are.” Corrine curtsies, and it only makes me want to take her up to our room and have my way with her. I can’t believe I’m this way around her. I’ve never wanted or needed someone like I do her.
“Let me drop my bag and change into a Hawaiian shirt so I can blend in.”
“I’ll be in the library waiting for you.”
“You could come with me, you know.” I wiggle my eyebrows.
She laughs, and I love that sound. “But if I do, we’ll never get to dinner.”
She’s right. And if we don’t go to dinner, we won’t get home. “I’ll be right back.”
When I walk down to the library a few minutes later, the house smells like freshly baked bread. Corrine and I detour to the kitchen. Everyone is eating homemade pizza.
“Leilani is working on our idea
