Page 42 of Clock Strikes Paradise

Nate snorted, clearly having formed an opinion. “How about anyone but that puffed-up French asshole?”

I laughed, but it fell into a sigh. “Yeah, I had to smooth things over with Laurent earlier. He threatened to pull his offer.”

“Seriously?” Nate asked, taken aback. Then he became pensive. “His bid is mighty tempting, but is money the most important thing? What about all the people who work for Podium? You know, our employees?”

I nodded. “I know. We need to consider more than just the highest bidder but let me point out that those employees will benefit directly from a more lucrative sale amount in the form of higher bonuses. Let’s sleep on it and make the final decision in the morning.”

“Sleep?” Nate grinned. “Something tells me you won’t be getting much rest tonight.”

I smiled back, already itching to return to the resort. And Elise. “Yeah, probably not.”

After Nate and I parted upon returning to Calypso Key, I made my way back to the cottage. My anticipation built with every step. What would she be wearing? Maybe something black and sexy? Maybe nothing at all? I couldn’t wait to findout.

As I opened the door, I found Elise sitting on the couch, dressed in leggings and an oversized shirt. As soon as she saw me, she slowly rose to her feet, her posture stiff and aloof.

“Hey,” I said cautiously, sensing that something was off.

“Hi.” Her voice was quiet and pensive.

“Is everything all right?” I tried to read her expression. Her eyes were red and puffy, further raising alarm bells.

“I’ve been thinking this evening.” Elise hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth. “There’s no easy way to say this. We need to stop what we’re doing. Our relationship or whatever you want to call it... it’s a mistake.”

“Wait, what?” I stammered, a cold hollowness forming in my stomach. “Why? What happened?”

“We need to focus on the sale and the gala. Why we’re here, Clay. Our personal lives shouldn’t interfere with our work.” She dropped her eyes to the floor.

“Elise, we can handle both,” I said, trying to ignore the way my heart pounded in my chest. The way her words were causing something like panic to knot my insides. “This doesn’t have to be an either-or situation.”

“Please,” she pleaded, still refusing to meet my gaze. “I need to concentrate on what’s important right now.”

“And obviously that’s not me. Or us,” I barked, the panic morphing to hurt. Rejection rose within me like bile.

“Clay, you’ve worked so hard for this! And so have I. Neither of us can afford to be distracted right now.” The woman who had been so open and passionate toward me just hours ago now stood like a stranger. “Don’t get upset. I need some space, all right?”

“Oh, I see.” My heart pounded in my ears, heat flaming across my face. “You need. Why doesn’t anyone ever give a shit about what I might need? Or am I only here to grant your every wish? Is that it?”

Finally, she snapped her eyes up to meet mine, a gasp escaping. “Of course not! I haven’t asked you for anything.”

“Except a promotion. Or did you think you already got that?” I was a volcano beginning to erupt, a smoky, red haze forming before my eyes. “Tell me what’s going on, dammit! You’ve done a complete one-eighty since I left a couple of hours ago. Why?”

Elise shook her head, her jaw set tight. “I just had a moment to think about all that’s happened. And when I pulled out the schedule for tomorrow, I realized we’ve gotten completely off track here. I’m your assistant, Clay. Nothing more.”

I inhaled sharply, her words knifing through me. We stood six feet apart, staring at each other. I didn’t know how to respond—I wasn’t used to being in this position. Hell, I went through life doing everything possible not to feel like this.

Lost. Hurt.

And worst of all—vulnerable.

So, without another word, I whirled around and marched to my bedroom. The door made a satisfying crash as I slammed it behind me.

Frustration and confusion swirled within me as I paced my bedroom, trying to make sense of her sudden change in attitude. The woman who had shared her warmth, laughter, and body with me had disappeared, replaced by this cold and distant professional. My hands balled into fists.

“Shit,” I muttered under my breath, raking my fingers through my hair. I thought of my words to Nate—about my prior relationships. I had allowed myself to believe thatwhat we shared was real, that Elise was different from all the other women.

I was a fool.

Early in the trip, she’d said it out loud—that she wanted a job with more responsibility. Elise didn’t want me, she wanted what I could give her. Just like all the others. It had nothing to do with me as a man.