Jesus, no.Zander’s guts twisted. He called her back, but got voicemail, so he sent her a text. “Got your message. Call me ASAP.”
He tried Kent directly. The phone rang almost a dozen times before Kent’s voicemail picked up. Zander hung up and sent a text. “Are you OK? What happened?”
He listened to the remaining messages. Two more women were looking for a Friday night companion. But rule-following Zander King didn’t want anyone else. He wanted his sultry, soulful, sexy, independent stepsister who spoke her mind, didn’t hold back, operated on impulse, and rocked his ever-predictable world. The only living person he could call ‘family’.What a cluster.
He texted Megan again. “I’m concerned about Kent.” While waiting for her to get back to him, he leaned against the propped pillows.
Zander jerked awake. Temporarilyconfused, he glanced around the room, then checked the time on his phone. Almost three in the morning. “Dammit.”Savannah must think I blew her off.
Nothing could be further from the truth. He wanted to wake her and apologize, but he wouldn’t stop at an apology. Not at three in the morning. He’d stop when he’d finished ravaging her.I’ll explain at breakfast.
After undressing, he slid beneath the cool, crisp linens. Before switching off the light, he surveyed the room. Faux candles illuminated the fireplace mantle, a basket of apples and oranges were neatly arranged on the small table, and a welcome note lay unread. Two framed photographs hung on the wall. One, a field of bright, red poppies, and the second, a beach sunrise.
The rustic, old-fashioned charm appealed to him.
As he drifted back to sleep, his thoughts returned to Savannah, the beautiful strong-willed temptress who stood between him and the biggest development project of his career, not to mention the solvency of his company.
Despite knowing the difference between right and wrong, Zander wasn’t sure how to handle what had happened. Kissing her fell squarely in the “wrong” category. And he couldn’t deny that wanting her was plain insane. He resolved that crossing that line couldneverhappen again.
His phone alarm woke him. Six o’clock. He pushed out of bed and padded into the bathroom. After getting ready, he called Kent.
“Good morning,” Kent said. “How’s Starry Cove?”
“Work can wait. What happened to you?”
“Slight setback, but I’ll be fine.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means I had a heart attack. There was a small blockage. I’ve got a stent now, so I’m good as new.”
Zander’s stomach dropped. “Jesus, are you okay?”
“Yes, provided I make the obvious life changes. Exercise, better eating. Doc said stress is a real killer, so Megan has ordered me to cut back on work.”
“Good call. Is she with you?”
“Yeah, she’s been amazing. Her folks have been watching the kids and she hasn’t left my side. I just sent her down to the café for breakfast. She’s scared, but she’s trying to hide it. On the flip side, she did threaten to kill me if I don’t learn how to pace myself and slow down. Her new favorite word is ‘chill’.”
“Listen to your wife. Rest up and I’ll stop by the hospital when I get back.”
“I’m being discharged later today or first thing tomorrow. Come by the house.”
“I’m sorry this happened, Kent. What can I do to help?”
“This is a wake-up call forbothof us, my friend. You’re wound as tightly as I am…maybe worse. Time to make some serious adjustments.”
No effin’ way. “Take care of yourself. Give Megan my best.” Zander ended the call and grabbed his laptop.
Time to tackle the issues of the day, starting with Savannah. He drafted an email to his father’s attorney detailing the Starry Cove multi-use complex. He included a brief paragraph reiterating how the expansion would stimulate existing business owners and lure previous ones back. To sweeten the deal, he added a complete restoration of the drive-in movie theater at The Cove.
With the investors lined up, he was eager to break ground. All he needed was a willing partner. And he’d have that once his stepsister co-signed his email. Determined to change her mind over breakfast, he left his room.
En route to the dining room, he passed the front desk. The clerk greeted him with a cheery smile. “Good morning. Sleep okay?”
“Very comfortable bed.”
“Your friend left this for you.” She held out a business card. “She rushed out last night.”
