Page 54 of Last Resort

“Ecotourism.”

“Ecotourism?” His tone tells me he’s already dismissed it.

“Yes. It’s all the rage. Since the elite love to champion their causes—or at least look like they are while posting pics on social media and hashtagging up a storm—it’s a necessary addition to keep the property in tune with one of the fastest growing travel trends.”

“I assure you, I’ve never hashtagged up a storm for the sake of image.”

I stare at Callahan and believe him. He’s not the type to try and be something he isn’t . . . and yet, that doesn’t mean I’m not right on this. “Saving the environment is popular, Sharpe, so what’s the harm in implementing visual signage around the property with subtle nods to what Ocean’s Edge Resort is doing to further the cause?”

“We’re supposed to be making more profit, not taking away from it.”

“The resort already practices sustainability in various ways so let’s point it out to our guests and add it to our marketing. In addition, Brady and I have been contacting local tour companies to find one that can customize a tour exclusively for our guests that will take them around the island to places and points that are of similar mind.”

“Like?”

“Like the turtle sanctuary where they are breeding and reintroducing them back into the wild,” I respond without hesitancy, knowing a man like Callahan needs to see utter confidence. “The nature reserve on the far side of the island. The—”

“No need to continue.” He twists his lips as silence falls around us. “There’s no perceived value there. There’s no—”

“Signage is cheap. Custom tours add to our exclusivity. A fifteen percent kickback from the tour company adds to our profit.”

“I still don’t think it’s appealing.”

“I beg to differ.”

“You always beg to differ. Personally, I just think you like to argue with me.”

He’s dismissing the idea. I can already see it, can already sense he’s over this conversation, and both irritate the hell out of me. “No, I like to argue points, Callahan. Facts. And my experience, my job, tells me that this is a must across the board these days. Simple and boring but true.”

“I don’t see it. We own many resorts and—”

“And all of Sharpe International’s properties have implemented ecotourism in one way or another in the past few months. Did you not know this?” His guarded stare should give me a warning. I don’t heed it. I keep pushing. He wants to question me, then I’ll damn well question him. “When was the last time you actually stayed at one of your properties like you’re doing now? When was the last time you stepped out of your Manhattan tower and dirtied your hands so to speak?”

Callahan stares at me with an intensity I’ve yet to see from him before. His jaw is clenched and the muscles in his neck are taut.

It appears I hit a nerve.

“What’s your point, Ms. Pierce?”

“Ms. Pierce?” I chuckle sarcastically. He’s never called me that before. “Is that your way of putting me in my place and telling me you’re pissed at me?”

His amber eyes are unwavering. “If I were putting you in your place, you’d know.”

I move from where I’m standing near the window and walk to the other side of his office. I glance out the door into the larger office where my desk is and see a few stragglers packing up for the day. Desks get straightened. Lights get turned off. Good nights are murmured.

And soon, we’ll be all alone in the office.

I need to get out of here to avoid any rumors arising about the two of us . . . but . . . Callahan has been testy all day. Combative and argumentative. It shouldn’t be sexy. It should be off-putting. Unattractive.

And yet, it’s had the exact opposite effect.

Even grumpy, he’s insanely attractive. And I’m turned on. Needless to say, the underpants situation—or lack thereof—certainly hasn’t helped.

I can’t act on my attraction—that’s a given. But if he opened the door with his stunt this morning, I might as well walk right through it and tease the hell out of him. Isn’t that what Lizzy said in not so many words?

I turn to study Callahan. His hair is unruly today, his body tense. “What’s eating you, Callahan?”

“Nothing.”