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Chapter Nine

Cohen

After fussing with the ridiculous Hawaiian shirt in the mirror, I decide to leave the top couple buttons undone. It hurts my manhood to be seen in such an atrocious print, but after last night, I’m not keeping my distance. I need to look out for her. She’s seen me now either way, and probably expects I’m a fellow guest. If I’m going to attend, I want to at least blend in at this Luau. And wearing my signature grey and black with denim is not an option tonight. Khakis and loafers complete my business casual “weekend party” look.

I sometimes wonder how I get myself into these situations, then I remember my earlier phone call. The reason for all of this. James. Piers. BlackWater. And now she’s in the middle of it all.

Regardless of whether I like it, I need her. She has a part to play, and so do I. But I have a feeling this is going to be one of those games no one wins.

I was so close to following her to her room this morning after feeling her hands pressed against my body. Her palms splayed over my chest dripping in sweat, her laying under me in the grass. Soft. Delicate.

All it took was a simple phone call and another cold shower to remind me to get my head in the game. So I spent the afternoon doing research on my laptop. Trying to find out everything I can about Piers’ board of directors and any dirty little secrets they may be hiding. I keep forgetting the rules when I’m around her.

After a couple weeks of watching her, I’ve come to recognize something in her that I see in myself. Loneliness.

The longer this drags on, the more I know it’s going to be sink or swim. I’m going to have to involve her or walk away. The thought doesn’t sit well with me as I join the party.

I scan the perimeter of the courtyard and rehearse who I am in case anyone asks. CJ James. Stock and information security specialist for Lu Tech. Which isn’t entirely a lie. Lu Tech is my company, and I specialize in security technology.

“Aloha.” Two very flirty ladies dressed in grass skirts and coconut shells greet me at the tent’s entrance. They take turns placing strands of flowers around my neck.

“Aloha.” I step back as one lets her palms drift down my chest in invitation. A thought catches me off guard. The only person’s hands I want on me are that of a pale blonde with legs for days. I’m not sure what to think about this reaction. I love all woman—all shapes, sizes, and colors. But since holding her in my arms, she’s all I can think about it.

Grabbing a drink, I scan the room and instantly have eyes on her. I’m drawn to her by some unexplainable force, and when we touch, it’s like electricity. As if she can feel it too, she brushes the back of her neck and looks around. At first, I thought it was fear—her fear of being watched and my fear of being caught. Now I’m convinced it’s something more.

She looks striking in a black halter dress, with her hair swept to one side, adorned with a flower. I see I’m not the only one who’s appreciating the view. Alan Anderson can’t take his eyes off her. I’ve turned up some rather interesting information on him. It’s amazing what breaching a couple firewalls reveals.

My gaze flicks between the two of them—her making conversation with other guests and him staring at her like a starving man. His visual accosting of her has me on edge. He grabs a vibrant floral lei and begins walking towards her.

Looking around, I match his pace and increase my steps, coming to stop in front of her at nearly the same time he does.

I don’t need to look at his face to know he’s angry. I can feel it seeping from him. Alan doesn’t like being beat, especially at his own game.

“Scarlett, love. There you are.” I smile genuinely, reaching out for her.

Scarlett’s eyes drift between the both of us before widening and settling on mine.

“Aloha,” I whisper, lifting one of the leis from over my head and placing it around her delicate neck. My hands linger on her shoulders briefly, feeling the prickle of goosebumps blossoming across her bare skin.

“Uh…thanks.” She catches on and returns the smile, gazing up at me. “Aloha yourself.”

The little weasel clears his throat, reminding us of his presence.

She awkwardly turns to him, and I let my hands fall. “Alan, good evening,” she says, her chilly tone speaking volumes.

“Scarlett, you look ravishing, as usual.” His eyes rake over her body, and my hands clench into fists at my sides. “I noticed you hadn’t been laid yet.” She cringes as he lowers the flowers over her head.

“I was coming over to do the honors myself, to be the first to lei you…at this event, of course.” He winks, and my knuckles turn white as I restrain myself. “But it seems this lucky chap beat me to it. Such is life, right?”

She remains silent, her body stiffening next to me. He’s pushing her to make a scene—for one of us to. I refuse to give him the satisfaction.

“We’ll catch up later, Scarlett.” He lifts his hand and runs it down the length of her arm. She holds deadly still, unblinking, in the way you freeze when confronted with a wild, untamed creature. A snake.

“We look forward to it.” I take her hand in mine and pull her away from him. She falls against my chest, willingly, where I hold her to me.

“I didn’t catch your name?” he huffs out. “I’m—”

“I didn’t say,” I cut him off. “And I know exactly who you are.” I turn and offer her my arm. Scarlett takes it without hesitation. Good girl. Some of the tension starts to fade.