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Her expression turned mocking, and again he was surprised at her ability to read him.

“You don’t give me enough credit. Most people don’t.”

“You picked right up on what I was doing. How?” he asked.

She nodded, her mocking smile disappearing. “Years and years of experience.”

“From your family?”

“They are master manipulators. By the way, you can’t hold a candle to their maneuvers.”

Desmond raised his brows at her, his migraine forgotten. “I’m not on their level?”

“You come close, but no cigar. I’ve worked with you for three years. When you want something, you make a split-second decision. You pretend to wait for me to give you my opinions on financial matters, opinions you pay me to give advice on, but you already know whether you’re going to do it or not. You just wanted me to confirm your decision. You want to appear to care about the people you’re helping, but you only care about the purpose you need fulfilled.”

Taking a breath and curling her legs underneath her, she went on, raking him over the coals. “The women you choose are in habitual short relationships that last for a maximum of two months. After which you block their numbers and order Lucas not to transfer their calls to your office, and those are of the women you publicly date. I wasn’t curious enough to listen to the gossip about the women you date out of the spotlight.”

“You found that out by listening to the gossip at the office?”

“Discussing you in the breakroom is everyone’s favorite topic.”

The disclosure had him determined to hold a staff meeting in the morning. When they walked out of the conference room, there would be no doubt of his displeasure.

“I didn’t take you for a woman who listens to gossip.”

“I don’t, but I can’t help hearing the tidbits when I’m getting coffee,” she explained with twinkling eyes. “You’re angry because I hit too close to home, didn’t I?”

“I’m not angry. My migraine is getting worse.” Because she was right, Desmond sought to turn the tables on her. “Did you take into consideration that I was giving you a partial truth? That I am attracted to you, but that I feel it is more important to find the people who are missing from Clindale Island?”

“No, one doesn’t negate the other. Desmond, you would never be attracted to me.”

“And why is that?”

“Because I see you. Have you ever let anyone see the real you?”

Her intuitive statement hit him hard. “One person.”

“Who?”

“A friend of mine. We grew up together.”

“Have you maintained your friendship through the years since then?”

“Not as much. He’s since married, and his loyalties have switched directions.”

“So, you haven’t remained close?”

“No.”

“Then you’re no longer friends?”

“We’re still friends. I would die for King.”

He could see he had finally surprised her.

“That’s a strong claim for a friend.”

“King is more like a brother. I owe him a debt that I’m trying to repay.”

“You have enough money so he wouldn’t have to work another day in his life.”

“I wish it could be that simple. King doesn’t need money. He doesn’t need anything.”

“Then how are you going to repay him?” Curiosity displayed in her eyes.

“The only way I can. By finding out what happened to the missing natives of Clindale Island.”

Thirteen

Desmond tightened his hand around Haley’s waist as they walked through the entrance of the foyer after being greeted by her uncle’s butler. Expecting her to cut and run from the terrified expression on her face, Desmond lightly pinched her.

While he’d spent the last few evenings with Haley, she had come out of the schoolmarm personality she hid behind, so to react so visibly to her family annoyed him. If she could stand up to him, she was certainly strong enough to conceal her feelings for them.

She glared up at him. “That hurt.”

“It was intended to. You’re a grown woman; quit looking like a scared rabbit.” He gave her the harsh rebuke, wanting her to get angry with him.

It worked. A red flush highlighted her cheeks, bringing a sparkle to her gray eyes.

“Do it again and see what happens.”

His mouth quirked in amusement. “What are you going to do? You’re too timid to scare a fly away.”

“You think so?”

“I know so.” Guiding her in the direction of the door that led to the outside, where many of her family had gathered for their reunion, he was satisfied that he had deliberately taken her mind off the obvious anxiety she was exhibiting.

“If I’m lucky, they won’t even recognize me.”

Desmond caught her hand before she could adjust her dress for the thousandth time. “Leave it alone. You’re perfectly covered.”

“That’s easy for you to say. It isn’t your tatas hanging out for everyone to see,” she snapped.

“Your breasts aren’t hanging out,” he gritted out between clenched teeth. The woman was driving him insane with her insecurity. “It’s a backyard barbeque; you would have looked ridiculous in anything else unless you wore shorts or a swimsuit, and you refused to consider those options.”