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Page 12 of Clock Strikes Paradise (Island Escapes #4)

Chapter Ten

Clay

I sat on a lounge chair near my pool, squinting at the glittering surface. As I held the phone to my ear, my free hand gestured in the air to emphasize my point. “I understand the opportunity perfectly well,” I said, my voice steely and focused. “The question is whether you and your colleagues do.”

The acquisition of an electric vehicle technology company had been ongoing, and I’d left the deal simmering to focus on Podium.

Apparently, it had just started boiling.

The thrill of exploring uncharted territory, and a new challenge, coursed through my veins.

GreenDrive’s CEO was now calling about my offer, but he hedged his position with every sentence.

“I’ve done my research,” I continued. “And I’ve made a generous offer. I have the resources to make GreenDrive a giant in its field. You called me, so I suggest we move negotiations forward. My patience is not limitless.”

As engrossed as I was in the conversation, it took a moment for the raised voices nearby to register in my mind. When they did, I recognized Elise’s raised, strained tone and bolted to my feet.

“Mr. Harmon,” the Japanese CEO said in his excellent English. “This is a delicate matter, and requires a thorough…”

I quit listening when Elise shouted something else. I couldn’t make out exactly what she was saying, but her tone came through loud and clear.

“I have to go. We’ll talk later,” I said abruptly, hanging up without waiting for a response.

My heart hammered in my chest as I rushed toward Elise’s cottage, and I tried to figure out what would cause my calm, unflappable assistant to raise her voice.

When I rounded the corner, I found Elise and Bart on her front deck.

They faced each other and both Elise’s fists were clenched—her teeth were practically bared.

She stood tall, asserting herself despite the fear lingering in her eyes.

“Goddammit, Bart, leave me alone!” she screamed, her voice filled with anger and desperation.

That was all I needed to hear. A red curtain descended over my eyes and I started running. Bart’s eyes widened as he caught sight of me, and he blanched. I didn’t hesitate, racing up the steps and onto the porch.

“What the hell is going on here?” I demanded, though I had a pretty good idea just from what I’d seen and heard so far.

Bart scrambled for words, trying to regain some semblance of control over the situation. “It was a... misunderstanding, Mr. Harmon,” he said, his voice cracking. He cleared his throat. “Elise just, um, misconstrued my actions.”

My jaw clenched, and I shot Bart a withering glare. You’re back to addressing me formally, huh? I was already itching to throw a punch. This wasn’t just some petty squabble or misunderstanding. Raw emotion was written all over Elise’s face.

“Like hell I did, you asshole,” Elise spat, her voice tight and shaking. Then she jerked her head to stare wide-eyed at me, as if she just realized she’d sworn in front of her boss.

But I didn’t get a chance to reassure her that I thought a few cuss words were entirely appropriate.

When I saw the red handprint on Elise’s arm, the rest of the world disappeared. My pulse roared in my ears. The very thought of Bart laying hands on her sent a surge of rage through me. I stormed up to him, pointing at the mark on her arm.

“Did you do this?” I demanded, my voice low and dangerous.

Bart opened and closed his mouth like a fish out of water, but no words came out. It was all the confirmation I needed.

“You’re fired,” I snarled.

Elise stared at me with her mouth hinged open, but that only fueled my resolve further.

Bart blinked a few times before his face contorted into a sneer. “I’m the CFO! You need me for the Podium sale. You can’t fire me.”

“Oh, yes, I can. I am.”

“I have rights! There’s a process for this.”

My right hand curled into a fist. “So sue me. In fact, I dare you to.” I stepped forward until we were inches apart, towering over him.

“Do you really think there is any portion of my business that I don’t know backward and forward?

You are nothing more than a regulatory requirement.

I can replace you at will. You have half an hour to make flight arrangements and get out of here. On your own dime.”

Bart staggered back, shocked. “How am I supposed to do that?”

I arched a brow, still pissed enough to wrestle a lion. “That is not even remotely my concern. Or Elise’s. Leave here now or I’m calling security. Assuming I don’t beat the living shit out of you right now.”

Bart’s face went white, and his eyes darted between Elise and me. “All right. I’m leaving.”

“Thirty minutes, Bart,” I said with frozen rage.

Without another word, he slinked away from us, scurrying across the sand toward his cottage.

Elise stared at me like I was a stranger, shocked at the intensity of my anger. I was surprised by it myself. It wasn’t like me to get so worked up, but that handprint on Elise’s arm made me want to pummel Bart into the ground.

“Are you all right?” I asked, softening my voice.

At my words, relief washed over her face. “I’m fine, thanks. And thank you.”

Blood still sang through my body. I felt like a goddamn caveman, ready to knock someone over the head with my club. Yet her simple gratitude made me tongue-tied and flustered. “Is there anything... I can do to help?” I asked, stumbling over my words.

Elise hesitated for a moment, her eyes searching mine. Then she offered a small smile and shook her head. “No, this trip just got a whole lot easier. I can’t believe you fired him!”

I shrugged, still unsure why she brought out this protective side of me. “We’re better off without him.”

“Podium doesn’t need Bart Mayhew, for sure.”

Except I hadn’t meant the company. I’d meant her and me. My reaction had been much more than defending an employee against harassment.

I’d been defending her .

Because I had just discovered that part of my fury about him touching her was because I wanted to do that myself. But utterly, completely opposite of how he’d done it. When Elise screamed my name, it would be for very different reasons.

Later that afternoon, I skirted Dorado and the resort pool on my way to the lobby to speak with Evan. As I passed the bar, I spotted Elise sitting alone and staring into her beer with a glum expression. Concern slowed my steps.

Earlier, after insisting she was all right, she’d gone back inside her cottage.

I’d returned to my own and called my legal team to make sure Bart couldn’t get a leg up on me, though I wasn’t overly worried.

He wasn’t the type to go up against the alpha wolf.

My lawyers agreed but assured me they would send him a nice letter stating the facts.

Then I’d called the GreenDrive CEO back and had a more productive conversation.

After the gala, we would proceed with negotiations.

I hadn’t seen Elise until now, and I couldn’t help wondering if leaving her alone had been wise.

But what was I supposed to do when she’d told me she was okay?

I wasn’t her keeper. I was still trying to decipher my reaction to this morning’s events—that possessive, righteous anger that had taken hold of me.

A milder version of which was making my blood hum right now.

I didn’t even stop to think, and my feet detoured from my path as I headed toward the bar. I had to see her. Approaching, I slid into the seat next to her.

“Hey,” I said quietly, trying to gauge her mood. “How are things this afternoon?”

She sighed, her fingers tracing the condensation on the glass. “So-so. After the high of you getting Bart out of our hair, it turns out the resort can’t fix my room without some major parts. They’re working on finding me another cottage.”

“That doesn’t sound good,” I muttered.

Before I could say anything else, Evan strode up, obviously having spotted us. “Mr. Harmon, I’m glad I found you. Good afternoon, Elise.”

“Hello, Evan,” she replied, attempting a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Is Bart gone?” I asked him, wanting to make sure that issue was settled.

“Yes. I personally saw him off the premises and confirmed he had a plane ticket to New York.”

“Good. Thank you for your assistance.” I nodded, pleased to have the issue settled. “Now, about Elise’s new cottage. Is it ready?”

Evan swallowed and shook his head. “I’m sorry. That’s why I came to find you two. The resort is at maximum occupancy right now, and we’re struggling to find an alternative room for Elise. We’re looking into nearby resorts.”

My gaze narrowed at Evan, my voice firm. “That is unacceptable. What about Bart’s cottage? Surely that’s available now.”

“Unfortunately, another guest already occupied it,” Evan replied. “I’m very sorry. We’re working right now with a nearby resort to accommodate Elise. We’ll confirm the new room is of the highest quality, I assure you.”

My teeth ground as frustration rose inside me.

My next words tumbled out of my mouth. “Absolutely not. We have far too much to do before the gala. Elise, you can stay in my cottage.” I blinked in surprise at my own offer.

I wasn’t one to share my living quarters with anyone.

But I meant it. I couldn’t have her staying somewhere else when so much was on the line.

Elise’s hand froze, the glass halfway to her mouth. Her eyes grew round. “What?”

It was too late to backpedal now, and I didn’t second guess my decisions. “You heard me. If Evan can’t find you another room here, then you stay with me.”

She slowly set her glass back on the bar top, leaving her hands wrapped around it. “That’s very generous of you, but I’m fine staying at a nearby resort. I can rent a car.”

I scowled, turning to face her. “We are days from cementing the biggest business deal of my career. And yours. I need you nearby, and you don’t have to worry about us... mingling. There are two bedrooms in my cottage.”

Evan nodded and gave her a hopeful smile. “And two private baths as well. You won’t need to share any private quarters.”

Her conflict was evident in the deep line between her brows. I lifted my eyes to Evan, pinning him with my stare. “You are positive you can’t accommodate her anywhere else here on Calypso Key?”

His throat bobbed as he swallowed. “Well, we have a cottage in our private section of the island. It’s reserved for Markham family, but it’s been out of service for a very long time and not up to our level of guest rooms. If you’d like, I could get housekeeping up there to start cleaning immediately. ”

Elise bolted upright. “No. That’s silly. I’m not crashing your personal home, Evan. Though I appreciate the gesture.”

Honestly, so did I. As frustrated as I was about the situation, I understood how things went sideways sometimes in business. And I’d seen enough glimpses of the stately manor in the northeast section of the island to understand the area was strictly a private residence.

Elise’s eyes bounced between us, then she gave me a small nod. “All right. I’ll stay in your spare bedroom. Thank you for the offer.”

“Then it’s settled,” I said. “Let’s get you moved immediately.”

Evan chimed in, his demeanor brightening.

“I’ll make sure the staff knows about the change in accommodations, and someone will be by to transfer your luggage.

If there’s anything else you need, let me know.

Again, I’m terribly sorry for the inconvenience.

I’ll make sure you are suitably compensated. ”

“Thank you, Evan,” Elise said. When she moved her gaze to me, the warmth in her eyes sent a jolt through me. “And thank you again. You didn’t have to do this, but I appreciate it.”

“Of course,” I responded as we rose to our feet, getting that flustered feeling again as our eyes locked. That ridiculous urge to be her champion. Her defender.

As Elise disappeared into her cottage to pack her belongings, I rushed back to mine.

A strange thrill coursed through me as I unlocked the door.

My brother and I both had neat freak tendencies, so I wasn’t worried the place would be too out of line.

But I needed to give the cottage a once-over just to make sure.

I went to work tidying up, straightening already neatly stacked papers and rearranging the throw pillows on the couch. Then I decided the housekeeper knew where they belonged better than I did and put them back. Hissing, I told myself my pounding heart was due to exertion, not nerves.

Never mind that I worked out nearly every day.

Moving down the hall, I stopped at the other bedroom and pushed open the door. After taking in the neatly made king-sized bed and well-arranged décor, I grabbed an extra set of towels from the linen closet and placed them on the bed.

“God, what is wrong with me?” I snapped at myself, pacing back and forth in the hallway. “I’ve dated movie stars, heiresses. Why am I nervous about sharing a cottage with my assistant?”

I paused, leaning against the wall. Then I raked a hand through my hair.

I was nervous because something had happened in the last couple days.

Elise wasn’t just my assistant anymore. Until this trip, I’d never really seen her. But since my jet landed in Key West, that had changed. She was smart, capable, and... heart-stoppingly beautiful.

Just as I straightened up, I heard a knock at the door. Ignoring the way my stomach suddenly filled with tumbling rocks, I strode down the hall. I swung the door open to find Elise standing there with a slightly red face. A bellhop stood behind her with her suitcase.

“Hi,” she said, shifting from one foot to the other. “You’re sure I’m not intruding?”

“Of course not,” I said firmly and hopefully reassuringly as I stepped aside to let them in. I directed the bellhop to the bedroom she would be using. “I won’t have you staying at another resort, Elise. This is simply the easiest solution. ”

As a hesitant smile creased her face and I caught a subtle yet exotic floral scent wafting off her hair, I recognized my statement for the lie it was. But this woman was strictly off-limits, especially given what had just happened between her and Bart.

Then again, we’d worked side by side for over three years. Why should sharing the same cottage change anything?