Page 17 of Clock Strikes Paradise (Island Escapes #4)

Chapter Thirteen

Elise

After agreeing to the after-dinner swim with Camille, I headed toward my room.

I picked up the damp mound of black fabric from my bathroom floor and grimaced at the cold, clammy feel in my hand.

My sporty one-piece swimsuit was still soaked from my beach frolicking earlier in the afternoon.

I hadn’t thought twice before leaving it wadded on the floor, but now I regretted that big time.

Leaving it draped over a towel rack, I padded out of the room and opened a dresser drawer.

I glanced at the dark-red bikini neatly folded inside, its silky fabric beckoning me.

It was a little daring, but it was dry. I hesitated, then reminded myself that I’d only be with Camille.

Why would she be bothered by what I wore?

After changing, I stepped onto the pool deck, where Camille was dipping a toe in the water. She wore a sunny yellow bikini that accentuated her toned physique.

“Oh, good, you’re wearing a two-piece also.” I tried to sound casual despite the flush heating my face. “The swimsuit I’ve been using needs to dry out.”

Camille just laughed, her eyes twinkling. “Honey, please. You look fantastic! And who cares? I'm all about comfort and practicality, especially on vacation.”

She gestured toward the shimmering turquoise water. “Let’s go!” And with that, she dove gracefully into the deep end of the pool.

Yeah, Clay’s private pool had a deep end.

I descended the steps, the cool water a welcome relief against my skin. Camille was right—it was the perfect temperature. I glided through the water, enjoying the feeling of weightlessness, of freedom. As I reached the other side of the pool mid-way down the length of it, she joined me.

We treaded water for a few moments, enjoying the gentle night breeze. Camille tilted her head back, her gaze drifting toward the velvety black sky. She sighed contentedly.

“Nate and I fell in love right here at this resort,” she said, her voice soft. “It’s hard to believe it’s only been a few months.”

“I can see why,” I replied, gazing around at the serene, tropical setting. “This place is amazing. It would be the perfect place to fall in love.”

Camille smiled. “It was pretty magical. Though it took a while for us to get there.”

“Clay and Nate are close,” I said, thinking about the easy banter I'd witnessed between them since I started working for Clay. Nate had an ability to get him to open up like few others did. “It’s nice that they have such a strong bond.”

Camille nodded. “They’ve always had each other’s backs, even when they were driving each other crazy. Like most brothers, I guess.”

“You must know them both really well,” I observed, thinking about how little I actually knew about Clay outside of his work persona.

Camille laughed. “I do! I practically grew up with them. My childhood home is right next door to the Harmons in Westport, Connecticut. Nate and I are spending a lot of time there now. Getting the place fixed up.”

“That sounds nice,” I said, picturing a cozy New England farmhouse. A stark contrast to Clay’s sleek Manhattan penthouse, which I’d never seen but could just imagine.

“It’s definitely no tropical paradise,” Camille replied, her grin widening. “But it feels like home. And being close to Nate’s family is important to both of us.”

We fell silent for a moment, enjoying the night’s warmth and the gentle sway of the water.

“This whole sale has been pretty stressful,” I said, sweeping my arms in broad strokes as I treaded water. “Podium is a huge success. Clay has been working nonstop for months preparing.”

Camille leaned back against the wall, tall enough to stand up.

“I’m sure he has. This whole Podium thing has been Clay’s obsession for years.

And he never does anything halfway. But he surprised me tonight.

” She tilted her head, studying me with a playful glint in her eyes.

“It’s nice to see him taking a break from work.

I have a hard time picturing Clay Harmon scuba diving. ”

The vision of Clay’s bare, chiseled chest on the dive boat floated through my mind. I let my eyes unfocus, allowing myself to savor the image .

Then Camille’s voice brought me back to earth. “I thought he was going to turn this place into a 24-hour boardroom. But at dinner, he was surprisingly… chill.”

I laughed. “You should have seen him in action this morning during our session with the two bidders. That was pure Clay Harmon, laser-focused and ready to take on the world.”

Smiling, Camille nodded sagely. “Oh, I have no doubt about that. He’s definitely got the killer instinct. Though he seems to be doing a better job here of letting go.” She paused, her gaze meeting mine. “Maybe someone's having a particular effect on him.”

Heat crept up my neck, and I shifted to hook my elbow on the pool deck, letting my legs float to the surface.

“He's just enjoying the vacation atmosphere, I guess.” I kept my voice even, trying to sound nonchalant even as I thought of that magnetic pull between us last night at dinner. And again this evening.

Camille's eyebrows shot up, a mischievous grin spreading across her face as she glanced at the cottage. “Vacation atmosphere, huh? Looks like you two are sharing quite a bit of that atmosphere.”

“It's not like that,” I replied quickly. Trying to deny that it was exactly like that. “Clay brought me here because my room had a plumbing issue. They couldn't fix it, and the resort is booked, so Clay offered me his spare room.”

Camille burst out laughing. The sound echoed across the water, mingling with the gentle lapping of waves against the pool's edge. “Oh, please. That sounds like something out of a romance novel! The billionaire CEO sharing his luxurious cottage with his beautiful assistant.” She leaned in conspiratorially, lowering her voice. “You’ve worked for him for a while now, but I wouldn’t blame you if you were just a tiny bit starstruck. He has quite the aura about him.”

My cheeks burned even hotter, and I was grateful for the dim lighting around the pool. “It's not... I mean, we're just—” I stammered, searching for the right words. “Clay's my boss, Camille. It's strictly professional.”

Camille's grin remained as she lifted her legs to float lazily onto her back, her yellow bikini a vibrant contrast against the turquoise pool lit with hidden spotlights. “Uh-huh. Strictly professional. That's why you're blushing like a schoolgirl right now.”

I splashed water in her direction playfully, trying to deflect. “Oh, stop it. You're imagining things.”

“Am I?”

I decided to go on offense. “You’re the one who is dating the pro hockey player and billionaire. Maybe you’re seeing echoes of your own story.”

Camille laughed softly, tipping upright to dance her fingers over the water’s surface.

“Touché. Though Nate was a real challenge,” she continued, her voice taking on a more serious tone.

She flipped onto her stomach, treading water as she faced me.

“Turning that playboy around was no easy feat.

But you don't need to worry about that with Clay.

He's never been a tomcat. Or a weirdo boss who goes after his employees, for that matter.”

A chill ran through me, despite the warm water, as the memory of Bart coming onto me flashed through my mind. I shuddered involuntarily but kept the incident to myself. Clay was different, and Camille just reinforced that.

“You okay?” she asked, noticing my momentary discomfort.

I nodded quickly, forcing a smile. “Just a little chill. Go on. ”

Camille's eyes softened, and she moved closer. “If you and Clay do end up together, you'll hopefully have an easier time of it than Nate and I did.”

My forced smile turned into a completely genuine laugh.

The idea was absurd, no matter how my heart fluttered at the thought.

“There's zero chance of that happening,” I insisted, pushing off from the pool's edge to float on my back.

The stars above seemed to mock me with their twinkling brilliance. “Nothing with Clay is ever simple.”

“He’s a complicated guy. Not going to argue that. My Harmon is the more straightforward one. And the more attractive Harmon, if you want my opinion,” she added with a teasing lilt.

I disagreed but kept silent.

As if on cue, the sliding glass door opened with a soft whoosh. Nate's silhouette appeared, backlit by the warm illumination from inside the cottage.

“Hey, gorgeous,” he called out, his voice filled with affection and anticipation. “You about ready to head out? I've got some plans for us back at our place. Private plans.”

Camille's eyes lit up. She giggled, the sound light and flirtatious. “Ooh, I've been waiting all night to hear that.” In one fluid motion, she hoisted herself out of the pool, water cascading off her toned body.

I watched as she sauntered over to Nate, grabbing a towel and her beach bag on the way. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close despite her damp skin. He whispered something to her, eliciting more laughing from Camille.

“Night, Elise!” she called over her shoulder as they strolled off with their arms around each other. “ Don't stay up too late!”

“Night, you two,” I replied, waving from the pool. “See you tomorrow!”

As they faded into the distance, I found myself smiling. Their easy affection was sweet, and a little enviable. But as the silence settled around me, broken only by the gentle lapping of water against the pool's edge, my smile faded.

My thoughts drifted to Clay. What was he was doing inside right now? Working? Planning his next move, strategizing for tomorrow's meetings? Always three steps ahead, always in control.

And yet... Camille didn't seem to think the idea of Clay and me together was so far-fetched. She knew him better than I did, had known him for years.

Is it possible she sees something I can't?

I shook my head, trying to clear away the dangerous thoughts. Entertaining such ideas would only lead to disappointment and complications. Still, a small part of me couldn't help but wonder...

With a sigh, I turned over in the water, stretching out into a lazy freestyle stroke.

The cool water slid over my skin as I glided through it, my movements slow and purposeful.

As I swam, I tried to focus on the physical sensation, on the peacefulness of the night around me.

But even as I completed my lap, my mind kept circling back to Clay, to possibilities I shouldn't even be considering.

I was so lost in thought that I barely noticed the soft sound of the patio door sliding open.

As I lifted my head from the water, I caught sight of a figure on the deck.

Clay stood motionless on the deck watching me.

My stomach lurched, but that was quickly replaced by a surge of excitement rushing through me.

Until I remembered what I was wearing.

I hadn’t planned on him seeing me in this string bikini.

And now that he was here, I wasn’t quite sure how to handle the situation.

I swam to the pool's edge and climbed out, hyper-aware of Clay's gaze on me.

His eyes were riveted to me, lingering on my breasts before dropping to my feet then slowly, slowly back up.

Droplets of water ran down my skin as I approached him, and at his hungry expression, my self-consciousness threatened to become replaced by a thrilling boldness.

“Hi there,” I said, my voice huskier than usual as I grabbed a towel to cover up. “I thought you were staying inside.”

“Here, let me help you,” Clay said, his deep voice striking something deep within me.

He strode toward me and took the towel from my hand.

His action was confident and bold, the movement of a man used to being obeyed.

And the thought of being the object of his desire was irresistible.

As he held the towel open, his eyes met mine.

“Though I think it's an absolute crime to cover up such a spectacular body.”

Heat flooded my body at his words. “It was my only suit that was dry,” I replied, holding his gaze with newfound confidence.

Then I felt the soft terrycloth on my shoulder, and soon he trailed it down my arm. My skin tingled at the touch, and I deliberately leaned into him, drawn by an irresistible pull. I wanted him to touch me—to hell with the consequences.

“You look beautiful in the moonlight,” he said softly.

As our eyes met again, the air between us crackled with electricity.

I opened my mouth to reply, but my response was captured by his mouth. Our lips met, and I couldn’t prevent the breathy moan that issued from my lungs. His kiss deepened, and I pressed against him eagerly, my damp skin warming rapidly under his touch. The towel fell away, forgotten.

“Clay...” I sighed, running my hands up his shirt to grip his shoulders.

His tongue parted my lips, and I responded hungrily, clutching at the fabric of his shirt and pulling him closer. Our tongues danced as his hands moved to my ass, squeezing and pressing me against him. I could feel his arousal, and it only fueled my own desire.

Caught up in the moment, I nipped at his bottom lip, delighting in his groan of pleasure. He tangled one hand in my wet hair, tugging gently as he deepened the kiss further. I arched into him, my body aflame.

Just as I was losing myself completely, Clay stiffened and pulled away. His eyes flew open wide, and he breathed hard as he took a giant step back. “Elise, I... I'm sorry.”

Confusion and disappointment washed over me, and my body still thrummed with desire. “It's okay.”

“No, it's not. I shouldn't have done that. Good night.” With that, Clay spun around and strode back to the house, leaving me standing alone by the pool, my skin flushed and my hands trembling.

I wrapped my arms around myself, my mind reeling.

What had just happened? And why had it ended so abruptly?

As I watched Clay's stiff, retreating form, my confusion only deepened.

The passion between us had been undeniable, but now I was left wondering if I'd just crossed a line that couldn't be uncrossed.