Page 25 of Clock Strikes Paradise (Island Escapes #4)

Chapter Twenty

Clay

The Conch Republic, a remodeled cannery on a bluff, exuded a warm, homey atmosphere with its exposed ductwork, metal roof, and abundance of wood.

Situated on Dove Key, Calypso Key’s larger neighbor to the north, the brewpub faced east with expansive ocean views.

Nate and I sat in a corner booth, the clinking of glasses and low hum of conversation around us providing a comfortable backdrop.

We’d come there to discuss the sale and gala, but business was damn near the last thing on my mind.

I’d hardly processed a word we’d said over dinner, and his current point about Celeste and her father creating a thriving family business went in one ear and out the other.

The entire day ran through my head—the kayaking, followed by the incredible morning in bed, then diving with Elise in the afternoon.

“Clay!” Nate almost shouted, bringing me back to earth.

I jumped. “Sorry. What were you saying? ”

He just stared at me. “What the hell? Is this about Elise?”

“Is what about Elise?”

He smiled, then his lips spread into a huge grin until his shoulders shook. “Uh, the fact that we’re hours from sealing the biggest deal of your career and your mind is miles away. Something sure happened between you two. Spill, brother.”

My first thought was to evade—my natural reaction to put someone on the defensive.

But this was Nate, and I realized I wanted to talk about it.

Maybe even needed to talk about it. “ We happened. Elise and me. We slept together for the first time this morning.” A laugh tumbled out of my mouth and I took a long drink of beer. “And the second and third.”

His amused expression remained, but his eyes turned evaluative. “I thought you two were awfully chummy on the boat. Obviously, you took my advice. That was quick.”

“I know.” I scrubbed a hand over the stubble on my jaw. “It’s new. All of it. And she’s my assistant, for God’s sake.”

Nate studied me for a long moment. “All valid points, as I said before. I hear a but coming.”

I looked away, sweeping my eyes over the exposed brick walls of the brewery. When I glanced back at Nate, I knew my expression had given me away. “But she knows me better than any other woman I’ve dated. I never let any of them get close to me. Elise is very different.”

“She’s had to know you well—that’s her job. Are you serious about her?” Nate studied my face, his own neutral and giving no hint of his feelings.

I hesitated, not knowing how to answer. There was no denying the attraction, the chemistry between us. I finally replied, “I’m her boss and that makes her off-limits. But at the same time, yeah, I want to see where this goes.”

My thoughts drifted to my past relationships, and I shook my head.

“Every woman I’ve dated wanted something from me, whether it was my money, status, or connections.

Not a single damn one cared about me. As a man.

As a human being. But this feels different.

Maybe because Elise works for me, so she’s naturally seen me at my best and worst. I let my guard down around her, especially since we came down here. ”

Nate smirked, taking another swig of his drink. “You might be in love with her, you know.”

I swear I broke out in a cold sweat. “Love? No way.” But deep down, part of me whispered that maybe I could fall in love with her. In time. I wasn’t ready to listen to that inner voice.

“Hey, being in love isn’t the worst thing in the world. Camille definitely straightened me out, didn’t she?” Nate grinned and saluted me with his beer. “As ordered.”

Grateful for the change in tone, I laughed and we clinked glasses. “Yeah, but both of you got a little more than you bargained for out of the situation.”

Mischief flickered in Nate’s eyes. “No complaints here. And I’ve got some surprises up my sleeve.”

“Oh?” I raised a brow, curious. “Like what?”

“Like none of your damn beeswax,” Nate replied with a laugh.

“Fine, keep your secrets,” I retorted, smiling and taking another drink of my beer. Nate’s obvious happiness was enough for me. An errant thought ran through my head.

Could I find the same happiness with Elise?

I pushed it away, ready to discuss the subject we were there for. “Let’s talk about the sale. What’s your take on Laurent and Celeste? ”

Nate leaned back in the booth, crossing his arms. “I had another meeting with both of them today while you were frolicking in bed.” He ignored my scowl and continued with a grin, “Told them I was done being the spokesperson for Podium. My focus will be squarely on the new venture Camille and I are working on. Both were okay with that. Laurent acted like he couldn’t care less. ”

“Who do you think we should go with for the sale?” I asked.

Nate snorted, clearly having formed an opinion. “How about anyone but that puffed-up French asshole?”

I laughed, but it fell into a sigh. “Yeah, I had to smooth things over with Laurent earlier. He threatened to pull his offer.”

“Seriously?” Nate asked, taken aback. Then he became pensive. “His bid is mighty tempting, but is money the most important thing? What about all the people who work for Podium? You know, our employees?”

I nodded. “I know. We need to consider more than just the highest bidder but let me point out that those employees will benefit directly from a more lucrative sale amount in the form of higher bonuses. Let’s sleep on it and make the final decision in the morning.”

“Sleep?” Nate grinned. “Something tells me you won’t be getting much rest tonight.”

I smiled back, already itching to return to the resort. And Elise. “Yeah, probably not.”

After Nate and I parted upon returning to Calypso Key, I made my way back to the cottage. My anticipation built with every step. What would she be wearing? Maybe something black and sexy? Maybe nothing at all? I couldn’t wait to find out.

As I opened the door, I found Elise sitting on the couch, dressed in leggings and an oversized shirt. As soon as she saw me, she slowly rose to her feet, her posture stiff and aloof.

“Hey,” I said cautiously, sensing that something was off.

“Hi.” Her voice was quiet and pensive.

“Is everything all right?” I tried to read her expression. Her eyes were red and puffy, further raising alarm bells.

“I’ve been thinking this evening.” Elise hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth. “There’s no easy way to say this. We need to stop what we’re doing. Our relationship or whatever you want to call it... it’s a mistake.”

“Wait, what?” I stammered, a cold hollowness forming in my stomach. “Why? What happened?”

“We need to focus on the sale and the gala. Why we’re here, Clay. Our personal lives shouldn’t interfere with our work.” She dropped her eyes to the floor.

“Elise, we can handle both,” I said, trying to ignore the way my heart pounded in my chest. The way her words were causing something like panic to knot my insides. “This doesn’t have to be an either-or situation.”

“Please,” she pleaded, still refusing to meet my gaze. “I need to concentrate on what’s important right now.”

“And obviously that’s not me. Or us,” I barked, the panic morphing to hurt. Rejection rose within me like bile.

“Clay, you’ve worked so hard for this! And so have I. Neither of us can afford to be distracted right now.” The woman who had been so open and passionate toward me just hours ago now stood like a stranger. “Don’t get upset. I need some space, all right?”

“Oh, I see.” My heart pounded in my ears, heat flaming across my face. “You need. Why doesn’ t anyone ever give a shit about what I might need? Or am I only here to grant your every wish? Is that it?”

Finally, she snapped her eyes up to meet mine, a gasp escaping. “Of course not! I haven’t asked you for anything.”

“Except a promotion. Or did you think you already got that?” I was a volcano beginning to erupt, a smoky, red haze forming before my eyes. “Tell me what’s going on, dammit! You’ve done a complete one-eighty since I left a couple of hours ago. Why?”

Elise shook her head, her jaw set tight. “I just had a moment to think about all that’s happened. And when I pulled out the schedule for tomorrow, I realized we’ve gotten completely off track here. I’m your assistant, Clay. Nothing more.”

I inhaled sharply, her words knifing through me. We stood six feet apart, staring at each other. I didn’t know how to respond—I wasn’t used to being in this position. Hell, I went through life doing everything possible not to feel like this.

Lost. Hurt.

And worst of all—vulnerable.

So, without another word, I whirled around and marched to my bedroom. The door made a satisfying crash as I slammed it behind me.

Frustration and confusion swirled within me as I paced my bedroom, trying to make sense of her sudden change in attitude. The woman who had shared her warmth, laughter, and body with me had disappeared, replaced by this cold and distant professional. My hands balled into fists.

“Shit,” I muttered under my breath, raking my fingers through my hair. I thought of my words to Nate—about my prior relationships. I had allowed myself to believe that what we shared was real, that Elise was different from all the other women.

I was a fool.

Early in the trip, she’d said it out loud—that she wanted a job with more responsibility. Elise didn’t want me, she wanted what I could give her. Just like all the others. It had nothing to do with me as a man.

The vulnerability faded away, replaced by a cold, icy anger that was much more familiar. Much more understandable. This pull-back from Elise was a trick to gain control and get me to do her bidding.

That would never happen.

But she was right about one thing. Tomorrow was the day I had been working toward for years. The sale of Podium. I needed to concentrate on making the best decision for the company Nate and I had built together. Not lament a lost relationship that had never even gotten off the ground.

Sitting down on the edge of the bed, I considered both Laurent and Celeste as potential buyers.

While Laurent was an arrogant prick, his experience with sports teams could lead Podium to even greater success.

Not to mention he’d made an offer that was damn hard to ignore.

Celeste, on the other hand, had a genuine passion for the opportunity and cared about the people working for Podium. But was that enough?

As much as I tried to avoid it, my thoughts kept drifting back to Elise.

I undressed and climbed into bed, trying not to think about the fact that she had been right here mere hours ago.

The sheets still smelled of her, the pillow too.

I still longed for her—to be inside her, to talk to her, to hold her in my arms and stroke her soft, creamy skin.

With a snarl, I punched the pillow and settled into it. I pushed her out of my mind to focus on what truly mattered: the future of Podium.

“Tomorrow,” I murmured to myself with determination. “Everything will become clear.” And forcing my clenched muscles to relax, I cleared my mind to sleep, preparing for the life-changing decision that awaited me.