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

Chapter Three

Clay

As I shut my briefcase and prepared to leave the jet, I glanced at Elise and Bart. Excitement was written on their faces as they craned their heads to look out the window. I was a little envious of their enthusiasm.

“The water is so many shades of blue!” Elise said as we climbed into the limousine she had arranged. Her dark-blue eyes sparkled, complementing the water behind her.

“Definitely not the Hudson River,” I replied. My stomach tightened as our gazes met, which had never happened. I hardly ever spared her a second glance, and now I frowned.

Fortunately, distraction arrived in the form of an email on my phone. In addition to the Podium sale, my other major project at the moment was the acquisition of an electric vehicle technology company. I tapped out a quick reply, pleased the GreenDrive venture was progressing.

The forty-five-minute drive flew by, punctuated by long stretches of highway soaring over nothing but ocean.

Soon we found ourselves atop a gentle hill on the northern end of Calypso Key.

The view was breathtaking. The Key’s namesake resort sprawled below us, hugged by the turquoise ocean that stretched out endlessly to the south.

A wave of nostalgia washed over me, childhood memories flooding back as I took in the sight before me.

“Excellent,” I murmured, inspecting the buildings as we neared the lobby and finding my adult standards met.

Twinkling holiday lights, dim in the daylight, were strung under the eaves and more were wrapped around the trunks of nearby trees.

“Nate told me they really stepped up their game, but seeing it in person is rather gratifying.”

As our limo pulled to a stop in front of the one-story lobby building, my door was opened. After I exited, a thirtyish man shook my hand. He was about my height and wore a blue staff button-down shirt. His light-brown hair was short and neat.

“Welcome to Calypso Key Resort.” He smiled warmly and shook our hands in turn before settling his gaze on me. “We’re very pleased to see you back, Mr. Harmon. I’m Evan Markham, the general manager. I’ll be your point of contact during your stay, and available for whatever you might need.”

“Thank you. We appreciate it,” I replied. Despite my preoccupations, I was gratified the manager himself was meeting us.

“Let’s get you all settled in,” Evan suggested, leading us farther into the resort. “We’ll bypass the lobby, and I’ll check you in directly.”

As we walked, Evan favored his right leg slightly. “We recently underwent a major renovation,” he explained, his blue eyes warm and friendly. “The resort is much more modern and luxurious than you might remember from your childhood, Mr. Harmon.”

“I can see that,” I said, glancing around. Everything was new—clean lines and natural wood accents blended seamlessly with the tropical setting. “It’s quite impressive. Tropical and yet modern.”

Evan smiled. “Thank you. Guest satisfaction is our top priority, and I want to assure you we will do everything possible to make your stay and the New Year’s Eve gala a complete success.” He tipped his head to Elise. “It’s nice to finally meet you in person.”

“Likewise! I feel like we’re old friends after all our correspondence. Thank you for being so accommodating to my pestering these past few weeks.” Elise laughed and her nose wrinkled, something else I’d never noticed before.

Why the hell am I thinking about her face?

The general manager grinned. “It was hardly pestering. I think we have everyone’s requirements noted.” He turned to me and inclined his head. “Elise has been a great help with planning.”

Bart held his hand out to Evan, and they shook. “I’m the guy who makes sure the final bill gets paid,” Bart added, and I had to work to keep from wincing.

“Uh, pretty sure that’s Clay,” Elise murmured. I couldn’t help the small smile that rose on my face as our eyes held for a moment.

We arrived at a row of beachfront cottages standing above a long stretch of white powder. A light, warm breeze carried the scent of the ocean and rustled the palm fronds above.

“Here we are,” Evan said, coming to a stop.

“Yours is on the end, Mr. Harmon. We’ve put you in a two-bedroom unit with a private pool.

I should also mention that Ms. Rhodes and Mr. Dubois are in cottages farther down the beach.

” He gestured down the row of similar beachfront accommodations before turning back.

“Ms. Briggs, Mr. Mayhew, your cottages are next door to Mr. Harmon’s.

Both are identical, with lovely views of the ocean. ”

Evan’s eyes met mine briefly and he gave me a slight nod, confirming he’d come through regarding the request I’d made this morning before leaving New York.

After our Christmas staff meeting, it had occurred to me that Elise hadn’t planned on accompanying us on the trip.

An unexpected hint of chagrin filled me.

So while I was reading the paper on the jet, I’d phoned Evan personally and he assured me Elise had already called and was booked into a garden cottage.

I asked if she could be upgraded, and obviously, Evan had made it happen. I nodded back.

He swept his gaze over the three of us. “Would you like me to show you each the features of your rooms?”

Bart looked like he was gearing up to accept, so I shook my head before he could make himself any more of an ass. “No, thank you. I’m sure we’ll be quite comfortable.” I was already envisioning an evening swim as the sun set over the water.

“Very well, Mr. Harmon.” Evan nodded, handing each of us a keycard. “As per your request, I’ve arranged a private scuba diving trip for you three tomorrow morning. April will be your personal divemaster.”

“I can’t wait!” Elise’s eyes lit up with excitement as she glanced at me. Their deep-blue color reminded me of a velvet twilight sky. Which was another weird thought. I focused on her words as she continued. “I only got certified a month ago. I can’t wait to explore the underwater world here.”

Bart chimed in, somewhat defensively, “I’ve been certified for years. Haven’t dived in a while, though. I’m sure it’s like riding a bike.”

I remained silent, not wanting to boast or downplay their enthusiasm. I had been certified for years as well, but I took a refresher course a week ago to ensure I was adequately prepared for any challenges we might find beneath the waves.

Elise’s infectious excitement was endearing, and I found myself looking forward to sharing this experience with her. An image of her in a string bikini flashed into my mind and I felt like slapping myself.

Get a grip, idiot! She’s your assistant, remember?

“I’m sure you’ll both do fine,” Evan said, his warmth evident in his smile.

“April is an exceptional divemaster, and she’ll make sure you all have a safe and enjoyable time.

If there’s anything else you need during your stay, don’t hesitate to contact me directly. ” He handed us each a business card.

“Thank you, Evan,” I responded, shaking his hand firmly. As he took his leave, I noticed his slight limp once again. A reminder that even in paradise, life had its trials.

After settling into my cottage, which more than met my needs, our little trio met for lunch.

As I took my seat at the wooden table of the resort’s casual dining restaurant, Dorado, sunlight glittered on the surface of the nearby free-form pool.

A decorated Christmas tree with wrapped presents underneath stood in one corner.

Elise slid into a chair across from me, the light bringing out hints of honey and cinnamon in her hair.

She’d traded her business suit for a breezy pink sundress that bared her slender shoulders and collarbones.

I caught myself staring at the hollow of her throat and quickly lifted my eyes.

Bart dropped into the chair beside me with a grunt and grabbed his menu. “I’m starving. I wonder what’s good here. I gotta say, this place sure beats the cold courtroom back home. My soon-to-be ex-wife is putting me through the wringer.”

The last thing I wanted to do was discuss Bart’s marital problems, so I asked Elise the first thing that popped into my head. “I hope your family life is more enjoyable than Bart’s.”

She blinked in surprise, like she couldn’t believe I’d asked. “Oh, uh, my parents are still back in Millbrook, where I grew up. No boyfriend or anything.”

I noticed the no boyfriend comment, though I kept my face expressionless.

In truth, I was rather nonplussed to realize that I knew almost nothing about her.

After three years of working together. Then she smiled, and my eyes focused on her face.

Had that little dimple in her cheek always been there?

“I grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania, but I’ve always yearned for the big city,” she continued. “So I’ve had the best of both worlds.”

After ordering, we settled into conversation. It was a new dynamic for us, less strained and formal. Even Bart became less smarmy, and Elise stopped scooting her chair away from him.

After lunch, I headed down the beach to check on Podium’s two top bidders. Both were in their fifties. Laurent Dubois answered the door in a silk robe, polite but standoffish. Though dressed casually, his trimmed salt-and-pepper hair was neatly styled. He insisted he didn’t need a thing.

Several cottages down the beach, Celeste Rhodes was much warmer, exclaiming about the beautiful cottage and thanking me for the special treatment.

Her ash-blonde hair was cut to her shoulders and her loose pants and white blouse were both professional and suitable for the warm climate.

I invited both on tomorrow’s diving excursion, but Laurent looked mortified that I’d even suggest it.

Celeste politely declined, citing a preference for beach time.

With formalities and welcomes completed, I headed back.

The minute I was back in my cottage, I changed into board shorts.

The cool water of my private pool felt amazing on my skin after the island heat.

Though my pool had an expansive view of the beach and ocean, the cottage’s location at the far eastern end ensured privacy.

I sank down until just my head was above the surface, leaning back and closing my eyes.

When I’d had enough and was toweling off, tomorrow’s dive played through my mind.

I could already picture the swaying sea fans and schools of tropical fish.

I smiled to myself, cracking open a local craft beer that I retrieved from the minifridge in my living room.

With a sigh, I sat at the table on my pool deck.

The cold brew was crisp and bright, with hints of citrus.

It perfectly complemented the warm breeze drifting in off the sea.

This getaway might be just what I needed. I couldn’t wait to get in the water tomorrow. Out here, it felt like the rest of the world barely existed.

But it did exist.

And as the sun dipped lower in the sky, I turned my mind to our welcome reception in an hour.

Time to get ready. As I slipped back inside my bedroom, an errant thought flitted through my brain.

What might Elise wear tonight… Business attire like this morning or a breezy dress like this afternoon?

A smile raised my lips. Alone inside my cottage, I could indulge in the forbidden fancy. After all, I’d never act on it.