Page 69 of Maneater

TWENTY-EIGHT

Suspect list for Daydream Resorts based on current intel:

Daniel, the general manager

Jonas, head of security

Tanya, the spa manager

Jealous redhead

All security personnel

TWENTY-NINE

ROWAN

The next morning is packed with trying to ensure Jacob Barlow doesn’t leave us a horrible review, much less sue us after his suite was broken into, and speaking with the local police to ensure the report is filed. I also wanted to confirm they have noted the previous issues we’ve experienced: once we find out who is doing the sabotage, I sure as fuck plan to press charges to the full extent.

This means that, unfortunately, I don’t get to have breakfast with Josie as I requested; instead, I send a breakfast platter up to her room as an apology, along with a note explaining that I’ve realized I don’t have her number yet. Normally, having to blow off plans for work wouldn’t bother me, since my career has always taken priority. However, as is happening more and more since Josie entered my life, I wish I had a normal job, or at the very least, a healthier work-life balance.

It also makes me realize that I am in much, much deeper than I had been telling myself—not just for the last week, but for the last year. Still, there’s something about finally crossing that line in my head, of admitting that I don’t care whatever her agenda is, I just want her, that makes me finally admit it to myself.That realization, mixed with the way rage simmered in my veins at the sight of her dancing with someone else, brought me to the conclusion that there’s no fucking hope in staying away from her. What’s the point of pretending?

I’ve spent the last week and a half trying to avoid her, and last night, at seeing her in the arms of Dax, something snapped.

Fuck decency.

Fuck what is “right.”

Fuck work and needing to focus on nothing but hitting some invisible milestone I’m starting to understand I’ll never truly be happy with.

Last night, I felt more fulfilled having Josie in my arms than I ever have by any professional accomplishment in my life. Even more, knowing that at some point today I plan on making time to see her, dragging her into a corner and kissing her breathless, actually pushed me to be more productive than usual and finish what’s necessary for the day early, meaning all I have to do for the day are a handful of phone meetings.

Like the seemingly obsessive man I am, I keep a tab open while I’m on one of those calls, tracking Josie and Rory’s room number so I can see if and when they sign into one of the restaurants or order something from a bar with the intention of either pulling up the cameras to watch her until I can make time to meet up with her.

One of the marketing execs is droning on during what I think is a useless weekly board meeting that should really be an email when that tab pings: Rory and Josie just checked into one of the more casual restaurants on the property for lunch.

Lunch. I check the time and my schedule, realizing it’s eleven, and my next call is at one.