LITMIR.BIZ

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was thinking what a workout walking in the sand is. If I’m not in shape now, I will be by the time we leave.”

      “Probably.”

      A man of few words. Not that she cared. Tomorrow she would be up with the sun and she intended to enjoy every minute she was here.

      After Jodie went to her room, Dean took a shower, dried off and stretched out on the bed.

      He thought about Rachel. His anger at the abrupt way she’d dismissed him had caught him off guard. He’d learned many years ago to keep his emotions locked down. He considered himself to be a thinking man who wasn’t swayed by irrational feelings. But when Rachel had blown up at him—inconsiderate and unfeeling were the nicest things she’d called him—he’d felt an anger he hadn’t experienced in a long time.

      She hadn’t given him a chance to explain. And she’d made it clear she wanted nothing more to do with him.

      He had no problem with that and he was thankful he hadn’t told her about his plans. Jodie had been right. He’d needed to get away for a few days. Seeing her excitement and enthusiasm this evening had caused him to look at everything through her eyes.

      He couldn’t remember a time when he’d been that joyous about anything.

      Yes, having Jodie here with him might teach him how to enjoy life a little better.

      He bet she’d been protected from the harsher realities of life until her—what? boyfriend? fiancé? she hadn’t said—pulled his stupid stunt.

      He smiled at the way she’d handled the situation. She’d faced the clod and gotten rid of him. But she’d suffered. Why else would she now be too busy to date much?

      He turned and adjusted his pillow, willing himself to sleep. Instead his thoughts circled around Jodie. She’d looked so different today when she’d arrived at the airport, wearing formfitting jeans, a sweater, ankle boots and a parka.

      The cold had turned her cheeks and nose a rosy hue, and he couldn’t help wondering why he’d only noticed today how attractive she was. She was more than attractive, actually. Beautiful was an overused word and it didn’t quite fit her, but it came close. He liked her looks. He liked and had always appreciated her frankness and her refusal to be intimidated by him. Jodie worked hard and earned every penny of her salary. She was smart and he valued her judgment.

      He’d be lost without her.

      At least she’d still be with the company. He hoped she could find someone as efficient to replace her.

      He wanted this trip to be special for her. He’d get in touch with Furukawa tomorrow to set up a meeting. Once they met, he’d know if he had a chance of setting up some security systems for him.

      He settled into sleep, planning the next day’s activities.

      “So much for plans,” he muttered to himself the next morning when he discovered Jodie wasn’t still in bed. He’d ordered breakfast from the restaurant, and when it had arrived, he’d knocked on her door.

      When she hadn’t answered, he’d eased the door open and discovered her room to be empty.

      He sat at the kitchen bar, sipped his coffee and ate some of the delicious fruit that seemed to come with each meal. He’d arranged to have several newspapers brought to him each morning, so he read them while he absently ate.

      Eventually Dean wandered over to the window and looked down at the beach.

      The water looked peaceful this morning and there were several people on the beach, some walking and some relaxed in recliners, reading.

      He watched as a lithe young woman came out of the water and grabbed her towel. He watched her for a few minutes before he recognized Jodie.

      Her blond hair clung to her head in a beguiling helmet. Her face glowed with pleasure as she quickly dried off and placed her towel on the sand.

      Dean couldn’t take his eyes off her. Why had he never noticed her trim waist and curvaceous backside. In a one-piece bright red swimsuit cut high on the thighs, she could have posed for the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine.

      She slicked her hands over her hair before ruffling it with her fingers. She had a way of moving that was quite sensuous. Why had he never noticed?

      Dean realized that he wasn’t the only male taking notice of her. As he watched, one of the men walked over and spoke to her. Dean turned away. It was none of his business what she did or who she met. So why was he bothered by seeing another man come on to her? There was absolutely no reason for him to feel so possessive about his secretary. She was free to enjoy her vacation in whatever manner she wanted.

      He looked back down at them. The male said something to her and she laughed and turned away.

      She laughed.

      She didn’t laugh around him.

      With fresh resolve, he turned back to the papers on the counter and scanned them. He looked at his watch. He felt restless and unsettled, and it was too early to call his prospective client. He wondered how things were going at the office. His second in command could handle anything that came up. He knew the business as well as Dean did.

      Dean paced to the window and looked at the sea, the mountains and finally the beach. She was alone now, but that didn’t seem to bother the men who noticed her. He hoped they got their eyeful.

      Dean turned away. He could go down there, maybe do a little swimming…except he hadn’t packed a suit. Well, he could walk along the beach, but then the sand would fill his shoes.

      The clothes he’d chosen to bring weren’t suitable here. Of course, he’d be working, so it probably wouldn’t matter. But if he wasn’t working, what then? He shook his head in frustration. What did people do on vacation? After a moment he picked up the phone and called the office.

      The sun was high overhead by the time Jodie gathered up her towels and beach bag to go search for something to eat. She’d go shower and change clothes and wander down the beach. There was bound to be a place other than the restaurant that was nearby.

      She’d had great fun this morning and had met several people who, like her, were there enjoying the warm weather and beautiful scenery with no regrets about missing winter on the mainland.

      She’d met a couple on their honeymoon, another celebrating their thirtieth wedding anniversary and a young couple with two little girls playing in the shallows.

      Two or three guys had stopped and introduced themselves. One of them said he was on the beach each morning and would probably see her again. Another told her that today was his last day there and he intended to enjoy the water to the very last minute.

      When she let herself into the condo, Jodie knew Dean wasn’t there. She wasn’t certain how he managed to do it, but his charged energy filled whatever space surrounded him. When he wasn’t there, the place was peaceful.

      She looked around and saw a pile of newspapers beside a chair and the remains of breakfast on the kitchen counter. He’d ordered for both of them, she discovered, lifting a lid. She ate a brioche and then grabbed a banana. Delicious. That should tide her over while she showered and dressed.

      Peering into the mirror after her shower, Jodie touched her nose. Yes, she’d definitely gotten some sun. She was going to have to be very careful not to burn.

      She rubbed more sunscreen into her skin before she went into her bedroom to dress.

      Jodie had splurged on her new clothes, telling herself that a vacation in Hawaii deserved tropical wear. She chose a pair of sandals, walking shorts and a sleeveless blouse that matched her blue eyes.

      She left the condo and waited for the elevator. When the doors opened, Dean stood there. He was the first to speak.

      “Going down?” he intoned politely.

      She laughed. “Yes, please,” she said, stepping

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