morning, someone knocked o

it had always been packed. It was the same stuff I'd taken w

e peephole of my door was a dark u

numb and my en

ow did he

s only the one window in the front of

gain, louder now

u don't get your ass out here in

en carpet. It wasn't Jacob-It was Madden. I inhaled air into

stil

the door to find a very irritated Madden Cro

, when I knock I expect y

orway. I reached down and grabbed my bag. He took it from me and h

turning imagining the thousand ways I might die this weekend after agreeing to go away with a virtual stranger. Then I'd remember what I

y and motel instant coffee and day old donuts were almost

was possible for such a chiseled body and face. Instead of a business suit, he had on a black button up short sleeve shirt and jeans today. It made

ng all hot and bothered. I knew what the deal had been for, I was

know when he

to the enormous limo waiting in the parking lot. The man in the uniform opene

in across from me. Holy god. I had never

eamed in the lights running along both sides of the inside of the roof, flanking a moon-roof that was closed. A gl

my neck. Maybe it was the first time I'd ever been in a limo, and yes, I might be a little wide eyed at it all. I str

alant, bored voice. "But I thought these thi

, it seemed to shrink. He had a presence that no one would deny. This man was an enigma already. Last night he'd been harsh and demanding and I'd r

s we passed my little grey Mini Cooper. I used all my money to pay for t

the foreman and a meeting with one of the investors, but after that..." His intense gaze pierced mine and

elt more and

ans were clean and this morning I had chosen a light peasant blouse that was probably the dressiest thing I owned.

is resort? I

of South Carolina. Its really an island that w

thought it was local. It never occurred to me that we mig

eached over to the bar and opened a cupboard I didn't even notice was there. Ice clinked into a glass and

at

ry time he looked at me, it was pro

concealed and made to look like part of

ile. "So you buy islan

re and you had no idea?" He tipped back the glass and his throat moved as he swallowed. E

wn a few days ago so I wasn't familiar with you or your business. It's no

mous pictures of high rises on

to mind and came out of my mouth. It was the cause of most of the problems I had with just about everyone growing up. Something I had not outgro