After two hours, they’d covered everything on the agenda, including naming the coffeehouses. Grant had chosen her suggestion. Honu. He even approved of her sea turtle logo idea. She liked that.

  He signed the contract, which meant the expansion was good to go. Lana felt no sense of satisfaction at a job well done, her emotions too caught up in all the upheaval.

  “Perfect timing,” Martin announced. “Shall we head down to dinner?”

  They all rose, and Lana wondered if she could escape for a few minutes to collect her thoughts before having to spend another couple of hours with the two men. In the elevator she punched her floor number and then ground her teeth when Martin started to talk.

  “Lana, are you not joining us for dinner?”

  She turned to face him, giving him the sweetest smile she could muster up under the circumstances. But her voice was steel. “Yes, I’m just stopping by my room first. If that’s okay with you.”

  The doors whooshed open and she stepped out before Martin could speak, commenting over her shoulder, “I’ll be down shortly. Please don’t wait for me to order.”

  She raced down the hall and took refuge in her room for as long as she thought she could get away with it. To hell with a proper skirt and blouse, she needed to breathe. She was in Hawaii and decided to play the part. Stripping off the no-nonsense business clothes, she threw them in the corner and changed into a colorful sarong shot with sparkly thread and tiny crystals. She matched it with a lightweight, formfitting black crocheted top with straps made of jet beads that caught the light. The neckline was low and sat nicely on the rise of her breasts. Take that, Grant!

  Turning before the mirror to check her look, Lana was pleased with the result. Exotically sexy if she did say so herself. The hell with it if Martin disapproved. She didn’t have any jewelry to accent it, but knew of a frangipani tree where she could pluck a flower for her hair. That ought to bring back a memory or two for Grant.

  Who was she kidding? She might be mad at Grant, but she was still as attracted as hell to him. And maybe a part of her also wanted to twist the knife so he knew what he was going to be missing.

  * * *

  SHE SPOTTED THE men across the room and zeroed her gaze on Grant. Lifting her chin and straightening her shoulders, she made her way to the table in the corner. The view was nothing compared to Grant. He’d hung his suit jacket on the back of the chair and rolled up his sleeves, exposing his muscular forearms. She had the urge to run her fingertips over the fine hairs and closed her eyes quickly, not wanting to enjoy the burst of arousal in her belly.

  No doubt about it, he was one sexy beast. With his attention on Martin, she could watch him without his knowing. She let her gaze crawl over him, imprinting him in her mind. Then he turned and his dark eyes met hers. It almost made her pause in her step, but she forced herself to keep going. She smiled at him and though his eyebrows rose in surprise, he returned her smile. He stood as she got closer and pulled a chair out for her.

  Boldly looking at her, his gaze raked over her body, down to her toes and then slowly back up to her face. Lana’s heart beat quicker and suddenly she felt hot. From the inside out. She fought to keep herself calm, but her body betrayed her and excitement grew. She knew what it was like to be in this man’s arms, and her body wanted it again.

  “You look beautiful, Lana,” Grant said in a low sultry voice.

  She nodded and flicked her gaze up to him, not breaking eye contact as he settled into the chair beside her. She completely forgot Martin was across the table until he spoke.

  “This calls for a celebration.” Martin raised his hand and snapped his fingers. That entitled gesture cemented Lana’s decision not to work for him any longer. He grated on her every nerve and she was no longer able to brush it aside. Having been in Grant’s company and seeing him as she had, so kind and polite to all around him no matter how high powered or super rich he was only threw Martin into worse light. She couldn’t be part of that any longer. The waiter approached and Martin took the wine list from him. “A bottle of Cristal will do nicely.” He handed the wine list back to the waiter without a second glance. Lana smiled at the waiter, trying to make up for Martin’s rudeness.

  Lana got through dinner, but not without a whole lot of suffering, her distaste for Martin building along with her awareness of Grant beside her. Feeling his tension, which spiked her own. Her body warred with arousal, anger and confusion, and she was wound tighter than a drum.

  The champagne began to take the edge off, and she gulped the remainder of her glass and turned to Grant.

  “We need to talk.”

  Grant leaned back in his chair, every move he made smooth and sensual, reaching right inside her like warm fingers grabbing her heart. “Do we now?” His voice held a touch of strain, reminding her of the times they made love.

  She nodded and swallowed the lump forming in her throat.

  Martin interrupted them. “Lana, I don’t think the time is right. And what could you possibly have to talk about? This is a business dinner.”

  Lana turned her gaze on her boss. “Martin, I quit.”

  He sputtered, blinking rapidly, “B-but I don’t accept your resignation. You’re needed on this account—”

  Lana shook her head. “No, I’m not. When I get back to Toronto I’ll give you two weeks, a month if you need it, to replace me, but I’m moving on.”

  She stood, her eyes catching Grant’s. His look of amusement made her smile for the first time since she’d walked out of his house yesterday. She held out her hand to him. “Are you coming?”

  He nodded and stood, taking her hand.

  “But, I don’t understand...” Martin sputtered.

  Lana felt a twinge of pity for him. She softened her tone and tried to explain, “Martin, working for you has been a great opportunity for me. But I need to move on and establish myself outside of your company. I’ll help find a replacement, but as of now, I’m on holiday until I come back to Canada. I’ll see you next week.”

  She turned and gently tugged Grant’s hand. It was time to clear the air.

  11

  LANA COULDN’T GET Grant outside quickly enough. She dragged him through the hotel, down past the pool and out onto the sand. He didn’t say a word the entire time.

  Now that she had him where she wanted him, she stood frozen at the edge of the surf, her back to him, warm waves rushing up over her feet. She stared out across the sea, watching the distant twinkly lights on the catamarans as they bobbed up and down in the swells.

  Her body began to tremble, and Grant stepped in close behind, his arms circling her waist as he had done so many times over the past few days. She sighed and leaned back in to him, loving how she fit so perfectly with his body. Even though everything felt so right with him, she needed to know. Get answers to her questions.

  His breath next to her ear fluttered her hair and she tipped her head sideways, knowing he would find that supersensitive spot with his lips. He didn’t let her down and she moaned. His hands splayed across her belly, holding her against him so she couldn’t miss his arousal. His cock pressed against her bottom, making her melt. She didn’t pull away when his other hand crept up between her breasts and slid to cover one, gently kneading until she felt her nipples rise up, aching for his touch.

  “G-Grant. Stop. Please,” she whispered, unsure if he heard the words as the breeze off the water stole them from her lips. Pushing his hands away was almost impossible to do, but she had to. They did need to talk. She stepped out of the circle of his heat and turned around to face him. Rather than allowing her to speak he yanked her roughly against his chest, threaded his fingers in her hair and pulled her head back.

  She could see everything in his eyes. Not just arousal, but more, and her lips parted, waiting for him. Knowing that this kiss would be the most important one they ever shared. And possibly the last.

  As his mouth sealed over hers, she met his tongue with her own. She let herself get lost in him, just as a great explosion startled them both. Fireworks erupted in the night sky.

  Grant leaned down and whispered in her ear, “I didn’t need those fireworks to go off. You light me up all on your own.”

  Lana watched the display for a moment before turning back to Grant. “Are you married?”

  He looked as if he’d just been punched in the gut and stepped away from her. “What are you talking about?”

  “Answer me. Are. You. Married? Simple yes or no question.”

  He stared down at her for a few excruciating seconds before shaking his head. “No.”

  Relief flooded through her and she had to swallow back an almost hysterical giggle that bubbled up her throat. But she still needed to find out the whole truth. “When I saw you with that woman...”

  “What woman?”

  “Oh, come on. I found pictures of you! Next to a redhead with a big-ass diamond on her finger.” She held up her left hand and wiggled her fingers, unable to contain the bitter tone that crept into her voice. “You looked blissfully happy.”

  Grant burst out laughing and this time it was Lana who was confused. “What’s so funny? I don’t think it’s very funny at all.” She poked him in the chest. “And what about you owning this coffee company, too, and that was your house we were at the other night on the Big Island, wasn’t it?” She was on a roll now and the words spilled out of her. She had to get it all out before he had a chance to distract her again. “All the stuff about you that I never knew, or rather that you never told me—which you should’ve by the way—and, and I...find out—”

  To her horror, tears sprang into her eyes. She sucked in a breath, about to continue when Grant took her by the shoulders and pulled her close, trapping her with his gaze. The look in his eyes melted her heart. A softness that had never been there before grew, as did his gentle smile and that damned dimple in his cheek, making him look so vulnerable and cute.

  “Lana, calm yourself, ya. I don’t know what pictures you’re talking about, but I’m not married now. Haven’t been for almost three years. The redhead is my ex-wife.”

  He’s divorced. “Any kids?” she blurted.

  He chuckled and shook his head. “No kids.” He kissed her on the forehead and then looked deep into her eyes again. “We weren’t married long, it was pretty much over before it started and should never have happened in the first place.”

  “Oh. But why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Because I don’t think about that part of my life. It’s over. It’s not important.”

  “But...”

  He sighed, but didn’t look annoyed. “What else?”

  “There were many opportunities for you to tell me you owned this coffee company. Why did you hide who you were?”

  “Because we had just met and the fact that you didn’t know anything about me was refreshing. I needed to know you liked me for me and not because I own the company or had these houses in Hawaii. Yes, the house on the Big Island is mine, too.”

  “Why?”

  “In my experience, some women can be blinded by these things. I’ve already been through that and don’t plan on doing it again.”

  Lana nodded, accepting his answers. “I understand. I want you to know I wasn’t snooping in your house. I was just looking at some books on your shelf and the pictures fell out.”

  “I’m sorry you had to find them.”

  “When we were talking about coffee, when I mentioned my business...were you keeping things from me then, too?”

  “At first I had a suspicion we could be coming in for the same meeting. Remember what you said to me on the plane?” He paused and looked at her expectantly.

  Lana furrowed her brow and recalled their conversation, but couldn’t pinpoint anything that would hold significance for him. “Tell me.”

  “Your feelings were very strong about business romance. So I didn’t say anything at the time. But then it didn’t seem like our meetings were connected so...” He shrugged and squeezed her shoulders, giving her a little shake. “Why did you run off? Why didn’t you wait and ask me then, to save all this upset?”

  “Well, I’ve been burned in the past, too. By lying and cheating men. It was easier just to go. I know now I should’ve waited or at least phoned you and asked you.”

  He pulled her tight and wrapped his arms around her. “Then we both learned a lesson, didn’t we?”

  Lana snuggled into him, emotion swelling within her.

  “And I quit my job! Holy shit.”

  “Yes, you did. What do they say? When one door closes another one opens? I’ll be needing someone to run the Canadian operations.”

  Lana looked up at him, shocked.

  “Are you offering me a job?” she asked.

  “Just that. You think you can handle it? I mean, would you be able to keep our personal and professional lives separate? And there will be travel involved. I will make sure of that.”

  Lana smiled. He was serious and this was the opportunity she had been waiting for, in her career and in her heart. But she felt like teasing him a little.

  “Well, I don’t know. Remember, I’m not a fan of office romance.”

  Grant burst out laughing.

  “Hmm, then maybe we have to have a different plan, ya? I want you in my bedroom and in my boardroom. Lana, the days we spent together were the best I’ve ever experienced. I’m sorry you were hurt by me not telling you who I was, but I hope you understand.” She nodded, never looking away from him. “When you left yesterday it was as if the light had gone out of my world. I don’t ever want that to happen again.”

  “Oh, Grant, I was a wreck after I left! But when I got Martin’s email that the meeting had been moved up I was angry at myself for being so swept away by you. Knowing it may have compromised my career.” She laughed, and then said, “I had no idea I was going to quit, though.”

  He shushed her with a kiss and then murmured next to her lips, “Stay with me. I know you need your career, but I need you in my life. I never want to let you go.”

  Lana threw her arms around his neck. “Me either. I can’t believe how much you’ve become a part of me in such a short time. We can make it work. Right?” She looked up at him, and his confident smile was all she needed.

  “I’m sure of it.”

  Lana stepped away and gave him a sultry smile. She stretched out her hand. “Deal. We can work it out. But right now, I’m officially on holiday. How about you? Can you take a week or so off?”

  Grant’s laughter filled her heart with joy. His warm fingers closed around hers, sending a thrill up her arm that rushed right down to settle with liquid fire in her belly. Good God, this man had the touch and it seemed as if that touch was just for her now.

  “No, we’re not shaking on this.” Grant’s voice was tight as he pulled her to him. “This deal is being sealed with a kiss.”

  She threw back her head and laughed. Flinging her arms around his neck, she jumped up so he had to catch her. He silenced her with his lips, slanting them across hers. Lana opened to him in every sense—her heart, her trust, her future.

  “Now, what do you say we clear out your room and go back to the grass shack. If you like, we can stay there or fly over to my other house. The choice is yours, my lovely.”

  * * * * *

  If you like fun, sexy and steamy stories with strong heroines and irresistible heroes, you’ll love

  THE HARDER YOU FALL by New York Times

  bestselling author Gena Showalter—featuring

  Jessie Kay Dillon and Lincoln West, the sexy

  bachelor who’s breaking all his rules for this

  rowdy Southern belle...

  Keep reading for an excerpt from THE HARDER YOU FALL by Gena Showalter.

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  The Harder You Fall

  by Gena Showalter

  WEST HAD BROUGHT a date.

  The realization hit Jessie Kay like a bolt of lightning in a freak storm. Great! Wonderful! While she’d opted not to bring Daniel, and thus make West the only single person present—and embarrassingly alone—he’d chosen his next two-month “relationship” and hung Jessie Kay out to dry.

  Hidden in the back of the sanctuary, Jessie Kay stood in the doorway used by church personnel and scowled. Harlow had asked for—cough, banshee-screeched, cough—a status report. Jessie Kay had abandoned her precious curling iron in order to sneak a peek at the guys.

  Now she pulled her phone out of the pocket in her dress to text Daniel. Oops. She’d missed a text.

  Sunny: Party 2nite?????

  She made a mental note to respond to Sunny later and drafted her note to Daniel.

  I’m at the church. How fast can you get here? I need a friend/date for Harlow’s wedding

  A response didn’t come right away. She knew he’d gone on a date last night and the girl had stayed the night with him. How did she know? Because he’d texted Jessie Kay to ask how early he could give the snoring girl the boot.

  Sooo glad I never hooked up with him.

  Finally, a vibration signaled a response.

  Any other time I’d race to your rescue, even though weddings are snorefests. Today I’m in the city on a job

  He’d started some kind of high-risk security firm with a few of his Army buddies.

  Her: Fine. You suck. I clearly need to rethink our friendship

  Daniel: I’ll make it up to you, swear. Want to have dinner later???