The pulse beat in his jaw but he gave a sharp nod. “Fine. If that’s what it takes. Write them down. Meantime, I’m staying one more night. If you don’t mind.”

  Karen wanted to slap him for being so damn smug. She clenched her fist and smiled. “Fine, Mr. Collins. We’ll comp you one night.” Turning, she strode to the front desk. She slapped a key down on the counter. “Room six. I’ll have your list for you in the morning.”

  She waited for him to pick up his key and get out of her sight. Her stomach quivered and she wanted nothing more than to tell him to go to hell—but she needed that investment. And she hated that she needed anyone.

  Picking up the key, he strode down the hall to the guest rooms—he should know where they all were by now. When he’d gone, she slumped over the front desk.

  Why? Why him? Why was he so far under her skin that she didn’t know how to get rid of him? She’d thought she could do this—be adult and have a fling. Instead, she’d gotten herself in the deep end. Well, that served her right. And now to find out he just wanted to buy the hotel. That’s why he’d come here. Business was right.

  Straightening, she pushed back her shoulders.

  He was right. She needed funds to get the place fixed up. She needed Mike. But dammit, if she had to buckle in and take his help, this time she was going to make damn sure she had everything nailed down tight so there would be no way he could take advantage of her. She wasn’t going to go through another deal like she had with Lyle. No—she was going to set it up so she could call the shots.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Mike rose early. He found a slip of paper shoved under his door—all nicely typed out. A bill came along with it for a single night. Glancing at the papers, he picked them up, folded them and shoved them into his coat pocket.

  The sun had come up hot and he couldn’t face a tie or a jacket. He showered, shaved with a razor borrowed from the employee locker and headed to the main room of the hotel. Coffee waited for him, but no sign of Karen. He spotted Ted and Juilet heading out, hand-in-hand, talking about heading down to the beach for the day.

  Letting out a breath, Mike debated if he should look for Karen. But why? So they could argue again? So she could go all stubborn and independent on him? She was the worst pain-in-the ass, pushiest…most beautiful girl he knew. He shook his head. He knew he had it bad if he was willing to buckle on buying this place—just to please her.

  But dammit, this was now personal. She’d all but accused him of sneaking in here under false pretenses to…to do what? Scope out the place so he could give her a low offer for the hotel. Just what kind of jerk did she think he was? Well, he was going to show her different—if it killed him.

  Heading to Karen’s office, he found the door open. He slipped in and picked up her phone. A dial tone had him letting out a sigh of relief. He dialed his brother’s private number. Zach answered on the second ring. “Zach! Man, am I glad to hear your voice.”

  “Mike, where the hell are you and what are you doing? And if you start talking tropical beaches, blondes and tall drinks you are so going to be busted.”

  “How about tropical storms, lost luggage, and yeah there’s a blonde, but she’s the owner of the resort we’re about to invest in. Meantime, I sent an email to you—I have no cash and no credit cards. Can you pay to get me airlifted out of here and have funds waiting for me in Fiji?”

  “Already got the email and gotcha covered, little bro. But this isn’t done—I want to hear all about this new investment. I don’t remember that being part of the plan.”

  “Yeah, well plans change. I tell you all about it once I get back.”

  Setting out for the small town down the road, Mike started walking.

  Halfway there, Pops pulled up in his Jeep and offered Mike a ride. Pops wasn’t exactly Mike’s favorite person, but what the hell. A ride was a ride. On the drive, Pops talked Karen’s place down and his own up, and Mike finally turned to the guy. “It’s not one or the other. The Collins Institute is buying both, so what’s your number.”

  Pops named a number three times the land value—Mike had done his research in advance. But he also was tired of the man. He stuck out his hand. “Deal. I’ll have my people draw up the paperwork soon as I get back.”

  Pops stared at him and almost ran off the road.

  Gesturing ahead, Mike said, “Uh, that is if I get back in one piece.”

  Swerving to avoid a bike, Pops grinned. But he got Mike safe to the town. Once there, Mike saw the sea plane tied to a short pier. That had to be his ride. “Thank you, Zach,” he muttered. Throwing his jacket over one arm, he started for the pier, but heard someone calling his name.

  His pulse kicked up—that was a woman’s voice. But when he turned, he saw a local girl with dark hair and green eyes waving at him. “Hey, you’re Mike, right? I’m Seneed. Karen said to give you this before you left.”

  He glanced at the brown bag she held out. “It’s not a bomb is it?”

  She laughed. “Like I’d handle that. Go on. Take it. She said you’d need some basics to get you going.”

  He glanced in the bag and saw a razor, a cheap cell phone, and the deck of cards that he and Karen had used to pass the time during the last storm. Glancing up at Seneed, he saw her grinning at him. “What?”

  She pulled a face and shrugged. “Knowing Karen, I’d say this means she cares.”

  “Yeah, like she would over a toothache.”

  Seneed leaned on one of the pier pylons. “Hey, Karen, she’s had it rough. Her parents passing like that, and then Lyle the snake comes along—you’re lucky you missed that prince of a guy.”

  Throwing a glance over his shoulder, Mike asked, “How long does that plane wait?”

  “You charter it?” she asked.

  “My brother did.”

  “Well, Pete flies and he’ll wait all day as long as someone’s paying.”

  “Great. Let me buy you a coffee. I want to hear all about this Lyle.”

  ***

  The story wasn’t great. A smooth talking man, a romance, money offered that Karen needed. “Now the guy’s leaning on her to pay up and pay in full.” Seneed shook her head and drank back her iced coffee. “The only shark bigger than him on the island is Pops Warner—he’s been trying to sell off his land for way more than it’s worth. But Lyle—he was bad news. And don’t let Karen fool you—she’s a marshmallow underneath.”

  Mike thought about the Karen he knew—the hot one in bed.

  Head tipping, Seneed stared at him. “You gonna be something else Karen has to get over?”

  “No, I’m going to be the thorn in her side—the man she never forgets, because I’m not going to give her time to get over anything.”

  Seneed grinned. “You sound like just the kind of guy she needs. What can I do to help?”

  Chapter Seventeen

  “I don’t want to hear anymore about it, Zach. I am not going back there.” His cheeks warmed. “I.. can’t go back.”

  Zach stared at him. “What do you mean—can’t?”

  Mike let out a breath. He’d been back two weeks and instead of finding civilization a breath of sanity, he was missing warm trade winds and Karen’s smile. He’d gotten the paperwork out to her—and back with a signature. The deal was done. Pops Warner had been bought off and shipped off the island, from what Mike had heard from Seneed. But he’d made a deal—dammit.

  Frowning, Zach asked, “What did you do?”

  Smoothing his tie, Mike picked up the deal he’d inked with Karen. “You didn’t read it, did you?”

  “I’m hoping I don’t have to read everything anymore, Mike. I’d like to get back to the ranch—and Lucy.”

  Mike shook his head. “Yeah, well, the deal is I can’t go unless she invites me. We’re more than silent investors—we’re invisible. Her terms. She didn’t want anyone looking over her shoulder or telling her what to do, and I gave her that.”

  Zach’s mouth fell open. Then he grinned. “Well, I’ll be damned. Why didn’t you just tell me you’re in love with her?”

  “That’s easy. Because I’m not. It was a fling. Two adults having some fun.”

  Zach’s eyes glittered. “Yeah, that’s why you gave her a deal you’d never give to anyone. You are so in over your head. Bet you wake up thinking about her, and go to bed with her being the last thing on your mind?”

  Mike’s face flamed hot.

  Zach’s grin widened. “She makes you laugh—and irritates you to no end? And you’d put your life on the line to save hers?” He frowned. “In fact, you did just that. How much money did we put into that hotel?” Pulling the papers out of Mike’s hand, Zach stared at the number. He gave a low whistle. “We are never recouping that.”

  “We’re an institute now—we don’t have to recoup. And this is going to be our crown jewel. We’ll fly big buck donors to the island to give them a taste of a world that’s disappearing—just like with the ranch. We’ll talk about saving small places like this, keeping them around for another few decades.”

  Zach shook his head. “Got it all figured, huh?”

  Heading over to the couch in his office, Mike flopped onto it. “Everything except how I can see her again.” He spread his hands. “She’s got me hog tied. Can’t come without an invite. And she hates me!”

  Zach came over and stood in front of Mike. “Karen must be one hell of a woman if she’s got you this tied up in knots. But if you’re this far gone, you have to figure out what you’re willing to do to get that woman back on your side. And if you can’t go in the front door, try the back. Hell, didn’t I teach you anything.”

  Sitting up, Mike stared at his brother. “Back door?”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Karen was glad to finally have some silence in the resort. She’d had nothing but hammers pounding and workers crawling around everywhere. The huts had been gutted and redone, all with local craftsmen coming in to do custom furniture. The main building of the hotel now gleamed with fresh paint, and she’d ordered new, stronger shutters to help the hotel ride out any more storms.

  The roof had been redone and the pool glittered—clean and appealing, with a new swim-up bar. Next month she’d have an expanded kitchen and be able to start offering meals not just to guests but anyone who wanted, and would pay for, a meal. She had a stack of resumes to review for the expanded staff. Her head was spinning, and what she wanted now more than anything was to bring on some help to deal with managing all of this.

  What if she failed now? What if Pops was right and she had no business running a resort? What if…

  She cut off the thoughts. She couldn’t afford to fail—she wasn’t going to fail her parents. She lifted her chin. She also was going to prove to Mike that she could do this without him! She let out a breath. But, oh, how she missed him—missed arguing with him, missing having him in her bed, missed his bright blue eyes and…

  Oh, stop it, she told herself.

  A horn honked and she glanced outside to see Seneed’s yellow van. She headed outside, grinning, wondering if the new drapes she’d ordered had arrived.

  Seneed got out of the van and gave her a wave. “Hey, Karen. Mind if I take some photos. The place is looking great!”

  Karen turned and looked at the hotel. She was certain it had never looked better. She glanced at Seneed. “Why do you want photos? You’re welcome to come by anytime and see the place in person.”

  Pulling a digital camera from her van, Seneed came over to the porch. “What do you think of a sunset view? Too cliché? And Mike’s paying me. He needs them for the website and marketing campaign he’s planning.”

  Karen stiffened. “Marketing? That’s what he’s planning. Dammit, I didn’t put anything about the marketing in the contract. That’s where he’s going to go for all the control!”

  Seneed stared at her. “Okay, pot, looks like kettle has done you one better. Boy, are you two ever made for each other.”

  Rounding on her, Karen waved a hand. “We are not—?”

  “Both control nuts.” Seneed shook her head. “Both super A-types who like not only to call the shots but check up to make sure they’re done right, too.” She grinned. “He’s not my type, and you’d drive me nuts, but you two fit. What—you think you didn’t know him long enough? I’d like to find a guy who’d do for me what he’s done for you—and all on your terms. That’s more than hard to find. And, Karen, someone needs to tell you this—it is okay to lean on people every once in a while.”

  Karen shook her head. “I’m not—it’s not—”

  “Now you’re going to tell me you aren’t really gone on the guy, having been running out here every time someone drops by, like me. Yeah, and I haven’t seen your face fall when you see it’s only me. You got it bad. More than bad.”

  Karen sat down on the porch step. “I know. I know. But I—well, I just about threw him out of here. And I made it impossible for him to come back unless I invite him. And what if I ask and he’s lost interest?”

  Tipping her head, Seneed moved around for another shot of the hotel. “What, like lost interest in that he’s not emailing me and asking for those photos? Not putting up a website for this place?”

  Karen waved a hand. “That could be just business. He’s invested in the place. I’ve not only paid off Lyle’s loan, I’ve sunk a ton of his money into the place. Maybe he’s worried I’ll flop without that marketing he’s planning.”

  Rolling her eyes, Seneed sat down next to Karen. “You are the most stubborn person…well, maybe your dad was worse. But, you know what, he took a risk buying this place. Him and your mom. Now you’re telling me you’re not made of the same stuff as your folks? I’m not buying that. You love this place—you’ll make it work. I know that because I know you.”

  Smiling, Karen put an arm over Seneed’s shoulders and hugged her. “How in the world did you get so smart?”

  Seneed grinned. “Comes with the camera—you watch enough of the world through the viewfinder, you see things.” Lifting her camera, Seneed snapped a shot of Karen. “Question now is—what are you gonna do about getting your man back in your bed?”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Two weeks after the renovations finished, Karen stood in the new lobby. It still had the homey feel she’d wanted, but with a slick polish the reminded her of Mike. She also had bookings for the next two months, and more were coming in. She’d hired cooks, waiters, maids, a night manager, and an accountant. At this rate, she was going to be employing just about everyone on the island. But she hadn’t heard from Mike—and she wasn’t sure how to reach out to him.

  Email? Too impersonal. Phone? Her voice would dry up and crack. Letter? Maybe? She’d been toying with a grand opening event next week to kick off everything, and a few VIP invitations seemed in order. But what if he didn’t come? What if he’d forgotten about her? She kept trying to hang onto Seneed’s encouraging words, but words were words—and she hadn’t had any from Mike since he’d left.

  She heard a van outside and headed to the front porch. She wasn’t expecting any new deliveries. And her first guests weren’t booked to arrive till next week. The gray van didn’t have any markings on it, but a dark-haired man in dark blue workman’s overalls got out and came around, a backpack in his hand. Karen’s mouth fell open.

  “Mike?”

  The workman glanced up. Sure enough—Mike. She’d know those blue eyes and that easy grin anywhere. Her stomach knotted, her pulse kicked up, and heat flushed her skin. She propped a fist on her hip. “I don’t remember inviting you—you’re in violation of our contract!”

  His grin didn’t budge. “Nope. You did invite me.” He pulled a slip of paper from his front pocket, unfolded it and held it out. “Work order. I’m here to make sure the storm shutters from Storm Proof were correctly installed.”

  “Shutters?” Coming down the steps she snatched the paper from him. She glanced at it and back to Mike. “I bought the shutters from this company.” She slapped the paper. “Not from you!”

  “Yeah, and do you have any idea how hard it was to get hired on with them? Jeeze, you’d have thought I was asking if I could join the Secret Service. Finally had to buy the damn company.” He folded up the work order and pocketed it again.

  Karen blinked. “You bought…? Just how rich are you?”

  Mike glanced up at the hotel. “A lot less since I met you. But I can’t complain. The place looks amazing—better than I thought it could. Now are you going to let me check those shutters? I’ve heard a bad storm’s coming.”

  Frowning, she glanced at the cloudless blue sky and back to Mike. “There’s no storm on the forecast. For weeks.”

  He dropped the grin and nodded, serious now and certain. “Oh, yeah, there is. Could leave us stranded for a week. Hey, did you ever get the generator fixed?”

  “Well, actually—that’s on my next year list. I wanted the budget to go into everything for the guests, and next year—”

  “Budget? Did I put you on a budget?”

  Karen crossed her arms. “This place needs to make a profit—meaning I spent what was needed, but not so much that we’re going to be bleeding red ink for the next decade. With the bookings I’ve made so far, we’ll show a profit by—”

  “Whoa. Stop right there. What part of Collins Institute investment didn’t you understand? Institute—as in non-profit, as in we don’t need to show that we’ve made a dime. We’re all about saving open land spaces, and this place is going to expand us into foreign territories. It’s going to be our showcase to wine and dine rich donors and convince them to give up cash so they can see what can be done to keep local economies in small—oh, please tell me you’re hiring local. You’ve got to be hiring local or we’re going to look like idiots.”

  “There you go!” Letting her arms fly wide, Karen faced him. “Trying to take over. Now you know why I didn’t want you here, breathing down my back and telling me how to run this place.”