Lip Lock (14 page)

“I found it and returned it to human resources,” Sara informed him. “Why do you need it now? Is there a legal matter?” Her expression tightened. “Is there something wrong with Joy?”

Joy. That was her name. “How’s she doing?”

“She transitioned into the job smoothly,” Sara said carefully. “Do you have a concern?”

“No.” How could he? Joy didn’t make any glaring mistakes. Worked independently. No drama.

And yet he missed seeing Molly. Who wasn’t perfect, but worked hard. Only her presence was a disturbing force of nature.

Kyle heard a knock and saw Timothy standing at the open door of his office. “Do you have a minute?”

“Sure.” Kyle nodded at Sara, indicating that they were done. “What’s up?”

Timothy waited for Sara to leave and shut the door behind her. He silently walked to the desk. Kyle could tell he wasn’t going to like what he was going to hear.

“Molly is missing.”

Kyle felt the kick in his stomach. At first he thought it was anger, but then he recognized it for what it was. Panic. Worry.

He turned and stared at his computer screen as the emotions swirled and crashed inside him. He didn’t want to worry about Molly. This was the woman who
stole
from him.
Lied
to him.

“When did you last see her?” Kyle asked.

“That’s the problem.” Timothy gripped the edge of the desk with his hands. “The investigators never got a lead on her.”

Kyle glanced up. “At all?”

“She no longer lives at the apartment she rented. She hasn’t used any credit cards, and her truck rental has been abandoned.”

“Abandoned,” Kyle repeated. That didn’t sound right. If she could have left that stuff, she would have done so before she got fired. “Abandoned where? Was there anything in the truck?”

“Nothing but an orange sofa,” Timothy said. “The trail is cold.”

Kyle felt cold, too.

“It’s like the moment she stepped out of this building, she vanished.” Timothy motioned at the window.

Ice filled his veins.

“How much do you want to bet Molly isn’t her real name?” His friend shook his head, obviously considering the possibility that they all had been duped so easily.

Could Molly have lied about something that basic, yet so important?

“Don’t we have background checks for that?”

Timothy shrugged. “You can get around that if you know what you’re doing.”

Which meant Molly might have been one hell of a pro. And he turned out to have been a very easy mark.

“I’m going to keep the investigators going,” Timothy said as he walked back to the door. “No one hides without a reason.”

“Good idea,” Kyle agreed. And he definitely wanted the reason.

Sara all but ran into his office Friday afternoon. “Kyle, big problem.”

He looked up from the computer screen. “Lay it on me.”

“We don’t have reservations for Darrell and Bridget.” The executive assistant thrust her hands into her curly red hair and groaned.

“What are you talking about?”

“You invited the plaza+tag owners to come visit our office,” she reminded him.

“I did?” He forgot about that.

“Yes. To show them you have everything under control.” She studied his blank expression. “Strong, united front? Any of this ringing a bell?”

“It’s coming back to me.” That was before he found out just how little control he had over his empire. Bringing over the people with whom he wanted to align forces was not a good idea at this time. But it was too late to call off the plans.

“I gave Molly the task of making the arrangements,” Sara went on. “I mean, how hard could it be? In fact, Molly volunteered to do it. And guess what?”

He made a guess. “She didn’t do it.”

Sara tossed her hands in the air. “She didn’t do it!”

“We’ll come up with something.” He shrugged a shoulder, ready to return to his computer.

“I’ve tried everything.” Sara put her hands on her hips. “I’ve called in favors. I looked into rental apartments. We have nothing.”

“Nothing?” That couldn’t be possible.

Sara rolled her eyes. “Nothing that would make a good impression. Next time, don’t invite clients over for Thanksgiving week.”

“It’s going to be Thanksgiving next week?” Wow, the year went by fast.

“The holiday falls on the fourth Thursday of every November. No reason to change it this year.”

Kyle felt his eyebrow rise. It wasn’t like Sara to talk back like this. She must be really rattled by the turn of events. “These guys accepted on Thanksgiving?”

“Maybe they are just like you and don’t keep track.”

He recalled what he knew about the guests. “The summaries you gave me said they were a married couple. Outdoorsy.”

“Are you suggesting I go buy a tent for them?” Sara rubbed her hand across her forehead. “Maybe a kerosene lamp?”

Kyle ignored her as he tried to remember the guests’ interests. “Hiking, kayaking, rock climbing…”

“What about it?”

“I bet that’s why they accepted,” he said as he leaned back in his chair. “They want a taste of the Pacific Northwest.”

Sara considered what he said. “Possible.”

“And we are going to give it to them.”

“Okay, let me repeat myself.” She put her hands on the glass desktop and leaned in to gain his full attention. “We have no hotel room for them.”

“We don’t need one. I’ll take them to my place.”

She looked at him as if he had lost his mind. “You don’t even know them and they’re going to stay with you?”

“Well, if they try to steal the family silver then I’ll know I don’t want to business with them.”

Sara rose to her full height. “And which place are you talking about?”

Wasn’t it obvious? “My island cottage.”

“That’s a little out of the way.”

Which was why it would work. “I’ll give them a tour of the company and then take them there. No interruptions, no distractions.”

Sara’s hand went back to her forehead. “I thought the whole point was to show them around.”

“The whole point is to get the deal. And we’ll get it done there.”

“You’re going, too?” Sara took a step back from the desk. “You’re leaving the office?”

He slid a sideways glance at her. “It’s been known to happen.”

“Not lately.”

Kyle couldn’t argue with that. “Then I’ll do my best to make the most out of it.”

“How long are you going to be gone?”

“For the week. Think you can manage without me?” he asked with a big grin.

“I’ll try.”

“You better call Laurie and let her know I’m coming with two guests,” Kyle said, returning his attention to the computer. “She’ll be ecstatic.”

Sara whirled on her heel and stopped. “The redecorating!” she exclaimed and smacked her hand on her forehead.

“What?”

She turned around. “You’re redecorating. I have no idea if it’s done.”

“Not a big deal. From the sounds of it, we will be mostly outside.” He looked out his window and felt the lick of anticipation. “You know, I’m kind of looking forward to it.”

Kyle pulled his car off of the ferry and looked around the island. It was unchanged from the last time he visited. Untamed. Serene. Private.

Taking this break might just be what he needed. Clear his head. Get Molly Connors—or whoever she really was—out of his mind.

“Wow,” Darrell said under his breath as he looked out the car window.

Kyle nodded in silent agreement and knew it was a good choice to bring them to the island. Darrell and Bridget seemed to be full of ideas and bursting with positive energy, but if he had tried to contain them in his corporate offices, they would have been miserable.

“Hey, can we go in there for a sec?” Bridget motioned at the store.

“Sure,” Kyle said as he pulled up in front. “I should warn you that this is the only store on the island.” He saw the panic flash in Bridget’s eyes at the news and hid his smile. He realized she might be outdoorsy, but only when modern conveniences were at arm’s reach.

He got out of the car and looked around as Bridget dragged her husband into the store. The evergreen trees and hills did something to him. Comforted him.

Kyle was about to follow his guests when he saw a familiar figure step out of the store. He smiled at the farmer who had property on the other side of the island.

“Michael,” Kyle greeted. “How’s it going?”

“Good.” The elderly man tipped his baseball cap. “Long time, no see, huh?”

“It has.”

“Congratulations, by the way.” The farmer gave him a sly wink and walked away.

“Uh…” He watched the man leave. “Thanks?” What was all that about? Michael didn’t strike him as the type to read the tech and business section of the newspaper. And it had been a while since he struck a major coup. Kyle shrugged it off and stepped into the store.

“This place is like a hidden treasure,” Bridget whispered to Kyle as she picked up a wooden carving made from a local artisan. “I hope this place takes credit cards.”

“Kyle!”

“Mrs. Whitley.” He stepped away from his guest to meet with the island’s teacher who taught at the one-room school. “It’s good to see you here.”

She gave him a knowing smile, her eyes gleaming with delight. “I’m not surprised to see you.”

“You’re not?” He looked around the store, feeling lost. Bridget and Darrell were wandering around the cramped and cluttered aisles as if nothing was amiss.

“Of course not,” the teacher responded. “Not when you have such a pretty woman waiting for you here.”

“Uh…” Was she talking about Laurie? Kyle thought with growing horror. Laurie was his caretaker. He wasn’t sure if the woman was pretty—he hadn’t really noticed—because she was old enough to be his mother!

Mrs. Whitley patted his cheek. “I told her you wouldn’t be able to stay away. She didn’t believe me, but I was right.”

“Uh, yes…you were right. I’m here.” He had no idea what was
going on
here.

“Hi, Kyle.”

“Jerry.” Kyle said as he slowly walked to the counter. “You’re not surprised to see me, either. I guess Laurie told everyone I was coming.”

“Laurie? Naw.” Jerry shook his head. “She’s gone.”

“Gone?”

“Her daughter had a baby boy.” The older man’s forehead crinkled with a frown. “Didn’t you know that?”

“No,” Kyle replied. He tried to remember if Sara had said anything and he hadn’t been listening. “I didn’t get the message. So she’s a grandma now?”

“Yep, she’s gone to help take care of the baby. But I’m sure she’ll be back after Christmas.”

He had guests and no food or help. He was supposed to concentrate on making a deal that would bring him billions. Why didn’t Sara tell him? He had a cell phone and a BlackBerry. “When did this happen?”

“I dunno.” Jerry shrugged and clucked his tongue as he gave it some thought. “Couple of weeks ago.”

Something wasn’t adding up. “Then how did you know I would be back? I only decided a few days ago.”

“Kyle, I know you’re a workaholic and all, but you would never leave your fiancée alone on a holiday.”

“What?!”

“You’re just not that kind of guy,” Jerry decided.

“My fiancée?” Kyle repeated. The word kept slamming against his head.

“Oh, right. Right.” Jerry held up his hand. “It’s not official. That’s what she said.”

“Who said?” Laurie? But Laurie wasn’t here.

“Your fian—I mean your…” Jerry stopped and scratched the back of his head. “Well, I don’t know what she is, then. Molly.”

“Molly,” Kyle whispered as questions screamed through his head. Molly Connors was
here?
On the island?

She hadn’t disappeared. She was still using the name. But why was she here? How did she know he would be here?

“Have you seen her? Molly.” Kyle barely uttered the name through his clenched teeth. “Today?”

“Oh, yeah. She made a quick stop earlier this morning, but she’s always at the house. She loves that place. Good luck on selling that.” Jerry snorted with laughter.

The house? What house was Jerry talk—the noise in Kyle’s head went deathly silent. “My house?”

“Well, yeah, but Kyle, a little advice.” Jerry leaned closer and said in a low voice, “You’re gonna have to stop referring to it as just yours once you get married.”

Kyle turned his back on the older man. The crowded store closed in on him. The colors and sounds swirled like a kaleidoscope.

He curled his hands into tight fists as he battled with the hot anger coursing through is veins. Molly had gone too far this time. When he found that little con artist, she would learn to regret ever trying to make Kyle Ashton her mark.

Molly walked across the landing on the second floor with a pile of folded towels in her arms. She paused when she heard the sound of closing car doors.

Turning toward the big window in the center of the upstairs hallway, she went to check to see who had come to visit. She caught a glimpse of the unfamiliar silver luxury sedan. Which of her neighbors had that car?

Molly set the towels down on the side table and galloped halfway down the steps when she heard the key in the lock. She froze and stared at the door.
Who…? What…? Huh?

No time to think!
Molly bolted up the steps as the front door opened. Her heart pounded wildly against her ribs and she couldn’t breathe as her feet hit the top step.

She heard a husky masculine voice drift into the house. “Yes, kayaking is very popular on the island.”

Kyle? Molly squeezed her eyes shut. What was Kyle Ashton doing here? He never used this house. Everyone knew that.

That didn’t matter anymore. She had to leave. Now. Sneak out before Kyle and his friends found her.

Friends. She leaned over the landing rail. How many did Kyle have with him? She didn’t want them scattered around the house as she tried to make a getaway.

Molly took a few steps back and pressed her spine against the wall. She wanted to hide in the farthest room possible, but she needed to know how many she was up against. One friend, for sure. Two? Oops, was that a third set of footsteps. Or did she just add Kyle to the equation?

“This is the living room.”

He was giving them the full tour? Molly covered her face with her hands.
Shoot me. Shoot. Me. Now.

“The dining room.”

Kyle wasn’t taking a whole lot of time going through the rooms. He was almost racing through it. Her best bet was for them to reach the media room. That was the farthest distance downstairs from the front door.

“The kitchen…”

Molly took a deep breath and inched her way to the stairs. She took one step. Then another. She did
not
need this kind of stress in her life.

“Wait a minute. I forgot to show you the study. You guys can use that. Or the library, whichever works for you.”

Molly scrambled for the upstairs hallway again. What was he doing backtracking? He was supposed to take the logical route and go from one side to the other.

“What kind of Internet connection?” a man asked. Molly didn’t recognize his voice.

“Don’t worry, Darrell.” She heard the amusement in Kyle’s voice. “It’s T3.”

“Thank God.”

Molly saw the top of Kyle’s head from where she stood at the landing. She tried to stand very still, but her legs shook as he escorted his two guests to the other side of the entryway.

“There’s also a media room,” she heard Kyle say after he showed them the library and study.

Finally
.

“But you guys are probably more interested in the backyard. Let me show you.”

Yes!

“Unless you want me to show you to your room first?”

No!
Molly fought the urge to wet her pants.

“I would love to see the beach,” the woman said.

Thank you, whoever you are.
She would wait until they opened the back door and then run like the wind out the front. It could work. It better work.

She heard the back door open and the voices trailed off into the distance. Now was her only chance.

Molly hurried down the steps, doing her best not to make noise. She was thankful she had been wearing her shoes.

Backpack. She forgot her backpack.

Molly hesitated on the stairs and glanced in the direction of the master bedroom. Her backpack had her money. Her driver’s license.

No, she couldn’t risk it. And if Kyle found it at the bottom of his closet, he could figure it out for himself.

Molly hurried down the remainder of the steps. She swerved for the front door and screamed when she saw Kyle resting his shoulder against the doorway to the formal living room.

“Going somewhere?” he asked.

“Goodness,” Molly said, placing her hand over her heart. “You scared me.”

If she was looking for sympathy, she better find it somewhere else. Somewhere far, far away from him. “Imagine how I felt finding out that a stranger has been living in my home.”

“What are you doing here, anyway?” she asked, unable to look him directly in the eye. “You don’t use this house.”

“Aw, so sorry I ruined your plans.” He took a step toward her. “Get out of here right now.”

“Okay, okay.” She took a step back. “Calm down.”

“Calm down?” The suggestion riled him further. “Not only are you a liar and a thief, but you also can add breaking and entering.”

“First of all”—she held up a finger—“I didn’t break in.”

“I didn’t invite you in,” he reminded her coldly.

“No, but Diana, your neighbor, gave me the key. Secondly, I don’t steal.”

“Really?” He motioned to the kitchen with the nod of his head. “Who paid for the food?”

She closed her eyes and exhaled. “Okay, I don’t take expensive stuff.”

“That reminds me,” he said as he took another step. “Am I going to need to go through my itemized insurance list?”

Molly gasped. Her shoes squeaked on the hardwood floor as she stopped abruptly. “Take that back.”

“Take that back?” Was she serious? “You break into my home and I’m supposed to assume you didn’t take anything?”

“I’ll have you know that I took care of this house,” she answered, bristling with indignation. “I treated the place as if it were my own—”

“Obviously.”

Her jaw slid to the side as she obviously held on to her anger. “You know, you should really be thanking me.”

His eyes widened at her audacity. “Thank you?”

She smiled. “You’re welcome. I—”

“Why should I thank you for invading my house?”

“I took care of it while Laurie was gone.”

Kyle rubbed his hand over his eyes. “So help me, if you ever suggest I pay for your caretaking services…”

“Hey, I hadn’t thought of—”

“Don’t.” He held his hand up, noticing how it trembled with barely restrained anger. “Just…don’t.”

“Would you like a cup of coffee?” She pointed her thumb toward the kitchen. “I made a fresh pot.”

“Get out.” He pointed at the door.

She squinted at him as if she didn’t comprehend what he was saying. “Excuse me?”

“Get out of my house,” he ordered in a low growl, “and get out of my life.”

“I can’t do that.” She stepped back and collided against the front door.

He took another step toward her, wanting to crowd her. Crowd her out. “Do it now.”

Her hand fumbled against the doorknob. “There are no hotels on this island.”

“Leave the island.” He took another step. He was close enough to lunge and catch her.

“The ferry will have already left,” Molly told him.

“I will find a boat and escort you off the island.”

“Okay, that’s it.” She stomped her foot. “Now you have gone too far.”