Twelve Days of Pleasure (8 page)

Chapter 8

I
t was Thanksgiving Day. Vanessa had barely spoken two words to him since blowing up days earlier. She'd taken all of her meals in her room, locking him out. As he'd returned to the bungalow from his run she'd been headed to the pool, brushing past him without saying a thing. She'd spoken to Liam more than him and Kendrick had just about had enough. He had never known any woman to hold a grudge for so long. Take that back.
His sisters could hold a grudge for that long,
Kendrick thought to himself.

He shook his head at the absurdity. But it was Thanksgiving Day and they were not going to spend the holiday at odds with each other. He knocked on the bedroom door. “Vanessa, open up!” When there was no response he knocked a second time. “Open the door, Vanessa, or I'm going to take it off the hinges.”

Seconds later he heard her moving on the other side as she stomped across the floor. She swung the door open, eyeing him warily. “What do you want?”

“Get dressed. We're eating in the dining room tonight,” he said.

Her gaze narrowed. “I'm not eating anywhere with you, Agent Boudreaux,” she snapped as she moved to close the door in his face.

* * *

She took a quick step back as Kendrick pushed the door open with a wide palm. He took two steps and was standing directly in front of her, his index finger waving in her face. His tone was low and even with just the slightest hint of attitude. “Get dressed and be ready in the next hour. If you're not ready I'm going to dress you myself and that might not be so pretty.”

“You can't...”

“I can,” Kendrick said, cutting her words off. “And if you push me, I will.” He turned abruptly and moved out of the room.

Vanessa exhaled a deep sigh as she closed the room door. Her heart was beating heavily and perspiration dampened her palms. Staying mad at him was going to be a challenge, she thought. The sexy man was breaking down her resolve and he didn't even know it.

* * *

Exactly one hour later there was another knock on her bedroom door. This time she pulled it open without him having to call her name.

Vanessa Harrison was stunning as she stood before him, dressed in a little black dress that stopped just above her knee. The sheath was formfitting and complemented her figure. She stood on five-inch stilettos that made her legs look miles long. Her makeup was impeccable and her lush, black hair was loose, flowing over her shoulders. She took his breath away.

“What are you staring at?” Vanessa asked.

“You,” he responded, his voice dropping an octave. “You're beautiful.”

A slow smile pulled at her mouth. “Thank you,” she said, her tone shifting.

He nodded, taking a deep breath. “I hope you're hungry. Liam says they've prepared an incredible Thanksgiving meal.”

Vanessa's eyes widened. “It's Thanksgiving already?”

“Yeah. I forgot, too, until Liam reminded me earlier.”

* * *

She followed behind him as he moved into the living room. He lifted his suit jacket from the back of a cushioned chair, sliding one arm and then the other into it. As he adjusted the lapels, Vanessa eyed him from head to toe. The man looked good. Really good. The suit was charcoal gray, its contemporary lines crisp and stylish. He wore a white dress shirt beneath it that fit his large body to perfection.

Their gazes met and held. Kendrick smiled and once again the warmth of it lifted her heart. She nodded and smiled back.

“Finally,” Kendrick said teasingly. “I was really scared that you were going to scowl through the whole meal.”

She rolled her eyes, her smile widening. “I'm still mad at you.”

“Why? What did I do?”

“It's not what you did, it's something you said. But it's not important. It doesn't really matter anymore.”

He nodded. “It matters to me. So what was it that I said that upset you so much?”

She sighed. “It was that comment about this just being your job. I allowed myself to be vulnerable and opened up to you because I thought we were becoming friends. But I get it. When this is all over you'll go your way and I'll go mine. I understand that this is nothing more than an assignment for you.”

He eased his way slowly to where she stood, coming to a stop directly in front of her. “I never meant to hurt your feelings,” he said. “But the fact remains I am doing my job whether we like it or not. I have a responsibility to ensure your safety and I don't take that lightly. So first and foremost, I have to be about my business and nothing else.”

Vanessa held her breath, suddenly unnerved by the nearness of him. Her knees were quivering, the look he was giving her consuming. She suddenly felt as if she might combust from the intensity of it. She dropped her gaze to the floor, fighting not to lose herself in the look he was giving her.

Kendrick cupped his fingers beneath her chin and lifted her face back to his. He studied her intently before he spoke again. “I don't handle it well when people I care about shut me out. And I do care about you or I would have had them put someone else on your detail after you were so difficult that first day. So don't do that again,” he said, shaking his head. “If we are friends then respect me enough to tell me when you're angry with me so we can talk it out and move past it. I will show you the same courtesy.”

Vanessa wasn't used to any man scolding her. Only her father had ever spoken to her that way. It was on the tip of her tongue to balk but she didn't, instead nodding her head in agreement.

Kendrick continued. “And if you haven't figured it out yet, I do like you. I like you a lot. I told you about my most embarrassing moments and if I didn't like you, that would never have happened. Besides...” he said as he reached for her hand. He tangled his fingers between hers, his touch like fuel on a flame. Vanessa gasped loudly, her whole body quivering like jelly. He leaned to press his cheek to hers, warm breath blowing softly against her earlobe. “I get a hard-on every time I'm near you.”

Vanessa suddenly laughed, the gesture coming from deep in her midsection. Tears misted her eyes as her laugh became deeper. “I can't believe you said that,” she said, cutting her eyes at him.

Kendrick shrugged. “If I offended you I apologize but it's the truth. You excite me. With our situation being so unique I just couldn't say so.”

“And you're saying so now?”

“You not talking to me was a real downer, girl. I actually missed you.”

She smiled, having felt the exact same way. A moment of quiet passed between them as they both reflected on what was happening between them.

Kendrick took a deep breath. “Let's go get some dinner,” he finally said.

* * *

In the resort's formal dining room they were shown to an intimate table for two. The crowd was small, with only three other couples. The room's decor was an extraordinary palette of warm greens, winter white and rustic bouquets of orange-toned flowers. The table was adorned with the finest china, gold-colored tableware and cut crystal. The space felt seasonal and fitting for the holiday.

Kendrick pulled out the cushioned chair for Vanessa to take a seat, then moved to the chair opposite her. A waiter suddenly appeared to take their drink order.

“I'd like a glass of merlot,” Vanessa said.

Kendrick nodded. “I'll have the same. Thank you.”

She gave him a curious look as the waiter moved back toward the bar. “You're actually having wine tonight?”

“One glass. It's a holiday.”

She nodded easily as her eyes roamed around the room, taking in her surroundings. “It's so pretty!”

“It is. Almost as pretty as you are.”

She smiled. “I think I owe you an apology,” she said softly.

Kendrick eyed her questioningly. “For what?”

“For my bad behavior. I don't know why I got so upset with you.”

He chuckled. “Because you like me. That's why.”

“I do like you and I really like our friendship.”

“But you want to be more than friends.”

Her face flushed a brilliant shade of red. She rolled her eyes, a smirk pulling at her mouth. “You're a little full of yourself, aren't you?”

Kendrick leaned forward in his seat, resting his elbows against the tabletop. He dropped his chin against his folded hands. “Am I wrong?”

She skirted her gaze from his, the intensity of his stare distracting. When she didn't respond he persisted.

“Answer me. Am I wrong? Are you only interested in our being friends?”

She shrugged. “I admit it. I've thought about more.”

Kendrick still stared at her intently. “How much more?”

She finally locked gazes with the man, her own eyes narrowing seductively. “I've fantasized about us being together. It's hard not to when you're wearing nothing but Speedos all day long.”

Kendrick laughed. “I have never worn a pair of Speedos.”

“They might as well be. Tonight's the first time you've actually had clothes on since we got here.”

“The bikini queen is complaining about my wardrobe,” he said flippantly. He leaned back in his seat, amusement in his eyes.

Before she could comment the waiter and two other staff members came bearing their evening meal. Kendrick tossed her a bright smile as they were being served. The traditional meal was decadent and lavish: classic roast turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, sautéed green beans, garlic mashed potatoes and gravy, honey-glazed carrots, yeast rolls and warm pumpkin pie for dessert. It was more than Vanessa had imagined. Her eyes were wide as she took it all in. “Wow!” she exclaimed.

Kendrick nodded in agreement. He rested both elbows on the table and extended his flattened palms toward her. “Let's say grace,” he said, meeting her gaze evenly.

Vanessa dropped her palms against his, heat tingling through her body as he took hold of her hands and bowed his head in prayer.

“Heavenly Father, bless this food we're about to receive for the nourishment of our bodies. In your son's name we pray. Amen.” He gave her hands a quick squeeze before letting them go.

“Amen,” Vanessa echoed softly. She clenched her fists together to stall the quiver of electricity racing through her limbs. She reached for the platters and began to serve both their plates. Kendrick sat back and watched her.

For the next few minutes neither spoke, enjoying the meal. The food was good and as they began to eat, she realized just how famished they both were. When dessert was finally served Kendrick ordered two cups of coffee.

“This was wonderful,” Vanessa intoned. “I love good food.”

“I can tell,” he said as he reached across the table, his cloth napkin in hand. He swiped at the side of her face, removing a stripe of whipped cream from her cheek. Vanessa laughed. “I like to see you happy,” Kendrick said. “You're not that cute when you're mad. In fact, you're downright ugly when you make that ‘I hate the world' face.”

“Thank you. You have such a way with words,” she teased.

“You can always trust me to tell you the truth.”

“Really?”

“All day long.”

She tossed a quick look over her shoulder, her voice dropping to a low whisper. She shifted forward, the gesture almost conspiratorial. “So, do you really get an erection every time you're near me?”

He leaned forward in his seat, meeting her across the table. His head nodded up and down as a wide grin spread across his face. “No,” he said out loud.

Vanessa laughed. “Liar!”

* * *

Vanessa changed out of her clothes, hanging her little black dress back in her closet. The temperatures outside were still excessively warm, feeling more like the dead of summer than late fall. She found herself wishing for a winter chill and the smell of snow. A northeastern cold front always made the holiday feel like a holiday. She slipped into a tank top and a pair of shorts.

As she eased her way outside through the sliding glass doors, she saw Kendrick sitting on the edge of the infinity pool, his long legs in the water. They both grinned, excitement wafting through the late-night air.

“I just had a quick swim. It felt really good,” he said as she joined him. “I'm so glad you're here with me tonight.”

She took a seat beside him, kicking her legs through the water. “Thank you,” she said softly.

“What did I do?”

“You made it a great day and I really appreciate that.”

He nodded as he reached for her hand and held it. Vanessa leaned her head against his shoulder, staring out to the quarter moon in the dark sky. They sat quietly together for some time, neither saying a word.

Kendrick turned at the sound of soft footsteps. Liam was rounding the corner.

“Good evening, sir. Good evening, madam. I just wanted to check to see if you needed anything before I retired for the evening.”

Kendrick gave Vanessa a quick look. She shook her head no. “We're good, Liam. I appreciate you asking.”

“Yes, sir. Well, you both have a good evening,” he said as he withdrew quietly.

Vanessa shook her head. “I'm telling you, there's something not right about that man.”

Kendrick laughed. “Well, I had him checked out for you and his record came back clear.”

“You're sure?”

He nodded. “Positive. He's a nice Irish boy from Northern Ireland. Studied to be a teacher, did a short stint in the National Theater in England, then worked the cruise lines for a few years. He's twice divorced, has two sons and dates a Swedish model named Vega. Pleasure Island hired him a few years ago. He came highly recommended and has had glowing reviews since.”

“I can't believe you actually checked.”

“You were concerned and it's my
job
to make sure you're comfortable,” he said, emphasizing the word
job
.