Better Off Dead. Meryl Sawyer

holding himself. She instantly knew he would not be easy to manipulate. He continued to gaze at her, taking in her entire body with assessing eyes that missed nothing.

      Her throat constricted and for a moment it felt as if someone were strangling her. The feeling passed—thankfully—and she drew in a deep hitching breath.

      What was wrong with her? The man hadn’t said a word, yet her pulse was thundering in her temples, and she suddenly felt light-headed. She must have the jitters over this interview. She pulled her eyes away from his.

      For a second neither of the men said anything. Chad wasn’t sure who they were expecting to arrive for the interview, but it wasn’t a knockout with a mane of tawny blond hair, cat-green eyes and a killer bod. She could stop a guy’s heart from a block away.

      “I’m Devon Summers. I have an interview for the wedding coordinator position.”

      Chad found his voice first. “This is Edward. Everyone calls him Eddie.”

      She walked toward them, not smiling, her eyes intent. “I hope the position hasn’t been filled.”

      “It hasn’t,” Eddie said, his tone gruff, a sure sign he was nervous.

      Chad stood up. “You have experience as a wedding planner?”

      “Coordinator,” she corrected him.

      Unusual green eyes, he thought. Hypnotic. Seductive.

      “Ms. Summers e-mailed me her résumé.” Eddie picked up a piece of paper from the top of a desk littered with brochures for his various party boat services, faxes and letters. “Impressive. Five years at the Cress Creek Country Club in Chicago.”

      “Napierville, actually. It’s one of the more upscale suburbs.” Devon wondered if her voice reflected her nervousness.

      “Right. Napierville.” The other man responded, grinning boyishly, his arresting blue eyes sparkling with humor.

      Uh-oh, Devon thought. This man is way too sure of his own charm. Like Tyler, she thought with a pang. He’s accustomed to women falling all over him. Well, not this woman.

      Chad decided Devon was a total babe, but not in the way Chad might have expected had he merely seen her from afar. When she spoke she had the glint of intelligence in her eyes and a very direct manner.

      What would she be like in bed?

      He’d bet the ranch that she liked physical sex. She probably would insist on being on top. Worked for him. He imagined her tawny hair brushing his face, her nipples tight and swaying slightly as she rode him hard.

      “Before that I worked three years at the Four Seasons in Philadelphia as the assistant coordinator.”

      “But you have no experience with weddings on the water,” Eddie said.

      Chad knew Eddie was thinking of an excuse not to hire Devon. When Eddie’s wife Malaea saw this babe, she would pitch a fit. Not that Eddie was a player. Far from it, but Malaea was extremely protective.

      Chad was protective, too, but for another reason. A hottie like this could easily take advantage of Eddie financially.

      Devon recited the cover story she’d concocted for this interview. “I did one wedding on Lake Michigan. The club catered the event on a member’s yacht. I coordinated everything.”

      Eddie nodded thoughtfully.

      “Sounds like she’s perfect for the job,” Chad said. No way would he let this woman not be hired even though he’d already decided he would have to keep his eye on her so she didn’t use Eddie.

      Okay, so keeping his eye on her wouldn’t be any problem. Keeping his eyes off her would be another matter. She chose that second to turn those cat-green eyes on him.

      Their gazes locked and for a long suspended moment they gazed at each other. Seconds ticked by. Devon refused to look away and let him know how much he unnerved her.

      Chad experienced an erotic charge, but quickly realized it was one-sided. The intensity of her gaze and the tight set of her full lips, confirmed her mind was not on sex. Her look was almost a challenge, almost as if she were daring him…to what? In that tiny suspended moment, he felt the full impact of her undeniable sex appeal.

      Eddie broke the tension. “When can you start?”

      Devon weighed her options. Her instincts told her this was a dangerous situation. She was unaccountably attracted to the taller man even though he reminded her of Tyler.

      “Before I take the job, I need to know if I can bring my golden retriever with me. He’s well-trained and won’t be a problem.”

      “Goldens are great dogs,” Chad said.

      Eddie hesitated a moment before saying, “Bring him.”

      “So when can you begin?” Chad asked. Not soon enough.

      “Next week.”

      “Tomorrow,” Chad said. “A big wedding is coming up this weekend.”

      “All right,” she agreed, but Chad heard a note of reluctance in her voice. “What time do you open?”

      “Nine,” Eddie replied. “Since we work weekends, you have Monday and Tuesday off.”

      Chad watched the knockout blonde as she filled out the employment forms Eddie had given her. He was standing close enough to get a whiff of some faint lemony scent. Perfume or perhaps shampoo.

      What was her story? No wedding ring, but she was a heartbreaker. Chad could spot one a mile off.

      Why had she come to Hawaii? In his experience people who relocated to Hawaii were looking for something or wanted to get away from something. They usually went home within the year.

      Watching Devon Summers, Chad wondered why she hadn’t applied to one of the big resort hotels or one of the larger wedding coordinators. With her credentials and looks, Devon could land a job anywhere. Why was she applying for a job with a small firm that wouldn’t pay as well as one of the upscale companies?

      A thought niggled at the back of his mind. Something about this woman seemed…off. What? Okay, okay, maybe it was visceral warning signals or simply his protective instincts where Eddie was concerned.

      “How long have you been in Honolulu?” Chad asked.

      “Less than a month.” Devon didn’t dare look up from the form she was filling out, fearing this man would see she was lying.

      “Why did you move here?” Eddie asked.

      “I’ve always wanted to live here.” She handed Eddie the forms. “Tomorrow, I’ll come a little before nine.”

      “Maikai.”

      “That means good,” Chad told her.

      She gazed at him for a moment, her eyes as unreadable as stone. Man, oh, man. She was one sexy lady and didn’t even seem to realize it.

      “What do you do here?” she asked.

      “I’m Chad Langston. I don’t work for Eddie.” He offered his hand.

      Devon’s instincts told her physical contact with this man was out of the question. She mustered a businesslike smile, but didn’t shake his hand.

      “My office is across the courtyard. I—”

      “See you tomorrow,” she abruptly told Eddie and headed for the door.

      Chad was right behind her. “Later,” he said to Eddie.

      “Do you need a ride?” he asked Devon.

      “No.” She wanted to get away from his disturbing presence. That’s what she needed.

      “I’ll drop by tomorrow to see how you’re doing.”

      Devon didn’t dare reply. She walked through