Between the CEO's Sheets / House Calls: Between the CEO's Sheets / House Calls. Michelle Celmer

arms around her and pulled her close. A combination of female and salty scents drifted up as she looked at him with hesitation in her eyes.

      “Don’t fight it, honey.” Wade swooped his mouth down and took her in a long, slow, deliberate kiss that had her molding her body to his. A little moan escaped her throat when Wade cupped her buttocks, pressing her to the juncture of his thighs.

      She fit him perfectly. She always had. Immediate heat swamped him and his groin tightened envisioning her on the bed with him, just a few feet away. He’d wanted her, wanted that ever since she’d walked into his office a few days ago.

      A knock at the door broke the moment.

      Wade winced at the bad timing. And, as he tugged his mouth from hers, he whispered, “Room service.” Wade had a notion to send the waiter packing and finish this. Just as he began to utter those commands, Gina backed away.

      “I—I need a shower.”

      Wade glanced at her chest, the tempting swell of her breasts straining against her spandex top with her breathes coming hard again, only this time, he knew her fast breathing had nothing to do with the run she’d just taken. “So do I—a cold one.”

      Gina’s gaze slipped down to his jeans, her eyes riveted below his waist.

      Wade ground out a warning. “Don’t tempt me, Gina.”

      “I never mean to.”

      That was the problem. Gina, just being Gina, was enough of a temptation. Didn’t matter what she wore, how she looked, Wade found himself wanting her, no matter what. She was beautiful to him. That much hadn’t changed. From the moment he’d set eyes on her almost ten years ago, he’d wanted her. Had to have her.

      The only difference between now and then was that now he knew he’d have her but he’d never keep her.

      The knock came louder this time, announcing, “Room service!”

      Wade let out a deep sigh, restraining his desire. “I’ll get the door. You get your shower.”

      Gina nodded and, without a word, entered the bathroom. After a second, he heard the decided click of the bathroom door’s lock.

      Gina mounted a bay mare, fitting herself as comfortably as she could on the saddle. It had been almost ten years since she’d ridden a horse. She’d been taught by the best; Mr. Buckley, Sarah and Wade all had a hand in teaching her how to ride. But she was rusty and uncertain.

      “Don’t let her know you’re nervous,” Wade said, gripping the reins, holding the mare steady from the ground. Gina took a deep breath and nodded.

      “You’d think a girl born and bred in Texas would know more about horses than how to hang onto the saddle horn.”

      Wade grinned. “You were from Austin. That doesn’t count.”

      “Austin was full of horses.” Gina tipped her chin up in defiance.

      “Right. And you rode how many?”

      Wade didn’t wait for an answer. He handed her the reins, then swung his long legs up and over his saddle, mounting a tall dappled-gray mare. “Follow my lead. Loosen up on the reins and use only slight motions to guide the mare. You’ll do fine.”

      “I can’t take notes and ride. Why do you need me?”

      “I need another pair of eyes.”

      Gina doubted that. She knew for certain that scores of Triple B’s finest—from architects to financial accountants—had surveyed the property already.

      “Ready?”

      Gina squirmed once more in her saddle and adjusted the straw hat Wade had purchased in town for her. “Ready.”

      Wade made a soft sound to his mare and with just the slightest click of his boot heels, the horse took off. Gina’s mare followed and they rode off the stable grounds and away from the road, heading further into the interior of the canyon.

      Ten minutes later, Wade reined his horse to a stop. Saddle leather creaked when he turned around in his seat. “Take a look,” he said.

      Gina’s gaze flowed in the direction he was pointing. They had steadily climbed and had come to a low rise that overlooked the entire town of Avalon and the crescent-shaped bay below. From this distance and under clear-blue skies, the ocean seemed less threatening with a throng of boats harbored in the stunning turquoise bay. “It’s remarkable.”

      Wade agreed with a low grumble. “It’s hard to believe this place once was home to pirates and trappers.”

      “Yes, but I can picture it, can’t you? The wildness here, the untouched land and those men coming here, some for honest work, others to do harm or hide out.”

      Wade cast her a long thoughtful look, his eyes narrowing as if picturing it. “Yeah, I can see that,” he said, his lips quirking in a distant smile, before turning back around.

      Once again he looked like the Wade she’d known in El Paso, only more mature, stronger, more capable, if that were even possible.

      “Not much longer now,” Wade said, as they passed oaks and sage and tall limber stalks of sun-yellow and white poppies.

      They met up with a road again and Gina saw the gates that led to a clearing. No Trespassing signs cordoned off the area.

      Wade dismounted and used a key to unlock the chains on the gate before mounting his mare again. Gina followed him inside.

      The clearing where the resort was to be built was anything but clear. Tall cottonwoods blocked the sun, natural formations jutted up from the earth and canyon walls provided the backdrop.

      “The architects have done a great job in preserving most of what you see. We won’t down these trees. They’ll be a natural part of the landscape. Out there in the distance, a wildflower meadow allows just enough land to build the main hotel and facilities. About half a mile down the road there’s a secluded cove that we’ll utilize for special occasions and weddings. You name it. This is the first project I’ve been involved with where the land dictates the building, instead of the other way around. I think Robinique understands that.”

      Wade spurred his mare on. “Come on. I need to see it all one more time and get your opinion.”

      “I’ve seen the plans on paper, Wade. But it’s hard for me to picture it. Seems like this place needs to stay untouched.”

      “Nothing stays untouched, Gina.” He cast her a narrow-eyed look from under the brim of his Stetson. “I learned that lesson a long time ago.”

      “So as long as it’s going to be touched, you might as well be the one doing the touching?”

      Wade stared deeply into her eyes, capturing her and making her flinch from his intensity. “That’s right.”

      Heat crept up Gina’s neck. She wanted out of this conversation, knew she should let the comment go, but she couldn’t. Wade had twisted her words and suddenly they weren’t speaking about the land any longer. She fought her rising anger. “When did you become so ruthless?”

      Wade’s voice held contempt. “You know the answer to that.”

      Gina slumped in the saddle. Telling him the truth now wouldn’t do any good. Wade had changed. He was a man walking in the shadow of his father. He was just as driven, just as bitter. Getting involved with him again would be a big mistake. She’d already had a bad relationship with one unscrupulous man and she feared Wade Beaumont, too, would only use her then toss her aside.

      Gina kept Sarah’s secret close to her heart. It wasn’t her secret to divulge anyway. If Sarah wanted Wade to know the truth, then she would tell him in her own time. Long-standing friendships were at stake here and Gina wanted no part in destroying Sarah’s relationship with Wade. Gina was the outsider and she would always remain so. “We’d be better off just sticking to business,