Rock did not get a chance to dwell further on the mystery of Dana Daniels. Immediately after the meeting they had lunch then Gregory Smith took them on a detailed tour of his property, two and a half hours long. By that time it was evening so they only had time to do a brief wrap-up meeting then Mr. Smith had to go.
Finally, Rock was alone with Dana in the conference room they’d used for the meeting. Their main order of business now was to review the meeting then plan a course of action. He looked across the table at her but she looked away, obviously agitated. She’d seemed to be managing earlier when she had Mr. Smith as a buffer between them. Now, though, she was all nerves.
For several seconds Rock just looked at her, saying nothing. What had he done to turn the girl off? Or did she get cold feet because she suddenly remembered that he was her boss? If that was the case she had nothing to worry about. He knew he’d crossed the boundary - only because he’d thought they were on the same page – but he’d already decided that at the first indication that she wanted out, he’d be gone. And this was it.
“All in all, a good meeting,” he said as he gathered up the sheets of papers then began stuffing them into his briefcase.
She nodded and began gathering up her papers, too, but she said nothing.
Okay, this was going to be just a bit harder than he’d thought. Trying to put her at ease, he spoke again. “The good news is, our work in the Bahamas is all done for now. You’re free to do whatever you want.” Briefcase packed, he got up. “And depending on how you look at it, the bad news is, we’re not leaving the island till Sunday.” He gave a bitter laugh. “I don’t know if that excites or depresses you.”
That got a reaction out of her. Barely. She gave him the tiniest of smiles then she said, “That’s good news. That will give me time to check out the beach.”
Rock gave her a tight smile. “Good. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the beaches here. They’re among the most beautiful in the world.” Then giving her a curt nod, he walked to the door. “Thanks for your help with the meeting. Enjoy the rest of your day.”
She murmured a soft reply but it was so low he couldn’t make out what she said. It didn’t matter, though. She’d made it clear that she had absolutely no interest in him outside of their professional relationship. He’d been a fool to even think of crossing that line. As old as he was, and as experienced as he was as an employer, he should have known better. Done better. But no, like a chump he’d given in to his base desires and had taken advantage of the girl.
As much as it pained him to admit it, he knew he was right. Dana had been dazzled by the power of his position and then had realized at the last minute, what she was getting herself into. She’d done the sensible thing by pulling back. Who could blame her?
With a sigh, Rock pressed the button to close the elevator door then leaned back against the wall. It hurt like hell but he’d have to accept defeat. As much as he desired Dana Daniels she was his employee and she was out of bounds.
**
I’m bored. For the fourth time since she’d spread her towel on the sand and sat down, Dana glanced at the time on her cell phone. Eleven thirty-two. Was that all? Time seemed to be going so slowly.
After she and Rock had parted the evening before, she’d gone straight to her room and hadn’t even looked outside for the rest of the night. His cool departure had told her all she wanted to know. Rock was angry with her…because she had refused to go all the way with him.
And how unfair was that? She worked herself up into such a sweat thinking about it that she had no energy left to face a single soul that night. She hid out in her suite and ordered room service then sat there picking at her salad and grilled chicken while she watched old movies until almost one o’clock in the morning.
And then she’d slept in until eight thirty. It was Saturday morning, there was no work on the day’s agenda and she could do whatever she wanted. And so she’d breakfasted alone at nine-thirty then had returned to her room and donned her bikini and headed back down to the beach. There was no way she was going back to New York City without being able to say she’d taken a dip in the Caribbean Sea.
And here she was, two dips in the sea later, and bored to bits.
It was then that she realized that you could be in heaven – well, in her case, in paradise – but if you didn’t have good company it was hardly worth being there. It was no fun being alone.
She twisted round and stared back at the hotel building towering above her. Did she dare? Was she woman enough to swallow her fears and go find the one person who she knew on the island? And what if he didn’t want to be found? What if he was still angry?
Dana twisted her body back and stared out at the waves rolling in to the shore. Then she gave a grunt. There was only one way to find out.
Her mind made up, she dug her toes in the sand then got up, taking her beach towel with her.
Back in her room she picked up the phone receiver and dialed Rock’s number. He picked up on the third ring.
“Hello?”
At that moment Dana had no idea what to say. I’m calling you because I’m bored? She cleared her throat and even so, her voice came out in a high-pitched squeak. “Hello…I mean hello, Rock. It’s Dana.”
“Hello, Dana. How can I help you?” His tone was clipped and businesslike. Obviously, he was not in a very warm mood.
Dana almost beat a hasty retreat but then she decided to be brave. And honest. “Are you busy? I’m…so bored. I was wondering if you would like to come down to the beach with me?”
Silence. For at least six seconds. Finally, Rock spoke. “Are you sure about this, Dana? I don’t want you to feel forced to do anything you don’t want to do.”
“I’m very sure,” she said quickly. “I…just want somebody to hang out with. It’s lonely being on a beach all by yourself.”
That drew a chuckle from Rock. “So you’re only calling me because you’re desperate?”
“Well,” she said, dragging out the word, “since you put it like that…yes.”