The Tycoon's Seductive Revenge (17 page)

Carter! Don’t let me go...
  Still, she sank further and further, until the vision of him was swallowed by darkness.

“No!”

Ellie sat up in bed, gasping. The sheets were tangled around her legs. She kicked them off as if they possessed the power to restrain her.

The room was quiet, still, as she glanced around trying to gain her bearings. In the near-distance, waves crashed powerfully against the beaches. Rain pelted the rooftop and blurred the windows, while trees thrashed in the wind.

The clock on the bedside table blinked 10:10.

The power must’ve gone out
.

The scent of aftershave hung in the air. Two navy suitcases with gold trim were stacked by the door.
Carter’s room
.

Where was Carter?

Ellie dragged herself out of bed. A second later she nearly collapsed, before she forced herself to sit on the edge of the mattress. Her legs were stiff. Her head ached behind her eyes, and her body throbbed painfully.

Shaking, she held her hands out in front of her and noted two torn fingernails, a gouge on her palm, and scratches on her arms.

Visions flashed of the night before. The library. Poe’s book on the table. The scent of cherry tobacco. Light shining in the secret room. Empty bottles. Arnoff Applestone. Struggling on the ground beneath him. Fighting him. Tasting the filthy sweat of his hand over her mouth. Pleading for help. Finally, the burst of power from within, knocking her attacker away, running...to Carter.

Her breathing came in shuddering spurts as though she’d endured Arnoff’s attack all over again.

Then the smell of Carter’s cologne seeped into her senses. A protective essence curled around her. He’d been there for her, sheltering her and holding her tight.

I love you, Carter
.

“Oh, no.” Ellie rubbed her eyes. What had prompted her to admit that? The only answer came from a place deep in the center of her chest, a strong and sure pulse that made the words ring true. “Oh, my God. I love him.” Panic flooded her. “This is not good.
So
not good.”

How would she remain detached now, if he bought the hotel and kept true to his plans? In that future, she’d spend her days wondering where he was, what he was doing and with whom, while he “kept” her there. She’d be stuck on the island, trapped in a future of his making and her agreement. She’d be his lover when he returned, doomed to heartbreak when he left.

“I can’t live like that.”

Prepared to find another way, even if it meant scrubbing toilets at the vacation mansions on the island, she’d do whatever it took. Because of all the subtle, and not so subtle, warnings she’d received in the past twenty-four hours, she believed the curse would never allow her to leave the island.

One thing she knew for certain. She refused to love a man who regarded her as his possession. She wanted Carter’s devotion, his whole heart, or nothing at all.

Looking at the clock again, it blinked 10:12. If the power went out last night, there was no telling what time it was.

Russert’s words suddenly echoed in her mind.
The auction has been moved up to ten o’clock
.

“Crap!”

Scrambling to her feet, Ellie ignored the aches in her body, threw on one of Carter’s shirts and ran down the hall to her room. She checked the clock and exhaled relief. It was nine-thirty. A hot shower felt good on her cuts and bruises, but she couldn’t linger. Cold air caught her breath as she stepped out of the steam. She threw her damp hair up in a twist, pulled on a black turtleneck to hide her scrapes, a black wool jacket on top of that, a pair of white pants, black ballet flats, and she was out the door.

Despite her hurry to get to the auction, part of her feared running into Arnoff. Her stomach twisted in knots, but she forced herself continue to the conference room.

When she entered the main common area, Matilda looked up from some notes on the front desk. “Ellie, I’ve been looking all over for you. I have the most wonderful news!”

Ellie paused. “Is everything okay?”

Matilda stammered, “Ok-Okay? It’s more than
okay
, it’s a miracle!”

“What happened?”

Waving a piece of paper in front of her, Matilda rattled on. “I took the call early this morning. The cases of wine and rum sold at auction. Your broker, Neville, left the message with me.”

Elation and apprehension tangled inside Ellie. She worried the value wouldn’t be enough. “How much did it go for?”

“Two million!” Matilda shrieked.

Ellie felt light-headed. “What?”

“It’s true! He faxed over the contract details. Here, look.”

Dazed, Ellie scanned the document Matilda handed her. “The buyer is anonymous,” she read aloud, somewhat saddened she couldn’t thank the person for his or her timely generosity. Although, she noted the money was wired from a business called Beachfront Properties, Inc. She read further. “It says the funds have already been transferred to my account. Oh, my God.” She stared at Matilda. “
Oh, my God!
”

They squealed and hugged each other. “This means you can save the hotel,” Matilda said with a triumphant smile.

“This is crazy,” Ellie laughed. “Now I have the money to cover all my debts and loans and taxes—and refurbish the hotel. This
is
a miracle.”

Matilda nodded. “In the eleventh hour.”

Ellie checked her watch. “Speaking of the eleventh hour, I need to get to the conference room before the auction starts.”

“You have seven minutes. Run for it, Ellie.” Matilda grinned and nudged her forward.

After hugging the woman once more, Ellie raced down the hall. Her nerves rattled around inside her. She couldn’t wait to share the news. But she paused outside the door, wondering who—or what—awaited her inside. Would Arnoff be there? Was she too late to halt the auction?

The handle grew warm and slick in her palm.
Better late than never.

Squaring her shoulders, she pulled open the door and stepped inside. She walked into a wall of noise. A blast of shouting was followed by heated arguing. Accusations flung around the room.

The mayor and councilman huddled at the far end of the table watching the argument go back and forth like a tennis match. Uncle Russert looked beside himself, red in the face, trying to play mediator and failing.

Carter stood with his back to her. His muscles were strained, bulging under his white cotton shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, his stance wide and intimidating. In front of him, Bill Marquell stood like a human barrier, his cowboy hat drawn low, arms crossed over his protruding stomach. She glanced past Marquell’s shoulder and met the beady black eyes of Arnoff Applestone.

Ellie froze. Horror crawled over her scalp and down her spine. As she stood there in shock, she assessed him. His body looked cockeyed, shoulders slumped over, face bruised and battered. He hugged his ribs with his arm in a cast.

Gradually her terror faded. He was no more than a pathetic broken mess. He couldn’t hurt her now. Or ever again.

From this point forward no man would tell her what to do. She was in control of her life, the hotel and her future.

Carter threatened, “That man better get off this property, or I’ll throw him out again, and have him arrested for battery.”

Marquell replied in his deep surly tone, “Wouldn’t do that, if I were you. Mr. Applestone, here, told me his side of the story. It’s his word against yours. Considering his physical condition I think he should file charges against you, boy.”

Ellie cleared her throat. “Is there a problem?”

The verbal lashing paused. Carter whipped around to face her. “I won’t let Arnoff near you,” he vowed, chest heaving.

“It doesn’t matter now.” Calmly Ellie turned to Russert. “Has the auction started yet?”

Releasing a woeful sigh, he said, “I tried, my dear, but these folks aren’t exactly cooperating.”

“Good. Everyone can leave now—because there won’t be an auction.”

Marquell glared at her. “It’s a sheriff’s auction, and being that I’m the sheriff, I say it’s on.”

“Not if I rescind the offer. As of right now, the hotel is no longer up for sale.”

“What?” Arnoff wheezed. “I’m here to buy this hotel and nothing’s gonna stop me.”

“There’s nothing to buy,” she shot back. “It’s off the market.” She narrowed her eyes at him, tone dripping with sarcasm. “Sorry for your trouble.”

Uncle Russert came to her side, adjusting his glasses. “Eleanor, you can’t afford to do this—”

“I can now.” She whipped the faxed copy of the signed, dated agreement and proof of funds transferred. “Gentlemen, thank you for coming to the auction, but at this time the deal is closed.”

Uncle Russert breathed a tremendous sigh of relief.

Ellie slid her glance to Carter. He’d reined in his aggression. A ghost of a smile played on his lips, and his gray eyes sparkled.

Then the shouting ensued again, this time the mayor and councilman adding their grievances. This time Carter remained surprisingly silent.

Despite the wrath spewing, Ellie turned around and walked out. There was nothing more to say. A huge grin spread across her face. For the first time she felt powerful, confident, and totally in control of her own life.

“Ellie.”

She turned to find Carter strolling down the hall toward her. She tilted her head, gazing at him, trying not to let the love she felt rise to the surface. “Hey.”

He jogged the remaining distance that separated them. When he reached her side, he shoved his hands in his pockets and they walked together to the common area. “Congratulations,” he said, sounding genuinely pleased for her.

“Thanks. The timing working out perfectly. Neville sold my entire liquor collection to a single bidder. Now the hotel can stay in the Montgomery family legacy.”

“That’s great.” No trace of resentment or wounded pride lingered in his tone.

She was surprised by his relaxed attitude. “I think so.”

“Feeling better after last night?”

“Much.”

Their stilted conversation bothered her. This wasn’t the reaction she’d expected from Carter. Actually, she didn’t know what she’d expected but she wanted to know why he was acting like a guy walking down the school hallway with his crush.

“I’m glad,” he replied. He seemed to be waiting for her to say something further. “Look, Ellie—”

“Carter, I—”

They stopped in the archway where the hall opened up into the front desk and reception area. They exchanged awkward grins in silence, like they had back when they were teenagers and madly in love. It seemed the difficulties and distance separating them since his return had lessened. Emotion sizzled around them like an electric fence blocking out all distractions from the present and the past.

Carter ran a hand through his hair. “The hotel is yours now. I think we should celebrate.”

“Good idea, because I was about to ask you if you wanted to join me at the bar.”

“Invitation accepted.”

Neither of them moved. Ellie sensed something had changed within Carter. She read the difference in his posture, the way he leaned toward her, how he gazed at her. He hung on her every word as if everything she said was intensely fascinating. The signs were there.

Had Carter fallen for her again, too?

Unsure what to think, she told him, “Thank you for recommending I sell the crates from the cellar. I guess, in a way, you made all this possible.”

He lifted his hand to stroke his index finger down her cheek. “Being here with you again made me realize how much I want you to be happy, regardless of my personal interests.”

“Then, you’re not upset about the hotel?”

Rubbing the back of his neck, he shrugged. “Hey, fate has its own idea of how things should be. Who am I to interfere?”

“That’s...noble.”

“It’s the right thing to do.”

A nagging thought hovered in her mind. “If neither of us owes the other anything, then where do we stand?”

“Good question.” His eyes darkened with emotion. “I guess I should start by asking you what you want.”

“You’re actually brave enough to ask a woman that? I’m impressed,” she teased.

Reaching out he set his hands on her waist and pulled her to him. Their noses touched before he lifted his head. “Are you going to leave me hanging?”

Feelings welled up inside her. She was torn between caution and surrender. “I want to be with you, Carter. I want to give this another try. What we had...I’m starting to believe it only comes around once in a lifetime. Here we are again.” She sighed, wary as she asked, “Do you think we can make it work?”

“I’ve been thinking about nothing else for the past twelve hours.”

Her eyebrows drew together. “What changed in twelve hours?”

Burying his fingers in her hair, he cupped her jaw and lifted her mouth to his. “This.”

The kiss he delivered made fireworks go off inside her. Sparks, color, excitement, wonder. He parted her lips and dipped inside her mouth, feeding her his taste. He smelled like the beach and the sea breeze, sunlight and eternity.

He dug his hands deeper into her hair as their affection intensified. Her twist came undone, the clip clattering to the floor, and her hair flowed down her back like a curtain over his fingers. He moaned, angling his mouth steeply over hers.

Their moment together seemed to transcend space and time, even when distracting noise tried to pierce their bond. The people talking and shuffling around them sounded as if they were at the other end of a tunnel.

Ellie vaguely heard Arnoff gasp and whine, “That should be
my
kiss. I saw her first!”

Russert replied sternly, “Leave my niece alone. She deserves happiness wherever she finds it.”

“Move it, Applebaum,” Bill Marquell said, followed by what sounded like a shove.

“It’s Applestone.” Arnoff sulked as Bill escorted him away from Ellie and out the hotel’s front door. The mayor and councilman mumbled low conversations to each other. Ellie couldn’t hear and didn’t care what they were saying.

Carter wrapped his forearm around her waist, leaning deeper into the kiss. She rose up on tiptoe, circling her arms around his neck. Nothing could break their connection. Even when she heard footsteps approach and her uncle coughed. “Ah-hrm, could you take this somewhere more private?”