Weekend with the Tycoon (7 page)

“Hey gorgeous,” someone jogged up behind her.

“Hello Max,” Samantha said, wishing she could be alone.

“At your service. And please tell me, what’s a catch like you doing with a cold bastard like Blake?” Max said matching her pace as they neared the tip of the island.

“What’s your problem with Blake?” Samantha asked, even though she’d been wondering the same thing.

“I asked you first, honey,” Max said, reaching over and brushing a stray hair from Samantha’s face.

Samantha smiled, realizing Judy’s ultra-hold hairspray had finally met its match in this hot humid island air. “Well, Blake and I –”

“There you are Samantha,” Blake said, appearing behind them, wearing jogging shorts and a tight T-shirt. He was amazingly fit, and Samantha’s heart raced to see him sweaty. He smelled amazing. It was all she could do to not bury her nose in his shirt like a laundry commercial. She laughed at the image, and her anger evaporated.

“Hey Blake. Jogging?” Samantha said. “What about your reputation as a desk jockey,” she teased, hoping to needle him. “I didn’t know you were one for jogging or fresh air.”

Challenging him was exciting.

“Oh sure you do sweetie,” he matched her mood, and she nearly bounced in excitement. “Sam’s just teasing Max. We jog most nights after work, don’t we?”

“Religiously,” she said. “Unless we have tantric yoga class. Have you tried that Max?” She had to bite her inner cheek to not laugh Blake’s face was so shocked. “It’s couple’s yoga, Max,” she sighed and stood closer to Blake.

Daringly she traced a finger down his arm. Solid muscle. A thrill shot through her. “It’s so magical. Almost like we’re circus performers, the way Blake holds me in the downward dog position.”

“For real?” Max laughed. “Blake’s as flexible as a steel beam. Yoga?”

“You’d be surprised what Blake can do,” Samantha leaned her whole body into him, and snaked her arm around his waist. “He can be amazingly flexible, but actually, our favorite thing to do is take long walks together, alone. See you around, Max.”

She turned around and laced her fingers through Blake’s and started to walk. Part of her was terrified of her audacity. Another part was entertained. She felt so alive baiting him like that. Throwing their non-existent relationship in Max’s face. And really what could Blake do? Still she held her breath, waiting for his reaction.

He didn’t say anything but walked with her. When she saw that Max had rounded a corner as he headed back to the house, Samantha dropped Blake’s hand and crossed her arms in front of her.

“Was he bothering you?” Blake asked.

“No, but you are,” Samantha said, taking a deep breath. She had to be careful, but this had to be said. “All I ask is that you treat me with kindness, ok? Nothing over the top, just common courtesy. Hold doors for me, be kind even when no one is watching, listen when I’m talking, be honest, tell me what’s going on, and in return I’ll make this weekend and the Daycon presentation a total success. And, what’s more, I will share my idea I’ve been working on for a while for a project that could blow Daycon away, and make Blake Genetics a lot of money. I’m ambitious Blake. You are too. I want you to respect me as a person.”

Blake turned away from Samantha, kicking sand with the toe of his running shoe.

“That’s quite a list,” he said, his voice tight. “Totally reasonable. Sure, I can do that, of course I can.”

He walked a few steps away from her, then circled back. His features were stiff as he faced her.

“I’m sorry, Samantha. I’m sorry. I’m tense here,” he smiled bitterly, and his expression was tighter than his voice, and Samantha felt like his obvious pain was stabbing her. “Tenser than I usually am. I don’t mean to be such an ass. But really? Tantric yoga?”

Samantha laughed but didn’t say anything. If he thought about it he would realize there were a lot worse things she could say this weekend to reveal the lie he was living.

“I have a hard enough time remembering our agreement, and you bring up tantric.”

It was as if he’d lit a flare and was waving it in front of her. There it was, the attraction right out in the open. He was being honest, just as she’d asked, but was she ready for that? Samantha smiled to herself and continued to walk, not wanting to reveal her excitement or to make things harder for him. But he had noticed her as a woman. He did find her attractive. And now she was imagining him doing tantric yoga, and it was as absurd an image as it should have been.

“I’m glad you’re into saving the environment,” Blake said, breaking the silence as they walked side by side along the shore. “It’s important. To say that my family of origin’s business is part of the problem is an understatement. Do you understand why it’s so uncomfortable for me to be around them? They’re so unconscious about it.”

“Maybe, but I know if you stick to your beliefs and tell them what you know, with kindness, they’ll be a lot more receptive,” Samantha said. “Your dad is bristling because you’re shoving all the wrong in his face. Maybe you should give him some positive feedback too. I’m just saying, from experience, it’s a lot easier to trust you when you’re open and friendly.”

*

Blake looked over
at the beautiful blonde, who was his pretend date. She was smart, kind, and had shown him she wasn’t going to play dependent variable in his science experiment. She wasn’t proving to be as easily manipulated as he’d predicted. He needed her on his side this weekend. But what did she need from him now that they were here?

The realization shook Blake to the core. Samantha was in charge of how this weekend would turn out. She could choose to blow his cover at any moment. The reality caused him to stop.

“Blake? Something wrong?” Samantha said. “You have a weird look on your face.”

“No, no, everything is fine,” he said.

She was too perceptive. “By the way, I got a call from Bob Morrison with Daycon, and they are now expecting to have you in the meeting Monday,” Blake said, measuring his words, thoughts and ideas colliding in his brain.

“Wow, that’s great!” Samantha said. “I can’t believe they liked my ideas as much as you did.”

“They did. In fact, I was thinking if you are that adverse to helicopter rides, I could get you on the ferry tomorrow and fly you out of Hilton Head. You’d be back in Charlotte Saturday night with plenty of time to rest and prepare for the meeting.”

An egret flew above them as the sun sparkled on the sound. Blake had many fond memories of this island, and many fond memories of getting himself out of bad situations. This could be one of his best plays ever, he realized. Samantha was hard to keep at arm’s length, and they hadn’t even spent a day together.

“No, actually, I think it is good for me to experience everything here, with you. It will help me understand you better, represent you better when we do meet with Daycon. We haven’t even reviewed the presentation,” Samantha said. Blake noticed her blue eyes sparkling and a hint of a smile crossed her face.

“What about the helicopter ride? I know you hated that,” Blake said, frustrated she wasn’t agreeing to his new plan.

“Well, Charlie, your pilot, handed me a packet of motion sickness medicine to take before we head back, so I’m all set,” Samantha said. “Isn’t that great?”

“Great,” Blake said, trying to sound enthusiastic. “I guess we better get back to the plantation.”

“Yes, we’d better,” Samantha agreed, walking ahead of him along the shore.

They walked back in silence. Blake was happy that way, in silence, deep inside his own head. His heart sealed deep inside. She’d be staying, and he was glad about that, especially since he’d regained control. She knew now that he could ask her to leave the island at any moment.

*

Samantha had enjoyed
her walk on the beach, with and without Blake. She was surprised he was trying to get her to leave the island. It was like he’d been spooked by the teasing and the lack of control he had over her now that they’d arrived, and that made her feel a whole lot better. Samantha had even spotted a pod of dolphins and considered them a good luck sign. All in all, things were a lot better now than they had been this morning and afternoon.

Evalyn Putnam greeted them at the front door.

“Well there you two are. I’ve been looking for you. I thought you’d like to see your room for the weekend,” Mrs. Putnam said, ushering them inside.

“You mean rooms,” Blake said.

She smiled. “That heat just drives me crazy, but I guess it doesn’t bother you young people.”

Samantha followed Blake’s mother up the wide spiral stairway to the second floor, with Blake trailing behind. Samantha would have to talk to him about keeping up with her, she thought with a smile.

“Weddings always bring out the worst in folks,” Blake’s mom said as they neared the end of a long grand hall. “It’s an emotional time. Just keep your head down and let me know if you need anything, dear. Blake, why are you following so far behind, son? Your manners have become slack since you’ve moved up north.”

“Mother, I’m in Charlotte, I’m not even north of the Mason-Dixon line,” Blake said, catching up to them. “I’m just tired that’s all. Business, getting here, well, you know.”

“What I know is this is your sister’s most important life choice so you best be happy and supportive. I want to see you at your best, son,” Evalyn said, grabbing Blake by the arm and giving him a hug.

“Well kids, here’s your room,” Evalyn said as they reached the end of the long hall. “Blake is so old fashioned, I’ll declare. He wanted to make sure I gave you each your own room. But we’re all full. Last to arrive gets the last choice, I’m afraid. I thought you two would be OK sharing,” Evalyn added a conspiratorial wink to the end of her sentence and Samantha blushed. Blake’s face was drained of color.

While Samantha tried to figure out what to say, Mrs. Putnam had opened the door to the most luxurious bedroom Samantha had ever seen. Everything was white – white area rug, white comforter, white pillows, two white chairs facing toward the ocean in the corner by the window. Contrasted with the dark oak floors and the dark wood ceiling fan, the look was breathtaking.

Samantha had turned to tell Evalyn the room was beautiful, but she was gone. So was Blake.

Samantha noticed her suitcase had been unpacked and all of her clothes were hanging up, wrinkle free, in an elegant dark mahogany armoire. And, she noticed Blake’s clothes were hung next to hers.

“What’s this?” She stared at his clothes in dismay, but comforted herself with the knowledge that Blake would fix the room problem.

*

Blake caught up
with his mother before she made the stairs.

“Mom, I always have my own room.”

“Not this time.”

She’d never been so curt with him.

“I need my own room. I like privacy.”

“There are no other options Blake, period, every room is taken,” Evalyn said, her blue eyes icy with impatience. “I have enough to worry about this weekend without you acting like a reclusive baby. Privacy. Don’t tell me you and this Samantha haven’t fooled around. I’m not stupid. Women don’t attend weddings with men unless they are special, and unless they want to fool around. You said you’ve been dating for a while. I’m busy. Go get ready for the barbeque.”