Читать книгу The Wedding Adventure - Melissa McClone, Melissa Mcclone - Страница 12

Cynthia lounged in a chaise on the deck of Henry’s yacht. As she sipped Cristal from a Baccarat flute, the bubbles tickled her nose. She set the glass on a table, and a steward dressed in a white shirt and matching shorts refilled her glass.

This was the life.

Ever since stepping aboard Henry’s floating palace last night, she’d been pampered and spoiled by his attentive staff. Who needed a genie in a bottle with Henry around? If her time on the island were anything like the past fourteen hours, she would be living a dream. Too bad Cade wanted no part of it.

She raised her sunglasses and stared at him. He’d barely spoken to her. Not a good sign. She wanted to be noticed, not ignored. “You didn’t tell me he was a workaholic.”

Henry adjusted his small pillow. “Cade is committed.”

“Committed or obsessed?” Cynthia asked. “I don’t think he slept last night.”

“He’s dedicated to his work.”

She had to admit his dedication appealed to her. Her father had neglected the family business in order to spend time with her mother until they ended up penniless and homeless when she was twelve. Those four months had been a living hell. It was the only time she had heard her parents argue. Thank goodness her grandfather had come to their rescue once he figured her father had learned his lesson.

But Cynthia hadn’t forgotten the uncertainty, the insecurity, the fear. She vowed never to be poor again and planned to marry well so money would never be an issue.

Which brought her back to Cade. He was an Armstrong so he had money. Lots of it. But he also had a job. What a novel idea. She’d never had a job. Nor had Henry. She wondered why Cade had one. “What does he do?”

“He has a law degree.” Henry bit into a slice of mango.

Cade must be one of the Armstrong family’s personal counsel. Corporate, perhaps? No matter, he must make a bundle or he would simply live off his inheritance.

A lawyer.

Maybe Cade wanted to go into politics like a few of his more visible cousins. Cynthia didn’t consider herself political, but she took her right to vote seriously. Politics could be interesting if Cade leaned in that direction. She could be the wife of a governor, a senator, the president.

First Lady.

All that attention and adoration. People would love her. Delight shivered through Cynthia. She would like to be First Lady. She would be a good First Lady. No, a great one. She would be perfect to set fashion and hair trends. She’d usher in a style and sophistication level not seen since the Kennedy era.

Of course that would be years away. Cade was much too young to be elected president but not too young for Congress.

“So Cade is a lawyer.” And the future leader of this great nation. Cynthia lowered her sunglasses. She would stand by his side and together they would go down in the history books. The country would love her. The world would love her. Most importantly, Cade would love her.

Henry dabbed his mouth with a napkin. “Let Cade tell you what he does.”

“I want him to tell me a lot of things.”

Henry laughed. “You’ll have plenty of time for that.”

“Not if Cade spends the entire time working.”

“No phones, Palm Pilots or laptops allowed on the island.”

“Good. Very good.” She settled back in her lounge chair. “I only wish Cade would stop working now and join us. How is he going to fall in love with me without knowing me?”

“Patience, darling.” Henry held up his glass, and the steward added more champagne. “Once you get to the island, Cade is all yours.”

“All mine.”

Henry nodded. “In two weeks time, the two of you will be inseparable.”

That sounded good to her. She wanted Cade to fall head over heels in love with her. Two weeks together would allow that to happen. By the time they left the island he wouldn’t want her out of his sight. “Cynthia Armstrong.”

“Cynthia Waters,” Henry corrected.

A warm feeling settled around her heart. “It still has a nice ring to it.”

“That it does, darling.” Henry raised his glass. “That it does.”

After a long morning spent working inside, Cade stepped on deck, squinted in the bright sunlight and walked to the rail. As the ship cut a path through the waves, a refreshing breeze blew. The scent of saltwater permeated the air. A sea of blue stretched all the way to the horizon.

He allowed himself a moment to enjoy the peacefulness and the beauty. A minute passed. Then another.

Okay, long enough. Cade wasn’t here for R&R. He was here because of a donor’s whim. No way could he enjoy himself.

His forehead throbbed. He didn’t have two weeks to waste out in the middle of the Pacific. Vacations were a luxury. One he could live without. He had too many responsibilities, commitments, work. Sure, he took a day off here and there and even attended his sister’s impromptu wedding in Lake Tahoe on Valentine’s Day. But he hadn’t had a real vacation in over three years. Or was it five? He couldn’t remember.

But this wasn’t a vacation. This was for the survival of Smiling Moon and all the kids the foundation helped.

And what about his family? They needed him, too. His dad acted happy enough with wife number six, but Cade’s mother was between marriages again and his sister, Kelsey, was a newlywed. His brother-in-law, Will, seemed like a good guy, but what if a problem arose and Cade was unable to help?

The throbbing turned into a full-blown headache. He massaged his temples.

Henry joined him at the railing. “Did you finish making your arrangements?”

Cade nodded.

“I know this is more than you agreed to.”

He nodded again. Cade didn’t trust what words might come out of his mouth. Damn, he hated the walking-on-eggshells-kissing-up part of donor wooing.

“Are you going to stay for the entire two weeks?”

Cade nearly laughed. “Do I have a choice?”

Henry’s carefree smile contradicted the slyness in his eyes. “You always have a choice.”

Not always. “I finish what I start.” Cade would make it to the end of the adventure. He’d only walked away from one thing in his life. And he’d lived to regret it.

“Good, because if you do I’ll increase my donation…significantly.”

Leave it to Henry to dangle the right carrot. “What about—”

“Cynthia?”

Cade nodded. “She doesn’t look like the outdoors type.”

“There’s more to her than meets the eye,” Henry said. “I hope you give her a chance.”

“We won’t have a problem.” As long as she stays out of the way. Cade could survive whatever Henry threw at him. Surviving Cynthia Sterling, however, was another story.

The more Cade saw of her, the more he realized his first impression had been correct. She was the polar opposite of Maggie, and the kind of woman Cade avoided like the plague.

He realized Cynthia’s last name fit her better than her first name. She was Sterling—sterling silver to be exact. She needed to be taken care of, polished and buffed or she would tarnish. He hoped she could do it herself for the next two weeks because he didn’t have the time.

“I forgot one thing.” Henry’s gaze met his. “Cynthia has to make it to the end with you or you won’t get any donation.”

“What?”

“Both you and Cynthia have to remain on the island for two weeks. Or you lose. Everything.”

Cade’s heart plummeted to his feet. The socialite wouldn’t last two hours, let alone two weeks. “That’s not fair.”

Henry shrugged.

“She’ll never make it.”

“You’ll have to see that she does.”

“That’s—”

“My prerogative,” Henry interrupted. “My birthday, my adventure, my rules.”

Your money.

Cade had no options. What could he do? Sue Henry for the original donation? That wasn’t going to happen because he only had an oral agreement. They hadn’t shook on it, either. This wasn’t looking good. Until Cade got an idea. “Fine, we’ll both make it to the end, but I not only want a significant donation, I want you to agree to become a patron of the Smiling Moon foundation and make an annual pledge. And I want it all in writing before I step foot off this ship.”

Henry drew his brows together. “Five.”

“Five what?”

“Five million a year. And I will put it in writing. Though we won’t be able to have it notarized.” Henry looked at Cade. “Will that do?”

He stood speechless and swallowed around a lump the size of Fort Knox lodged in his throat. “That’ll do.”

Cade spoke calmly, more rationally than he thought possible, given the way he fought not to pump his fists, jump up and down and yell. Hell, he wanted to hug Henry.

Five million dollars a year exceeded Cade’s wildest dreams, every expectation he’d had. His foundation operated on a shoestring budget thanks to his Uncle Alan curtailing Cade’s access to his trust fund so he couldn’t give all his money away. But the foundation had survived. And with Henry’s donation, would thrive. The taste of sweet success filled Cade.

“Just remember Cynthia has to be there at the end.”

Nothing, especially a pampered socialite, would keep the foundation from receiving the bigger donation. “She will be.”

Cade was going to make sure of it.

Time was running out for Cade. The stakes for winning the adventure had gone way up. He had to find Sterling and make plans while they had the chance.

As Henry prepared for their arrival at the island down in his cabin, Cade made his way to the stern. She had to be here somewhere. Sunlight gleamed off the pool water, but she wasn’t there. All the lounge chairs were empty. She couldn’t have fallen overboard. He didn’t have that kind of luck.

He found her lying under the protective shade of a giant umbrella. No doubt she wanted to keep her fair skin away from the tropical sun. Or maybe she was just lounging around. He gritted his teeth.

An omen of things to come? Cade hoped not, but he wouldn’t be surprised if she expected him to do all the work. And that might not be so bad. He had experience backpacking in wilderness areas and knew what needed to be done. She didn’t. It might be easier this way. Too bad he couldn’t vote her off the island, but he knew Henry wouldn’t go for that suggestion.

Cade walked toward her. She wore a white cap-sleeve blouse that buttoned up the front and pink Capri pants with a pair of the most uncomfortable looking sandals he’d ever seen. No wonder she was lying down. Those shoes with the narrow straps and high heels must be murder on the feet.

She wore sunglasses even in the shade. She probably wore a silky eye mask when she slept, too. He didn’t know if she was asleep or awake now, but he didn’t care. They needed to talk without Henry around.

“Are you awake?” Cade wasn’t sure what their upcoming adventure entailed, but the key to survival and success was preparation. He didn’t expect much from Sterling, but a little help was better than nothing. And for better or worse, they were in this together.

No answer.

He nudged the chaise with his foot. “Sterling?”

No movement.

“You need to wake up.” He touched her knee. “Now.”

Raising her hands above her head, she stretched slowly like a cat waking from an afternoon nap. Cade watched with a mixture of fascination and horror. He felt like a peeping Tom yet he couldn’t look away as the bottom of her shirt rose. Above her pants, above her belly button, above the bottom of her rib cage. Sweat dripped down his back.

Damn, the sun was hot in the tropics.

He brushed his hand through his hair and adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose.

She sat up. “Hello, Cade.”

Her voice sounded deeper, almost husky. Especially when she said his name. Cade wondered why he noticed the difference. He also wondered why he missed the sight of her bare midriff.

No matter. They had more important issues to worry about. “We need to talk.”

She scooted over and patted the small space next to her. “Why don’t you join me?”

The collar of his T-shirt seemed to tighten. “I’ll stand.”

She removed her sunglasses. “What did you have on your mind?”

You. “Henry’s adventure.”

Her smile widened. “It’s going to be fun.”

“Fun?” Cade stared into her eyes. She had nice eyes. And he really liked all those little gold flecks.

“Yes, fun,” she said. “What more could you ask for? Two whole weeks on a deserted island. Just the two of us for fourteen days.”

“Fourteen days,” he echoed.

She nodded with an intriguing—suggestive?—glint in her eyes. “Fourteen days and nights.”

The nights might turn out to be the best part. He smiled.

What the hell am I doing? Cade looked away. The sun was getting to him. He’d have to drink more water. Or wear a hat. “Have you ever watched Survivor?”

“Once or twice at a party, but I didn’t pay too much attention. The people were so dirty and starving.” She wrinkled her nose. “How much fun is that?”

“Exactly.” This wasn’t going to be as bad as he thought. At least she knew what they were up against. “I don’t know what Henry has in mind, but I’m assuming it will be similar to the show. He’ll stick us on a deserted island and make us compete against each other for rewards.”

“Henry would never pit us against each other.” Confidence laced each of her words. “There’s no way that would happen.”

“Maybe not, but, we need to be prepared. Come on.”

Cade walked toward the lounge. The click of her ridiculous heels on the wooden deck told him she was following.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“To raid the galley. We have to be ready for whatever Henry throws at us such as not giving us any rations.” At her blank stare, Cade clarified it. “Food. He might not give us any food.”

She pursed her lips. “Henry wouldn’t do that to us.”

Cade wished he had her confidence. “What if he does?”

“He won’t.”

She had so much trust in her friendship with Henry. Cade couldn’t afford such blind loyalty again. He headed down the stairs to the galley. Fortunately none of the crew milled about. “Without food we’ll have to eat bugs and worms and snakes and a whole lot of other nasty stuff.”

“Henry will give us food.” Certainty filled her voice. “I’ve never swatted a fly. How could he expect me to eat one?”

Cade didn’t have time to change her mind. “Fine, we’ll have food, but let’s bring a few extra things to eat.”

“You mean snacks?”

“Snacks, food, whatever we can fit in our backpacks.”

“My backpack’s full.”

“You’ll have to make room.” He struggled to keep his voice low and calm. Losing his temper would solve nothing and only bring attention to their whereabouts. “We don’t have much time. I can do this on my own, but I’d rather we did it together. Are you in, Sterling?”

She grinned. “I’m in, Armstrong.”

He hated that name, hated everything associated with it. “It’s Waters.”

“I’m sorry.”

He handed her a plastic bag and kept one for himself. “You stand guard first, while I go in. Then we switch. Got it?”

She nodded. “We’re going to make a good team, Cade.”

He doubted that, but as long as they survived until the end he didn’t care. “Let me know if someone is coming.”

“Will it work if I whistle?” She put her lips together and blew. It looked as if she was waiting for a kiss.

“A whistle is—” he dragged his eyes away from her puckered lips “—fine.”

More than fine coming from her lips, but he wasn’t going there. Not today, tomorrow or any time in the next two weeks.

“The two weeks are going to fly by,” Henry said to her and Cade as they rode to shore in a small boat. He motioned to the cove in front of them. “What do you think of your new home?”

Cynthia stared at the picture postcard island paradise. A movie set couldn’t have captured the lagoon with clear blue water, towering palm trees and a crescent of sparkling white sand any more perfectly. “It’s breathtaking.”

“Lucky us,” Cade said. “Our own Gilligan’s Island.”

“I get to be Ginger,” Cynthia said.

The boat stopped twenty-five feet from shore. Crew members unloaded two wooden crates and carried them to shore. As soon as they reached the beach, music played. Drums, chanting, an eerie flutelike instrument.

Cynthia looked around for the mysterious source. She noticed a boom box sitting near Henry’s feet and immediately felt better. For a minute she thought they were arriving at Fantasy Island. At least that would explain why Henry wore an all white suit like Mr. Roarke.

Henry rose. “Your adventure begins now. For the next two weeks, you will live on this island. There’s a radio for emergencies, but otherwise you are on your own. Basic provisions have been provided. The rest you will need to find, make or win. I’ll stop by on a regular basis to check up on you and play a few games.”

“What kind of games?” Cynthia asked.

“Games to challenge your ability to survive on the island,” Henry explained. “And you win prizes by playing.”

Cynthia clapped. “I love prizes.”

“That’s the spirit.” He grinned. “Ready to go ashore?”

Cade removed his shoes, slung his backpack over his shoulder and hopped out of the boat. As he waded to shore, he passed the crewmen on their way back.

“Go on,” Henry urged.

“I’ll get wet.” The beach wasn’t far, but her stomach knotted and she thought she might be sick at the idea of getting in the water. “I don’t want to get wet.”

“The water’s nice and warm,” Cade yelled.

“No.” Fear paralyzed her. She’d been caught in a riptide when she was eight. Since then she hadn’t been in the water except for sitting in a bathtub or a Jacuzzi. No one noticed she never swam. “The saltwater will ruin my clothes.”

“Come on, Sterling.”

Ever since their successful raids on the galley, Cade had called her Sterling. Cynthia worried he might have forgotten her first name. At this point her name didn’t matter, but she would ask Henry a million questions if it kept her out of the water. “Why does Cade keep calling me by my last name?”

“Men often call each other by their last names.”

She put her hands on her hips. “Do I look like a man?”

Henry gave her the once-over. “Not in the slightest.”

“Thank you.”

“Get in the water, Cynthia,” Henry said.

So much for stalling. Think, think… “Have him carry me to shore,” she whispered.

“Brilliant idea. One I should have thought of.” Henry beamed. “Cade, carry her to shore.”

“What?” he asked.

“Carry Cynthia to shore,” Henry suggested. “That’s what a gentleman would do.”

Cade mumbled something about not being a gentleman, but Cynthia couldn’t hear his exact words. Still he dropped his backpack on the beach and waded back to the boat.

“Thanks,” she mouthed to Henry.

“I’ve done my part. The rest is up to you.”

By the time Cade reached the boat, he’d drawn his lips into a thin line. “The water isn’t deep.”

Cynthia had learned deep was a relative term. She forced a smile and batted her eyelashes. “Please?”

A beat passed. He nodded once.

“Thanks.” This time her smile was genuine. Not only had she maneuvered her way out of getting in the water, she was going to end up in Cade’s arms. It would be like the scene in Gone with the Wind when Rhett carried Scarlett up the stairs. Yes, a brilliant idea. Her first of many during the next fourteen days.

As Cade grabbed her backpack, she rose. Anticipation filled her. His hands clasped around her waist. A bevy of butterflies attacked her stomach. She waited for him to lift her into his arms. He slung her over his left shoulder like a Prada bag instead.

Staring at the water, she pushed herself up his back. “What—”

“You’re not as light as you look.” His hand clamped on the back of her thigh. “Stop wiggling or I’m going to drop you.”

She didn’t move a muscle; she didn’t blink. She couldn’t. The heat from his hands radiated through the fabric of her capris. Hot. Burning. Okay, so this wasn’t the romantic scene she’d envisioned, but talk about a turn-on.

This was not a good thing. In fact, it was a very bad thing. She wanted to feel comfortable with Cade, chummy and cuddly like she had with Travis. Not all hot and bothered wondering if Cade would move his hand up a couple more inches. The goal was for him to get lost in her, not the other way around. She wasn’t going to repeat her parents’ mistake.

He dropped her unceremoniously on the sand. “Next time, you’re getting wet.”

No next time. No water. No touching.

Cade handed her the backpack. “Thanks,” she said.

No “you’re welcome” or “not a problem.” Simply nothing. She didn’t understand. Most men wanted her gratitude.

The horn from the boat sliced through the silence. Henry waved. “I’ll be back tomorrow. Have fun tonight.”

Cynthia blew him a kiss and waved. She turned and faced a tense-looking Cade. Maybe he was jealous of Henry. She didn’t want to start out on the wrong foot. Not when she wanted Cade to like her. “Want a kiss, too?”

“Only if it’s chocolate.”

Now he was talking. She moistened her lips. “Those are my second favorite kind.”