Читать книгу Miss Prim And The Maverick Millionaire - Nina Singh - Страница 10

CHAPTER THREE

JENNA TOWNSEND HAD clearly never been on a private jet before. Cabe guided her into the cabin and tried not to react to her reaction, though he had a comical urge to gently nudge her mouth closed. Instead, he patiently waited as she took small, hesitant steps up the stairs and into the aisle.

Unfortunately, there remained an awkward tension between them. In the interest of business, he chose to ignore it. She thought she might be looking for another job after the Caribbean project when it was completed. He had other ideas.

Well, he’d deal with that scenario if it happened. He’d been watching Jenna in action since he’d arrived in Boston and he had very different plans for her. He was not about to let her go anytime soon.

Now she stood in front of him, taking in her surroundings as they entered the aircraft. Cabe let her take her time.

As far as private planes went, his wasn’t terribly extravagant. Pretty much standard issue. Leather seats, a mahogany table so that he could get some work done. In fact, his only indulgence had been the fully stocked bar.

“Jenna, please, have a seat.” Cabe gently guided her toward one of the leather chairs and waited until she was seated before sitting down himself.

She immediately clicked on her seat belt and tightened it. She appeared to be more than merely awed. She seemed apprehensive, downright uncomfortable.

“Are you okay with flying, Jenna?” He knew she’d been on business trips before. So what was making her so jittery now?

The smile she gave him was strained, almost shy. “Mostly. I have to admit, flying is a bit of a new experience for me. We didn’t travel much when I was a child.” She glanced around at her surroundings. “And as far as flying in something like this...”

“It’s just more convenient than flying commercial, that’s all.”

She let out a small laugh. “Right. Convenient.”

Something he couldn’t name tingled inside him. In so many ways, Jenna’s reaction to his aircraft was refreshing. How many countless women had flown with him privately over the years? None of them had even seemed to notice the lavishness around them. Every one of them had taken for granted that they’d be arriving at their destination in the lap of luxury.

Ironically, rather than making him feel smug, her genuine awed reaction made him feel petty. Hadn’t he been taking it all for granted himself? But he knew better than anyone that money couldn’t fix everything.

He cleared his throat somewhat awkwardly as they both settled into their seats.

The flight attendant appeared momentarily. Cabe almost groaned out loud. This particular one could be quite the flirt. Normally, he let it slide and tolerated her suggestive comments. For some reason, he really wasn’t in the mood to deal with it today. Not with Jenna here.

“Mr. Jordan. So nice to see you again,” she said, her smile wide and inviting. She barely spared a glance at Jenna. He couldn’t quite remember, but thought she had been the one to slip him her personal phone number after one flight.

Why did it bother him that she would flirt again this time? What was happening to him?

He had to remind himself this was nothing more than an ordinary business trip. He was way too focused on the woman—rather, the employee—accompanying him. That would have to change. And soon.

“Is there anything I can get for you, Mr. Jordan? Anything at all?” the woman asked, her emphasis on the repeated word impossible to miss.

He turned to find Jenna staring out the window, her cheeks stained slightly pink. Dressed in a smart navy pantsuit, her hair up in another impossibly tight style. Not one tendril drifting anywhere near her face. How in the world did she get all that hair to behave? He had a crazy image of unclipping the pin that held it all together, running his fingers through her long, thick tresses. He shook it off.

“Jenna? Is there something you’d like? Some wine, perhaps?”

Jenna shook her head. “No, thank you. I don’t dare drink wine. I’ll fall asleep.”

“Are you sure?” He glanced at his watch. “We’ll be in flight for a while. You definitely have time to take a nap.”

Her eyes grew wide. You’d think he’d just suggested that she fall asleep on the job. Which in a way, he guessed he had. He laughed at her shock. “Jenna, it’s all right. You’ll be much more productive if you’re well rested.”

“Why do I get the feeling that’s like the pot calling the kettle black?”

He laughed and dismissed the attendant with a polite nod. The woman hesitated, clearly disappointed, before finally stepping away.

“We’ll even have some time to enjoy the sights while we’re out there,” he added.

She gave him a small smile that sent an inexplicable surge of pleasure through his chest. “That would be nice. I’ve never been to the Caribbean.”

“Do you like the beach?”

“Yes, of course.”

“What about fireworks?”

Her eyebrows drew together. “I love fireworks. What do the two have to do with each other?”

“The resort where we’re staying, the one I’m trying to establish the retail store on, has a beach party every Thursday night. Live band, plenty of food and drinks. And fireworks.”

“Sounds like quite a fete.”

“Today’s Thursday. We should go tonight. It would be a good way to introduce you to the island’s characteristic atmosphere.”

She chewed her bottom lip. He watched it swell and redden and redden. Focus. “Cabe, I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“I feel that it would just be better if we solely stuck to the business at hand.”

Cabe shifted in the chair. Jenna appeared so tense, so anxious. He wanted to help her loosen up somehow. But he was her boss. He had to tread carefully. Given her upbringing, it was no wonder Jenna seemed unable to relax and just enjoy life once in a while.

He couldn’t blame her. Maybe he was the flip side of the same coin.

He wanted to tell her there was no reason to be so uptight around him. He wanted to show her how to relax. His motives were pure and simple. Perhaps that would make her rethink her decision to eventually leave the company. She didn’t have to constantly toil to get ahead. He wanted her to see that.

Work hard. Play hard. She definitely seemed to have the first part down. He knew for a fact she’d stayed very late at the office last night finishing up last-minute details she didn’t want to delegate before leaving.

“I get the sense you don’t take many vacations.”

“Well, I told you about that jewelry designers’ conference in San Diego.”

“That was a business trip, Jenna. On behalf of the company.”

She shrugged. “Sure. But I made time to visit the zoo one afternoon.”

So maybe there was hope for her yet. She was a tough cookie, tougher to crack than any woman he’d ever dealt with. He couldn’t help but think how pleasurable it would be to see her enjoy herself. She was one of those rare people who truly deserved it. Though she clearly didn’t believe so. He found himself both curious and intrigued. What kind of personality would this highly accomplished, intelligent woman have developed if she’d had even the simplest of breaks in life? How much more dynamic and spirited would she be?

“I’m afraid you will have to do some social mingling while we’re there,” he told her.

She pursed her lips. Clearly she didn’t like that concept. “How so?”

“Opening a new site requires much more than pushing paper around in an office. Much of it requires networking. The resort employees are very friendly and outgoing people; you’ll be working with most of them. You don’t want to appear to be the standoffish stiff suit from Corporate.”

Sure, it was a bit of an exaggeration, but not exactly a lie. It would help to have her get to know the resort employees and the regular guests. Though pushing the matter could be very dangerous ground he was treading. He couldn’t seem to help himself.

“Like going to this island party, you mean?”

“Parties are considered by most people to be fun, Jenna.”

“I’ve never had much time for them.” She tilted her head in his direction: her implication was clear. Unlike yourself.

He was quite aware how well-documented his social life was. “Believe it or not, most of those galas I’m photographed at have some type of business angle. Nine times out of ten, I’m not there because I want to be.” And lately, each party had been more tiresome than the last. It was becoming harder and harder every time to feign a level of interest he simply didn’t feel.

She raised an eyebrow. “Yes, you looked downright pained in that latest photo. The one on the yacht where you’re popping open the bottle of champagne, surrounded by bikini-clad socialites. How do you stand it?” Her tone held such mock seriousness he couldn’t help but laugh. Surprisingly, his laughter earned a small chuckle from her as well.

“Those photos aren’t always what they seem,” he responded.

Her mouth tightened into a thin line. “Well, most of the parties I’ve attended, I wasn’t there to enjoy myself. I was there to work, serving or to clean up afterward.”

“Is that how you helped pay for your education? Working at social events?” he asked. No wonder she didn’t associate social events with anything remotely pleasurable. And no doubt she’d watched her mother cross the line far too many times with all sorts of partying. Jenna Townsend had never been afforded the opportunity to simply have fun and enjoy life, not even as a child.

She nodded. “One of the ways. I did all sorts of odd jobs. Mostly waitressing. The catered parties paid better than, say, waitressing at the diner.” She turned back to him as the aircraft began to taxi down the runway. “Your parents were particularly generous. I worked some of those swanky backyard barbecues your mom and dad were known for. I think you were off at college by then.”

Had she? She’d never been at any of the ones he’d been present at. He wouldn’t have missed her.

“I would have noticed if you were there,” she said, surprising him.

“You would?”

The red stain of her cheeks grew deeper. “Of course. You were a minor celebrity in school. Big man on campus.”

“I guess I was a bit driven, even back then.”

“That’s an understatement.”

“Yeah, well. It’s not like I was doing it for me.”

She studied him with interest. “Who else?”

Cabe shrugged. “My parents were very busy people. I figured out at a very young age that I could either get their attention by rebelling and getting into trouble. Or I could try and excel at everything. I chose the latter.”

Funny, he’d never admitted that to anyone before. But he wanted Jenna to understand that what outsiders saw of his life as a teen wasn’t the complete picture.

“Did you so much as ever get detention?” she asked with a sly smile.

“I think once. It wasn’t my fault. I was merely at the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“That happened to me a lot,” she responded.

“Getting detention?”

She shook her head. “No, being at the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Cabe was about to ask her to explain, but Jenna turned and looked out the window as if she’d prefer the conversation to be over.

Perhaps she was right—sometimes the past was better off left to stay there. Though he remembered those years well—all the parties his parents held that Jenna had referred to. Including memories of the first corporate outdoor luncheon he was allowed to attend. He must have been around age fifteen or so. He’d been so nervous, making sure to say all the right things and behave in all the right ways.

The Jordan Golden Boy.

He’d acquired the moniker right around that time as well, due to his stellar grades and lightning-fast skills on the basketball and tennis courts. Accomplishments he worked his behind off to achieve. All to make himself worthy of the Jordan family.

When he’d first found out that he was a Jordan in name only.

* * *

What had she gotten herself into?

Mistake. This whole trip had been a mistake. She’d been a fool to take on this assignment. She’d been a fool to think she could play in Cabe Jordan’s league on her own terms.

She was only going on this trip and working on this project in order to get the achievement on her résumé. Not for some kind of working vacation. Cabe had to realize she wasn’t the type to do island-wide parties.

As if traveling in his private jet weren’t enough, she might have to accompany him to a lavish tropical extravaganza. With fireworks! How was she supposed to act distant and unaffected? How was she supposed to avoid falling under Cabe Jordan’s spell? He was charming enough under the most innocuous of circumstances.

By the time their jet landed, Jenna still hadn’t figured it out.

Cabe stood and offered her his hand. “Ready?”

Of course not. But she simply nodded and let him guide her out of the aircraft, his hand placed gently at the small of her back. She knew he was just being courteous. But his touch wreaked havoc on her senses. The man had absolutely no idea of the effect of his presence. Didn’t he see how women around him practically swooned at his feet? The flight attendant being a perfect example.

Yet somehow she was supposed to ignore the way his hand on her back sent a tingle clear down to her toes. Or how he so casually vowed to “show her a good time” while here.

She nearly tripped over the last step as they disembarked.

“Are you all right?” Cabe said behind her.

“Yes, I’m fine. It’s just much hotter than I’d anticipated.” That was no exaggeration. A wall of heat and humidity enveloped her as they walked toward the small stucco building that housed the island’s airport. Her smart, fitted suit jacket instantly clung to her skin.

“It’ll get better,” Cabe assured her. “The airport is always ten to fifteen degrees hotter. You’ll feel more comfortable once we’re closer to the beach with an ocean breeze to temper the heat.”

And what was going to temper her reaction to Cabe Jordan? She’d said too much on the flight over, drifting dangerously close to “pity me” territory—something she’d sworn never to do over the years. She wasn’t about to start now. Not even if Cabe’s significant charm had her tongue loosening.

And what was his story? All those things he said about having to prove himself growing up. His accomplishments had seemed to come so easy to him when they were kids. Maybe that had all been an illusion. Not that it was really any of her business. Cabe was her boss.

A sleek town car awaited them outside once they were through with customs. The driver was a pleasant tall man with skin the color of mocha coffee. He kept up a steady stream of conversation with Cabe as he maneuvered the busy streets. Based on the familiarity, Jenna guessed he was Cabe’s regular driver on the island.

Jenna found herself too distracted by the scenery outside to focus on their conversation. Among lush, green mountains and the majestic sight of the ocean, the roadside sat peppered with run-down, decrepit shacks. Such poverty among such beauty. On a much smaller scale, it reminded her of the way she’d grown up—the days when they weren’t sure they’d be able to eat while just a few miles away stood the glamorous, ritzy grandeur of downtown Boston. Well, she’d fought tooth and nail to climb out of that bleak existence. And she was proud of it. She’d done it on her own, through hard work and discipline. Unlike her mother, who still to this day waited for the right man to come along and save her—a rich, powerful man. Well, that idea hadn’t really worked out for any of them. Jenna knew better than to fall for such fantasy.

Within forty-five minutes they arrived at the resort. After the striking displays of poverty on the roads they’d just passed through, it was like entering a different world.

A guard outside a tall, metal gate pushed a button to let them through.

“You have a few minutes to freshen up,” Cabe told her. “Then I’d like to show you around, particularly the shopping center attached to the resort. You can see where the new store is to be built.”

“I won’t need that much time,” she answered, grabbing her things off the seat. “I’d like to get started as soon as we can.”

He lifted his head and stared at her, as if studying some unfamiliar object. “I know we’re in a bit of a time crunch but there’s no need to be quite so rushed, Jenna.”

She shrugged. “I’m just anxious to get going, that’s all.”

“Well, we’re on island time now. Things always move slower down here. You may as well relax.”

As if that was possible, Jenna thought, watching him remove his jacket as the car came to a stop outside the entrance. His shoulders strained against his well-fitting tailored silk shirt. Deft fingers removed his cuff links and he rolled up his sleeves to reveal toned, tanned arms. His days on the Caribbean had certainly given him a good dose of color.

She tore her gaze away. None of this was at all conducive to relaxing in any way. The driver helped her out of the car and she emerged to the light sounds of steel-drum music in the air. The aroma of exotic flowers hit her as she stepped out. They were surrounded by lush plants and thick greenery. And large colorful flowers like she’d never before seen. She wanted to run up and inhale the scent of every single one.

A tall, statuesque woman with a thick braid down her back approached them. “Mr. Jordan. So nice to have you back,” she said to Cabe with a glowing smile.

“Glad to be back, Seema,” he answered. “Though I wish it were for a more pleasant reason.”

Her smile wavered. “More snags?”

“I’m afraid so.” He gestured toward Jenna to join them. “But this time I have some help. Meet Jenna.”

Jenna put her hand out to greet the woman but she had other ideas. Jenna found herself gripped in a tight hug.

“Welcome to the Paraiso Resort. So glad to have you here, Miss Jenna.”