“I noticed you didn’t use my last name when introducing me to Corey,” Nikki said. “Was that on purpose?”
He nodded. “I trust my people but better safe than sorry. Nobody needs to know who you are.” Corey wouldn’t sell her out, but no reason to give anyone the information if they didn’t need it. And since Corey hadn’t looked at Nikki with any familiarity, he obviously hadn’t seen the photos.
“Good thinking,” she murmured.
Corey rolled her suitcase to them. “Ready to go?”
Asher nodded.
Corey loaded the luggage in the back, then walked around and opened both the front and back doors on the passenger side.
Asher offered Nikki the front seat but she shook her head. “I’m happy to sit in the back and take in the view,” she said, climbing into the SUV.
“Suit yourself.” Asher shut her door and took his seat in front.
Corey settled in and they were on their way. The house was only ten minutes from the small private airfield, and Asher had taken this ride endless times.
“It’s beautiful here,” Nikki said.
He glanced over his shoulder to see her staring out the window, sunglasses covering her eyes.
“It is,” Corey agreed. “Wait until you’re on the beach and view the ocean up close. It’s like an endless stretch of sand, blue sky, and aqua water that makes you forget the rest of the world exists.”
“Mmm. Can’t wait.” Nikki’s expression softened even further as she considered his words and relaxed even more.
“Don’t worry. I’ll set your chair up in the best spot we have,” Corey said.
Nikki’s smile, despite all the trouble going on in her life, caused Asher’s heart to beat faster, almost as if she’d kick-started the long-dormant organ in his chest.
“I’d appreciate that, Corey.” Her voice was filled with gratitude to the other man, and Asher had had enough of their easy conversation.
She was his guest, dammit.
“Corey, update me on the issue with the pump in the pool,” Asher said gruffly.
He caught Nikki frown again before he turned and faced forward, then listened to Corey’s rundown of the status of things at the estate.
* * *
The SUV pulled up to a grand house with a white exterior and veranda that ran around the massive structure. Nikki immediately fell in love with the estate home, the palm trees and lush flora, all tropical visions she didn’t see in New York or where she’d grown up in Washington, DC. Still annoyed with Asher for cutting off her conversation with Corey about nothing more than the beach and the view, she kept her opinion of the outside and landscaping of his home to herself. At least for now.
Without waiting for anyone to open her door, she pulled the handle herself. She stepped out of the SUV and back into heat and humidity that exceeded what they’d left behind in New York. After the air-conditioned vehicle, the heat of the sun felt good against her skin.
Closing her eyes, she tipped her head back and let the warmth and vitamin D flood her system for a few brief seconds before refocusing on what was going on around her. Corey had just shut the back of the SUV and was walking up the stairs with her suitcase while Asher stood staring, his expression similar to when she’d awakened on the plane to find his gaze settled on her face.
He was such a contradiction, snapping at her and telling her to be quiet one minute, watching and studying her closely the next. Even with sunglasses covering his eyes, she felt the intensity of his gaze. What she couldn’t decipher was what went on in his head. Though it went against her chatty and curious nature, she waited for him to talk first.
“Let’s go in.” He gestured for her to walk ahead of him, and she strode up the steps to the house, treading carefully in her heels. After today, she was ditching them for flip-flops.
He opened the door and placed a hand on her back as she stepped inside, causing a ripple of awareness to rush through her. Cool air greeted her, a combination of the air conditioner and large ceiling fans in the shape of palm leaves, turning over head. She blamed her hardening nipples on the AC and not Asher Dare’s touch. Inside was pure Caribbean decor, dark wood, bamboo, light cream and baby-blue coloring.
“I love the design,” she murmured, unable to keep her promise to herself not to compliment him.
“Thank you. My cousin Lucy is an interior designer. She’s got great taste,” Asher said, the smile telling her he liked both his house and his cousin.
And she liked how he looked. His white teeth flashed against tanned skin, and with the harsh lines gone, he was even more handsome than the grumbling alpha he usually presented.
“You should do that more often,” she said, using his technique and staring at him.
“Do what?” he asked.
“Smile.”
Before he could reply, a plump, attractive, older brunette rushed to greet them. “Asher, welcome home.”
“Good to be here, Maggie.” Asher embraced her and stepped back. “Maggie, this is my guest, Nikki.” He turned. “Nikki, if you need anything, Maggie is the one who can help you.”
“Nice to meet you, Maggie.”
The other woman’s smile was warm and welcoming. “Aren’t you a pretty one?”
Nikki felt herself blush. “Thank you.”
“It’s good to see you bringing a friend,” Maggie said to Asher, obviously knowing him well enough to be able to insinuate herself into his personal life.
Asher shook his head and shot Maggie a warning look she ignored, still smiling when she glanced back at Nikki.
“Give Nikki one of the rooms upstairs. I have work to do, so if you’ll excuse me…” He walked away and strode across the open living area, his route taking him under an archway until he disappeared into a hallway or a room, Nikki had no idea which.
He’d left her alone with Maggie. So that was how it was going to be, she thought, trying not to be insulted. It was fine. She knew how to entertain herself.
“Well.” Maggie spun to face her. “Let’s get you settled, shall we? I’ll give you a tour of the place, too.” She pulled out her phone and sent a text. “Just letting Corey know which room to put your bags in.”
Maggie gave her a quick tour of the house, which thankfully was an easy layout because Nikki was directionally impaired, to put it mildly. They walked through the state-of-the-art kitchen, where Nikki remembered to tell Maggie she was allergic to peanuts. One taste and she ended up covered in hives. It was odd, the allergy having developed after she turned eighteen, but the doctor told her one in five adults suffered with the issue.
Maggie was sweet, promised she’d be careful, and continued her tour. She showed Nikki the back exit to the veranda, which led to a patio with tables and chairs for outdoor eating, and gave her directions to the pool and the beach.
After escorting Nikki to her room, Maggie left her alone. She glanced out the window, took in the view, and decided to spend what remained of the day on the beach. Sometime during her tour, Corey had left her suitcase on a luggage stand at the foot of the queen-sized bed.
Nikki took out a bikini and changed into the bathing suit, pulling on a loosely crocheted cotton cover-up and flip-flops. She grabbed her beach bag and filled it with her phone, Airpods for music, and a few other things she might need, deciding she’d worry about unpacking later.