Robin let out a heavy sigh. “I do not think you’re an insensitive guy, which means you’re just giving me shit right now.”
I chuckled and nodded. “But the offer stands.”
“It’s too late for coffee because I do want to get to sleep sometime. But I could go for this drink that I had earlier. I believe its cranberry juice with pineapple juice and Ginger ale.”
The knot in my stomach began to relax and I breathed a little easier. “Okay. Two-fruit punch is it is. And maybe we can actually enjoy the moonlight while I listen,” I suggested. I didn’t want to go back into the hotel just yet. And I didn’t want the conversation to take place in the lobby.
“I don’t think the waitresses work the beach this time of night.”
“They don’t, but I have connections.” By that it meant utilizing my position as security and sending a text message to the manager of the bar and told him where to bring the drinks. “All set.”
“I guess my towel will have to be our blanket,” she said, laying her damp towel on the sand. We sat, Robin in her bikini and me in my damp shirt and jeans.
“You have my attention,” I said. “What is it you wanted to tell me?”
“It seems silly now. It has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with me. I told you I’m an attorney.”
No, you didn’t. I knew already.
“What does your job have to do with it?” I hoped she didn’t think that made her smarter than me, because I knew a lot of lawyers I could outwit.
“I’m a defense attorney. And before you lay into me for that, I only defend people I believe are innocent,” she stated firmly.
I’ve heard that line before. I didn’t believe it then, and still don’t. Right now, I just wanted to hear her out. “Good to know.”
“Which means I have to rely on my gut. Because sometimes I don’t have all the details, all the facts. At least not at the beginning. I have to be able to look someone in the eye when they’re speaking to me and decide.”
I had no idea where she was going with this. Doesn’t everyone do that every day? Every person I meet, I’m reading them and deciding if they could potentially be dangerous.
She continued. “I had a case in which my client was being charged with attempted murder. No one believed he was innocent. No one except me. It took two years, but he was proven innocent.”
“Proven innocent, or not proven guilty?” To me, the difference mattered.
“Actually, he was proven innocent. Through our digging and research, we were able to piece together what the police and attorney general’s office had missed. We found the guilty party and they were arrested. But if I hadn’t gone with my gut, my client would’ve gone to prison.”
“So what you’re saying is I should trust your gut, your instincts, over my own?”
Robin shook her head. “I would never say that. All I’m asking is that you keep an open mind. You didn’t see him, his demeanor, his behavior–any of it. Maybe if you had, your gut would be the same as mine. Is that too much to ask?”
Not at all. “Robin, I already told you I’m going to meet with Lily when she comes in to work.”
“I know what you said. What I’m asking is that when you do, keep an open mind and imagine that I, an accomplished, intelligent woman with keen instincts, might just be right. God, I hope I’m wrong. It would be the best thing for Lily if I am. Nothing would make me happier than if you came back to me and said I had been in the sun too long and it was all my imagination. But I just don’t believe that’s the case. Like you said to me, if there is something serious or dangerous, we have to address it,” she said.
There she goes again with that we word. “I will promise you something if you promise me something in return.”
She laughed softly in the moonlight. “What is that?”
“I want you to promise that you won’t get involved no matter what the outcome is. Let me do my job. It’s the same I think you’d want if the tables were turned.”
She thought for a moment. “I can do that, but only if you promise me something as well. I need to know what you learn. I need you to be honest with me.”
There was no sense arguing with her. If I did, she’d only investigate on her own. The last thing the resort needed was a guest playing detective. It would interfere with the staff doing their jobs, and if the other guests got wind of it, it could cause an unnecessary panic. “I promise to let you know if there’s anything you need to worry about. But there’s a certain level of confidentiality to be maintained here. And I’m sure you can understand and respect that.” Now I was speaking legalese. And from the softening of her expression, I’d say it worked.
She agreed just in time, because our drinks were being delivered. As well as some fruit, cheese, and crackers.
“I guess all that’s left to do sit back and enjoy the stars,” Robin said.
There are other things I’d rather be doing together, but I guess I’ll settle for this.
We spent about a half hour scanning the skies for shooting stars, each trying to be the first to spot one. It was more of a competition because neither of us was interested in making a wish. Most likely it was because we were both realists. Wishing and hoping didn’t accomplish anything. At least there was one thing we had in common besides this sexual attraction that I keep trying to ignore.
When the food and drinks were gone, I said half teasingly, “I thought you had some work to do.”
She turned to face me and said, “And I thought you invited me for a walk on the beach. I guess we can both change our minds.”
Touché. “Okay, tomorrow night, I promise-a walk on the beach.”
What the hell am I doing? I couldn’t commit to spending time with her tomorrow. This was not a vacation for me, it was the start of a new job. Hopefully Bennett had a lot of work for me to do so I didn’t have a minute to give Robin and her sweet lips a second thought. And for all I knew, I could be on a plane back to the United States on whatever assignment he had for me. I took a job to work with a team again and nothing was going to get in my way from making that happen. But what the hell, it’s only a walk on the beach. It’s not like I asked her out on a date.
“When you say tomorrow do you mean later today?” Robin teased. “Because if we sit here much longer we’re going be watching the sunrise. Not that I mind, but I honestly do have to get some sleep.”
I got to my feet and extended my hand to her. “Let’s call it a night, or morning. I’ll walk you to your room.” Before she could argue I added, “Consider it part of my job.”
Robin joked, “I don’t think security jobs require holding hands.”
It was only then that I realized I had never let her go. I shrugged, and still holding hands, we headed back to the hotel. As we approached I could see Bennett standing on the balcony of the penthouse. Fuck. I didn’t want to hear whatever he had to say about this. He’s the one who told me to come and talk to her, and then he invited her to join us for dinner. As far as I’m concerned, I was just doing my job and happen to be enjoying a few of the benefits of it.
The feel of her fingers twined with mine said I was enjoying my job a little too much. I was going to keep my promise and take her for a walk on the beach. But by the way my body reacted to her, it would be wise to make that walk when the beach was crowded. Maybe then I’ll keep my hands to myself.