Page 38 of Clear Blue Sky

“Again, this gets into a gray area.” He set his mug down. “But it’s not true. I think this entire fucking novel is a distraction. I don’t know from what, but Marcus doesn’t intend to use it to hurt me. I bet he knew you’d never want to publish it. All he needed was to get a foot in the door.”

“Why me?”

“We learned that Roxy was up here with her new boyfriend about the same time we started renovations on Blue Moon.”

“That was long before you and I started seeing each other.”

“True, but Marcus and Roxy had to have known my brothers and I have been living here which means they could know about us,” he said.

“I’m struggling with why Marcus would spend the time to write a novel. Do you have any idea how long it takes? Or what authors go through? It’s not easy.”

“I don’t have a clue,” he admitted. “But the more I think about everything, the more I believe that something else is at play.”

“I don’t know. He could take his book to another publisher.”

“But fiction can’t hurt me.” Nelson had been so blinded by rage when he tossed the pages into the fire he hadn’t been thinking straight. “Even if his end goal were to get someone to print that mess, he’s not pushing it as truth. He even states in his acknowledgment page that it’s all false.”

“That’s true. He does have a disclaimer.” She tilted her head. “Is he just messing with you?”

“No. I don’t believe that for one second. He’s got a plan and it involves destroying me, and most likely my brothers too. But now we have to figure out what that is, and I fear you’re going to end up collateral damage.”

“If he ruins my mother’s party, I’ll wring his neck.”

“We need to speak with the publicist that made the recommendation for this premiere, because it couldn’t come at a worse time,” he said.

“Leslie will be here tomorrow. She’s staying at The Heritage Inn.”

“I don’t like that.” He shook his head. “How long has she worked for your mom?”

“Ten years,” Brandi said. “She’s rock solid and totally loyal to my family. She helped us deal with Lake and Tiki's scandal two years ago. No amount of money would get her to turn on my family.”

“All right. However, you must agree, to throw a premiere party last minute isn’t ideal.”

“My mother can be impulsive and we all just have to be along for the ride. But I’m still really confused. If they aren’t going to come at you through this book, then what?”

“That’s the million-dollar question and I wish I had the answer. All I know is they are planning something. We need to be prepared.” He took her chin with his thumb and forefinger. Needing to feel her lips against his, he took her mouth in hot kiss.

She clutched his shirt.

He thought she was going to push him away, but instead, she twirled and twisted her tongue around his in a wild motion. He groaned. “Does this mean you forgive me for not telling you about Marcus?”

“Only if you help me get rid of my hangover.”

“And how do you expect me to do that?” he asked.

“By giving me an orgasm.” She straddled him. Pulling off her shirt, she cupped her breasts, rolling her nipples between her fingers and thumbs.

He swallowed. Hard. “I have a few minutes before I need to head into work.” He gripped her hips while enjoying the show. “I’m going to have to close tonight.”

“So that means you won’t be home until three in the morning.”

“Pretty much.” He batted her hand away and took her nipple into his mouth.

She moaned, arching her back and cupping his head. “Keep that up, I might be here waiting.”

He lifted his gaze. “I hope so.” Shifting to the other breast, he rolled her to her back. He dotted kisses down her tight stomach, tugging her panties to her ankles. “I know you want to visit with your family, but I’d feel better if you stayed here.”

She reached down and grabbed him by the chin. “I can’t over the weekend. I have to stay with my brother and my parents.”

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