Page 38 of Clock Strikes Paradise

“No, you certainly haven’t. And I understand what you mean about moving from home changing things,” she said, nodding. “Going away to college was my escape from Millbrook.”

“It was a lucky thing for me that you did.” And worriedmy words made light of her very serious story, I bent down to brush a soft kiss over her lips.

We continued our walk, and the sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky, painting the clouds with hues of gold and crimson. I felt a sense of peace I hadn’t experienced in years, a lightness I attributed to the break from the usual pressures of my life.

Except the break was over.

As we walked along the row of cottages, reality reasserted itself. My thoughts drifted to Laurent, to Celeste, to the vast differences in their personalities and their approaches to business. I admired Laurent's ruthless ambition, his vast global empire, his relentless pursuit of success. That drive, that hunger for more… it mirrored my own. He was the logical choice, the one who would maximize profits and expand Podium's reach. And give the current staff very sizeable bonuses.

But Celeste’s warmth, her genuine compassion for Podium’s employees, and her heartfelt commitment to the company's legacy tugged at something deeper within me. I thought about Nate’s words, urging me to find a different path, to think beyond the bottom line. I glanced at Elise beside me, her hand warm and reassuring in mine. I was surprised at how her simple honesty, her unwavering determination to build her own life, had shifted my perspective. Had I been too focused on the numbers, on the relentless pursuit of more, and forgotten about the human element?

My mind was in turmoil, a battleground of ambition and… something else I couldn’t dare acknowledge.

Finally, I let go of Elise’s hand as we stepped off the sand and onto the cool grass. We slipped our shoes back on, and I held the door open for her, my fingersbrushing lightly against hers as we entered the cottage. The air inside was cool and fragrant, a welcome contrast to the humid air outside.

“I need to go freshen up before I meet Nate,” I said, trying to ignore the disappointment that shadowed my words. I wanted to linger. I wanted to stay with her.

“Of course,” she said, her voice soft. “I’ll see you later.”

But as she turned to head to her room, something snapped inside me. I reached for her, pulling her against me. Her eyes widened in surprise, and her breath hitched. The warmth of her body against mine sent a heady jolt of desire through me.

“I promised Nate I’d go with him to a local brewpub on the next island. Kind of a brother thing.”

Her mouth was inches from mine. “You don’t owe me an explanation. I’ll have dinner at the bar. It’s fine.”

Except it wasn’t fine. I didn’t understand the push and pull inside me, the roaring urge to tell Nate to go to hell and stay right here. I kissed her, unable to resist the need to taste her lips, to feel her body pressed against mine.

Then my phone buzzed with a text. I broke away with a reluctant laugh. “Two guesses who that is.” I pulled out my phone and confirmed it was Nate asking if I was ready.

Her smile had a sly curve to it. “Go have your brother time. Maybe we can pick up where we left off when you get back.”

I growled and pulled her tight again. “I like the sound of that. I’ll be back soon.”

But as I made my way to meet Nate, a nagging voice in the back of my mind whispered that this was too good to be true. I'd learned long ago that in business and in life, if something seemed too perfect, it usually was. I pushed thethought aside, determined to enjoy the evening. Because that was the other thing I’d learned since arriving on Calypso Key—don’t analyze every second, and just live in the moment.

And right now I was having one hell of a good moment.

Chapter Nineteen

Elise

The silencethat settled over the cottage after Clay left was heavier than I expected. Heavier and more… intimate. I wandered toward the pool, then just as quickly turned around. A wave of heat washed over me, the memory of Clay’s kisses, his touch, his words… still tingling on my skin. A swim wasn’t going to cut it—that only brought thoughts of our first kiss. What I needed was a distraction, and a long, hot soak sounded like the perfect antidote.

The bathroom beckoned, a sanctuary of marble and chrome. I filled the smooth white marble tub, adding a generous amount of lavender-scented bath salts. As I sank into the warm water, the fragrance enveloped me, soothing my muscles.

This trip had been incredible. From the thrilling dive, to the unexpected kayaking adventure, to Clay and I becoming… whatever we were. It was more than I had ever dared to dream of. I’d finally seen the man behind the CEO façade, the man who could laugh and relax, the man who had opened his heart tome.

I closed my eyes, willing my mind to quiet, but a familiar voice whispered in the back of my mind. It was a voice I'd learned to trust, the voice of hard-won experience:If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.And Clay Harmon falling for me definitely fell into that category.

What could I possibly offer a man like Clay? I was just an assistant, a cog in the vast machine of his corporation. The disparity between us yawned like a chasm, and I felt myself teetering on the edge.

With a frustrated sigh, I sat up, water cascading off my shoulders. This bath, intended to soothe my troubled mind, had only intensified my anxieties. As I stepped out of the tub, my reflection caught my eye. The woman in the mirror looked lost, vulnerable—everything I had promised myself I would never be again. Clenching my jaw, I was determined not to let my fears consume me. I would face this head-on, just like every other challenge in my life.

“I need a drink. Preferably an alcoholic one.”

Perhaps a change of scenery and a glass of wine would help clear my head, give me some perspective on my whirlwind romance with Clay. As I approached, the vibrant atmosphere washed over me. The bar pulsed with life—vacationers letting loose and several locals enjoying the music. A lively band on the small stage filled the room with irresistible tropical rhythms.

Making my way to the bar, I caught the bartender's eye. “Chardonnay, please,” I said, raising my voice just enough to be heard over the music. He returned moments later with a glass of golden liquid that sparkled invitingly in the warm lighting.