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He was dressed in black dress slacks and a powder blue long-sleeve dress shirt with a red tie. “That site at Half Moon Bay is one of the best parcels available on the whole island. That’s why I showed it to you first.”
She gave him a crooked smile. “I can see your point.”
He reached out and took her hand, stroking it with his thumb as he led her back to his Tesla. “Let’s head to dinner. We can talk more about it then.”
He pulled onto the highway and headed north, passing by the restaurant. Sara frowned as it drifted by the window. “I thought we were eating there.”
“Changed my mind and made a reservation for Breakers. It’s quieter and we have a lot to discuss.”
The hostess seated them at a table for two in the sand. After she seated Sara, Wayne shook her hand, and Sara had an uncomfortable feeling he had just palmed a large tip. She recalled Hope and Alex getting one of these tables with no problem, which also reminded her of the only other time she had eaten there. “This is a lovely restaurant. I ate here with Hope and Alex not too long ago.”
“Ah, the dynamic duo. Are they well?”
There was the slightest edge to his voice, and Sara shifted in her seat. “Very well, and thinking about expanding the resort. Maybe we could bring them in as investors.”
Wayne stared steadily at her. “No, I don’t think so. I don’t like to get too many people involved. Decisions by committee rarely work well. I’d much rather partner with just you.”
A small shiver tickled down her back, but she couldn’t say whether it was excitement or alarm. “I’m still not sure I’d want to get involved at the northern site. I agree it’s much better, but I have to give this some serious thought.”
He inclined his head and took a sip of red wine. As dinner progressed, he was more focused on business than her, asking almost no personal questions. Mostly he concentrated on how good of an opportunity his spa would be for Sara. “Siblings get involved in separate business ventures all the time. I think it could work very well, and Half Moon Bay Resort is primarily a dive resort, anyway.”
Sara pushed her mostly uneaten dessert away. “It’s not just that. I don’t want to wreck the environment there. We’ve worked so hard on that house reef. All of us.”
He signaled the server for their check. “And that is why you would make such a good partner, Sara. I’m not looking for someone to just throw money at the problem. You could be personally involved in every aspect of planning and construction.”
“I can see why you’re successful. You’re very persuasive.” She had to admit Wayne had a solution for every hesitation she brought up. Except the big one—that she would be in direct competition with Half Moon Bay. His confidence now seemed slightly condescending, as if he didn’t care about how their venture might affect Hope and Alex. Still, the fact that he was interested in partnering with her was incredibly flattering.
He continued the conversation as they left the restaurant, ushering her out while pressing his hand to her back. She tried to ignore the sensation that she was being herded. They passed through an arched trellis of frangipani trees, their honey-scent filling the air. “I’m offering you one hell of an opportunity, Sara. You don’t strike me as the timid type.” He clasped her hand and led her to his car, stopping next to the passenger door.
“I’m not. But I’m also loyal. I’m not going to get involved in something that’s going to screw over my sister.”
He stepped close and tilted her head up. “Loyalty is always commendable. But there are times you have to risk stepping out too.”
The heat in his eyes was unmistakable, and her body responded. He bent his head and their lips met. He kissed her with confidence, softly pressing on the back of her head as he opened his mouth and swiped his tongue across hers. Then he slid both hands to her ass, tightening them as he thrust his tongue into her mouth. But instead of desire, distaste rippled through her. He was too aggressive, bordering on domineering. He broke the kiss to whisper, “Come home with me tonight.”
Sara reared away, moving back several steps. “What? No! We’ve gone out on one date.”
He cooled immediately. “I’m sorry—I got carried away. I’ll take you home now.”
The ride back to Serenity was quiet. Sara sat in the passenger seat with her arms crossed, eager for the evening to be over.
Wayne sighed. “Please don’t be upset. I came on too strong. I really want to make this work, so let’s meet again soon. We’ll just talk business, ok?”
She turned toward him, narrowing her eyes. “Why is it so important that I be involved in this? Surely you can build this on your own and hire a manager.”
He gave her a quick glance, a small smile rising. “Two reasons. One—It’s good business to hire someone with a personal stake in the success of the venture. And two—I want to spend more time with you. You intrigue the hell out of me, Sara. I’m going to do my best to talk you into that northern site.”
She couldn’t resist smiling back, though there was something off-putting about Wayne. His confidence became arrogance at times. She wasn’t optimistic about their romantic prospects anymore, but having him as a business partner was another story. There had to be a way to build this facility without hurting Hope and Alex—she just needed time to come up with it.
He pulled to a stop in front of her building, and she automatically looked for Jack’s pickup, but it wasn’t there. She turned back to Wayne. “All right. Let’s get together next week. I’ll think on this some more and we can talk about it.”
He smiled, even as his eyes smoldered. “Don’t think too long. I’m not known for my patience.”
* * *
“Another beer?” Maurice asked.
Jack tore his gaze from the secluded table and shook his head. “No thanks, I’m good.”
