Page 58 of A Taste of Paradise

Erin heard Maria’s gasp long before she saw the surprised delight on her face, as she turned back to the couple.

‘The Palms is delighted to host your honeymoon and to congratulate you both on your marriage, Mr and Mrs Beaumont,’ Erin announced smiling. ‘All of us here wish you great happiness and hopefully many more visits to our hotel to come,’ she continued, as she directed them towards the table. Having seen them safely seated with glasses of freshly poured champagne, Erin continued. ‘It is always our intent here at the resort to make every moment memorable. Since your arrival here – in fact, even before – I know things haven’t gone quite according to plan and we wanted to help make up for that.

‘After dinner, you will be sailing on the Palms’ Princess, our luxury catamaran, which will take you on a moonlight tour around the shore. You needn’t worry about a thing, everything will be prepared for you. Though if you require something in particular; perhaps bathing suits or anything else, please let Jason, your butler here, know and he will ensure that you have it.’

‘This is … incredible,’ Josh sputtered, breaking the couple’s silence. He seemed stunned but, much to Erin’s relief, also impressed. ‘That you would do something like this for us after everything … it’s simply incredible, isn’t it, darling?’ He laughed softly, turning to his wife and holding her hand across the table.

And for the first time since their arrival, Erin saw a glimpse of affection between them that had thus far been missing.

She smiled, enjoying the satisfaction of a job well done. These were the moments that made the job worth it.

Chapter 39

‘More of your matchmaking at play, I see?’ a familiar voice called out in the darkness, as Erin took the beach boardwalk back to the hotel, having left the honeymooners to their meal.

She was startled, her heart racing in her chest for more reasons than one as she turned to see Mack appear at the tree line nearby. Did the guy have some kind of tracker or homing device on her that told him where she was? And why was he skulking around in the darkness.

‘What are you doing out here at this time of the evening? You almost scared me to death,’ she panted, her heart slowing a little.

‘Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you. I was taking a walk when I saw all the candles and swung by for a closer look. You looked busy, so I thought it best to wait for you here.’

‘I was busy,’ she replied, curious as to why he would wait.

He stepped into the light of a nearby tiki torch and the warm glow lit up his face and dark hair. Like molten gold, the firelight danced upon his skin and he almost seemed to glow. She spied the slight shadows along his unshaven jaw, and yellow flames flickered in his eyes as he looked at her. Crikey, this guy truly wasn’t at all what she’d expected.

‘So like I said, more of your romantic handiwork?’ he asked again, his gaze following her movements as she fidgeted. ‘You seem to have a knack for it.’

‘No matchmaking needed this time,’ Erin replied, looking back in the couple’s direction. ‘They’re already married. They just needed a little help getting in the mood.’

‘Ah, the Wi-Fi couple,’ he drawled, evidently putting things together.

She raised an eyebrow. ‘I can’t believe you remembered that.’

‘I remember a lot,’ he countered, his tone a little more serious. ‘For example—’ he stepped closer to her ‘—I remember you said that matchmaking doesn’t work for you personally,’ he whispered, and her heart began to beat hard in her chest. He was so close she could smell his cologne. It was musky but not overpowering, the kind of scent that she wouldn’t mind getting used to.

‘I did say that.’ Her voice came out barely above a whisper, so she cleared her throat. She wasn’t about to let him know how much he affected her.

‘I think I can help you with that actually,’ Mack continued, and Erin could barely hear herself think from the pounding that had now developed in her ears.

‘What do you mean?’

‘I mean, it’s pretty obvious what your problem is.’

‘W-what?’ she asked, almost in a daze. His cologne was getting to her head, confusing her thoughts and muddling her tongue.

‘Like you told me before, your work is your life,’ Mack continued, stepping closer. ‘You spend so much time trying to prove yourself to everyone, that you forget to take the time to figure out what you want.’

‘What – so you’re a psychologist too?’

‘No, more a keen observer of people.’ He gently tucked a strand of flyaway hair behind her ear. The tip of his middle finger grazed her neck and her breath hitched at the contact.

‘And you’ve been observing me, apparently,’ she countered. The lump had returned to her throat again.

‘Yes. Ever since that day on the mountain.’

That took her by surprise. What did he mean? This was all very confusing. His presence here was supposed to be a business thing, but she couldn’t be sure what was going on. He blew so hot and cold.

Plus Erin knew deep down that, despite her initial determination to secure Mack as a resort business partner, she had gradually begun to wish more from him than that.