Escape to Paradise Read online

  “As you wish, sir. I’ll go put in the order now.”

  Sweat snaked down his back. Licking his lips, he discreetly cleaned the perspiration from his palms. This time he was going to be the perfect gentleman. He wouldn’t scare her off or come on too strong. He’d listen. And help. That was it. Santiago was curious about the Southern beauty, and he was going to get to learn more about her. Starting now.

  Claudia bent down, unzipped her travel bag and searched for the bottle of Tylenol she’d hurled inside it that morning. Her head hurt so bad her eyes were twitching, but she had bigger problems than a raging headache. Where was she going to stay? And what was she going to say to the resort manager? Claudia felt a presence behind her, and knew that it was a guy. No surprise there. Her butt was poking up in the air. That usually brought perverts running.

  “Bug off, buddy. I’m not interested.”

  To project self-assurance, Santiago raised his head and straightened his shoulders. She did a half turn and hit him with such a scathing look. His heart stopped dead in his chest. As they stood there, eyeing each other, he realized two things: Claudia wasn’t going to accept his help, and he was in way over his head. He suspected that her brusque exterior was a cover, a mask to shield her from pain, and if he wanted to penetrate her walls he had to be real.

  Take baby steps, cautioned his inner voice, baby steps. Confidence soared through his veins, renewed his optimism and hope. He’d take things slow, let her be the one to dictate the pace. He desired her but he wasn’t going to cross the line. I’m going to be a gentleman even if it kills me, he vowed, tearing his hungry gaze away from her long legs. “We meet again.”

  Claudia’s lips parted and a gasp fell out. It was the smokin’-hot guy who’d approached her at the Dulles International Airport. “Did you follow me here?”

  “No, I…” Santiago hesitated, paused to organize his scrambled thoughts. Telling her his family owned the Sea of Cortez Resort, and six other luxury hotels across Mexico, wasn’t a smart move. She’d think he was lying or, worse, just another cocksure rich guy who liked to brag. No, now was definitely not the time to reveal his true identity. “I work here.”

  Pain pulsed in her head, but she abandoned her search for the aspirin and rose to her feet. Claudia scrutinized him from top to bottom. He wasn’t wearing the ubiquitous tangerine shirt, and he didn’t have a name tag pinned to his chest. This Santiago guy had to be putting her on, because in his pinstriped shirt and tan slacks he looked more like a guest than an employee. “You work here? In what capacity?”

  “I’m the manager,” he said, keeping an eye out for any resort staff. If his mother heard him he could kiss his life back in the States goodbye. She’d scream louder than the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders and pop open her most expensive bottle of champagne. “The front desk called and said you needed to speak to me.”

  “Is that all they said?”

  He had to tread softly, had to phrase his words carefully, in a way that wouldn’t offend her. “I understand that there’s a problem with your credit card.”

  All the blood drained from her body. This had to be one of the most embarrassing moments of her life. It ranked right up there with throwing up on her wedding day. Though she realized now that getting sick had been a sign, something she shouldn’t have ignored.

  “I’m not broke,” she told him. “I’m a very successful event planner, and I have my own business. I could afford to stay at this resort three times over.”

  “I believe you, Ms. Jeffries, and no one here is accusing you of deceit. The problem could very well be with our system.”

  Relief flooded through her, alleviated the throbbing in her temples that was radiating down her neck. Finally, someone on her side! Claudia didn’t feel comfortable explaining her situation to him, but she felt compelled to offer an explanation for the mishap at the front desk.

  “We’ve been having trouble processing credit card payments all day. It must be a bad connection,” he explained. Santiago gauged her reaction. Her face softened, lost some of the angry lines creasing her forehead, but he knew he hadn’t completely won her over. Feeling the tide turn in his favor, he decided to play his hunch. “I apologize for the way the front desk handled your check-in. We are short-staffed today and they’ve had to work long hours.”

  Santiago spotted a group of brawny, dark-haired men in cranberry-red jerseys stride off the elevator and waited for them to pass before he resumed speaking. “Until we get this whole mess sorted out, I thought you could stay in one of our oceanfront apartments.”

  Claudia’s spirits sank. She should have known this guy was too good to be true. Weren’t they all? Some savior he was. Instead of resolving the issue, he was grinning like a televangelist and trying to pump her for more money. Figured. The hospitality industry didn’t care about their guests; all they cared about was their bottom line.

  “The only drawback of staying in the apartment is that it’s away from the main building and in a private, tree-shielded area.”

  “That sounds like a plus, not a minus.” The thought of being alone, miles away from other guests, appealed to her. Maybe she should swing it. Tomorrow she’d go to the bank and withdraw enough money to cover her stay. The only question was what to do now. “I really need the space to unwind. I love live music, but those mariachi singers are louder than a high school marching band!”

  Santiago wanted to laugh but stayed in character. He was the resort manager and had to act like such at all times. No guffawing or flirting allowed. “Most of our guests like to be where the action is, and Oasis Row couldn’t be more secluded. I have a suite there, and sometimes I don’t see anyone for days.”

  “How much is the daily rate? The suite I’m staying in belongs to my sister and my brother-in-law, so it wasn’t costing me anything.”

  “And neither will an apartment suite.”

  “How is that possible?”

  Yeah, his conscience jeered, how is that possible? The question threw him for a loop, but he recovered quickly. “The resort is below capacity, and at the Sea of Cortez Resort we believe that once you experience one of our premier suites you’ll never want to stay anywhere else.” He wore an arch grin. “At least that’s our hope.”

  She stayed perfectly still, didn’t say a word, didn’t even blink. Then, something remarkable happened. The corners of her lips twitched, curled like she was about to smile.

  “We offer services that other hotels just can’t provide, such as in-suite spa treatments, tai chi lessons in our Zen garden, and twenty-four-hour room service.”

  To keep from whooping for joy, Claudia bit the inside of her cheek. But when Santiago winked at her, a giggle broke free. She was stoked, high, more excited than a preteen girl meeting her favorite pop star. “Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

  “Now, if you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to your suite,” Santiago announced, reaching for her travel bag. “I just need to make a quick stop at the front desk to retrieve your room key.”

  “I don’t need you to take me. Point me in the right direction and I’ll find my way.”

  “It’s getting dark, Ms. Jeffries, and I’d hate for you to get lost.”

  Was he patronizing her? Trying to imply that she was incapable of taking care of herself? Claudia snatched her things out of his hand. “Don’t worry. I won’t.”

  Rosario appeared, handed him a key card and hustled back to her post.

  “It looks like we’re all set.” Santiago bowed at the waist and swept his hands gallantly toward her. “Here, at the Sea of Cortez Resort, we believe in offering our guests premier service, so I’d be honored to escort you to your villa, Ms. Jeffries.”

  “And I told you,” she repeated, “that won’t be necessary.”

  “It’s a company policy.” He lowered his
voice, then glanced over his shoulder as if he was about to confess his deepest, darkest secret. “And if the owner finds out I broke the rules she’ll have my head!”

  To put an end to her protests, and get her far away from the shirtless, blue-eyed Adonis who’d just exited the fitness center, Santiago gestured to the courtyard doors. “Shall we go?”

  Claudia gave up the fight. “Okay, fine, you can escort me to my suite. You’ve been terribly kind, and I’d hate for you to lose your job over something so trivial.”

  “Me too,” Santiago said, with a chuckle. “I need this job!”

  Decorative lampposts showered the garden with light. The wood-paneled walkway was bordered by two miniature ponds filled with sea turtles, tropical flowers and rocks. In the distance, Claudia heard music and laughter. Through the space in the trees, she spotted a lighted pool teeming with swimmers and kids playing volleyball at the tip of the beach.

  As they strolled past the communal bathhouses, Santiago gave her a detailed briefing on the resort. Ten minutes ago, she’d been so tired she’d almost fallen asleep in the lobby and now she was wide awake, alert, hanging on to every word that came out of the resort manager’s sexy mouth. “I can’t believe the resort has a library! Is there anything you guys don’t have here?”

  “We’re in the process of building several fantasy suites and a wedding chapel. Destination weddings have become incredibly popular in Cabo, and we’d like to offer the service to our out-of-town guests,” he explained, repeating what his mother had told him about the project weeks earlier. “How long have you been a wedding planner?”

  “Event planner,” she corrected. “I do between five and ten ceremonies a year.”

  “I take it they’re not your favorite jobs.”

  “I’ve planned dozens of weddings over my career, but only a handful of the couples I worked with are still married. Planning charity events is my true passion, but with the recent slump in the economy those assignments are few and far between.”

  “The tourism industry has been hit hard, too.” To steer her in the right direction, he placed a hand on her back. A thousand volts of desire tore through her. Claudia wondered if he had felt it, too, but didn’t see a change in his demeanor. Her eyes targeted his mouth, then spilled over the smooth contours of his chest and down his waist. Goose bumps pricked her skin, and lust ignited between her legs.

  Claudia tore her gaze away from his face and ordered her horny body into submission. The last time she’d been this taken with someone she’d…she’d… The truth stunned her. This was a first. Thoughts of kissing him and caressing him bombarded her mind. Then the video playing in her head turned X-rated. She saw them sharing fiery French kisses, saw them ripping off each other’s clothes. Was he a slow, tender lover? Or a five-minute man? She’d never entertained the thought of having a one-night stand, but the energy radiating between them was intense, and the stress of the last three weeks had finally caught up to her. Her body needed a release, but having sex with the hunky resort manager wasn’t the answer. Right?

  Claudia grabbed ahold of herself. This wasn’t a shared attraction. It was a one-sided nuisance, that’s what it was. And she’d deal with it the best way she knew how—by ignoring it. But when Santiago lowered his hand so that it now rested comfortably on the small of her back, Claudia knew staying away from him would be easier said than done.

  Chapter 6

  “If this is a dream, please don’t wake me up!”

  Claudia knew Santiago was standing behind her, but she couldn’t stop gushing over the lavish, two-thousand-square-foot apartment. With its open-concept floor plan and warm color scheme the suite flowed easily from one room to the next. Decorated with designer fabrics and stunning furniture, it resembled a celebrity home she’d once seen featured in Architectural Digest magazine. The apartment reeked of grandeur but looked as serene as a country cottage.

  “I take it you like the suite.”

  “Like it? I love it! The turquoise walls are calming, the burgundy accessories are a brilliant touch and the watercolor paintings open the room right up.”

  Santiago chuckled. “Were you an interior designer in another life?”

  “No, but I worked at a design company for a year and learned a few things.” Claudia drew her hand along the back of the couch. “You don’t have to be Martha Stewart to know what looks good and what doesn’t. You just have to think outside the box.”

  “I’m hopeless when it comes to decorating,” he confessed, wearing a wry smile. “That’s why I paid a professional to furnish my home.”

  “I thought you lived here at the resort.”

  “I do, but I also have a small property in my hometown.” Santiago didn’t know why he felt compelled to lie. There was nothing ‘small’ about his estate, or the custom-made garage that housed his collection of European sports cars. Located in an upscale neighborhood nicknamed Luxury Row, the six-bedroom house stretched across two acres and carried a five-million-dollar price tag. But he wasn’t about to tell Claudia that. At least not yet. “I only purchased it a few months ago.”

  “The resort must pay you very well.”

  He heard the accusation in her voice, saw the doubt in her eyes.

  “It’s not much, just a place to lay my head.” Santiago cringed at the sound of his voice. He was talking faster than an auctioneer, and his nose was twitching like he was about to sneeze. “Veracruz is an hour away, so I only go home on the weekends. I enjoy my new place, but I prefer staying here. There’s so much to do. And our champagne brunch is the best around.”

  Her lips turned down at the corners. “That sounds expensive and indulgent.”

  “It is, but it’s worth it. And it can be served poolside or in the comfort of your suite.”

  “I rarely drink, and never before noon.”

  “Then come down to the Oasis restaurant and we’ll have pancakes.”

  Claudia squinted, furrowing her eyebrows as if she was considering his offer. But she wasn’t. Not when she had a sleek, gourmet kitchen stocked with supplies. Besides, hanging out at the resort was risky. American tourists were crawling all over the place, and she hadn’t traveled two thousand miles only to be discovered by someone following William’s case. “I’ll think about it.”

  “And I’ll save you a seat.”

  The allure of his smile made her melt like a bag of ice cubes left out in the desert. An unstoppable force with innate charm, Santiago Medina not only radiated positive energy, he oozed with a charisma that few men his age possessed.

  Claudia climbed the steps and threw open the French doors. The postcard-perfect view was breathtaking, the most spectacular thing she had ever seen. Millions of stars glittered in the sky, tropical fish caused ripples in the emerald-blue water, and the towering mountain peaks in the distance enhanced the mystical scene. The breeze kept the air cool and ruffled the sails on the boats drifting into the harbor. A giant wave rushed up the shore, causing the teenagers strolling along the beach to run for cover. “I bet there are some incredible trails around here.”

  “You’re right, there are. We offer guided tours that range from thirty-minute strolls to intense three-hour excursions twice a day,” he explained. “If you want, I could add your name to the list of hikers heading out on the beginner trail in the morning.”

  “No, thanks, I’d much rather go alone. I’m a seasoned hiker, and I don’t want anyone slowing me down.”

  “The trails are steep, and we’re expecting record-breaking temperatures tomorrow. To be on the safe side, you should hike with a partner. What time do you want to start?”

  Claudia almost laughed out loud when the resort manager volunteered his services. Men are so predictable, she thought, shaking her head. “I’d like to head out at sunrise.”

  Santiago coughed. “Wo
w, that’s early.”

  “You must be a late riser.”

  “Guilty as charged. I’m a bear in the mornings, but I’d still like to accompany you on that hike. I know all six trail routes, and the hidden treasures in and around the Baja…”

  Enraptured by the smooth texture of his voice, she listened intently as he described the panoramic mountain views and the magic of the cascading waterfalls. The man had perfect everything—teeth, skin, hair—and although he was attractive enough to rock the runway he seemed like a genuine, down-to-earth guy. Indulging in a summer fling would be reckless, as dangerous as hang-gliding without a parachute, but if Claudia was ever in the market for a lover Santiago Medina would be her first choice. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I was really looking forward to going alone.”

  “Then I’ll keep my distance,” he said, a grin caressing his lips. “I’ll stay a mile back.”

  Claudia hated how he used his smile as a weapon, flashing it whenever he wanted to put her at ease or lighten the mood. What struck her was how well it worked. Every time he showed those pearly whites, her defenses crumbled. It wasn’t safe to be around him. Not with those superstar looks and that disarming grin. Fighting their attraction was hard enough, and she feared what would happen if they were alone in the woods. She’d probably be so busy checking him out, she’d wipe out on the trail and twist her ankle.

  “Let’s meet in front of the building.”

  His eyes pulled her in, made her lower her guard and forget her plans to keep her distance. Claudia didn’t want Santiago to accompany her, but how would it look if she shot him down? But for his generosity, she’d be sleeping in the lobby, smack-dab beside the kissing couples. “All right. 6:00 a.m. sharp.”

  “Great, it’s a dat—” He stopped midword and nodded instead. “I’ll be there.”

  Picking up one of the brochures on the desk, she scanned the cover and marveled at the various services the resort offered. The Sea of Cortez Resort had everything a tourist could want. A drug store, three restaurants, a bank. It was a gem of a hotel, and the next time Claudia saw Maxine she was going to give her a big, fat kiss. “I’ve stayed in a lot of nice hotels, but this resort takes the cake. I’ve never seen—” Claudia broke off when she heard a knock on the door.