Shit. “I think you mentioned it earlier.”
“I didn’t.” Her frown becomes a scowl. “If you’re plying me with liquor, one-liners, and lies to get information about Parker from me, stop it.”
“You’re awfully suspicious.”
“Wouldn’t you be in my shoes?”
“You came to me, remember?”
She shrugs. “Doesn’t matter. You have no qualms about using my predicament to your advantage.”
“I could say the same to you, princess.”
“Who’s suspicious now? I just came for a loan.”
I crowd her into the corner, brace my forearm above her head, and lean in close. “Or to fuck me over.”
Our eyes meet. She stands frozen—except for the pulse pounding at her neck. “I’m not like that.”
Maybe she’s not. The woman I spent the evening with doesn’t seem conniving…but I know firsthand that looks can be deceiving, especially when a woman with ambition has a dream and a plan. Hadley taught me that well.
Since being this close to Corinne is messing with my head, I back away. Besides, we’re having a circular argument neither of us can win without proof, and despite the fact I’ve spent hours with her, I’m not any closer to zeroing in on her motives. I don’t like that. I’m not used to being unsure. I need the upper hand.
“What are your plans tomorrow? If you’re only staying on the island until Sunday morning, you should see as much of it as possible.”
She shakes her head. “I brought orders with me and my balcony has a decent view, so I’ll work from there.”
“That’s not a vacation.”
“It’s all the time away I can afford.”
“What do you need help with? Shipping, packing, answering emails, grabbing supplies…”
“All of it.” She sounds overwhelmed by her to-do list as the doors to the elevator open on her floor. “But—”
“How about we make a deal? I’ll get you help—it won’t cost you anything—if you’ll give me a few hours tomorrow.”
“For what?”
“Conversation.” By then, I’ll have a plan that ensures we both get what we’re after while lightening her load. It’s a win-win. “Say yes.”
She leads me down a breezeway, fishing in her clutch for her key before she slides it into the slot. When she opens the door and flips on the light, I stroll in behind her.
As rooms go, this one is substandard. It’s small, shoved beside a utility closet, and looks like it hasn’t been substantially remodeled in at least a decade. Through the thin wall, I can hear a massive water boiler buzzing. She has a view of some palm trees—and the parking lot.
Corinne works her ass off. She deserves better.
She keeps her space neat as a pin, except the desk, which she’s obviously commandeered for work. And like her apartment in LA, the chair looks uncomfortable and the surface too small for her purposes.
“What if I say no?”
I shrug. “Then I walk. And since you’re the one who needs money…”
“But you want something, too. Payback.”
“I won’t deny that, but I can go about it a ton of different ways. Where else are you going to get five million dollars?”
She hesitates. “I see why you have a reputation as a shark in financial circles.”
“I get what I want.”
Corinne sets her purse on a nearby dresser. “As much as I hate to add to your ego, all right. We’ll talk tomorrow. After all, my options are limited.”
She concedes that far more easily than I suspected. Is that the French 75s talking? Or her plan to keep me off-kilter?
Two can play that game…
“Don’t worry. I’ll give you a good time.” I wink.
She sends me a chiding glance. “Your definition of that and mine are probably different.”
Still, that’s a yes. With a smug smile, I hand her my phone. “Put in your number.”
Not that Owen hasn’t already emailed it to me, but Corinne doesn’t need to know that.
“I have a feeling I’m going to regret this.” But she complies before handing the device back to me.
“I’ll call you tomorrow and let you know what time I’ll be around.”
“Be prepared to hear more about my business and my plans. I’m going to make you say yes to that loan.”
“You’re welcome to try.”
“Listen…” She bites her rosy lower lip, hesitating like she’s reluctant to say more. “You should plan on keeping a low profile tomorrow. The movie hits theaters and…” She grimaces.
“That bad, huh?”
“Worse than the book.”
I expected Hollywood to make the truth even more salacious. What I didn’t expect was for Corinne to warn me. She certainly didn’t have to. Granted, it’s in her best interest if she wants money and especially if she doesn’t want her brother to know she’s on the island with me, but… “Thanks for the tip. I’ll give you one, too. Drink some water and take a few ibuprofen before bed.”
“I will,” she murmurs just before I slip out of her room.
The instant the door slams behind me, I glance at my phone, ignoring the ridiculous number of texts and voicemails—none from anyone important—and start making phone calls, the first to Owen. I don’t give a shit what time it is. I’m on the clock.