Heating Up Hawaii Read Online Free PDF Page A

needed was to be on the Smiths’ good side to pitch his bold business idea to her father. How could she in clear conscience play along, when the pain she both caused and felt from her childhood still haunted her?
    She swallowed the bitterness lodged in her throat. “I merely finished my internship a couple of weeks early.”
    She wanted to move on her seat, but his eyes pinned her like they often did when unexpected. There was no warmth in them, just a flicker of resentment. She imagined a man with an ego the size of NASA hadn’t enjoyed being dismissed by a woman his junior, his work subordinate. Or anyone else, in Luc’s case.
    “I never slept with her.”
    “You seduced her.” She sat stiffly.
    “Didn’t you hear what I just said? I never slept with her, before, during, or after we were together.” He drawled the last sentence.
    “You don’t have to sleep with someone to seduce them.” Good God, I certainly learned that the hard way . There wasn’t one female employee at the New York hotel who hadn’t at least once made a comment about his seductive accent or striking looks. Married or single, old or young. And she, Penny Ashbrook, had fallen in love like a blind fool. The idea of being the one he broke the rules for only adding to the intensity of her emotions. “Don’t pretend you’re unaware of your effect on women. Modesty was never your forte.”
    “But not on you, correct?” His features softened, his seriousness took a backseat to typical male arrogance.
    “In the past, yes, but…not now. Not that it matters. We are different people. We want different things out of life.” She tossed her hair. “Plus, even if we weren’t, I know what kind of women you go out with.”
    He lifted an eyebrow. “What kind?”
    “Society types, models. A couple of actresses.”
    “I’m surprised.” He ran his finger along his jaw, and amusement laced his voice. “I had no idea you read so much about me.”
    Penny shook her head. “I didn’t. I started today, going through all kinds of articles to know more about my new client. I do that with everyone.” A big, fat lie.
    A smile ruffled his mouth. She wasn’t sure if he believed her or not, but the way his luscious lips quirked up made heat melt the knots in her stomach. One by one.
    “I also ask everyone else to sign this contract.” Penny handed him the folder. Yes. He’s just like any other client. And the knots should be where they belong, thank you very much.
    Luc glanced at the sheets, and fetched a pen from his inside pocket to sign. The waiter brought them appetizers, and throughout the steak dinner they discussed the needs for his Maui resort.
    Talking about something not personal put her at ease, even though there was no verbal encouragement from his part. She’d want it when time came to gather his promised recommendation letters, but now his attention on what she did best sufficed.
    “Do you have any questions?” Penny took a bite of her cheesecake as Luc sipped on dessert wine. Take that, microwave dinner .
    “Aren’t you afraid of getting fired?”
    The sweet, chunky piece had made its way halfway down her throat when she’d heard his question. She reached for the glass of water and sipped some immediately to keep from choking and sputtering like a fool.
    “Charles obviously doesn’t like you, and I can only imagine he’s got the right reasons, after you made a fool out of his son,” he continued, his voice cold and exact.
    “Charles wouldn’t fire me,” Penny said in a rush of words, her belief in them fading as she spoke. “I’m hardworking and qualified. I’ve earned my position.”
    Luc’s eyes assessed her in a slow sweep from head to toe. “Daniel still thinks he can win you over. That’s why Charles hasn’t fired you yet, because his son is pressuring him not to upset you while he changes your mind.”
    “Not exactly.” She had wanted to resign after the whole wedding fiasco, but Charles hadn’t let her,