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“I was making a joke.”
It took a couple of seconds, and the smile returned to her face. “Oh, I get it now.”
Okay, so she wasn’t that smart after all. Henry must see something else in her. Her pretty face, intriguing eyes, incredible body?
Forget about her. Cade was only here to pick up the donation. Once he had Henry’s check in hand, Cade was on the next plane home. He glanced into his pineapple. It was empty. “I need another drink. Want one?”
“Please.” She smiled, a dazzling smile she’d probably spent hours perfecting in front of a mirror. “And could you get me one with a pink parasol and a cherry?”
A pink parasol and a cherry? She was the worst possible combination—high-maintenance and high society. Cade held back a sigh. “I’ll do what I can.”
Happy Birthday to me.
Henry Davenport hummed the tune. The party was an overwhelming success and was only going to get better. Time for two guests to partake in his “adventure.” He climbed on stage and the band stopped playing. “Line up for your chance at the adventure of a lifetime,” he announced to the crowd.
Tropically and scantily clad, hard-bodied waiters and waitresses passed out drinks to guests who stood in line. No one knew what was in store for the lucky participants. No one cared. People’s willingness to participate in his adventures was the only birthday present Henry wanted. Besides, everyone knew they’d get a nice reward from him when they finished. The more difficult the adventure, the bigger the reward. This year’s would be a doozy.
Henry cupped a pair of dice in his hands. This adventure would be his finest triumph. Until next year.
Guests waited for their chance to walk on stage and roll the dice. Cynthia Sterling’s turn arrived. She made her way up with a sensual sway of her hips. She was attractive, stunning really, with beautiful hair she had colored every three weeks to give it a natural blond look, and a figure any Sports Illustrated model would die for. A brilliant smile lit up her face. Things must be going well with Cade.
Good for her.
Cynthia would never be called sweet or innocent or nice. Truth be told, she was a pain in the butt. But he loved her like a sister and underneath all her makeup, designer clothes and pouty facade lay a good heart.
She was the quintessential poor little rich girl. Her parents were so in love, they barely noticed they’d had a child and she’d grown into a woman. Cynthia deserved to be happy, deserved to be loved. Henry still couldn’t believe her parents hadn’t remembered her birthday last year. She had shrugged it off. The same way she shrugged off holidays spent alone.
He almost believed she only cared about marrying well, but he’d seen a longing in her eyes the first time she held Noelle. He heard the envy in Cynthia’s voice when commenting how perfect Laurel and Brett were together and how lucky they were to have found each other. Cynthia claimed she had no luck finding her Mr. Right. Henry knew she was trying too hard. She was only twenty-six and in a rush to get to the altar. He didn’t want her to settle for less than she deserved.
But Cynthia’s luck with men was about to change….
She stepped up to the platform and kissed his cheek. “Happy Birthday, Henry.”
“Thank you, darling.” With a sleight of hand learned from a Reno magician last year, Henry gave her a special pair of dice, different ones than the others had used. “Good luck.”
She rubbed the dice between her hands and rolled. Double sixes. High rollers participated in the adventure. One man and one woman. A momentary deer-in-the-headlights expression flashed across her features.
“Don’t worry,” Henry assured her. “You’ll do fine.”
Her gaze met his. “I’d better or you’ll be the one worrying.” Her voice was low, but filled with a threat. He expected no less from her.
Cynthia wasn’t meek and mild. She went after what she wanted. The next two weeks weren’t going to be easy for her, but they would be good for her. Henry wanted her to be happy. His job was to show Cynthia what she wanted—no, needed. And he’d finally figured out the right man for her.
Cade Waters stepped onstage and took the dice. He wasn’t thrilled to be here, but he would get over it and come to appreciate what Henry had planned not only for Cade’s foundation, but his heart, too.
Cade rolled. Double sixes. He grimaced. Cynthia’s full lips broke into a wide smile.
Other guests needed to roll, but Henry couldn’t wait for the adventure to begin. This was going to be so much fun. He rubbed his palms together.
The way the adventure would take advantage of Cade’s strengths had been a stroke of luck. Henry knew fate had been helping him out. By the time the pair returned from the island adventure, Cynthia would see Cade Waters as her knight in shining khaki, the Indiana Jones of the new millennium, the man of her dreams. Henry tried not to grin too widely. But he had to smile. Life was too good not to have a smile on his face.
Before giving the next guest the dice, Henry discreetly switched them back to the original pair. Once everyone had rolled, he stood at a microphone. “We have our winners. Cynthia Sterling and Cade Armstrong Waters.”
The other guests cheered.
“This year, I’m paying homage to the pop-culture phenomena television show Survivor. Cade and Cynthia will spend two weeks on a deserted island together.”
“Two weeks?” Cade’s jaw hardened. “I have responsibilities.”
“You’ll have time to make arrangements for your absence,” Henry said. “You also have the option of paying a penalty fee and not going on the adventure if you choose.”
The penalty fee consisted of a ten thousand dollar donation to one of Henry’s favorite charities. So far, no one had opted out of an adventure. Along with paying the penalty, one could never attend another one of his birthday parties. He knew Cade was a lawyer and the penalty fee would never stand up in a court of law. But Cade was also counting on a donation to his foundation. Offending the host wouldn’t be in his best interest.
Blackmail?
Perhaps, but Henry was only doing what needed to be done. The Smiling Moon Foundation would get a hefty chunk of change no matter how the adventure turned out for Cynthia and Cade. Henry’s soft spot for kids had intensified since Noelle’s birth.
“I’m in,” Cade said with the bravado Henry expected.
“Me, too,” Cynthia added.
Of course she was. Two weeks alone with Cade was a dream come true for her. Knowing Cynthia, she was already planning their wedding. The Plaza? The Rainbow Room? And her honeymoon. St. Barts? Turks and Caicos?
“Great.” Henry handed them each a backpack. “Pack your toiletries and clothes in these. The rest of the items will be provided when we reach our location.”
Holding on to the backpack, Cynthia peered inside. “You want me to pack for two weeks with only this?”
“You don’t need much except a swimsuit.” At her frown, Henry winked. “Smile, darling. Frowning will give you wrinkles.”
She narrowed her eyes. He’d better not push it.
“What about time to make arrangements?” Cade asked. “Two weeks is a long—”
“It’s a long trip to our destination,” Henry explained. “You’ll have time to make calls and get to know each other.”
Cade tensed. “Great.”
Cynthia’s eyes sparkled. “I can’t wait.”
Neither could Henry.
Chapter Two
Cynthia lounged in a chaise on the deck of Henry’s yacht. As she sipped Cristal from a Baccarat flute, the bubbles tickled her nose. She set the glass on a table, and a steward dressed in a white shirt and matching shorts refilled her glass.
This was the life.
Ever since stepping aboard Henry’s floating palace last night, she’d been pampered and spoiled by his attentive staff. Who needed a genie in a bottle with Henry around? If her time on the island were anything like the past fourteen hours, she would be living a dream. Too bad Cade wanted no part of it.
She raised her sunglasses and stared at him. He’d barely spoken to her. Not a good sign. She wanted to be noticed, not ignored. “You didn’t tell me he was a workaholic.”
Henry adjusted his small pillow. “Cade is committed.”
“Committed or obsessed?” Cynthia asked. “I don’t think he slept last night.”
“He’s dedicated to his work.”
She had to admit his dedication appealed to her. Her father had neglected the family business in order to spend time with her mother until they ended up penniless and homeless when she was twelve. Those four months had been a living hell. It was the only time she had heard her parents argue. Thank goodness her grandfather had come to their rescue once he figured her father had learned his lesson.
But Cynthia hadn’t forgotten the uncertainty, the insecurity, the fear. She vowed never to be poor again and planned to marry well so money would never be an issue.
Which brought her back to Cade. He was an Armstrong so he had money. Lots of it. But he also had a job. What a novel idea. She’d never had a job. Nor had Henry. She wondered why Cade had one. “What does he do?”
“He has a law degree.” Henry bit into a slice of mango.
Cade must be one of the Armstrong family’s personal counsel. Corporate, perhaps? No matter, he must make a bundle or he would simply live off his inheritance.
A lawyer.
Maybe Cade wanted to go into politics like a few of his more visible cousins. Cynthia didn’t consider herself political, but she took her right to vote seriously. Politics could be interesting if Cade leaned in that direction. She could be the wife of a governor, a senator, the president.
First Lady.
All that attention and adoration. People would love her. Delight shivered through Cynthia. She would like to be First Lady. She would be a good First Lady. No, a great one. She would be perfect to set fashion and hair trends. She’d usher in a style and sophistication level not seen since the Kennedy era.
Of course that would be years away. Cade was much too young to be elected president but not too young for Congress.
“So Cade is a lawyer.” And the future leader of this great nation. Cynthia lowered her sunglasses. She would stand by his side and together they would go down in the history books. The country would love her. The world would love her. Most importantly, Cade would love her.
Henry dabbed his mouth with a napkin. “Let Cade tell you what he does.”
“I want him to tell me a lot of things.”
Henry laughed. “You’ll have plenty of time for that.”
“Not if Cade spends the entire time working.”
“No phones, Palm Pilots or laptops allowed on the island.”
“Good. Very good.” She settled back in her lounge chair. “I only wish Cade would stop working now and join us. How is he going to fall in love with me without knowing me?”
“Patience, darling.” Henry held up his glass, and the steward added more champagne. “Once you get to the island, Cade is all yours.”
“All mine.”
Henry nodded. “In two weeks time, the two of you will be inseparable.”
That sounded good to her. She wanted Cade to fall head over heels in love with her. Two weeks together would allow that to happen. By the time they left the island he wouldn’t want her out of his sight. “Cynthia Armstrong.”
“Cynthia Waters,” Henry corrected.
A warm feeling settled around her heart. “It still has a nice ring to it.”
“That it does, darling.” Henry raised his glass. “That it does.”
After a long morning spent working inside, Cade stepped on deck, squinted in the bright sunlight and walked to the rail. As the ship cut a path through the waves, a refreshing breeze blew. The scent of saltwater permeated the air. A sea of blue stretched all the way to the horizon.
He allowed himself a moment to enjoy the peacefulness and the beauty. A minute passed. Then another.
Okay, long enough. Cade wasn’t here for R&R. He was here because of a donor’s whim. No way could he enjoy himself.
His forehead throbbed. He didn’t have two weeks to waste out in the middle of the Pacific. Vacations were a luxury. One he could live without. He had too many responsibilities, commitments, work. Sure, he took a day off here and there and even attended his sister’s impromptu wedding in Lake Tahoe on Valentine’s Day. But he hadn’t had a real vacation in over three years. Or was it five? He couldn’t remember.
But this wasn’t a vacation. This was for the survival of Smiling Moon and all the kids the foundation helped.
And what about his family? They needed him, too. His dad acted happy enough with wife number six, but Cade’s mother was between marriages again and his sister, Kelsey, was a newlywed. His brother-in-law, Will, seemed like a good guy, but what if a problem arose and Cade was unable to help?
The throbbing turned into a full-blown headache. He massaged his temples.
Henry joined him at the railing. “Did you finish making your arrangements?”
Cade nodded.
“I know this is more than you agreed to.”
He nodded again. Cade didn’t trust what words might come out of his mouth. Damn, he hated the walking-on-eggshells-kissing-up part of donor wooing.
“Are you going to stay for the entire two weeks?”
Cade nearly laughed. “Do I have a choice?”
Henry’s carefree smile contradicted the slyness in his eyes. “You always have a choice.”
Not always. “I finish what I start.” Cade would make it to the end of the adventure. He’d only walked away from one thing in his life. And he’d lived to regret it.
“Good, because if you do I’ll increase my donation…significantly.”
Leave it to Henry to dangle the right carrot. “What about—”
“Cynthia?”
Cade nodded. “She doesn’t look like the outdoors type.”
“There’s more to her than meets the eye,” Henry said. “I hope you give her a chance.”
“We won’t have a problem.” As long as she stays out of the way. Cade could survive whatever Henry threw at him. Surviving Cynthia Sterling, however, was another story.
The more Cade saw of her, the more he realized his first impression had been correct. She was the polar opposite of Maggie, and the kind of woman Cade avoided like the plague.
He realized Cynthia’s last name fit her better than her first name. She was Sterling—sterling silver to be exact. She needed to be taken care of, polished and buffed or she would tarnish. He hoped she could do it herself for the next two weeks because he didn’t have the time.
“I forgot one thing.” Henry’s gaze met his. “Cynthia has to make it to the end with you or you won’t get any donation.”
“What?”
“Both you and Cynthia have to remain on the island for two weeks. Or you lose. Everything.”
Cade’s heart plummeted to his feet. The socialite wouldn’t last two hours, let alone two weeks. “That’s not fair.”
Henry shrugged.
“She’ll never make it.”
“You’ll have to see that she does.”
“That’s—”
“My prerogative,” Henry interrupted. “My birthday, my adventure, my rules.”
Your money.
Cade had no options. What could he do? Sue Henry for the original donation? That wasn’t going to happen because he only had an oral agreement. They hadn’t shook on it, either. This wasn’t looking good. Until Cade got an idea. “Fine, we’ll both make it to the end, but I not only want a significant donation, I want you to agree to become a patron of the Smiling Moon foundation and make an annual pledge. And I want it all in writing before I step foot off this ship.”
Henry drew his brows together. “Five.”
“Five what?”
“Five million a year. And I will put it in writing. Though we won’t be able to have it notarized.” Henry looked at Cade. “Will that do?”
He stood speechless and swallowed around a lump the size of Fort Knox lodged in his throat. “That’ll do.”
Cade spoke calmly, more rationally than he thought possible, given the way he fought not to pump his fists, jump up and down and yell. Hell, he wanted to hug Henry.
Five million dollars a year exceeded Cade’s wildest dreams, every expectation he’d had. His foundation operated on a shoestring budget thanks to his Uncle Alan curtailing Cade’s access to his trust fund so he couldn’t give all his money away. But the foundation had survived. And with Henry’s donation, would thrive. The taste of sweet success filled Cade.
“Just remember Cynthia has to be there at the end.”
Nothing, especially a pampered socialite, would keep the foundation from receiving the bigger donation. “She will be.”
Cade was going to make sure of it.
Time was running out for Cade. The stakes for winning the adventure had gone way up. He had to find Sterling and make plans while they had the chance.
As Henry prepared for their arrival at the island down in his cabin, Cade made his way to the stern. She had to be here somewhere. Sunlight gleamed off the pool water, but she wasn’t there. All the lounge chairs were empty. She couldn’t have fallen overboard. He didn’t have that kind of luck.
He found her lying under the protective shade of a giant umbrella. No doubt she wanted to keep her fair skin away from the tropical sun. Or maybe she was just lounging around. He gritted his teeth.
An omen of things to come? Cade hoped not, but he wouldn’t be surprised if she expected him to do all the work. And that might not be so bad. He had experience backpacking in wilderness areas and knew what needed to be done. She didn’t. It might be easier this way. Too bad he couldn’t vote her off the island, but he knew Henry wouldn’t go for that suggestion.
Cade walked toward her. She wore a white cap-sleeve blouse that buttoned up the front and pink Capri pants with a pair of the most uncomfortable looking sandals he’d ever seen. No wonder she was lying down. Those shoes with the narrow straps and high heels must be murder on the feet.
She wore sunglasses even in the shade. She probably wore a silky eye mask when she slept, too. He didn’t know if she was asleep or awake now, but he didn’t care. They needed to talk without Henry around.
“Are you awake?” Cade wasn’t sure what their upcoming adventure entailed, but the key to survival and success was preparation. He didn’t expect much from Sterling, but a little help was better than nothing. And for better or worse, they were in this together.
No answer.
He nudged the chaise with his foot. “Sterling?”
No movement.
“You need to wake up.” He touched her knee. “Now.”
Raising her hands above her head, she stretched slowly like a cat waking from an afternoon nap. Cade watched with a mixture of fascination and horror. He felt like a peeping Tom yet he couldn’t look away as the bottom of her shirt rose. Above her pants, above her belly button, above the bottom of her rib cage. Sweat dripped down his back.
Damn, the sun was hot in the tropics.
He brushed his hand through his hair and adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose.
She sat up. “Hello, Cade.”
Her voice sounded deeper, almost husky. Especially when she said his name. Cade wondered why he noticed the difference. He also wondered why he missed the sight of her bare midriff.
No matter. They had more important issues to worry about. “We need to talk.”
She scooted over and patted the small space next to her. “Why don’t you join me?”
The collar of his T-shirt seemed to tighten. “I’ll stand.”
She removed her sunglasses. “What did you have on your mind?”
You. “Henry’s adventure.”
Her smile widened. “It’s going to be fun.”
“Fun?” Cade stared into her eyes. She had nice eyes. And he really liked all those little gold flecks.
“Yes, fun,” she said. “What more could you ask for? Two whole weeks on a deserted island. Just the two of us for fourteen days.”
“Fourteen days,” he echoed.
She nodded with an intriguing—suggestive?—glint in her eyes. “Fourteen days and nights.”
The nights might turn out to be the best part. He smiled.
What the hell am I doing? Cade looked away. The sun was getting to him. He’d have to drink more water. Or wear a hat. “Have you ever watched Survivor?”
“Once or twice at a party, but I didn’t pay too much attention. The people were so dirty and starving.” She wrinkled her nose. “How much fun is that?”
“Exactly.” This wasn’t going to be as bad as he thought. At least she knew what they were up against. “I don’t know what Henry has in mind, but I’m assuming it will be similar to the show. He’ll stick us on a deserted island and make us compete against each other for rewards.”
“Henry would never pit us against each other.” Confidence laced each of her words. “There’s no way that would happen.”
“Maybe not, but, we need to be prepared. Come on.”
Cade walked toward the lounge. The click of her ridiculous heels on the wooden deck told him she was following.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“To raid the galley. We have to be ready for whatever Henry throws at us such as not giving us any rations.” At her blank stare, Cade clarified it. “Food. He might not give us any food.”
She pursed her lips. “Henry wouldn’t do that to us.”
Cade wished he had her confidence. “What if he does?”
“He won’t.”
She had so much trust in her friendship with Henry. Cade couldn’t afford such blind loyalty again. He headed down the stairs to the galley. Fortunately none of the crew milled about. “Without food we’ll have to eat bugs and worms and snakes and a whole lot of other nasty stuff.”
“Henry will give us food.” Certainty filled her voice. “I’ve never swatted a fly. How could he expect me to eat one?”
Cade didn’t have time to change her mind. “Fine, we’ll have food, but let’s bring a few extra things to eat.”
“You mean snacks?”
“Snacks, food, whatever we can fit in our backpacks.”
“My backpack’s full.”
“You’ll have to make room.” He struggled to keep his voice low and calm. Losing his temper would solve nothing and only bring attention to their whereabouts. “We don’t have much time. I can do this on my own, but I’d rather we did it together. Are you in, Sterling?”
She grinned. “I’m in, Armstrong.”
He hated that name, hated everything associated with it. “It’s Waters.”
“I’m sorry.”
He handed her a plastic bag and kept one for himself. “You stand guard first, while I go in. Then we switch. Got it?”
She nodded. “We’re going to make a good team, Cade.”
He doubted that, but as long as they survived until the end he didn’t care. “Let me know if someone is coming.”
“Will it work if I whistle?” She put her lips together and blew. It looked as if she was waiting for a kiss.
“A whistle is—” he dragged his eyes away from her puckered lips “—fine.”
More than fine coming from her lips, but he wasn’t going there. Not today, tomorrow or any time in the next two weeks.
“The two weeks are going to fly by,” Henry said to her and Cade as they rode to shore in a small boat. He motioned to the cove in front of them. “What do you think of your new home?”
Cynthia stared at the picture postcard island paradise. A movie set couldn’t have captured the lagoon with clear blue water, towering palm trees and a crescent of sparkling white sand any more perfectly. “It’s breathtaking.”
“Lucky us,” Cade said. “Our own Gilligan’s Island.”
“I get to be Ginger,” Cynthia said.
The boat stopped twenty-five feet from shore. Crew members unloaded two wooden crates and carried them to shore. As soon as they reached the beach, music played. Drums, chanting, an eerie flutelike instrument.
Cynthia looked around for the mysterious source. She noticed a boom box sitting near Henry’s feet and immediately felt better. For a minute she thought they were arriving at Fantasy Island. At least that would explain why Henry wore an all white suit like Mr. Roarke.