Rescue Me by Christine Kingsley
CHAPTER ONE
Meredith Jacobs held two little dresses up in the air, debating which to wear. The white one was soft and breezy, perfect for a night out at the beach resort. But the red one. The red one screamed sexy temptress with its deep halter neckline and low-cut back. She looked at them for half a second longer, then tossed the white one back in her suitcase.
Taking a deep breath, she dressed quickly then moved on to the next decision. Hair up or down? She really didn't think it should be this hard to get ready for a night out, but she was out of practice. Years out of practice. She may have the occasional dinner or cocktail with friends, but it had been so long since she'd gone out with the sole purpose of enjoying the possibilities of the evening, perhaps even having a harmless flirtation, that she wanted to take extra care with her preparations.
That's what happens when you put your career ahead of everything else.
Sighing and shaking off the heavy weight that thoughts of work tended to bring, she tousled her dark curls and let them hang down her back. Might as well let her hair down figuratively and literally.
Ready to get the evening started, she slipped on her red heeled sandals and was about to walk out of her room when she heard a knock on her door. A huge smile spread across her face as she ran to answer it.
"Brandon!" She threw herself into her brother's arms. "I was starting to think I was at the wrong resort." She'd arrived at his beach resort, Sunset Bay, earlier in the day, but this was the first time she'd seen him.
Brandon laughed as he placed a kiss on the top of her head. "I'm sorry, but it's been a crazy week. I've spent nearly every waking moment putting out one fire or another." He pulled back and glanced down at her, frowning. "What are you wearing?"
Meredith twirled around, her face the picture of innocence. "Just a dress. I'm going dancing."
He made a guttural sound in his throat. "Do I need to assign security to keep an eye on you?"
Meredith swatted him on the arm as he passed her to take a seat in the living area. He had set her up in a swanky suite. "I'll be fine. It's been ages since I've danced. I miss it." She tried to keep the wistful look hidden from her brother. "I have an idea. Why don't you join me?"
"Nice as that sounds, I have work to do."
"At nine o'clock? Don't you ever take a break?"
"You're one to talk," he said, lifting his eyebrows. "It only took how many years to get you to take some time off and come down here? Besides, I'm on the verge of really taking this place to the next level. Can't slack off now." Brandon had worked so hard to build up the Florida resort, having been hired on to manage straight after college. It had all paid off as he was now a partial owner with plans to eventually buy it out entirely.
"And you wonder why I never take time off?" Meredith arched an eyebrow. "You set the bar pretty high." She regretted not coming to see her brother more often, but just like Brandon, she spent all her time working harder, needing to prove herself. To show him just how much she appreciated all he'd done for her. Now she was on the verge of all her personal sacrifices paying off as well, so she'd finally given in to his request that she come relax for a few weeks while she waited to hear back about a major promotion at her New York brokerage firm.
Brandon stood, still eying her dress warily. "Go have fun. But not too much fun. I'll come by in the morning to show you around. I have some activities lined up for you. Don't worry, you'll like them," he added, laughing at the skeptical look on her face as he turned to leave.
Meredith gave herself a final once-over in the mirror then headed out the door and down the path that led to the dance club. Tropical flowers and lush foliage lined the walkway, filling Meredith's nose with their fragrant floral scent and causing her to smile. She was determined to make the most of her time here.
Picking up the pace, Meredith rounded the corner and found herself facing the dance club. One side didn't have a wall, opening right out to the beach, and the driving beat of the music poured out. Choosing to take the paved side path versus the beach entrance in her stilettos, she pushed down the sudden tightness in her throat and squared her shoulders as she pushed open the carved wooden door to reveal a tiki-inspired motif in the club.
You can do this.
She'd had plenty of experience living a carefree life back in college. Just because she'd become a stick in the mud workaholic over the past few years didn't mean she'd forgotten how to have a good time. And if she happened to meet someone to dance with while she was there, even better.
Scanning the dim room, her eyes settled on the bar running the length of the back wall. Its thatched awning resembled a cabana, complete with a canopy of brightly twinkling lights. First things first. She was going to need a drink. The music pulsed through her body as she made her way around the swaying crush of bodies on the dance floor, and she found herself swinging her hips to the rhythm. Judging from the way some of the men ran their eyes over her and sent suggestive smiles her way, she thought maybe she did still have it after all. She allowed a small smile to spread across her lips. This could be fun.
Meredith found an empty space at the bar and leaned in to get the attention of the bartender. When he met her gaze, she felt the nerves return with full force. The guy was a major hottie in his tight black tee and jeans.