her hand from the man who’d instantly caused her to feel things—strange things—that she shouldn’t feel when meeting someone for the first time. Samson smiled, apparently completely aware of his effect on her. She rolled her eyes. He was trying too hard, and she wanted him to know that he didn’t stand a chance with her. Maybe if she were a twenty-two-year-old groupie, his charms would work. But she wasn’t twenty-two, nor was she one of those desperate women who threw themselves at the feet of charming men, and he needed to know that. She’d always been one to sift through the smoke screen and get to the heart of the matter.
“Talbot women certainly are beautiful,” said Samson.
She noticed the word Toni etched across his left biceps, and asked herself, Who has the names of their ex-or current girlfriends etched into their skin?
“Alyson is a real estate broker,” Jackson offered. “Her company is quickly becoming the go-to for real estate on the island and abroad. You mentioned taking a look at some beach homes while you’re here. Maybe she can show you around.”
Alyson gave Jackson the evil eye and then looked at Samson. “I generally don’t dabble in the competitive market. But I have a lot of connections and would be happy to pair you with one of my associates who could show you around.”
“I think she just told me that I can’t afford any of the properties in her portfolio but she’d pawn me off on someone who can show me some cheaper ones.” Samson smiled, and the entire room seemed to illuminate.
“I think she did,” Jackson agreed.
“What is it that you do for a living, Mister...”
“Steel.”
“You steal for a living?” she asked.
He and Jackson both laughed a hearty laugh.
“My name is Steel. Samson Steel,” he said.
“Oh.” She felt silly, but offered a gentle smile. “The most modest home in my portfolio, Mr. Steel, appraised at half a million dollars last week. We’re asking much more than that.”
“Great! I’d like to see it.”
He was wasting her time! Between helping to plan a wedding and juggling appointments with clients in Miami and the islands, she didn’t have time to play games with Samson Steel. She pulled a business card from her purse and handed it to him. “My website is on there. Why don’t you peruse the homes on my site and see if there’s anything that you’re interested in? Save us both a lot of time and effort.”
He studied the card. Flipped it over. “So I can reach you at this number?”
“If necessary,” she said.
“Is it your personal cell, or will this take me to voice mail?”
“I don’t do voice mail, Mr. Steel. My clientele is way too important for that. I have a personal assistant who handles all of my calls.”
“Ah, I see,” he said thoughtfully. “I’ll give you a call in the morning. Maybe you can fit me in tomorrow afternoon.”
“Can’t tomorrow. Early afternoon, I have an appointment with a client. And then right after that, I’m scheduled to taste wedding cake with my sister.”
“Um, Alyson... I meant to tell you that we’d rescheduled that appointment for Friday,” Jasmine chimed in. “The bakery called this morning.”
“When exactly were you going to tell me?” she attempted to whisper.
“I called Jules and had her check your schedule, and she penciled you in for the tasting on Friday. So it looks like you’re free tomorrow afternoon...to show Samson some properties...” she caught Alyson’s wicked glance “...or not.”
“Call my office tomorrow, and I’ll try to fit you in.” There was no way out of this one.
“I appreciate that, Alyson Talbot.” He smiled widely again. “I’m looking forward to you fitting me in.”
He shouldn’t get it twisted, she thought. This would be strictly business.
No doubt, he was enigmatic—it kept people at arm’s length. It allowed him to share only what he wanted others to know. He’d come to the Bahamas where the only person he knew was Jackson Conner, his buddy from college. They’d met at Harvard and had kept in touch over the years. Though they hadn’t spoken every day, he considered Jackson to be a good friend. And he was shocked to learn that Jackson had abandoned his hometown of Key West, fallen in love with a Bahamian girl and taken up residence in the Caribbean. His friend had always been a city fellow. A contractor, Jackson had owned a successful business in Florida and had built some of the finest properties that Samson had ever seen. That is, until meeting Jasmine Talbot.
It was Jackson whom Samson called on the phone that day when life seemed unbearable.
“I never thought you’d leave Florida. And I’m surprised that some woman has snagged you and taken you toward the altar!” Samson had told Jackson.
“I never thought I would, either,” said Jackson, “but love has a way of rearranging your entire life.”
“I wouldn’t know. I’m an eternal bachelor.”
“Yep, I thought I was, too,” said Jackson. “You just need to bump into that woman who will turn your world upside down.”
“I’ve had plenty of women turn my world upside down, for a good twenty, maybe thirty minutes.” Samson laughed. “And then I’d roll over and fall asleep.”
“I’m talking about for life, not just in the bedroom,” Jackson said. “You should come over here for a visit, man! It’s the best place to clear your head after everything that’s happened. Besides, I’d really like for you to be here for the wedding.”
“Jackson Conner’s getting married,” said Samson. “Wow!”
“It’s not that far-fetched,” Jackson said. “Now you, on the other hand, you’re afraid of marriage.”
“I’m not afraid of marriage. I just don’t think it’s necessary. There are too many beautiful women out there to settle down with just one.” Samson sighed. “But that’s just the world according to Samson. Obviously you have a different opinion about it, bro.”
“I absolutely do. And you will, too, someday. Some little honey is going to snatch your ass up one day, have you making her an omelet wearing nothing more than an apron and your birthday suit.”
They both laughed. It had been months since Samson had joked like that. There hadn’t been much to laugh about.
“I can’t live without her. I had to make her my wife.” Jackson was more serious then. “She changed my life.”
“I’m truly happy for you, Jax man. I wish you the best.”
“What about you? What’s your next move?”
