Luck Be Delanie: A Chances Are story

  He’s lured her to paradise…and she’s about to discover the price.

  A Chances Are story.

  Long ago, Delanie made one gigantic mistake. Or committed one small felony, depending on how you look at it. Stealing a coin from a sexy stranger was just a prank to help a sorority sister get revenge. The sleeping with him part was totally unplanned. Yet she holds the memory of that one intense, passionate connection close to her heart—like the coin she still wears around her neck.

  Six years later, she’s invited to a beautiful resort in the San Juan Islands to not only accept a donation for an abused women’s shelter, but to consider a job opportunity as well. Instead, she finds herself face-to-face with her past.

  Grant has always suspected Delanie stole his rare, lucky coin. He just never knew why—or why she disappeared the morning after their hot night together. After spending years looking for her, he’s lured her right where he wants her. He’ll have his answers, come hell or high water.

  And, if things go his way, he’ll have Delanie, too.

  Warning: This book contains lost lovers reunited, male masturbation, “You could have died” sex, and overall hot lovin’.

  eBooks are not transferable.

  They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

  577 Mulberry Street, Suite 1520

  Macon GA 31201

  Luck Be Delanie

  Copyright © 2009 by Shelli Stevens

  ISBN: 978-1-60504-646-4

  Edited by Laurie Rauch

  Cover by Natalie Winters

  All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  First Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic publication: August 2009

  www.samhainpublishing.com

  Luck be Delanie

  Shelli Stevens

  Dedication

  Thank you to Melissa at DAWN for your help and information on domestic violence. Thanks to my family and friends for your continued support, and thank you to my editor Laurie for making my books shine!

  Chapter One

  “I like your tattoo,” a deep voice came from behind her. “The last time I saw it I was taking you from behind.”

  Delanie choked on the wine she’d just taken a sip of, her fingers almost crushing the stem of the glass.

  No. It wasn’t possible. Goosebumps broke out over her body even as quick heat spread inside her. She could feel the owl tattoo on her shoulder blade tingle under his gaze.

  What was more shocking? His words or the man who had just spoken them? God, it was a toss-up.

  She drew in a slow breath, afraid to turn around. Her heart pounded furiously beneath her breasts and her palms dampened.

  The coin she’d stolen from him six years ago hung on a pendant around her neck like a beacon. Thank God it was beneath the neckline of her sundress and well out of his view.

  “Do you remember that night?” His warm breath tickled her ear.

  Hot shivers raced down her spine as his words evoked images of the night they’d spent together. The air locked in her throat and she bit her lip, trying to halt the bombardment of erotic images.

  Of course she remembered. That night was a firebrand on her mind. But admitting she hadn’t forgotten could only bring trouble. It couldn’t possibly be him standing behind me, the silly voice of denial screamed in her head.

  Without turning around, she could sense the tall, hardness of his body just inches from her. Could feel his blue eyes burning a trail over her.

  Another tremble wracked her body.

  Get yourself together, Delanie. You’re not a silly co-ed anymore. And he has no idea what you did the morning after your night together.

  She focused hard on the sparkling blue water that lay beyond the trees. She'd always heard Washington State was beautiful, and this island and resort in the San Juan Islands was a genuine paradise.

  Funny how she’d considered herself a lucky woman getting invited to such a posh resort. How wonderful that not only was she here to accept a donation to the Second Chances shelter, but to also consider an offer as the resort’s marketing director.

  Her lips twisted. She should have known. Paradise always had a price.

  “Still thinking about that night?”

  Annoyance pricked at his mocking tone. Knowing she couldn’t very well keep her back to him forever, she forced a bland expression onto her face and turned around.

  Her bravado slipped a notch the moment she saw him, but she forced it back by lifting her chin higher. “I think you have me mistaken with someone else.”

  “Do I?” He lifted an eyebrow, his mouth twitching with obvious amusement.

  She swallowed hard.

  Grant Thompson looked just as good now as he had six years ago. Scratch that, he looked better. The tall, lean, college athlete had turned into a sexy grown man. His face was harder now, more angular with the loss of the boyish roundness.

  His hair, once more red than blond, had settled into something in between. But those eyes…those eyes were just as blue and piercing as they had been all those years ago. On that night she’d been stupid enough to bounce the bed springs with him.

  She felt the warming of a blush and bit her cheek.

  “Excuse me.” She stepped past him, but he reached out and caught her elbow, swinging her back around. Hot tingles raced up her arm where his fingers touched.

  “Wait, Lanie—”

  “Well at least you got my name right this time.” Her voice shook as she tugged herself free from his grip. She stumbled backward and eyed him warily.

  That heart-crushing moment would remain engraved in her mind forever. Right after bringing her to a sweet morning-after orgasm, the jerk had called her Janie. Janie! And then to add insult to injury, he’d fallen back asleep before they could even finish making love. Wait, sex. Of course a guy like Grant wouldn’t consider it making love.

  “I’m sorry about that.” Grant’s jaw hardened, all amusement vanishing. “That mistake caused a helluva delay in finding you.”

  “Sorry? As if that—” She broke off and narrowed her eyes. “In finding me?”

  He tilted his head and gave her a considering look. “Is that why you left so suddenly that morning?”

  Guilt stabbed low in her gut, and she reached to touch the pendant under her dress. Before her fingers connected, she jerked her hand away and tucked a strand of short blonde hair behind her ear instead.

  Careful, girl. You’re on dangerous grounds right now.

  “Look.” She let her gaze slip away from his. “I don’t know what kind of twist of fate brought us together, but I’ll catch the first ferry back to Anacortes.”

  “It was me.” He stepped closer, blocking her path back into the building.

  Her heart almost stopped at the three words. “Excuse me?”

  “I’m the twist of fate.” His mouth tightened. “Finding you was the first piece of good luck I’ve had in years.”

  She almost dwelled on the luck comment, but the fact that he was claiming to be the twist of fate resonated louder.

  The urge to flee increased and she shook her head, glancing around the patio. Her stomach clenched as she realized they were alone now.<
br />
  “Grant…” She ran her tongue over suddenly dry lips and his gaze darkened as he observed the small movement.

  “Lanie.” He stepped forward and she took a step back, her pulse jumping.

  “Delanie,” she muttered without thinking. “I haven’t been called Lanie since college.”

  “Fine. Delanie.”

  The waves crashed against the rocks below as he backed her up against the guard railing.

  “When does the next boat leave?” she queried, her heart fluttering harder in her chest. “I can arrange to be on it.”

  “You don’t understand. I don’t want you to leave.” His hands curled around the rail on each side of her body.

  The faint smell of soap and cologne tickled her nostrils and the heat of his hard body mingled with hers.

  “It took me six years to find you.”

  Six years faded to nothing with him standing so close. A tremble rocked her body, and her nipples tightened, chafing against the lace of her bra.

  She bit back a groan. “Please…”

  “The last thing I’m going to do is put you on a boat home, Delanie. We have a lot to talk about.”

  Her stomach dropped and her mouth went dry. Oh. God. He knew.

  His lips hovered just inches above hers and he used the tip of his thumb to trace the seam of her lips. The blood pounded through her veins and it became a struggle just to drag air into her lungs.

  All outside noise disappeared and their gazes locked. The vision of that night so many years ago ran through her head, trapping her in a vortex of memories and sensation.

  Her gaze moved to his mouth. She wanted him to kiss her. Wanted him to eliminate those few inches between them and cover her mouth with his. But that would be crazy. Ridiculous.

  Her eyelids drifted shut.

  “Ms. Williams, we can check you in now.”

  The heat of his body disappeared. She blinked her eyes open again and Grant had stepped away from her, annoyance clear on his face.

  “Thank you, Burton.” He shifted his attention from her to the approaching employee.

  Smoothing her hand down the front of her dress, Delanie tried to regain some of the composure she’d lost in the past few minutes. She had to be completely insane. Talk about a close call. She’d been fully prepared to let him kiss her.

  “Please remember that Ms. Williams is to be placed in room two in the north building.”

  Her gaze jerked back to Grant in surprise. Why was he ordering around the employee like he owned the place?

  The blood drained from her head and she gripped the railing to steady herself. Oh God. He probably did own the resort. Was Grant the sponsor who had seemed too good to be true? Was he the one offering her this job?

  Her stomach dropped and all her hopes and expectations disappeared.

  “Of course, the room is already prepared.” The employee gave a quick nod. “If you would just follow me, Ms. Williams.”

  Eager to put as much as distance as possible between herself and Grant, she hurried after the employee.

  “Delanie.”

  Her name spoken softly on his lips had her stumbling to a halt again.

  “Yes?” She drew her bottom lip between her teeth, glad her back was to him once again.

  “Have dinner with me tonight.”

  “This is supposed to be business—”

  “I know.” Footsteps sounded on the patio and then he walked past her. “I’ll come by your room at six.”

  She stared at his retreating back, her eyes widening when he suddenly tripped and stumbled into one of the patio chairs.

  “God damn bad luck,” he mumbled before disappearing inside.

  Why did he keep bringing up luck? She shook her head and dragged in a deep breath, clenching her fists at her side.

  “Ms. Williams?”

  “Yes. Sorry, I’m coming.”

  Delanie stared out the open French doors of her suite. The cool breeze from the straits swept into her room, lifting the gauzy white curtains around her.

  The décor of the room ranged from white wicker furniture to a plush bed set high on the far side of the room.

  The resort was the ultimate paradise. It had also just become her personal nightmare.

  Grant Thompson. Just thinking his name made her knees a bit weak again. And she was not a weak in the knees type of woman. But nothing could have prepared her for the emotional punch she’d taken when she’d turned around to find him standing there.

  He wasn’t supposed to show up in her life again. Ever. Fate didn’t have that perverse a sense of humor. She groaned. Obviously it did.

  It had been one night. One night when she’d been young, stupid, and horny as any sorority girl in lust could be.

  She picked up her cell phone and debated who to call. She’d been spending more time with Franklin lately, but the idea of calling him made her stomach churn. Besides, it’d be a little weird to discuss her old lover with her current almost lover.

  Biting her lip, she called Second Chances, the battered women’s shelter where she worked. She pushed aside the immediate guilt over the fact that she hadn’t mentioned to her friend that she’d considered taking a new job. Not that it mattered now…there was no way she’d accept a job at a resort Grant owned.

  “Second Chances, how can I help you?”

  “Phoebe? Hey, it’s Delanie. Is it at all possible to get me on a flight back to San Francisco tonight?”

  “Tonight?” Phoebe asked sharply. “What do you mean? You just got there. I thought the invitation was for one week to relax, enjoy the resort, and discuss details.”

  “It was.” Delanie nibbled on her bottom lip and went to sit down on the plush bed.

  “Then what happened? This is the chance to mix business with pleasure. I would have killed for that opportunity. I mean the owner of the resort comped your entire trip and specifically requested we send you.”

  Yes, and now she knew why. It wasn’t just about a job and a check. She touched the pendant around her neck and exhaled heavily. It couldn’t be a coincidence. It just wasn’t possible. In fact, Grant had pretty much said so himself.

  Admit it, Delanie. He hasn’t forgotten that night any more than you have.

  “Delanie? Are you still there?”

  “I’m here.” She sighed, hesitating whether to bring up the situation.

  “Is the place just trashy or something? I mean the pictures looked great…”

  “It’s beautiful.” She closed her eyes. “The resort itself is absolutely stunning.”

  “Okay. Look, whatever it is, can’t you work through it? I mean they’re offering to—”

  “It’s Grant.”

  Heavy silence met her statement. She could almost hear the wheels spinning in her friend’s mind.

  “Wait a minute, the Grant? The one you told me about?”

  “Yes. The Grant. He owns Athena’s Oasis.”

  “Well,” Phoebe’s voice sounded a little too bright. “That certainly makes things interesting.”

  “Umm, yeah, just a little.”

  “Does he know you took his coin?”

  “I have no idea,” she admitted and pushed a shaking hand through her hair. “But I have to admit I’m freaking out a bit, Phoebe.”

  “As well you should be. I mean if he found out and pressed charges, it could be considered a felony.”

  “Okay, not exactly what I wanted to hear right now,” Lanie grumbled. “And besides, that’s only if the coin is real…”

  “Exactly. And the guy at the antique shop said it wasn’t. So nothing to worry about, right?”

  “Right.”

  “Plus, it was so long ago, he probably couldn’t press charges anyway.”

  “Of course.” There was another pause. “So what’s going on? Has he been mean to you?”

  Mean? No. Made her want to rip off her clothes and have sex like she was in college again? Yes.

  “He hasn’t been mean. I just have to question hi
s motives for bringing me up here.”

  “Wait a minute, it wasn’t a coincidence?”

  “No. He pretty much told me that he’s been searching for me for the past six years.”

  Silence. Then, “Okay. Well, then it’s simple. Get an earlier flight home, because the man is obviously nuts.”

  “But, Phoebe, what about Second Chances? We—”

  “Unless…” Phoebe’s tone shifted, turned more thoughtful. “Unless he’s just nuts about you. You did say you guys had this incredible connection that one night together.”

  “We did. But it was just one night,” she protested.

  Who was she trying to convince though? Her one night with Grant had emotionally linked her to him in a way she’d never been able to equal with another man.

  It had taken her years to accept that fact. Her stomach clenched and she gripped the phone tighter.

  “Well, maybe one night simply wasn’t enough for him.”

  Lanie snorted, more than prepared to shoot down Phoebe’s ridiculous theory. “Or maybe he knows I stole the coin.”

  “Maybe,” Phoebe agreed mildly, though she didn’t sound convinced. “But the only way you’ll find out is if you stay.”

  Lanie sighed, shaking her head. “That’s a pretty big risk.”

  “Okay, well forget about the whole we screwed bit. Think about the shelter. I mean, he’s offering to donate a pretty big sum to the shelter annually. That’s huge. Way more than we ever could have hoped for.”

  Guilt knotted in her gut. Jesus, she was a selfish witch. She closed her eyes and shoved her bangs away from her eyes. This wasn’t about her. This was about Second Chances and what Grant was offering could go so far for the shelter and the women there.

  “Delanie?”

  Realizing she’d been quiet for too long, she cleared her throat. “I’m here. You’re right, Phoebe. You’re always right. Of course I’ll stay. Forget I even called. I overreacted. You know me.”

  “Yeah, I do. And you’re not the overreacting type. You’re the overanalyzing type. Which is why I’m not really surprised to be having this conversation.”