No Tan Lines Read Online Free

likes the ladies. You clean up nice, Shaye. Distraction could work in your favor. Show up in something besides a T-shirt and cutoffs. Wear shoes. Flirt a little.”
    She blew raspberries. “Bad idea. He’d see right through me. I’m not that good an actress.”
    “You may dislike the man, but you need him,” Kai reminded her. “Both your signatures are required on the recreational permit. You can’t forge his name.”
    He nudged her with his shoulder. “You’re doing this for family. We love you for it. None of us wants to close up shop.”
    Kai was her voice of reason when she was being unreasonable. Her parents, siblings, and relatives meant everything to her. Without the proper paperwork, Trace could bust her for trespassing. He wouldn’t think twice about pressing charges. Once behind bars, she’d be out of his hair.
    The sun beat down, and her shadow grew short. She looked down at her toes, freshly polished a Peruvian-orchid-pink. Her pedicure would be wasted by wearing shoes, although flip-flops might work.
    Flirting, however, was out of the question.
    She couldn’t force what she didn’t feel.
    Over the last year, newspapers and magazines had profiled Saunders with curvy brunettes. Shaye’s high metabolism kept her thin. Her hair was white-blond.
    She wasn’t Trace’s type. Neither was he hers. She preferred bare-chested men in board shorts, whereas he wore tailored shirts and trousers.
    He was all business, and she was all beach.
    She scrunched her nose. There had to be another way to force his hand, beyond breaking his fingers.
     
    Trace Saunders cracked his knuckles. He sat in a black leather booth at Molly Malone’s and exhaled the pressures of his busy morning. It felt good to get out of his office, even for a short time. Saunders Shores was thriving under his expert hand. He was his father’s son and proud of all he’d achieved. Every hotel room at The Sandcastle was reserved. The restaurants and nightclubs were booked solid. Even the boutique sales reflected the strong tourist trade. His financial projections for summer were right on target. The profit margin would be high.
    All was well in his world—until Shaye Cates had introduced the volleyball tournament.
    She didn’t fit any known corporate image with her laid-back style and off-the-wall business tactics. She was a thorn in his side. She disrupted his life.
    He refused to look like a fool around this woman. Everyone in Barefoot William thought him an ass for not committing to the event. They found him disrespectful to one of their own. Shaye’s family saw her as sweet and lovable, whereas he found her too shrewd and unpredictable.
    He’d never forgotten the stale box of Skittles she’d dumped on him back in high school. She’d cost him a chipped tooth and a trip to the dentist. He wondered what game she would play today.
    Through the diner’s wide front windows he had a clear view of the Barefoot William boardwalk. He’d purposely arrived early to judge his reception.
    The PLEASE BE SEATED sign freed him from waiting for a hostess. The atmosphere was casual and bustling, yet the crowd was cool toward him. Those having lunch had eyed his progress to the corner booth. Suspicion sat down with him. Disapproval surrounded him. His waitress ignored him.
    He was as welcome as a mouse in the kitchen.
    Those related to the Cates family found him more intruder than customer. Apparently Shaye hadn’t mentioned their lunch date to her aunt.
    It wasn’t exactly a date, he revised. It was likely to be more of a debate. Narrowed eyes and raised voices characterized each of their encounters, as neither cared to compromise.
    His stomach growled. He was hungry. He’d traded his usual breakfast cheese omelette for morning sex with Nicole Archer. He hadn’t had time for both.
    But she’d killed his mood by sneaking her request for a favor between the sheets just as she straddled him.
    Nicole wanted retail space for her costume jewelry, and she