An Innocent in Paradise by Kate Carlisle Page A

soon.
    This time, though, he would allow her to keep her clothes on because that’s the kind of guy he was. Pulling the lightweight comforter over her, he turned off the lights and left her alone to sleep off the cocktail quiz.

Five
    H e found her late the next morning, sitting in an overstuffed rattan chair in the shady portion of the terrace. She wore dark glasses and a light pink sweater and was sipping something thick and red.
    â€œIs that a Bloody Mary you’re drinking?” he asked.
    Grace looked up at him and tried to smile, but it was a bit shaky. “Dear God, no. No alcohol for me, thank you.” She stared with suspicion at the concoction, then back at Logan. “It’s something Joey mixed up. Supposed to be good for me because of my…um, hay fever.”
    â€œHay fever.” He grinned. “Is that what they’re calling it these days?
    â€œAll right, fine,” she said, pouting. “I’m a little under the weather. But it’s all your fault.”
    He barked out a laugh. “My fault?”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œThis I’ve got to hear.” He sat in the chair next to her. “How is your hangover my fault?”
    She turned slowly in her chair and faced him. “I was investigating ways to improve my job performance last night.”
    â€œAh. And in order to improve your skills at carrying drinks, you got drunk, apparently deciding to carry those drinks on the inside . And since I’m the boss, it’s my fault.”
    She frowned briefly. “Exactly.”
    He chuckled. “That’s a new one.”
    She hunched a bit lower in her chair and glared at him. “It’s true.”
    â€œSweetheart, nobody said anything about you having to drink the same stuff your customers order.”
    â€œBut I thought it would be good to know how the different drinks taste. That way I can give advice to people who ask for recommendations.”
    â€œThat’s thoughtful of you, but it doesn’t excuse Dee from overserving you.”
    Grace grabbed his arm. “Don’t you dare yell at Dee. She’s my friend.”
    Logan’s eyes focused on her soft hand on his arm. “I have no intention of yelling at her.”
    â€œOh. Good.” She pulled her hand back. “It’s not her fault anyway. She didn’t realize what a lightweight I am.” She looked away. “Neither did I, I guess. And the drinks were in such tiny glasses, I never thought about how much I might be drinking and…”
    The vulnerable look on her face almost did him in and he decided to change the subject. “Grace, do you remember seeing me on the beach last night?”
    She frowned again, avoiding his gaze as she licked her lips. “I have a vague memory of that.”
    â€œAre you sure it isn’t more than a vague memory?”
    â€œWhy?” she asked, turning to look at him. “Did I say something ridiculous? Should I apologize?”
    â€œOf course not. You were on your best behavior. We had a nice conversation about the moonlight.”
    â€œOh, good,” she said with relief.
    â€œAnd then you asked me to kiss you.”
    She cringed. “Oh, no.” Then, taking a deep breath, she said, “Apparently I shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near liquor without a keeper. I’m so sorry if I embarrassed you.”
    â€œYou’re kidding, right?” He regarded her intently. “The only thing I’m sorry about is that you were too tipsy to take the next step with me.”
    She flashed him a look he couldn’t read because of those dark glasses blocking her eyes. But she seemed to dwell on his words, letting them sink in. He hoped so, anyway, because he intended to take that next step as soon as possible.
    â€œWhat are you thinking, Grace?”
    She cleared her throat. “Nothing much.”
    He scooted his chair closer to hers. “Are you thinking about that kiss? About