Free Reckless in Paradise by Trish Morey Page B

like a five-star complex. You must have spent a fortune on this place.’
    He leaned forwards, his elbow on the table, his fingers out wide to support his point. ‘And why pay a fortune for them to go somewhere else when I have my own island just off the coast? But what I have spent is not your concern. What I am more interested in is whether you now agree that this is the perfect place to host Monica’s wedding.’ It was a perfect venue. There was enough accommodation for plenty of the nearest and dearest with the best accommodation that Far North Queensland had to offer just a short helicopter flight or launch ride away. Absolutely perfect, except for one not quite so small fly in the ointment.
    Daniel Caruana.
    â€˜Mr Caruana?’ she began.
    â€˜Why do you have so much trouble calling me Daniel?’
    She sucked in air. Did he mean apart from the fact it seemed so informal? Too personal? ‘Okay—Daniel. You’re right, it is a fabulous venue. And I’m sure it would be perfect in the right circumstances. But maybe not this time. I’ve already told you, we have a venue, and one which Monica and Jake have both agreed on.’
    â€˜So cancel it.’
    â€˜Excuse me?’
    â€˜Cancel the venue and save the money. You said Monica and Fletcher were working to a budget—this venue won’t cost them a cent.’
    She breathed deep. She had to in order to give herself time to think. Everything he said made perfect sense. The venue was divine, the accommodation superb and she had no doubt the food would be exquisite. All that, and Jake and Monica could save themselves a bundle into the deal. She must be mad to be so desperate to find a reason to say no. But Daniel was so adamant—disturbingly so—and there was no way she was being railroaded into saying yes, certainly not before she’d had a chance to speak to her clients.
    Monica might well be in love with the idea of getting married on the island, but Sophie only had Daniel’s word for that. Meanwhile her own brother, she knew, had other ideas about what constituted a perfect venue. Daniel Caruana’s private island was hardly likely to fit the bill on that score.
    â€˜Look,’ she ventured, glad she’d never shared the fact that the deposit on the Tropical Palms hadn’t yet been paid. ‘It’s very short notice and there may be penalties for cancellation that reduce any potential savings. But I’ll certainly speak to both Monica and Jake regarding your generous offer.’ She glanced at her watch, shocked to see how time had slipped away, and stood, collecting up her things. ‘I have to go. I have an early morning meeting tomorrow and I’m not prepared to miss that flight.’ And then, because she knew she had to offer him something, ‘How about I call you tomorrow? Let you know what Monica and Jake are thinking?’
    A hand on her arm stopped her flight and she jumped. ‘And how about we discuss it now?’
    She looked up at him, his brow was brooding over dark narrowed eyes and a jaw set like concrete. She tested his grip with just one tiny tug on her arm and found no give, no weakness. ‘I can’t afford to miss my flight.’
    â€˜Why are you so opposed to holding the wedding here?’
    She swallowed. ‘Can you blame me for being a little reluctant to agree to your every whim? May I remind you that you were the one who said there would be no wedding?’
    He made a sound like a growl. ‘We’ve been through that. Getting married here is what Moni really wants.’
    â€˜And we have a booking Monica agreed to. Somewhere else.’
    â€˜This is my sister we’re talking about.’
    â€˜And Monica is my client. I’ve acted in accordance with her wishes. Thank you for your advice and your tour, Mr Caruana; I will pass on your thoughts to my client, but I’m afraid I must leave. I have a plane to catch.’