Evelyn woke the next day to find herself in bed, Dereck nowhere in sight. She looked down, sighing in relief at her still-clothed state. Nothing untoward had happened during her sleep. But how had she gotten into bed? She remembered falling asleep on the couch after showering the previous night. Had she been so exhausted that she didn't notice Dereck carrying her? How could she have slept so soundly? She frowned, getting out of bed. Seeing Dereck gone, Evelyn assumed he'd left for his meeting and decided to call Samantha, then freshen up before his return.

After a quick call, Evelyn selected her outfit and headed for the bathroom. Before she could open the door, it swung inward, revealing Dereck, clad only in a loosely tied white towel. Water droplets glistened on his toned chest and abs, highlighting his athletic physique. He exuded a raw masculinity that stole her breath and left her speechless. How had she not heard the shower? Had she been that distracted? She quickly looked away, feeling her cheeks flush.

"Good morning, Eve. Sleep well?" Dereck asked, amusement in his voice as he watched her reaction.

"I guess I did," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "I didn't realize you were in there."

Dereck smirked, leaning against the doorframe. "Is that why you can't look at me? It's just my chest, Eve. I'm not entirely naked yet. Besides, you've seen more than this." His words flustered her; she tried not to imagine him without the towel. She'd barely recovered from last night's "torture," and now this. Desperately maintaining composure, she said, "I don't know what you're talking about. Can you move? I need to get ready." She managed to hold his gaze, avoiding any wandering eyes.

"Sure," Dereck replied, stepping aside but brushing against her. Evelyn clenched her jaw, refusing to show she was rattled.

Once inside the bathroom, the warm shower calmed her nerves. She couldn't lose focus, especially with Dereck constantly provoking her. She just had to survive the day and night; then he'd leave her alone, she told herself.

After showering and dressing, she was relieved to find a fully clothed Dereck seated on the bed, scrolling through his phone. For a moment, she'd worried he'd try to tease her further.

"We should get breakfast," she said, hoping to avoid tension.

"We should," Dereck replied, standing and leading the way to the beachfront restaurant. He'd reserved a table with a perfect ocean view, aiming for the ideal resort vacation.

As they settled in, Evelyn admired the open-air setting, the gentle breeze rustling palm leaves, the scent of seafood and tropical fruits filling the air.

"So, what do you think of the resort so far?" Dereck asked casually.

"I don't think I've seen enough to have an opinion on the whole place, but I like what I've seen," she said. Dereck nodded his approval.

"Good response. Why don't we stroll after breakfast, and I can show you around?" he suggested.

Evelyn frowned. Why did it feel like a weekend getaway? Her frown deepened. It definitely couldn't be, she thought, shaking her head.

"I don't think that's necessary. We're here for work, not a getaway. When are you meeting the landowner?" she asked, taking a sip of orange juice and observing Dereck.

"Oh, that," he exclaimed, pausing mid-bite. He set down his fork, a hint of a smile on his face. "It's resolved. So, we can relax." Evelyn swallowed, hoping it wasn't what she thought.

"When was it resolved?" she asked, urging herself to calm down.

"I met him earlier this morning," he said. Evelyn frowned.

"It's barely 10 AM," she pointed out suspiciously. "Am I supposed to believe you met him already?"

Dereck shrugged. "You didn't even know I carried you to bed, so you won't believe I did." Her cheeks flushed.

"You should have left me on the couch"

"And have you complain of aches when you woke?" Dereck interrupted, resuming eating.

"Why didn't you wake me to go with you? Wasn't that why you brought me?" she asked, ignoring his question.

Dereck shook his head. "I didn't have the heart to disturb your peaceful sleep," he said. Though still skeptical, she decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.

"So? How did it go? Did he agree?"

He smiled. "Of course. Who do you think I am? I'm very persuasive." His smile warned her she was treading on dangerous ground.

"We should go back now that you're done," she suggested.

"We can't yet, Eve. We had a deal. It's just today, then it's over—unless you give up, and I win," Dereck said, his tone challenging.

Evelyn sighed. It was only for today. "Fine. Let's stay and leave tomorrow as planned." Dereck smiled. "Since we're staying, you'll have to treat this like a getaway with the love of my life"

"I'm not the love of your life, and I'm never going to be," Evelyn countered, meeting his gaze.

"Never say never, Eve. I won't give up."

"You said you would if I don't give in this weekend," she reminded him.

"Yes, but I also know you will, so I won't give up." She rolled her eyes.

"We'll see about that. Come on, let's eat, then I'll show you around," he said. Evelyn scowled. Just as she was about to refuse, she realized staying out with him was better than being alone with him in the suite.

Without hesitation, she smiled. "I like that," she said. Dereck returned her smile. Though still suspicious about the trip and Dereck's supposed meeting, Evelyn decided to focus on resisting his advances and winning their bet.