Sweat pooled between Laura’s breasts, and her silk blouse clung to her under her heavy jacket. She pushed a strand of long, dark hair off her forehead, squinted in the bright sunlight, and glanced up at the tall building. My brother’s done it again.

She swung her overnight bag over her shoulder and entered the building. The front doors opened automatically. A blast of cool air brushed across her body, prickling her skin. “Ahh, much better,” she said. Her words echoed through the deserted lobby.

As directed, she took the elevator to the top floor and stepped off. It was eerily quiet in the hallway. She knocked on the large door at the end of the corridor. The penthouse suite.

Jane, her sister-in-law, opened the door and gave her a quick hug. “Ugh! You’re soaking wet. Get in here. I can’t believe you actually came.”

Laura stepped into the room and dropped her bag. “I told you I was coming.” Jane gave her a skeptical look. “What?”

“Oh, don’t give me that. I know you. I wouldn’t have put it past you to find some excuse to back out at the last minute. Frank said not to be surprised if we got a call this morning, and you told us you were too busy to come.” The beautiful redhead smiled warmly. “I’m glad you’re here. Why don’t you take off that heavy jacket? Aren’t you roasting?”

“I’m glad I’m here too. It is hot here, isn’t it?” she said and removed her jacket.

“Well,” Jane said, throwing her arms out, inviting Laura to take in the elegant surroundings. “Isn’t it beautiful? Your brother outdid himself.”

Laura walked across the black and white marble floor to a huge picture window that looked out over the clear, Caribbean water.

“Unbelievable,” she said.

“Come on,” Jane said. “I’ll show you to your room.”

The two women crossed the main room, which consisted of a kitchenette with a bar and stools and a huge sitting area with a wrap sofa, two plush chairs, and a large antique armoire. There was a large glass dining table and just beyond that, a balcony with another table that looked out over the water.

Every detail was covered. In the center of the dining table was a crystal vase with huge, orange, purple, and yellow flowers. Laura guessed they were a local variety and knew at once that they were a detail Tim added. She immediately pushed him from her thoughts. She was here to enjoy herself. No way was she going to let any thought of Tim ruin the first real vacation she’d had in a very long time.

Laura followed Jane to a large bedroom furnished in blue and white. There was a dresser with a large mirror above it, another incredible armoire, and next to that a huge king-sized bed on the opposite wall.

“It’s beautiful,” said Laura.

“Wait till you see the bathroom.”

Laura entered the room and gasped. “Wow.”

“I know. People are going to pay a lot—and I mean a lot—of money to stay here; it should be beautiful.”

The bathroom was almost as large as the bedroom. It was like stepping into a jungle paradise. There was a huge, white Jacuzzi tub surrounded by tile in every shade of green. The ceiling was painted with large green leaves and colorful flowers. Opposite the tub was floor to ceiling mirrors adorned by huge yellowed vases filled with the same flowers that were in the living room. Tim’s attention to detail, she thought, before she had a chance to prevent it from entering her mind. Damn him!

Laura turned to the three-sided glass shower stall in the corner. It had the same green tile, and Laura counted seven showerheads: three on each side and one on the ceiling.

“It’s beautiful. Incredible. You and Frank should take this room. I don’t need anything so big room for only two nights.”

“No!” she said a bit too loudly, and cleared her throat. “Of course not. The second bedroom is just as nice. Besides, we want you to enjoy yourself. Really experience the luxury.” Jane winked. “You know, reap the benefits of your brother’s hard work.”

Laura eyed the tub, and imagined herself immersed in bubbles. “Well, if you insist. Now, I better change. I’m roasting.”

“Good idea. Change into something light and summery. After all it is the first real vacation you’ve had…” Jane let her voice trail off.

“It’s okay. You can say it. The first real vacation I’ve had since Tim and I broke-up. Jane, it’s okay. I’m okay. Don’t look so worried. Really, I’m fine.”

“Would you like a cold drink?” Jane asked, already heading for the kitchen.

“Love one,” Laura said. “You wouldn’t believe how awful the weather is back in Chicago.”

“Yes I would. That’s why I married a resort developer. They usually work in warmer climates.”

Laura sighed. Frank and Tim were partners, and at one time Laura was sure she was going to marry Tim. They had been perfect together…until…

“Enough of that,” she told her reflection. “I’m here to have fun, so no thinking of that rat.” Thank goodness Tim had already finished his work on this project, or Laura would never have agreed to come.

Laura stripped off her clothes and washed her face. She changed into a short, denim sundress that showed off her long, lean legs. She pulled her hair into a casual ponytail, and with her face void of all make-up, it was easy to see the natural beauty she had inherited from her mother—ebony-colored hair, creamy complexion, and sapphire blue eyes.

“So,” Laura said, entering the living room and taking the iced tea Jane offered her, “when is my wonderful, if sometimes controlling, brother due to arrive?”

“Any minute now,” Jane said. Her gaze darted to the door and back again. “You know he loves you, right? He’s just a little over protective sometimes.”

Laura sank into the plush sofa. “Ahh, this is nice.” She looked at Jane. “I know. He has been that way ever since we were kids. I think it was because our father died so young.” Jane sat down next to her. “So, when is the hotel due to open?”

“Next month. They’ll have their big grand opening then. But this is the best time, staying here without anyone around. No people, no interruptions from the outside world. No one knows you’re here.”

“You make it sound so romantic. You sure you want me around?”

“Of course. So how’s business?” Jane asked, abruptly changing the subject. “Frank tells me you’re about to launch a new fragrance.”

“Yes. It’s called ‘Crave.’ I brought a sample for you. Let me go—” Laura stopped when she heard the key in the door.

Jane jumped up, nearly knocking her drink to the ground.

Laura laughed. “Jane, you’re as jumpy as a fly caught in a web. Didn’t you just see Frank?” The laughter died on her lips when Frank walked into the room, followed by Tim Robertson.

Laura froze. She looked from Jane to her brother and back again. Slowly, she rose to her feet and very carefully asked, “What in the hell is he doing here? You told me Tim had left.” She looked at her brother, then Jane again. When neither of them answered her, she turned to Tim. “Was this your idea?” she snapped.

“Don’t flatter yourself. I didn’t know you would be here. Now that I know, I’ll be on my way.” Tim turned toward the door. Frank and Jane stepped in front of it, blocking his way.

“Tim, Laura,” Frank said. “Jane and I are the ones to blame, not each other.”

“What are you talking about?” Laura asked, a bubble of panic rising in her belly.

“Well…you see…” Jane started.

“Spit it out,” Tim demanded.

Frank put a protective hand on his wife’s shoulder. “Jane and I arranged this little weekend without either of you knowing about the other, so you could spend a little time together. You need the time to figure out what went wrong between you two.”

“I know damn well what went wrong between us. She—”

Frank held up his hands. “That’s for you two to work out. You have two days to talk it out.”

“What?” Laura yelled. “What does that mean?”

“It means we’re locking you in here for the weekend,” Frank said.

Laura forced out a laugh. “You’re joking.” She looked at Frank. He wasn’t smiling. “You can’t be serious. That’s crazy.”

“As much as I hate to agree with her…” Tim shot Laura a venomous look. “She’s right; this is crazy. And you’re nuts if you think you can just lock us up for the weekend.”

“Maybe so,” Frank said, “but we believe you two still love each other.”

Laura snorted.

Tim ignored her and said, “You can’t hold us prisoner.” He charged toward the door. Just before he could reach it, Frank and Jane slipped through and locked it behind them. The damn deadbolt had been switched to a key-only type. No key, no escape.