by Victoria Zak
Midnight’s Kiss
Victoria Zak
D L Roan
Contents
Copyright
Newsletter Signup Victoria Zak
Newsletter Signup D.L. Roan
Dear Reader
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Epilogue
About Victoria Zak
More Books by Victoria Zak
More Books by D.L. Roan
Copyright
Midnight’s Kiss
Victoria Zak, D.L. Roan
Copyright 2017 by Victoria Zak, D.L. Roan
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system without prior written permission of the author and publisher.
All characters, events, and locations in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, dead or living, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Cover Design by JAB Designs
Editing by Violetta Rand
Created with Vellum
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Dear Reader,
Welcome to Midnight’s Kiss, one of the twelve books in the Indulgences series where twelve authors offer the stories of people who came to Indulgences Resort to live out their fantasy. It’s not just a beautiful place, but also, as you will find, has magical secrets. Each fantasy will come to life, taking guests on an adventure that could change the rest of their lives.
Although each book is a standalone, I suggest that you start by reading Indulgences, The Prequel so you can meet the staff of Indulgences Resort. You’ll see some these characters in every story.
Indulgences, The Prequel by Hildie McQueen
Hearts Adrift by C. Knight - a second chance at true love for childhood sweethearts lost in the past, but hopeful for the future. Heat level 3
A Game of Hearts by Tigris Eden - best friends since childhood, Zori and Matteo traveled to Paradise and try their hand at A Game of Hearts. Heat level 5
Watching Mia by Olivia Gaines - a sexy bartender serves as a catalyst to put a spark back into a struggling marriage, Heat level 3
Yours for the Weekend by Lana Williams - a millionaire businessman hires a date for his friend’s wedding, only to realize a weekend with the sexy grad student won’t be enough. Heat level 3.5
Cowboy in Paradise by Hildie McQueen - years after losing the love of his life, a cowboy may find it again in Paradise. Heat level 3+
Undertones by Xyla Turner - two scarred strangers meet to find a fantasy that only the other can fulfill. Heat level 4
Summer in Paradise by J.D. Monroe - on the job in an island paradise, two old high school friends get a second chance at true love. Heat level 3
Double Jeopardy by KaLyn Cooper - saving the lives of a billionaire and his wife gives their bodyguards a second chance at love. Heat level 3+
Take Me Away by Allie K. Adams - sometimes your worst enemy is your greatest ally. Heat level 3
Midnight’s Kiss by Victoria Zak/D.L. Roan - and unexpected fantasy ignites a love that lasts forever. Heat level 4
So Great a Love by T.M. Cromer - an estranged couple reunited in Paradise will either rekindle their passion or be forced to move on from what could be the love of a lifetime. Heat level 3
Hired Heart by Elizabeth Rose - a Scrooge of a businessman and his sexy coworker end up in Paradise where business takes a backseat to pleasure. Heat level 3
Join the Facebook group to get in on the fun! Giveaways, free books, prizes, and sharing by best-selling authors. https://www.facebook.com/groups/719439014873659/
1
“Antonio, I understand how you feel, but—Si. Of course. I’ll be there. Arrivederci.”
“Cazzo!” Dario Dicola slammed his cellphone down on his desk.
Irritated, he ran his hands through his dark hair with a heavy sigh. When he’d decided to follow-up on the multi-million-dollar business proposal he’d sent to Antonio to build a lavish condo community on Antonio’s resort island, the last thing he expected was a last-minute trip to Panama. Even though his investment partner, Cassandra, had warned him that Antonio stood firm on his refusal to further develop the eco-friendly paradise, Dario refused to take no for an answer. Antonio simply hadn’t been approached by the right investor.
Leaning back in his leather office chair with his hands behind his head, he stared up at the ceiling and took a deep breath, releasing some of the tension caused by his clipped conversation with Antonio. Failure wasn’t an option. If Antonio insisted he come to the island in person, then that’s where he was going, but make no mistake, this deal was going to go through.
He was the most successful real estate developer in Milan, owning four hundred retail and office buildings, over one hundred apartment complexes, and four, up-scale hotels, he knew success, and intended to add Aragon Island to his long list of accomplishments. After seeing pictures and videos of the Indulgence Resort, the lush island beckoned him, so much so, it had taken priority over all other projects.
However, wasting valuable business time traveling to the island wasn’t the ideal situation, but he wanted this deal. So, when Antonio made a compromise, Dario accepted his challenge. Come to the resort and experience the beauty and mystery of the island first-hand. If, after one week, his fantasy wasn’t fulfilled, Antonio would sit down with him and consider his offer. It was further than any investor had ever gotten with Antonio. With that thought, a sly grin spread across his lips.
What Antonio didn’t realize was Dario already had the upper hand—he didn’t have a fantasy. He was living the billionaire dream—money, beautiful women, and traveling world-class on private jets. This deal was more than business, now. Antonio had made it personal. The challenge had been accepted. He’d go to the resort, talk with Antonio face-to-face, and close the deal.
Dario sat up and rolled his chair closer to his desk. He picked up the headset and pressed the red blinking light on his office phone, calling his longtime assistant.
Buongiorno, you have reached Gina…
Aggravated by the recorded voice on the other end of the phone, Dario threw the receiver down. Where is she?
“Buongiorno, Mr. Dicola.”
Gina breezed through his office door, beaming like one of his many lovers the morning after a long, hot night of sex, with her arms full of items from her routine Monday morning duties. Dario narrowed his eyes. As far as how good of a morning it was, that was yet to be determined.
Gina unloaded the items, placin
g his morning coffee on his desk as she balanced department store bags in her other hand. Her purse strap slipped, causing her to almost spill coffee on the dry-cleaning.
Dario stood and then walked out from behind his desk. “You should delegate some of your workload to other people.” He took the bags, sneaking a peek inside. Three lacy, baby doll lingerie sets with matching G-strings stared up at him. He grumbled inside a little, knowing he’d never get to enjoy the gifts.
Gina sashayed to the closet, her hips sensuously swaying in her pinstriped, knee-length skirt and matching suit jacket. Leaning against his desk, Dario watched her reach into the closet and hang up his dry-cleaning.
Gina was one of the first employees he’d hired when he opened his Milan headquarters years ago. She was extremely valuable to his company, which made her one-hundred-percent off limits. When it came to his empire, it was strictly business. He didn’t have time for frivolous lawsuits that would tarnish his company’s good name because he couldn’t keep it in his pants. No, there was a definitive line between business and pleasure.
“Do you actually think anyone in this office can get your coffee exactly the way you like it?” she asked, her lips curled into a knowing smile as she made her way back to the desk. “And look this good doing it?”
“You do have a point.” Busted. He gave her a sly grin. Off limits or not, her legs could make a blind man blush.
Gina grabbed the bags and pulled out the lingerie, one item at a time. “Just like you said, one in purple.” She held the lacy material up. “One in red.” She laid each one over her shoulder as she emptied the bag. “And one in green.”
“Yeah, about that.” Dario scrubbed his chin as Gina arched her brow. “I’m going to need you to clear my schedule for the rest of the week.”
Gina’s good mood immediately vanished, signified by a frustrated sigh and eye roll.
Dario pushed off the desk and walked back behind it, straightening a stack of papers. His already foul mood soured even further. Not only was he canceling important business meetings, he was clearing his personal schedule. Tiffany—Tuesday night, Maria—Wednesday, and what was the redhead’s name? Ah yes, Chanel. One night was never enough with her.
“Gina.” He sighed. “I need you to move everything back a week except for the Bernardo project.” The one investor he couldn’t reschedule was Dino Bernardo. With him in route, there was no time to cancel. Construction on the luxury villas downtown started in less than a week and he needed Gina’s charm to keep his guest occupied until he returned. “And get Sal to ready the jet. I want to leave in an hour.”
“An hour?” Gina blurted, “I know I can work magic, but one hour to cancel and move appointments and pack, you’re asking for a miracle.”
“No. Gina, I need you to stay here and entertain Mr. Bernardo until I return next Monday.”
“Mr. Bernardo? The Mr. Bernardo?” Gina asked, her mouth agape in shock.
“Yes,” Dario confirmed as he stuffed folders from his desk into his briefcase. “Dino loves to wine and dine beautiful women. You should have no problem keeping him occupied.”
“But you never travel alone.”
“I know, but I must take this trip.” He shoved another file into his briefcase. “If everything falls into place, I’ll be back in a week with a little piece of paradise to add to my empire.”
Gina’s incredulous scowl relaxed into a reluctant pout. “Fine. But what I’m I supposed to do with these?” Gina held up the lacy red lingerie.
“You keep them.” He smiled wickedly. “I’m sure I’m not the only one who could appreciate them.”
“Great, I’ll add it to my collection.” She tossed the lingerie in the bag. “Now I have a complete set in every color.”
Gina turned on her heels to leave, but Dario caught her in time before she left. “One more thing, double-book my personal schedule next week. Add an extra day with Chanel.”
“In all my years working for you I’ve never seen you drop everything at a moment’s notice. Where are you going?”
Dario peered up from his bag, his deep thoughts already weighing on his resolve. “Panama.”
Two cocktails into his twelve-hour flight, Dario pulled his briefcase into his lap. While he dreaded the idle time, the long flight gave him ample opportunity to read through the contract for Aragon Island, making sure there were no loopholes. He popped open the case and thumbed through the files he’d packed. As he reached the end of the stack, his forehead creased. Where was the Indulgence folder? He remembered straightening the stack while back at his office. Dammit, he’d left it on his desk.
Praying he’d overlooked the documents, he searched again—the contract wasn’t there. Quickly, he checked his Rolex. Gina should still be at the office. He tugged his cell out of his breast pocket and checked for service. None! He growled in frustration—just his luck.
He tossed the phone on the seat next to him. Ten more hours sky-bound with an idle mind, insanity was assured. Normally, Gina accompanied him on business trips, briefing him on their current destination and dealings. What was he going to do now?
Dario looked out of the window, scrubbing his closely shaven jaw. It was the stillness that he hated the most. With no distractions, his inner demons came out to play, tormenting and poking their icy fingers into an empty void that sat where his heart used to be. No amount of possessions could fill the depth—he’d tried. Over the years, he’d found creative ways to ignore it but it never truly relented.
He’d grown up watching his father struggle to keep the family clothed and fed, but many times he’d gone to school with a rumbling belly. As he grew older, he found his own ways to help put food on the table, even stealing it when he had to. One day, his neighbor, who was a local police officer, caught him stuffing a loaf of bread in his coat. He’d never forget the disappointment in his papa’s eyes.
That night, his father sat him down and instilled the value of an honest living and how important it was to stay in school so he could have a better life. Intelligence is power, he’d said. From that moment on, he’d lived and breathed school. He took extra classes and worked nights at the local restaurant bussing tables, where he met a local businessman who took him under his wing, helped him get into college and introduced him to the lavish world of investment development.
Even in his success, he never lost that little boy inside who craved his father’s approval and respect. Before he’d made his first million, he’d paid off his parents’ debts and bought them a new house in the country. He even bought his papa the classic roadster he’d always dreamed of driving one day. Dario grinned at the memory of the surprise on the old man’s face when he’d handed over the keys. He’d never looked more young and alive than he did that day. His papa was his hero. He’d been a good, strong man, the best father a kid could have, until his mother died. Her death crushed them all, but in a sense, his papa had died with her.
Dario looked up through the clouds, the warm sunlight filtering through the window and soothing some of the rawness he still felt when he thought about his parents. Up here, away from all the distractions, he could feel their presence. He said a silent prayer, letting them know how much he missed them and that he wished he’d spent more time with them when he’d had the chance. But even as he said the words, he knew he wouldn’t have changed anything. He would never regret giving his parents the life they’d deserved, if even only for a short while. Now, that life served as his constant reminder to remain an island unto himself, driven by success instead of the fleeting and ultimately destructive entanglements of emotional commitment.
He’d worked hard, building his company from the ground up, and nothing would jeopardize his success—not even a woman. He had everything he needed, or could ever want for that matter. Didn’t he?
The plane hit a patch of turbulence, giving him a mental shake from his morose thoughts. This was why he hated these long trips. Downing the rest of his cocktail, he reclined back in his seat and stuffed e
arbuds in his ears. He pressed the button on the armrest and raised the volume until light classical music drowned out the sound of his doubts.
As soon as he closed his eyes and felt himself drifting off to sleep, he was wakened by his personal flight attendant. Frustrated, he sat up, pulling the earbuds from his ears.
“Mr. Dicola, we’re getting ready to land.”
What? He hadn’t slept through the flight—had he? He scrubbed his hands over his face, and then reached into his pocket for his phone to check the time. Nine-eighteen A.M. Seven hours ahead of Milan time and his morning had started all over again.
As the jet descended, Dario watched out the window. It looked as if Sal was flying straight into the Amazon, not a single sign of an airport or tarmac in sight. Sending up a silent Hail Mary, he white-knuckled the arm rest and closed his eyes as the plane thrusted forward into the lush jungle greenery.
“Sal!” Dario bit out through clenched teeth. He wasn’t usually one to sweat rough landings, but holy hell!
With an abrupt jerk, the jet screeched to a stop. Slowly, he opened his eyes as the tarmac magically appeared. Blessed Virgin, he exhaled, thankful Sal hadn’t crashed into the tropical abyss—Tarzan he was not. When Antonio had said his resort was secluded, he wasn’t lying.
“Sir,” Sal’s unsteady voice sounded through the cabin intercom. “Welcome to Panama.”
Apparently, he wasn’t the only one shaken. Dario released a relieved breath and reigned in his rattled nerves. He stood and stretched his stiff muscles. The quicker he was off this damn plane, the better. Grabbing his satchel and phone, he quickly made his way to the front, anxious to stand on solid ground.
He stepped off the plane into the bright tropical oasis. A warm salty breeze blew over him like a lover’s kiss and something stirred inside him. Perhaps it was the excitement of the deal he’d coveted for so long, or the nap he’d taken on the flight that gave him a sense of eager anticipation for what awaited.
