Their Festive Island Escape

by Nina Singh

  “It’s the truth! Please don’t pretend I have any talent whatsoever as a singer.”

  “No. I won’t.”

  She had to laugh at that quick response acknowledging her lack of singing ability. “Thank you.”

  “Does that mean you should never sing karaoke?” he asked with all seriousness. Celeste was beginning to wonder if this might be one of the most vexing conversations she’d ever had. To top it off, they were supposed to be talking about him.

  “I dunno. I might say that’s exactly what it means.”

  “You’d be wrong. You may be bad at singing. But you’re great at karaoke.”

  Okay. Now he was making zero sense. “Uh... Come again?”

  “You were magnificent up there when we sang together,” he declared.

  Magnificent? “Um... I was?”

  He nodded with zero hesitation.

  “How do you figure?”

  “You were engaging and endearing, despite being scared out of your mind. Most important, you had the crowd entertained. Off key or not, they were with you through the whole song, some singing along. Others simply bouncing to the beat of the song.”

  Huh. Had that really been the way that whole scene had played out? She’d been so nervous, all she’d thought about was getting through the song and fleeing off the stage.

  “I was?” she stammered, completely shocked at what he was telling her.

  “Yes. You were. Everyone who witnessed it saw how amazing you were that night. Everyone but you.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  HE’D IMPLIED THAT he found her amazing. Celeste couldn’t seem to get that thought out of her head. They’d finished their dinner of salt fish and grilled vegetables moments ago and were now on the upper deck of the boat admiring the star-filled night sky and the tranquility of the Caribbean waters as they sailed over the surface.

  For a conversation that had started out all about Reid, he’d certainly given her a lot to think of about herself. All her life she’d been told that she wasn’t enough, that she had to try harder, be better, simply to be enough. Her mother certainly found her lacking. As did her younger sister. Her fiancé had left her emotionally bruised and publicly humiliated.

  Yet here was this charming, enigmatic man trying to tell her the exact opposite—that she didn’t give herself enough credit.

  They’d carried their wine goblets up with them and Celeste took a sip of her drink as she admired the view. The band due to perform was setting up a few feet away toward the stern as she and Reid stood portside. They couldn’t have asked for a more perfect evening for a dinner cruise. She couldn’t deny that she was enjoying herself. Despite the somewhat awkward start to the evening, she and Reid had managed to lapse into an easy state of camaraderie and friendly conversation. But she couldn’t get some of the things he’d just said about her out of her mind.

  “You appear to have drifted off. Penny for your thoughts?” he asked, not looking away from the horizon.

  Celeste gave a small shake of her head. “Just admiring the beautiful evening, I guess.”

  It occurred to her that he still hadn’t answered her earlier question. This time, she’d take a different approach. “You were worried the other night about missing someone who was due to fly onto the island,” she ventured. “Were they upset that you weren’t there to greet them when they arrived?”

  Perfectly innocent question. But maybe it would give her some kind of hint as to his relationship status. But Reid only shook his head. “No, they were perfectly understanding.”

  That told her absolutely nothing about who he was supposed to meet that night. Maybe a more direct approach was necessary after all. Though heaven knew she should just drop the entire matter altogether. But she couldn’t seem to let it go.

  Reid gave her a chance at an opening with his next question. “So, tell me. Is there no one at home upset that you aren’t there with them to celebrate the holidays?”

  “Not really. What about you? Is anyone unhappy that you’re here, essentially working through the holidays?”

  He smiled at her. “You first. I don’t consider ‘not really’ much of an answer.”

  She blew out a long sigh. “Yes. My mother and sister are upset that I left the city for the holidays. But they’re upset for all the wrong reasons.” Celeste fought to find the exact right way to explain. She didn’t particularly want to get into the whole matter of her family and all their dysfunction. It would only spoil the evening.

  “I don’t understand,” Reid prompted.

  “Christmas wasn’t particularly a joyous occasion for me as a child. I grew up with a single mother who couldn’t always make ends meet. Most years, she would have to work over the holiday, she usually waitressed. And I’d end up having to babysit my younger sister, who was usually upset and cranky that Mommy was gone and she was stuck at home with just her sister. Not much celebrating happened.”

  He’d turned to face her fully, listening intently to her every word.

  “So, you see,” she continued. “Christmastime wasn’t exactly festive to begin with.”

  “And then your Christmas wedding happened,” he supplied for her.

  “Or didn’t happen, to be more accurate. There’s really nothing I find celebratory about it. Better to just take off for several days of fun and sun.”

  He reached for her hand over the railing, held it gently in his. “I’m sorry, Celeste. You didn’t deserve that. Any of it.”

  Oh, no, they were not going to discuss Jack. Not here, not now. “Don’t be!” she quickly countered before things headed in that direction. “I’d say I’m lucky. Nothing wrong with spending the holidays in paradise on a tropical island.”

  He looked less than convinced but didn’t push. “Your turn,” she prompted.

  Reid let go of her hand and took a sip of his wine. Was it wrong that she wanted to reach for him again?

  “No. My parents split wasn’t terribly amicable. My mother’s active with a lot of charities that ramp up their activity during the holiday season. And my father is in Aspen currently to spend the holidays skiing with his newly found love, a woman he left his wife of thirty years for.”

  “I see,” was all Celeste could manage in response. For all the people the world over who looked forward to Christmas every year, there had to be just as many who dreaded it. “I’m sorry too, Reid.”

  He gave a small shrug. “No need. I have plenty that keeps me occupied during the holidays. The hospitality industry doesn’t exactly slow down at Christmas. If anything, things are even busier. Then there’s all the effort still required to clean up the mess made by Father’s recent business decisions.” He lifted his glass in mock salute before taking a long swig.

  The resentment in Reid’s voice was as clear as the starry sky above them.

  “So, I guess you and I are a lot alike in many regards,” he added, taking another sip of cabernet.

  “How so?”

  He turned to her once more. “Isn’t it obvious? It appears neither one of us will be reveling in yuletide cheer anytime soon.”

  * * *

  This conversation was becoming way too heavy. Reid shook off the melancholy that suddenly threatened the atmosphere between him and Celeste. He took the opportunity of a passing waiter to unburden them of their now empty wineglasses. Enough deep talk for now.

  The band had finished setting up and began to play a reggae version of “Holly Jolly Christmas.” The happy tune immediately lured several couples up and onto the dance floor.

  “You think your foot might be up to a dance?” he asked Celeste.

  At her somewhat hesitant nod, he gently took her by the elbow and they joined the other dancers. The tempo was just bouncy enough that they could sway easily to the beat. “I see you have yet another talent, Mr. Evanson. Consider me impressed with your footwork.”
<
br />   “Mother insisted on years of dance lessons. Said I needed to be cultured,” he answered over the loud music. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

  He couldn’t recall going dancing with a woman and actually enjoying himself this much. Celeste seemed to be able to bring a level of energy and fun to whatever she was doing. It was infectious. The dance floor grew more and more crowded as the band started the next number. Celeste was a natural, her movements fluid and in tune with the music. He noticed several pairs of appreciative male eyes on her and reflexively stepped closer. Their bodies brushed against each other as they both moved. Hot, sharp need seared through him every time they made contact. When the band launched into a much slower song, Reid didn’t give himself a chance to think. Her wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tight up against him. She didn’t protest or make any effort to pull away. Thank the gods for he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to let her go.

  One of the band members began to speak through the mike over the music. “We’re going to make sure everyone has a good time tonight,” he announced to responding applause and cheers. He went on, “I hear there are a lot of couples here celebrating.”

  More cheers sounded. “Raise your hands if you’re here to celebrate an anniversary.”

  Several sets of hands went up.

  “How many of you are here on your honeymoon?” The bandmate asked.

  Another round of hands responded along with raucous cheers, including from the young blonde woman and her companion who were dancing right next to them.

  Celeste gave the couple a warm smile. “Congratulations,” she said over all the noise around them.

  “Thank you!” The woman responded with a grin. “We got married two days ago.” She wagged a finger between him and Celeste. “How long have you two been together?”

  “Oh, we’re not—” Celeste began.

  Reid decided to spare her the awkwardness. “We’ve known each other for about three years,” he answered truthfully. The lady didn’t need to know the details.

  “That’s lovely!” the other woman declared. “We only met last year. But it was love at first sight, you know? We’ve been inseparable ever since. When it’s the right person, you just know. All the signs are there. I had no doubt he’s the man I’m meant to spend my life with the moment I met him.”

  Her spouse nodded enthusiastically in agreement next to her as they continued to dance.

  “That’s really wonderful,” Celeste said, her tone wistful enough that Reid instinctively pulled her closer against him.

  “Thanks! I hope we’re having as much fun in three years as you two are together.”

  Celeste seemed to deflate in his arms. He figured she could use a drink. “Why don’t we head below deck for some refreshments?” he suggested.

  She didn’t hesitate, following him off the dance floor and to the bar down the starboard steps. He ordered them more wine once they were seated on the bar stools. But once their glasses arrived, Celeste didn’t so much as take a sip. She merely rubbed her finger around the rim, deep in thought.

  Reid cursed the loss of the easy companionship they’d been enjoying before running into the newlyweds. He could only guess what Celeste was thinking. She was wondering if she’d ever have what that couple had. If she’d experience the thrill of a honeymoon, or dancing with her new husband above deck aboard a dinner boat cruising over the Caribbean waters.

  It was the strangest thing, but he was thinking along those same lines for himself. Definitely not something he’d ever considered before. He shook off the useless thoughts. He already had his hands more than full. Between the family holdings and his father’s self-destructive behavior, Reid didn’t have it in him to commit to any other kind of relationship.

  His gaze fell on the woman sitting next to him.

  No. He couldn’t even go there, couldn’t allow himself to think those thoughts. Celeste had been hurt enough in her lifetime. The last thing she needed was someone like him toying with her affections further.

  But they had the rest of this trip. At the least, they had the rest of tonight. There was nothing wrong with enjoying each other’s company.

  Though Celeste looked far from joyful at the moment. He would have to do something about that. He couldn’t have her this forlorn. The evening was much too beautiful to let it go to waste. They were the only people downstairs at the bar, with everyone else still at the dance party above.

  He stood and took her by the hand. “Here, follow me.” Acknowledging the sole bartender, he walked her behind the bar and led her to the kitchen area behind it. Several cooks and servers waved as they entered. Reid walked over to the freezer in the center of the room and reached inside.

  Celeste blinked at the carton he’d pulled out. “Ice cream?”

  “Chocolate.”

  Her confusion grew into a wide smile. “Where do we find spoons?”

  Five minutes later they stood at the hull of the boat with his jacket thrown over Celeste’s shoulders and the wind blowing around them, spooning chocolate ice cream straight out of its container.

  * * *

  She didn’t want the night to end. And it was just silly to think that way. It wasn’t as if she and Reid were walking back to her room after any kind of real date. Foolish, really.

  Reid’s suit jacket still hung over her shoulders, the smell of him enveloping her, reminding her of the way it had felt to be in his arms on the dance floor. Not to mention, all those other times when they’d been alone.

  A shiver ran over her skin. He must have noticed. “Are you still cold? I can call for a beach cart to drive you back to your room,” he offered.

  No. That wasn’t what she wanted. She wanted to continue walking with him, to delay the inevitable. When they would part for the night. What then? Reid didn’t mention any other activity he wanted her to attend, no other excursions were planned. For all she knew, this was it.

  There would be no more opportunities to spend any time alone with him. Celeste felt an ache of pain in the center of her chest.

  “I’m actually enjoying the night air. Thank you for walking me back.”

  “What kind of gentleman would I be if I left you to head back to your suite by yourself?”

  “The kind that serves a girl chocolate ice cream on the hull of a boat during a dinner cruise?”

  He laughed at that. The rest of their stroll continued on in pleasant silence, the night air balmy and comfortable. Celeste indulged in a slight fantasy and just let herself pretend. Just for these few short moments, she would make believe that she had what that couple on that boat had. That she’d found the man she was meant to be with and had known right away. And that, fanciful as it was, Reid happened to be that man.

  Never mind that her reality was the complete opposite. By contrast, the one time she’d been engaged, it had been a mistake of epic proportions. And with Reid... She sighed. She honestly didn’t know the true reality when it came to Reid. He was obviously attracted to her. But what did that mean when he was so quick to step back from her before things could go anywhere? The answer should be obvious, she figured. He knew they had no business being together, so he wasn’t going to let things get too far. Wise of him. Unlike her, he was thinking straight.

  Maybe she was done with having to do the wise thing, though. Maybe this one time she wanted more. Even if it was just temporary. It might shatter her inside afterward when it all ended and she had to leave, but in her heart she knew it would be worth it.

  She just had to know. Without giving herself a chance to think, she blurted out one of the questions that had been on her mind. “I know it’s getting late. Do you have to rush to get back? Is someone waiting for you?”

  He turned and lifted an eyebrow in question. “What?”

  “You were due to meet someone that day when we got stranded at the flower garden. You appeared upset t
o have to miss them. Are they waiting for you right now?”

  The eyebrow lifted ever so higher. “My spirits supplier?”

  She clasped a hand to her mouth. “Oh. You were due to meet your spirits supplier that night?”

  He nodded once. “That’s right. Who did you think it might have been?”

  Celeste felt heat rush to her cheeks. Well, at least now she knew. And she couldn’t help the sense of relief and giddiness that washed over her at the newfound knowledge. But it had all come at a price. Reid was on to her. He’d be stupid not to have figured out what she was getting at.

  They’d reached her building and made their way to her door on the second floor. Celeste turned to face him, not even sure what she was going to say. The only thing she was certain of was that she wasn’t ready to walk through that door just yet.

  Her heart hammered in her chest as Reid stepped closer to her. She felt the wooden door up against her back as the warmth of his body seeped into the front of hers.

  “Why did you want to know?” he asked on a strained whisper.

  Her nerves completely on edge and with Reid standing so close, it was hard to think of an answer. The truth. She would go with the truth. She was done with the pretenses. “I think you know why.”

  “Spell it out for me, Celeste. I don’t want to jump to any conclusions here.”

  Celeste sucked in a deep breath for courage. She was really doing this. “Go ahead and jump. You’d be correct.”

  Heat darkened his eyes and he visibly stiffened.

  And then she couldn’t take it anymore. Moving fully up against him, she slid her arms around his neck and brought her face up to his.

  It was all the invitation he needed.

  He hauled her tight into him and crushed his mouth to hers. He tasted of wine and chocolate and pure, unfiltered male. It was a taste she would never get enough of. The scent of him rushed her senses. His hands moved over her hips and up to her rib cage. All the while, his mouth continued pleasuring her lips, his kiss growing deeper.