Heating Up Hawaii

by Carmen Falcone

  There was no room for reminiscing.

  His answer was clear.

  He glanced at her, and she arched an eyebrow.

  “Give me this one assignment. If you don’t like my work, I won’t even take a commission and will be out of your hair,” she blurted, a trace of anxiety in her voice. Luc cleared his throat. No. My answer is no. Just say it. The courage to send her away from his life flooded through him. He was about to verbalize it, when he spotted Owen Hays, the hotel’s food and beverage director whom he had met earlier, behind her. Although Owen smiled, he displayed a desperate look on his face, much worse than Penny’s.

  “Mr. Leoni, I apologize for interrupting, but I need to have a word with you.”

  “Go ahead.” Luc ushered him a couple of steps away from Penny, who gave him a sideway glance as if telling him this wasn’t over.

  “Well, sir, the J-Kees were supposed to play here tonight. There’s a big probability that the show will be canceled, and since I knew you were at our bar and expected the press, I thought you should know first,” Owen explained.

  “Canceled? Why?” Luc glanced at the outdoor stage. The happy hour was coming to an end, and in a bit over an hour the up-and-coming jazz band would start playing, drawing a more mature crowd and also, he was sure, a few bloggers and journalists. He’d been thinking that could be a great moment to start telling the press about his acquisition of this hotel. Free press generated more buzz.

  “The members of the band have arrived, but their instruments have not.”

  “How come?”

  Owen frowned. “We aren’t sure, we’re looking into it. The show is supposed to start in an hour and a half.”

  “Let’s find them other instruments, then. Have you contacted a music store? Have them deliver whatever they need.”

  “Sir, I’ve thought of that. These musicians are very particular about what they play and said they won’t play until their own instruments arrive. This could take hours. We’d have to cancel the show.”

  Luc cursed under his breath, running his fingers through his hair. “Where did they fly in from?”

  “Their last show was in Austin, last night. We called the airline, but no luck so far.” Frustration leaked into Owen’s voice.

  Luc had barely taken over the reins of this hotel and problems arose. A concert from the successful band would certainly be great for business. Canceling the show, especially less than two hours from its starting time, would not. Did he really want to announce his buying this property when they couldn’t even follow through with a small concert? The band members were in. He glared at the stage, and the maintenance guy giving it a final inspection. Everything was ready to go.

  Think, Luc.

  “I can help.” Penny took a step toward them. “I can get their instruments in time.”

  “I don’t believe we have met.” Owen offered his hand. “I’m Owen Hays, the food and beverage director.”

  “I’m Penny Ashbrook.” She took his hand with a smile. “Mr. Leoni’s new PR consultant.” She stood tall, chin up with pure defiance in her eyes.

  Luc shook his head. His new PR consultant?

  No.

  “Owen, will you give us a moment?” Luc demanded, and Owen promptly nodded and got out of the way. He stared at Penny. “I won’t be manipulated into hiring you, Penelope.”

  “Then don’t be. This is a business opportunity. I will get your band members their instruments. Their concert will be mentioned in a few blogs tomorrow, not to mention the music section of the newspaper, along with the news that now The Leoni Hotel Group owns this property.”

  He crossed his arms. “How do you know it’s new? That I haven’t owned it for a while?”

  “Because I knew who the previous hotel group was, and the way that man came to you it left no doubt.” She smoothed her dress with her hands, and he knew that following her restless fingers as they trailed across the fabric was crazy. To follow her idea was ludicrous, yet he did the first with no regrets and found himself idly considering the second.

  The movement of her impatient fingers drummed against either side of her waist where her hands were now perched.

  “How are you going to pull it off?” He knew from having worked with her that she was resourceful, but this was a challenge even for her. At the same time, did he want more bad press, even on a smaller scale, to precede his re-opening in Maui?

  A smile quirked up her lips. “That’s my problem.”

  “What do you want from me?”

  “I want the Maui assignment.”

  “Penny, even if you do a good job…I’m not interested in having you permanently representing my chain.” How could he be sure she wouldn’t stab him in the back like she had in the past? Perhaps she wanted to do well on the Hawaii assignment, only to screw him after.

  Screw. Him. He stared down at her, making a conscious effort not to linger on any body part. He wondered about the softness of her skin. The curve on her neck. Her large breasts. A thrill of excitement ran through him.

  “It’s okay, I don’t want you as a long-term client. All I want is upon the completion of my work, if you love it—which you will—is a list of contacts for companies you can refer me to. Can’t you see it’s a win-win?” She chewed on her plump lower lip.

  If all she wanted was references, most likely she would do a good job for him. A fantastic job because, well, his standards were high and he didn’t intend on making things easier for her.

  His Maui resort had a strong emotional tie to him. He wanted it to succeed and re-open the doors more than any other property he had opened in his life. He needed his staff to care about what they did. And if he could be sure of one thing, it was how invested Penny was. He recognized her determination to succeed. And he needed it.

  “Go get the damn instruments, Penelope.”

  Chapter Two

  “Talented, aren’t they?” Penny glanced at the three men playing on stage. The audience cheered them on.

  The atmosphere had shifted from the one she’d seen a couple of hours ago. A blend of mature jazz lovers and younger, stylish men and women occupied all the tables on the outdoor terrace. A part of the crowd leaned their backs on the metal rails edging the balcony and a few of them swayed their bodies to the beat of the songs.

  I have to get out more.

  Penny’s head bobbed for a moment, following the rhythm of the music. Nights out and live music appealed more than watching late night television shows on her couch and eating ridiculously small portions of a diet microwave dinner.

  Luc stood beside her, without his suit jacket, his long sleeve shirt rolled up to his elbows. She looked at the dark hair dusting his strong, bronze arms. Her eyes trailed down to his large hands.

  “How did you get them here?” Luc finally asked her, dipping his head down so she could hear him. His breath brushed her earlobe, heating and over-sensitizing her skin.

  “After talking to the band and checking with the airlines, I suspected the instruments hadn’t made it to the airport. Apparently they’d asked the concierge from the hotel in Austin to ship them, and then she in turn delegated it to an intern. I called the guest relations department, who checked the storage room in the lobby. He found the instruments still sitting there and I ordered him to ship them immediately.” She was pleased at how confident she sounded.

  “They still made it in time, though. Did you use a special courier?” He upped an eyebrow and scrutinized her facial expression, perhaps expecting her to give in. To escape his intense stare, she looked away for a moment before returning her attention to him.

  “I have a contact in the Austin airport who owed me a favor.” My second cousin works night shifts at the airport. Not prestigious like it sounded, but he didn’t have to know that.

  Her initiative should have pleased him, right? After all, she knew Luc hated anything to go wrong with his hotels and properties. Then why didn’t his cool demeanor show her any gratitude?

  “This me
ans I got the assignment,” she said, feeling a trickle of sweat sliding in between her breasts.

  Damn summer. Damn humidity. Damn Luc Leoni.

  “I don’t like to be manipulated into hiring anyone, Penelope.” Luc clenched his jaw. “But since you are so desperate—”

  “Driven.”

  “—I will give you the Maui assignment. If you do anything to hurt my chain, you’re done.” He said the last words carefully. “Bring me the contract tomorrow and I’ll brief you on the Maui property. My PA will check my schedule. I might be able to meet you for lunch.”

  She nodded. “You won’t regret it.”

  Hopefully, neither will I.

  ***

  With one in her hand, Penny searched for her missing fuchsia high heel shoe. She looked under her white cloth sofa, followed by the low wooden table, and behind her black iron standing lamp. Located only a short drive from Downtown Dallas, her small apartment could usually be described as tidy.

  Usually. Tonight, colorful scarves spread over her dining glass table, at least three other dresses pooled her carpet, and dismissed bras covered a couple of PR books on her shelf.

  Lunch would have been so much better. Less threatening and more businesslike. She had gone to work that morning wearing a neutral pant suit, ready for whatever came her way. A phone call from Luc’s PA switching from lunch to dinner, due to his hectic schedule on his last day in Dallas, changed the course of things.

  Of course she had agreed. She needed his business. The idea of meeting him at night made her look for something more suitable to wear, and from then on all kinds of ideas rushed through her mind. She had taken her pant suit off and ruled it out— something that formal would stand out at night. She’d tried a silk burgundy dress that she’d bought for her honeymoon and never wore. But she’d dismissed it with a head shake. It was sophisticated, but also too sexy. Not the time to give the wrong idea.

  The last time she’d dined with Luc had been when they were lovers, at a fifties-themed restaurant. If she closed her eyes, she could almost hear Anita O’Day’s We’ll be together again, filling the room. The simmering glances he sent her way had made her blush. What a load of crap.

  Aha! She removed the shoe from the inside of her magazine rack, crowded with business journals, women’s publications, and a couple of celebrity gossip tabloids.

  Penny stood up, recomposed, and slid her foot inside the shoe. She checked herself in the full-length mirror behind her bedroom door.

  It’s just you and me, Little Black Dress.

  With damp palms, she smoothed her V-necked, simple yet elegant, black dress. Usually a business meeting didn’t shoot at her nerves like this. Although this wasn’t just an ordinary meeting. It was dinner to discuss the needs of one of the best hotel chains in the world. With Luc Leoni.

  Penny glanced at her watch. The company car would be pulling up at any moment… yes, it made it all more official. When Luc’s PA had asked if she’d like a ride from the town car that his chain used for interviewees or employees from out-of-town, Penny had agreed. The worst part is over.

  The doorbell rang, the chime jolting her from her thoughts.

  She grabbed the glossy folder with the DG initials on the front, lifted her embroidered black clutch from the tabletop, and headed to the door.

  What she saw on the other side stopped her in her tracks. A wave of heat coiled low in her stomach. Very low. She expected an old, short, chauffeur-looking type. Instead, there was Luc, his eyes capturing hers for a moment. One of his long arms stretched along the door frame, while his other hand rested casually on his waist. She swallowed hard, and realized how dry her throat was.

  “Good evening, Penelope.” Luc’s heavily accented voice rolled off of her, making her shiver.

  “Luc? I expected you to meet me at the restaurant.” Penny’s eyes did a quick inventory on him. His dark blue suit molded his large and athletic body. The black shirt enhanced his olive skin. The slick texture of his hair gave his recent shower away. Thoughts of a lucky bar soap traveling up and down his water soaked body didn’t bring her any consolation. Instead, it stung her with both want and repulse. Mostly repulse.

  She knew she could never have the man in front of her, because of what lay inside him. What he had done. What he could do.

  Hell, if he had broken her heart when he’d been a hotel manager, how about now, as a self-made tycoon billionaire? With dozens of women willing to please him any way imaginable? Any. Way. Imaginable. She squared her shoulders.

  “Change of plans.” He leaned inside, and his gaze roamed through the apartment before she could do anything about it. “Had a hard time deciding what to wear, I see.” His lips curled into a slow smile.

  “I’m remodeling my closet. Stuff is everywhere.” She stepped forward and signaled for him to get out of her doorway. “You didn’t have to come get me.”

  She feared her face would brush his hard chest. For one moment, it almost did. He took his time stepping back from her, sending a clear message that he did things his way.

  “I wanted to stretch my legs.”

  Stretch those long legs…

  She locked the door behind her and slid the key into her clutch. She rushed forward trying not to think about his legs or inebriating scent. Out of the few boyfriends she had after him, none of them had that signature skin fragrance. Woodsy notes blended with a light citrus only added to his natural manly scent. If she sniffed close enough, she’d get her senses filled with him. The last thing she needed.

  She allowed her eyes to meet his for a moment. Under the dim lighting of her apartment building, his eyes almost seemed the same color.

  Which they were not, of course. They were very different, just like she was from him.

  They settled into quietude as they walked past the front garden, the sight of Luc on her territory invasive and unwelcome. Not because he probably lived in a much nicer place, or had several of them spread throughout the world, but because in a short period of time, Luc already knew too much about her situation.

  Crickets chirped. They finally reached the company car, which turned out to be a white stretch limousine parked on the curb. Well, of course.

  “Do all employees ride in this one?” The lightness in her voice hid the rumbling of her body. The driver greeted her, but before he could open the door for her, Luc did it himself. With a nod, the uniform clad man returned to his seat in the front.

  “Only the ones who get to ride with me.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes.

  “Well, aren’t you special?” said a rasping male voice behind them.

  Shock flew through her system. She squared her shoulders and clasped her hand on the opened car door as she looked at Darren walking up to them. In addition to designer jeans and a muscle shirt, he wore a frown on his face. The way he puffed his chest hinted he wasn’t happy seeing her with another man. Even after six months…

  “Who is this?” Luc asked firmly.

  “Luc Leoni, meet Darren Dawn. My ex-fiancé.” She couldn’t stop from looking at the two. They assessed each other without a handshake. While Darren’s eyes held a measure of instant contempt, Luc’s displayed a blend of inconvenience and…curiosity.

  “Dawn?” Luc caught on to the last name.

  “Charles Dawn is his father.” Penny turned to Darren, “Luc just hired me for an assignment and we are going to a dinner meeting. This isn’t a good time.”

  “I was just checking in on you, Penny.” Next to Luc, Darren seemed less stocky and certainly not as tall. “You didn’t return any of my calls.”

  “I’ve been busy.” Penny pressed her lips together in an effort to keep from saying what she really wanted. I can’t be friends with you right now. Guilt took a stab at her. With his recent consistent attendance to the AA meetings, she couldn’t take that chance.

  Maybe soon he will see things more clearly and realize we were never meant to be.

  Luc’s eyes drilled into hers, like he was trying to unv
eil the lies she’d just told. Did he sense how uncomfortable Darren made her these days?

  Why wouldn’t Darren make her feel like an awkward mess? He was the living proof of the mistake she’d almost made. Almost? A voice inside her laughed.

  “Busy with this guy, I see.” Darren said between his teeth. She didn’t have to touch her cheeks to feel their heat.

  “Whom she’s busy with is no longer your concern,” A hint of impatience laced Luc’s voice. He moved to her side, although she didn’t need the shield of his protection. “We have reservations, so I suggest you leave, Daniel.”

  “It’s Darren, and I’m not leaving.”

  Blood pounded hot and thick in her temples. She knew Darren wasn’t the easiest person, but she had never seen the look of hatred in his blue eyes, the flush on his cheeks, the way he pushed his blond hair back, almost violently, to prevent his hands from landing somewhere else, like Luc’s jaw.

  Luc on the other hand remained assertive and in control, not a hair out of place, no passionate fury in his eyes. “Then by all means, stay.” He touched her elbow, and gently nudged her to get inside the limousine.

  She mumbled a goodbye to Darren and ducked to get inside the limo, her emotions battling a mix of relief and apprehension. Certainly not the best way to keep Luc from knowing even more about my personal life. At least she’d been able to literally step away from the discomfort of the situation.

  A thumping noise pulled her from her thoughts, and she glanced over her shoulder before she could sit down in the plush vehicle. Darren must have swung at Luc, like he probably had been itching to since seeing them together, though Darren didn’t count on Luc’s quick reflex skills.

  She gasped and Luc quickly bent down before Darren could throw another punch. Or try to, anyway. He swiftly stood up and grabbed Darren by his collar, slamming him against the limousine. The sound of his body hitting the metal echoed in her head. The driver got out of the vehicle but Luc gestured for him to go away.