by Roxy Wilson
But then it wasn’t his fault…she was gorgeous.
“Hi,” he said.
“Hey. Did you just get here?”
“Ah! You look amazing, stunning, lovely.” Reece smiled. “And yes, I just got here.”
Nya chuckled. “Gosh, so many adjectives. I must have done something right tonight. Thank you.”
Reece realized he was still staring at her. To hide his confusion at his reaction to her nearness, he offered her his arm and she hooked hers around it. Together, they walked to the restaurant. The place was high up on a hill and from there, they had a wonderful view of the beach below. It was a good thing there was a full moon outside, and its light was enough to see the crashing waves. Since he’d made a reservation, they were immediately led to their table which was out on the balcony. Reece drew out a chair for her, and she sat. He took a seat opposite her. Suddenly, an image flashed through his mind; his first date when he took a girl to the pizzeria. He’d been equally nervous at that time.
Reece flashed a smile. He was determined to not make a fool of himself. She looked so beautiful. The wind made her hair flutter around her beautiful face, and he resisted the urge to run his fingers through it. “Have you come here before?”
“To this restaurant? No. It’s a little above my budget, but I’ve heard good things about it.”
“They do have a great selection.” The waiter brought the menus, and they ordered. After she approved the wine, the waiter poured it in. She picked up her glass and they clinked. “Cheers.”
“You know where that tradition of saying, “Cheers,” comes from?” She tilted her head as she questioned him. “Excellent wine, by the way.” Nya took a sip of her wine. “There have been stories doing the rounds; some say in the olden days, people did it so that wine would spill from one glass to another, and thus the possibility of being poisoned was eliminated.”
“So, you think I might have poisoned that bottle?”
Nya’s eyes widened. “Oh! Don’t take it so literally. I was just making conversation.” She took another sip. “In any case, I don’t think you’re capable of…killing someone.”
Coming from her, and given the circumstances, it was a great compliment. “Thanks,” he said.
“In any case, I don’t think that’s the real reason why they used to clink glasses. This story about poison is just a myth. The real reason was that they did it to drive out the ghosts from the wine.”
Now, he wasn’t quite sure if she was making up stuff, or if she was pulling his leg. “There were ghosts in wine?”
“They thought so.” She shrugged. “You can Google it if you want. I assure you I get all my facts from there.”
“I don’t know how reliable the internet is. There are as many bogus articles there as genuine ones.”
“Oh, I bet there are more bogus articles, but I know how to weed the truth from things that don’t make sense.”
The waiter brought their appetizer. She’d order crab bruschetta, while he opted for herbed prawns. He waited for her to begin. “I’m sure you do. There isn’t much that goes past your eagle eyes.”
By the stern look that crossed her face, Reece could tell she’d caught on to the sarcasm.
“Hey, yesterday was a mistake. I walked through the forest the other day and had this weird feeling someone was following me, and then I saw your car…I added two and two and came up with twenty two. It happens.”
He had followed her in the forest. Did she really sense him? If so, for a human, she was extremely sensitive. “It’s fine, really. I’m glad it happened. It gave us a chance to come here together. I was waiting for the right time to come, and now this is the perfect opportunity to sample the delights this place has to offer.” And he would love to sample her delights also, but Reece had a feeling he would have to wait a long time to do that. She didn’t seem to be the kind of woman who was comfortable taking home a man after the first date.
Not that he had that in mind.
Oh yes, he did.
Damn! He was awfully conflicted about it.
“You didn’t come to this restaurant before?”
“No, this is my first visit, but they do have great reviews. Guess I never found the perfect person with whom I could enjoy their cuisine,” he said.
“Are you flattering me?” Nya chuckled. “Oh yes, you are.”
“I’m merely stating the truth. You seem to be the kind of person who would appreciate good food.”
“I’m not much of a cook, but I do enjoy good cuisine when I taste it,” she admitted. “Do you cook?”
“Not much. The only thing I can cook is egg. I can fry, boil, and whisk them as good as any master chef.”
She laughed, and he was delighted to hear the musical tone. Every time she flashed that smile, her eyes brightened. She was a pretty expressive person, and her emotions played on her face. As he gazed at her, nerves jangled within him.
“I can bake a bit: a cake, muffins, éclairs.”
“You can make éclairs?” he asked.
The waiter came with their main course. He’d ordered lemon pepper salmon while she stuck to a seafood pasta medley.
She nodded. “They’re not that difficult, and I have to admit I took a baking course a few years ago. It was fun, and now I can whip up dessert whenever my friends are over, or when I have to take a gift somewhere.”
“That’s great. I usually stick to bottles of wines as hostess gifts; not that I have had many opportunities to visit people since I came here.”
“You haven’t made an effort to mingle with the town folks,” she admonished.
“It isn’t my fault. These people are very cliquish.”
“Hey, it’s my town. I grew up here.” She took a bite of her pasta and closed her eyes as she enjoyed the taste. “Delicious. This place is better than my imagination. Anyway, so what was I saying…yeah, these are my people and I have to admit they’re cliquish. We don’t trust strangers that easily.”
“Not even when they provide employment to half the town?” he questioned. While he didn’t intend to do so, some bitterness crept into his tone. He’d expected the town would embrace him because he did so much to infuse new life but his efforts were in vain. He stuck to his factory and home, and the people stuck to their old ways.
“They’re suspicious of you, especially because you provided employment to half the town. It makes you even more of an oddity. Most of the people wouldn’t know what to do if you came to their house. You’re either their boss or the boss of someone they know. It makes it very awkward, so you’re the one who has to make the effort. She raised a brow. “But then I’m sure you plan to leave soon, so what’s the point?”
The salmon was also very good. He offered her a piece, and she took it. He loved a woman who could enjoy a good meal without picking at it. “I don’t intend to leave; this is my home.” For a moment, he saw the shock of his statement on her face.
She chewed on the salmon while she studied him. “You’re planning to be here for the long-term?”
“Forever.”
“But why? I mean—why would you want to make this your home? Surely, you’re used to a more active and happening life in the big cities, and with the kind of money you have, you can live anywhere you want.”
“And this is where I want to live,” he stated.
“But—?”
“I know what you mean. I suppose someone like me should be throwing yacht parties, but that’s not who I am. It doesn’t excite me to flaunt my wealth. I work because that’s what I enjoy. The money is just a side benefit, and the way I would like to use it is to provide employment for those in need.”
“In that case, you better start making more of an effort with the locals.”
When he grimaced, she reached forward and touched his fingers. He wanted to grab her hand and kiss it, but Reece controlled himself.
“All you have to do is be a bit more accessible. Nobody ever sees you outside the factory, and the people who see you
inside it, are all employed by you.”
“So, what should I do? Sit on a street corner?”
She raised an eyebrow at his tone. “For starters, you could drop by the pub every Tuesday or on weekends.”
“Why Tuesday?”
“Tuesday is Sal’s Steak day, and let me tell you, that place is packed. If you haven’t eaten his steak, you haven’t lived.”
“Really? Then I must make a point to go there on Tuesday. Maybe you could come with me and introduce me to the crowd?”
She set down her fork. “Okay. Let me be honest with you; until this whole investigation simmers down and they catch the murderer, it is best if…we’re not seen together.”
He didn’t like it. “You’re here now.”
“And how many of the town folks do you see here?”
She had a point. Most of the people were from other towns.
“Yes, I agree that it doesn’t seem right that I want to avoid you—”
“I understand,” he interjected.
She blinked rapidly. “You do? I thought you might be pissed.”
He could see the bewilderment in her eyes. “I’m a little upset, but it’s no big deal. I would be a bit hesitant to hang out with a murder suspect too.”
“Not that I think you did it.”
“Thank you. It means a lot you believe I’m innocent,” he confessed. “I hope they catch the bastard soon.”
“Do you have any theories regarding who could have done it?”
He could have told her he thought Miles was embezzling money, or that perhaps he was on to someone who was taking money out of the company, but he didn’t want to get into all that. Right now, he didn’t want to let people know that someone stole from him. The thought of such an admission rankled him. “Your guess is as good as mine,” he said. Reece could see the curiosity in her eyes. Maybe she figured out he wasn’t telling all. “Let’s not spoil the mood by talking about it.” He leaned forward. “So tell me, what are your hobbies?”
“Scuba diving, hiking, climbing, or any other adventure sports,” she said.
“Really?”
“Yeah. I suppose it’s a little bit too adventurous but it’s what I like. Most of my friends can’t keep up with what I love to do.”
“I love adventure sports.” He could see she didn’t believe him.
“What do you like the best?” she asked.
“Rock climbing. I’ve been dying to try the cliffs over at Southern Point, but haven’t had the opportunity do so. Also, I heard I need to have permission from the forest department to venture there as there’s a colony of birds that shouldn’t be disturbed unnecessarily.”
“That’s true.” She eyed him. “Ah! Now, I see why you bothered to bring me here. You want me to give you the permission.”
“Trust me, I only had one motive to bring you here, and that was to make sure we have a good time together.”
Her eyes gleamed. She didn’t say anything, but rather concentrated on her food.
Had he embarrassed her? It was difficult for him to hide his feelings.
He liked her, yes.
He desired her, oh yes.
But even Reece was bewildered by the depth of his emotions. There was some strange hold she seemed to have on him, and he couldn’t shake it.
He wasn’t even sure he wanted to break it.
She was special. By dating her, he was breaking a hundred rules, but he didn’t care. It might land him in a great deal of trouble, but he was willing to do whatever it took to spend some time with her. When he was with her, every cell in his body was wildly alive, and he just loved the way it made him feel. No other woman awakened so many desires within him.
“Maybe we can climb the cliffs together. I’ve also been wanting to do that, but somehow…I never get the time and I’ve never had a partner. That kind of a dangerous climb is better done with a partner who knows what he is doing.”
“True. So why did you become a forest ranger?”
“I love animals and nature, and there’s no better way to enjoy them than on my job.”
“It’s a difficult job.”
“All jobs are difficult; some are mentally strenuous and others are physically strenuous. I love what I do and that makes every working hour a pleasure. When I’m in the forest, I really feel in tune with the bounty on earth.”
It was the same way he felt, but for him the reasons were different. For the umpteenth time, he wished he could share those feelings with her, but Reece couldn’t do so. It reminded him of the reason why this relationship was doomed. No matter what he did, he wouldn’t be able to shake away the bonds that held him.
Still, he had this time with her and he was going to make the most of it.
Chapter Seven
The date couldn’t have gone better. Everything seemed perfect; from the weather, ambiance, to the food and his company She’d had the time of her life. While she was glad she came, Nya wasn’t sure if it was the wisest thing to be with Reece. Still, the time for that decision was long gone. She made her choice, and only time would tell if it was the right one.
Once they were finished, he ordered dessert. “Coffee?” he asked later.
“No. Thank you. We should go home,” she protested.
“Why? Do you turn into a pumpkin at nine o’clock, instead of the proverbial twelve?”
Nya laughed as she checked the time. It was only eight thirty. How time flew while she was with him? They were sitting here for more than two hours, and yet it seemed as if she’d just arrived. The man managed to bewitch her in a manner she found intoxicating. While she could sit here and listen to him talk all night long, she was determined to keep her distance.
Until this investigation was behind them, she couldn’t afford to get involved with Reece.
Actually, she didn’t want to be involved with him on any level at any time. Sure, they had a few things in common, and she was surprised to discover that, but it still wasn’t the best move to be with him. The more time she spent with him, the more entangled she would be in his personal life. Although Nya didn’t have any qualms about initiating a relationship, Reece wasn’t just any person. He was already significant in her life, and they barely knew each other.
She was scared she might end up falling for him, and it was better to nip this in the bud. “Perhaps I do. It’s a beautiful night, and I’m having a good time, but I have to be up early tomorrow, so I’d like to go to bed.”
An odd expression crossed his face. She could almost hear his thoughts; he wouldn’t mind getting into bed with her. Oh well, that wasn’t happening any time soon.
Soon?
It wasn’t going to happen ever.
Reece was way out of her league. Harboring hopes of a future with him would only set her up for disappointment.
Reece gestured to the waiter who brought over the check. He signed with a casual flick of his wrist after he passed on his card.
“Thank you. I had a lovely time.”
“So did I.” He accepted the card from the waiter. “I’ll drive behind you until you reach home.”
She stood and they wound their way through the main restaurant. Luckily, she didn’t know anyone. Nya didn’t want details of their date to find their way to her boss. He wouldn’t be happy with this turn of events, and neither would the police. “I can make my way home.”
“I know you’re a big girl, but I was taught to be chivalrous. Come on. I’ll be right behind, and once you’re inside, I’ll be off.”
She didn’t want to waste any time with argument. “Okay. Thank you again.”
Was he expecting a kiss?
If so, he would be disappointed. Yes, she wanted to plant her lips on his with an intensity that frightened her, but that was all the more reason for her to not do it. The raw magnetism and sexuality he oozed rattled her. She wasn’t used to feeling so vulnerable with a man. Nya took a careful step back, and much to her relief, he didn’t say anything. Walking over to her car, she opened th
e door and got in. When she started the engine, he got into his car. They drove out of the restaurant. As she tried to keep her gaze on the road, Nya couldn’t help but glance at the rearview mirror where she could see the headlights of his Mercedes.
It was sweet of him to drive behind her.
The man was caring and kind. While she tried hard to do so, Nya couldn’t find any faults in him. Surely, he couldn’t be so perfect. There had to be some flaw that marred his personality.
Yet, he seemed to be.
She sighed as she thought about all the things he said and did. All he wanted to do was to please her during their date. He never brought up the topic of wanting her help with the police investigation. Maybe he realized she wouldn’t say yes, or perhaps he didn’t want to spoil the mood by talking about it again. Whatever his reason was, she appreciated his restraint. Any man who was embroiled in such a situation would have tried to make the most of this opportunity, but his control was superb.
When she parked the car, he got out of his vehicle. The thin, silver rays of the moon illuminated his face and she could see the gleam in his eyes. His gaze remained fixed on her, but his face was expressionless.
Nya nibbled at her bottom lip as she walked over. “Would you like to come in for coffee?”
If he was as shocked by her query as she was, he didn’t show it. “Yes.”
Where did that come from? She hadn’t even known she was harboring any desire to invite him into her house. Bad move. She should tell him she changed her mind. Getting him inside wasn’t a good idea. Not that he would ever hurt her, but she didn’t want to deal with the repercussions of her decision. They’d already spent too much time together, and she didn’t want the date to go on. It was time to end it, but try as she might, Nya couldn’t open her mouth to tell him that she thought he should leave. Instead, she opened the door and he walked in behind her.
His appreciative glance settled on the huge, wooden statue of a woman that stood in one corner. “That’s beautiful.” He strolled over ran his hand over the smooth surface of the statue. “Who’s the sculptor?”
She could feel the goose bumps on her arms. It was as if he’d touched her. She was just going crazy, insane. “My dad. He used to love woodwork.”
