by Ruth Langan
“You’d think, just this once, they could be a little late.”
That had him roaring with laughter as he called, “Just a minute. I’ll be right there.”
As he struggled into his jeans, Celeste scrambled out of bed and dashed past him, locking herself in the bathroom.
Drew walked to the parlor door to let the waiter in. “’Morning, Billy.”
“Good afternoon, Mr. Hampton.” The young man stepped carefully over Celeste’s sandals, still lying by the door, and nodded toward the balcony table. “Would you like me to serve lunch out there?”
“No thanks, Billy. Just leave everything on that serving cart.” Drew signed the tab and reached into his pocket for the tip.
“Thank you, sir. You have a nice day now.”
“You too, Billy.”
He saw the young man’s gaze skim over the yellow shorts and top lying carelessly beside a chair before letting himself out.
Drew was still debating whether or not to tell Celeste when she came out of the bedroom wearing his hotel robe.
“Oh.” She breathed deeply. “I smell coffee.”
“Yeah. And food.” Drew motioned toward the balcony. “Want to eat first, or shower?”
“Eat,” she said at once. “Then I’ll have the strength to shower.”
They carried the covered trays to the table, and filled two cups with hot, steaming coffee.
While she sipped, Celeste uncovered the first plate. “Now let’s see what you ordered.” Her eyes widened. “Oh, Drew. A cheese omelette.” She uncovered a second plate to reveal French toast.
“I thought we could share.”
“We might.” She glanced at the covered plates in front of him. “What are you hiding over there?”
He uncovered a sizzling platter of steak, and a second plate containing a variety of toast and breakfast pastries.
“Think this is enough to replenish all the calories we’ve been burning?”
She laughed as she slid a portion of the omelette onto a plate and passed the rest to him. “It’s a good start. But will it hold us until dinnertime?”
He was smiling as he glanced at her. “I think, Ms. Sullivan, that will depend upon what we do between now and this evening.”
She was shaking her head as she dug into her food. “Not a chance, Prince Charming. I have an inn to run.”
He merely grinned as he helped himself to the rest of the omelette and half the steak. “Just in case I can change your mind about that, I’m planning to fortify myself.”
They were still arguing the fact an hour later when Celeste pushed away from the table and started toward the bathroom. After only a couple of steps through the parlor she paused and caught sight of her discarded clothing.
“Oh, no.” She clapped a hand to her mouth.
“What’s wrong?” Drew came up beside her.
“My things. Why didn’t I just print up a big sign that reads Celeste Spent The Night With Drew Hampton? You realize, don’t you, that Billy is already downstairs telling everybody what he saw in your room?”
“What he saw was a pile of clothing. I doubt he’s ever seen you in anything but your business suits, so there’s no reason for him to think they’re yours. Besides, do you really think Billy cares who I spent the night with?”
“I suppose not. But I do, Mr. Hampton.”
Drew was still laughing as she grabbed up her clothes and shoes and headed toward the bathroom.
As she stripped and stepped into the shower, she heard a sound and found Drew standing behind her.
“Drew.” Laughing, she backed up, until she found herself under the warm spray.
“I was lonely out there.” He picked up the soap and joined her. “Besides, I figured you’d need somebody to wash your back.”
“How considerate of you. It seems to me you were always very good at that.”
His smile was quick. “I’m the best.”
“So you say.” She turned away and said over her shoulder. “Go ahead and prove it.”
He ran the soap in slow, sensuous circles over her back, across her shoulders, down her arms and heard her little sigh of pleasure.
He leaned close and handed her the soap. “All right. You’ve had enough. Now it’s my turn.”
She was laughing as he stood under the spray and wriggled like a puppy while she ran the soap over his chest, his arms, the flat planes of his stomach.
Suddenly he took the soap from her hands and tossed it aside.
“Drew, what are you doing?”
With a dangerous smile he bent his head and took one slick, wet nipple into his mouth. Madness gripped them both. Wave after wave of pleasure shot through them as he lifted her, wrapped her legs around him, and pressed her against the wall of the shower. She moved with him, climbed with him, while the warm water continued to cascade over them.
“What do you think?” Drew sat on the sofa with his arm around Celeste, who was wearing his hotel robe, her hair wrapped in a towel. “Do we go downstairs for what’s left of the day? Or do we stay up here and order in?”
Celeste laid her head on his shoulder, too content to do more than smile. “What you’re really asking is, do I want to face the staff today, or put it off until the morning?”
“Yeah.” He grinned. “There’s that. But there’s also the fact that it takes a lot of energy to get dressed. So if we stay up here, we can expend that energy on…other things.”
“You must be kidding.” She turned her head enough to see his face.
He kissed her full on the mouth. “You wouldn’t want me to answer that, Lessie.”
“Okay.” She sighed, and lowered her head to his shoulder once more. “I really don’t have the energy to dress and face the staff now. So I vote to stay here the rest of the day and evening.”
“My kind of woman.” He tipped up her face and kissed her again.
“I just don’t know how I’ll face Billy with another room service delivery.”
He squeezed her hand. “You can hide in the bathroom again.”
“It won’t matter. By this time I’m sure everyone has figured out what’s going on.”
He nodded. “All right. We’ll resort to plan B.”
“Which is?”
He thought a minute. “How do you feel about pizza tonight?”
“I’d love it. But I’m not sure it’s on the room service menu.”
“Even better. I’ll look up pizza deliveries in the phone book and have one brought over.”
She brightened. “Very clever, Mr. Hampton. We don’t have to face Billy.”
“And we can have pizza in bed.”
“In bed?”
He gave her a devilish smile. “Trust me. It’s the best way to enjoy it.”
Chapter 13
“Good morning, Ms. Sullivan.” Drew stepped from his room and caught Celeste’s hand as she stepped from her suite across the hall.
After showering together, they’d parted minutes earlier, when she’d wrapped herself in his robe and darted back to her own place to dress for the day.
She was wearing a cream-colored suit with a long jacket over a very short skirt. She looked, Drew thought, like an ad for businesswoman of the year. A look, he realized, that always managed to turn him on.
Drew linked his fingers with hers and paused at the elevator. “You look wonderful, Lessie.”
“I feel wonderful. I can’t remember when I’ve spent such a lazy day as we had yesterday. Thank you, Drew. It was such a special gift.”
He lifted her hand to his mouth. “My pleasure, ma’am. It was special for me, too. Any time you want to take another day off, just let me know. I’m always happy to oblige.”
They stepped into the elevator and watched as the doors glided shut.
Seeing the way she held herself stiffly as the numbers flashed by, Drew touched a hand to her cheek. “You’re not still worried about facing the staff, are you?”
She shrugged, looking uncomfortable. “It’s goi
ng to be awkward. But it has to be done.”
“It’s going to be fine. You’ll see. You have a great staff. And if there are any rumors, it’s only because they genuinely care about you. But you’re a woman, and free to live your life as you choose.”
“I know. But we’re all like family.”
“Which is why they love you.”
When they reached the lobby the elevator doors parted and Drew stepped back, allowing her to precede him.
The first person they spotted was Jeremiah, looking distinguished in a gray, double-breasted suit, with a red carnation at his lapel.
“Good morning, Miss Celeste. Mr. Hampton. My, don’t you two look rested.” He gave them a wide, welcoming smile before turning to Celeste. “You were missed yesterday, but I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say that I’m so glad you finally took a well-deserved day off.” Seeing the slight flush on her cheeks he added diplomatically, “Looks like it’s going to be another perfect summer day.”
“Yes.” Celeste cleared her throat. “Are there any big luncheons planned for the courtyard or ballroom today, Jeremiah?”
“The Billings Corporation will be occupying the courtyard, starting at eleven. The town council will be holding their monthly meeting in the library at noon. As always, they’re hoping you’ll stop by and say a few words of greeting. And I believe the ballroom will be used by the state high school forensics finalists. You might want to check with young O’Malley on the time scheduled for that one.”
“Thank you, Jeremiah. I’ll do that.”
As she started away the old man called, “I spoke with your grandfather.”
She paused. “Is he here?”
“Not yet.” Jeremiah glanced from Celeste to Drew. “He said his flight was delayed. But not to worry. He’ll be here just as soon as he can.”
“Thank you, Jeremiah. When did you speak with him?”
“He phoned me last night.”
She wrinkled her brow. “I wonder why he didn’t call me?”
The old man made a show of removing a piece of lint from his sleeve. “I suppose he didn’t want to bother you.”
She turned and started toward her office, with Drew beside her. As they passed the front desk Bitsy Hillerman cradled a phone to her shoulder and lifted a hand in greeting.
“Glad to see you, Ms. Sullivan.”
“Thank you, Bitsy.” As Celeste breezed past, she turned and found Bitsy staring after them while carrying on an animated conversation with the unseen party on the other end of the line.
Minutes later they entered Celeste’s office. Her assistant, Daniel, hung up the phone and got to his feet, holding out a pile of paperwork. “Good morning, Ms. Sullivan. Glad to see you back. Here are your phone messages and mail.” He turned to Drew. “Good morning, Mr. Hampton.”
Drew nodded and offered a greeting.
Celeste took in a breath before asking, “Did I miss anything of importance yesterday?”
Her assistant shook his head and stared at a spot on his desk. “It was a slow day. Nothing to bother you about. We were able to handle everything in your absence. There are, however, several luncheons planned today.”
“Jeremiah already filled me in on them.” She glanced at the papers in her hand. “I suppose one of these is my daily calendar?”
“And the weekly schedule as well, Ms. Sullivan, since you weren’t here yesterday to go over it with me.”
“Thank you, Daniel.” She turned away and walked to her inner office, trailed by Drew.
When he closed the door and sat across from her desk, he saw her little frown. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Not a thing.” She tapped a finger on the pile of papers. “Except that everyone’s being so damnably polite, I can hardly stand it.”
His smile was quick and easy. “I think you’re making too much of this. Nobody was whispering or pointing. They all seemed genuinely happy to see you finally take some time away from your work.” He leaned back. “And look at it this way. You still have plenty of time to catch up before your grandfather gets here.”
She nodded. “I wonder what’s keeping him? He’s had more than enough time to fly in from Venice.”
Drew had been thinking the same thing. “Unless he was planning on coming by way of Mars.” He glanced at the paperwork stacked on her desk. “I think I’ll give you some time to deal with that.” He stood. “Maybe I’ll help myself to a cup of the Old Liberty Tavern’s excellent coffee.” He paused. “If you give me a quick kiss, I might be persuaded to bring some back for you.”
She looked up with a laugh. “I can see that you’ve picked up some very bad habits in the past day few days, Mr. Hampton.” She stood and leaned across the desk.
When he held back she arched a brow. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m not the only one with bad habits. Now I suppose you’ll want a kiss along with your coffee every morning.” Instead of meeting her across the desk he strode around it and dragged her close, kissing her long and slow and deep.
She felt the familiar rush of heat, and the way her head began to slowly empty of all thought. She sighed. “You could just skip the coffee, as long as you promise to kiss me like that every morning. I think it packs a bigger jolt than caffeine.”
“You’ve got yourself a deal, Ms. Sullivan.” He strolled out of her office and made his way to the coffee shop.
For Celeste the day went by in a blur of work. It seemed to take her twice as long to handle her paperwork and respond to the phone messages that had piled up in her absence.
Then there were the demands of three separate luncheons, all expecting a personal appearance by the hotel manager. By late afternoon she was grateful for the extra rest she’d managed to store up the previous day. She was more aware than ever of the grueling schedule she’d been keeping in the past year. How had she managed without collapsing? It occurred to her that she had probably been running on pure adrenalin.
She looked up when Drew paused beside her, holding out a cup. “What’s this?”
“Herbal tea. It’ll give you a lift until you have time to stop for dinner.” He glanced at his watch. “Which I’d suggest very soon now, unless you’d like to drop from sheer exhaustion.”
“I’ll wait until Grandpa Sully gets here. I’m sure he’ll want me to join him for dinner.”
“Lessie, it’s way past dinnertime.”
He saw the look on her face and quickly touched a hand to her shoulder to steady her. “Now don’t go thinking something’s wrong. I’m sure he’s just held up by business. You know what kind of days you put in. His are probably no easier.”
“But he has able assistants, Drew. And he said he was coming.” She couldn’t hide her concern.
Seeing the head of catering striding her way, wearing a look of distress, Drew closed a hand over hers and squeezed gently. “You deal with this latest crisis. I’ll find Jeremiah and see if he’s heard anything about your grandfather.”
She gave him a grateful smile. “Thanks, Drew.”
He leaned close to whisper, “You can thank me later.”
Then he was gone.
The day had long ago bled into evening, and evening into night, when Drew found Celeste shaking hands with a delegation of nurses who had come to town to check out the Old Liberty Tavern’s accommodations for a proposed convention the following year.
He waited until they were gone, then walked up behind her and began massaging the taut muscles of her shoulders.
“Oh, that feels so good.” She allowed herself to lean into him a moment, loving the feel of his strong hands on her. Then she turned her head to glance at him. “What did you learn about Grandpa Sully?”
“It seems he’s delayed his flight for another day.”
She turned to face him, her brows drawn together in a thoughtful frown. “Did he say why?”
Drew shook his head. “No reason given. Jeremiah just said he’d heard from him, and he expects to be in tomorrow.”
Sh
e gave a sigh of resignation, pressing her forehead to his. “I’m sure he has his reasons.”
She stepped back abruptly when she saw one of the bellmen approaching.
Drew saw the weariness in her eyes. “Time to call it a day, Ms. Sullivan. I intend to order up dinner.”
She managed a smile. “My place or yours?”
“Yours. But it won’t be up there for a while. I thought that would give you time to go upstairs and take a long, soaking bath.”
“What makes you think I want a bath?”
He gave her one of those quick, heart-stopping grins. “You know you like nothing better than to soak in the tub after a long day. And if you go right now, you can have the place to yourself. If you delay another half an hour, you’ll have company, whether you like it or not.”
“And who might my company be?”
“A frog. Who happens to like splashing in your bath. Now, do you want to tell me what you’d like for dinner?”
“Frog legs.” She couldn’t help laughing at his menacing look. “Well, I guess that means I’d better change my mind.” She thought a minute, then shrugged. “My brain’s too fogged. You’ll have to order for me.”
He touched a finger to her lips. Just a touch, but she felt the heat as surely as a kiss. “I like ordering for you. In fact, I can’t think of anything I like better than just taking care of you.”
He watched as she headed toward the elevator. Then he turned in the opposite direction, planning their menu.
“This is nice.” Celeste had tied her hair up with combs while soaking in the bath. Now damp little tendrils had pulled loose in the night air to kiss her cheeks. “I think I’m almost glad Grandpa Sully is delayed.”
She had slipped into a pale green silk kimono. From the way it skimmed her body, revealing every line and curve, it was obvious that she wore nothing under it. A fact that had Drew’s heart beating a little faster than normal as he poured cool, pale champagne into two tulip glasses.
He’d changed from his business suit to faded denims and a silk T-shirt the color of putty.
