Evie didn’t comment but took her friend’s hand to show support.
. . . .
“I can’t believe he did that to her!” Sammie huffed while she watched Viv stomp back to her cottage after drinking and commiserating for almost an hour.
Evie shrugged. “Well, maybe he has a girlfriend back in New York, or he’s just not interested.” She was sitting on one of the overstuffed living room chairs and pulled her knees up under her chin, hugging them. “She seemed so upset,” she added quietly.
Sam spun around, “Yes, and we need to do something about it.” Her eyes lit up, and Evie knew that look. It always made her nervous and sometimes even frightened her.
“What do you mean?” Evie said, narrowing her eyes.
Sam beamed as though whatever thought she was having made her immensely proud. “I know exactly what to do,” she said.
“What?” Evie asked, but Sam was already on the phone, calling Daniel.
. . . .
Daniel was sitting in his office doing paperwork, though he wasn’t accomplishing much. Mostly staring out the dirty window, making a mental note to organize the staff to clean them before he left. And he was thinking about that mind-blowing, hotter than hot, best kiss ever.
Vivienne. He’d been such an idiot, and his hand itched to pick up the phone and apologize and tell her everything: Who his father was, and why they’d have no chance in hell of ever being together once she found out.
His chest squeezed. Nothing about that woman should affect him, nothing, and yet he couldn’t seem to help himself. It was the kiss, stupidity at its finest. He’d gotten a taste of her, and it was messing with his head.
“Da girl seems nice,” Marie said from the doorway, startling him.
Daniel sat up straighter, “Yes, she is nice.”
“You like her, I can tell dese tings,” she said, her Jamaican accent heavier than usual. She must be tired. That’s when her accent is thicker.
“I don’t know her very well,” Daniel offered, which was true and also a pathetic way of trying to ignore her question.
“One of da staff saw ya kissin’ da girl.”
Christ, he should have been more careful and more professional. He waved a hand, “It was nothing. I mean, just a passing moment, but it’s not a good idea.”
Marie frowned, “Why not? She seems ta like you, too.” Marie walked closer to Daniel and sat on one of the two worn chairs in front of his desk.
He looked out the window again and then back to Marie. She was a kind woman who worked tirelessly for the orphanage, and Daniel trusted her.
“I like her a great deal. The problem is my family, or, more specifically, my father. When she finds out who he is, she won’t want to have anything to do with me, ever again.”
Marie leaned forward, clearly intrigued, “Daniel, do ya mind me askin’, was dere anything improper between dem?”
Marie always knew the best and most delicate ways to ask even the toughest questions. Daniel half-smiled at the irony of it, “No, it’s not that at all.” He sighed and began to tell Marie the story.
“My father and I always had a difficult relationship. Well, we used to. It’s gotten a lot better in the last few years. Anyway, he and my mother were married for years, but they weren’t together. My dad had his life, and my mom had hers.”
Daniel paused for a moment, remembering how he’d despised his father for cheating on his mother. But when she had been diagnosed with stage-four cancer, his father had rushed to her side. Because of his research and dogged determination, his mother found a specialist who could treat her cancer into remission.
“I’m sorry, Daniel,” Marie said when he finished, “but I don’t see how dat can make someone like Vivienne hate him.”
There was more of course, a lot more, but Daniel didn’t have the energy to rehash it right now. “Suffice it to say, he and Vivienne have had a number of very unpleasant run-ins. She wants nothing to do with him. When she finds out he’s my father, she’ll never want to see me again.”
Marie shook her head. “I know dere’s more to dis story, Daniel,” she said kindly, “but let me say dis. If da girl is half da person I t’ink she is, she won’t let something like a parent she doesn’t like keep her from what she truly wants.”
Marie looked down for a moment, then took a deep breath and continued. “And Daniel, shame on you for not giving dat girl da chance to decide on her own. You should not be making dees decisions for her. Tell her who you are, and let her decide. Unless dat father of yours is an axe murderer, I don’t t’ink it’ll matter much. It’ll just be somt’in the two of you work out, together,” she added, with an emphasis on together.
She stood up and smiled, “Well I need ta be goin’, but I hope you give dat girl a chance. She seems sweet, and I t’ink she’s as crazy ‘bout you as you are ‘bout her.”
And with that, Marie left with a whirl of her colorful skirt, closing the door softly behind her.
It was then that Daniel’s phone rang in his office and he answered to find Samantha on the other end of the line.
12
“This is such a bad idea,” Evie said, standing in the middle of Viv’s suite. A table for two sat in the center of the living room with candles yet to be lit and a bottle of champagne chilling in an ice bucket near the table.
Samantha was arranging flowers in a vase and spun around to her friend, “Don’t go all buzzkill on this. We need to get them together, in a room, for an evening, and let them work out whatever might be going on between them.”
“This just feels forced.”
Sam propped her hands on her slender hips. “Yessssss, that’s exactly the point,” she huffed. “We need to force this, or it’ll never happen. They’re both too stubborn to give in, so this is us, giving nature a helping hand.”
“What if she’s mad?”
Sam rolled her eyes, “She won’t be mad. Come on, she’s being pampered at the spa, and she’ll be spending the evening with one of the most delicious men I’ve ever seen.” She went back to her flower arrangement. “And I’ve met a lot of men,” she added.
Sam and Evie had sent Vivienne off for a spa afternoon, a thank-you gift from the two of them for this trip. Sam had given the manager of the spa specific instructions not to let Viv leave before five, and to make sure someone at the spa did her hair and makeup before they let her go. As a final touch, Sam and Evie bought a beautiful cocktail dress from the hotel shop and sent it over to the spa for Vivienne. The girls told her that they were taking her out on the town tonight, another way to say thank you for a glorious, weeklong vacation.
Samantha finished arranging the flowers and looked around the room, “This looks perfect. Just needs one more thing.” She reached in her bag, pulled out a gift-wrapped box and a note, and placed them both on Vivienne’s bed. When she walked out, Evie was peering through the front window of their friend’s cottage.
“It’s Daniel!” she said, a little too loudly. Sam knew her friend was nervous. This whole scheming thing definitely wasn’t her bag. Evie preferred to let nature take its course, but Sam feared that in this case “nature” would take forever, if it ever happened at all.
Sam opened the door to Vivienne’s suite, and since she was too far away to yell for him, she walked quickly in his direction. When he spotted her, she gave him a little beckoning wave.
“Daniel, over here,” Sam smiled her best, sexiest, come-hither smile. When Daniel started towards her, the first thing she noticed were his eyes. They were dark and intense—the kind of eyes that made a girl want to climb him like a tree.
“Viv sure is lucky,” she muttered under her breath, and then, more loudly, “I’m sorry, we had a leak in our suite this afternoon, and the carpet is drying out.” As she said it, she realized how flimsy it sounded. If he bothered to check, he’d see that there was not a single window or door open to help with the “drying out.” Nor was there the sound of any equipment to help the process along. Sam quickly
added, “We’re in Vivy’s suite this evening. I hope that’s all right. She’s out for the entire evening,” Sam added.
Daniel hesitated and felt an odd knot in his stomach. Vivienne was out? He wondered with whom. He started walking toward Sam, and the closer he got, the more strongly he felt that something was off. Sam had invited him to dinner, insisting that she and Evie wanted to thank him for saving their friend’s life. He’d assured them it wasn’t necessary but finally relented when Sam clearly wasn’t going to give up.
Sam waited for him to reach her, and then they both walked through the open door of the suite, where Evie threw him a hesitant smile.
“It’s good to see you again.” Evie held out her hand and Daniel took it. “Why don’t you come in?” Evie stepped back to let him pass.
“I thought we’d eat here,” Sam said, “since it’s nice and quiet, and the hotel restaurant was booked up this evening. I’m such a bad planner,” she added with a little pout. Daniel was certain that she used that pout frequently, and, in most cases, got her way.
“Listen, ladies, I know you both mean well, but this isn’t necessary. I appreciate it so much, but…” a cork popped, and Evie poured a glass of champagne, which she immediately handed to him.
“Fine then, just one drink,” she said sweetly, and he took the glass. As he did, someone else appeared in the doorway, a hotel staffer with a rolling cart with several covered plates on it. No doubt dinner.
The staff person said, “Shall I leave the cart here, or would you like me to stay?”
Evie spoke up, “No, it’s fine. Just leave it.” She grabbed for her purse, looking for a tip. She handed him a wad of bills. “Thank you so much.”
The staffer straightened, grinning, and said, “Just ring us when you wish to have the cart removed.” He nodded and turned to leave. When he did, they all turned to the doorway and saw Vivienne.
She was wearing a pale blue dress, an A-line that fit all her curves perfectly. Her hair was up, and her makeup perfect. Sam made a mental note to add an extra tip for whoever the stylist was. Her friend looked breathtaking.
“What’s going on here?” Viv asked, moving aside so the staff person could leave. Then she spotted Daniel, wearing a white shirt and jacket, no tie. He looked as surprised as she felt.
Samantha sauntered to the center of the room and held out a glass of champagne, but Vivienne didn’t take it.
“Vivy, please don’t be mad,” Sam said softly, glancing over her shoulder at Daniel. “We thought you two could use an evening alone. You’re too stubborn to call, and we’re guessing the good doc’s been staring at his phone waiting for it to ring, too.” She looked over at Evie, expecting her to add something supportive, but she did not look happy. At all. “Okay, I, decided to intervene.” She turned to Daniel, who had set his glass down.
“Daniel, I’m sorry. I lied to you, too.” And with that Sam grabbed her purse and Evie’s arm and headed toward the door.
“Where are you two going?” Viv demanded, crossing her arms.
“Out,” Sam said simply. “We’ve provided your dinner, and there’s plenty of champagne. We hope you’ll make the most of this night,” she added with an emphasis on the word night. She yanked Evie behind her and they were out the door, closing it behind them.
. . . .
Daniel shoved his hands into his pockets, trying to look at least calm while mentally scrambling madly for stable footing, for some way to get through this awkward and potentially explosive moment with both of them unscathed. Or at least Vivienne unscathed.
“Hey,” she said, putting down her purse, her voice a bit shaky. “I swear I had nothing to do with this.”
Their gazes held for a single, heated, tension-filled beat. That’s when he knew he was all kinds of screwed—upside down, sideways, every which way—because just being near her filled his head with all sorts of ideas. Most of which would require having his lips and hands on her. All over her. She was smart, sexy, and the most beautiful woman he had ever met.
Yep, he was indeed screwed. A smart man would leave. But he wasn’t smart, certainly not when he was around her.
“I’m sorry about earlier,” he said gently as he walked toward her. Vivienne almost took a step back, but he caught her hand before she could. Vivienne stilled, staring at him.
Was the air suddenly too thick to breathe, or was it just him?
“I need some champagne,” she mumbled, pulling her hand away. She was reaching for the champagne bottle when Daniel noticed a slight tremor in her hand.
He was beside her in a second, covering her hand with his. “Let me,” he said, and lifted the bottle from the ice, took a fresh glass, and poured it full. But when he handed it to her, he could swear her eyes dilated and a pink hue rose on her cheeks.
“It’s okay if you want to go,” she said, taking a gulp of the champagne.
Daniel moved closer, ignoring the alarm bells in his head. “Go?” he said, his tone hushed. “Why would I leave? Your friends went to a lot of effort to create this scene.”
Vivienne tipped the half-empty glass to her lips.
His eyes never left her lush, full lips.
“I know,” she said.
“Know what?”
She looked away, then back at him, drawing a deep breath. “I know you’re just not into me. I mean, I got the message.” Her face was blank, but her eyes broke his heart.
He opened his mouth to say something, but she held up her hand, palm toward him. “It’s fine. I’m done with your species anyway. I mean, not done done, just…”
“Are you trying to tell me you’re gay?”
Vivienne shook her head so hard her curls tumbled, and he had to fight the urge to touch them.
“No, not gay, just, you know, not interested right now.”
Daniel scrubbed a hand over his jaw. “Look, Vivienne, it’s not you, at all. I just…” Here they were in this room, alone, and all he could think about was that kiss. That amazing, hot, unforgettable kiss. And he wanted more.
A lot more.
“Just what?”
Daniel moved forward again and they were almost toe-to-toe. “I’ve never met anyone like you. Since the moment I pulled you out of the water, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.”
“Oh,” she breathed, staggering back, her eyes dilated. The pulse at the base of her throat going apeshit crazy.
“Then why did you push me away?” she tossed back the rest of the champagne.
Daniel looked away, then back at her. It was time. He knew it was time. Marie’s words echoed in his head. Give da girl a chance. Yes, he needed to give her a chance. Maybe it wouldn’t matter; maybe Vivienne would be able to separate the father from the son.
“Vivienne, I need to tell you something. It’s about my family.” Daniel reached for the champagne bottle, and then thought better of it. Confessions, especially potentially explosive confessions like this one, required a clear head.
Daniel walked over to the couch and sat down. It was now or never. He needed to tell her, get it over with, and find out where she stood. Then they could either work through it, or she’d send him packing. He feared the latter so much he nearly reconsidered telling her.
Maybe they could have dinner, spend more time together first. He loved just being around her. Maybe he could have just a little bit more of that before she kicked him out, as he was fairly sure she would.
Much to his joy and chagrin, Vivienne sat next to him on the couch. Having her so close made this confession even harder.
“Daniel,” she said gently, “What is it?”
. . . .
“I know when I tell you this, you’ll ask me to leave, and I want you to know first that I’m insane about you. I mean heart-stoppingly, insanely crazy about you. Which is crazy, right? How could I be in love after one date and a couple of hours at the orphanage?”
Vivienne could feel her knee touching his and she reached a hand out and touched his leg. She looked at
him and whispered, “Whatever it is, it can’t be that bad. And for the record, I feel the attraction, too.”
Daniel put his hand over hers and she felt something inside her warm, then melt, then warm again.
“Are you married?” she asked, sure he wasn’t, but it was the only good reason she could think of for him to be so hesitant.
“No.” He shook his head.
“Is your family in jail? Axe murderers? Thieves? Terrorists?”
Daniel reached up and touched her face. “No, none of that.”
Vivienne loved the feel of his hand on her face, and just then something shifted in her. When was the last time she was carefree? Simply let herself be a woman? She couldn’t remember.
For so long it had been work, work, work, with little time for anything else. Part of her longed to be carefree and maybe have a fling with this hot doctor on this romantic island.
“I don’t care,” she whispered, “I honestly don’t care. Whatever it is, it’s you that I…” She wanted to say “want.” It’s you I want—naked, and preferably right freaking now. But it would have been a bad idea to say it out loud. As for good ideas, she had only one. Before she could consider the consequences, she gripped his shirt, hauled him toward her, and kissed him.
“Daniel,” she whispered against his mouth, feeling his lips, his face heat up.
“I know,” he murmured as he took her mouth. Tender, soft, his lips coaxed more than a kiss from her, more and more and more, until she felt open to him and willing to give him everything she had.
He lay her back on the couch, his body over hers, and somewhere in the deep recesses of her mind she felt him unzip her dress. She didn’t care if it was too soon, if there was something he was so desperate to tell her he’d initially pushed her away. This was all she cared about, this man and feeling him on top of her. It had sneaked up on her. He had sneaked up on her. Quiet, strong, and caring, like no one else she’d ever met.
Daniel kissed her neck and eased one of the straps of her dress off of her shoulder.
Abruptly, he stopped kissing her and sat back. “Vivy, I-I really need to say this.”
Loving Vivienne: The Publicist, Book Six Page 5
