Holiday Temptation

by Donna Hill

  “I’m glad to hear it. Usually it is not said so kindly.”

  Essie looked at him once again, and there was a hint of something in his eyes. A certain longing. A hurt. For a moment she couldn’t help but wonder if it was a woman bringing that look into his eyes. She wanted to ask, but she knew it wasn’t her place. And then he blinked, and as she’d seen him do before, his expression quickly changed and he was cool. Not emotionless, but there was no sign of the brief hint of hurt she had seen. Just the smooth assurance he usually exuded.

  “The sun is getting strong. Would you join me for a stroll around the deck? We never took that walk last night.”

  Essie looked at him and thought of Misha and her ever-so-obvious setup. She wondered if he was in on it, too, and felt her lips twist. What if he was? Would that be so bad? What was the harm in having some fun for a change? She’d earned it, working pretty much nonstop this past year. “Fine, but you’ll join me in the kitchen after we go out.”

  “Of course,” he said, getting up and heading for the deck’s open doors, confident in the knowledge she’d follow. When she didn’t immediately, Ross paused and turned back, putting out his hand. “Please walk with me awhile, Essie?”

  Fighting not to overthink, Essie reached out and took Ross’s hand in her own, ignoring the smooth, easy fit. “Okay, Ross, show me around. But after that, it’s my turn and in my kitchen, and you’re my student. So I’m in charge?”

  He grinned. “Deal,” he said with a mischievous look in his eyes. “How about we seal it with a kiss?”

  Essie pushed at him playfully, but followed it by pulling him down until his lips met hers once again. She kissed him until she felt they both needed to jump into the water and cool off. Ross’s low moan followed by his erection when she rubbed against him was her clear indication she’d gotten the best of him. She pulled back and looked up into his eyes. “I told you, Ross. You make me do the most improper things.”

  He smiled. “And once again, I’m so glad for it.” But he pulled away from her and took her hand again. “Still, I don’t want to rush you. At least not an hour into our first full day together. Besides,” he said, taking a breath, “if I don’t slow down, I may embarrass myself.”

  Essie couldn’t help the inner smile that showed on the outside with that one. She knew she was good-looking enough and did fine with men. At least no one was kicking her out of bed or turning her down, but no one was openly expressing to her that she made them feel out of control. It was nice, if not surprising, and she couldn’t help but wonder if it was some sort of line. She looked at Ross and tried to hide her skepticism.

  “Sure. Let’s walk. Tell me about your project.”

  As they walked, Ross told her about the resort he was building. It was an offshoot of his Bermuda resort. But closer to Miami. Essie was amazed at the size and scope of the project and the fact that it sounded like a mini utopia, sort of a Fantasy Island for the new set. If he could pull it off, it would be great. Not that she’d see the likes of it. It sounded like “if you have to ask the cost, you can’t afford it.” Single residences, with private chefs, twenty-four-hour maid and concierge service. All top-notch. No amenity spared and, he’d added, practically no wish, within reason, denied. Essie couldn’t help the heat that rushed to her cheeks as her mind wandered to the types of hedonistic fantasies she could explore with Ross in a place like that.

  They made their way back toward the main salon area, and Ross and Essie took lounge chairs on deck to relax in the sun awhile. Essie turned to him. “The island sounds fabulous, and like it’s a huge undertaking. I can see why you’ve been under so much stress with that in the works, plus your other holdings in the city. What made you take it on? Your resort in Bermuda is already successful.”

  Ross’s expression got serious for a moment before he spoke. “I don’t know. Bermuda is wonderful, but I’m ready to expand. In New York I can always go up, and, believe me, I will. But my father made his mark in resorts, and I know he always wanted to do something like this. Could never do something like this. I’m going to be the Montgomery to make it happen.”

  Essie frowned. “Have you spoken with your father about it? Is he one of your investors?”

  Ross’s eyes grew cold. “No. He’s given up on that part of the business. Told me I was a fool to do it. I plan to prove him wrong. Once and for all.”

  Something in Ross’s voice let her know she’d gone far enough with the questions for one morning. She gave him a smile. “Well, you’ll need your strength to do that. What about we hit the kitchen?” She stood and then reached out a hand to pull him up, but Ross pulled her back down on top of him. Her body hit his with a gentle thump.

  “I’d much rather spend time learning more about you, Essie.”

  His lips were strong and self-assured. There was no tentative pretense in this kiss. Ross pulled her into him, his large hands roaming up her thighs and cupping her behind perfectly as if he had some sort of claim to stake as he rubbed her against his hard body. He coaxed her lips apart and his tongue expertly intertwined with hers, stroking against hers until her body was aflame from her toes on up.

  Essie let out a moan when he moved a hand from her behind to the underside of her breast. His thumb teased over her nipple in a circular motion and her most intimate spot went instantly to liquid. “Hell, the things you won’t do to get out of cooperating,” she said, her voice a hoarse whisper as she pushed up against his chest.

  Ross chuckled. “I didn’t get this far by playing fair.”

  Essie came to her feet, taking gulps of air and smoothing down her hair. She looked down at him with narrowed eyes. “No, I don’t think you did.”

  Chapter Twelve

  As they stood at the galley counter, side by side, Ross tried his best to concentrate on what Essie was saying and not just stare at her luscious lips, not to mention her curvy hips. He was ready to break out into a sweat. They had already gotten the shrimp stir fried for the spicy Thai salad they were having for lunch, and now he was chopping, or supposed to be chopping, cucumber. But Essie looked so cute at the stove, her hips giving a little wiggle, which he could almost swear she was unaware of, as she stirred the mixture of shrimp, lime, fish sauce, and onions. At first it seemed like a lot to put together, but he had to admit, she made it seem fun and easy. Essie turned and gave him a smile. Damn those lips. His knife slipped and he nicked his finger. “Ouch!”

  “Watch it!” She came running over to check him out, pulling his hurt finger toward her for scrutiny. “You have to pay attention or you’re going to get hurt. It’s not as simple as it looks.”

  Ross kept staring at her. “Nothing ever is.”

  Essie pulled him toward the sink as she simultaneously turned off the stove. She rinsed his cut thumb, then dried it. She pulled the first-aid kit down with a quick, no-nonsense air and bandaged him. “It’s nothing much, but you have to be careful.” She started to plate their lunch then and, without fanfare, served him at the counter.

  Her eyes now held a seriousness that Ross didn’t want to accept. He leaned in to kiss her, but she backed up and waved a fork.

  “Eat. And enjoy your work. But think about being more careful when you’re in my kitchen.”

  He took a bite, then paused to smile. It was good. Essie gave him a nod of pleasure. “You did well for your first try. You can cook. I don’t see why you rely on eating out so much. All I can tell from our short time together is that you go way too fast. You’re reckless.”

  Ross gave her a frown. A look that normally would end most conversations, but still Essie continued.

  “Save the look, Ross. I see it. It may have gotten you far in business, but if you’re not careful, it could be your downfall.”

  “I doubt that.” He said the words, but something about them still hit him hard.

  “Really, then why am I here?” At this, Ross raised his brow and she dropped her fork. “That’s bullshit, Ross. And it doesn’t look good on you. Be serious with
me for once. It was Misha who first called me from the ER. Something got you in there, scared as shit. You have a boat called Serenity, but it seems like your life is anything but. Why would you even name your boat Serenity if your life is full of chaos?”

  Ross swallowed, trying hard to push down the truth he was sailing from as fast as his boat would take him. But he let it out. “It’s named after my daughter.”

  Essie stared. Her eyes wide, her mouth shut. He wished more than anything she’d say something. Anything. Just fill the silence. Right now he didn’t want it. The silence was worse than anything. Bringing her on board gave him something do to, something to think about besides the fact that he thought just the other day he might die and would be missing another holiday, maybe his final chance to be with his daughter.

  Finally she spoke and said just the wrong thing. “I’m sorry.”

  “I don’t need your pity. I’m fine,” Ross said in a low voice.

  She laughed and somehow it made him feel better. “Yeah, I can see you are.”

  Ross laughed then, too. “You really are a ball-buster, you know that?”

  Essie surprised him by chuckling. “You know, that’s about the nicest thing you could have said to me.”

  * * *

  Essie was glad to break the tension. She could see Ross’s inner struggle, and though she wanted to be a little hard on him, she felt bad for causing him pain. It was clear that his emotions were erratic and raw. He warred with something in his mind and heart. Essie’s own heart broke a little for him and she chided herself for it.

  Shit. Now she remembered seeing behind his desk the photo of the little girl. She was so taken with him that she didn’t look past the obvious and see deeper. Essie wanted to hang her head in shame. She was so focused on her own desires, she completely shut out what was happening with her client.

  Essie could see Ross was uncomfortable, so she eased her way back to his daughter as they shared dessert, a simple brownie a la mode, which he helped make. “How old is your daughter?”

  He swallowed before he answered on a low whisper. “She’s four.”

  The answer took her cracked heart and shattered it. One, because of her age, and two, because it seemed to put to rest any buried thought of a blossoming relationship with him.

  “I can tell you miss her.”

  Ross shrugged. “You can’t miss what you never had. I was only with Yasmine, Serenity’s mother, for the first year of her life. A little less. I never even shared an actual birthday with her. I was on my grind, and I thought Yasmine was all for that, in the beginning. After Serenity, she changed. Said she wanted to settle down, and if it wasn’t with me, then it would be with someone she could make a home with. I get it. For some women, they need that.” He gave Essie a pointed look.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “I’m just looking,” he said.

  “Well, you’re looking like you’re sizing me up, which there is no need to, since I’m only here for ten days. Besides, we’re talking about you and your daughter.”

  “Touché.” Ross let out a sigh. “No matter, Yas and I were spending more time apart than together. Her modeling career was on a downturn and she was ready to settle down. I was not, and, besides, a kid needs stability. I get it. Her new husband has done well by her and Serenity. We talk and Skype. She knows I’m her father.”

  Essie wanted to say something, but the way he ended his speech, it made her wonder if he’d be receptive to anything she had to say. She took a gamble. “I’m sure she does and I’m sure, even if you don’t think so, she misses you. Especially at Christmas. I know I miss my dad.”

  Ross’s expression had her instantly regretting her words. “It’s just he worked a lot. And it was only on his forced time off, Sundays and holidays like Christmas, when we got to spend time together as a family. I cherish that more than I think he ever knew.” She smiled as the good times with her dad came back to her. The laughter and the good food they shared. “It was my father who first taught me how to cook.”

  Ross’s eye widened. “Was he a chef, too?”

  She shook her head. “Oh, no! Just a hungry man with a creative palate. Dad never made the same dish twice. It was always a little different, depending on what we had available. His only day off from driving the bus was Sunday, and he loved cooking for my mother. She worked so hard, so he’d make her these wonderful meals with whatever we had on hand. As I got a little bigger, I’d join him in the kitchen, and we’d laugh together and he’d tell me stories of his family, how one day it would be great to have a family restaurant where we could do this all the time. In the kitchen was the only place he wasn’t stressed about bills, time, the next shift.”

  Ross glided the back of his hand softly and reassuringly along her arm. She gave him a smile as she continued speaking. “He always said we were blessed that God made a way so that we always had a little food on the table. My father died on a Sunday, going in to make a little overtime to get more for our holiday dinner. Christmas was our favorite time. Trimming the tree. Sharing a meal.” Essie stopped talking when Ross reached out and wiped a tear from her cheek, which she hadn’t known she’d shed. “Oh, hell. I’m sorry,” she said.

  “What are you sorry for? It’s me who should be apologizing. Taking you away from your mother on Christmas. No job or amount of money is worth that.”

  She put her hand out to his lips to stop him. “No, this was my choice. You’re bringing me closer to my dream of my own restaurant, and I thank you.” She smiled wide, hoping to elevate the mood. “Now, enough talk. Let me clean this up, and you take care of whatever you planned for this afternoon, and I’ll think up your next fabulous meal.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  As Serenity docked in Bermuda, Essie didn’t know what to expect. Ross told her his business for his resort wouldn’t be more than a couple of hours. It was some trouble with the contractor who was doing renovations on his new state of the art golf course. But still, Ross planned on spending the day there. He wanted to take her out, to show her around, and then they could have dinner together before boarding and heading out to continue their trip to Miami.

  She had to admit she was excited, but also hesitant. Ross wasn’t the type of guy she was used to dating. And it wasn’t as if they were even dating. As soon as they got off the boat, Essie spied the two drivers, with matching Mercedes sedans, waiting for them and knew this wouldn’t be her usual roughing-it trek. What? No mopeds available?

  Ross kissed her easily, as if they were a couple in a comfortable, much longer relationship, when, in reality, they were anything but. She couldn’t help but marvel at his outward show of confidence. Though when they were alone and talking, without the buffer of a sexual flame, she picked up on definite insecurities that waved off him. But Ross did an excellent job of not letting it show. Regarding the crew, he felt no need to make any explanations or excuses about their heating relationship; and, in turn, he encouraged her not to feel it necessary to do so, either. His strong confidence left no room for any second-guessing, and she found she barely got a second glance when she went in to make breakfast this morning.

  Part of it bugged her. Made it feel like them hooking up was something the crew knew was inevitable from the moment she stepped on the ship. It also made her wonder how often he did such a thing.

  As Ross pulled back from their kiss, he stared at Essie hard. “You’re overthinking,” he said.

  She frowned. “You’re right, I am. And it’s a waste of time on such a beautiful day.” Essie gave him a smile and rose up to kiss him, this time enjoying the thrill of his lips against hers. When would she get this opportunity again?

  When she pulled away, he was smiling down at her. “I got you your own car for the afternoon. You take it into town, do some shopping.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out some bills.

  Essie shook her head. “I’ll take the car, but I draw the line at taking your money.”

  Ross sighed. �
�There’s my favorite judge. I was wondering where she went. How about doing your job? Do you mind buying some more fresh produce for the boat?”

  Essie looked down, feeling bad for not giving him the benefit of the doubt. “Sorry,” she said, her voice low as she took the bills.

  “Never be.” He kissed her as he moved around the driver and opened the door for her to get in the car. He kissed her once more. “You’re too sweet to be sorry. Have the driver bring you by the resort around four. I’ll show you around, and we’ll have dinner.”

  As he closed the door and headed toward his own waiting car, Essie fought hard against her sudden feelings of missing him.

  She had the driver drop her off at a spot in town, giving him no further direction except to make it as touristy as possible. She only had a few hours, so she might as well do it up. Candy-colored houses and Bermuda shorts, bring it on!

  Essie explored the cobblestone lanes and colorful facades. She tried to get into the quaint cobblestone streets and the pretty shops, but the high number of couples—hand in hand, and arm in arm—kept bringing her thoughts annoyingly back to Ross. And she knew that thinking of him, or anyone for that matter, right now in the realm of couple’s vacations, matching outfits, and long walks, was a total waste of mental energy.

  Essie paused outside a pretty local art shop window, where there was a display of necklaces. It was funny how she didn’t miss Cam at all. At least not in the way she thought she would. And here she was, just a week ago as he was walking out her door, thinking she’d miss him for a long time to come. Showed what a waste the past two years with him had been.

  A lovely blue stone necklace caught her eye and made her think of her mom. No use mooning over any of this, but she’d get something for her mother. She’d already gotten her the pretty scarf she’d wanted, but this would be a bonus to make up for being away. That decided, Essie walked into the shop.