by Kait Gamble
Truth was, she had been the one thinking about running the idea past Jo. It seemed like the best place to go to get away from everything and get her head together. The sooner the better.
Alex held her gaze steadily. “What if I told you that I know of another radical hotel that no one else knows about and that it’s much better? And that I can give you exclusive access?”
That made her pause mid-chew. Curiosity on the rise, she carefully swallowed the succulent melon. “Really? Where is it? What makes it better than giraffes at your window or lions wandering past your villa?”
“Well, there is less of a chance that you’ll be eaten, for one.” He smiled and impaled a bit of kiwi. “Are you interested in seeing it?”
He knew he had her, Maia could see it in his smile. How could she say no? She was practically salivating at the idea of seeing something no one else even had an inkling about.
She did her best to appear calm and businesslike, though she had to concentrate to keep herself from bouncing out of her seat. “I need to know a little more before I can answer. I’m assuming it’s a project that the Girard Group is working on.”
Alex slung his arm over the back of the chair. “Naturally.”
He was enjoying teasing her. Baiting her. The slight smirk was the only indication that she needed.
She took a leisurely sip of her coffee. “Will you at least tell me where it is?”
Alex leaned in. “Imagine paradise.”
Not one to back down, Maia leaned closer as well. “I have a very vivid imagination. The word ‘paradise’ can encompass a lot. I want facts, not fantasy.”
The smirk on his face grew. “How about I arrange for a visit? If you have time in your busy schedule, that is.”
Maia nodded. “I’ll have to make a few calls, but I don’t see there being a problem.”
The smile turned satisfied. “Wonderful. I’ll sort out the details and will get back to you. Are you enjoying your breakfast?”
“I am.” Maia took another bite to prove it. “Are you going to tell me anything about your new hotel?”
“No.”
She smiled around her fork.
“Just think of it as going on an adventure.”
It was an adventure. Then the idea started to sink in. She didn’t know where they were going. Or who else would be there. Would they be alone? She wasn’t sure if she could handle that. “Will your father be coming? Maybe Chloe should come along too?”
“Are you afraid of being alone with me, Maia?”
Her eyes met his and for an instant, she was sure he was reading her mind. “No.”
“Good, because you shouldn’t be. I’ll see what my father thinks, of course. But we shouldn’t bother Chloe. There isn’t much for her there. It’s not her kind of resort.”
Maia didn’t want her there anyway, but she figured any buffer was better than none. “I guess it wouldn’t be.” She stuffed the remainder of her meal into her mouth. “Thank you for breakfast.”
“You’re very welcome.” He made no move to leave.
Maia pushed the plate closer toward him, hoping he would take the hint.
He didn’t.
Alex leisurely sipped the last of his coffee and placed it on the table. “I thought we could spend a little time together. I could show you around the hotel. I know more about the refurbishment than anyone, except perhaps my father.”
Of course he would. He was the head architect on the project. Picking his brain about little details did appeal to her. At least the intellectual side of her. Her ambitious side.
Giving him a small, apologetic shrug, she looked down at herself before turning her gaze back to him. “If you give me a few minutes, I’d be glad to join you.”
Alex nodded, but still didn’t take the hint that she wanted him out of the room. At least for the moment. Instead, he pulled out his phone. “I’ll be on the balcony.”
At least he was out of her way.
Alex stared out at the ocean. He hadn’t meant to give away the new project. Although it was almost ready for opening, there were a few kinks that had to be worked out before he would allow an announcement. But hearing Maia’s plans to get away from him so soon had triggered a gut reaction. He had to find a way to make her stay. To find a way for them to spend more time together.
Teasing her with the new resort seemed to be the only thing he could entice her with. But he was willing to do just about anything to keep her around just a little while longer.
After dropping her off the night before, he’d had a hell of a time getting to sleep. He had found himself dwelling on what Tomas had told him about Maia. That, and the woman herself. Maia had looked stunning, if a little pale and apprehensive of the party. He hadn’t been able to keep his eyes off her. When the car had swerved around the corner and sent her careening into him, he’d felt a flare of awareness that hadn’t subsided the entire night.
Watching Tomas fawn over her hadn’t settled well. He’d never thought of himself as a territorial man, but seeing his friend take care of Maia had created a potent ball of fury in his gut that had caught him off guard. He’d never felt the urge to punch another man because of a woman before—he’d never had to—but he’d come close to it last night. Very close.
Alex shook it off and turned, leaning against the railing. He caught a glimpse of Maia in the bathroom as he pulled out his phone but he dropped it back in his pocket as his fingers suddenly malfunctioned. The sight of her in bra and panties, even the sliver of her that he’d seen, was tantalizing and shot blood straight to his groin. It made him wonder what it would be like to have her look at him without the apprehension in her eyes. Or how she would look under him flushed and in the throes of passion.
Turning away again, he gripped the rail, trying to get his head and libido under control. He hadn’t been lying when he’d told her that she made him feel something. He just wasn’t sure what exactly it was that he felt. What Alex did know was that he wasn’t ready to let her go. Not until he figured it out.
He fished out his phone again and dialed.
Maia rushed through her usual morning routine. She showered, dressed and put on a light layer of makeup. By the time she felt ready to face him, she was pulling her still damp hair into a ponytail. When she walked back into the living space, Alex stepped back into the room, wafting in with him the tantalizing scent of the sea and morning sun.
His gaze traveled down her body and he smiled appreciatively as it made the return trip up. “You look wonderful.”
Maia wouldn’t admit it but she had made a tiny bit more of an effort than she usually would when she was spending the day on her own. Of course she had. She would be all over the hotel. It didn’t hurt to make a good impression. Because that’s why she’d done it.
She toyed with the earrings she’d had to dig through her suitcase to find. “Thanks.” She paused when she noticed the tidiness of the room. How long had she been in there? The dishes were cleared away and the room was spotless. “Was housekeeping here?”
“Briefly. They’ll be back later to tidy properly.” He slipped the phone back into his pocket. “Ready?”
As she ever would be.
* * * *
The next few hours were spent exploring the lavish hotel. Alex was amazingly knowledgeable about nearly every aspect of the building, from the tiniest detail up to the overall vision of the rebuild. Watching him talk about his work and the passion he had for the hotel showed her a very different side of him.
This was the Alex who loved his work. Who never stopped thinking or looking for something new to invent or create. The Alex who was just emerging before he’d disappeared. The one she had fallen in love with.
It made the afternoon agony to get through. Maia focused on getting her notes and not finding a way of pressing herself up against him like she wanted to.
Outside, and staring at the magnificent building and the equally handsome man with new eyes, Maia felt herself falling in love with the
hotel, the city, Alex…
“Maia?” Alex touched her arm, bringing her mind back to the present. “Is something wrong?” He stuck his cell phone back in his pocket.
She’d obviously missed a lot while she was staring. She shook her head. “I’m fine.”
Alex didn’t look so sure. “I’ve spoken with my father and he was delighted to hear that you’re interested in seeing the new hotel. We can leave tonight.”
“Great.” That was a lot quicker than she’d anticipated. Then again, what did she expect? He didn’t seem like the type of guy who would hang about if there was something he wanted. And Guillaume was their biggest cheerleader. He wouldn’t stop them even if they were heading to nothing but a strip of sand in the ocean.
His eyebrows dropped together. “You don’t sound so enthused. Is something wrong?”
“Not at all.” Only that she was freaking out at the thought of traveling to an unknown location with Alex. Alone. Why did she have to be so eager to get the jump on everyone else? If she just took a second to think about things… That was the problem with just being around Alex. He made her lose her head.
She shrugged. “Maybe we should reschedule for another time. I have this article to finish and I haven’t even spoken to Jo yet about your new hotel…”
Alex frowned, but it was quickly replaced with a cajoling smile. “Nonsense. I’m sure your editor will love getting the scoop on a new resort. And you’ll have plenty of time once we’re there to work on your article and polish it to perfection.”
Maia couldn’t think of an argument that would make a logical excuse not to go.
“Pack light. I’ll pick you up in a couple of hours.” He leveled his gaze at her. “Unless you think you need more time.”
That would just give her more time to worry. “I just need my laptop and… What will I need?”
He grinned. “Just pack for a warm climate.”
That was one mystery down. Maia pictured a tropical paradise with palm trees and crystalline water. Knowing Alex, he would have built paradise. But how would she get through the trip without going crazy?
Chapter Eight
By the time the helicopter dipped to land on a tiny patch of land, the fatigue of the twelve-hour flight had started to get to her. But the sight of the four villas situated on opposite ends of the little island perked her up considerably. It was a brilliant idea. Small. Quiet. Intimate. Perfect.
“Like what you see?”
Maia grinned, unable to hide her enthusiasm. “It’s gorgeous.”
His smile matched hers. “Wait until you get down there.”
A small retinue of porters greeted them at the helipad and escorted them to a villa that perched on the water at the end of a long jetty.
The villa was opened with a smile and a bow.
What she saw inside took her breath away.
It was luxurious and tastefully decorated with local flair. Wood was the hero of the décor. It was everywhere. From the woven ceiling to the walls and floors. The natural grain gave the illusion of being inside a little indigenous hut while the furniture and amenities remained the height of luxury. The result was fantastic. Like being in a decadent dream world.
Maia rounded the room, taking everything in. The living area was sumptuously decorated with a couch that beckoned them to lounge on it. There was a dining area but, curiously, nothing resembling a kitchen or sleeping area.
When she turned to Alex, she could tell from the smile on his face that he knew what she was thinking. “Follow me.”
Behind the couch was a staircase that led to an area that was situated under the patio out back.
Maia’s eyes widened with every step.
The bedroom was dominated by a huge, lux bed, but the thing that made her jaw drop was the entire room, save for the wall the bed rested against, which was encircled by glass. Maia marveled at the ocean life around them. The dimming sunlight from above turned the water a dark sapphire, but she could still see the colorful coral reaching into the water. Schools of rainbow-hued fish darted about seemingly as curious about Maia and Alex as they were about them. It was magnificent. She could only imagine what it would look like out there in the light of day.
“So what do you think?”
As if he couldn’t tell from the way her jaw was hanging that she loved everything about this place. “I still don’t see a kitchen,” she teased with a smile.
“That’s because we have a world-renowned chef on the island who will prepare you what you like according to a questionnaire I took the liberty of filling out for the both of us. He will judge our tastes and create meals specifically for us.”
That was amazing. “And he’s been sitting around waiting for us? I thought this place wasn’t open yet.”
“I wanted you to have the full experience, so while this is the only villa running right now, we will have every luxury that will be at our guests’ disposal.” He chuckled. “If you’re worried about putting them out, don’t be. They are getting fully compensated for their time and effort.”
That wasn’t exactly what she was thinking. As much as she didn’t like the idea of people just sitting around waiting to do stuff for her, Maia was more worried about what it was going to be like to have to leave this place when it was all over.
“Wait a second. This is the only villa running?” Her heart started to flutter.
“Yes, I thought that having two running just for us would be a waste.” Alex stepped closer but stopped just a hair’s breadth from her. “Don’t worry. I’ll take the couch.”
It made her feel a little better, but she was afraid that the longer she spent here, the less time he’d be spending on that couch. And that he’d engineered it that way.
His phone buzzed and, with a quick glance, he smiled. “The chef has prepared a light meal to welcome us.” Alex let his eyes wander over her fatigued form. “Unless you’d rather skip it and go straight to bed.”
She knew what he meant and that it wasn’t supposed to be as suggestive as it sounded, but her stomach flipped just the same. “It would be a shame to let good food go to waste.”
His smile tilted in amusement. “Indeed.”
Alex let her go up the stairs first but once she got to the top, there was nothing around that indicated there was food about.
“Head outside. Back to the beach. To your right.”
She didn’t have to see him to know that he was smiling.
Maia did as she was told and was grinning with delight even before she reached the beach.
A decadent picnic was set up that looked like something out of the Arabian Nights. Candles flickered in colored glasses spread out over the sand. They converged on a simple gazebo with a palm roof sparkling with white lights and gossamer curtains that billowed in the sweetly fragrant breeze. On the sand within there was a triangular blanket that was held in place with more candles, the largest of which was in the middle at the center of a spread of finger food all carefully covered with little nets. An ice bucket and two champagne flutes glittered in the flickering light. Brightly colored pillows marked their seats, which Maia took without a second thought.
She curled her legs under her and inhaled deeply. The air there was fresh, salted with the sea, perfumed with exotic flowers and spiced with the food laid out before them. The ambience was different from the sultry, hectic city vibe of Nice. As far as she was concerned, it was perfect.
Alex sat next to her, leaning on one elbow, a knee angled toward the star-sprinkled sky. He lifted the nets one by one revealing plates that looked more like art than something to be eaten. Everything she could see was mouth-watering. How did he know what to pick? They hadn’t eaten together often enough for him to know what she preferred…
He picked up a skewer laden with plump grilled prawns. “Enjoy. You must be hungry.”
She was. Maia copied him because the prawns looked amazing and quickly followed up with a glistening chicken wing that was coated in something both sweet and fiery
.
Not much was said during their meal. She got the impression that he was as starving as she was. It didn’t take them long to decimate the food and empty half the bottle of champagne.
“Feeling better?” Alex sipped the last of his drink and put the glittering glass down.
“Much.” All she needed now was a good night’s sleep, but how could she when her mind was buzzing about the possibilities that the following day brought? “What’s on the agenda for tomorrow?”
“I thought I would give you a glimpse of what lovers would have to expect when coming to visit the island.”
Her pulse flared. “Really? So what would that entail?”
“A slice of island life. More good food. Exploring ruins in Belize. Massages. Diving. Lounging.” He caught her eye. “Anything you want to do.”
Being so close to him made Maia want to do a lot of things. None of which she was going to allow herself.
“Right now I just want to try out that bed.” Maia realized just how suggestive it sounded the moment the words left her lips. She clamped her mouth shut in an attempt not to further embarrass herself.
He said nothing as he stood up. Alex reached out a hand and helped her to her feet. He refused to let go. Instead, he linked their fingers together as they quietly made their way back to the villa.
It would have been so easy for her to fall under the spell of the island and truly believe that they were a pair of vacationing lovers looking for time away together.
Maia snapped herself out of it. She was there to do a job. For her career. Her long-ignored libido could just stay out of it. Only, with Alex holding her hand and the magic of the island, it was giving her a serious punch to the gut, reminding her just how long it had been since she’d been with a man. With Alex.
The moment they reached the door, she pulled her hand out of his grasp. “I’ll see you in the morning.” She gave him what felt even to her like a weak smile and darted down to the bedroom.
It didn’t take her long to find the controls to the windows. The smart glass instantly fogged ensuring her privacy, not that she had anything to worry about besides the fish.
