Luke circled the island and came to stand directly in front of her. Taking her hands, he looked directly into her eyes.
“You will pull it off,” he assured her. “There’s not a doubt in my mind that this will be the greatest party and re-launch ever. You’re a mastermind when it comes to organizing and bossing people around.”
Kelly couldn’t help but laugh and shake her head. “I’m not bossy.”
“You did a hell of a job bossing me in Oahu,” he reminded her, then placed a quick, sweet kiss on the tip of her nose. “I need to grab a shower before I eat. I’m still straight off the plane and I want to change.”
“No problem. I’ll just fix up a plate and get us some wine.”
He stared at her for a moment and she thought he was going to say something, but he ended up just releasing her hands.
“Give me ten minutes,” he told her before he left the room and headed toward the stairs.
Kelly hoped he didn’t mind coming home to her in the kitchen like she belonged here. She’d gotten fidgety waiting on him and then her stomach had started growling. Next thing she’d known she was boiling pasta and making marinara sauce.
Searching through the cabinets once again, she found plates and utensils. It took a bit to find the wine opener, but then she realized he had an electric one on the counter above the wine fridge.
When he still hadn’t come down, she wondered if he’d gotten busy with emails or phone calls. She waited nearly twenty minutes before heading upstairs to check on him.
The minute she rounded the corner of his bedroom, she stopped short. There he was wearing only a towel around his waist, face down on his bed...fast asleep.
A twinge of disappointment coursed through her. So much for a romantic evening and picking up where they’d left off at the resort.
Kelly snuck away and went back downstairs. After eating a quick dinner, she cleaned up the kitchen and put the leftovers away. She’d already showered and changed at her place before she came here and now she needed to unwind. Her mind was racing and her thoughts too revved up to go to sleep.
With her laptop and phone, she decided to go to the back enclosed patio that overlooked the pond. The cozy oversize chaise in the corner called her name the moment she’d seen it earlier.
She settled in and started working on emails, spreadsheets, decor ideas, and everything that would be involved in throwing a last minute, lavish party. Her work was definitely cut out for her, but she’d never failed Luke before, and she certainly didn’t intend to start now. Their professional relationship was stronger than ever, but she had no clue about their romantic future. She had a sinking feeling someone was going to get hurt...and that someone would likely be her.
* * *
“As you can see here, there would be specialty suites in an entirely different area of our resorts.”
Luke pointed to the mock-up slide he’d put up on the screen in the boardroom. Kelly sat at the opposite end of the table and tried to gauge the faces of everyone in attendance.
Ava seemed completely enthralled at the ideas Luke presented. She’d eased forward in her seat, with her brows raised, and it was clear her nephew had her undivided attention.
Zeke seemed relaxed, as usual, as he sat back in his leather chair. The other board members were all staring up at the screen and, every now and then, Luke would glance her way and the butterflies would start fluttering all over again.
She’d spent the past two nights at his house, but this morning he’d been up and gone before she even woke. Since Saturday night, they had shared a bed, but nothing more than a few sultry kisses had been exchanged. He was all in work-mode and ready to get this morning meeting to the members of the board.
He’d been so restless last night. At one point she’d just rested her hand on his back and he’d calmed down. She knew he was nervous, but she also knew this whole plan was so splendid, there would be no way it would fail.
She didn’t want to bring up the proverbial elephant: their relationship. Once this party was over and they were riding the high of moving forward, she would talk to him. He deserved to know how she felt and give him the chance to tell her how he felt.
They were so connected on the island, and they weren’t necessarily disconnected here, but they also weren’t as open and talkative. Right now it was just all work. She wanted more...she shouldn’t, but she did.
“We can still appeal to the corporate travelers,” Luke went on, pulling her focus back to the meeting. “But that will no longer be our target audience. We will transform seventy percent of all resort rooms to accommodate couples for special, tranquil retreats. And we will offer a diverse range of packages for people on a budget all the way up to people who don’t care how much they have to spend for their significant other.”
Luke pivoted from the screen and tapped on his laptop, then turned back to the new slide.
“This would be the projected budget,” he added. “And if you look on the next slide, you will see the projections of income if we have eighty percent booked by spring.”
Kelly watched him in action, never more proud of the position he was in and the stand he was taking to protect his family, his company and the employees who depended on Wingate.
“This is a risk,” Ava finally said when Luke was finished.
Luke nodded in agreement, his eyes meeting Kelly’s briefly. She gave him a reassuring nod and he focused his attention back to his aunt.
“There’s going to be a risk in any decision we make moving forward,” he agreed. “This is the best-case scenario. Honeymooners, couples celebrating anniversaries, someone trying to get back in a partner’s good graces, or a suitor pulling out all the stops to win someone’s love...these are all everyday people who need a nice, reputable resort. Wingate can and will provide those services and be the greatest name when people go to book their getaways.”
“Reagan’s ready to book the first platinum package,” Zeke chimed in. “I reminded her we already have a private jet at our disposal.”
Ava tapped her short nails on the glossy table and Kelly couldn’t stop staring, waiting for her final reaction. Although she knew the family matriarch wouldn’t have the ultimate say on the matter, especially since the party and roll-out were already in place. This board meeting was more of a formality and a heads-up so everyone would be on the same page and able to answer any questions at the event.
“I trust you on this,” Ava told Luke and Zeke. “I know you boys wouldn’t steer this company in the wrong direction. You clearly believe this is the way to go and I am behind you a hundred percent.”
Luke smiled, and Kelly could see the relief cross his face. He wanted Ava’s approval. They’d been through so much together since his parents’ passing. Not only had they been through heartache personally, they had also endured it professionally.
And with Keith being exposed as the criminal bastard he was, that had been another hard blow to all of them. He’d been a trusted figure in their lives. Now he was behind bars awaiting a trial. Kelly didn’t even know how difficult that day would be when several of them had to testify...namely Ava and Luke.
“We have marketing working on the designs and various information for the guests this weekend,” Luke went on. “Kelly has already contacted their caterer and set up the music. She’s got the decor sorted out, as well.”
“We’ll be working around the Christmas decor the Clubhouse already has in place, but it will have a flare for romantic getaways, as well,” she told everyone.
Luke caught her eye again, and she smiled. Then he went on to discuss the party in more detail and the way the evening would play out and the roles each of them would have.
Kelly continued to add to her notes. Luke had already gone over everything with her before they came in, but as he spoke, more ideas popped into her head and she wanted to type them in before she forgo
t. They needed to send out a company-wide memo in addition to an invitation to the party with a message to bring as many guests as possible. This needed to be a grand event to celebrate Wingate’s big comeback.
As the meeting came to an end and everyone filed out the door, Kelly saw Zeke go to the head of the conference table and mutter something to his brother. Luke glanced up to her and she stilled.
“Could you excuse us?” Luke asked.
Kelly nodded and gathered her laptop and left the room, pulling the door closed behind her. She didn’t know what the brothers needed to discuss, but she had a sinking feeling this wasn’t about work and had everything to do with her.
* * *
“What the hell are you doing?” Zeke demanded.
Luke stared at his brother. “About what?”
“Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about.”
Rubbing his coarse beard, Luke shook his head. “I don’t know. I thought the meeting went really well.”
Zeke stepped closer. “You mean while you were shooting smiles and heart eyes at your assistant at the other end of the table? I asked what happened in Oahu and you denied everything.”
Luke pulled in a deep breath. Had other people noticed? Had Ava or the few other members around the table? Hopefully they’d been too focused on the presentation to catch anything he had been unaware he was giving off.
“Do you want to tell me what’s going on with Kelly?” Zeke asked. “And don’t tell me she’s just your assistant. I know that trip changed both of you.”
“Fine. She’s more. Is that what you want to hear?”
Zeke stared for another minute before taking a step back and cursing beneath his breath.
“What in the world are you thinking?” he demanded. “We’re in crisis-mode. That wasn’t my intention when I sent you on that trip.”
“What I do in my spare time is none of your damn business.” Luke willed himself to have patience here, because his brother didn’t know the details. “Kelly and I have nothing to do with you.”
Zeke nodded. “When it starts interfering with meetings, it sure as hell does.”
His brother continued to glower at him, obviously waiting on more of an explanation.
“Kelly and I got closer on the trip,” Luke added. “Details aren’t necessary, but that’s how we came up with this idea for Wingate.”
Silence surrounded them and Luke hated that he felt like he had to justify his actions when none of this was Zeke’s concern.
“Nobody is aware and I want things to stay that way,” Luke explained. “Kelly wasn’t just a fling and she’s not fodder for office gossip.”
Zeke’s brows drew in as he jerked slightly in obvious surprise. “You care for her.”
This was sure as hell not a conversation Luke had time for, nor did he want to get into with his brother at the office. There were too many other things to be doing, and Luke hadn’t even sorted out his emotions yet. If he had serious feelings, then Kelly was the first person who needed to know.
“Your silence speaks for itself,” Zeke stated.
“My silence is because I’m ignoring you. Nothing is said to Kelly or anyone else.”
Zeke’s face split into a wide grin. “Hey, if you want to keep your love life a secret, that’s fine. But it will come out sooner or later.”
Luke absolutely refused to answer. He could only handle so much at one time and he was juggling too many balls. If he dropped any, there would be another crisis.
He couldn’t let Wingate down and he couldn’t let Kelly down, either. He cared too much for the both of them and that scared the hell out of him.
Seventeen
Kelly hung her dress back in the walk-in closet and zipped the garment bag before closing the closet doors. She couldn’t believe she had time to find a dress and one that fit perfectly without alterations.
She wanted to look her best for the party and for Luke. Every detail had been worked out and the buzz around Royal was spreading like wildfire, with everyone wondering what the announcement could be from Wingate.
Luke had worked late every night this week, falling into bed almost immediately after he’d gotten in. They’d barely talked, except at work, while finishing up the final touches of the party. But he had so much more to do, because the resorts were all being informed of the upgrades and the changes. He’d been busy, in contact with all of those managers and having conference calls.
He’d stolen a few kisses and ass-grabs here and there, but nothing more. The real world really did hit them hard now that they were back, but there was so much to be done to move into this next phase.
She still felt a little strange being at his house, but since he’d asked her to stay, he’d never mentioned her leaving and she’d fallen into a pattern.
She’d been here nearly a week and they hadn’t made love one time. Had she just become an afterthought for him? Had their getaway been just a fling? Why had he asked her to stay to begin with if he didn’t want to keep up what they’d had?
Once the party was over tomorrow, she would talk to him about where they stood. She understood his work was important to him, but now that her heart was involved, she didn’t want to come second place if he was having feelings for her.
But she had to finesse this carefully. Because on one hand, she didn’t want to come across as his needy ex. Kelly truly valued his commitment to his job. But on the other hand, if they were going to try at any type of relationship, she needed to know she was an important part of his life as more than his assistant.
A gnawing pit in her stomach opened up at the realization that maybe Luke didn’t want more. She knew he’d always been career-oriented. That part of his life was actually appealing to her, but he’d never claimed to want a serious relationship. He’d never claimed to want a family or a wife.
Kelly cursed herself for being naive, for letting their trip clog her mind with romantic notions about the two of them that might never be fulfilled. She had to talk to him, openly and honestly, and she had to stop trying to dance around the subject.
Luke needed to know she’d fallen in love with him. He deserved to have all of the information so then he could decide where he stood and what he wanted from this relationship.
She didn’t expect him home until late tonight, either. She knew he was at the office with Zeke working on the steps to take to make this transition with the resorts as flawless as possible.
Kelly had spent the evening at the TCC clubhouse decorating and making sure everything was absolutely perfect. She planned on being there tomorrow afternoon, as well. Reagan had offered to meet her and work on the final touches and helping the caterers get everything set out exactly where she wanted the dishes to go for easy flow.
Kelly couldn’t help but have that rush of excitement over this party. She felt sexy in her dress and she couldn’t wait to show Luke. Maybe tomorrow, after she told him she loved him, they could reconnect and pick up from where they’d left off in Hawaii.
She had hope. The way he looked at her, and the way he appreciated her, gave her that spark of encouragement. She wasn’t one to be clingy or beg, though. If Luke didn’t have the same feelings or want to work on something more solid than a work relationship or a quick fling, then she would have to move on. Just because she felt so strongly, didn’t mean that he did. Her feelings had nurtured and grown over the years and Luke had just seen her as little more than his right-hand-woman less than two weeks ago.
Kelly tried to put her nerves to rest and decided to give herself a home manicure and pedi. She wanted to look her best for the re-launch party, and she just needed a little self-care time.
Tomorrow was going to be memorable in both her personal and professional life. She only hoped everything went the way she’d hoped and planned...otherwise, her heart was going to be shattered. If he didn’t want more, t
hey would have to part ways in all aspects and that meant she’d have to find a new employer. She had no Plan B, but while she was confident she could recover from her job, she wasn’t so sure she’d bounce back from losing Luke.
* * *
“Wow. You look hot.”
Kelly laughed and did a slow turn in her emerald green strapless ball gown. Reagan let out a slow whistle and a clap.
“There won’t be a single man here with his eyes in his head,” Reagan laughed. “And maybe some women, too. Damn, that dress is amazing.”
Kelly loved it from the moment she’d seen it online. She’d paid for overnight shipping and prayed it would fit. The deep V in the front was nearly indecent, but the flare of the skirt gave it a softer touch. It was the best of both worlds, being classy and sultry at the same time. And the emerald green both set off her red hair and celebrated Christmas. She loved this dress so much, she might never take it off. Cleaning house and doing laundry was about to get a face-lift from her usual sweats and tees.
“I’m not looking for the guests to check out this dress,” Kelly stated. “I’d rather they look ahead to book a suite.”
Reagan slid her hands in the pockets of her full red shirt and smiled. “Honey, they will flock to those rooms and be sure to tell all their friends they were the first to book at the newest, poshest resorts. And then those friends will get jealous and the trickle down effect will begin.”
Kelly sighed. “I hope you’re right. I’m so nervous.”
“No need to be nervous.” Reagan leaned in so the workers setting up the tables wouldn’t overhear. “Unless you’re nervous how a certain someone is going to react when he sees you in that dress.”
Kelly’s unease grew even more and she wondered how much Reagan knew.
“Don’t worry,” the other woman stated with a soft smile. “I don’t officially know anything, but I saw the way Luke talked about you the other day, and I see it in your eyes now.”
Tempted by the Boss Page 12
