Cupid Takes a Wife

by Marie Higgins

  She jumped into action and knelt on the floor. She scooped magazines up. Another person joined in the cleaning, wearing the red and black uniform jacket that the shop’s employees were wearing. The handsome man’s red face looked angrier than it did embarrassed. Of course, she was sure her hot face was due to shame as the feeling washed over her.

  He adjusted the magazine rack. She handed him what she had gathered from off the floor. The glare of his eyes hinted at his impatience with her clumsiness. Although she wanted to apologize again, she didn’t dare this time. Hopefully, he could read it on her expression.

  “Honey? What’s going on?” Blondie’s high-pitched voice echoed in the airport’s terminal area.

  Ivy rolled her eyes. Sure, let’s make a bigger scene, why don’t we…

  “Nothing you need to worry about,” he snapped at the woman.

  Ivy kept her opinions to herself as she continued to hand books and magazines to him and the employee trying to refill the rack. Mr. Hottie blew out a frustrated breath as he stuffed the magazines into their separate slots.

  “Sorry about this,” he told the employee. “I’ll pay for any damages.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” the employee who looked young enough to still be in high school told him. “I don’t see anything damaged.”

  Except for my pride. Ivy frowned. She had definitely not made a friend in that particular plane passenger.

  Once the rack was filled again, the man hurried away from the coffee shop with the blonde woman tagging behind in her four-inch heels. A couple of times, the heels twisted slightly, and Ivy half-expected the woman to tumble to the ground, but that never happened.

  Ivy stood and dusted off her black pants. She gave an apologetic nod to the employee, grabbed her bag, and hurried out of the shop.

  As she headed toward the terminals, she was intercepted by a pretty brunette woman with a friendly smile.

  “Miss Kidman, my name is Cindy, one of the airport’s elite concierges. I’m here to escort you to our private terminal where Mr. Holliday’s jet is waiting.”

  Ivy wanted to laugh. This must be a joke. “I think you have me confused with someone else.”

  “Mr. Holliday said you didn’t need to fly commercial. He has his private jet standing by to deliver you to his resort.”

  Surprised by the kind gesture, she followed the woman to the private terminal of the airport as her heart hammered wildly. Once she reached the area, the concierge guided her onto the tarmack, up the set of metal stairs and into the luxurious, massive white jet.

  The minute she stepped onto the plane, her jaw dropped so low she nearly tripped on it. This wasn’t like what she had imagined. Each leather chair had a matching brown pillow. There were seats facing front and back, and at both sides of the plane were very large, flat-screen televisions. Crystal lamps hung on the interior walls near the chairs. From the scent filling the jet, she wondered if there was a kitchen, as well. She wouldn’t doubt it.

  She found her seat and above it was a personal compartment. Now she finally felt like she was in an airplane. She dug through her carry-on and withdrew her tablet before stuffing the bag in the overhead compartment. She liked that she had a compartment all to herself.

  As she closed the compartment and moved back, she bumped into someone. She stepped on the other person’s foot before she could stop herself.

  “Oh, I’m sorry…” she said, jumping away as quickly as she could. When her gaze met the injured party, she groaned and clenched her teeth. Not him again! What was he doing on the private jet?

  “Are you kidding me?” His voice was sharp with anger. “Are you just normally clumsy or is it just me you want to hurt?”

  Her face heated quickly. “I didn’t see you.”

  He nodded. “I know. That was your story the last time this happened, too.” He shook his head. “I’m just glad I’m not holding a coffee cup.”

  It irritated her that although she’d apologized several times, he was not a forgiving person. “Then I won’t waste my breath trying to tell you I’m sorry again.”

  “Fine.” He scooted past her. “And I’ll just make sure that I don’t walk by you again here or at the resort.”

  Jerk! She plopped in her seat and stared out the window. Sure, she knew he was upset because of the phone call she’d witnessed, but he didn’t have to act so mean. He was probably one of the uppity, wealthy guests of the resort, and Mr. Holliday decided to pull all the stops for him. It made more sense now why she was on the plane. She was just added cargo.

  She gripped the tablet on her lap and frowned. Her luck wasn’t starting out very well so far on this trip. She prayed that things would go differently once she reached Alaska. Thankfully, that place was large enough that she wouldn’t have to see Mr. Hottie after they reached their destination. Ivy was sure that she wouldn’t be nice next time.

  TWO

  Steele Cupid Holliday sat in his chair on his father’s jet, seething. His flight had already been ruined when a week ago his mother called him, demanding Steele leave the company he and his friend Eric were running and return to Cupid Island to help her with some important matters. Being her oldest son, he felt the burden of having to take care of her now that she and his father were divorced. Of course, knowing his mother, the important matters that she wanted to talk with him about were probably about filling out her tax return forms, or wondering which condo to buy next, or which hair color would look best on her.

  Then, not more than thirty minutes ago, his father called to inform Steele about the person coming to the island to film a commercial to help the island get more attention. No matter how hard Steele had tried to convince his father a commercial wasn’t necessary, his father was the type of man who always had the last word in a conversation. Even though Steele’s last words had been I said no before ending the call with his father, didn’t mean the old man was going to let Steele have his way. He knew that the film crew would already be set up on the island when he returned.

  Another thing that ruined his trip home to Alaska was that Bonnie had chosen to tag along. He’d been casually dating her over the last two months, and when his presence was requested at the island by his mother, he tried to break it off with her. He hadn’t been serious about their relationship, and he highly doubted she was serious about him. For some reason after hearing he was leaving, she became clingy and wouldn’t leave his side. Desperate women were hard to get rid of, and since it was her money that bought her the plane ticket on a commercial flight, he couldn’t stop her.

  Stretching his legs out in front of him, he sighed and closed his eyes. The flight to Alaska would be relaxing since Bonnie wasn’t constantly complaining in his ear. And now that he was out of Miss Klutz’s way, he didn’t have to worry about being stepped on or coffee being spilled on him, either. This would give him more time to think about how to talk his father out of doing the commercial.

  Steele cleared his throat softly and shifted in his seat so he could stare out the window. His old man knew how much Steele hated getting his picture taken or even being in the spotlight. Ever since college and that terrible accident that happened during a hockey game…

  He shook off the memories. He couldn’t think about that ever again. Humiliation was a hard emotion to handle.

  “Would you like something to drink?”

  He snapped his head toward the familiar stewardess standing next to his chair. She’d worked for his father for four years now. She also knew what foods he liked and what he liked to drink. “Hi, Susan. I’ll have my usual. Sparkling water with a twist of lime.”

  “Yes, Mr. Holliday.”

  He flinched at the proper address, but didn’t correct her. She scurried off, leaving his mind to drift back to Miss Klutz. Though his foot still stung from where she’d smashed her heel against his toes, he really shouldn’t have been rude to her earlier. That wasn’t like him at all. But really… how many times did one woman have to bump into him in one day and cause in
jury to him? However, if he hadn’t been so upset with his parents, he probably would have laughed over the woman’s reaction when she was trying to dry his sweater. He could tell she was mesmerized by his six-pack.

  Now that he had a chance to really look at her, he realized she was rather pretty. Her long dark brown hair flowed over her shoulders and down to the middle of her back. He briefly recalled her wide hazel eyes surrounded by thick, black lashes when she looked at him with a shocked expression.

  “Here is your drink.” Susan handed him a crystal glass filled with the bubbly, clear liquid.

  “Thanks.”

  He took a long swallow, grateful for the refreshing drink. Minutes later, the seatbelt sign came on and the jet started its way down the runway.

  Steele glanced at the pretty woman again as the pressure in the jet increased while the aircraft flew high in the sky. She was still in the same position with her head turned toward the window and hadn’t even moved. She must be used to flying. He wondered what kind of occupation she had. She wore slimming jeans that showed off her slender legs, and a black thick sweater which made her hair seem darker.

  There were roughly four and a half hours of the flight, and already he was bored. He could watch a movie, but nothing interested him. He glanced back at Miss Klutz. Perhaps he should apologize for being so impolite. If he was in her shoes and someone had spoken to him that way, it would have ruined his whole day. He didn’t want to be the reason her day was ruined.

  He glanced up at the seatbelt sign, drummed his fingers on the armrest, and waited for the sign to go off. His wait wasn’t much longer. Once the sign went off, he unfastened his seatbelt and moved out of his seat.

  Susan pushed a cart full of breakfast plates down the aisle, so he waited until she had passed. He walked calmly toward Miss Klutz’s seat. He hoped she would let him apologize, especially when he hadn’t allowed her the same privilege.

  He stopped next to her chair, but she still hadn’t moved. He swallowed hard and cleared his throat. “Excuse me,” he said, leaning his face closer to hers.

  Obviously startled, she jumped and swung toward him. The top of her head hit his chin, making him bite his tongue. Inwardly, he grumbled and rubbed his chin. Her hand also touched the sore spot on her head. When her gaze met his, her eyes widened, and she gasped.

  “You!”

  He should have known to stay away from her. He held up his hand in surrender. “I was going to apologize for what I’d said earlier, but I’m beginning to see a pattern here. We just don’t mix.”

  Still rubbing his stinging chin, he moved back to his chair and sat. Never had he met a woman who’d created so much harm to his person. She was a curse among curses – a walking disaster about to happen. Fate was warning him to stay away from her, and if he was smart, he’d listen.

  That’s going to leave a mark.

  Ivy rubbed her forehead – the same spot that had connected with Mr. Hottie’s chin while they were on the flight. In the four and a half hours since the accident happened, her forehead still throbbed.

  It didn’t take Ivy long to collect her luggage at the airport before she headed toward the waiting area. A sweet older woman with salt and pepper hair, stood holding a sign that had Ivy’s name written in big, bold letters. She narrowed her gaze on the woman. She certainly didn’t look like a limo driver.

  She stopped in front of the blonde woman and smiled. “I’m Ivy Kidman.”

  The middle-aged woman’s face brightened, and she held out her right hand. “I’m Rosetta. I’ll be taking you to Cupid Island.”

  Ivy didn’t dare snicker. She wasn’t quite used to such an odd island name, but since she was used to Christmas themes, she would adjust just fine.

  She shook the woman’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  Rosetta glanced down at the wheelie suitcases Ivy pulled – one in each hand. “Are you ready to go?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

  As they made their way out of the airport, Ivy noticed that Rosetta kept glancing her way and scanning up and down Ivy’s body. Ivy wasn’t sure she liked that at all, and yet the woman seemed to appear happy as if she’d won a prize. Very strange…

  Outside there was a limousine waiting for them. The driver climbed out, took Ivy’s luggage, and placed it in the trunk. He opened the back doors for her and Rosetta. As Ivy climbed in, she held her breath, glancing at everything she could since this was her first time in a limo. Not only was there a backseat where she and Rosetta sat, but along each side of the vehicle were lavish black leather seats. In the middle of one long bench-seat was a connecting glass table that held four cup holders. Wine and Champagne bottles were securely held in with steel clamps. Against the other side of the limo was a small television screen. On the roof was the largest sunroof she’d ever seen.

  “Ivy,” Rosetta said with a touch of humor in her voice, “you can breathe now.”

  Slowly, Ivy released the air out of her lungs, embarrassed that the other woman caught her. “I’m sorry. I’ve never been in a limo before, and well… it’s rather…”

  “Overwhelming?” Rosetta supplied.

  Ivy chuckled and shook her head. “Actually, it’s amazing.”

  Rosetta laughed. “Most people say that when they ride in one of Mr. Holliday’s limos, or jets, or helicopters.”

  Ivy gasped. “Am I to assume he has many?”

  Rosetta nodded. “Yes, he has. In fact, we’ll be taking one of his helicopters to the island.”

  Excitement grew inside her. “I’ve never been in a helicopter, either.”

  “You’re not afraid of heights, are you?”

  “Not at all.”

  Rosetta’s grin widened. “Then you’ll love riding in a helicopter.”

  Once again, Ivy was in awe of the billionaire’s toys. She couldn’t help feeling like a queen as she rode the helicopter toward the island. There had recently been a snowstorm, and the ground, trees, and rooftops were covered in white powder. Today the skies were blue and only a few clouds were scattered throughout.

  She clutched her hands on her lap, watching out the window. She took in every view she could as they neared the resort. The pictures of the resort that she had found on the internet hadn’t even begun to show her what this place was, and how glorious it looked in the winter. It was literally a winter wonderland.

  Her mind swirled, trying to create ideas for the commercial she’d been hired to make, but so far, she hadn’t felt good with any of the scenarios floating in her head. As the helicopter prepared to land on the landing pad on the resort’s roof, she noticed couples walking hand in hand or bundled in each other’s arms. The theme of the commercial must be love. After all, that’s what Cupid Island was all about.

  Then an idea jumped in her head. A Winter World of Love. She smiled. That’s what she’d base her commercial after.

  As she climbed out of the helicopter and gathered her luggage, excitement poured through her. She would make the best commercial ever! Mr. Holliday would love it, and hopefully, his son would be happy with it, too.

  She and Rosetta hurried away from the helicopter and entered the roof’s door into the resort. Ivy smiled at the other woman.

  “You were right.”

  Rosetta arched an eyebrow. “I was?”

  “Yes, I loved the ride.”

  Rosetta laughed. “Well, that’s just the beginning of the things you’ll love during your stay here. The rooms at the Holliday resorts are the best in the country, and Gordon spared no expense in hiring the best chefs to work in the restaurant.” She opened another door that led to a different corridor, motioning for Ivy to go first. “Not only that, when you meet Steele Holliday, the son that runs the resort, you’ll see why the place is all about love. Steele has a big heart and he genuinely cares about his guests.”

  “That’s not something you see every day.”

  “It’s not?” Rosetta’s forehead crinkled.

  Ivy shook her head. “I
’ve been to many resorts in the northern states, and there aren’t many owners who genuinely care about their guests.”

  Sighing, Rosetta touched Ivy’s arm. “Then this resort will mean so much to you because of the way you’re treated here.”

  “I sincerely hope so.” Ivy adjusted her fingers around the handles of her luggage, looking forward to when she’ll reach her room. “When will I get to meet Mr. Holliday?”

  “Gordon?” Rosetta tilted her head.

  “No, his son, Cupid.”

  “I’ll introduce you to him after you’re settled in your room.” She hurried her step. “Let me tell you now that he doesn’t like to be called Cupid. You can refer to him as Steele.”

  Ivy nearly sighed with relief. She still didn’t know how the poor man had gotten through life with the name of Cupid. Memories flashed through her head, reminding her how difficult it was for her and her two sisters to get through school with the names they had been given by their Christmas-crazy mother.

  “Do you work for Gordon Holliday?” Ivy asked.

  Rosetta chuckled lightly. “I’m like Steele’s secretary here at the resort, but Gordon had asked me if I’d come to pick you up. I’m actually… a fan of your work.”

  “Me?” Shock mixed with confusion rattled through Ivy. “Why?”

  “Because I absolutely love that video of you catching those poachers. That was amazing. You’re so brave. I think you’re going to make a wonderful commercial for this island.”

  Ivy’s cheeks warmed from the other woman’s compliment. “Thank you.”

  She’d never felt more grateful than she did at this moment. This woman’s words were exactly what she needed to hear, especially because she hadn’t felt worthy enough to make a commercial. Confidence grew inside her and she knew she could accomplish anything.

  An hour later, Ivy had been given a room, unpacked, and was anxious to walk around and see the resort up close. Rosetta gave Ivy her phone number before she’d left, but right now Ivy just wanted to tour the grounds herself, as much as she could, anyway.