Burned Deep (13 page)

“It all happened pretty quick,” I told him. “Yes, it freaked me out a little. But I escaped easily enough. After that, I was mostly concerned about all of those expensive media components.”

“Baby, I have insurance to cover that stuff.”

He caught me off guard again with the term of endearment.

So I hadn't imagined it the first time. That was surreal.

We were both quiet a few moments. The curiosity of what had him suddenly tongue-tied ate at me. Did he regret the slip?

“You still there?” I finally asked, my stomach now resembling a pretzel.

“I'm not happy about what happened to you.” His tone held that distinct edge that made me wary. I could picture him twisting Snake-Tat guy's arm around to his back and slamming his shoulder to the table. I'd already learned that Dane didn't let slights go.

But there was nothing he could do about an accident. Maybe that was what had him so aggravated?

I surmised it was best that he didn't have anyone to blame. I'd gotten a glimpse of his wrath at the bar. I didn't want to know how he might take care of this situation if there'd been someone specific at fault.

“Look,” I said, hoping to bring the intensity down a notch or ten. “I'm fine. It was a leak, and like Amano told me, this is all a trial-and-error process as the hotel comes online. I understand.”

He still didn't say anything.

“Dane.” I tried to coerce him into chilling out, because the broody vibes reached me despite his being a continent away. “Everything's all right. And I absolutely love all of the work I have at the Lux.”

“Ari—”

“Just do what you have to do in Paris. All's well here. I promise.”

“I'll be back tomorrow night,” he reminded me.

“The party.” Even the hustle and bustle at the resort—and today's scare—couldn't make me forget the upcoming opportunity to be with Dane.

His voice turned low and sensual as he said, “I'm looking forward to seeing you.”

A little thrill ribboned through me. “I want to see you again, too.”

“Get a good night's sleep.”

I didn't miss the hint of mischief in his tone.

“And what are you doing?”

“Heading into a meeting. Otherwise…”

He didn't need to elaborate. I had a very good idea of what he'd do if he were alone and not wrapped up in business—had a very good idea that I'd be coming again while simply listening to him tell me the things he wanted to do to me.

“Go,” I said. “I still have work.”

 

chapter 7

Friday arrived in the blink of an eye. I changed into the emerald dress at the hotel and let a driver take me down the hill to the Valley and to Anthony Delfino's mansion in the exclusive Mirabel Country Club community. These were my mother's dream residential estates, so I was well versed in its prestige. Thank God she didn't know I was attending a party here, or she would have invited herself along, now that she was suddenly pinging me. Totally out of the blue, which still made me uneasy.

“Ari!” Meghan greeted me with a bright smile and the flash from three lightning-quick photos she took. “We're so glad you came!” She was such a perky thing, all blond and beautiful and bouncing on the soles of her designer shoes.

“Thanks for asking me. This is a real treat. How was the honeymoon?”

As she regaled me with details of the trip in her dreamy voice and showed me pictures, Kyle joined us and handed me a glass of champagne. I smiled my gratitude. He wore his dark-gray suit as well as he had the tux at the wedding, the deep blue in his silk tie bringing out the color of his eyes, which glowed warmly.

He had an easy grin, still infectious, reminding me that if I was going to date someone it should probably be him—someone a bit closer to my level who wasn't shrouded in mystery and oozing an edgy vibe and raw sensuality.

Speaking of Dane … I couldn't help but steal glances around the room, wondering if he'd arrived yet.

At the end of Meghan's recap, Sean collected her to entertain more people, leaving me with Kyle. I wondered if that had been planned.

“You look great,” he said as his gaze slid over me.

“Thank you. I've recently developed an appreciation for green.” I fought to keep my tone even, not provocative, because I was thinking of Dane. I added, “You certainly do that suit justice.”

“College graduation duds,” he said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “My keeping up with the Joneses is basically keeping up with Sean now that he runs with the Forbes crowd, and Meghan is snap happy with the camera. I look like a slug in my T-shirts and jeans when that girl's around.”

“Hardly.” I'd seen him in casual attire—and I'd caught the collective, not so subtle adoration of the bridesmaids during the wedding planning. In fact, as I scanned the crowd once more—anxiously seeking out Dane—I noted the women from the bridal party hovering close by as though keeping tabs on Kyle. Perhaps waiting for that perfect moment when I stepped aside so they could swoop in?

He didn't lack for admirers, that was for sure.

Which prompted me to ask, “Did you bring a date? If not, I think there's a line about to form.”

He chuckled. “I can't afford Meg's friends. Their fathers have private jets and islands, and they're all obsessed over the perfect mani-pedi. What the—?”

I laughed. “Never underestimate the value of a good manicure and pedicure.”

With a roll of his eyes, he lamented, “See? Was that really so difficult? They can't even throw in a little guy-speak to help a dude along?”

I sipped my champagne, then said, “You'd do just fine with them. Meghan mentioned that you took the summer off to travel Europe. That makes you worldly, you know?”

His grin could light the entire room, without a doubt. “Right. Me and my backpack stuffed with just three changes of clothes, a translator because I only know a little Spanish and was on the wrong continent for that, and a list of hostels where I could crash—and share a bathroom with a half dozen other students. That'd impress the ladies who prefer the Ritz-Carlton and spa days.”

“I don't know,” I said with a shrug. “Sounds adventurous. Totally off the beaten path. If I were at the Ritz, I'd spend all my time poolside and never actually see the sights.”

“You would have liked my itinerary then. I skipped all the major cities and stuck to the villages and wine country. Although, I had to make a stop in Monte Carlo for the casinos. Just 'cause, you know?”

“That does sound intriguing. I suppose I'd have to hit Casablanca, since it's my favorite movie.”

He looked taken aback. “You seem more like the
Princess Bride
type. You know, weddings and romance and happily ever afters. All that stuff.”

“Every fiber of my being swears my brides and grooms are the happiest people on the planet. But something about torn endings calls to me—like an untold story awaits a rainbow. Rhett walking out on Scarlett, or Nick Nolte going back to his wife even though he was totally hooked on Barbra Streisand in
Prince of Tides.
Rick Blaine sacrificing everything for Ilsa Lund, so she could leave Casablanca with Victor Laszlo. It's tragic, sure. But we only see
that
part of the love story. Maybe a silver lining is right around the corner.…”

I likely felt this way because I privately wanted my dad to bounce back from his disastrous marriage and find someone new—someone worthy of him.

Kyle's brow lifted in a speculative way. “So,” he mused with interest in his voice. “Ari has a dark side mixed with eternal optimism. Very deep.”

Since I hadn't weirded him out, I said, “It's all about the potential, you know?” I conspiratorially added, “And yes, I ate up the whole
Princess Bride
‘true love' theory.”

It wasn't anything I subscribed to in my own life, obviously. But that Emerald City of mine would always exist, keeping up my high hopes for wedding couples.

“Your secret's safe with me.” He seemed to give more thought to my contradictory view of love and romance—embracing the bad because I knew it existed but still hoping for good to win over, no matter what the situation. I liked that he put so much thought into my personal views. Though my stomach plummeted when he grimaced.

“What?” I asked, trepid. “You think I'm a nut job, right?'

“No. I'm just wondering … what is
he
doing here?”

I was about to ask,
He who?
but somehow already knew to whom Kyle referred. I felt Dane's burning gaze on me.

Uh-oh.

Tossing a cautious look over my shoulder, I found him staring at us, his brow crooked.

Anxiety rippled through me—along with unadulterated lust.

Glancing back at Kyle, I said in what I hoped was an even tone, “He knows Anthony Delfino. They're business associates or something.”

“Why is he always scowling?”

I didn't bother to look back to see the dark expression on Dane's face. It was pretty much engrained in my brain. And it made my toes curl and exhilaration shimmy down my spine.

“He's just that way. Don't make anything out of it. Brooding type.” My willpower lasted only so long, and I spared another glance his way. Dane had that
you're poaching on my territory
expression on his chiseled face—directed at Kyle. Things went a little haywire inside me. “His name is Dane Bax. He owns a new resort in Sedona. Where I now work.”

Kyle's gaze snapped to mine. “What? Why?”

“Why, what?” I countered, confused.

“Why did you go to work at a hotel?”

“Oh, well, I've always wanted to do corporate planning in addition to weddings, and he sort of…”
Made me an offer I couldn't refuse.
Yeah, that definitely sounded way too
666 Park Avenue.
With a nonchalant shrug, I said, “The timing just worked out and it was an amazing deal all the way around.”

Including the boss now being in hot pursuit of me.

“Are you talking about 10,000 Lux?” Kyle asked.

I had a little trouble concentrating on the conversation. I knew Dane was watching us. I knew he'd be annoyed that Kyle and I were still chatting. I also knew that Dane was steel and I was a magnet and I felt the intrinsic pull that made me desperate to extract myself from Kyle and make a beeline for Dane. Though I shouldn't—we weren't a couple. Were we?

Besides, he was in the middle of his own discussion.

So I said to Kyle, “That's the one. The grand opening is scheduled at the end of the year.”

“I searched for marketing positions online before I went to Europe. Several jobs at the Lux came up.”

“They're actively hiring. Do you have a portfolio?”

He reached for his phone and accessed the Web browser. Then he handed the device over. I scrolled through the photos, whistling under my breath at his projects. “Nice work.”

“I did those during an internship. I have more to post, but it's a start.”

“Hey,” I said, not catching myself before I blurted, “you should apply at the resort. With the launch coming up, incredible things are happening. It'd be a great opportunity to pump up your portfolio.”

“Yeah, I'll bet. Except…” He looked around me and frowned again. “Something tells me Surly over there wouldn't go for it. What
is
his problem?”

You're talking to me.

“He's just sort of that way,” I said arbitrarily. “E-mail me your résumé. I'll pass it on to HR.”

“I could definitely use the job, now that the fun's over.”

I drained the remainder of my champagne and set the glass on a silver tray as a server wandered by. “You can get my e-mail address from Meghan or the Internet.” I didn't dare whip out a Lux business card that had already been personalized for me—including a picture from a photo shoot we'd had earlier in the week for a press release. With Dane watching us so closely, I knew better than to add fuel to the fire. “I think I'll grab another drink.”

Kyle opened his mouth—likely to offer to get me one—but I whirled around and headed toward the bar.

I lost sight of Dane in the throng of people milling about. I accepted a glass of champagne from a tuxedo-clad server and took several sips to cool my blazing insides. Really, that intensity of Dane's was its own highly intoxicating sexual stimulant.

Eventually I made my way toward the terrace. He fell into my line of vision once more while he talked with a different group.

One that included Mikaela Madsen and a twentysomething attractive Italian man who must have been Fabrizio Catalano.

The discussion looked heated, with Mikaela gripping Dane's arm from time to time and leaning in close.
Really
close. Like
we know each other intimately
close.

I was tempted to seek out Kyle, just to even the score. But that was juvenile. And Dane had been adamant when he'd expressed that he and Mikaela were only friends. That I was the one he wanted to be with. So I tamped down my insecurity.

The crowd shifted as I approached him. Rain fell in the background; the lightning was stunning as the pink-and-purple streaks flashed across the mountains in the distance.

Dane murmured something to Mikaela, disentangled himself from her, and took a few long strides toward me. He was dressed in all black again, stealing my breath. The glower on his face only ratcheted up my excitement.

Here I'd been all tormented by her nearness, but it was Dane who radiated a possessive vibe, wrapped around me.

Was
he
the jealous one? Of Kyle?

Tingles ran rampant through my body. Dane closed the gap between us and the world fell away.

He'd been gone nearly a week. It was five days too long.