Scent of a Woman (7 page)

“Really?” Joe’s drumming stopped. “That sounds downright prudent of you, bro. I’m feeling guilty now that I took a bet against you in the office pool.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Adam knew the support staff at Burns Inc. were as addicted to interoffice betting as his brother and father, but he refused to think Joe would throw his money away by betting against Adam. “Why would you think I’d mess this up when it’s the one and only goal you set for me the entire cruise? I’ve researched the hell out of this Dubai rep. I know what he’ll want to see from us. I shot pool with him last night just to shoot the breeze and get inside the guy’s head. Shit, Joe, I probably close five business deals a month.”

Joe’s short bark of laughter pissed him off.

“But you play to your strengths at home by managing business within your frame of reference. Besides, the way you bitched and moaned about taking this cruise and spending the week with a bunch of fragrance nuts, I just figured—”

“You figured wrong.” Adam’s grip tightened on the gardenia and he wanted the hell out of this conversation. “What am I, the weak link in the company and I never knew it?”

“Hell, no. What’s the matter with you? We were just amused at the idea of Joe Jock courting the European jet-setters and were having a good time spinning scenarios for how that might be working out.”

Adam stared out his balcony doors at the port city of Civitavecchia on the far side of the pier and tried to relax, knowing he was probably uptight at the possibility he really couldn’t relate to these people. To Danielle.

And yeah, for this week at least, he wanted to be a part of her world.

“It’s working out fine. I’m just here wondering why I didn’t take a vacation sooner.”

“What kind of sacrilege are they teaching you over there?” Joe’s drumming picked up again, slower now. “That’s the most anti-Burns statement I’ve ever heard you make.”

“How long are we supposed to live for work?” He didn’t have time to get into all the revelations that had bombarded him this week, but he couldn’t help toss out that one key question. “You know, we’ve been to Rome multiple times on business with Dad and I don’t think I’ve ever seen any of it outside hotel conference centers and the occasional workout room.”

There was something seriously screwed up about that.

“And now you’ve got a hankering to see the Eternal City?”

“More like a rebel need to have a life.” Was that so freaking surprising? “I’m gonna be late for a meeting, Joe, but I’ll give you a call when I clinch the deal.”

“Okay, but—”

“And don’t ever bet against your blood, man. Big mistake.” He hung up the phone and left his suite, more than ready to see Danielle and forget about business breathing down his neck.

It was the only time Adam could ever remember wanting to walk away from a competition. He wouldn’t, of course. But damn it, this was one game he wasn’t looking forward to winning.

“D
O YOU WANT
to know what the French papers have to say about you, Adam?” Danielle spun beneath his arm as they danced across the wooden floor of the Polaris Lounge during the perfumers’ luncheon reception. Dancing might be unusual for a traditional lunch gathering, but part of the entertainment for the event was dance lessons from six of the ship’s dancers, and Danielle had to admit it was fun to have an excuse to be in Adam’s arms.

The furniture had been moved to the side of the room for the afternoon’s event, the walls draped with silver silk, the same shade as a new perfume bottle its manufacturer was spending big bucks to promote. Danielle admired the spread even as she wondered how she’d ever compete when it came time to bring her new Arabian Nights line to market.

Sure she had ideas. But financing them…that was always the tough part. With any luck, the Dubai retailer would be so enthused about the new products that they’d put some money behind the effort to promote them.

Adam’s timing was impeccable, his feet easily picking up the rhythm of their dance—a basso dance. Could she help it if her brain chose that moment to recall the age-old adage about men who were good at dancing? Of course, it stood to reason that men who would take the time to learn physical moves that pleased a woman would also…

Her cheeks flushed at the sudden vivid image that rose to her mind, her body keenly aware of his body as his hand rested on her strapless purple sheath dress. She’d removed the matching shrug that went with the dress when it came time to dance.

“Uh, oh. What exactly did the papers say? It can’t be so bad it makes you blush.” Adam released her hand to tip her chin up and study her face.

“No,” she denied quickly, forcing her thoughts back to her latest conversation with Marcel, in which he’d reiterated his plea to sell off the business while warning her away from Adam at the same time. “It isn’t all that bad, considering your position with your company. You’ve probably heard most of the rumors already anyhow.”

She took his hand in hers again, resuming their dance posture where the boundaries between them were fixed, even if they were…tantalizing.

“But they bother you?” He twirled her past an older couple who ran a small fragrance company outside Paris. Danielle remembered her mother once told her the pair could be seen all around the city every spring, holding hands and walking the streets like new lovers.

Danielle had never forgotten that story, her own wistful heart longing to find that kind of happiness.

“They don’t bother me.” She shrugged as she kept step with him, not sure how to explain her relationship with her stern brother. “But they bother Marcel, and that will cause me a bit of grief this week until I can return home with my heart unscathed and my perfume recipes still a secret. I guess I have not learned how to shut him out of my private life when our business worlds are so intertwined.”

The band finished the tune, and Adam and Danielle clapped their appreciation. Her hip remained warm from his touch even though he had released her. As the band started a lively salsa, Adam gestured toward the exit and she nodded, ready for a little air after the dancing and the time spent making small talk with business associates. Dancing with Adam had been her only chance to let her guard down since she’d arrived. She signaled him to wait as she retrieved her shrug and handbag.

“Earlier today I would have told you my brother and I have a great working relationship,” Adam said as they headed out to the deck. The scents of the afternoon air rode the breeze and lifted Danielle’s hair from her warm neck, refreshing her skin and her spirits.

“But not now?” she asked, curious about Adam’s family.

“I never thought the day would come when I would say my brother was more driven than me, but after talking to him on the phone I realized he is. I might be quicker to make work a competition, but even though Joe is quieter about his commitment to the business, he has a fierce streak in him that demands the company succeed.”

“Does that bother you?” She wasn’t sure what to make of his subdued tone. “I know it can be difficult for a family to be in business together.”

A bar was set up on the outdoor deck and a smattering of people were taking in the fresh air. Paper lanterns had been strung overhead, creating a party atmosphere, even though they hadn’t been lit yet. From this distance, the sound of music from the Civitavecchia port drifted on the air, the water amplifying the sounds between the ship and the shore.

“It doesn’t bother me. But it makes me realize he’s going to have plans for the company after our father retires, even if he’s been downplaying his interest in the top spot.” He nodded to one of the officers strolling through the party before he turned to look out over the water.

Danielle admired how quickly he’d made friends on board, a testament to his warm nature and interest in others. She liked that about Adam.

“Did you hope to take charge once your father leaves?” She knew that kind of promotion would mean she’d never see him again even professionally. The CEO of Burns Inc. wouldn’t spend his time wooing accounts for one of his companies, even if Prestige Scents continued to be one of the biggest assets in the family empire.

“No.” Adam’s answer was quick. Resolute. “I’ve had all I can handle the last few years. I’d like to work less as I get older. Not more.”

His hand trailed down her shoulder, his finger dipping lightly into the curve of her elbow.

“So your brother’s quiet ambition should come as good news.” She failed to understand Adam’s brooding mood.

“It should,” he agreed, skimming her tender flesh in a lazy circle. “I just don’t know what to make of surprises sometimes, and this…hell, this caught me by surprise.”

She couldn’t hold back a shiver at the exquisite feel of his touch.

A new song began in the Polaris Lounge, drowning out the sounds from the Civitavecchia port. The lively music lifted her spirits, reminding her she had a rare and magical window of time with Adam before she had to relinquish her sexy American to whatever his future might hold.

“Maybe we should not think about any of this today.” Seized with the mischievous mood that occasionally got her into trouble, she tried to remember the last time she’d gotten to walk around the streets of Italy. “Maybe I should forget that I have been cast under a romantic spell by a powerful American businessman the tabloids call New York’s most eligible player.”

He rolled his eyes. “Hey, wait a minute.”

She pressed her finger to his lips, enjoying the feel of him.

“Perhaps you should forget that your brother is about to climb over your strong shoulders to seize your father’s company. And neither of us should think about all we have riding on the Dubai retailer. Maybe we ought to just forget all of it and go take Civitavecchia—or even Rome—by storm.”

“A couple of cruise ship pirates?” His blue gaze went from her to the shoreline and back again.

“We’ll drink in the taverns and…” She hesitated but still couldn’t stop herself from saying what else she wanted. “And we’ll let our passions run wild after the great restraint we’ve shown at sea.”

Adam grinned but his eyes took on a heated light that shot a thrill clear to her toes.

“You mean, I’m finally going to see the bold and brazen side of Danielle Chevalier that I’ve heard so much about?”

“Do you have your boarding pass with you?”

He felt his jacket pocket.

“Yes.”

“Then you can meet my wild alter ego. But only if you can catch her.”

Spinning on her heel, she darted through the crowd toward the exit, her heart thumping with excitement to have fun and play. To flirt and be flirted with.

God, she’d missed this.

Laughing her joy, she turned to look over her shoulder as she bolted down a staircase and saw Adam close on her heels, his expression not quite as teasing as hers.

Utter determination was etched in his features and Danielle could hardly wait to see where the day—and the night that followed—would lead.

N
O DOUBT ABOUT IT
, Danielle was different today.

He’d chased her off the boat and down the pier, but she’d managed to elude his grip whenever he got close. Then again, he didn’t mind giving her room to play her game since he could tell by her eyes they would be spending this night together.

The realization tantalized him as much as her decision to ditch the perfumers’ luncheon in favor of spending time alone together. After his pool game with Ahmed, Adam felt all the more certain of the guy’s willingness to work with Prestige Scents. Adam didn’t need to schmooze his way through the shipside party to feel like he’d done his job today.

“Are you coming?” she called over her shoulder as she neared the street where shuttles and taxis awaited cruise passengers who wanted to make the ninety-minute trip into Rome. He hoped the car ride wouldn’t dampen her spirit, but he looked forward to some time alone with her after the demands on her schedule the past two days.

“Lady, you couldn’t lose me if you tried.” He caught up to her finally, steering her away from the public taxis to a car he’d called earlier in the day.

“You planned to come into Rome?” she asked, voice lightly accusing.

“No. But I’ve been hoping.” He nodded to the driver and tried not to notice Danielle’s enticing rear view as she climbed into the limousine.

“A prepared man.” He stepped into the car and took a seat beside her on crushed red velvet that had seen better days. “I can admire that.”

“Excellent. After having your brother give you an earful about my sordid past, it’s a relief to know you can still find things to appreciate about me.” He settled back in the seat as the car took off, the chauffeur leaving the privacy window closed and a bottle of local Italian wine chilling in a special compartment to Adam’s right.

Just as he’d requested.

And after the day of jarring personal and professional revelations he’d had, Adam appreciated the simple pleasure of having his demands met.

“It wasn’t entirely sordid.” She arched a delicate eyebrow at him. “He e-mailed me a few of the articles and I found a delicious photo of you running on a beach in Nantucket in your swim trunks. All those flexing muscles—” she fanned her face “—they made quite an impression on me.”

Shaking his head, he reached for the wine and removed the cork.

“I’d rather make the impression in person. Especially since I remember the kind of article that went along with that picture.” He’d been labeled a playboy or an eligible bachelor, the kind of garbage that had led to his decision to play less of a public role in Burns Inc.

Of course, being chased around by a prominent actress had meant renewed media interest in his personal life the last six months. The added attention was the reason he’d begged Joe to take his place on the Jet Ski with Jessica. No doubt a photo of his brother hurtling over the Jet Ski could be found somewhere on the Internet for anyone inclined to hunt.

“That is why I thought you looked familiar when I first saw you,” Danielle said. “I’d seen your face in the social pages of our papers before, I’m sure. European papers tend to follow royalty and money over the Hollywood celebrities that Americans are so fascinated with.” Danielle took the glass of wine he handed her and clinked it lightly against his before stealing a sip. She closed her eyes in appreciation of the flavor and he couldn’t tear his gaze away from her moist red lips and dark eyelashes.

And with one smart choice in vino, the limo driver just tripled his tip.

“Well, I don’t know how I’ve ended up as a footnote in one column after another given I don’t date that much.” Adam felt compelled to point that out. Those stupid articles painted a much different picture of him. “But after Jessica decided to introduce me to the world of paparazzi, I seem to have become a favorite subject. Nothing close to what truly famous people have to contend with, obviously. But it’s a strange experience.”

“Your American starlet has been persistent and she obviously knows how to create her own small dramas for the cameras.” Danielle held the wineglass up to the tinted window. Tilting the glass to the side, she seemed to assess the color. “She is smart to know how to work the system to her advantage.”

“Smart?” Adam considered. “Opportunistic, maybe.”

Danielle laughed and recrossed her legs. Her toe grazed his calf and he realized she’d removed her shoes.

“Let’s not talk about Jessica.” He set aside his wineglass, ready to be blunt with Danielle. “Let’s talk about tonight.”

“You know the paparazzi might catch up with you at any port, don’t you?” Danielle’s eyes were serious as she peered at him over the rim of her glass. “It’s only a matter of time before the camera crew from Corfu tips off their tabloid journalist friends to your whereabouts.”

“Let them come. At least when they take a photo of us together it will be an honest moment since you’re more to me than a business acquaintance.”

Danielle set her glass aside, too. Her long, dark hair draped over her shoulder with the movement, veiling parts of her from his sight.

He liked that about her—the way she could be sexy without saying a word. She exuded sexual confidence in other ways, too, by flirting with her eyes. The way she crossed her legs. Very hot.

“You flatter me, Adam. But we do not have to resign ourselves to media intrusion. Maybe we should give anyone within a camera a run for their money.” The mischievous light returned to her eyes—the same one he’d seen on board the ship before she’d darted away from him.

“I forgot you’re an Olympic runner in high heels.” He reached down to run his hand lightly up her calf and was gratified to see her shiver.

“And Rome is a wonderful city to get lost in.” She gestured vaguely with her fingers and then rested them on his tie.

“I’ll be sure to let you lead the way.” He lowered his voice as he homed in on her neck, needing a taste of her skin and a breath of her scent.

“All I need to know is where we are ultimately headed. Did you have a destination in mind? A café? One of the galleries?”