Their Festive Island Escape

by Nina Singh

  “Uh. I don’t do public singing. And I certainly don’t do Christmas carols.”

  He shook his head real slow. “This is all about you experiencing everything the Baja Majestic has to offer. That includes karaoke.”

  Celeste rubbed a weary hand across her forehead. What had she gotten herself into here? “Listen, I don’t so much as sing in the shower.”

  Something darkened behind his gaze at her words. “I’m certainly not going to do it in front of a beach full of strangers,” she added.

  Reid glanced at his shiny, expensive watch. She’d been speculating that it was a Rolex. “There’s plenty of time to discuss it. Let’s go get some real food.” He picked up a fry and popped it in his mouth even as he declared her discarded snack fake.

  “There’s nothing to discuss, Reid.”

  He stood and took her by the elbow, nudging her to join him. “Sure there is. First, we figure out dinner. Hibachi’s always good. My favorite chef’s on tonight. Or we could do the Mediterranean restaurant. The kebabs melt in your mouth. Something to do with the marinade.”

  She wanted to deny that she was hungry, but her stomach had other plans. An audible rumble sounded from her midsection when he mentioned the word kebab.

  Reid let out a short but hearty laugh. “Mediterranean it is. Let’s go.”

  He didn’t give her a chance to argue. A few minutes later, they were climbing a spiral cement staircase to a building fashioned to appear like an ancient Greek cathedral complete with Ionic columns and goddess statues. The petite blonde maître d’ approached them as soon as they entered. Her eyes lit up as she greeted Reid. Her crush was nearly visible. Not that she could be blamed for it.

  “Hey, boss. You haven’t been in for a while.”

  Reid returned her smile with a much more platonic one.

  “My friend here would like to try the kebab, Michelle. Table for two please.”

  Michelle spared a glance in her direction, clearly appraising. She wondered if she passed some sort of Reid-worthy test as far as the other woman was concerned. Probably not.

  “Of course, right this way.”

  They were seated at an elegant table with ivory-white table settings, a crisply laundered tablecloth, and tall lit candles. All in all, the atmosphere in the dining area could only be described as highly romantic. That notion frayed her nerves a bit further. She absolutely could not be having any thoughts of romance whatsoever. Despite how much she’d shared of herself with Reid earlier. He’d simply caught her at a vulnerable moment. Phone calls with her mother when she was drunk tended to bring out that vulnerability.

  She forced herself to focus on the menu. Every entrée and salad description made her mouth water. To think, she’d been convinced she wasn’t hungry at first. But the aroma of spices in the air combined with what she read on the menu had her stomach grumbling once more. How very ladylike. Good heavens, it hadn’t been that long since she’d enjoyed male companionship. Why was she coming off as such an awkward neophyte?

  A white-jacketed waiter took their order within minutes. Clearly, every worker in the restaurant had been made aware that the co-owner was in attendance. Another waiter soon appeared and placed a small glass jug with clear liquid in the center of the table.

  Celeste stared at it in confusion. “Is that all the water we’re getting?”

  Reid looked up from his menu. “Darling, that’s not water. And if you’re not familiar with it, I would definitely not drink it as if it were.”

  It was hard not to react internally to the endearment. Reid hadn’t really meant anything with the affectionate word, but something curled deep in her belly nonetheless.

  She figured out what he was getting at as far as the small pitcher was concerned. Greek architecture, Mediterranean cuisine. “It’s ouzo, isn’t it?”

  “That it is. I’m guessing you’ve never had it?”

  “Never,” she answered. “And I probably shouldn’t start today.”

  He nodded. “It’s potent stuff. If you change your mind, start with a really small sip. Or we could have it watered down for you.”

  She shook her head. The last thing she needed in his presence was anything else throwing her off balance in any way. She felt enough out of her element as it was.

  “I’ll stick to the simple white wine, thanks.”

  He ordered her a chardonnay then poured himself a small amount of the ouzo into a shot glass that the waiter returned with. By the time their food arrived, the crisp, fruity wine had done a great deal to smooth her frazzled nerves. Between the disastrous phone call with her mother and the sheer magnitude of Reid’s presence, she found it rather surprising that she was finally starting to relax.

  Until Reid brought up the matter of karaoke again.

  “I just thought you were a woman open to trying new things.” He was clearly goading her. Unfortunately, she fell for the trap. In a way she was too tipsy to realize she’d quickly regret.

  “I am about certain things. See, look.”

  Reaching for the remaining sliver of ouzo that sat in the mini pitcher. It was barely more than half a tablespoon. How strong could it be? She downed it in one swift gulp. Then gasped in shock as liquid fire shot through her midsection.

  Reid sat staring at her wide-eyed. What had possessed her to do something so reckless? Suddenly, he threw his head back and barked out in laughter. He then gave a mini seated salute.

  “I’m gonna need some more water.”

  Her belly felt like she’d swallowed a lit match. A rush of heat shot through to her cheeks. The room seemed to have tilted slightly. None of that was particularly funny.

  So she wasn’t quite sure why she returned Reid’s laugh with a hearty one of her own.

  * * *

  Reid had stopped speculating what might have led to the scene he’d come across earlier this evening when he’d found Celeste so forlorn and defeated at the outside pub. But there was no question she seemed to be enjoying herself now. If her wide smile was any indication.

  A trove of pleasure blossomed in his chest at the thought that he’d helped put that smile on her face. As they left the restaurant and headed toward the beach, he took the opportunity to study her, the way he had through most of dinner.

  She was unlike anyone he’d ever met. How could Jack have ever described her as standoffish and guarded? No doubt she’d tried to present herself that way in response to Jack’s stilted demeanor.

  He wished he’d bothered to ask three years ago. Maybe he could have talked some sense into his friend. Then again, he wouldn’t be sitting with her here now if he’d done so. Selfish or not, he didn’t feel sorry that the turn of events had led to this current moment.

  “How do you feel?” he asked as they reached the sand.

  “Surprisingly all right. But I don’t think I’ll be looking to do any more shots of ouzo this evening. Or ever again,” she added after the slightest pause.

  “Probably a wise decision.”

  A speaker suddenly sounded from near the water with a bouncy rendition of “Holly Jolly Christmas.”

  “We’re headed to the karaoke event, aren’t we?” she asked, a note of resignation laced in her voice.

  “Trust me, you don’t want to miss it.”

  She sighed and continued walking. “I suppose it can’t hurt to watch for a bit. There are worse ways to spend the evening.”

  Reid hung his head low in mock offense. “Wow, not the most enthusiastic response I’ve gotten to the prospect of spending time with me, but I guess I’ll take it.”

  “Trust me, it’s nothing less than a compliment. I can’t think of one other person who could convince me to go near an event featuring amateur singing of Christmas carols.”

  There was no reason for her comment to cause the rush of pleasure in him that it did.

  “You sure it’s me
? It might be the ouzo,” he teased.

  She groaned out loud. “I can’t believe I did that.”

  They’d reached the area by the wooden stage, the music growing louder by the second. The slow crashing of the waves behind them grew more and more muted. An impressive crowd had gathered. Two staffers sat at a table, surrounded by laptops and sound equipment. They each had Santa hats on. Another staffer dressed as an elf walked around passing out the same hats to guests.

  Reid realized he was taking it all in more as a participant rather than the co-owner of the resort. He couldn’t recall when that had ever happened before on one of his properties. He risked a glance at the woman next to him. She had to be the reason he was suddenly viewing things through different eyes. Though for the life of him he wouldn’t be able to explain why. What manner of effect did she have on him?

  “Mr. Evanson,” the hat deliverer had reached them. Without asking, she reached up and placed one atop his head. Then she turned and did the same to Celeste.

  Reid noticed her hat was different. It had a floral design instead of plain white at the base. The lettering said You’ve Been Chosen.

  The hat elf clapped her hands. “You’ve been chosen, madam!”

  Celeste blinked at her in confusion. She looked at him for some clarity. Damned if he knew what was going on.

  “Chosen?”

  “You have one of the special hats,” the elf answered.

  “Special how?”

  “It’s our version of mistletoe. But you have a choice. You can perform a song onstage.”

  Celeste’s hand flew to her mouth in horror. “What’s the other option?”

  The elf laughed in response. “You kiss someone, silly. That’s how mistletoe works, right?”

  The staffer looked pointedly at Reid as she explained. Her coworkers had all turned their focus on the three of them. Several of the revelers turned to watch, as well. So, his employees were taking the opportunity to have a little fun at their boss’s expense. Nothing malicious, he knew. Harmless fun.

  But Celeste looked as if she’d swallowed a raw conch.

  He discreetly drew the staffer’s attention and gave a slight, almost imperceptible shake of his head. Drop it.

  The elf immediately nodded in agreement. But it was too late. The crowd had now gotten involved. Chants of encouragement had begun.

  “I’m not up for either of those options,” Celeste said in a low voice. Enough of the crowd heard her that the encouraging cheers started to switch to long, exaggerated boos.

  This was his fault, Reid thought as he tried to find the quickest path out of the crowd. He’d never forgive himself if she was humiliated.

  “Come on,” a man urged her to their left. “Pick one.”

  Reid clenched his hand by his side. His fingers itched to shove the man aside and away from her but it wouldn’t do to accost one of his guests.

  He grabbed Celeste by the wrist and began to lead her away. The boos grew louder.

  She surprised him by halting them both to a stop. When he turned in question, she’d gone pale.

  “It’s okay. I’ll do it,” she declared, breathless, her voice aquiver.

  He pivoted to face her fully. “You don’t have to, Celeste. I’ll get you out of here,” he said on a low whisper against her ear so that only she could hear.

  She nodded slowly. “I’m sure. I don’t run from things,” she offered with a shaky smile. “Then again, that might just be the ouzo talking.”

  Without waiting for his response, she turned toward the stage and stepped toward it. Reid shook off his shock and quickly followed her up the steps onto the platform.

  The crowd erupted in cheers and applause once more. Reid placed his hand gently on her waist at the base of her spine. Bowing slightly to the crowd, he took the mike.

  “What are you doing?” Celeste asked him.

  He shrugged. “Can’t let you have all the fun, can I? What are we singing?”

  CHAPTER SIX

  IF SHE HAD somehow managed to sing in front of a throng of beach partygoers last night, the task before her should be a piece of cake.

  Celeste took Reid’s hand as he helped her off the charter boat onto the smooth beach they’d spent half an hour sailing to after leaving the Baja Majestic earlier this morning.

  She could do this. Besides, part of her was looking forward to it maybe just a little. The waterfall they were to climb up couldn’t be that tall, could it? She got her answer soon enough.

  The falls was tall, all right. But it didn’t seem terribly steep. She took a steadying breath, reminding herself that she’d signed up for this. There would be no backing out now. Just like last night onstage.

  Hard to believe but she felt a quiver of a smile tug her lips at the memory. She and Reid had butchered “Jingle Bells” so badly, it was a wonder they hadn’t been escorted off stage. To think she could laugh about it now, when at the time she’d thought she might faint with nervousness. What choice had she had? She wasn’t going to hightail it and run away in front of all those people. And what was the other option? To kiss Reid.

  She’d thought about it, she really had. In fact, she’d found herself oh-so-tempted to just lean into him, even in front of all those people, and find out once and for all what his lips would taste like, how they would feel up against her own.

  Singing in front of strangers had absolutely been the safer choice.

  Though singing might be too generous a word. Reid had stayed onstage with her and “sung” too.

  “You ready?” he asked her now.

  “I suppose.” She followed him to the base where two guides were waiting for them. After a brief summary of safety measures and what to expect, they began the climb by stepping on the first big boulder.

  So far so good.

  Granted, it was literally the first step. But she’d take any encouragement where she could get it. They were both absolutely soaked in no time. Reid seemed unfazed by the sheer physicality required. Lithe and agile, she got the feeling he’d be bounding upward boulder to boulder if he wasn’t hampered by her. Despite the early-morning heat, there was enough of a breeze and shaded areas that she found herself shivering with cold.

  In response, Reid rubbed his palms absent-mindedly over her arms when they came to a brief stop before scaling the next large boulder. More than once, she lost her footing on the slippery rocks and he was there to catch and steady her. She’d always prided herself on her independence. Even after her broken engagement, Celeste defined herself by her own successes, for being her own person. But something about the way Reid kept rescuing her from slips and falls awakened a side of her she didn’t recognize. It was nice for once to literally have someone to fall back on.

  The noise of the gushing water made conversation impossible. Not that she would have known what to say. His touch sent electricity over her skin.

  Forty-five minutes later, they’d finally reached the top. Her muscles quivered with exhaustion. But that wasn’t all she felt. She was elated. She’d done it. She’d conquered the phenomenal task—to her, anyway—of climbing up a one-hundred-and-fifty-foot waterfall.

  Their guides congratulated them with a round of high fives. Reid reached for his waterproof wallet and handed several wilted bills to the two men.

  He turned to her with a wide grin. “You did it!”

  She didn’t get a chance to respond as he lifted her by the waist and twirled her around in a tight embrace.

  Celeste didn’t even bother to try to suppress her squeal of laughter. She had done it! She’d successfully conquered a feat she wouldn’t have even attempted a week ago. All because Reid was by her side throughout it all.

  She would have to examine at some point what that meant for her going forward. But right now, she was due a bit of a celebration.

  When he sat her back on her fee
t, an unknown heaviness hung in the air between them. She could have sworn he was going to touch her again. Instead, he clenched his hands into tight fists and squeezed his eyes shut.

  Heavens. Maybe she should have asked for that kiss last night when she’d had an excuse.

  “Reid?” she wasn’t even sure what she was asking of him. Just then, another couple cleared the top of the waterfall and ran past them laughing. Several feet away, they stopped to embrace and indulge in a long and ardent kiss. A stab of longing hit Celeste deep in her core and she couldn’t look away. She wanted what that couple had. That intimacy, that closeness. The clear passion between the two of them.

  Heaven help her, Celeste had thought she’d given up on that longing three years ago. She realized she’d been fooling herself. She’d simply fallen for the wrong man.

  She turned to see Reid watching the other couple also. His fist seemed to clench even tighter at his side.

  “We should get cleaned up and dried off,” he told her, gesturing to the building behind them that housed the shower and spa facilities.

  But her feet wouldn’t move. She didn’t want this moment to end. The world around them seemed to fall away. Her vision zeroed in on one thing only—the man standing before her. The hunger in his eyes was as clear as the sunny sky above. Could he see that same hunger in her own?

  “Lunch will be waiting for us soon,” he reminded her. “We can use the time to go over your thoughts on ways to advertise this as part of the resort package.”

  It took a moment for her to register exactly what he was saying. How could she have forgotten even for a moment? She was only here because Reid was after her professional feedback.

  While she stood here like a fool entertaining all sorts of romantic fantasies, Reid was simply utilizing her for her marketing expertise. His only concern was for his business.

  The realization was like more cold water splashing over her skin. How could she have not learned her lesson? Technically, she was nothing more than Reid’s employee.