A Touch of Passion (boxed set romance bundle)

by Uvi Poznansky

  Khanti stopped fidgeting. “Really?”

  “Yeah. I tried to sell it, but none of its supporters wanted to take on the workload. I was forced to close the doors, which took longer than I’d anticipated. Sold my house, my SUV. Came here to heal and start fresh.”

  “I’m sorry that your husband died.” Khanti reached over to pat Celia’s hand. “Nino’s a pain in the ass, but he’s mine. I can’t imagine life without him.”

  Change happened so fast that it was impossible to imagine. Celia nodded her thanks. “He was a jerk. I married for love, he married for convenience.”

  Khanti scowled. “A jerk? How could anybody be mean to you? You’re one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met.”

  Celia exhaled. She hadn’t told anybody except her parents and her therapists about how Preston had died. But stuff like that was golden, and the video was released-probably by an employee of the skydiving company. It’d made the circuit of their ‘friends’ and neighbors. Humiliation tasted terrible. “I didn’t find out until after his death that he was unfaithful.” With a woman who exuded passion. Sex appeal. Someone Celia’s complete opposite.

  “That’s awful,” Khanti said, anger in her voice.

  “I didn’t mean to be a downer,” Celia said, starting the car and shying away from bad memories. “I just want you to understand that I really do need to make this a success. No room for failure. No going back.”

  Khanti’s expression grew determined. “I’ll help you. If you cook as well as you organize? I can’t believe how great your café looks, in just a few days.” Khanti leaned back and clicked on her seatbelt. “You will be that one business out of ten that’s a raging success.”

  Celia pulled onto the road. “I can cook.” She thought of some recipes she’d hoped to try before Wednesday. Her empty condo and all of the food she had in it. “Why don’t you and Nino come over tonight? You bring your salsa, and your appetite, and I’ll show you.”

  “Score!” Khanti said with a clap of her hands.

  Celia grinned. “Yes?”

  “Hell yes. Do I have to bring Nino?” She shook her head. “I’ll make him promise to behave, but he wasn’t kidding about his love for meat.”

  “Organic doesn’t mean vegetarian.” What to make?

  Celia pulled into the gas station, her silly heart skipping as she saw Dax’s jeep at the pump. He hadn’t called her. Veronica sat in the passenger seat, her hair flowing down her back like a commercial for a high-end salon.

  “That woman,” Khanti said with a sniff. “Is a walking ball of crazy. Her and Dax have been inseparable.”

  Ouch. She smothered the spurt of jealousy that flared in her belly. Just because Dax had been friendly with her didn’t mean a thing. Obviously, he was just a friendly kind of guy.

  She slowed to a stop in front of the gas station door to let Khanti out.

  “You have to park so I can get my groceries. Besides, this way I can check with Nino. Hopefully he has plans to go the casino with his buddies. I have no girlfriends, Celia. None. This being married has sucked away all of my free time.”

  Celia hadn’t had any-ever. Besides, she’d watched Khanti embrace about ten female cousins and doubted the woman pined for feminine companionship. She hesitated, not wanting to see Dax, or make it seem like she was stalking him. But Khanti needed her produce.

  She parked, popped the trunk, and got out of the car.

  “Celia!” Veronica called in her sultry voice. “Darling, where have you been?”

  Me? Celia turned toward the model, who gracefully climbed out of the jeep’s passenger side. Celia became acutely aware of her beige capris, Toms sneakers, and white tee. Veronica wore black silk shorts with a fringed sleeveless blouse, and heels that showed off her long, tanned legs.

  Celia sucked in her stomach out of reflex and met the model halfway. “Veronica, how are things going?”

  “I could be better.” She pulled Celia into a hug that Celia forced herself to accept with grace. “Still no photographers,” she said, with a glance at Khanti.

  “Weren’t you returning home soon?” Celia asked.

  “Umberto granted a week’s extension.” She sighed. “You have no idea what I had to promise to make that happen.”

  Celia did not–absolutely did not–want to know. “Veronica, have you met Khanti?”

  The model nodded, as did Khanti, who had her arms full of groceries-making her unhuggable, in case Veronica came in for the kill.

  Dax opened the door of the gas station and walked out, his eyes finding Celia. Self-conscious, she tugged at the bottom of her t-shirt and tried to follow Khanti inside.

  “Khanti, Celia. Nino said you two were at the market?”

  Khanti lifted the stuff in her arms and rolled her eyes. “You’re a genius, Dax,” she said. “Let me by before I drop my avocados.”

  “No bruised avocados,” Nino shouted from the register. “Salsa night!”

  Dax, still holding the door open, gave him a thumbs up. “I like her salsa too. When’s dinner?”

  “It’s at Celia’s tonight,” Khanti said. “Nino and I get to be her guinea pigs.”

  Dax looked at Celia, who wished she could strangle Khanti. His deep blue eyes gazed into hers and she bit her cheek to keep from inviting him to dinner. How did one man have the power to turn her insides to mush?

  “Not you, Dax. Just me and Nino. She needs people to practice on.”

  “I’m an adventurous eater,” Dax said, touching Celia’s wrist. “Remember the burrito?”

  “Me, too,” Veronica chimed in. “Food is a culinary thrill ride. An art. I have no plans for the evening, Celia.”

  Celia saw Dax take a deliberate breath. His jaw clenched as he looked beyond the supermodel. She didn’t detect any attraction between them. He’d obviously had his hands full-and wasn’t enjoying it. Fine.

  “Why don’t you all come over? Be prepared to eat. I just moved in, so don’t expect anything fancy.” Celia looked at Veronica. “I’ve got service for six, if anybody else wants to come.” She held up her hand. “No more than that though-and the deal is, you still have to show up on opening day.”

  Khanti and Nino exchanged a look, then Khanti said, “I guess I better get started on the salsa. Celia said if it’s good it might get a spot in her café.”

  Celia waved, wanting to escape the chaos and get into her kitchen. “See you tonight, then. Six?”

  “That early?” Veronica said. “You Americans are so gauche.”

  “You don’t have to come.” Dax’s voice had a sharp edge.

  Veronica fluffed her hair. “I will bring wine, Celia, that will make your food sing.”

  “I believe it,” she said, realizing she was having her first impromptu get together. She’d thought her life here would be solitary, but so far, she’d barely had a few hours to sleep alone. She brushed by him toward her car. “You should bring your dad.”

  Something flickered in his gaze that she couldn’t decipher. “I’ll ask him,” Dax said. “See if he’s up to a party.”

  “I’ll have to bring lots of wine, if we’re having a party,” Veronica said, her posture lifting.

  “Not that kind of party,” Celia was quick to clarify. “Food. Wine. Friends. Just friends.”

  She saw Veronica processing that meant boring as hell, but her options were limited. “All right. See you later, Celia.”

  The model walked between Celia and Dax to go inside the gas station. Dax reached for Celia’s arm. “I’ve been meaning to call.” He pointed toward the model, who browsed the candy bar aisle. “But she’s like a toddler.”

  “Any word from the guys?”

  “She got a text from Julio, telling her to chill out.”

  “Which means they are alive and well, at least.” She leaned close to Dax’s ear, inadvertently getting a delicious whiff of ocean and man that was unique to Dax. “The jewels?”

  “No word. She asked about them, but they ignored her texts after that.”
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  “They’re being cruel.” Celia hated games. Emotional blackmail.

  “Yeah. Assholes.” He hesitated, reaching for her fingers to give them a squeeze. “How are you? I’ve been thinking about you.”

  He had? “Sweet of you. No worries, though. I’ve made more friends here than I ever had in Ohio. Well, the beginning of friendships, anyway. We’ll see what people think after you all taste my food tonight.”

  “I am sure it will be amazing.” He caressed his thumb over the base of her palm.

  She swallowed, her stomach jolting at the faint touch. “I know.” One thing Celia understood down to her toes was that she could make magic happen in the kitchen. What about with Dax? Her gaze landed on Dax’s mouth. His full lower lip. The hint of blond stubble along his jaw. What would he taste like?

  She pulled back and blinked. “I. I have to go.”

  He slowly released her hand, lingering as if he wanted to say something else. Finally, he cleared his throat, breaking the spell that held them standing like idiots in front of the gas station.

  “See ya tonight,” he said.

  ❋

  Dax watched Celia climb into her little Prius and wished he was going with her. Celia had the softest hands. The clearest blue eyes. The sexiest mouth. Bow shaped and pink. Her nose had a pink tint to it too, as if she’d forgotten sunscreen more than once.

  He didn’t move from his spot until Celia’s taillights were no longer visible. He forced himself to go inside and get Veronica. If only he could afford to say to hell with the job, but he couldn’t. Facts were facts, and he was getting a nice check when all was said and done.

  She’d alternated between hysteria, sleeping, and eating junk food. He amused his dad with anecdotes, and if the old man felt up to an outing, Dax would give him the opportunity to experience Veronica himself tonight at dinner.

  “You ready?” he called inside the gas station.

  “Yes.” Veronica held up a bag of chips. “Something to snack on as we search for those bastards?”

  “See you guys tonight,” Dax said to Nino and Khanti.

  Khanti pointed at Veronica’s back as soon as the supermodel was facing Dax and mimed slitting her wrists.

  Dax hid his grin and led the way to his jeep. “Don’t get your hopes up. My friend was able to catch some of the signal from Jorgio’s text, but not clearly.”

  “They’re in Miami.” Veronica opened the bag, and took out a salty, greasy potato chip. “I know it. Let’s get them before they ruin everything.” She stuck the chip in her mouth and chewed. After swallowing she said, “It took me three years to get Umberto to trust me--to fall for me, as much as a man with that much power can. He can buy a new mistress every day for the rest of his life. I offer him friendship, companionship. Trust.”

  She took another chip and nibbled the end, her eyes welling with tears. Dax felt for her, he really did, but he would not be sorry to see her go back to Peru. He never realized running a dive shop might lead to being an over-priced babysitter.

  “I love him. I’ve seen him vulnerable.” Veronica blinked, wiped her fingers on a napkin from Dax’s console, then put her sunglasses on. “Those two do not get to ruin my life on a drunken whim.”

  “We’ll find them,” Dax said, hoping it was true.

  “Before going to Celia’s tonight? We’d have something to celebrate.”

  He wanted to celebrate all right, but not with Veronica. Him and Celia, alone, that would be much better. Images of Celia with a glass of champagne, strawberries and melted chocolate came to mind. Food could be fun. He’d love to show her new ways to eat chocolate.

  How had Veronica gotten invited? Oh yeah, she’d invited herself, just like he had, staring at Celia until she’d extended the dinner offer out of sheer politeness. So Celia.

  He called his dad, who was manning the shop for a few hours. He’d insisted on being useful. What could Dax say? No?

  “Dive shop.” Deep breath. “Dave here.”

  “Hi, Dad. How about you lock up and grab a nap upstairs? We’re going to party tonight.”

  “You find that hot model’s friends?”

  “Not yet. We’ve been invited to try out Celia Langford’s cooking.”

  “She needs to practice before the opening?”

  Dave might have a hard time catching his breath, but his wits were sharp as shark’s teeth.

  “You got it.”

  His dad chuckled. “I’m not one to turn down a free meal.”

  “Nap first.”

  “I’m not a kid.”

  “I know.” Dax blinked the moisture from his eyes. “I just don’t want you to embarrass me by falling asleep in your soup.”

  “Huh.” His dad waited for a few seconds. “What time?”

  “Six.”

  “So late?”

  Veronica snorted, hearing the conversation.

  “Just lay down. Close your eyes. You don’t have to sleep.”

  “That’s what I used to tell you.”

  “I remember,” Dax said, a ball of sad forming in his chest at the memory.

  “I’ll think about it.”

  “Dinner?”

  “The nap.” A deep breath. “I told you, I’m not one to miss out on a free meal.”

  Dax laughed, torn between frustration and amusement. “See you later.”

  He ended the call, his heart aching.

  “My parents disowned me.” Veronica popped another chip into her mouth, her eyes shielded by the shiny lenses of her sunglasses.

  “Because of Umberto?” Veronica hadn’t shared anything personal before now.

  “Many men before Umberto. Modeling.” She gave a little shrug. “My parents are devout Catholic. I am not...”

  “They love you.”

  “They pray for me, Dax. Not the same.” She folded the bag, setting it at her feet.

  “If we don’t find these two soon, I might have to get into that wine before dinner.”

  Chapter Ten

  Dax dropped Veronica off at the Blue Pelican after a disappointing few hours chasing Jorgio and Felippe. It was clear by now that the guys were toying with her.

  “Tell Umberto,” he said.

  “I cannot do that. Felippe and Jorgio have enough information to blackmail me for the rest of my life. My relationship will be over, my career finished.”

  “I thought you said that Umberto knew about the other,” Dax cleared his throat, not really comfortable with the conversation. “Men.”

  She waved her hand. “It is not that--Umberto is a man of the world and understands that I am much younger than he is. I have needs.”

  She said this so matter-of-factly that Dax had a hard time keeping a straight face.

  “Why would your relationship be over, then?”

  “Scandal is for other people, not Umberto, and not about me. I can do whatever I like, with discretion.”

  “Won’t Felippe and Jorgio be screwing themselves out of a job, if they mess up? Have you told them that the emerald is real?”

  She opened the door without waiting for him to come around. They were making progress in her independence. “Of course not. I promised Umberto.”

  “Have they threatened blackmail?”

  “No,” she said. “Am I willing to risk it by tattling to Umberto? They know when we need to leave. If they aren’t on the plane, I might as well die. I cannot go home without the emerald.”

  Drama. “What did you do to make them mad?”

  At first, Veronica acted offended, but then she sighed and pushed away from the jeep. “I already told you. They don’t understand perfection. What it takes to be the very best. I will be ready in an hour.”

  “Casual,” he reminded her. Dax spent the five minute drive down Commercial and over the bridge wondering what really happened between the trio-Veronica didn’t seem the kind to worry about secrets.

  He pulled into Bay Inlet, where his dad still lived in the house he and Darcy had been raised in. On the Intracoas
tal, it had a small dock and a covered patio. A pool his dad used three times a week for exercise-doc’s orders-and a small fire pit. This was home. He’d come and stay too once Darcy arrived for the holidays.

  Dax had moved to the studio above the shop after he’d brought his girlfriend home from college. She’d left for New York, he’d kept his independence. Of course, his mom had been alive then and his dad healthy as a horse.

  The house was dark, which was unusual. Then he remembered and smacked the steering wheel. He called his dad. “Dad, I’m at the house. You need anything?”

  “Ha! You tease me about forgetting shit, and there you are. Forgot where I was at.” His dad’s genuine laugh was worth the embarrassment.

  “Caught me. Clean shirt?”

  “Nope, I’ve got everything I need.”

  “How are you doing on air?” His dad detested the tanks, which came in many sizes so a person could camouflage them. Or pull a big one around on wheels, if they chose.

  “Fine, fine. I don’t take much.”

  Dax pulled back out onto the street, and drove to the main road. “Take as much as you need. There’s plenty.” In a pinch, he had a small one at the shop. He’d never thought to be a caretaker to his parent, but Dax accepted the responsibility as best he could.

  He zoomed over the bridge, careful not to go too fast and get a ticket from the cop usually waiting on the other side, and parked at the dive shop. He went inside, and sure enough, his dad wore a clean shirt and had slicked his hair back. He kept his steel gray hair short, which showed off his blue eyes.

  At fifty-three, the illness made his dad look seventy.

  “Looking good, Dad.”

  “Of course you’re gonna say that. You look just like I did, twenty-five years ago. Without the chin, though. Poor Darcy got that.”

  His dad tugged on his smooth-shaven chin, which was just fine as far as Dax could tell, but his father had always been self-conscious about it. No wonder Darcy was too!

  “We have to pick up Veronica on the way, which means we’ll be driving.” Not that his dad could walk more than a block, but they all tried to keep up the appearance of his independence.

  “Taking the jeep?” his dad asked.