Caribbean Escape with the Tycoon

by Rosanna Battigelli

  And her fiancé hadn’t liked it.

  Vance watched as Chanelle slumped forward, her chin resting in one hand. Her earlier levity was gone, and he suspected the wine might have had something to do with her shift in emotions. He couldn’t imagine her spilling all this personal stuff to him otherwise.

  He glanced at his watch and sprang out of his seat. “I’m sorry to cut this short, Chanelle, but I have to be somewhere else. Five minutes ago, actually,” he added ruefully. “I’ll let you enjoy your dessert in peace. By the way, will you be catching the opening night’s performance in the Milky Way Theater?”

  “I—I...maybe,” she said cautiously before picking up her fork again to dig into her risotto.

  “Okay then,” he said slowly, nodding. “Maybe I’ll see you there. Arrivederci.”

  Vance glanced at her left hand. He was about to add something and then decided against it. Feeling a strange tug in his stomach muscles, he rose and left.

  Vance sprinted toward the theater. He had been totally absorbed—distracted—with Chanelle Robinson. Thank goodness he had looked at his watch or he would have been inexcusably late, missing his cue to address the guests on this special cruise.

  In five minutes, the cruise director would be welcoming the crowd, then he’d be introducing him, and Vance would share the reason he and his family were on board the Aquarius. They had decided to keep it from the media and had simply wanted to have a relatively small celebration of Vance’s official position as president. They had decided on a five-day cruise just to relax, mingle with their invited guests—who had promised to keep the event under wraps—and have a gala evening midweek, when Vance’s mother would announce her retirement and formally pass over the business to Vance.

  The uninvited guests were in for a surprise, for the gala would be open to them also, in appreciation for their patronage and, for some, their loyalty in returning to Zodiac Cruises for a holiday. In fact, what seemed to be trending was for Zodiac faithfuls to book a different Zodiac ship each time they cruised. Vance had already met a group of nine forty-something women who had already cruised on four of the ships in the fleet. They had been friends since high school, and although they didn’t all live in the same town, they reunited every year for their one-week cruise.

  Vance had smiled at them earlier in the lobby of the art gallery. As he had strolled by, he had heard one of them whisper, “He doesn’t have a ring. He must be unattached...” And one of her friends had chortled. “Lucky gal who gets to attach themselves to that. I’ll be having sweet dreams tonight...and of course, I’ll be the lucky gal.” And at the resounding laughter, he had stifled a chuckle and had gone to chat with the art rep.

  Now, entering the slightly dimmed theater, Vance looked around. Spotting Mariah, he made his way to the third row in the orchestra section. Mariah smiled at him and continued checking her messages on her cell phone. Vance sat back and thought about what the ladies had said.

  “He must be unattached.”

  Well, they were right. For the most part. At the moment he was not seeing anyone. His last relationship had fizzled out after his father had died. Brianna was a wealthy socialite his mother had invited over one night, someone she had thought might be a good match for Vance. They had seen each other for several months, but Vance hadn’t been ready for a serious commitment, and Brianna had.

  If she had been the right one, wouldn’t he have wanted to settle down?

  His mother had hinted more than once—and not too subtly—that perhaps he should start trying to find someone who could become more permanent in his life. He was thirty-four, after all, and didn’t he get tired of dating one beautiful woman after another? Vance smirked at the memory of the comment she had made once—that he changed women as often as he changed cars.

  “You’re not getting any younger, son, and neither am I. I don’t expect to have grandchildren when I’m too old to be able to lift them. Or play with them.”

  Occasionally she had taken a sterner approach, pinning him with her steel-blue eyes.

  “You can’t be a playboy all your life, Vance. It’s time to get serious...serious about settling down.”

  Vance had instinctively known that his mother had felt responsible for indulging him and his sister in all ways. They had grown up spoiled and entitled, he had heard her complain to his father, and now they expected that lifestyle to continue.

  Especially Vance. At least Mariah had married and blessed her with a grandson. She could be high-maintenance at times, but being a parent had tamed her somewhat. Now Vance, on the other hand...

  A week after his mother had voiced her concerns, his father had died. And the lifestyle Vance had known had come abruptly to a halt. There were matters to take care of, both personal and business, and his mother had been too distraught to deal with any of them. It had been left to Vance to make the funeral arrangements and to be the strong shoulder for both his mother and sister.

  Brianna had expressed sympathy, but she was used to a certain pace in her life, and she had expected Vance to keep up with her high-profile social events and private parties a few weeks after the funeral.

  But the passing of his father had taken the desire for partying right out of Vance. The immensity of his father’s responsibilities and the esteem in which his business associates had held him had made Vance acutely aware that his involvement in the company had been peripheral at best. And when it had been time for the last goodbyes, and his mother, sister, brother-in-law and nephew had walked away, Vance had stayed behind to quietly reiterate the vow he had failed to make to his father before he died.

  Soon after, when he had told Brianna about his intentions and that he couldn’t make a firm commitment, Brianna had skipped out of his life.

  Vance checked the time on his phone. One minute before the show... He glanced at Mariah and saw that she was texting her husband, who hadn’t been able to join them on the cruise, as he was tending to business in Europe.

  Vance glanced around and was pleased to see that the theater was filling quickly. His eyes narrowed as he searched the moving groups for a sign of Chanelle. And then he checked himself.

  Why did he even care if she attended the opening or not?

  The orchestra started up, and a minute later, cruise director Jake Ross walked out on stage. At his cue, Vance strode to the side door that led to the stage and waited for Jake’s intro. Jake warmed up the audience with his jokes and stories about funny experiences onboard, and when the laughter had subsided, his tone became more serious.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, I have the distinct pleasure of welcoming you to the Aquarius and to our opening night show here in the beautiful Milky Way Theater. You are in for a few surprises this week, starting with the man you are going to meet shortly. He is someone who has taken on the monumental task of leadership of Zodiac Cruises these past nine months since the passing of Mr. Bruce Kingston—Zodiac’s founder and president—proving with his unreserved determination, razor-sharp focus and relentless efforts and inexhaustible energy that he has everything it takes not only to continue in his father’s fine footsteps, but to leap beyond. He will reveal his vision for the company during this cruise, and I am sure that you will be as excited as the staff of the Aquarius and of the entire fleet of Zodiac Cruise ships to hear about his initiatives and to celebrate during this special cruise.” He turned toward his right and extended a hand. “And now, please join me in welcoming Mr. Vance Kingston, acting president and co-owner of Zodiac Cruises!”

  Vance stepped out to a resounding applause. He was moved by Jake’s words and the crowd’s enthusiasm, and after thanking them for their presence and participation in a Zodiac cruise, he explained why he was there, and what they would be in for.

  At the loud cheers of approval and whistles, he gave a bow, and when he raised his head, his gaze landed on a guest who was just sitting down on the far end of a middle row in t
he right-hand section of the theater.

  Chanelle...

  Had she arrived in time to hear him from the beginning? He pulled his gaze away from her. Ordinarily, he had no problem addressing a large crowd, but somehow, knowing she was there, he suddenly felt awkward. He hadn’t told her anything about himself, and he couldn’t help wondering if she’d be feeling awkward as well when she realized who he was.

  He finished up his address and thanked the audience again. His gaze swept casually over the crowd, and for a few seconds, Chanelle seemed to be looking straight at him. As the orchestra started up with a musical number that would take the audience through decades of Broadway theater productions, Vance strode off the stage, the cue for the Aquarius dancers to appear.

  He and Mariah had chosen seats near the front on the left-hand section of the theater. Vance was too far away from where Chanelle was sitting to even get a glimpse of her. As he sat down, he exchanged smiles with Mariah, who squeezed his arm in approval. The chandeliers were dimmed, and the dancers burst onto the stage in a swirl of sequins, lights and music. Vance sat back in the plush seat to take in the spectacular opening, but as the dancers spun past, it was a pair of hazel-green eyes that danced before him...

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHANELLE HAD ALMOST made up her mind to call it an early night after her dinner and go back to her stateroom. She knew that she had indulged in more wine than usual, and she had been aware that her responses to Vance had been less careful as a result. It made her cringe to think of how she had giggled and made a ridiculous remark about him being chivalrous. And how she had called him Sir Vancelot. And if that wasn’t bad enough, she had nattered on about her job and her past.

  By the time she had finished the restaurant’s signature tiramisu, Chanelle had felt like she could easily go straight to bed. Her appetite had been quelled in the most decadent way, and the rich food and the wine had made her quite mellow. The restaurant had almost filled to capacity and the alternating levels of voices had started to become overwhelming.

  She had been wondering whether she could handle sitting for over an hour in the Milky Way Theater when her eyes had started to droop. It had been an emotional day in more ways than one, and she had debated whether she could even take the sensory stimulation of the opening night performance when all she wanted to do was lie on her bed with the balcony door open and listen to the relaxing sound of the waves...

  But Vance Kingston will be there, remember?

  Chanelle had smiled and thanked the waiter. As she had walked out, the image of Vance’s inky-blue eyes as he had said earlier, “Maybe I’ll see you there,” had made her stop in her tracks. It might have been a totally casual statement, but the thought of encountering Vance again had made her heartbeat quicken, even if he’d be there with his sister.

  Why was he on this cruise with his family? Was it a special birthday for his mother? Chanelle had wondered if she’d get the chance to find out more about Vance on the cruise.

  She had kept walking, her steps suddenly lighter, her drowsiness gone. Outside the restaurant, she had checked the time. The show had started at nine, and she had already missed ten minutes. But a glance toward the theater doors had confirmed that people were still filing in. She had heard laughter from the audience, and the thought had occurred to her that it might do her a world of good to laugh, especially after spending the last few months dealing with the reality of job burnout and, a couple of months before that, her broken engagement with Parker.

  Chanelle’s counselor had encouraged her to find opportunities to lighten up her life with events that would bring her joy and laughter. She needed to balance her life, have more fun...

  At the next peal of laughter, Chanelle had ignored the voice in her head that told her it had been a long day and she should just go to bed. She had followed a family into the theater and spotted an empty aisle seat to her right.

  Settling in her seat, she had caught the last few minutes of the cruise director’s comedy routine before he began his announcement. She had started at the mention of Mr. Bruce Kingston, and a few moments later, felt a greater jolt at hearing the name of Vance Kingston, “acting president and co-owner of Zodiac Cruises.” Her gaze had riveted to the man walking across the stage.

  Her Vance?

  What a ridiculous thought. He was not her Vance. But he was co-owner of the cruise line. She had felt a flutter in her chest as she recalled his earlier words: “I can’t have anyone on my ship looking so sad...” So she had heard correctly.

  Chanelle had joined the rest of the audience in clapping their welcome, and when the noise had subsided, she could hear the thumping of her heart against her ribs. Even from a distance, the way he had looked in his tailored suit had caused her to draw in her breath, and her cheeks had flamed at the tingling that had begun navigating throughout her nerve pathways.

  Three women in the row ahead of her had nudged each other and exchanged whispers about the “hunky owner” of the cruise line. Chanelle had difficulty trying to listen to Vance while overhearing descriptions about his sexy attributes.

  She had been relieved when they had stopped their chatter and focused on what Vance was saying, allowing her to focus as well. She had listened to his deep voice welcoming the crowd, thanking them for having selected Zodiac Cruises for the very first time or for their loyalty in returning.

  He had proceeded to give a summary of his father’s vision and accomplishments, and then his voice had wavered for a moment when he declared that his focus was to keep his father’s company thriving. As the audience responded with enthusiastic applause, Vance had scanned the theater with an intensity that made Chanelle’s insides flip. Could he be searching for her in the crowd? she had mused. He had said, “Maybe I’ll see you there...”

  She had shaken her head at her silly presumption. Vance Kingston was for all intents and purposes president of the cruise line. He had obviously just been showing her the courtesy he would have displayed to anyone else on the ship. But after her embarrassing behavior in the restaurant, she’d vowed to make every effort to avoid him.

  And then she had frozen. For a moment, it had looked like Vance was staring right at her, and the applause and people around her had became muted as she held her breath at the possibility... And then he had shifted his gaze and continued speaking. He had promised the audience that they were in for some special perks and surprises on this particular cruise, and that the cruise director would keep them informed every day of what was happening, along with the daily bulletin they would be receiving.

  Finally, Vance had thanked them again, told them to enjoy the opening show and, flashing the crowd a smile that elicited a couple of whistles, had walked off the stage.

  * * *

  Vance was nowhere to be seen as the crowd exited the theater, and Chanelle had to admit to herself that despite her vow to avoid him, she felt a little disappointed. She returned to her stateroom and had a quick shower, her earlier drowsiness completely gone. While her hair was drying, she searched online to see what she could find out about Vance Kingston. Chanelle discovered that he had been a person of interest in the world of the elite for quite a while, frequenting exotic locales and attending high-profile events—dealing with art, cars and entertainment—that attracted the rich and famous, many of them women.

  Some of the headlines had proclaimed him to be one of Canada’s most eligible bachelors, not only ruggedly handsome, but easygoing and extravagant, indulging in a variety of interests and activities all over the country. One week he’d be seen skiing in Whistler, British Columbia, among Hollywood celebrities, and the next he’d be at some posh literary or art event in Toronto or at Montreal’s jazz festival. From the look of any one of the women in his company, it was obvious that they were happy to share the spotlight with him.

  After checking more recent sites, Chanelle learned that Vance Kingston had been employed as head of acquisition
s at an art gallery in Toronto’s Distillery District until the death of his father nine months earlier. Recent articles described him as almost reclusive now, totally focused on carrying on the family business.

  Chanelle turned off her cell phone and ventured out on the balcony. She stared down at the water, swirling and cresting and catching the light of the moon in shiny arcs and squiggles. She could have stayed there longer, but her common sense reminded her that a good night’s rest had been what her doctor and counselor had recommended.

  Lying under the bedsheets with her balcony door partially open, Chanelle listened to the slurping water sounds and thought about the opening night show by the Aquarius singers and dancers. It had been spectacular and as dazzling as a top-rated Vegas show. But the image that kept returning to her mind was that of Vance Kingston. The way he had sounded, his voice velvet smooth. And the way he had looked, tall and male-model gorgeous, his golden-brown hair glinting under the spotlight. Flashing that killer smile at the audience that had made her stomach flip and scanning the crowd with brilliant blue eyes that she knew could change like the waves.

  Seeing Vance up on that stage had been the first shock, and learning that he was soon to be the official president of Zodiac Cruises had been the second. The memory of him in that tailored suit and the sensual thrum of his voice as he had addressed the audience ignited a tingle throughout her body.

  Although it was a balmy night, Chanelle shivered and pulled up the covers. She nestled into a side position, sinking into the comfortable pillow with a sigh. There had been a lot of pulsating lights and energetic musical numbers, but she had left the theater less affected by the overstimulation than she had expected. And more affected by Vance Kingston.

  Chanelle had hoped for a relaxing holiday where she could shake off some of the built-up stress of the past and try to come up with a plan for the future. She had to make a decision where work was concerned. She couldn’t remain on a leave indefinitely. Getting away on a cruise had seemed like the perfect opportunity to resolve the issue of whether to return as a front-line child protection worker or to seek work in an area that wouldn’t consume so much of her time and energy.