He’d formulated a mental list of pros and cons as he went along. Plus a few ideas he’d poached from several past Goldsboro charity golf tournaments he’d participated in.
Now for the spa. Returning to the hotel, he made his way to the ornate front entrance of the Fragrant Garden’s Resort Spa. There, outside the double doors of lightly frosted glass, his determination waivered. Craning his neck, he squinted to see inside. All he needed was an idea for little something extra.
No doubt one of the employees standing at the reception desk would happily provide him with a printed price list of spa stuff. Like the weird sounding massages, and other mystery treatments.
Lame. Information like that was available on the damn website. He had to do better. Bet Ms. Dee Smith came out of here overflowing with—
Two women pushed through the doors, chattering a mile a minute. Quinn side-stepped, grabbed for the open door. Head held high, he stepped inside and toward the black marble reception desk.
“May I help you?” It was the younger of two women dressed in sarongs made from the resort’s uniform print material. She gave him a warm smile with a hint of empathy. Like she knew damn well he didn’t want to be here.
“Two things,” he said. “I’m looking for my lady, staying in the Hyacinth suite, Dee Smith. Is she still here?”
When she darted a look at her counterpart, who was apologizing to someone on the phone, Quinn guessed the girl was about to bend the rules.
She lowered her voice. “No, I’m sorry. You missed her. She’s already gone.”
“That’s okay. Look, I want to surprise Dee. Could you help me? Recommend a treatment or something. One she hasn’t already had?”
The young woman beamed. “Do you have a few minutes?”
“Sure.” Smiling, he nodded.
“Let’s move to a consultation room. I can give you a list of suggestions.”
“And could you explain exactly what’s involved?”
“It will be my pleasure.”
The young woman turned out to be a gold mine. He left the spa knowing the names and basics of every treatment. After only three-quarters of an hour, he had tons of recommendations for improvements and extras.
His stomach rumbled. To keep his fate-plan going, he’d end up spending a lot of time searching for Dee. The resort was huge. Either he needed to convince her they should work together. Or bribe one of the young people working here to act as his Dee-spotter.
It was well past lunch time when he finally tracked her down for their next fateful, coincidental meeting. He pushed up his sunglasses and casually circled the lagoon pool.
She sat under an umbrella at a table next to the water’s edge, engrossed in an animated discussion with a woman dressed in navy shorts and a blouse in the resort’s bright flowered print.
As he got closer, the hotel employee ducked her head and hurried away. Standing under the umbrella, he said, “Hey, Dee. Looks like fate’s thrown us together again. Hope I didn’t interrupt.”
“No, we were finished,” Dee said. “You do keep turning up.” She shot him a questioning look.
“I had a sudden urge to see the famous lagoon. The breeze is nice out here and now I’m tempted to have a late lunch. Care to join me?”
She laughed. “Since I’m the one with the table, I should extend the invitation.”
“Thank you, I accept.” He bent to kiss her. As he rounded the table to sit opposite, a server arrived.
After she left with their order, Dee leaned toward him. “Tell me about golf.”
“I’d love to.” He gave her his hungry wolf smile. “Then I’d have to kill you.”
“Very amusing.”
“I presume you toured the golf facilities? Compared them to your resort on Oahu.”
“I did manage a brief tour. My current hotel doesn’t have a golf course. We’re right on Waikiki Beach. Our guests can play at other locations, but truthfully, I never paid much attention. The idea of having a golf course included in the budget is all new to me.”
He winked. “Your turn. Tell me about the spa. Did you get a pedicure? Better yet, show me.” He ducked his head under the table to check out her feet.
“Yes.” She wiggled blue-tipped toes exposed at the end of her sandals. Damn she was cute. He sat upright and tried to slow his breathing.
“How about you?” She arched her eyebrows at him. “What was your favorite spa treatment? The sea salt scrub?”
He tried to look like a forlorn hound dog. “Never got past the reception area. Too fru-fru in there for me. My report on that area may be a tad lean.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
When they finished eating, Dee swallowed the last of her iced tea and folded her hands on the table.
“I have a strong feeling,” she said, “these fateful meetings are going to continue.” She eyed him. He kept his smile non-committal. “Also, I’m beginning to see there might be an advantage to us going together on some projects. Like on certain tours or hotel sports facilities.”
He opened his mouth to respond, and she held up her index finger. “If, and only if, we’re extra careful not to exchange any information that belongs in our reports.”
“It is phenomenal how we keep bumping into each other.” He let that sit out there for a moment. “If you want us to physically combine forces, participate in activities and tours together, I concur.”
He signaled the server. “Could you bring us two champagne cocktails? For a toast.”
She studied his face. “What the heck are you up to?”
“You’ll see. Meanwhile, I suggest we pass along of our pre-booked activity lists to the butler. Put her to work comparing them. She can tell us where we already overlap. Otherwise, she has the pull to merge the two itineraries. Get us in places that are booked or the tickets are sold out.”
“That could put us together every day.”
“And every night.” His voice grew husky.
“Quinn. I not only need to my survey done, I have to do an outstanding job on it.”
“I understand. I swear I’ll help you and stay within ethical bounds.”
Quinn could almost see the wheels turning. Finally, she said, “Let’s see how many overlaps the butler comes up with. Then perhaps we can pick and choose the rest.”
As he did a mental victory lap, the champagne arrived.
He raised his glass. “A toast to exploring our new partnership.”
She seemed hesitant but she drank the wine.
He exhaled the breath he’d been holding. Swallowed a gulp of champagne. They’d overcome another big hurdle. Which made spending time with her much easier. “What’s on your agenda for this afternoon?”
“Boat tour of the Fern Grotto.”
Keeping a straight face, he pretended to consult an app in his phone.
“Do you believe it?” he said. “What are the chances? I’m booked on the Fern Grotto tour leaving at 3:30 p.m.”
She stared at him. He stared back. Then dipped his head to look at his watch. “Hey, we’d better get a move on. Think we should take my car?”
“That won’t be necessary. The resort shuttle doesn’t leave for thirty minutes.”
“Oh, right. Better not drive. We need to experience the same tour that the guests do. Wonder how much this outing sets them back?” He swiped the screen to access the brochure downloaded to his phone. “Ah, says here, $25 per person for an hour and twenty minutes. How long can it take to look at a grotto? The boat trip must be most of that.”
By the time they’d handed over their two schedules to the butler and hurried back to the lobby, the hotel shuttle waiting under the front portico was packed. When they stepped off the vehicle at the dock, he touched Dee’s elbow, leaned to whisper in her ear. “Overcrowding the bus is strictly a hotel issue, right?”
“Absolutely.”
By contrast the privately-owned boat was clean, spacious, open-sided, and not crowded. During the ride, entertainers put on an enthusias
tic performance, singing and storytelling until they reached the dock beside a paved path up to the grotto. He enjoyed watching Dee’s reaction almost as much as the actual show.
“Fun so far?” he asked.
“I’d say yes.”
The path was bordered by plants and at the end, the group stood on a wooden platform facing the grotto. The large indent in the hillside was surrounded by lush foliage and ferns hung from the ceiling and walls.
The guide explained the owner’s family history and noted the grotto was a popular wedding locale. The guide was joined by singers and a hula dancer who performed the Hawaiian Wedding song.
“Romantic, huh?” Quinn said.
“Don’t push it, Major.”
The dancer joined them on the return boat trip. He watched as Dee chatted with her and with all the staff. The woman was a marvel at making instant friends. She could convince anybody to talk.
Halfway into the trip, the entertainers proposed hula lessons for the passengers. Quinn volunteered both Dee and himself.
“I’d be happy to film the two of you,” the grandmotherly woman beside him offered.
“No way, you’re going to join us.” Quinn extended his hand and she looked startled. “Come on,” he insisted, “be my partner.”
A man with a sleeping baby strapped to his chest motioned for the older woman to go for it.
“Maybe we can ask this dad to film us.” Quinn raised an eyebrow. The dad smiled, gestured a silent OK, and holding Quinn’s Smartphone, tapped the video feature on.
Dee stood beside him, continuing to look reluctant until the grandmother started rotating her hips. Then she quickly forgot her embarrassment and Quinn was bookended by two hot women telling a story with sensuous hips and graceful arms.
On the shuttle bus ride, Quinn draped an arm over her shoulder while Dee replayed the video. “I would have bet money,” he teased, “that you could dance the hula better than that.”
She pouted at him and he fought the strong urge to crush her to him.
“Never forget, Major. I know where you work. I’ll bet money your squadron has a Facebook page. How about I sent this video to them?”
“Empty threat.”
“I’m sure you wouldn’t want anyone to get hold of a—”
He executed a huge yawn. “What’s next on your agenda?”
With an exasperated sigh, she handed over his phone. “You’re trying to pretend you don’t already know?”
“I never said that.”
Dee pursed her lips.
Yea. The coincidence thing was wearing thin. “You know what sounds fun? Sunset kayaking.”
“Bingo,” she said. “You must be psychic. That’s next on my list.”
CHAPTER 7
“Shoot.” DeAnna frowned at the sign tacked over the closed kayak rental window that read: “Tonight’s Sunset Kayak Tour cancelled.” A good-looking surfer type with a clipboard stepped toward them.
“Really sorry about your tour. If you’ll give me your name, I can transfer you to another tour or refund your money.”
Quinn shot her a glance. To the clipboard man he said, “Smith and Quinn. Can you tell us why you had to cancel?”
“The wind’s picked up. A squall appears to be moving in. No kayaking or any other water activities for the rest the day.”
“Does this happen often?”
“The weather’s always a factor when you go on the water.”
“Just like in the air.”
Surfer beamed his approval. “Right. Our helicopters are also grounded. To answer your question, this doesn’t happen often. But the Fragrant Garden doesn’t take chances when it comes to the safety of our guests.”
“I’m reassured,” Quinn muttered.
“I’m disappointed,” DeAnna said at the same time.
“Me, too,” the surfer answered her. “A pod of dolphins was spotted on our route. With any luck, they’ll stick around through tomorrow. Can I rebook you two?”
“My schedule’s full already,” she said.
“Too bad. I’ll process the refund now. And make a note to check back with you later in the week.” He offered her a business card. “Or please call me if any time frees up for you.”
As they moved away, she watched dark clouds skitter across the grey sky. Quinn said, “I was hoping for a late run on the beach. Guess that’s out. I vote we clean up, check out one of the theme gardens before the storm hits, then have dinner.”
She chose her words carefully. “We’ve already spent a lot of today together. Maybe it’s not a good idea to eat every meal with each other, too.”
He stopped in his tracks. Grabbing her hand, he moved them to the side of the path and wedged behind a cluster of palm trees. Squeezing both her hands, his hazel-green eyes looked intense. “If you need a break, just say so. For me, I want to spend as much time as I’ve got here with you. Okay?”
She nodded as warmth spread through her. He leaned closer, his breath teasing her face.
“Seriously, if you need time alone, you’ll tell me, won’t you?”
“Ah, right.” She swallowed hard. “Here’s the truth. I’m having a fantastic time with you, barring the occasional concern you might get bored with me. I don’t need any more alone time than I’m getting.”
He pulled her hands up to rest on his shoulders, slid his hands around to her back. She felt his open palms urge her body against his. With a moan, he crushed his mouth to hers. This was a different kind of kiss. A little rough, a lot demanding.
In a blink, she responded. Her body taut, her mouth instantly mirrored the hunger of his. Her arms lifted, circling his neck and she clung to him for dear life.
Nearby, a child giggled. When the sound worked its way into DeAnna’s fuzzy brain, she broke the kiss, ducking away from Quinn’s mouth. Hearing footsteps coming closer, she pushed against his wide shoulders. “People coming,” she murmured between gasps.
“More honeymooners,” a disgruntled masculine voice muttered from the path.
“I told you we should’ve taken the kids to Disneyland,” a female counterpart hissed.
Quinn took a step back, whispered, “Sorry.” She blinked. He didn’t look sorry. His eyes twinkled with mischief. Exactly like his sister Olivia’s. Seeing the same expression on him, her reaction was completely different. The devilish look in Quinn’s eyes made her blood run hot. Again.
Once the family group was out of sight, Quinn clasped her hand and they went upstairs. Outside the door to her room, he asked, “Where would you like to have dinner?”
“Let’s try the seafood grill.”
“I’ll pick you up here in forty-five minutes. Wear comfortable shoes and we’ll check out the Lava garden before we eat.”
“And before it storms.” The persistent twinkle in Quinn’s eyes set off all her alarm bells. “Why do I get the feeling you’re up to something?
“Because you’re chock full of intuition?” He left the question dangling.
“Uh oh, are we back to date-counting?”
“The total number of our dates is mind-boggling. We’re up to five and tonight—”
“Five?” She tried to do the math. “How’d you come up with—?”
“Let’s have this discussion walking through the garden. Because I believe the more tantalizing question is: what happens after we’ve been dating for such a long time?”
She opened her mouth. Quinn pressed his index finger to her lips and winked. “Shower now, argue later.” He turned and strolled down the hall to his suite.
Exactly forty-five minutes later, she opened the door to him. Quinn carried a colorful flower lei draped over one hand and had a gigantic golf umbrella tucked under the other arm.
“Hi.” There was the high-voltage grin, and the twinkling eyes. “The flowers are sort of an apology. In case you think I’m pushing too hard. The umbrella is for our garden walk. Better hustle, ‘cause it’s gonna’ pour rain any minute.”
“You showered”—sh
e stroked his smooth cheek—“shaved, and did all this in forty-five minutes?”
He slipped the lei over her head, kissed her on both cheeks. “Aloha.”
She lifted her eyebrows. “With no help from our butler?” Craning her neck, she could see the empty desk at the end of the hall.
“I did it all…for you. The butler made our dinner reservations at the grill.”
“Thank you. The lei smells wonderful.” Stepping out, she pulled the door closed and they took the elevator to the lobby.
A crowd was gathered at the main doors, peering out into the gloom. Several raised voices marveled at the sheets of rain punctuated by bolts of lightning and cracks of thunder.
“Not the best night for kayaking.” Quinn handed the umbrella to a bell-person. Slipping his arm around Dee’s waist, he eased her close to his side.
“Or strolling in a garden,” she added and flinched when the thunder boomed. “Did you get the combined itinerary from the butler?”
“Shi—shoot, no. Let’s grab a table in the lounge and I’ll go back after it.”
DeAnna waited for him at a table for two, a prudent distance from the expanse of windows. Remembering highlights of Olivia’s late-night monologues about big brother Eddie, she couldn’t help comparing her personal reaction to the man. Was it possible some of her intense fascination for Quinn was based on Olivia’s opinion?
She gave her head a little shake. Meeting Quinn in person she’d felt an immediate connection. A connection that she might expect after knowing a man for months—not hours. However, the attraction had nothing to do with Ollie. DeAnna’s feelings were present before she knew his relation to Olivia.
Quinn returned in record time, a manila envelope in hand. After a solid kiss, he sat and scanned the room. “Not taking any chances, eh? Nervous about getting struck by lightning?”
No, no. They weren’t discussing her fears. “Has your plane ever been hit?”
“Not with me in it.”
She opened her mouth to ask the obvious follow-up question when the server arrived, delivering the tray of cheese and crackers, along with the drinks she’d ordered.
Quinn took one look at his tall glass of beer and let out a bark of laughter. His pilsner glass was adorned with a paper umbrella, tiny orchids around the edge, and a stick impaling bits of fruit.
Tropical Tryst: 25 All New and Exclusive Sexy Reads Page 85