Burned Deep (36 page)

“That's what scares me. If they're so bent on owning the Lux, won't they do
anything
to get their hands on it?”

“Something tells me we're about to find out.”

I wiggled out of his embrace and faced him. “Dane. This is serious.”

“Yes.”

Okay, he already knew that, but still.

His hands cupped my face. “You'll be safe. Here with me.”

“I'm not quitting my job to be some caged animal, no matter how beautiful the house.”

“I didn't suggest that. I agreed to let you return to the hotel. You just have to allow Amano to stay close.”

I nodded.

Dane said, “It'll be okay, baby. I promise.”

I wasn't wholly convinced. But I believed in him. So I said, “All right. Whatever you want me to do. Please don't worry about me.”

“Impossible. I love you, remember?” He mimicked my words.

“Now's not exactly the time to joke.”

“No joke,” he said in a fierce tone. “I love you, Ari. And no one's going to hurt you or take you away from me.
Ever.
”

That riveting sentiment elicited a thrill as much as it alarmed me as to the lengths he'd go to keep me from becoming a victim of the Lux's troubles. But the former turned out to be a much stronger sensation and I told him, “I trust you. Thank you for telling me everything—and for standing your ground. It scares me, but you've worked too hard to let anyone steal your glory. I love 10,000 Lux, too, Dane. I don't want you to lose it.”

“I won't.”

His confidence was reassuring. Yet there was one more tidbit that burned in the back of my brain.

Given that Dane was currently being forthcoming with information, I took the opportunity to ask, “What about Mikaela? How does she factor into your life?”

“I've known her since we were kids. She was my closest neighbor in Philadelphia. Her father is gone a lot—estranged from the family, actually. He served as a U.S. ambassador in France for some time and now he's in England. The latter assignment started not too long after 9/11, when there were numerous threats against the embassy in London. The perimeter was barricaded with a security post and armed guards were placed at all four sides. The building was difficult to get into, even if you were an American. There were even concerns about snipers on the rooftops of adjacent buildings, dignitaries and their families being their target. Mikaela wasn't allowed to visit.”

“I'm sure that was difficult.”

“Yes, it was very hard on her. Maybe that was why we bonded, initially. I didn't have a father, either.”

I absorbed that a moment, recognizing the significance. Then I asked, “And now?”

“Now when she needs help with something, I'm there for her.”

I had to wonder how often she “needed help.” But then, I couldn't bristle too much over her presence in Dane's life. He didn't seem to think of her as more than a friend. Maybe even a sister. I didn't doubt for a second that Mikaela's take on their relationship was more skewed, that their connection was more romantic than sibling-related in her mind. She was a little too touchy-feeling with him, a little too flirtatious. And for that matter …

“Why is she in Scottsdale, rather than Philadelphia?” I asked.

“She came out to look at the Lux when we broke ground and decided Old Town would be a great place for her new shop. She just needs to work through the politics a bit better. Mikaela's used to getting whatever she wants. The City Council isn't quite so accommodating.”

And if she got her tenant issues worked out, she'd be around for the long haul. I wondered how much of her we'd be seeing.

Dane didn't seem to dwell on thoughts of his childhood friend. He kissed my forehead and said, “Let's go back to bed.”

We snuggled under the covers, me finding my happy place despite it all, now that Dane's body surrounded me and he held me to him.

 

chapter 20

On Sunday, we played a round with my dad at his golf club. The disapproval over my and Dane's obvious relationship radiated off him, but he kept his comments to himself. I think it disturbed him greatly that he couldn't help but like Dane. They were constantly engaged in conversation, though I noted that my father didn't miss the way Dane kept one eye on me. I felt their protective presence with every move I made.

After lunch at the nineteenth hole, Dane and I parted ways with my dad and returned to the house so I could continue my research. Kyle sent me an e-mail to say he'd been offered the Marketing Specialist job.

Like just about everyone else, Patricia apparently worked the weekends, too. There was just so much to do. And about five seconds later, she sent me a list of those candidates we'd narrowed down for my department, indicating she'd make offers in the morning. I was about to officially have a full staff. That helped to take some of the pressure off.

I shot a note back to Kyle.

Congrats! I suspected all along you'd slay it!

No need to mention he was a shoo-in because it was what I wanted. I truly had been impressed with his online portfolio and didn't want him to think I had any sway over his hiring.

The VP of Marketing told me in the interview that my main projects, if they selected me, would be the invitations to the grand opening and all the events leading up to it. Nervous much?

I laughed. Then sent another message.

Please, I'm stressing out over which Christmas trees to buy for the lobby. Everything about this launch is crucial—and, yes, nerve-wracking!

A few moments passed; then another e-mail came in from him.

I don't officially start until tomorrow, but I'm off to get a jump start with some images and design work. See you in the morning?

It would cost me succumbing to Dane's will again—not exactly torture—but I suggested to Kyle that we meet for lunch in the main dining room. Kyle agreed, and then we both went back to our work.

Dane spent most of the afternoon in his office. He'd offered me space in there, but I opted for the kitchen island again. I wouldn't get anything done with him in such close proximity. If I wasn't staring at him I'd be touching him, and that wouldn't be productive for either of us. And too much was at stake to lose my focus.

We did, however, knock off for dinner. Afterward, we got cozy on the sofa in front of the fireplace in the great room. Dane had just started Hawthorne's 1851
The House of the Seven Gables,
and since I hadn't delved into it in the past, he went back to page one and read aloud.

I missed half of what he said, too caught up in the rich, intimate tone of his voice for all the words to register. Plus, nineteenth-century literature was sometimes lost on me. I enjoyed the evening nonetheless. Especially when he swept me into his arms again and carried me off to his bed.

The place I loved the most.

*   *   *

A week of uneventful happenings at the Lux was a huge relief. I felt the weight lift from my shoulders. I suspected Dane felt the same, tenfold. Whatever tactics he, Ethan, Qadir, and Nikolai agreed to employ against the others seemed to be working.

All of the security systems were green-lighted. More cameras had been installed and worked properly. The IT issues had all been resolved. No more deactivations of badges occurred. Everything was progressing nicely.

A multitude of samples arrived for me and my office dripped wreaths and garland, with decorations hanging from the walls for me to evaluate. Dane was probably right. I might be sick of Christmas before December even rolled around.

I had lunch with Kyle in the courtyard just about every day, since Dane had meetings and was sometimes off-property. On Friday, Kyle showed me a draft of the invitation to the private party Dane wanted to host prior to the opening of the Lux. He had used the same multitextured, gray-on-gray feel as on the hotel's business cards and incorporated a few of the professionally taken photos of the property.

“This is stunning. I love the font—very elegant.” The silver-embossed script was gorgeous and stood out against the darker, layered background.

“The printer did a great job with my first few mock-ups. I liked this one the best.”

“Good call,” I said. “Dane will agree.”

He eyed me curiously. “Because you do?”

I tried to bite back a smile, but it tickled the corners of my mouth. “Yes. But also because it's awesome. Sophisticated and glamorous, with that avant-garde look and feel he prefers. How do you plan to top this with the grand opening invites?”

With a half snort, he said, “I have no fucking clue.”

I laughed. “You'll think of something.”

I dug into a Mediterranean salad—my new favorite—and Kyle took a few healthy bites of his overly decadent foie gras burger.

He nodded his approval as his eyes nearly rolled into the back of his head. After wiping his mouth with the linen napkin, he said, “I didn't think this would work for me, but damn it's good. Melts in your mouth. I never thought I'd like foie gras.”

“Are you planning to eat your way through the menu?”

“Yeah. And I'm in luck, since Chef D'Angelo keeps changing it up. I don't think I'll ever have to eat the same thing twice. Though … I could probably live off this burger. Want to try it? Or the garlic-Parmesan fries?”

“Thanks, no. I just about OD'd this morning on the petit fours our French pastry chef whipped up for the PR meeting. She wants them at the launch and I told her she'd better make a gazillion batches, because they're going to be devoured. I ate a half dozen myself.”

“Pig.”

I laughed again. “Totally. Every meeting I go to has food and wine. If I don't stick to these salads, I'm not going to fit in the elevator.”

Since I'd been banned from using the stairwell …

Kyle said, “You have nothing to worry about.” His gaze slid over me. “You're perfect.”

“Hardly.” I snickered.

He added, “Come on, Ari. You're beautiful.” His blue irises deepened in color. “Maybe you'll have dinner with me tonight?”

“That's not going to happen. Now or ever.”

My head snapped up, since I'd been spearing romaine lettuce and Kalamata olives with my fork.

Dane stood over Kyle's shoulder, shooting me a
really, this again?
look.

I tried a placating smile. “Mr. Bax.”

He scowled.

Kyle's brow furrowed.

Dane rounded the table and said to me, “We have a meeting in my conference room with all of the department heads.”

I consulted my watch. “In fifteen minutes.”

“I thought we could discuss a few agenda items beforehand.”

My heart skipped several beats. Could he be more alpha? And did he honestly think he had anything to worry about when it came to Kyle? I was in love—head-over-heels in love—and I'd told Dane that already.

But he did like to hold what was his close to the chest.

I said, “Take a peek at the private party invitations Kyle made up.” I handed one over, hoping to diffuse some of the sudden tension. “Gorgeous, right?”

He actually grinned. “Am I allowed to form my own opinion on this?”

“I'm just sayin',” I casually told him with a wave of my hand.

Dane studied the cardstock and nodded. To Kyle, he said, “Excellent work. I really do like it.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. Kyle's chest puffed out a bit, though I could still see how he bristled over Dane being so territorial with me.

“Thanks,” he said. “I've got more tweaks, but I thought it'd make a good base.”

“Agreed. I appreciate the time and effort you've obviously put into this.” That was about as much of a truce as they'd reach, I suspected, because Dane's attention returned to me. “Now, let's have a quick chat before our meeting.”

I left my salad, since one of the servers was closing in on the remnants anyway. The hotel wasn't fully staffed, but there were plenty of workers not only learning the ropes but also perfecting their positions. Dane wanted a smooth-running operation before the Lux even opened. That meant allowing everyone to run through the paces on a daily basis with other staff, as though they were actually catering to members and guests.

“I'll talk to you later,” I said to Kyle, who appeared a bit perplexed over the entire exchange.

“Sure.”

As Dane and I walked off, I felt his irritation. He said, “How many times has he asked you out?”

“That might have officially been the first.” I didn't think it wise to mention our conversation at the Delfinos'. “And you can't get mad at him.”

He crooked his dark brow at me. “Oh?”

“Dane. No one knows that we're together. So it's not his fault.”

We'd miraculously kept our relationship a secret thus far. I was shocked, considering the way his eyes smoldered when he looked at me and the fact that every time he was near I felt as though I'd spontaneously combust. I wouldn't go so far as to say that my colleagues didn't appear to speculate, but I hadn't encountered any under-the-breath comments or outright insinuation.

Dane and I didn't spend enough time together at the hotel for anyone to put two and two together was my guess. With the exception of Kyle, because he'd already begun formulating that idea—and Dane had clearly just confirmed it.

“The only reason no one knows about us,” he told me, “is because I don't want it somehow getting back to my former investors.”

I drew up short. “Are you suggesting there might be a—what do you call it?” I searched my brain and said, “A mole on-property?”

“It wasn't beavers that destroyed my security wiring,” he reminded me.

I continued down the pathway with him, saying, “You do background checks on employees. For God's sake, I've experienced the in-depth paperwork. How would someone slip by, when—”