He's Captured My Heart (Captured Series Book 1) (13 page)

“So what can you tell me about the casino?”

“Well, I’ve had a good look at the figures, and on a whole it looks like the turnover was high, which is an advantage in any business. But I think the problem was it was poorly managed; the overheads look far too high, which led to the losses the business sustained over the last few years.”

“
So do you think that if you’re successful, you’ll be able to keep the business whole, or will you have to separate it, even close some of the outlets down? How many are there?” I ask.

“There are six. I do hope to keep them all, but there are two that I could let go of because I believe these are bringing the rest of the company down.”

“What about job losses? I can only imagine that if you are going to restructure the company, job losses will be included.”

“You seem to have a good business head on those shoulders. Yes, Libby, there are always bound to be some losses when you do this, but it should also save jobs in the long term.”

“Yeah, I know
that
. The hotel had to do a bit of restructuring a few years back when my grandfather was still around. It was hard on him because he had known most of the staff for years. I learned a lot from him over the years of hanging about; most of it is experience you won’t learn at college or uni.”

“So you have an idea of what’s involved then.” He smiles. “So can I tag along tonight? I promise I’ll try and behave.” His last sentence leaves me intrigued.

“Oh, why not? The more the merrier. I presume Michael will be joining us?”

“Only if you’re sure you don’t mind. And maybe after the walk-through, we could all go for a bite to eat? You pick, and it will be my treat.”

“Yeah, that sounds fine.”

I stop and stare at the man who continues to walk in front of me. In the space of twenty-four hours, my emotions have been all over the place. This gorgeous man has left me completely and utterly distracted, and as much as I crave being around him, I have a feeling that these next few weeks are going to be up there as some as the hardest weeks of my life.

“All right, everyone. Time to head back to the boat,” Stephen says.

“But we haven’t…” My voice drifts off as I take in my surroundings.

“I’ve done the whole history part with Michael—at least he was interested. You and Mr. Hotshot over there were on a completely different planet. So come on. As I said before, places to go, people to see.” Stephen chuckles.

He places his arms on my shoulders and turns me slowly round so I’m facing the way we have just come. Once again Alex and Michael are walking behind us. Stephen is talking to me, but truth be told, I’m not listening to a word he’s saying. I do know he will have a field day telling Ethan everything he thinks he knows. God, Ethan…what the hell will
he
make of this?

I don’t need eyes in the back of my head to realise that Alex hasn’t taken his eyes off me the whole walk back to the boat. Michael has been talking to him, but his only replies have been very short yes or no answers. The walk back isn’t long, and before I know it, we are all back on the boat and ready to continue with our tour of the loch.

The rest of the tour is pleasant. Stephen seems much more at ease around Alex now, at least if I can judge by the conversations flowing between them and the laughter. Stephen talks steadily about the loch and the surrounding towns and villages. He tells them that Luss was the main location for a Scottish weekly program many years ago. It’s a quaint, little conservation village and hugely popular with tourists. Many of the local tour companies stop here.

Today it’s really clear, and it doesn’t matter whereabouts on the loch we are; we have clear views of Ben Lomond all the way to the top. Usually you don’t get a view of the top, with the rolling clouds and mist. Stephen also gives them some info on the busy town of Balloch, which is perfect for tourists with its range of hotels and B&Bs. I join in when I’m asked a question, but I’m more than content to enjoy my surroundings. Yet I’m always aware of the deep, brown eyes focused on me, trying to gauge my mood.

“Libby,” Stephen calls, distracting me from my thoughts.

“Yes.”

“Libby, it might be good for the guys here to go to one of the distilleries for a full tour
—
see how our whisky is made, sample some of our finest, and maybe purchase a bottle or two to take home.”

“Yeah, I’m sure we could fit that in over the next few weeks,” I say, “along with a few other historical tours, including Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Hill House. Mackintosh was an architect, designer, and artist. Hill House is only a few miles from the hotel.”

We arrive back at the hotel shortly after four. I have already called Kirsty and told her of the plans for the evening. She shrieked down the phone when I told her we were going for dinner with Alex and Michael. She thinks it’s great that we’re going on a double date, which makes me laugh. A double date, really. She’s told me that she’ll meet us at the flat at six thirty since she’s already in town.

“Well, Libby, today has been full of surprises,” Stephen says to me.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, it turns out I might have been a bit hasty in my comments about Alex. He’s kind of grown on me today. I didn’t think I would like him, but to my surprise I do.” He winks at me. Really. “But I still mean what I said earlier; if he hurts you in any way, there’ll be trouble.”

“Well, I can assure you, Stephen. He won’t get the chance to hurt me.”

“Okay. Time to mind my own business, I guess.” Stephen turns towards the leisure centre. “Right, well, you know where I am if you need me. Now I suppose I should make sure everything is all right at the gym before I head home. Good luck with the flat hunting tonight. Let me know tomorrow how it goes.”

“I will. Stephen? Thanks for today. I mean that. See you later.”

I’m left standing with Alex and Michael in reception. Suddenly I remember the original problems with their rooms; I haven’t even checked yet to see if everything is okay.

“Did your rooms get changed this morning as planned? Was everything satisfactory?” I ask. I shouldn’t be surprised that it’s Michael who answers.

“Yes, Libby, the loch view suites were ready for us after breakfast, so we both must thank you and your staff for being so efficient…although I personally was fine with the room I had.” Michael glares at Alex with the barest hint of a smile.

“Sorry. I forgot to thank you earlier. What must you think of me?” Alex says.

“It’s fine. No need to thank me, Michael. It’s my job to make sure all guests are happy. And Alex, you don’t really want to know what I think of you.” I smirk.

“I think I do want to know; I’m curious now.”

“Well, you asked for it, but I don’t think you’ll like it. I think you’re an arse.” I turn and walk away from
them both, laughing. I’m not the only one laughing; Michael is in stitches. Alex looks shell shocked.

“We need to leave here at five thirty to leave plenty of time; traffic will be busy in the city centre. My friend Kirsty is coming along too.” I call back to the both of them as I head towards my room. I only just close my room door when there is a light tap. For the love of god, maybe I am not meant to get any sort of peace here. I open the door to find Alex standing there. He looks deep in thought.

“Can I come in, or do I need to stand in the hallway?”

I open the door wider, and he walks into my room. My thoughts go back to the last time he was in my room. Was that just this morning? God, I hope he’s not here for a repeat performance, because as much as that thought appeals to me, I don’t really have time for that. I close the door behind him and turn to face him.

“Libby.” His voice caresses my name. “Come here, please.”

I walk towards him. He’s standing at the window, looking stunning as usual. His gaze is intense and follows every step I take across the room. The closer I get to him, the larger I see his delicious smile grow. Dear god, my desire for him moves up a notch, and by the look on his face, his feelings are the same. I want so badly to touch him, but I know I can’t let
anything happen, or I’ll never get to my six-thirty appointment.

I stop right in front of him. He lifts his arms and wraps them round me tightly.
Oh, this feels so good
. I lean into his strong chest and hear his heart racing. My own heart has been racing since I opened the door to him.

“Libby, I’ve wanted to take you in my arms all day,” he says, caressing my back. “I knew I would never have made it all through dinner tonight without at least holding you. Although now that I’m here, I’m not sure it’s enough.”

I lift my head and glance up at his brown eyes, still intense and burning straight through me. There’s something in his look that excites me. My imagination is running riot. I could stay in his strong arms forever; he makes me feel safe.

Alex places a small, soft kiss on the top of my head and moves his hand up towards my face. Slowly he lowers his face to mine. The thrill of being this close to him has moved my desire for him up yet another level, which really isn’t good. Alex draws out the moment between us. I can’t stand this. I need him to kiss me—now. His gaze is so intense.

Suddenly his lips are on mine, softly, delicately—so different from his earlier fiery kisses. Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever been kissed like this before in my life, so tenderly and with so much meaning. But what meaning? I don’t want to think
about what it could mean. He trails his tongue along my lips, but he’s still so delicate with me. I want to shout at him, tell him I won’t break, that I am not made of glass, and to pick up the pace, but I am also enjoying the tenderness. He pulls back and just looks at me.

“Alex,” I say, as I look into his eyes.

“Yes.”

“You know, we really need to leave here at five thirty, and after our outing I really could do with longer than half an hour to get ready.” Alex just laughs at me.

“What? What’s so funny? It’s true. That’s all I had this morning before meeting with my dad, and it was the same yesterday for my lunch date with Kirsty.”

“Well, in both cases you looked stunning, so I don’t see the problem,” he says, stroking the side of my face. There is so much promise in his eyes.

“Alex, please. I don’t know what’s going on between us, but right now I need to be getting showered and ready.” Although I know what I would much rather be doing.

“Okay, Libby, you win. I’ll go and let you get ready—although I want it noted that I’m not happy about leaving. We’ll have to wait until after dinner to finish what we’ve started.” He leans down and places a quick, soft kiss on my lips. Then he leaves. Again he leaves me staring after him. I give myself a shake and head to the shower.

I’m ready to head out of my room. I pause at the mirror to evaluate, and I’m more than happy with how I look. Skinny blue jeans show off my long, lean legs. My tight-fitted, red top flatters my figure without being too showy, and my red heels match perfectly. Something is missing, however, though I can’t work out what. Jewellery. I put on a necklace and some earrings. I’ve left my long, dark hair down, curled slightly to give it a bit of life. As usual my makeup is minimal. I grab my bag and car keys and head down to reception to meet Alex and Michael.

I hope Kirsty gets on with both guys and if I know her as well as I think I do, the only thing I should be worried about is how they will find her.

8

SALLY IS TALKING
with Kieran behind the reception desk. Alex and Michael are standing near the main door talking. Kieran whistles. “You are one seriously smoking-hot, sexy lady tonight,” he says, running a practiced eye up and down me. “Seriously, love, you look fantastic.”

“Yes, Miss Stewart, I have to agree with Kieran. You look great,” says Sally. “Going somewhere nice?”

“Thanks, guys. And Sally, you really need to call me Libby,” I say. “Actually, Kirsty and I are just going to look at a flat, then out for dinner.”

“Well, have a good night then, Libby,” Sally says.

“I take it Mr. Handsome is going as well?” Kieran points towards Alex, who has turned to look in our direction.

“Yes, Kieran, Alex and Michael are going to dinner with us.”

“Ah…a double date. Enjoy!”

I grin at Kieran, his statement mirroring Kirsty’s. As I walk towards Alex and Michael, Alex stops talking and stares at me, his expression unreadable. I suddenly feel nervous, although I’m not sure why. We aren’t
really
going on a date; he’s tagging along on an errand of sorts…right? I pause in front of the two of them.

“Ready to go?” I ask

“Yep,” Michael replies. He walks out the main door.

“Libby, you are full of surprises,” says Alex, leaning towards me and whispering in my ear. “You look stunning, but I know you’ll look even better later when I get you out of those jeans.”

“Who says you’ll get me out of these jeans?” I say as I take a step past him.

He stops me, taking hold of my arm. I smile at him.

“You know, Libby, I’m so glad I paid you a visit earlier. But right now I really wish I could just pick you up and take you to bed.”