His Perfect Match (12 page)

“I
s the bungalow ready?” Darius paced the lobby of his hotel awaiting his arriving guests, as nervous as a boy going on his first date. It had been exactly three months since he'd returned to New Zealand, but it felt more like a year since he'd last seen Liz and Marc.

“Yes, boss, everything is prepared.”

“The flowers?”

“Yes, boss, fresh flowers in every room.”

“The gift baskets?”

“Yes, three baskets. One filled with fruit and chocolates, one filled with quilting supplies, and the third filled with toys.”

“
Knitting
supplies—one should be filled with knitting supplies. Make sure it's correct.”

“Yes, boss.”

“What about that other little errand?”

Alika's shy glance slid away quickly and Darius was certain he saw a quick blush darken his assistant's tanned skin. “Yes, it's all tucked in your closet, just as you asked.”

“Alika, what would I do without you?”

“We'll never have to know, will we, boss?”

“No, we won't.”

Darius paced to the window once more, looking for the bright-orange courtesy van that picked up guests from the nearby airport. “What about the luau tonight, is everything set?”

“Of course. I've been planning luaus for over two years now. I know
exactly
how you like it.”

Darius glanced back, noting the slightly annoyed tone of Alika's voice. “And you do a wonderful job. Sorry for doubting you.”

Alika's face relaxed, and he seemed slightly appeased by the apology. “I'll go check on the
knitting
basket.” The lanky younger man turned and loped off through the glass sliding doors leading to the bungalows.

Darius paced back to the front counter and back across the presently empty lobby, glad to have the rare solitude. From the moment he had checked out of the hospital in Cleveland, the plans for this week had been running through his mind.

How differently things had worked out from what he'd first expected. When he'd first made this bargain, he'd done so with the intention of this being a week of revenge. A chance to give Liz a little taste of the humiliation she'd heaped on him all those years ago.

Instead, this week had become his last, his only chance to make things right between them. This week had become his chance to reclaim the family that was always meant to be his. There could be no mistakes this week.

He crossed back to the front bay windows as he heard the low familiar rumble of the courtesy van pulling up in front of the hotel lobby. His already accelerated heart seemed to skip a beat as the driver opened the double doors to allow the guests to exit.

As the barrage of people poured out onto the flower-lined walkway, his eyes searched the group for just one. And he spotted her right away, dressed in a bright-yellow halter-necked jumpsuit that hugged her slender waist before flaring out at the legs. Her small feet were encased in beige sandals that revealed her bright-red-painted toes.

His eyes traveled back up, savoring every ounce of her elegant beauty. Her brown eyes were covered by dark shades…and then suddenly his heart completely stopped. Not believing what he was seeing, his eyes widened in surprise and then narrowed in understanding.

Apparently, he wasn't the only one who had thought this trip was about revenge. Gone were the long, lush locks she'd worn ever since the day he met her. Her midnight-black tresses had been shorn into an almost boyish cut. The back was shaped close to her head leaving a short lock over her forehead. Despite her effort, the cut did nothing to reduce her beauty, but still…he'd spent many nights imagining his fingers tangled in her hair as he held her in his arms.

Suddenly, a small shadow darted out from behind her, and Darius's attention was immediately shifted as Marc moved around his mother to get a better look at the place. As usual, the boy was closely followed by his own shadow, as Dee pulled up the rear of the small group.

The guests began filing into the lobby, and Darius was forced to smile and greet them as they went to
check in. Liz was climbing the stairs when their eyes connected, and a small smile of satisfaction curved her lips as she watched him examine her hair cut.

“Uncle Darius!” Marc spotted him and hurried up the stairs to meet him.

Darius scooped him up in his arms and the momentum swung them both in a circle. He squeezed his son tightly against his chest, only now realizing how much he'd missed holding the small warm body, so vibrantly alive. He closed his eyes against the tears, knowing how easily the operation could've gone wrong. How easily he could've been denied this small privilege.

Dee gave them both a brief hug. “Darius, this is beautiful.”

He smiled, unable to hide the pride he felt in his hotel. “Thank you. Welcome to the Hawaiki Inn.” His eyes slid back to Liz, where she stood with her arms crossed over her chest, still smiling.

“Nice haircut.”

Her smile spread to a grin. “Thanks, I like it.”

“Well, I don't,” Dee interrupted with a shake of her head. “Don't know what that girl was thinking, cutting off all her beautiful hair.”

Darius knew exactly what she was thinking, but kept it to himself. He glanced back to be sure someone was tending the desk, and saw one of the staff was taking care of the long line of guests. “I know you're probably tired from that long trip, so how about I show you to your bungalow.” He opened the glass door leading to the front desk. “Don't worry about checking in, that's all been taken care of, I have your keys right here.” He handed Dee the key.

Liz noticed the action, but said nothing.

“Uncle Darius, do you think we'll see any dolphins while we're here?” Marc asked, skipping up beside him.

“I think you just might.”

“What's that?” Marc asked, and slipping his hand into Darius's much larger one he pointed to the small red-and-purple bird sitting on the branch of a nearby fern tree.

“That's a crimson rosella. Pretty, huh?” Darius asked, realizing with satisfaction that for every experience he'd missed in his son's life there were still hundreds of things left to teach him. Thousands of experiences left to share.

“Yeah—is all this yours?” Marc looked around the bungalow village in awe.

“Sure is. How about tomorrow I give you all a full tour?” Darius asked no one in particular, as he guided them down the bricked covered walkway.

“That's a great idea, isn't it, Mom?” Marc glanced back at his mother.

Liz forced a tight smile. “Just great.”

“And tonight, we have a luau.” Darius turned down a separate path leading to a bungalow set off by itself.

“What's a luau?” Marc asked, his eyes darting in every direction as he attempted to take in everything.

“It's sorta like a party—but Hawaiian style.” He slid the master card key into the door slot. “Here we are.”

Darius opened the door and swung it wide, and watched with satisfaction as Marc's and Dee's eyes lit up like children on Christmas morning, but Liz's reaction was even more telling. She glanced at the suite's interior and then back at Darius with a question in her eyes.

The elegant suite was decorated in soft earth tones, everything from the muted beige walls to the plush dark brown carpeting that you literally sank into. The forest-
green chenille sofa and matching oversize chairs that screamed comfort and luxury were the perfect companions to the frosted glass coffee and end tables.

On the opposite side of the hexagon-shaped room sat a rectangular, wood dining table with seating for eight. The light wood surface was polished to a high shine, reflecting the large bouquet of tropical flowers that sat in the center of it.

Darius fought the urge to smile. She was right where he wanted her. Confused.

Marc rushed into the room and straight to the large basket sitting on the long dining table. “Cool!” he picked it up and carried it to the couch. “Is this for me?” He asked the question more out of formality than any real doubt.

“Yes, it is.” Darius answered, but the boy was already tearing the cellophane wrapping apart.

Liz moved a step closer to him, and spoke so only he could hear her. “This is nothing like the bungalow I stayed in before.”

“This is the VIP suite.” He suddenly slipped his arm around her waist and felt her whole body tense in surprise. “That haircut is really sexy on you, gives a man easy access to your soft neck.”

He leaned down as if to kiss her neck, and Liz shifted out of his hold and quickly moved across the room without another word between them. By then, Dee had found her basket, and she turned and looked at Darius with such gratitude in her eyes he felt a little bad that he hadn't thought to give her something more impressive than a basket of knitting supplies.

“This is lovely,” Dee said, holding the basket up to see everything inside.

“Look, Mom.” Marc held up a remote-control airplane. “Uncle Darius, let's go fly it!”

“Not right now,” Liz held up her hands to halt Marc's sprint to the front door. “Maybe later.” Liz glanced around the room, mesmerized by the elegance of it. She saw the suite had four adjoining doors that she would later discover led to three separate bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom and to a kitchen. “I'm sure Darius has a lot to do with new guests checking in.”

She stood with her back to him talking only to Marc, and he knew he was being dismissed. “Actually, I was hoping I could have a word alone with you, Liz.”

She turned in surprise. “Oh?”

Darius wasn't buying her surprise for a moment. If she wanted him to spell it out, he would. “Yes, about the agreement—”

“Oh, yes! That!” She hurried over and pushed him toward the door. “I'll be right back, Dee.” She pushed him through the door and closed it behind her. “Have you lost your mind?! How dare you mention
that
in front of my aunt and son?”

“Mention what?”

Her brown eyes narrowed. “The bargain.” She hissed between her teeth.

Darius turned and started slowly down the walk away from the bungalow. “What are you so upset about? The bargain was that you would return and spend seven days with me here.” He gestured to the flower gardens surrounding them on all sides. “Seven days in paradise doesn't sound like too bad a bargain.”

“It's more than that and you know it.”

“Do I?” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I don't recall our ever discussing any specifics.”

“We didn't have to—you made it perfectly clear what you wanted.”

“Did I?”

Walking fast, she easily caught up with him. “
Yes,
you did.”

The pair walked in silence for a few seconds until they reached the white, scrolled iron fence that lined the cliff edge. Darius turned and leaned his hip against it. “So, refresh my memory. What is it I expect again?”

Liz's eyes flashed fury for a brief second and then it was gone. “Nice try. If you want to embarrass me, you're going to have to do better than that.”

“Liz, all I want is to spend some time with you and my son. Is that too much to ask?”

She moved to stand beside him at the railing looking out over the deep-blue harbor. “That's all?”

“That's all.”

“When I left here back in January…that wasn't all.” She turned to look at his profile. “So, what changed?”

“I found out I have a son.” He looked directly into her eyes. “A discovery like that tends to change a man's priorities.”

“Darius, I'd rather know up front…if there are strings attached.”

“I told you before—I don't take anything that is not offered.”

She just continued to stare at him. “You're the most chameleon-like human being I've ever met. Every time I think I have you all figured out, you change.”

“So? Friends?”

“I guess so.”

He shook his head with a laugh. “That's a start.”

He turned to face the harbor as the cool afternoon
breeze floated by carrying the fragrant scent of flowers. His smile faded, as a thought occurred to him. “Marc still thinks I'm his uncle.”

“I know.” She glanced at him and quickly looked away.

“When are you going to tell him the truth?”

“I need some time, Darius.”

“You've had three months.”

“Look, I've made a mess of this whole situation from the moment he was conceived. I know that now. All I'm asking is that you give me a little time to make it right. Can you do that?”

“Yes.” He sighed heavily. “But understand, Liz, I don't plan to be Uncle Darius forever.” A few minutes later he walked her back to the bungalow. “See you at the luau tonight.” Lifting her chin with his index finger he looked directly into her eyes. “It's important to me that you have a good time this week. So, feel no pressure. You don't have to do anything you don't want to. Okay?”