ordinary night in bed into a positively sensual experience.
A handsome man suddenly appeared in the vision, a familiar face that had haunted her dreams over the years. His nude body was curled up against hers, his long leg thrown over her hips. He watched her with sleepy blue eyes, his sun-streaked hair mussed and a satisfied grin curling the corners of his mouth. And when he drew her nearer, his lips parted, ready to cover hers.
Darcy sucked in a sharp breath, then cursed silently, snapping herself out of the daydream. Once it had been real, but not for a very long time. She glanced over the restaurant table to find her assistant, Amanda Taylor, staring at her with a bemused smile.
“They’re just sheets,” Amanda said.
Darcy cleared her throat, trying to banish the image from her head. “According to you, they’re the finest sheets in the world. How much?”
“Ah, Madame,” Amanda teased in a heavy French accent. “But who can put a price on zee comfort of your guests? Imagine yourself between zeez sheets. Would you have anything else touch your naked body?” Amanda sighed as she tucked the neatly-folded sheet back into her tote. “I mean, besides a man with sensitive hands and deep blue eyes and gorgeous hair and a really big-”
“How much?” Darcy repeated, her voice cracking slightly. From now on, no more daytime fantasies! They were beginning to interfere with business and Darcy had already decided to put her profession ahead of anything else in her life. It made things so much simpler.
She hadn’t always been prone to thoughts of a sexual nature. But since she’d broken her engagement over a year ago, Darcy hadn’t enjoyed the pleasures of a man’s body. In truth, she hadn’t been touched by a man in exactly 435 days. She’d never meant to keep a precise count except that last week, she’d become curious and decided to figure it out. Now, with every day that passed, she felt compelled to add to the tally, unable to get the ever-growing figure out of her head.
“Your father has given you carte blanche,” Amanda said, drawing Darcy back to their conversation. “My French is a bit rusty, but loosely translated, I believe that means big wallet…or blank check or…well, it means spend a lot of money.”
“I just don’t want to make any mistakes. Daddy can take this job away from me just as easily as he gave it to me, especially if I don’t control the budget.”
Darcy had been manager of The Delaford for over two years, the youngest person to hold a manager’s position in Sam Scott’s string of hotels-and the only woman. The job had been temporary at first, a way for Darcy to gain more experience while her father searched for the right person to take over. But Darcy had been good at the job and her father had delayed finding a replacement.
The Delaford Spa and Resort was small and very exclusive. Set on a stunning piece of property just ninety miles from downtown San Francisco, it was a popular destination for West Coast celebrities. It boasted a luxurious hotel, a championship golf course, tennis courts, stables and a full-service spa and health club. Located on the shores of Crystal Lake, the hotel had 180 guestrooms that averaged 95% occupancy year-round. For the past three years, the gourmet restaurant had earned a five-star rating and regularly drew evening dinner guests from the city.
“I can get the sheets for five hundred a bed as long as we sell them in our gift shop,” Amanda said. “That’s well below wholesale. And they’ll hold up much better than the sheets we use now. The more you wash them, the better they feel.” Amanda reached for her water and took a sip. “I’ve had housekeeping put a set on your bed. Sleep with them for a few nights and you’ll think they’re a bargain at twice the price.”
Oh, that was just what she needed, Darcy mused. Another reminder that the only thing she’d been sleeping with for exactly 435 days was her bed linen. “Thanks,” she murmured. “I’ll give them a try.”
Amanda motioned for the waitress, then asked for the dessert tray. “Since we aren’t eating lunch at The Delaford, I want to see what kinds of goodies they serve here. Would you like to join me?”
“I’ve got a better idea,” Darcy said. “We’re doing a Valentine’s Day promo with the new chocolate shop in town. We’re giving away a dinner at The Winery to the winners. In exchange, they’re doing a new monogram chocolate for our pillows.”
“Nice trade,” Amanda said.
Darcy nodded. “Ellie Fairbanks should have some samples ready for us.” She dropped cash on top of the bill, then pushed back from the table. “While we’re there, I’ll buy us both a half-pound of truffles and we’ll indulge together.”
They walked out of the restaurant into bright afternoon sunshine. The day was warm for early February with just a slight chill in the brisk breeze. Darcy and Amanda strolled down the charming main street of Austell, lingering at the window of a floral shop before heading down Larchmont Street to Sinfully Sweet. Freshly painted gilt letters adorned the front window of the shop and a bell rang as they went through the door.
The interior of the shop was quiet and softly lit. Gleaming glass cases displayed a seductive array of chocolates, from buttery toffees to rich pecan turtles to decadent flavored truffles. Ellie was waiting on a gentleman customer but she waved at Darcy, promising that she’d be with her momentarily.
Amanda perused the chocolates while Darcy passed the time studying the broad shoulders and narrow waist of the customer ahead of her. She couldn’t tell his age, but he was dressed fashionably in dark trousers and a fitted sweater, clothes that enhanced his tall, lean form and long limbs.
Her gaze rose to his neck where sun-streaked hair curled around his collar in a tantalizing way. Darcy’s fingers twitched as she imagined them slipping through the thick strands. She bit back a soft moan. Now she was lusting after a total stranger! What was wrong with her?
“And are you looking for love?” Ellie asked.
At first Darcy thought the question had been directed at her, but then she realized that Ellie was talking to the man. Darcy peered cautiously around his shoulder and saw Ellie place a huge basket of chocolates on the counter in front of him.
“The candy is for my sister,” he explained, his voice deep and rich. “She’s addicted to chocolate. She has twin boys and I think she self-medicates with the stuff.”
Ellie slipped the chocolates into a pretty shopping bag. “Well, here’s a special little treat for you.” She pointed to the basket of chocolate heart halves wrapped in blue foil. “There’s a message tucked inside. If you find its match before Valentine’s Day, then both you and the lady with the matching half will win a romantic prize.”
Darcy drew a deep breath, the citrusy scent of the man’s cologne teasing at her nose. The guy had to be single. Married men just didn’t smell this good. She fought the ridiculous urge to stand on her tiptoes and press her nose into the curve of his neck.
“Well, Ellie,” the man said, “I appreciate the sentiment, but I’m not looking for romance.”
“Who knows? Romance might be looking for you,” Ellie replied. She sent Darcy a sly smile, then picked out a chocolate heart and tucked it into his bag.
He chuckled softly as he gathered his purchases. But Darcy hadn’t realized how close she’d been standing. When he turned, she stood squarely in his path. She quickly stepped to the left at the very same moment he stepped to his right. Their little dance continued for a few silent measures, back and forth, before Darcy risked a glance up at him.
The breath froze in her throat as their eyes met-eyes she’d seen in a fantasy no more than ten minutes ago. Not much had changed in ten minutes-or in five years. Kel Martin was still the kind of handsome that left a woman weak in the knees. His hair, usually cropped short for the baseball season, now fell carelessly across his forehead. And his blue eyes were even bluer, if that was possible.
“Now that we’ve mastered the two-step, would you like to try a tango?” he teased with a boyish grin. The smile sent a shiver skittering down her spine.
“Wh-what?” The word came out as a nervous croak. “Oh, right. Dance. No. I mean, I’m sorry.” Darcy quickly stepped aside, but for a long moment, he didn’t move. His gaze was still fixed on her face and a tiny frown wrinkled his suntanned brow. For an instant, she saw a flash of recognition in his eyes, but then it was gone.
Her cheeks warmed with embarrassment. Did he remember her? Was he even now scrolling back in his mind, through all the girls he’d slept with, winding back to that wild night they’d spent together in his hotel room?
He’d been a handsome stranger, nursing a beer in the bar of the Penrose, her father’s San Francisco hotel. She’d just flown in from San Diego for a board meeting, and after a tense day, was looking for a way to unwind. One glass of champagne had led to another and before she knew it, they were riding the elevator up to his room, unable to keep their hands off each other.
