“Ithought we’d taken precautions against this?” Rob glanced back toward the barwhere his hapless blonde had disappeared.
“Yes, sir. We hold back four rooms every nightjust in case. This weekend I kept eight rooms open, however with it being sobusy—”
“You’vealready given away all of those rooms.”
“Andthen some,” Pierreconfessed. “I just sent a couple to the Wakefield Resort. I’ve called all overthe island and there truly isn’t another room to be had. I was just thinking tomyself that perhaps we were safe when she walked in.”
“Terrific.”Rob rubbed his hands over his travel weary face. He’d been in negotiations topurchase property in New Yorkall week. Delay after delay had prevented him from leaving until finally thisafternoon—with the ink still drying on the contract—he headed for his privatejet, ready for some serious rest and relaxation. The last thirty-six months hadbeen nonstop business meetings, conferences and charity events and he wastaking some well-earned vacation time. Glancing at his watch he consideredleaving the woman to her own devices for a split second before turning andmaking his way toward the hotel bar.
Thebar was fairly quiet and Rob could only assume most folks were resting up forthe festivities set to begin tomorrow. He found her in a quiet corner nursing adrink and shivering. Stopping by the bar, he asked Todd, the bartender for hisusual.
“Andanother one of whatever that young lady is having.”
Toddsmiled at his request. “Yes sir. A martini and a ScarlettO’Hara.”
Pickingup the drinks, Rob studied her as he approached the table. Her face was trulylovely. She had a wholesome, girl-next-door look he found surprisinglyappealing. Spending so much of his time with women who spent a small fortune oncosmetic surgery, personal trainers and makeup, he found her natural appearancerefreshing. Her long blonde hair was still damp from her run in the rain, butas it dried, natural ringlets appeared and he imagined it was quite thick andsoft. She had a healthy red glow on her cheeks, no doubt from the running orperhaps the cold. Rob felt an instant attraction to her, something he couldn’trecall ever feeling before. She shivered again and Rob shook himself out of hisreverie.
“Excuseme.” He graced her with the most charming, least threatening smile he couldmuster. No doubt, he had some making up to do.
“Hello again.” Her voice was soft, her tonedistinctly friendlier than he expected.
“Iwas hoping I could join you for a few minutes.” He gestured to the two drinksin his hands.
Nodding,she pointed to the seat across from her. “Sure.”
“Peace offering.” He placed the red drink he’d boughtin front of hers, hoping his joke might work.
Movingher empty glass out of the way, she smiled. “That wasn’t necessary.”
“I’mafraid it was,” Rob answered. “My driver’s actions were reprehensible.”
Sheinterrupted him. “No, please, you don’t have to apologize. I’m terriblyembarrassed by my behavior. I’m sure you won’t believe this, but I’m typicallynot such a hateful bitch.”
“Ididn’t think you were anything of the sort.” Rob was surprised by her apology.If anyone was in the wrong, it was clearly him or at least George.
“Thankyou for the drink.” She grinned before picking it up, silently toasting him andsipping it.
“A Scarlett O’Hara?”
“It’smy favorite, cranberry juice and Southern Comfort. I was planning on drinkingonly fruity island concoctions, but after the day I’ve had, I needed a stiffdrink.”
“Ah,I see,” Rob said. “If I’m not mistaken, I detect a bit of a southern accent?”
“Just a bit. I’m from Northern Virginia. Most folks there can’t decide if they’re northerners orsoutherners. I like to refer to myself as a middler. How about you? Where doyou hang up your hat?”
“Everywhere,”Rob answered honestly. “My work keeps me traveling pretty much nonstop.”
“And during your childhood?”
“Army brat.” He truly didn’t have roots anywherein the world. He owned homes on both coasts as well as in three differentcountries, but he never spent more than a month at a time in any of them.Watching her try to hide her shivering, he stood and took off his suit jacket.
“Here.”He draped it around her shoulders. “You’re about to shake yourself off thatchair.”
Shestarted to protest, but he cut her off. “I insist.”
“Thankyou. So what’s this business of yours that doesn’t allow you to settle down?”
Robwas taken aback by the question. Surely she knew who he was. Looking closely ather, he determined she truly didn’t know him. Used to being recognizedinstantly, Rob silently savored this anonymity.
“Uh,”he stumbled, unwilling to give up this unique experience. “Justa businessman. Real estate and that kind of thing.”He realized his answer was vague at best.
“Youmust do well, given your mode of transportation.”
“Company car.” He wasn’t sure why he was intent onkeeping up pretenses. For some strange reason, he liked the way this tired,petite woman looked at him. She was talking to him as an equal, almost treatinghim as she would a new friend. Her eyes weren’t filled with dollar signs,trying to figure out how much he was really worth. Silently he laughed athimself. He’d spent nearly a decade amassing more wealth than he could everspend, earning and demanding the respect of his peers, yet here he wasdown-playing his career successes so he could continue this simple, friendlyconversation.
“How about you? What job keeps you tied to themiddle of the country?”
“Oh,I have a terribly exciting job. I’m a special ed. teacher.”
“Itmay not be what you consider exciting, but I can’t imagine anything moreworthwhile.”
Athis compliment, she gave him the most genuine smile he’d ever received. “Ihappen to agree with you. I love my kids and my job.”
“Areyou with a private facility?” He was shocked to find himself so interested inlearning more about this fascinating young woman.
“Oh,heck no,” she said with a grin. “Public education all theway. I teach at a high school.”
“Ah,”he teased, “I see now how you can afford such a fancy vacation. Making the big bucks as a public servant. Is Valentine’s Dayconsidered
