A Friendly Engagement (11 page)

Mr. Bartow turned toward her. “And this must be Devi.” He engulfed her hand in both of his and met her gaze. His suntan—one he’d definitely acquired from being outside—paled a little, but he quickly replaced it with a wide smile. “And I understand that congratulations are in order. Newly engaged? Lots to do in planning a wedding I’ve heard.”

Again an odd sensation traveled the length of Devi’s back. The look he’d met her with had her wondering if she’d dressed too casual, forgotten to wear deodorant, or if he’d decided on the spot he didn’t like her. She shook off the impression and swallowed her nervous laugh.

Where had her confidence gone? She’d always taken life by the horns and lived in the moment, and she definitely didn’t worry about what others thought of her. You either liked her or you didn’t. Now she struggled with both. Of course, she’d never had such a big deal on the line before. One that Omar wanted with all his heart. If Mr. Bartow didn’t like her, it could affect the chances of Esterly getting the contract.

She needed to stop overanalyzing. This was her nerves talking. She brightened her smile and added an extra pump in her handshake with Mr. Bartow. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Bartow.”

The man’s gaze softened. “No formalities here. I’m William.”

“William it is.” Devi forced her shoulders to relax.

Omar pulled their luggage from the rear of the car and placed the bags on the driveway. “William, I’m looking forward to going over my ideas with you as—”

The other man held up his hand, shaking his head with a smile. “No business discussions this afternoon. I want everyone to get acquainted, relax. There’s time to go over plans and ideas later this week. There’s already an itinerary in your inbox that goes over what I have planned, and I’ll be sure to clue you and everyone else in when I decide to meet one on one.” He gave Omar a friendly slap on the back. “The way you jump right into business reminds me of your father. I don’t think he knew how to relax.”

“You knew my father?”

William’s smile grew taut and he drew his head back stiffly. “I thought you knew. Your father and I—”

Devi placed her hands on each man’s shoulder. “I thought we weren’t going to discuss business. Past or present.”

“You’re right.” William smiled and nodded.

“And forgive Omar. He’s still a work in progress when it comes to letting business go to have some fun. I’m hoping this week will loosen him up.” Devi laced her arm through Omar’s and gave him a brief squeeze.

“If he’s anything like his old man, you might have your work cut out for you.” William gestured them toward the front door, signaling the man hovering off to the side to take care of their luggage.

“Believe me, I know. Trying to get him to relax is like moving a mountain.” Devi and the older man shared a smile.

Yes, definitely nerves.
Her first impression of William Bartow had been off base. He seemed to like her and Omar just fine.

William turned toward Omar. “I know it’s long overdue, but I was sorry to hear about Leland. I know it’s probably been tough on your family and the business. He was a true powerhouse. A brilliant mind.”

Omar nodded. “He was. We all miss him, but I can assure you he taught me the business inside and out. I hope to prove that to you later when I lay out my plan.” He put up his hand as Devi opened her mouth to protest. “But for now, I’ll listen to Devi and save business for later.”

“Smart move,” William said. “How about I take you up to your room, you can both get settled, and then come down and join everyone at the pool?”

“Sounds wonderful. Are we the last to arrive?” Devi fell into step beside Omar as they all made their way up the front staircase.

“Brian Price, along with his wife and son, had a family reunion today. They’ll be here first thing in the morning. You know Price, don’t you, Omar?”

“I do. He actually worked at Esterly with my father before joining Wainwright and Smith.” Omar’s jaw ticked.

Omar and Brian weren’t exactly what anyone in their right mind would term friends. They might not even want to be compared as associates. Devi didn’t know what had happened since their history was long before she’d known Omar, but somewhere along the line of their careers they’d butted heads.

Might be best to change the subject.

“I noticed your beautiful infinity pool, William. From the angle driving up, it looks like it drops into the ocean. You picked the perfect name for your estate as well.”

“Thank you. As for the pool, it’s newly installed. I enjoy my morning laps there. The other pool is larger, that’s where everyone is gathered. Do you like to swim, Devi?” He opened the front door and ushered them inside.

“Love it.” Devi stopped inside the doorway, taking in the two-story foyer with the
Gone with the Wind
staircase. “Wow,” she whispered. “I was in awe driving up, but that staircase… I’m speechless.”

Pride etched William’s square shoulders and his smile. “Thank you, again. I wish I could spend all of my time here. Maybe someday.” He winked at Omar. “I also just had a tennis court installed. Do you play, Omar?”

“I’m no pro, but I’ve been known to hit a few tennis balls around. You name the time, and I’ll be there.”

William’s genuine laugh filled the space around them. “Believe me, I’m not a pro, either, but I do like the exercise. Devi, do you play?”

“The closest I’ve come is badminton, but I’ll try anything once.”

“And she means that, William.” Omar wrapped his arm around her shoulders and hugged her to his side. The familiarity took her by surprise, but only for a second. She better get used to their contact. At least this week. She relaxed against him and breathed in his light cologne.
Another piece of heaven.

“I like that. Come on. I don’t want to hold you up from settling in so you can join the others. Let me show you to your room.”

“Sounds good,” Omar said.

They followed William upstairs. Devi had a good feeling about this man. She’d overreacted earlier. He liked her and Omar, and she instantly liked him and was confident Omar felt the same. If Esterly won this contract, William Bartow would be an amazing client to have on board.

They ventured down a long, spacious hallway with a variety of artwork from modern to Renaissance to traditional. She made a mental note to put aside some time and check them all out at greater length. At the end of the hall they stopped before an impressive set of dark-stained double doors. A field of flowers was carved into the wood.

“I’m sorry I had to put you at the end of the hall. I wanted everyone to enjoy a suite, but they were all taken. With most of the others having families, I thought it best to give them more space. Not that your room isn’t spacious, by any means, but it doesn’t include a separate living space with additional bedrooms.”

“Understandable.” Omar stood aside after William opened the doors so Devi could enter first.

“I’m sure you’ll be comfortable here. And to be honest, the views from this wing are spectacular.”

“Oh my goodness. That’s putting it mildly.” Devi’s hand flew to her throat, and she fingered the rose locket that had been her mother’s. She couldn’t take her eyes off the bank of windows and the view beyond.

Swaying trees with sweeping glimpses of the ocean filled the wall of windows before her. She barely noticed the California King, the vase of roses on the bedside table, or the soothing shades of blue on the walls, rugs, and furniture.

She made her way across the room and pulled open the French doors, breathing in the clean air that gently swam into the room. “I think you gave us the best room in the house.”

The men joined her at the window as the man who’d been instructed to grab their luggage stepped into the room and discreetly placed their bags beside the narrow table inside the door.

“Well, I’ll leave you two to it then. I’m glad you’re happy with the room.” William shook Omar’s hand again and squeezed Devi’s hand briefly. “When you’re ready, just follow the staircase to the foyer, turn right, and you can’t miss the French doors that’ll take you onto the veranda and the pool.”

“See you soon.” Omar followed him to the door.

“Thank you, again.” Devi released a breath as the door closed.

She twirled around and landed on the bed. “I didn’t expect a room like this. Of course I had no clue what I expected. But this is luxury at its finest.” She sprang off the bed and held the shimmery fabric of the drapes aside. “This view rivals a postcard.”

Devi could barely tear her gaze from the water, but she wanted to get unpacked and outside. She grabbed her duffel bag, wishing she’d chosen a nicer piece of luggage. What had she been thinking? A duffel bag for a week at a billionaire’s mansion? She unzipped the bag and grabbed a handful of clothes. Cass would’ve surely let her use the amazing luggage set that Trev had bought her when they’d taken their trip to Costa Rica last year.

With quick steps she moved toward one of the dressers, opened the top drawer, and shoved several items inside. She then hung up a few items in the closet before dumping the remainder of what was in the bag on the closet floor. A hodgepodge of fuzzy slippers, two pairs of sandals, and a pink pair of tennis shoes hit the floor with a thud. She hoisted the now light duffel bag over her shoulder and wiped her hands together. “I’m all unpacked, in less than thirty seconds.”

When Omar didn’t respond, she turned around.

He stood in the center of the room with a frown. “I didn’t even think about the sleeping arrangements.”

Devi followed his gaze until her eyes fell on the large bed that had suddenly become the white elephant in the room.

Chapter Seven

Omar’s blood pounded in his ears. The idea of rooming together had been difficult enough, but how the hell could he not think of Devi in a sexual way if they had to share the same bed? With her lying next to him, he’d be up all night. In more ways than one.

He’d planned out everything for this week—at least he thought he had—except sleeping arrangements. He rubbed his neck and frowned.

Devi jerked one shoulder, kicked off her shoes, and then tossed her duffel bag on the sofa. She hadn’t unpacked completely because one sandal fell out of the top and onto the floor. “It’s no big deal. I’ll sleep on the sofa.”

He blew out his breath. He hadn’t even noticed the two sofas situated around the room. No wonder men were always accused of thinking with their southern hemisphere. How come he hadn’t thought of that instead of automatically seeing no other option but them sharing a bed? “Not a chance. I’ll take the sofa.”

She shook her head, not fazed in the least by the idea of the room only having one bed, or in offering to take the sofa.

“You’re going to need solid rest to seal this deal. I can sleep on either one of these sofas, or that awesome-looking lounger on the balcony.” She wrapped her arms around her middle and swayed back and forth with a contented smile curving her lips. “I can already feel the ocean breeze cooling my skin while I snuggle under a blanket and sleep. Sounds like heaven.”

What sounded like heaven was the dreamy quality in her voice. Along with the image of her snuggled in a blanket on the lounger, but with one addition. She’d be wrapped in his arms. He shook his head mentally to clear his thoughts. Maybe if he quit looking at her he could put a sentence together.

He crossed the room and grabbed his suitcase with such force it banged him in the knee, but he ignored the sting of pain and tossed it on the bed to unpack. “It might sound nice for the first hour or so, but you can’t sleep out there all night. And definitely not all week. Let me take the sofa.”

She rounded the bed so that she stood directly across from him. He couldn’t avert his gaze forever, especially when she crouched down to meet his eyes and blinked several times playfully.

A smile tugged at his mouth. She could always make him laugh.

“Um, not a good idea. You’ve got about seven inches on me, something that sofa or lounger doesn’t. It only makes sense for me to make the sacrifice.”

They straightened and studied each other from opposite sides of the mattress.

His laugh came out dry. “Not on your life. No way am I giving you that type of ammunition. Make a sacrifice my ass.”

She cocked her head and delivered him an innocent smile as she crossed her heart with one finger. “I’d never use it against you. I can’t have you developing some curvature of the spine disorder in the name of chivalry.”

“Since we’re only here for a week I don’t think we need to worry about my spine.”
Now chivalry might be another matter.
Most definitely if she kept biting her lip and looking at him with her big, soft eyes.

“I’m not arguing with you, O. I’ll take the sofa.” Her bracelets clinked against each other as she ran her fingers through her hair. “Now I’m going to change into a suit so we can head down to the pool. And lunch. I’m hungry.” She grabbed several items from the dresser and then padded across the rug in her bare feet toward the bathroom, her arms full of a colorful assortment of clothes.

He had no desire to head down to the pool solo, so he took his time changing into the new pair of brown plaid Bermuda shorts and a plain brown tee he’d purchased the night before. He’d also bought a couple pairs of sandals, and he lined them up in the bottom of the oversized closet, next to several pairs of fuzzy, colored slippers. He shook his head, but warmth spread through him. Devi, such an odd woman, but interesting nonetheless. She packed for a week using a duffel bag, unpacked in mere minutes, and brought three pairs of slippers that she wouldn’t wear outside this room. He could know her forever and he might still never figure her out.

He hung up a couple of shirts. Even with her slippers and his sandals in the closet it looked bare and lonely. He made his way to the same bureau Devi had used, opened the drawer to the right of hers, and neatly laid the last of his clothes inside, making sure nothing overlapped. Unable to resist, he opened her drawer to peek inside. She definitely didn’t believe in order. Nothing had been folded, all rolled—which he’d heard made packing a breeze and clothes wrinkle-free—and she’d flung each item inside with no particular care.