Authors: Collette Scott
“Our relationship is not where I want it to be, Diana. We have something between us, and you know it.”
“I’m not admitting to anything.”
“I want you to go away with me. We’re family, and it’s the holidays. What’s your other option? Spending them back in Denver in a small apartment alone?”
Diana opened her mouth to answer, knowing he was right, but he cut her off.
“This is just what Hannah needs. She can continue her care on board.”
Diana frowned, too afraid to respond. The idea of spending Thanksgiving on a yacht in Hawaii was thrilling. It was her fairytale all over again. However, being there with Devlan when there was obviously a very possessive woman involved was not. She remembered all too well what happened the last time she believed in her dreams.
“What about Roxanne?”
“I tried to tell you that it’s not what you think,” he said earnestly. “Roxanne was my friend. I’ve escorted her out on a few occasions. I’ve never given her any reason to believe we were serious, and I had no idea that she thought we were. That whole evening ended in disaster when I picked up that phone, and it was not how I had imagined it would end. I am sorry about that.”
She nodded slowly, so afraid to give in but growing weaker. He was making too much sense. “I don’t know, Devlan.”
Devlan hung his head and let out a heavy sigh. She resisted the urge to reach out and run her fingers through his thick, dark hair. When he raised his head again, the familiar look of determination had returned.
“I’ll pick you both up Wednesday. We’ll have fun.”
Having said his piece, he straightened and gave her a tender half-smile. Then he turned sharply on his heel and strode back down the hall before she could protest any further. Once again he had laid down the law as he saw fit, but this time she was not bristling or willing to fight any further. She just watched him go with a bemused smile.
~
Kathy Lei sported silky hair as black as obsidian that trailed down her back to the curve of her buttocks. Her face was a delicate, heart-shaped one, with wide, dancing dark brown eyes and soft pink lips that perpetually curved upwards in a smile. She carried herself with confidence and pride, her tall heels clicking rapidly alongside Devlan’s long strides. The woman was smaller than Diana and barely came up to Devlan’s chest, but she still managed to keep up with his determined pace. Diana watched them approach, feeling her spine stiffen and her hackles rise despite her best intentions.
“Are you ready?” Devlan asked in greeting.
It was rare that she saw his white teeth, but the smile he sported now showed most of them. As he dropped to his haunches in front of Hannah, Diana’s gaze returned to the well-dressed, petite Asian woman by his side.
“You must be Kathy,” she said softly, holding out her hand. Kathy was a full two inches and at least ten pounds lighter than she was, and Diana hated the sting of jealousy that would not ease.
“And you’re the famous Mrs. Somerset! It’s a real pleasure to finally meet the woman who has knocked Mr. Doyle off his feet!”
She giggled behind her well-manicured hand when Diana’s eyes widened in surprise. Nudging her in the side good-naturedly, Kathy gave her a wink before replacing her neutral smile.
Hannah was chatting to Devlan and had somehow convinced him to wheel her back to her room so she could show him how carefully she had rolled up a poster to keep it safe. He pushed the wheelchair slowly, his head bent in intense concentration on Hannah’s happy babble. They watched them go in silence before Diana turned her attention back to Kathy.
“I’ve heard so much about you, I was expecting someone else entirely. It seems Devlan can’t live without you.”
“That’s true,” Kathy said with a laugh. “Especially now that you and Hannah have entered the picture. It’s a new experience for all of us.”
“Why is that?”
Her eyes continued to glitter with amusement as she reached for Diana and linked her arm through hers. She led Diana down the hall and out into the bright California sunlight before speaking again. There were two vehicles parked out front, the ever-present Wills with the Bentley and a large Tahoe. Diana offered him a smile in greeting, but she listened to Kathy carefully.
“Mr. Doyle is an all-out workaholic, Mrs. Somerset,” she explained. “Of course now all he wants to do is be with you and your little one. I’ve never seen him so distracted. Missing meetings, not returning calls, forgetting to approve things. He just has his head all up in the clouds. I don’t think even he knew how much he liked kids, or at least your daughter.” Grinning widely, she winked again. “I keep telling him to hang out around my house for a time, that’d do it pretty good.”
“Where’s Mr. Doyle?” Mike asked Kathy, climbing the stairs to greet them. He smiled at Diana.
“He’s with that beautiful little girl inside.”
“If you’re in a rush, you might want to rescue him. Hannah will keep him in there all day given half a chance,” Diana confessed with a smile.
Kathy’s gaze followed Mike, who continued up the stairs. “Now he’s a fine looking one, isn’t he?”
Diana shrugged. “I suppose so, in a boxer-like way.”
Kathy arched one of her perfect brows. “Good call. He was a boxer, a good one too, they say. Took one too many hits to the head and smartened up. Mr. Doyle picked him up as a bodyguard and has kept him on for years.”
“He’s loyal,” Diana noted.
“Yes, very. Mike rescued him once from a stalker who pulled a gun. Took a bullet for him through the arm. They’re more like brothers now.”
“That’s good,” Diana admitted. That tidbit gave her a whole new outlook on Mike and Devlan’s relationship. “Does he have many enemies?”
Kathy chuckled. “Only the ones I make for him.”
“Seriously?”
“Well, he can be tough in business, but for the most part he’s fair. I’ve seen worse in my day, believe me. But there are weirdos out there, and he can’t make everyone happy. He’s concerned for everyone’s safety. We have security all over our buildings and parking lots. It’s a sad world out there.”
She glanced at Diana with apologetic eyes. “I’m sorry, hon. I’ve been going on and on. How are those clothes? I see you’re not wearing them. Just as he expected.”
Diana blushed as she looked down at her jeans. “It didn’t feel right.”
“That’s exactly what he said,” she said, laughing. “Listen, he’s a generous man and loves to please people, especially you and that beautiful child in there. This is all new to him and it’s the only way he knows how to show you both how much he cares.”
“It’s new to me, too,” she answered. “And that’s why I don’t like taking things from him.”
“Don’t worry about it, really.”
“I don’t know,” she said, shaking her head.
Kathy placed her hands on her hips and frowned. “He’s never been happier. Let him do his thing. He knows you’re not after his money, and I hope he doesn’t wreck everything before he realizes what a gem you are. Nothing would make him happier than you accepting his gifts.”
“But I don’t need charity.”
“It’s not charity. It’s honest to goodness caring.” Kathy paused to shake her head thoughtfully. “I thought he was exaggerating when he went on and on about how stubborn and proud you were. I really figured that you would break down and whip out the credit cards once you got here, but I was wrong.”
“Thank you… I guess,” Diana said stiffly.
Kathy laughed again. “There’s a reason he hasn’t settled down yet. Everyone he’s even tried to get close to has done it. He sees that you’re different and wants you all the more for it. Ah, here they come. Don’t tell him I told you that.”
Suddenly reminded of their conversation about the Irish walking stick, Diana considered Kathy’s words carefully. Looking back at the doorway, she watched as Devlan cheerfully guided the wheelchair out and Hannah waved happily. When they came to a stop, Hannah slowly stood and slid into the vehicle with Devlan’s assistance. Diana smiled, pressing her hands to her chest.
“Wonderful job,” she breathed happily.
Kathy quickly slipped into the Bentley next, sitting next to Hannah and leaving Diana next to Devlan. Not sure what to expect, Diana turned to Devlan with a wry smile. Still in his upbeat mood, his brows wiggled suggestively in answer, and he chuckled when she sent him a warning frown. However, he remained the true gentleman as she climbed in, and it was not until the limo was moving that he took advantage of their close proximity. Beginning with a heavy sigh, Devlan stretched out his arms, allowing one to casually drape around her shoulders. Diana stiffened and remained rigid, but he kept his arm there the entire ride to the airport. His thumb absently stroked her collarbone as he gave Kathy final instructions, and although she tried to follow their conversation, she was too distracted by his touch. It was a mixture of teasing lightness and insistent desire, and Diana could feel her skin prickle in answer. All the man had to do was touch her and she melted, she realized miserably.
As soon as the vehicles pulled up to the airport terminal, Diana escaped his hand by leaning forward to look out the window. Strange that his touch could stir her so quickly, she thought with some concern. Though she had managed to keep her distance from him, apparently her body remembered his desire-provoking touch. And she was still willing to go out to sea with him? Not for the first time she wondered if she was crazy.
“Where are we, Mommy?”
“We’re at the airport.”
“Why?”
Devlan beamed proudly. “Because I’m taking you two ladies away for a week. We’re going on a plane and then on a big boat. How does that sound?”
“I want to go home, Mommy,” Hannah said softly, her fingers reaching up to grasp a piece of her hair. She began twirling it, and Devlan sat forward and smoothed the soft strands away from her face.
Having never seen Hannah cranky before, he nervously tried to coax her. “We’re going to have lots of fun. There’ll be boats and buckets to play in the sand. We’ll swim and build sand castles together. You’ll like it, I promise.”
Diana nodded in agreement, but Hannah still looked unsure. Suddenly Diana was overcome with doubts of her own. Maybe she was making another mistake in taking her away. Maybe she would heal faster in their small apartment. Glancing at the pair, Kathy offered them a smile to ease Diana’s doubts and Devlan’s growing panic.
“It’s nap time, isn’t it?” she asked. “My youngest – boy, if he doesn’t nap he’s done for the day.”
Giving her a stern look, Devlan growled his thanks. “Thank you for your opinion, Kathy.”
Diana smiled at Kathy, who had sunk into the leather with her arms crossed. Seeing her reaction, Kathy’s frown faded and she rolled her eyes.
“Kathy’s right. She is tired.” She smiled at Devlan in an effort to reassure him, and when he saw it he noticeably relaxed.
Hannah nodded slowly in agreement just as Wills opened the door with a wheelchair in hand. “Are you folks ready, sir?”
The strong youth assisted Hannah into the chair while Diana climbed out behind her. She stood by the door, but Devlan remained in the car to give more last minute instructions to Kathy. Diana stopped to listen when she heard his final words.
“I don’t want her to know about any of that trash. Get on the phone and have them print a retraction. I’ll handle Roxanne when I get home. Thanks, Kath, and have a nice Thanksgiving.”
Diana glanced down at her beat up tennis shoes, knowing without a doubt they were talking about her. But when Devlan exited the car, his excitement was unmistakable as was the warm hand that wrapped around her possessively.
“I’m not cutting this vacation short,” he said meaningfully. “Even if it means I have to take you out to the middle of the Pacific Ocean.”
Feeling warm again, Diana quickened her step in order to catch up with Mike and Hannah, but Devlan’s arm, still firmly around her waist, stopped her from going very far. His dark head bent down, and she felt his cheek press against her forehead as he spoke. “I’m glad you decided to come away with me, Diana.”
Not ready to admit that she felt the same way, she regarded him cautiously. “I did it for Hannah. She’s been working so hard. She really needs a break, and where can she play on a beach this time of year? Besides, Thanksgiving alone wouldn’t be much fun.”
“I don’t care what your reasons were,” he insisted. “All that matters is that you’re here now. I have the whole crew decorating the ship, and our chef is baking the biggest turkey they could find down there.”
She laughed. “Wow. Thank you.”
“I plan on repairing that rotten evening and starting over again. It takes a rare woman to give a guy like me a second chance after our harsh words.”
“I had nothing to lose,” she whispered.
“We’ll see about that,” he countered.
As she pondered his last statement, Devlan ushered her along to the waiting jet. It was the same one they had flown in from Denver, and she glanced around with concern. The sleek white plane was large and luxurious inside, but smaller than the commercial airliners she had previously flown in. Remembering her parents, she turned to Devlan with a worried frown.
“Is this safe to take over the ocean?”