“Nothing, okay? I just think everyone’s misjudged Celia. My hunch is that she’s nothing more than an innocent bystander, maybe a carefully planted pawn to make everything seem like business as usual for Alexander. She’s in the wrong place at the wrong time, that’s all.”
“If you’re right—and I still wouldn’t put any money on it—then she sure as hell doesn’t need to be there now.”
“I know that. She won’t even consider suggestions that she should go home now. She thinks Alexander’s a great guy. Won’t listen to a word against him.”
“You are being discreet, aren’t you, Reed?” Kyle sounded genuinely worried. “One wrong word, one hint of our presence there, could blow the whole operation.”
“I know how to do my job,” Reed answered coldly, very close to being genuinely angry with his longtime co-worker. “I just don’t want to see anyone get hurt.”
“That goes for you, too, my friend. It’s not like you to lose your head over a—”
“Don’t call her a PYT,” Reed cut in. “And stop fretting, Kyle. I know what I’m doing.”
And wasn’t that a whopper of a lie? he asked himself as he hung up the phone a few moments later. He hadn’t been fully in control of his actions since Celia Carson had taken that book out of his hands and “kidnapped” him.
He needed to be thinking about his job, preparing for the expected meeting—and yet all he could do was think of Celia. Wonder when he could be with her again. When he could kiss her again. And whether she’d cooperate
as sweetly next time, when she was fully awake.
“Damn, Hollander,” he muttered, shoving his sleep-tousled hair off his forehead. “What the hell are you doing?”
Celia was sitting on the side of a spectacular fountain in the resort’s central courtyard, watching rainbow-hued koi swimming lazily in the shimmering pool, when a shadow fell over her. Her heart tripped and she looked around quickly, expecting to find Reed standing behind her. She couldn’t lie to herself and pretend that she hadn’t been hoping he would find her here. She’d been surreptitiously watching for him all morning, and had been discouraged that she hadn’t yet seen him, even when she’d breakfasted alone in the restaurant.
Damien’s secretary was standing over her, patiently waiting for her to notice him. “Oh,” she said, trying to keep the disappointment out of her voice. “Hello, Evan.”
“Mr. Alexander called,” the dark young man said. “He said to tell you he’ll be here early tomorrow afternoon.”
Celia nodded. “Thank you. Was there anything else?”
“No, that’s all. Umm…you have no plans for this afternoon?”
“Nothing in particular,” she replied with a shrug. Where are you, Reed?
Evan cleared his throat. “Mr. Alexander was quite concerned that you haven’t been enjoying your stay with us.”
“He shouldn’t have been. I’ve been treated very well here. I couldn’t ask for better service,” Celia assured him.
“Is there anything I can do for you now?”
“No, thank you. I was just enjoying the fountain. It’s beautiful.”
“Mr. Alexander had it shipped here from Italy.”
Of course he had. Celia resisted a smile that Evan might have misinterpreted and tried to look suitably impressed.
“There’s a complimentary showing of the new Julia Roberts film for resort guests this evening in the theater. Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails will be served…even popcorn, I believe,” Evan added with a slight smile. “It begins at eight.”
“Thank you. Maybe I’ll go. I’ve been wanting to see that film.”
He looked disproportionately pleased by her words. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. I’ve heard it’s excellent.”
Celia smiled and nodded, wondering what he expected her to say next.
He shifted his weight, looked suddenly self-conscious, and tugged at his neatly knotted tie. “Well,” he said heartily. “I’d better get back to work. There’s some paperwork I have to finish this afternoon.”
“On Sunday?”
“Oh, yes. Mr. Alexander is a very busy man,” Evan said gravely. “He can’t be bothered with all the detail work that I handle for him.”