That telling comment cemented his earlier hunch. Her provocative overtures didn’t come easily. He realized how badly her pride and confidence had been battered. Although she’d walked out on the groom, she’d just reinforced his gut feeling that her hand had been forced and she’d taken an emotional beating in the process.
Moving his hand from the warmth of her thigh, he lifted her hand and enclosed it in his. “Well, Juliette, I most certainly do want your company tonight and I gratefully accept your invitation.” He treated her to a slow, provocative grin meant to tease and tantalize. To draw her into the same vortex of interest and anticipation swirling inside him. To make her feel desired.
“Thank you.” Her pink tongue darted across her lower lip once more, an intriguing combination of sensuality and innocence. Her forced daring was admirable, her hesitancy charming.
“Should I pick you up or meet you there?”
She curled her knees upward. “I have some things to take care of first. I’ll meet you there, okay?”
He nodded. Walking away was more difficult than it should have been since he’d be seeing her again in a few hours. He’d never expected conservative Juliette Stanton to make the first move, especially after her initial withdrawal, but he couldn’t deny she’d put him a step closer to his goal.
She’d given him entry into her week here on Secret Fantasy. She’d given him the chance to get his story. To find out what Juliette knew about her ex-fiancé’s dirty business dealings. To discover whether Barnes was involved with the Mob and Haywood’s money laundering scheme. To uncover the information to prove his earlier story was fact, not fiction.
Juliette had provided the opportunity. The rest was up to him.
MERRILEE SAT at her desk, staring at the large bouquet of red roses surrounded by baby’s breath and greenery, specially delivered to her at Secret Fantasy. Apropos considering the card hadn’t been signed, its sender anonymous, secret.
A knock sounded lightly on the closed wooden door to her office. “Come in.”
The door swung open and Juliette Stanton walked inside, dressed as if she’d just come from the beach. “Hello. I’m sorry to disturb you but I was wondering if you had a minute—Oh, what lovely flowers!” She walked forward until she stood in front of the large floral bouquet.
“Thank you.” Merrilee smiled. “I thought so too, though I do wish I knew who sent them,” she murmured.
Juliette bent forward and inhaled the fragrant scent. “A secret admirer? How romantic!”
Merrilee inclined her head. “More like mysterious.”
“Was there a card?” Juliette asked, then immediately waved her hand in the air. “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business.”
“Actually I’ve always felt once a person divulged their fantasies to me, a bond is created. I don’t mind answering. There was a note.” Merrilee lifted the standard-looking white card that had come attached to the flowers and read the inscription. “Roses, red as rubies. Because they’re your favorite.”
Juliette lowered herself into the armchair across from the desk. “And are they your favorite?”
Merrilee nodded. Because red rubies reminded her of Charlie, she thought, glancing down at her ring. But Charlie was long gone, as she knew too well. Getting sentimental and wistful over an intriguing gesture wouldn’t bring him back. And though she wondered who knew her secrets, now wasn’t the time to figure it out.
She pulled a tissue from the box on her desk and blotted beneath her eyes. “So what can I do for you?” she asked Juliette.
The younger woman’s eyes filled with concern. “Maybe this isn’t the best time. I can come back later.”
Merrilee waved away her misgiving. “It’s fine. I’m fine.” She’d learned to be, of necessity. “Go on, please.”
Juliette twisted her hands in her lap. “Well, I’m not familiar with how this fantasy stuff works but I have a request that may be…unorthodox.”
Merrilee smiled to put her guest at ease. “Trust me, there’s little I haven’t seen or heard as the person in charge of making fantasies come true.”
“Okay then.” Juliette drew a deep breath. “I want Doug—I’m sorry I don’t know his last name—but I want him as my fantasy man.”
Doug. Merrilee knew Juliette meant Doug Houston and realized he’d chosen anonymity as a cover. After Doug’s departure a week earlier, Merrilee had done some research of her own and was quite familiar with the behind-the-scenes story of this particular fantasy. She’d discovered, before agreeing to let him stay upon his second arrival, that he had told her the truth. One point in his favor but he was still on probation.
Merrilee understood now that if Juliette knew she’d chosen the man who’d printed the article on her ex-fiancé’s business partner, she’d bolt. Maybe. But maybe attraction and desire were stronger than fear.
“The man from the lobby earlier?” she asked, just to be certain.
Juliette nodded. “Yes. I know you said I’d be seeing more of him and I want to. I want to make sure he’s the man you’ve chosen for me. Unless he’s already taken?” Juliette’s eyes were wide as she waited for an answer.
“Obviously there’s a strong attraction between you two.”
Juliette blushed and averted her gaze. “I’m not sure I’ve ever felt this way before.” She laughed uncomfortably. “Kind of like it hits you between the eyes and you’re not certain what to do next.”