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We passed through the guards’ booth at the gate and took the winding stone driveway lined with trees and beautifully crafted fountains to the enormous circular entrance, surrounded by more manicured lawns, topiary hedges, and waterfalls. Being one of those people of lesser good fortune, I stared out the window in complete awe.
The resort itself was sensational, even in its reported state of late construction, of which there was no evidence in the front. The lobby was four stories of large, symmetrically shaped windows, all illuminated with a golden glimmer that came from chandeliers so huge I could s
ee them from the drive.
Full vines climbed the stone walls, strategically placed, impeccably arranged. I’d expected a fancy porte cochere out front but then realized a ramada would detract the eye from all the grandeur. Clearly, I wasn’t the only one who’d deduced that.
All in all, I was thoroughly mind blown. And I hadn’t even gotten out of the gleaming Jag yet.
A valet swooped in, already in uniform despite the hotel not being open. He wore stylish black tails with white gloves. I instantly felt underdressed, though I loved the mini and had spent enough money on it to give myself heart palpitations.
Damn—shown up by a valet. I should have pulled out my prom dress from the closet in the spare bedroom.
But no, that would have been complete overkill.
Unless, of course, Dane sported a tux, too.
Panic slithered down my spine. I really had no idea what I was getting myself into with him. This was supposed to be a job interview, right? Except that it was also dinner, and I’d dressed that part, hadn’t I? I should have played it safe and simple and worn a business suit.
As I waded through my confused thoughts, the spiffed-to-the-hilt gentleman opened my door and greeted me with a friendly smile. “Welcome, Miss DeMille.”
I slipped from the leather seat, staring up at the gorgeous facade of 10,000 Lux.
“Mr. Bax is waiting for you just inside the entrance. I’ll escort you.”
My breathing turned shallow. I hoped like hell I didn’t botch this. I was already nervous over the fact that I’d applied for a position here and, of course, seeing Dane.
Or, more accurately, having dinner with Dane. Being alone with Dane. Being within fifty feet of Dane.
I had no delusions; I knew I was in over my head. Did that stop me from proceeding with caution? No. I was too sexually charged, too intrigued, to give in to my wary side.
The valet pulled open one of the tall wood-trimmed glass doors and gestured for me to lead the way. I stepped into the lobby, doing everything in my power to appear calm and collected. No-go, really.
Holy shit.
There he stood.
Dane Bax.
I couldn’t breathe again.
Only he could outshine and outclass his surroundings.
I could probably come up with some clever and evocative words to describe the inside of 10,000 Lux. At the moment, all I saw was the veined creamy marble floor that led straight to Dane. It took several seconds for anything else to register.
He stood alongside a gorgeous round mahogany table that served as the focal point of the lobby and that likely would fill my living and dining room combo. A gold, silver, and copper-painted vase about as tall as I was in heels stood sentinel in the middle of the table, filled with ecru blooms and dripping verdant leaves. Above it hung the mammoth chandelier. Others decorated the ornately designed ceiling, defying gravity throughout the cavernous reception area. All impressive, but the main fixture was a showstopper.
My wide-eyed gaze dropped to Dane. He glanced up from his iPhone and our gazes locked. He grinned. The ultra-sexy one that was really just the hint of a smile.
My heart skipped a few necessary beats.
“Good evening,” he said in a somewhat formal tone.
I lost my voice again.
The grin deepened—he must have known he left me speechless.
He took several long strides toward me, since I’d barely made it through the doors when I’d gone into shock. Everything was just so … perfect.
