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And for all intents and purposes, the man standing before her was simply her boss.
Never mind that she wanted nothing more at this moment than to run into his arms.
* * *
Reid had to clench his fists by his sides in order to keep himself from pulling Celeste tight against him and into his arms when she reached his side. He’d come close to canceling this evening. That option would have been the wisest course of action. But he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He needed this marketing project completed and he needed it completed successfully. Distractions and delays wouldn’t do.
Or so he told himself. If pushed, he would have to concede that he hadn’t called it off because he hadn’t wanted to. He’d wanted to see her. Avoiding her this past day and a half had been nothing short of painful. And what did that say about the sad state he currently found himself in? He’d been missing a woman he had no claim to. A woman who would walk out of his life in a few short days and most likely never return.
Given the way she looked right now, he knew he wasn’t likely to stop wanting what he couldn’t have anytime soon. The silky black-and-red dress she wore complemented her ever-deepening tan. Strappy red high heeled shoes accented her shapely legs, she’d worn her hair down cascading like an ebony dark curtain over her satin smooth shoulders.
He swallowed hard.
“Hey there,” she greeted him when she reached his side.
Somehow, he got his mouth to work. “Hey yourself.” He handed her the rose he’d thought to pick up on his way. Fake date or not, he knew when an occasion called for a flower.
She seemed surprised as she took it and inhaled deeply of the petals. He wanted to do the same. Only he would prefer to nuzzle his face against the gentle curve of her neck and inhale deeply of her now oh-so-familiar scent.
“Thanks. This was very thoughtful.”
“You’re welcome,” he replied, then motioned toward the boat behind them. “Shall we?”
Celeste took the hand he’d extended and followed him on board. A group of uniformed crew members greeted them and they made their way below deck. A few other couples were already seated at elegant, candlelit tables. Yet others strolled in behind them.
A white tuxedoed crew member led them to their table and pulled out their chairs.
“How’s your foot?” Reid asked.
“Completely healed, it seems.” She took a sip of her water. “Uma’s poultice is a wonder drug. She should bottle that stuff and sell it worldwide.”
“I might have to suggest that idea next time I’m at the flower garden.” It occurred to him that on his next stop there he’d mostly likely be by himself. Or with Alex. He’d never be able to visit the place again without remembering the time he’d spent there with Celeste. Just one of the many marks she’d be leaving on him when she left the resort for good shortly.
The waiter reappeared with a fruity, frosted cocktail complete with a swirly straw and placed it in front of Celeste. “The bartender’s specialty drink, miss. Please enjoy.”
He placed a shorter glass full of amber liquid in front of Reid. Top-shelf Jamaican dark rum. “Your usual, sir.”
Reid made a mental note to sip the drink much more slowly than usual tonight. He couldn’t risk a repeat of the other night when he’d completely lost control and practically ravished Celeste in Uma’s spare bedroom. Though he’d been stone-cold sober then. Still, he didn’t want to take the chance of lessening his inhibitions in any way.
Celeste took a sip of her drink and closed her eyes in pleasure. “Mmm, this tastes heavenly. Definitely something to note when writing about this outing.”
Good for her for keeping her mind on the task at hand, Reid thought. At least one of them had their head in the right place. So why was a small part of him just a touch disappointed?
“I’ve also got some great things to say about the light show at Uma’s place,” she continued, then looked down at her drink.
Their thoughts must have drifted in the same direction; what had transpired between them after they’d admired said light display that evening.
Reid cleared his throat, trying to summon exactly what he wanted to say. They had to acknowledge what had happened. Or this awkwardness was simply going to continue to grow.
