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Vivian stood shaking her arms doing her best to air dry before the food arrived. “They seem to have a bit of a linen problem. Last night it took me two phone calls and a visit down to the front desk before I managed to get a duvet.”
“What? Your room should have had proper bedding when you checked in.”
“Well, it didn’t. It looks to me like someone scrimped on the linen budget. And considering the fact I had to wait forty minutes for my room yesterday afternoon, I think it’s not a good sign for the future success of this resort. There is clearly room for improvement.”
A thoughtful look appeared on Bryce’s face, and for a moment she thought he was going to say something. Instead he seemed to grit his teeth. The smile he gave her was a forced one. She respected him for making the effort to keep his temper under control. The lack of towels wasn’t the fault of the pool staff. If anyone was to blame it was the senior management.
But whatever was going on at the Laguna Beach resort, the staff seemed to be well aware of it. Vivian had seen this sort of situation before at other hotels. Operators would make the decision to open early in order to get some badly needed cash after having used up all their development money. Could Royal Resorts be running that low on funds?
She pretty much had her review already written in her head. Checking out the rumors online likely wouldn’t change it. They would only serve to confirm Vivian’s growing suspicions.
See what the rumor mill has to say. This place must have cost a bomb to build, and they wouldn’t be the first people in the leisure industry to find themselves facing money problems.
She knew exactly where to look. If there were real issues here, the folks atLeisure Linewere sure to know. Once she got back to her room later this afternoon, she would check out the gossip blog. Even if it was as a postscript to her main review, she owed it to future guests to let them know if their vacation was going to be less than six star. If they should be looking and booking elsewhere.
Was one of America’s biggest resort companies in serious financial trouble? That was the billion-dollar question.
CHAPTERNINETEEN
“Thank you for a lovely afternoon, Bryce. And as much as it pains me, I must concur with your official pronouncement that the pizza was delicious. I would struggle to find one better in New York. Someday I will make it to Italy and be able to taste the food for myself.”
Well fed, Vivian tied her beach wrap at her waist and picked up her tote bag. Whatever the resorts issues with linen, at least they seemed to be ironing out the food and beverage situation. Bryce had ordered them both an after lunch cocktail and it had been delicious. Her prayers that someone would have a word with the bar staff and told them to go easy on the ice had been answered.
Vivian was torn. She would love to stay by the pool with Bryce, but it was getting close to four o’clock, and she had work to do. This might be a holiday for him, but she was on assignment. Lionel was depending on her to deliver the review by the end of the week.
“Are you sure you can’t stay longer?” The plea in Bryce’s voice had her wishing that by some form of miracle Jerry had remembered he had a ski resort review to pen and had actually managed to deliver it to Lionel.
As grandpa used to say, if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
“Unfortunately not. As lucky as I am to be on vacation at this resort, I do have a little bit of work I need to finish. My boss is expecting a business report from me tonight. It’s almost seven on the east coast and I promised I would get this work done.”
It was lovely that Bryce seemed genuinely sad at her leaving. Guilt stirred within. The thought of disappointing him nagged at her conscience. Finishing the full draft of the review would only take her at best two hours, and then her evening would be free.
“I feel really bad about leaving you, would you be available for a late dinner tonight? How does eight o’clock sound? My treat,” she offered.
I hate eating late, but I want to see him again.
Bryce rose from his lounger and came to Vivian’s side. He had done the same thing a couple of times already, and she liked it when he stood this close. It had her feeling something that she worried had died after discovering her boyfriend had not only been cheating on her, but he had been racking up debts on her credit card.
That feeling was hope.
His fingertips brushed against her arm and a shiver of lust coursed through her body. Bryce made her feel many things. Most of them salacious and wicked.
Does he feel the same? Will he ask me to sleep with him? God, I hope so.
The longer they spent together, the more Vivian wanted Bryce.
“Go and do your work, Vivian. In the meantime I shall book us a table at the hilltop restaurant for eight. And don’t you dare think of picking up the check. I was raised a gentleman and that means dinner is on me. I insist.”
Vivian offered him a soft smile. “Alright, but if we are both still here tomorrow, I am picking up the tab for the beach club fish and chips at lunch. No arguments.”
Her breath caught as he leaned in. Her gaze settled on his mouth. On those perfect lips. “I will see you at the restaurant at eight, Vivian. Don’t be late.”
As Bryce placed a soft kiss on Vivian’s cheek, she silently chastised herself for not having turned her head. The heat of his breath on her skin had her heart doing a happy dance.
I want him to kiss me. Everywhere.
Her heart, and other pertinent parts of her body, were all thrumming their demands as Vivian headed back to her room. The message they were sending was loud and clear. Her body ached for a night with Bryce, and to wake up in his arms.
