Chapter 8 #3
He paused, then continued. “My father’s family came from Italy. They owned a vineyard, right in the heart of Sicily. My grandfather met and fell in love with an American woman. They had a son who was my father. My African-American mother took off not long after I was born.”
There, she had her answer. When she saw him this morning, she’d known he was of mixed heritage but hadn’t been sure which ethnicities. “I never knew my parents,” she said. “At least, I was too young to remember them. They died the same day in a murder suicide.”
Haven suddenly realized this was the first time she’d ever told anyone that.
Most of the people in Tifton knew it, and she’d never felt the need to share it with anyone else.
Why did she feel comfortable telling him?
“My grandmother took me in when I was ten months old and raised me. She died earlier this year.”
“I’m sorry. I can hear the pain in your voice,” he said.
“Yes, we were very close.”
He nodded. “I understand. My father passed away two years ago, and it’s still hard to talk about.”
“How did your father die?” she asked.
“Cancer,” he said, removing his hands from his pockets.
She shuddered. “So did my grandmother. I hate that disease.”
“Me too.” Then, as if he needed to change the subject, he asked, “So, what do you think of the garden?”
“It’s beautiful. I love flowers. Gramma Dora used to have a big garden with all kinds of them. She could name them all. The only ones I can point out are roses. They are my favorite.”
“Then let’s look at the roses display over there,” he said, taking her hand to lead her in another direction.
The moment he touched her, she felt it again. A spike of heat spread all through her body.
“Are you alright, Haven?”
She met his gaze. She might not know a lot about passion or have much experience when it came to intense sexual chemistry, but she was fully aware that all sorts of sexual vibes were being transmitted between them. “Yes, Skylar, I’m fine.”
“And I don’t want you to be any other way.”
His words, spoken in a seductive whisper, stroked over her skin like a warm caress. “What do you mean by that?”
They stopped walking, and he turned to her. “I’m pretty sure I’m feeling everything you feel. I’m not sure what’s going on between us. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before.”
“Me either,” she admitted, appreciating his acknowledgment of their attraction.
“We just met today, and I don’t want to rush things between us,” he said in a deep, throaty voice.
Haven nodded, appreciating that even more.
All this was new to her. She’d never been this intensely attracted to someone, and never so quickly.
Gramma Dora always warned her that when a man tries to rush a woman into a relationship, it’s usually for his benefit, not hers.
A man with serious intentions would want to take the time to build a solid foundation and a lasting connection.
“How long will you be staying at the hotel?” she asked.
“I’m here for as long as I want.”
Since he was a businessman, she figured he could probably do that. Evidently, his time was his own. From the custom-made business suit he had been wearing this morning to the one he was wearing now, she could tell he’d achieved a lot for a man his age. That made her wonder.
“How old are you, Skylar?”
“Twenty-eight. How about you?”
“I’m twenty-four.”
He nodded. “You will be here for four weeks, right?”
She wondered how he knew that. Evidently, he could see her surprise, because he added, “Although I’m not connected to the pharmaceutical groups you asked me about earlier, I know other businessmen here tonight who are. You’re a medical researcher, right?”
“Yes.”
“So I assume you’re attending the four-week medical research summit that’s being hosted here.”
“You assume right,” she said, smiling.
He glanced at the flowers now surrounding them ─ a beautiful display of roses of different colors, varieties, and species. The stunning exhibit was captivating. “Oh, my goodness. Aren’t they beautiful, Skylar?”
He smiled. “Yes, and you look gorgeous standing in front of them.” His gaze was locked on her face. “There is something I’d like to do, Haven.”
“What?” she asked, although she could see the heat of desire in his eyes.
“This.” He slid his arms around her and leaned in to capture her mouth with his.
She had no thought of resisting. Why deny what he wanted, when she wanted it, too?
The moment his lips touched hers, she knew her fate was sealed.
Even though she didn’t know much about him, this felt so very right.
She pressed even closer, opening her mouth for him as their tongues tangled.
Still, it wasn’t enough. And she could tell from the way he was kissing her that he felt the same way.
At that moment, snippets of her grandmother’s last words flowed through her mind… Strangers appearing in her life for a reason… She should appreciate it when they do…
Could this be one of those times? Meeting Skylar Kingston had definitely been unexpected. Their instant attraction was like nothing she’d ever experienced before.
He released her mouth when they heard voices. He licked across her lips before taking a step back. “I guess we aren’t the only ones enjoying the beauty of the garden.”
“I guess we’re not,” she said, when he took her hand and they began walking again.
“While you’re here, Haven, I want to get to know you better. And I want you to get to know me.”
“I’d like that,” she said.
“I need to take a couple of business trips to finalize a few deals, but when I’m back here, I’d love to take you out. Are you usually free in the evening?”
“For the most part. There are a couple of social functions I’m expected to attend.”
He nodded, then looked at his watch. “Come on, let me walk you to your room.”
They left the hotel’s botanical garden holding hands.
Since the garden was annexed to where the function was being held, several people noticed them together.
It was apparent that he was well-known to many people.
Even the hotel staff immediately gave him respect.
When they reached her door, she said, “You must stay here a lot for so many people to know you.”
He smiled. “I do. Whenever I’m here, I take one of the penthouse suites.”
“Would you like to come in for a drink?” she asked, opening the door.
“Only if you feel comfortable with inviting me in,” he responded.
“I do.” And she honestly did. For some reason, she felt safe with him.
He followed her over the threshold, and when she was about to walk away toward the minibar in her room, he reached out and brought her closer to him. “Will you dine with me tomorrow at six? I know a great restaurant not far from here. Dress will be casual,” he said.
“I’d love to join you, Skylar.”
“Great.” He glanced down at the floor and then back at her. “There is something I want to tell you, in case you hear it from others tomorrow. I don’t want it to catch you off guard.”
She wondered what it could be. “What?”
He held her gaze for a moment. “The Kingston Corporation owns this hotel as well as the two resorts on adjacent properties.”
It took her a minute to comprehend what he said.
Then she figured her mouth had dropped open.
“Oh.” Although they were based in the western part of the United States, she had heard of the Kingston Corporation and knew that they invested a significant amount of money in numerous charities and worthwhile causes.
“You’re one of those Kingstons?” she asked, surprised.
“After my father’s death, I became the only Kingston. You hadn’t put two and two together?” he asked.
“No. Why would I? I just figured you were a successful businessman. But…”
He lifted a brow. “But what?”
She shrugged. “I’m just an ordinary girl from Tifton, Georgia. I understand that most wealthy men prefer to date women who are worldly, elegant, and sophisticated. That’s not me at all. So why the interest?”
He brought her hands to his lips. “In the hour or so I spent with you this evening, Haven, I didn’t see any part of you that’s ordinary. In fact, I think you’re beautiful, charming, and in a league of your own. You’re special. Extraordinary. Simply amazing.”
His words touched her and made her smile.
“Thank you. I think you’re pretty special, yourself, Skylar.
” She meant it. This was something she could not explain.
They had bumped into each other that morning.
Literally. Had officially met tonight and had already planned a date.
He was only four years older than her, yet he carried himself with the confidence of an older man.
She had dated guys in college around her age or a few years older.
She had even dated Myron Ingram, a thirty-year-old pharmacist in Chicago.
However, none of them kept her interest for long.
They’d lacked maturity. Including Myron.
None of them had taken the time to get to know her.
The only thing they wanted to do was get her to the nearest bedroom to claim a notch on their bedpost. She’d refused to go there with them.
He took a step closer. “I’ve dated other women, Haven, but I knew the moment after we bumped into each other that there was something about you that’s different from the others. I find you unique, an irresistible puzzle. I want to spend time with you and find out why I’m so attracted to you.”
She understood what he was saying because she felt the same way. “Then we will find out those things together, Skylar.”
He smiled, then once more lowered his mouth to hers.
The moment their lips connected, she moaned and let her eyelids flutter closed.
She gave her total attention to the pleasure he was giving her with this kiss.
Never had she been kissed so thoroughly.
And possessively. That thought should bother her, but for some reason, it didn’t.
Although his tongue was demanding and greedy, hers was meeting his hunger, stroke for stroke.
Growling softly and then low in his throat, he finally broke off their kiss.
Her head automatically dropped to his chest as she drew in a deep breath filled with the scent of him.
He was wearing the same cologne he had worn this morning, and she knew she’d have to find out what it was, because she wanted to thoroughly remember this moment.
“I can’t wait to see you again tomorrow. I will already be at the restaurant for a meeting and will have Dante arrange a car to bring you to me,” he said.
She lifted her head from his chest and looked up at him. “Who’s Dante?”
“He’s the general manager of the hotel and the resorts.” He took her hand in his. “Now, come walk me to the door, my beautiful golden girl.”
She chuckled as they moved toward the door. “Golden girl? I’m not even thirty yet, Skylar.”
He grinned. “It has nothing to do with age. For me, it’s about value, and I value you immensely.”
He could say some of the sweetest things.
She wanted to believe it wasn’t just a line or a game men played.
Although she had only been in high school at the time, she had read her cousin Lance’s top seller, The Playa’s Handbook, and had found it quite interesting…
and educational. When guys had come on to her using some of the lines from the handbook, she had been ready for them.
When they reached the door, he leaned down and rubbed his mouth against her throat. “You smell so good.”
She had thought the same thing about him earlier. “Thanks. So do you.”
After brushing one last kiss across her lips, he gave her a dimpled smile, and then he left.