Chapter 10
Haven and Skylar
Haven had just finished applying her lipstick when she looked at herself in the full-length mirror.
Skylar had said to dress casually, so she hoped her slacks and blouse were appropriate.
She turned away from the mirror and smiled when she saw the vase of flowers — a dozen of the most beautiful red roses she had ever seen — that had arrived that morning.
The card that accompanied the bouquet had said,
Haven,
Think of me whenever you look at these.
Skylar.
She had news for Skylar Kingston. Although she was surprised when the roses had been delivered, she didn’t need any reason to think of him.
She had dreamed about him last night, and images of him and the kisses they’d shared had filled her mind most of today.
In fact, she’d had to force herself to concentrate on the workshops, and that wasn’t good.
She was glad Skylar had told her about his connection to the Kingston Corporation and this hotel earlier.
Several people had approached her wanting to know how long she and Skylar had known each other.
As if it were any of their business. More than one had tried to get her to pass their business card along to him.
That had annoyed her. Even Addie had called.
Someone had slipped and let her know that Haven had been seen with Skylar at last night’s function.
Her boss had had the gall to ask if it was a serious relationship.
Because if it were, it could benefit Miramar Pharmaceuticals if the Kingston Corporation could be persuaded to invest funds in medical research.
That conversation left her thoroughly irritated, and she figured her boss was surprised by the strength of her pushback.
Giving herself one final look in the mirror, she grabbed her cross-body purse and headed for the door.
Skylar had told her that Dante, his general manager, would arrange a car for her.
The moment she stepped out of the elevator on the first floor, a tall, handsome man who looked to be in his late thirties, approached her.
The first thing she noticed was that his thick black hair was just as long as Skylar’s, if not a tad longer.
He had a distinguished look, and like Skylar, he wore a custom-made suit.
“Miss McGuire?”
“Yes?”
“I’m Dante,” he said, extending his hand.
She smiled. “Hello, Dante,” she said, accepting his handshake.
“I was told by Sky to make sure I got you to him safely.”
Since he had referred to Skylar as “Sky,” she figured their relationship was more than just employer and employee. “I appreciate that.”
He presented his arm to her then led her toward the revolving doors. “I hope you’re enjoying your stay here.”
“I am. This is a beautiful hotel and the service is excellent,” she said.
He smiled. “We try. I understand you’re here with the medical research group.”
“That’s right.”
They reached the private car where a uniformed chauffeur stood. Dante introduced them. “This is Ricco, your driver for the evening.”
She smiled at the older man who appeared to be in his mid-sixties. “Hello, Ricco. It’s nice meeting you.”
He smiled back. “Hello, Miss McGuire. It’s my pleasure to serve you.”
“Well, if there’s ever anything you need while you’re here and don’t get it fast enough, please contact me,” Dante said, handing her his business card.
She took it. “Thanks, Dante.”
He stepped back when Ricco opened the door for her. She waved goodbye to him as Ricco pulled off.
Skylar clicked on his phone. “Yes, Dante?”
“Just letting you know that Miss McGuire is on her way.” Dante paused and then added, “She’s different.”
Skylar raised a brow. “What do you mean ‘she’s different’?”
“She’s like a breath of fresh air. And she has personality.”
Skylar threw his head back and laughed. “Are you saying the other women I dated didn’t have personality?”
“Hell. I would even go so far as to say that some lacked common decency and manners.”
“Ouch.”
“But she’s something else. There is nothing fake about her. I like her. Even Ricco likes her,” Dante added.
Skylar shook his head. “I’m glad you both like her, but it really doesn’t matter. Because I’m already in love with her. So please take good care of her. Goodbye.”
He hung up before Dante could offer any warnings…or remind him that his father had fallen in love at first sight, only to discover he’d been nothing but a mark.
Dante’s father, Mario, had been out of the country when Silas had met Edwina Montgomery, and the two engaged in a whirlwind romance.
Skylar was positive that if Mario had been in the States at the time, he would have had Edwina investigated, and the report Mario would have provided to Silas, his best friend, would have ended the affair immediately.
Especially when he discovered Edwina was still legally a married woman.
By the time Mario had returned, a heartbroken Silas had told him of Edwina’s offer to sell his baby to him for a price.
Mario had stepped in, and before he had handed over any money, Mario paid her a visit, got her to sign all the necessary legal documents, and then, in a way only “Mario Avera the Henchman” could do, he’d put the fear of God in Edwina Montgomery by making it clear just what would happen to her if she made contact with Silas or her child ever again.
Although Skylar regretted his father’s years of heartbreak, in a way, he was glad Mario had not been there to intervene.
Had he been, Skylar likely wouldn’t have been born.
And he would not have experienced life as Silas Kingston’s son.
He would not have known how it felt to be loved unconditionally and to love unconditionally in return.
He would not have understood why his father’s charities meant so much to him and why he believed in helping the less fortunate.
Skylar knew that he would not have grown into the man he was today if he had not had Silas Kingston as a father.
He had admitted all of that to his father before he died, and the guilt he often felt from that. Silas, in turn, had told him not to feel any guilt because he would gladly suffer heartbreak all over again if he knew Skylar would be the result.
It had been the same night his father had told him about his terminal illness. It was then that Skylar finally discovered why the details of his birth and his mother’s disappearance in their lives had always been a guarded secret.
Skylar would never forget that night for as long as he lived.
The world as he’d known it had come crashing down.
If not for Dante, Ricco, and a few of his father’s faithful friends, some of whom were more than employees, he wasn’t sure he would have made it through that very difficult time.
Then another thing his father had told him that night came to mind…
“Sky, don’t think every woman you meet will be like the woman who gave birth to you.
I saw many red flags with Edwina when I met her, but I chose to ignore them.
One day, you will meet someone, and the first time you see her, you will know if she’s the real deal or not.
If she is, there’s a very good chance that she’s the one who is meant for you.
The woman destined to share your life. Love at first sight happens a lot in my family.
It was that way with my father, Savino, when he met his Ursula.
My parents loved each other deeply. And the same was true for my grandparents.
I will always believe that I didn’t miss my opportunity for true love because I got the son of my heart instead.”
Skylar drew in a deep breath. His father had been right about the red flags.
He’d seen them with every woman he’d ever dated…
until Haven. It surprised him that Dante, who was known to be overly protective, guarded to a fault, and extremely judgmental when it came to anyone Skylar took an interest in, seemed to have readily accepted Haven as the real thing.
She was almost too good to be true. But Skylar believed in his heart, as Dante did, that Haven was sincere.
And just like her name, he felt as if he was in a safe place with her.
Now all he had to do was make sure she felt safe with him.
Haven glanced around and then smiled at Skylar. “This is a beautiful restaurant.”
He smiled back. “I’m glad you like it. I’m thinking of buying this place. It’s conveniently located near the hotel and includes all the land it’s situated on. I think it would be a good investment.”
“I think so, too. And dinner was incredible. Will you be able to keep the chef and his team?”
He chuckled. “I intend to.”
“It sounds as if you’ve got it all worked out.” She took a sip of her wine. “By the way, I like Dante. I like Ricco, too.”
“And why do you like them?”
“They’re friendly and treated me well.”
He chuckled. “You’re the first woman who has ever said that about them. Most of my dates find them intimidating.” He paused and met her gaze. “You’re good at reading people.”
She leaned closer to him and whispered, “Well, last night you did say I was special and simply amazing. Now I guess you will have to add ‘smart’ to that list.”
Skylar laughed, and she loved the sound.
He had reserved a private dining room for them that had a gorgeous view of the valley’s red rock formations.
Earlier, they had seen the sun go down over them, and Haven thought she had never seen anything so beautiful.
Well, she thought, glancing over at Skylar, not exactly.
He was beautiful, too. He had been there to open her car door for her, saving Ricco the trouble.
Ricco had jokingly reminded Skylar that that was his job.
“How were your sessions today?” he asked.