“Aw, now you’re just being a grouch. It’s Christmas time, and we’re on a private beach. Perk up. I’m the only one who can see you, right?”
He met her gaze. “Believe it or not, I do demand respect.”
“You think I don’t respect you?” she asked, a little hurt he would even think that.
“It’s impossible to respect anything I’ve got in there to wear.” He leveled her gaze across the table. “The next time you kidnap someone to an unknown destination, maybe at least tell them what to pack or don’t have their wardrobe left to the hands of a resort gift shop.”
Kelly reached for her wine. “Oh, well. A minor hiccup. It’s my first kidnapping.”
He ate in silence for a minute, and she wondered if he was literally angry with her for being here and for the wardrobe. She wanted him to have a good time, and by the end of this trip she wanted him to see her in a manner outside of the office and in a more relaxed environment.
Was that too much to hope for?
“How was the beach?” she asked.
He drew his brows together as if trying to think of his day. “Peaceful,” he told her. “Having a private beach is definitely a perk that almost makes up for my atrocious clothes. You’ll have to go down there tomorrow. How was the book?”
“I’m almost done with it.”
His eyes widened. “In one day?”
“Listen, when I get a break I take full advantage,” she replied. “I love to read.”
“How many books did you pack?”
“I brought seven.” She held up her hands ticking off her fingers. “One for each of the five days and two just in case I finish early on the others.”
He eased back in his seat and continued to stare at her. “You’re really taking this relaxing period seriously.”
“You will, too,” she vowed. “I have a few surprises planned during our trip.”
His eyes narrowed and his lips thinned. “I don’t know that I’ll survive anymore surprises from you.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “I promise you will love them. I’m just trying to help you recharge, remember? You need a little fun in your life and to take time to forget about the office. Trust me, all of those issues will be there when we get back.”
He continued to study her, then his eyes dipped to the scoop in her tank. Her heart clenched as the sexual awareness seemed to bounce between them.
“Your skin is pink.” He motioned toward her chest. “You need to be careful and apply more sunscreen.”
“I know. It’s a little tender. I just got lost in the book and the time got away from me. I’ll be fine.”
Luke grabbed his small fork for the lobster tail. “I’ve never read anything so entertaining that it caused me to lose total track of time.”
“Well, you will have to read something other than spreadsheets then.”
He shook his head and laughed. “You’re awfully snarky. I bet you’re feeling really sure of yourself now that you’ve succeeded in getting me here.”
She clutched her wineglass to her chest. “I won’t deny I feel pretty damn good. I was worried about lying to you, but I knew in the end it would be for your own good.”
They finished their meal and then carried their dishes back to the cart. Luke pushed the cart out the door and left it for their private butler to get later.
“I did order your favorite bourbon,” she told him as soon as he closed the door. “Would you like a glass?”
“I’m actually pretty tired. I might turn in early.”
Another sliver of disappointment slid through her, but what did she expect? To ply him with bourbon and have her way with him? No, that certainly wasn’t her style. She wanted him to come to her on his own. But she was also going to show him there was more to both of them than work.
Yes, she wanted him to reset his mind where Wingate was concerned, but she also wanted him to see what had been in front of him for the past five years.