around in her seat, scanning the
gaming tables. “He runs this casino. I don’t see him right now, but I’d be
happy to introduce you.”
“No,
no, no.” He held out his hands, palms outward. “We’re keeping our plans quiet
until everything is in place. The partners wanted me to see the other
operations from the point of view of a customer. If I introduce myself, I’d
lose that opportunity.”
“Yes,
I can see how that would change things.” She turned back to him. “So what do
you do when you’re not checking out casinos?”
“I
have a small consulting firm. I do feasibility studies for new businesses.
Small hotels, restaurants and the like. It’s mostly demographics coupled with
economics.”
Olivia
tilted her head to one side, looking at him curiously. “You don’t look like a
numbers-cruncher to me.” She cupped the bowl of her brandy snifter, swirling
the liquid thoughtfully. “No, I would have pegged you as more of an outdoors
type. I don’t know, something to do with a sports team, or a surveyor, or an
estate manager.”
The
blue eyes crinkled. “Always the journalist. Speaking of which, tell me about
your visit to Afghanistan. That was a remarkable series of articles, by the
way.”
Olivia
warmed to the subject, relating in equal measure the hardships and the joys of
her recent assignment. Dirk encouraged her, asking insightful questions which
she was only too happy to answer.
The
last of her coffee was cold when she drained the cup. Glancing at her watch,
her eyes widened. “My goodness, it’s one thirty. I’ve been jabbering away for
well over an hour.” In truth, it had been enjoyable having such an attentive
audience. She stifled a yawn and shot him an apologetic glance. “Josh warned me
he might be late. I think I’ll go home without him.”
Dirk
stood up, offering his hand. “Allow me to accompany you. I’ll be getting a taxi
anyway. I can drop you off.”
He
assisted her to her feet, holding her hand for a fraction longer than was
necessary. “I’d appreciate that, thanks.” She looked toward the private gaming
area. “I wonder how he’s doing?” she murmured softly.
“Your
friend?”
“Yes.”
She glanced again toward the roped off area, unaware of the longing in her
voice. “I’m guessing I won’t be seeing him for a few hours yet.”
The
doorman secured a taxi and Dirk settled her in the back seat. Olivia gave directions,
and within minutes they were at the villa.
Dirk
jumped out and ran around to the other side, opening her door. “Thank you for
the company,” he said, offering her a hand. “I enjoyed hearing about your
adventures.”
“I
suppose I should apologize for boring you like that, but I don’t often have
such a good audience.” She smiled into his eyes. “Goodnight, Dirk.”
He
watched silently as she disappeared down a path lit by small garden lights, and
entered the house.
“That
Josh Morgan is one lucky bastard,” he growled to himself, getting back into the
taxi. “I hope he knows that.”
* * *
Olivia
slipped off her shoes and made her way through the silent house. Light fixtures
mounted low on the walls spilled pools of light on the tiled floors. In the
master bedroom, the huge king-sized bed had been turned down, pillows plumped
invitingly.
A
gentle breeze stirred the sheer curtains that hung loosely between the bedroom
and the balcony. Olivia stepped outside and inhaled the sweetly scented air.
She fingered the ring on her left hand, overwhelmed by a sense of unreality.
Here she was, in a breathtaking villa overlooking the Mediterranean and she was
alone. She shook her head sadly. Even if Josh were here, she would still be
alone. For hadn’t he made it clear that there would be no lasting involvement?
But then she didn’t want to become involved with him…did she? She looked down
at the large diamond and laughed, but it was a dry, mirthless sound. Was she
being honest with herself? Probably not. But one thing she did
gaming tables. “He runs this casino. I don’t see him right now, but I’d be
happy to introduce you.”
“No,
no, no.” He held out his hands, palms outward. “We’re keeping our plans quiet
until everything is in place. The partners wanted me to see the other
operations from the point of view of a customer. If I introduce myself, I’d
lose that opportunity.”
“Yes,
I can see how that would change things.” She turned back to him. “So what do
you do when you’re not checking out casinos?”
“I
have a small consulting firm. I do feasibility studies for new businesses.
Small hotels, restaurants and the like. It’s mostly demographics coupled with
economics.”
Olivia
tilted her head to one side, looking at him curiously. “You don’t look like a
numbers-cruncher to me.” She cupped the bowl of her brandy snifter, swirling
the liquid thoughtfully. “No, I would have pegged you as more of an outdoors
type. I don’t know, something to do with a sports team, or a surveyor, or an
estate manager.”
The
blue eyes crinkled. “Always the journalist. Speaking of which, tell me about
your visit to Afghanistan. That was a remarkable series of articles, by the
way.”
Olivia
warmed to the subject, relating in equal measure the hardships and the joys of
her recent assignment. Dirk encouraged her, asking insightful questions which
she was only too happy to answer.
The
last of her coffee was cold when she drained the cup. Glancing at her watch,
her eyes widened. “My goodness, it’s one thirty. I’ve been jabbering away for
well over an hour.” In truth, it had been enjoyable having such an attentive
audience. She stifled a yawn and shot him an apologetic glance. “Josh warned me
he might be late. I think I’ll go home without him.”
Dirk
stood up, offering his hand. “Allow me to accompany you. I’ll be getting a taxi
anyway. I can drop you off.”
He
assisted her to her feet, holding her hand for a fraction longer than was
necessary. “I’d appreciate that, thanks.” She looked toward the private gaming
area. “I wonder how he’s doing?” she murmured softly.
“Your
friend?”
“Yes.”
She glanced again toward the roped off area, unaware of the longing in her
voice. “I’m guessing I won’t be seeing him for a few hours yet.”
The
doorman secured a taxi and Dirk settled her in the back seat. Olivia gave directions,
and within minutes they were at the villa.
Dirk
jumped out and ran around to the other side, opening her door. “Thank you for
the company,” he said, offering her a hand. “I enjoyed hearing about your
adventures.”
“I
suppose I should apologize for boring you like that, but I don’t often have
such a good audience.” She smiled into his eyes. “Goodnight, Dirk.”
He
watched silently as she disappeared down a path lit by small garden lights, and
entered the house.
“That
Josh Morgan is one lucky bastard,” he growled to himself, getting back into the
taxi. “I hope he knows that.”
* * *
Olivia
slipped off her shoes and made her way through the silent house. Light fixtures
mounted low on the walls spilled pools of light on the tiled floors. In the
master bedroom, the huge king-sized bed had been turned down, pillows plumped
invitingly.
A
gentle breeze stirred the sheer curtains that hung loosely between the bedroom
and the balcony. Olivia stepped outside and inhaled the sweetly scented air.
She fingered the ring on her left hand, overwhelmed by a sense of unreality.
Here she was, in a breathtaking villa overlooking the Mediterranean and she was
alone. She shook her head sadly. Even if Josh were here, she would still be
alone. For hadn’t he made it clear that there would be no lasting involvement?
But then she didn’t want to become involved with him…did she? She looked down
at the large diamond and laughed, but it was a dry, mirthless sound. Was she
being honest with herself? Probably not. But one thing she did
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