“Do you…remember anything about him?” she asked. “I mean, really? I understand he was ten years old when your ex-wife took him with her.”
“Oh, I remember him all right,” Bretton said, a little twinkle in his blue eyes. “A troublemaker, but a cute one. He may not know it, but even though his mother never let me know where they were, she always sent information to keep me abreast of Blake’s progress. Over the years she also sent me a few photos of him. And I even have one here, from when he finished his Masters from Oxford. Always was a bright one.”
Kira watched as her boss reached into his top drawer, unearthing a beautifully framed photo. Placing down the tray she’d been taking out, Kira went behind his chair to look over his shoulder.
“She sent this photo three years ago. He’s got plenty of Sophie when it comes to the brains but I’d like to think he takes a lot after his father in looks,” Bretton said with a proud, humorous smile.
But Kira was barely even listening, her eyes fastened on the image of who could only be the sexiest man she’d ever seen. The photo did nothing to scale down the smoldering gorgeousness of each well-formed feature. He certainly had a strong resemblance to his father though his hair was much lighter in shade. His eyes were a startling grey, fringed by thickly meshed dark lashes a woman would kill to have. A square-edged face like a fashion model’s and just a hint of dimple in his chin, plus lips too edible looking to be borne. He was smiling into the camera, displaying a devastating smile that did things to Kira’s insides.
It was just a shoulder shot, but Kira could see his broad frame wore the graduation garb quite well, and the hat sat rakishly on his head, matching the daring glint in his beautiful eyes. He was definitely something special, at least in the looks department and just looking at him brought the strangest twitching in her hidden folds.
Kira swallowed tightly before she could speak. “You said he was cute, sir?” She managed to say with a light laugh. “I’d say you slightly understated. He’s very handsome.”
Kira hoped she didn’t sound as breathless as she felt. Calm yourself down girl, she chided silently, practically swooning over his photo. But damn he looked hot, like one of those sexy models you’d see in those pricey cologne ads.
“Thanks,” her boss said, chuckling at her candidness. And then he sobered as he carefully placed the framed photograph on his desk, close by him. “I guess there’s nothing wrong with putting it there now where I can see it.”
“Not at all,” Kira assured him. It shows you really cared, she added silently. You cared all along.
“Well, I’d better finish up here then,” Mr. Carter said briskly, breaking the sentimental mood. “I’ll soon be heading home to meet my son. We’ll have dinner; maybe catch up on all we’ve missed.”
“Yes sir,” Kira said, tone deferential as usual. Picking up the tray, she glanced at her boss one more time before leaving the office, hoping in her heart that all would go well.
Chapter Two
Blake emerged from the shower, feeling refreshed. He’d arisen from his reviving nap half an hour ago, and now he felt sure he’d got rid of the faint jet lag he’d been suffering earlier.
As he dried his hair, the intercom on the bedside chest buzzed, and he went to answer it.
“Hello?” he said.
“Blake?”
Blake paused, holding his breath at the sound of that unmistakable voice reaching him in its gravelly, well-modulated baritone. He replied tentatively, “Hi…Dad.”
Blake thought he heard a sigh that sounded like relief, before his father spoke again.
“Hello son. And welcome back. Chase informed me that your trip was hitch-free, and I understand you were napping earlier.”
“Yeah. Jet lag caught up to me. I’m just in from the shower,” he answered. Blake couldn’t help thinking how much they sounded like strangers. Which they were. The last time they’d spoken, he’d been a mere boy.
“Great, I just came in myself and I’m up in my own room. I hope you wouldn’t mind us dining together this evening – say seven? I told the private chef Marcello to fix something special for us.”
“Of course, I’ll be down promptly,” Blake replied.
“Great,” his father said again, and next came a heavy silence. Both seemed to be listening to the other’s breathing – almost as if hoping to find answers within.
At last, moments later Blake said, “Well, I’ll see you in a little bit then,” before hanging up. He let out a ‘whoosh’ and then muttered to the large, sumptuously furnished bedroom, “See that wasn’t so hard, was it?”