Being in real estate, Christian and she had so much in common. He’d given her so many tips and valuable advice and even put her in touch with some crucial contacts to help her and her parents renovate the hotel.
Then he’d introduced her to his family when she flew back to Buffalo, New York. Oh, they loved her but she could tell they had standards. Standards that she knew too well, she couldn’t meet. They were family-oriented, hardworking, successful people who seemed so together. She wasn’t able to reciprocate by introducing Christian to her family. She felt deep down inside that she just wouldn’t be…good enough. If they’d learned about her family background, it would cause great embarrassment. He would have left her anyway. She just couldn’t risk it. Arianna was hoping that he would have just pretended they’d never met. Lord knew, she tried, but her efforts failed miserably. How could she ever forget the magical touch of his firm, soft skin on hers? The way he made her body climb to escalating levels of mad love-making hormones? The way he treasured her like a goddess? Yet, she knew he could never stay with someone of her background.
“Arianna,” Christian said, his voice low, deep and captivating. “You’re looking well.” His dark, sexy brown eyes held her for a moment and she shivered with delight. The Romero effect. Christian was a Romero. Those men had a reputation for being uber sexy and having that sort of captivating effect on their women—heck, on all women. You just couldn’t meet one and not fall under the influence of their charm, their aura! Yes, that aura. That’s what it was that held her every single time.
Still, Arianna hadn’t seen him in over a month, yet there he stood in all his gorgeousness with his buffed body and broad shoulders. The man was fit and had a radiant glow. He towered over her at six foot four inches. His voice was silky deep, rich and his handsome facial features looked robust with a healthy tan. He was wearing a polo shirt, white and crisp that only further accentuated his sensual and beautiful skin. His Ray-Ban sunglasses were propped up on the top of his head of dark, silky, short-cropped hair. He looked toned from head to toe. No doubt, Christian worked out five times a week at the gym for as long as she’d known him. His hands were shoved inside the pockets of his brown khaki shorts that gave him a trendy, relaxed look.
And his lips, perfectly shaped. So kissable. Oh, the hours of pleasure he’d given her with those lips of his. Oh, God! Christian. I’ve missed you so much. Her eyes drank in his handsome face and content gaze that held hers. She could see hurt in those beauteous dark eyes of his.
“Good to see you again,” his smooth voice was even. His face unsmiling. “I was told I could find you here.”
“Um,” she murmured, swallowing hard. She’d just lost her train of thought. Damn it! She was the GM of the hotel. She couldn’t afford a train of thought derailment. Ever! “Oh, I thought maybe, you were here to see Blue.”
On cue, Blue made her way over to the door. “Hi, Christian!” Blue chimed in. “You guys just arrived?”
“Yeah, we just got in about an hour ago. The rest of the gang’s coming in tonight. You’re looking well, Blue. Congratulations, again. Being a bride-to-be suits you.” His voice beamed a bit brighter when addressing Blue. His smile seemed to warm up to Blue. But of course, he didn’t have anything against Blue now, did he?
Blue smiled. “Thank you.” Blue then looked from Christian to Arianna. Tension appeared on her face.
“Um, listen. I was just leaving Blue’s room, maybe we can talk out here,” Arianna murmured.
“Oh, don’t worry. I’ll be fine,” Blue interjected. “Listen, Arianna, my sister Courtney will be here soon. I’ll head over to the pool bar with her. I can catch up with you another time.”
Another time?
Arianna paused briefly. Blue was giving her a way out of their planned get-together. Did Blue think Arianna needed to be excused so she could speak with Christian? She’d rather sit and chat with her bride-to-be girlfriend, than have to deal with Christian right now. Lord knew, Arianna’s emotions were all over the place where Christian was concerned.
“Sure, that will be fine. We’ll catch up later,” Arianna said quietly and gave Blue a quick hug.
“So, how have you been, Arianna?” Christian queried in a deep, emotionless voice, as he walked down the corridor with her. His hands were still placed in the pockets of his khaki shorts. Her steps were quiet beside his. She wore soft sandals on the job, knowing that she would often find herself running from one end of the hotel to the next every five minutes. Though she practically owned the Duponte Resort, along with her father, the family members took an active role in the day-to-day management making sure operations ran smoothly.