"Is she OK?"
"Yes, she's fine. It's just family theater, and Brielle has bitten off a bit more than she can chew. It's actually kind of enjoyable. She's always been the baby and quite spoiled. I am going to have to visit her soon, just to see how her ranch is working out."
"Did you say ranch?" Haley asked.
"I did indeed."
"OK. You are definitely going to have to give me more details. I want to know how a wealthy member of the Storm family ends up working right in the dirt."
"How do you know I'm wealthy?" he asked with a smirk. Haley rolled her eyes.
"Well, let's see, maybe it's all the magazine articles, or the charities your family donates to. It might possibly be the over-the-top resort that you run. Nah, it's the Rolex." She laughed as she placed her arm through his so he could lead her away. "Night, Marlin," she called back before they made their exit.
To Haley's surprise, Crew started leading her not out the resort's front doors but toward the back. Yet she made no comment as the two of them walked side by side toward the ornate patio doors behind an elegant sitting area. A violinist was playing for a small crowd of people sipping wine and eating a variety of cheeses and fruits. This place was amazing.
They stepped through the doors onto the candlelit patio, an area she hadn't seen before. Large fire pits were strategically placed with lounge chairs surrounding them, and plants and trees were positioned to offer privacy for each grouping. Hearing light laughter and happy voices in the different nooks, Haley started imagining passionate embraces, drugging kisses, and racing hearts.
"I'm so happy to be dining here, Crew," she said quietly. "You've done well."
"I'm glad you think so." His eyes captured hers in an intense gaze, and her heart nearly stalled as she continued walking beside him. Being fully aware that she was getting too caught up in the moment didn't help her heart flutter any less. This wasn't going according to plan, but she was having a hard time caring.
When the path ended, she gasped at the sight of a rich red carpet laid out upon the sand. As she looked up at him, her vision seemed to fog momentarily. What lesson could he be trying to teach her now?
Without giving her a moment to breathe, he led her down the carpet to a golden cabana only about ten yards from the gently lapping water of the warm Pacific Ocean. Beneath the structure was a table for two. The only illumination inside was a string of twinkling lights overhead, casting a soft, intimate glow.
She sighed as he showed her to one of the chairs, which easily slid out from the table on the hard, clear floor of the cabana. The glass was almost like a window on the beach floor, giving the feeling of sitting directly on the sand without sinking into it.
After pushing her chair in and dropping a light kiss on the back of her neck, he sat across from her, and within seconds a waiter appeared and opened a bottle of wine, presenting it to Crew for his approval.
"I hope you don't mind, Haley, but I've ordered our dinner. Would you care for a glass of Pouilly-Fuissé? It will taste like nothing you've tried before."
Haley nodded with wide, curious eyes, taking the long-stemmed glass and sampling the crisp white liquid, smelling tantalizingly of fruit and oak. The explosion of flavors in her mouth was divine. The only wine she'd drunk before came out of a cheap supercenter store bottle. She couldn't drink that stuff again - not after this.
The waiter set down a dish, and left them. Crew dipped a silver spoon in the small bowl, and slipped something onto a buttered toast point, then lifted it to her lips. Without even thinking of saying no, she took a bite, then wrinkled her nose at the salty flavor.
"I don't like that," she said, quickly swallowing it down, and then taking a large gulp of her wine. Crew laughed as he took a big bite of his own portion and hummed in pleasure.
"Not everyone cares for caviar, even Golden Osetra," he said with a smile. "People always say that it's an acquired taste."
Not one I'd like to acquire, Haley muttered to herself and hoped the meal improved from this point on. Things did look up when the waiter set down their next course, asparagus salad with brilliant roasted red peppers.
"What is the lesson in all of this, Crew? I don't want to sound ungrateful, because this is by far the most romantic evening I've ever had in my life, but I am curious why you're doing all of this," she finally asked.
"This is how a woman should be treated, Haley. She should be worshipped, wined and dined. When a beautiful lady takes the time to put on a stunning gown, she needs to be given the royal treatment. Men will fall all over themselves just for a chance to be in their woman's presence. The lesson in this is to teach you what your expectation should be in how a man treats you. If you want to attract your man, you first need to feel that you're worthy of attracting him. A night of romance should be deserved. When a man truly wants you, there is no limit to what he will do for nothing more than an evening in your presence."