The Tycoon's Son (13 page)
But starting tonight she was going to remedy that situation. No more having fun. It was time to get back to business.
T
HE DINING ROOM
had started to thin out, but a few tables still had passengers finishing up dessert or enjoying an after-dinner cappuccino.
HE DINING ROOM
had started to thin out, but a few tables still had passengers finishing up dessert or enjoying an after-dinner cappuccino.
“If you have time, stop by the casino.” The man sitting next to Sally stood, but his gaze lingered on her. “I should be at the blackjack table most of the night.”
Trish watched in amazement as Sally flashed the man a noncommittal smile and immediately refocused her attention on her bowl of strawberries.
“Are you not feeling well?” Trish asked. Rod, a divorced dentist from Iowa, had been flirting with Sally all night, but her friend had been uncharacteristically silent.
Sally looked up in surprise. “I feel fine. Why do you ask?”
“Well, for starters,” Trish said, “you were super quiet while we were eating. And now you blow off the guy you’ve spent the past couple of nights trying to impress.”
Sally took a sip of coffee before answering. “I’ve decided he’s not my type.”
“When did you decide this?”
“Today.”
Ah yes, Trish thought, now Sally’s behavior made sense. “After you kissed Bruno.”
Trish didn’t make it a question because there was no doubt in her mind. And she didn’t bother to hide her disapproval. Couldn’t Sally see that she was just setting herself up for heartbreak?
“What is your problem?” Sally fixed Trish with a firm look. “I kissed the guy. I didn’t tear off my clothes and spread my legs.”
Out of the corner of her eye Trish saw the honeymoon couple sitting across the table abruptly stop their conversation, apparently deciding what Sally had to say was more interesting.
“Come with me.” Trish pushed back her chair and rose to her feet. “I want to show you a statue in the library. I saw one exactly like it when I was shopping in Naples.”
Sally dropped her napkin on the table and stood. “Since when have you been into antiques?”
Trish cast a pointed glance in the direction of the honeymooners and lowered her voice to a barely audible whisper. “Since they quit talking to listen.”
Sally chuckled and followed Trish past a group of waiters clearing a nearby table. Partially hidden from view by the servers, Trish couldn’t resist glancing at Theo, who was having dinner with his sister.
Dressed in a charcoal shirt and gray tie, he could have been a model on the cover of a men’s magazine. But no model had the power to make her heart beat fast and her knees grow weak. And not one of them, she reminded herself, had the power to negatively impact her business.
Trish had seen Theo enter the dining room earlier but she’d deliberately tried not to glance in his direction, wanting to give him his space.
“Look, there’s Theo.” Sally’s loud pronouncement jerked Trish from her reverie. “Let’s say hello.”
Without waiting for Trish to respond, Sally turned and headed straight toward Theo. Trish found herself trailing after her impulsive friend.
Theo rose to his feet as they approached. His smile was warm and Trish’s heart skipped a beat.
Sally flashed her own smile. “We thought we’d stop by and say hi.”
“I’m happy you did.” Theo made brief work of introducing Sally to his sister, then turned to Trish. “Would you care to join us? We’re just about to order dessert.”
His invitation sounded sincere but Trish assumed the offer was a polite gesture, nothing more. “I’m afraid we have other plans.”
Theo didn’t bat an eye at the refusal or inquire into their plans. Instead he focused his attention on Sally. “I hear you and Bruno had a good time this afternoon.”
Sally’s face brightened. “You talked to him?”
“He called me after he dropped you off,” Theo said. “He couldn’t stop talking about you. I haven’t seen him this happy in a long time.”
“He’s a great guy,” Sally said, blushing like a schoolgirl.
“Did you enjoy your time in Naples?” Helena asked Trish.
“Very much,” Trish said. “I even discovered a lovely hotel that might work out as a future excursion stop.”
“Smart woman,” Helena remarked with obvious approval. “It’s always good when you can combine business with pleasure.”
Trish almost winced, but managed a weak smile.
Helena was now openly staring at Theo, obviously expecting him to pick up the conversational ball. But he didn’t and, when an awkward silence descended, Trish decided she’d lingered long enough. “It was nice seeing you again. Enjoy your dessert.”
By the time she exited the dining room, she was heartsick. “I blew it,” she muttered. “I should have mentioned that contract today when I had the chance. Who knows if I’ll have another opportunity.”
Sally ignored Trish and started up the steps. For a second Trish couldn’t figure out where they were going. Then she realized it had to be the library, the ruse she’d used to get Sally to leave the dining room.
They quickly reached Deck 6 and Sally slowed her pace as they passed Temptations, the chocolate café, but she didn’t even glance at the morsels displayed.
“I’m happy you enjoyed yourself today,” Trish said. “I really am. Even though you just had a day with the guy, you made the most of it.”
“About that…”
The little hitch in her friend’s voice gave Trish pause.
“There’s something I haven’t told you.” Sally’s words came out in a rush. “When we dock in Livorno, Bruno is going to be there waiting for me. His girls will be spending the week with his sister in Florence. After Bruno drops them off, he’s going to swing by and pick me up.”
Trish’s head spun and she wasn’t sure what to ask first. “His girls?”
“Anna and Isabella,” Sally said. “They’re five and seven. Bruno and I stopped back at the hotel before we left for the ship and I had the chance to meet them. They’re darling girls, Trish. Cassidy would love them.”
Trish put a hand to her head but the confusion remained and other questions arose. “What about our trip to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa?”
“I realize it’s not fair to bail on you at this late date.” Sally sounded genuinely apologetic. “But when Bruno asked me to spend the rest of the week with him, I thought you and Theo would be together.”
“The rest of the week?” Trish’s voice came out a high-pitched squeak. “You’re not coming back to the ship at all?”
“I thought we’d meet up when the ship docks in Barcelona,” Sally said.
“But”
“Ladies, haven’t you heard?” A female voice with a Southern accent broke into the conversation. “The library is closed for the evening.”
A forty-something blonde with big hair stared pointedly at Trish’s hand, now wrapped loosely around the library doorknob.
“The librarian fell on the gangway when she was returning to the ship,” the woman continued in a chatty tone usually reserved for old friends. “I heard she sprained her ankle pretty bad and is laid up in the infirmary.”
Despite her own pressing concerns, Trish’s heart went out to Ariana. What rotten luck. She had been so excited to go ashore and now would probably be confined to the ship for the duration of the cruise.
“I bet they assign another crew member to fill in for her.” The woman’s eyes brightened. “I hope it’s that darling Father Connelly.”
It took everything Trish had not to roll her eyes at the mention of the priest. Thankfully someone called to the woman from down the hall and she hurried off.
“Where were we?” Trish asked.
“You were about to tell me how stupid it would be for me to go off with Bruno,” Sally said with a rueful smile.
“You barely know the guy, Sal.” Trish hated to be so predictably practical but she felt she had to say
something.
something.
“He’s a good guy, Trish.” Sally grabbed Trish’s arm and pulled her over to a couple of chairs. “And he’s not out for what he can get, though I think he’d take it if it were offered.”
Something in the way her friend said the words made Trish laugh.
“I feel this connection with Bruno and I’d really like a chance to get to know him better.” Sally leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “If there is something between us, we might even stay in touch when I get back to the States.”
“But to go off with a man you don’t even know…I worry about that.”
“He and Theo have been friends for a long time,” Sally said. “And I do know him. At least a little. We have so much in common, it’s unreal. Do you know he loves opera and gourmet cooking? And we’re both crazy about soccerexcept he calls it football.”
“That’s great, Sal, really great,” Trish said, not sure what else to say.
“I know it sounds clichéd, but I never expected to meet someone like him.”
Trish pushed down the envy that rose up inside her. She understood exactly what Sally was saying.
“Go. Have fun.” Trish smiled. “If you’re asking for my blessing, you have it.”
“Are you sure?” Sally reached over and took Trish’s hands. “Because I don’t want to leave you in the lurch.”
As much as she wanted a friend to pal around with, Trish had meant what she’d said. Sally deserved this chance for happiness. And in a way her friend’s departure might be a hidden blessing.
Trish only had thirty-six hours left to convince Theo to sign, and she had the feeling that task was going to take every minute and all her attention.
CHAPTER TWELVE
A
GAINST HIS BETTER
judgment, Theo watched Trish walk out of the dining room and disappear from view. He’d done his best not to glance in her direction while she was eating, but when she’d come over to the table he hadn’t been able to keep his eyes off her.
GAINST HIS BETTER
judgment, Theo watched Trish walk out of the dining room and disappear from view. He’d done his best not to glance in her direction while she was eating, but when she’d come over to the table he hadn’t been able to keep his eyes off her.
She looked simply delectable, like a key lime sorbet. The light green dress wrapped itself around her body, emphasizing her curves. She’d done something different with her hair, twisting it in some kind of stylish knot.
“Carpe diem,” Helena said, raising a glass of wine to her lips, gold bracelets jangling on her wrist.
Theo shifted his attention back to his sister. “What did you say?”
“Seize the day. It’s time you made your move.”
“What are you talking about?” Theo asked.
“I saw how you looked at her,” Helena said.
“Trish Melrose is an attractive woman. But acting on that attraction is another matter.”
Helena tilted her head and he groaned inwardly. It appeared his response had piqued her interest. “What’s wrong with her? She seems like a nice woman.”
Theo had thought his reasons would be obvious but it looked as though he was going to have to spell them out. “Her ties with your father for one thing.”
“I thought you already settled that issue.” Helena took a sip of wine.
“She’s still hoping I’ll sign.”
Helena waved that objection aside, her expression thoughtful. She tapped one long, perfectly manicured nail on the table. “Tell me what’s really holding you back.”
Her gaze remained firmly fixed on him, and Theo decided if this was what it was like to have a sister, growing up as an only child had been a good thing after all.
“There can never be anything between us,” Theo said. “So what’s the point?”
Helena burst into laughter. “Who cares? You’re in the Mediterranean, one of the most beautiful areas on earth.
Alexandra’s Dream
is one of the finest cruise ships in the world. And the penthouse has a terrific Jacuzzi. You’ve got mood and location, all you need is the woman.”
Alexandra’s Dream
is one of the finest cruise ships in the world. And the penthouse has a terrific Jacuzzi. You’ve got mood and location, all you need is the woman.”
Theo frowned. “I don’t use women.”
“What if all she wants is a quick fling?” Helena insisted.
What if I want more
? Theo suppressed the words before they made it to his lips. When he’d been in his twenties, a quick fling under the Mediterranean sun would have been just what he was looking for…but he was older now.
? Theo suppressed the words before they made it to his lips. When he’d been in his twenties, a quick fling under the Mediterranean sun would have been just what he was looking for…but he was older now.
“You really think she’d go for that?” Thankfully his words came out without any telling emotion.
“Odds are good. After all, this is the twenty-first century. Not all women want a ring on their finger or something permanent. Sometimes girls just want to have fun.”
While sex for the sake of sex still held a certain appealespecially considering the way Trish made him feelTheo wasn’t sure he wouldn’t end up wanting more. And that could be disastrous.
“Or you could just be friends,” Helena suggested.
Theo pondered Helena’s words.
Friends
. He might be able to handle that. He enjoyed Trish’s company and, as her friend, he could show her the Italy few tourists got to see. He could picture it now; the two of them sipping a glass of wine in an outdoor café, sharing a few kisses…
Friends
. He might be able to handle that. He enjoyed Trish’s company and, as her friend, he could show her the Italy few tourists got to see. He could picture it now; the two of them sipping a glass of wine in an outdoor café, sharing a few kisses…
Damn. He couldn’t even keep his hands off her in his daydreams. “I’ve already got enough friends. Besides, I’m not here to socialize. I’m here to get to know you better.”
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