Before We Kiss

All in all, an impressive man, she thought.

She moved closer. He must have sensed her because he turned and spotted her, then smiled.

“A nice place,” he said as he walked toward her. “Good choice.”

“Thanks, but you’re the one who picked it,” she reminded him, wondering how unhealthy it was for her heart to suddenly thunder so hard in her chest. Could the organ be bruised by all the flopping around and banging against bone?

She wanted him to be impressed by her and was tempted to mention her conversation with Lark Heuston’s agent. The author was coming to Fool’s Gold and seemed very interested in staying for the lecture. But until things were confirmed, Dellina wanted to keep the happy news to herself.

A pretty woman in her forties walked over. “Dellina,” she said with a smile. “Great to see you.” She held out her hand to Sam. “I’m Jody LaCroux, the events manager here at the hotel. You must be Sam Ridge.”

They shook hands. Jody motioned for them to head down the hall. “We’re very excited about the weekend you and Dellina have planned for your company, Mr. Ridge.”

“Sam, please,” he told her.

Jody had short blond hair and brown eyes. She wore a no-nonsense suit with a knee-length skirt, and sensible flat shoes. Dellina happened to know that when not overseeing weddings and banquets, Jody skied in the winter and ran marathons the rest of the year. She probably couldn’t kick Sam’s butt, yet she could sure outrun him.

“Nice to meet you, Sam.” Jody smiled at Dellina. “You I know.”

Dellina laughed. “When my sisters and I moved back to Fool’s Gold, Jody spent a couple of Saturdays helping me work out a schedule for taking care of my sisters, the household and staying up with my classes at community college.”

“I’m good with organization,” Jody said. “I just never thought a degree in hotel management would come in handy in the community. I was happy to help.”

She walked past the larger of the ballrooms and led them down the hallway to the smaller meeting rooms.

“Based on the number of couples and children you’ll be hosting on-site, I think this part of the hotel will be best.” She walked into a room that had an entire wall of windows, along with big doors that opened onto a patio and then a walled garden beyond. There were plenty of plants, but also a grassy area.

“For the children,” Jody said with a wave of her hand. “Dellina, I’m thinking Friday night and Saturday afternoon. For Friday, we’d set up the mocktail and appetizer stations in the room. The kids will eat next door while the band sets up and we’ll return here. It’s big enough for them to move around, the walls keep them contained. There are restrooms right through there, so they never have to go out into the hallways.”

“Good security,” Dellina said as she took notes. “On Saturday, you’re right. This is perfect for the meet-and-greet with the therapy dogs.” She glanced at Sam. “You agree?”

He nodded. “I like the space.”

They saw the patio where the adult wine tasting would be held, then went back toward the elevators.

“We have your guests together in a block,” Jody told them as they waited for the elevator. “There will be another large party. A wedding. But your guests will have the entire top floor.” Jody glanced at her notes. “Taryn Crawford put in a request for the presidential suite.”

Sam grimaced. “Of course she did.”

Dellina raised her eyebrows. “Is that a problem?”

“No. I’m sure she and Angel will enjoy it.”

Jody met Dellina’s gaze and smiled but didn’t comment. They got on the elevator.

The top floor had high ceilings and beautiful moldings. The theme of woodwork and old-world charm continued. Jody showed them a large executive suite where a hospitality station with refreshments and light snacks would be manned from nine in the morning until midnight. Then she opened one of the rooms their guests would use.

She stepped back and motioned for them to go in. Dellina thought Sam would go first. He was the client. He hesitated, as if expecting her to lead the way. She took a step at the same time he did and they bumped into each other.

Heat engulfed her. His upper arm grazed her right breast and the contact sent a ribbon of need curling through to her lower belly. Her hand swung back and came perilously close to his groin. She jumped, he pulled back and they were both back in the hallway.

Sam cleared his throat. “You first,” he said, his voice a little thick.

Dellina did as he suggested, hoping Jody was too busy taking notes to notice the awkwardness.

They stepped into a large bedroom. There was a sofa against one wall and French doors leading to a large balcony.

Jody followed them inside. “The rooms are all similar to this,” she said. “We have enough adjoining rooms for the parents who have older children. For those with smaller kids, we can provide a rollaway.” She consulted her list again. “You won’t need any cribs, right?”

“The youngest is six,” Dellina told her. “No cribs. And the oldest is thirteen, so I don’t know if anyone will want adjoining rooms. That seems kind of young to be alone in a hotel room. Sam?”

He looked at her. “You’re asking the wrong guy. We have the option, if the clients want adjoining rooms.”

“Of course,” Jody told him. “There are thirty rooms on this floor, plus the presidential suite. I’m holding a handful of rooms on the floor below for emergencies.” She smiled. “Also for Dellina, the yet-to-be-named lecturer and Fayrene, who will be in charge of the children.”

Sam turned to Dellina. “Smart,” he said with a grin. “Not only will it take her mind off Ryan, she’s someone you can trust to show up and do a good job.”

“You’re forgetting I can also boss her around.”

Jody grinned. “Is this where we have a conversation about your management style?” she asked.

“Not necessary. Fayrene can take it.”

Jody walked them through the rest of the room. She pointed out the views, the large closets and all the amenities in the marble-and-glass bathrooms.

“A tub big enough for two,” she said, and tapped a switch on the wall. “With jets. More fun for the couples who aren’t bringing children.”

Dellina nodded, thinking it was really weird how the room had suddenly gotten hot. And the bed was huge. Even from the bathroom it seemed to dominate the space. Although she couldn’t say if it was better or worse than the giant tub complete with pulsing jets. Somehow an image of her and Sam in the tub lodged in her brain and she couldn’t think about anything else...except maybe tumbling onto the bed while he—

“Great room,” she said cheerfully, and made a beeline for the door.

Once in the hallway, she was able to breathe again. What was wrong with her? Sure Sam was a great-looking guy, and yes, the sex had been fabulous, but still. She was a professional. This was work and her biggest job of the year. No way she was going to allow herself to be distracted by hormones and huskiness.

Sam followed her into the hall and Jody made sure the room was locked.

“Food next?” Jody asked as if she hadn’t noticed anything was wrong. Dellina hoped it was true.

They went back to the main floor and into the elegant dining room. The resort’s five-star restaurant had been written up in both national and international publications. They’d received awards for everything from their menu to their wine list.

“Dellina sent me some suggestions for preliminary menus,” Jody said as they sat at a round table. She opened a folder and then pulled out several sheets that she passed around. “Any vegetarian or vegan diets?”

Dellina turned to Sam. “Not that I know of.”

“I’ll find out,” Sam said, a muscle twitching in his cheek. “For now, let’s assume there aren’t.”

“Good.” Jody rose. “Let me go tell the chef we’re ready.”

Dellina waited until they were alone to turn to him. “Why do you hate vegans?” she asked. “You got scrunchy-faced when Jody asked about them.”