Christian took another deep breath and faced her. “You’re overreacting just as you did in Frascati. I have explained this to you before and I’m repeating it now. There will be such women everywhere, in every hotel I own. It doesn’t mean I encourage them or have an affair with them. You might have had admirers too at your college. Did you sleep with them all? It’s the same thing, Skylar!”
“No, it isn’t the same thing. You allowed her to insult me. Then you disappeared with her for twenty minutes! What do I conclude from your behavior, Christian?” Her face flushed with annoyance at his lack of explanation.
“I didn’t invite her to sit beside me. If she wanted to create a scene, how was I responsible? Did you want me to pick up a fight with her in front of my board of directors? I have my self-respect and position to consider before taking such a step. These people have been with us for years. They are reputable and close to grandpa Ben. How could I create a scene in front of them?” Skylar shook her head, not happy with his explanation.
“Fine, I understand, but how could you disappear with her?”
“I didn’t disappear with her. We went to my office downstairs. I wanted to warn her of you before the conference restarted. She chose to resign, and I accepted. That’s all!” Skylar gaped at him, feeling a little foolish now for jumping to the wrong conclusions again.
“So, weren’t you with her all this time?” she asked, hesitating a little.
“No, I was at our construction site. I’ll take you there tomorrow.”
“Oh! I was unnecessarily worrying my head off.” She smiled as she tucked into the food.
“You should learn to trust me, Skylar. I’m a very straightforward guy, a one-woman man! And I’ve already chosen the one I want!” His words turned her insides to mush, leaving her tongue-tied. She felt a little ashamed of herself and kept her gaze on her plate.
“I’ll try.”
Christian smiled, his heart skipping a beat at her promise. He hadn’t expected her to be so easily convinced. So maybe he could hope of getting his kiss, after all!
“By the way, I’m proud of the way you conducted yourself at the meeting and outside. The board of directors is quite impressed by your personality, especially Mr. Fairbanks. He wants to take you under his wing. As if I’d let you go.” Skylar’s jaws dropped with surprise, but soon a flush crept up her cheeks when she realized what he had just admitted.
“Why not? He can train me better.”
“I see! So now you prefer Mr. Fairbanks. Is it?”
“Good heavens! You too should learn to trust me, Christian.” He chuckled and tucked into his food. He trusted her, but not the men around her.
“I’m sorry about the meeting today. It stretched a lot. Are you tired?” He actually wanted to know what she intended to do after dinner.
“Not much. I rested already.”
“Do you want to go out on a gondola ride with me?” Christian waited eagerly for her answer.
“Yes, please. I’d love to.”
“So when are we leaving Venice? Won’t we sightsee a little?” He flashed her a skew little smile that alerted Skylar immediately. She knew what was going on in his head.
“We can if you please me.”
“Oh!” A warm blush crept up her cheeks, and she avoided his eyes totally. She got up to clear the table while Christian went into the bedroom to freshen up. He noticed she didn’t fight him this time over it. So would she kiss him voluntarily? Excitement coursed through his body as he freshened up and changed out of his formal clothes. Later, clad in a pair of jeans and a tee shirt, he emerged from the en-suite to see Skylar ready to go out.
“Have you gone on a gondola ride before?” he asked her as they stepped out of the room.
“No, never, and you?”
“Yes.”
“With whom? Savannah?” It slipped out of her mouth before she could check herself.
“No, Seb.” He grabbed her hand and walked out in silence while she felt a little ashamed of herself for jumping to the wrong conclusion again.
‘No, Skye! You should learn to trust him! He is genuine,’ prodded her inner mind. She watched him discreetly through her lashes, and strangely, her heart skipped a beat this time. What was that? What was the strange flutter she felt in her stomach every time he was near? They walked out of the hotel hand-in-hand through the moonlit path toward the pier. His warm touch, and his manly scent, enveloped her like a blanket, making her drown in him. The night seemed magical and the water a dark shade of green glittering from the reflection of the city lights along the banks!
Had she started developing a crush on Christian St. James? How else could she explain the crazy thumping of her heart in his presence?
“Step in, Skylar!” he whispered, holding her gaze. It brought her out of her musings and she blushed realizing that she had been staring at him. Blinking away, she saw an ornately decorated gondola in front of them, ready to take them away on a romantic dream cruise. The gondolier welcomed them and Christian helped her to the wooden boat. Settled in the luxurious seats, Skylar watched the gondolier stand up and row through the canals, expertly using just one oar.
“Stop staring at him,” hissed Christian, and she grinned at him.
“I was just waiting for him to start his song like they show in the movies.” Christian chuckled and shook his head.
“That happens only in the movies. In reality, they’re busy people, ready to dump us and get another set of passengers. They might narrate about the attractions we see instead!”
“Oh!” She watched with awe as cruised through the deserted back canals instead of the busy Grand Canal. It was so amazing to view a city functioning without roads.
“Would you like to stop for a sweet treat?” he whispered hoarsely in her ear. It made her heart skip a beat. What sort of sweet treat was he offering her?
“What sweet treat?” she breathed, turning to look into her eyes. They were stormy as they dropped to her lips. Skylar’s breath hitched, knowing what he wanted. Would he kiss her now?
“I meant dessert at those bakeries.” He pointed at the brightly lit-up shops dotting the shore.
“Yes, please.” Christian smiled and spoke to the gondolier. He pulled up near a sweet shop and they ordered their treat. After five minutes, they were on their way back while enjoying their treat.
“When are we leaving this place?” she prodded.
“If you can please me, I’ll wrap up my work tomorrow. We can take a day off to sightsee and then go to Zurich.”
“Hmm, I don’t think I can.” She murmured, yet he heard her.
“Will you give up without trying?” It was an embarrassing topic, and Skylar just shrugged. She could only kiss him, nothing more. If it didn’t please him, then she would definitely give up.
The gondolier dropped them off at the pier, and Christian paid him handsomely.
He grabbed her hand like before and strolled down the pier under the moonlit sky. With every step they took towards the hotel, Skylar’s heartbeats picked up pace. She knew she had developed a crush on him! Could she hold herself back after just a kiss?
“Seb is getting married tomorrow.” Skylar turned to look at his sad face.
“Without you? Why the rush? He could have waited for this trip to get over.”
“He has his own share of problems. He can’t wait. We can congratulate them when we meet.” They reached their hotel and went up the elevator.
“Even Sienna is planning her wedding. Maybe I would have to skip it too.”
Christian tightened his hold on her hand as if to comfort her. “No, we will attend her wedding. I might not have friends, but I value genuine friendship, Skylar.” She couldn’t look away from the dejected look on his face. His words struck a chord in her heart. Maybe he worked so hard to keep his loneliness at bay.
“I’m there with you. I’m your friend, too, Christian.”
“No, you aren’t. You are my life partner. It’s different.”
Skylar frowned at his words. “Why can’t a life partner be a friend as well?”
“They need to understand one another well enough to be that. You don’t trust me enough, Skylar.” His words pierced her heart, and she went inside their room in a state of daze. Did she disappoint him with her immaturity?
“I am learning to trust you. I’m trying hard not to disappoint you.” Christian closed the door and turned to face her, his eyes challenging her.
“I don’t believe in words, Skylar. I want to see some action. Prove it to me.” He stood still waiting for her to make a move. He had sworn he would never kiss her until she admitted her feelings to him. Even if not verbally, her actions could also communicate what he wanted to know.
Skylar stood frozen for a minute and then slowly approached him, her eyes holding his fiery gaze.