Page 6 of Blue Hawaiian
In theory. Thanks to the Blackwoods’ wine empire, his family was loaded. Blackwood Cellars had started with a modest winery in the Temecula Valley, northeast of San Diego, and had eventually grown to include wineries in Napa, Oregon, and Spain. Most of his family worked in Temecula, except for his cousin Marc, who helped run the Napa office.
At the moment, Connor had no desire to dwell on Blackwood Cellars. Not when he was on the verge of turning his back on it and starting his own venture.
He drove past a cluster of private bungalows, then passed two enormous swimming pools and a set of tennis courts. After parking the car, he walked with Jess toward the Dolphin Tower, the high-rise where the wedding party was staying. The lobby was a bright, open space, with high ceilings and a wall of windows looking onto the Pacific Ocean. A giant, tiled fountain stood off to one side, strewn with pink and orange flowers.
Jess was right. The place did smell like paradise. Assuming paradise smelled like a mix of chlorine, coconut sunscreen, and cloying tropical blooms.
At check-in, the young clerk appeared unusually perky, despite the late hour. “Welcome to the Grand Ka’anapali!” he said. “Checking in together?”
Jess spoke up quickly. “Nope. Different rooms.” She brought out her driver’s license. “Jessica Chavez. My room should be in the Chavez-Blackwood wedding block.”
“Found it,” the clerk said. “And—you’re in luck—it’s one of the only rooms left in that block with an ocean view.”
She sighed. “Perfect. Thank you so much.”
An ocean view sounded ideal. “Do you have any more rooms facing the beach?” Connor asked, bringing out his ID. “I’m also in the wedding block.”
“Indeed, I do. One left, and it’s right next door.” The clerk beamed. “Isn’t that fantastic?”
Jess groaned. “You can’t be serious.”
Connor couldn’t resist flashing her a cocky grin. “Don’t worry. I’ll behave. But can you make the same promise?”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” she said.
After the clerk ran Connor’s credit card, he handed him a gift bag. “This was left for you by Marc Blackwood.”
He took the bag and peeked inside. A large bottle of Valois Brandy, one of Blackwood Cellars’ premier products. Trust his cousin to knowexactlywhat he needed.
“Here are your key cards. I gave you both an extra one—just in case,” the clerk said.
As they headed toward the elevator, Jess let out her breath in a huff. “What did he mean—just in case? What did that twerp think’s going to happen?”
“It’s not hard to make the leap, seeing as how we checked in together, and it’s after midnight.” Connor nudged her playfully, trying to defuse her anger. “If you want my extra key card, say the word. Then you can visit me whenever you feel like it.”
She smacked him in the arm. “Not a chance. Just because you’re in the room next to me doesn’t mean you can take advantage.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
A total and utter lie. After the day he’d had, he could use a little release. But if he wanted to mend things with Jess, he had no business making a play for her.
Their rooms were on the ninth floor, next to the ice machine. Connor hadn’t intended to start in on the brandy this soon, but a drink might take the edge off the day. “You up for a nightcap?” he asked. “Marc gave me a bottle of brandy, and I’d be glad to share.”
She scowled at him as she opened her door. “No, thank you. Unlike you, I’m not exactly equipped for relaxing. I have no luggage. That means no toiletries and nothing to change into.”
He leaned against the doorframe. “You can always sleep in the buff. Isn’t that what—”
“Good night, Connor.” She entered her room and let the door slam shut behind her.
Maybe he was pushing her more than he should have.
But he was every bit as attracted to her as he had been five years ago.
Maybe even more.
Chapter 3
Jess leaned against the door, her head swimming with frustration. Connor hadn’t reached out to her infive years. And from the way he’d greeted her at the airport, he hadn’t been thrilled to see her. Completely understandable since she hadn’t wanted to run into him either.
