Page 36 of Dreams That Bind Us
"I've lived in Key West most of my life, but I've only been to Sunset Key a few times," Anna continued. "It's so exclusive."
The concierge bobbed her head. "I think it's one of the things I love about it so much. Key West, especially in Old Town, can get so crazy with the bars and partiers, that the quiet of this island is a relief. You're still in paradise only minutes from everything Key West has to offer, but out of the insanity."
Anna smiled. "I know what you mean. It's why I chose my workshop on Stock Island. Still in paradise, but away from all the madness."
The concierge smiled and turned to James. "Mr. Owens has prepared a special tour for you and filled your catering request. I hope you'll let me know if there's any other way we can make your day more comfortable."
Oh, there was a way to make his day even better, all right. But it had nothing to do with anyone other than the beautiful creature snuggled into his side.
"Everything sounds great. Thank you."
"What's the catering request?" Anna asked, angling her head to look at him.
She looked so content and perfect, like a little kitten, that it nearly stole his breath. A surge of power rocketed through his body, and he felt like he could conquer the world.
It was going to happen…he and Anna were going to happen.
Anna straightened, a frown on her face. "James? Are you okay?"
James blinked. "Of course. Why?"
"I asked you a question, but you were staring off like your mind wasn't here. Are you alright? Should we reschedule the tour?"
"No, not at all." He tightened his arm, drawing her back against him.
"I was just thinking of business. The catering request is a surprise I have for you, and I'm not telling you what it is. So you'll have to wait."
Her answering feline smile was interesting. His Anna apparently enjoyed surprises. He'd tuck that bit of information away for future use.
Her head dropped to his shoulder, and he smiled as she let out a huge sigh. James fought the urge to drag her onto his lap, reminding himself they had an audience and this was a business visit.
He didn't need to traumatize the staff by exploring Anna's reception to his advances right now. He'd do that later, when they were alone, and he could see what his kitten was willing to try.
Kitten…It fits her perfectly.
James sat up as the boat began to slow before it pulled into the covered dock. Several people were clustered to the side, three dressed in professional uniforms and armed with clipboards, one suited businessman, and Carl Owens whose standard outfit was shorts, an obnoxious Hawaiian shirt, a straw hat, and flipflops.
If you met the man on the street or in a bar, as James had, you'd never know he was a billionaire several times over. He was nearly as wealthy as James, which probably explained why their conversations about Sunset Key had been so easy. They understood each other, and James knew from personal experience that it was a very rare thing.
The boat docked and as the cabin door opened, James led Anna onto the small pier. Taking the opportunity to hold her hand, he threaded his fingers through hers. He shivered atthe sensation. It was almost a sensory overload, an intimate closeness with an effect compared closely with a drug.
"It's good to see you, James," Carl bellowed even though they were only standing a few feet apart. Carl was boisterous by nature and didn't come with volume control. But from what James could tell through his personal interactions and what his investigators told him, the man had a heart of gold, was a widower for whom family was everything.
"Thanks for letting us hop over here today, Carl," James answered with a grin. He strolled toward the huddled group, Anna by his side. "I'd like to introduce you to Anna Kingsley. Anna, this is Carl Owens. He'll be giving us the tour."
Carl stepped forward, taking Anna's other hand and bending over it. "It's a huge pleasure, Miss Kingsley." He dropped a light kiss on it, then let her go. "James tells me you're the artist who makes the most exquisite furniture for my favorite art gallery. Is that true?"
Anna's gaze flicked to James, a flat expression on her face. "How do you know it's me? Maybe James was wrong."
James winced. Not many people knew it was her furniture, and he knew she protected her privacy diligently. But when he’d first mentioned to Carl that he was filling his new house with furniture from his favorite art gallery on Duval Street, he’d had no idea it was Anna.
But the last time he and Carl had met for dinner, he'd bragged how the very same artist had furnished all the furniture for The Majestic. Carl had been curious enough to browse the gallery to see for himself. In fact, James was fairly certain Anna would see one or two of her pieces in the resort.
"I told him," James confessed. "Carl and I have dinner regularly and I let it slip who provided the custom furniture for The Majestic."
"And what James didn't know is that I had an advantage," Carl injected, speaking out of the side of his mouth as if he were imparting a secret. "Because I'm friends with the gallery owner, and they let me sneak in to steal a couple of pieces out from under this guy's nose. He was not happy with me when he found out," he added with a chuckle.
Anna laughed nervously and shifted to the side. James knew she was uncomfortable with attention and compliments, but he wasn't about to let her backtrack on him. She was probably annoyed that he'd revealed her identity as well, but that was too bad. It was a waste for her work to hide in the back corners of some dark gallery.
