‘Since he bought the whole Vanaheim Grand chain a couple of years ago.’
‘He owns all the Vanaheim Grand hotels? How thehell? The last time I saw him he was eating pasta with ketchup because he’d run out of money for that month.’
Kit flashes me a grin. ‘Yeah, well, he’s come a long way since then. We all have.’
‘Speak for yourself. I’m not sure coming “a long way” is how I’d describe my journey since uni. Don’t get me wrong, I’m doing a job I like, but I have aspirations to go a lot further.’
There’s a wry smile playing about his mouth now and I can tell he’s about to tell me something else ‘cool’. I can just sense it.
‘Well, actually—’ he begins.
I can’t help but smile and shake my head in recognition at my insight.
He pauses and gives me a questioning frown.
‘Sorry, please go ahead and tell me how brilliantly you’re doing,’ I say, loading my tone with jokey sarcasm.
‘No, no. I wouldn’t want to ruin your day any more than I already have,’ he says, mirroring my mockery.
I’m suddenly keenly aware that this is the way we used to flirt with each other, and a memory of kissing him just to shut him up flies into my head. It had resulted in some of the best sex I’ve ever had.
My skin flushes with an electric sort of heat as flashes of that night come back to play through my mind.
What thehell? I’m supposed to be in mourning for my last relationship. I shouldn’t be feeling like this, all hot and bothered and turned on.
It’s bringing it home to me just how long it’s been since I’ve felt that way though. Adrian never had this same effect on me, and the realisation is spinning me out a little.
‘You know what? I think I’m going to go back to my room and chill there for a bit before dinner,’ I blurt, reaching with a shaky hand for my tote bag.
He frowns. ‘Hey, wait. Don’t let me chase you off.’
‘You’re not. I’m just a bit wired for company right now.’ I stand up and pull on my shorts and vest, then pick up my towel from the lounger and shove it into the tote.
‘Okay. Well, it was good chatting,’ he says, watching me with a slightly bemused expression.
‘It was,’ I say, flashing him a tight grin.
I really need to get out of here now.
Picking up my cocktail, I drain the last of it, then return the glass to the table. ‘Thanks for the drink.’
‘Welcome.’
‘See you around,’ I say.
‘Not if I see you first.’ I look back at him and catch him cringing a little at his words. ‘Yeah, okay, that was lame.’
I can’t stop the grin that pushes at the corners of my mouth. He always could make me smile, even when I was trying not to.
But I really should go.
No good can come of being around Kit Charleston.
4
KIT
I’m a bit surprised – and disappointed – that Chloe got up and left so abruptly.
