Chapter 26
For the last time that
week, Nikki and Derek had taken a rain check on dinner and they
were finally able to get it together. Nikki had avoided speaking
with Andrés all day. She knew she’d played the tease and wasn’t too
happy with herself. She knew she’d have to call him in the morning
and talk about the night before. Hopefully, he was on the same page
as she was and would chalk up their cuddling to drunken
antics.
“I can’t believe
we’re finally having dinner sans interruptions from the boys or
anyone else for that matter,” Nikki said, shaking Andrés from her
mind.
“Including your alter
ego,” Derek replied.
Nikki puckered her
lips into a faux frown and scrunched her eyes into a look of mock
devilishness. “You don’t mean my evil twin, Nancy
Drew?”
“Yeah, she’s the one.
Except I’d say you’re the evil half. If I remember from the couple
of Nancy Drew books I read, she was pretty sweet; and you? I’m not
sure I’d call you sweet.”
“Gee, thanks.” She
laughed and took a bite of her dinner, finishing it up. They were
at the Glen Ellen Inn, which defined romance with its warm colors
of peach, burgundy, and gold, all lit up by candlelight and the
fireplace in the corner, next to where they were seated. “We’re
finally alone and I’m waiting with bated breath to hear what it is
you wanted to talk to me about all week.”
Before he answered
her, Derek motioned for the waiter and ordered strawberry shortcake
along with a dessert wine for both of them. “I like to celebrate
with dessert.”
“You’re going to make
me wait until they bring dessert, aren’t you?”
He nodded, a sly grin
and a glint in his baby blues. “You know it.”
“Fine. I’m a patient
woman.” Minutes later their dessert arrived. Nikki took a bite.
“Excellent. Now will you tell me?”
“I’ve decided to
build a boutique hotel and spa at the vineyard. What do you think?”
Derek asked.
Nikki set the fork
back down on her plate. “A hotel and spa?”
“Mhhm.” Derek brought
a finger up to the side of her mouth, touching it gently. “You got
a little whipped cream there.”
The heat rose in
Nikki, flowing through her body. “Thanks,” she replied in a
whisper.
“Yes. It was actually
Simon and Marcos’ idea, but I like it, and I think you’re a natural
to help out with this. You have great taste and I trust
you.”
“Wow. That sounds
wonderful.”
“I think so, too.
We’ll have about thirty rooms and the spa will be great. You know,
with massages and luxury body treatments with warm grapeseed oils
and soaking baths with the essence of grapes.”
“Massages? That does
sound good.”
“It does, doesn’t
it?” Derek brought his wine glass up for a toast. Nikki watched as
he set the glass back down. What was that look on his face?
Melancholy? Frustration?
“Is something the
matter?” she asked.
He shook his head.
“No. I was thinking that I have a special bottle of wine in my
cellar saved for a celebration.”
“Oh, well, this is an
excellent wine.”
“It is.” He nodded
and smiled warmly at her. “Besides we can save that bottle for
another special day.” He sighed and glanced away for a
second.
She wondered what
weighed so heavily on his heart.
He looked over at
her, taking his free hand and grasping hers with a slight squeeze.
He again raised his glass to toast. “To the Malveaux Inn and Spa
and great massages.”