In the end, Darcy had realized that marrying Neil was just one more attempt at pleasing her father. And all Neil really had been interested in was an executive office at corporate headquarters. The engagement ring had been returned and, at that moment, Darcy had decided that she’d done enough. If Sam Scott couldn’t accept her for the talented, driven, creative person she was, then she was prepared to walk away for good.

When Darcy reached the lobby, Kel was nowhere to be seen. She cursed softly as her heart began to pound in her chest. Was she nervous about kicking him out, or was it seeing him again that made her pulse race? Maybe she ought to avoid a confrontation and stay out of his way for the entire week. She had more important things to occupy her energy than worrying about him.

“Scratch, scratch.”

Darcy jumped, then turned to find Amanda standing behind her. “So, did you send the man on his merry way?”

“No,” Darcy said. “I didn’t catch him in time.”

“Darcy, what’s the big deal? Are you even sure he remembers you?”

“If he doesn’t remember me, then why did he show up here?”

Amanda pressed her finger to her chin. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe he’s looking for a relaxing vacation. Maybe he wants to play a few rounds of golf or enjoy our spa. Who knows?”

“What if he does remember me?” Darcy challenged. “And what if he wants to start something up again? He probably thinks I’ll just dive right into his bed. Which I probably would. But that’s beside the point.” She shook her head. “If he doesn’t remember me that would be even more mortifying, because I certainly remember him. Every single inch of him.”

“And how many inches were there?” Amanda asked, eyes wide with curiosity.

“That’s not what I meant.” She turned and grabbed Amanda’s hands. “Will you please tell him he has to leave? I promise, I’ll owe you big time.”

“Nope. This is your problem. I’m the manager of guest services. I don’t tell guests to leave when we have available rooms.” She squeezed Darcy’s hand and pulled her along to the elevator, then punched the button. “He’s in the Bennington Suite.”

“It’s your job to arrange guest services.”

“But I’m not the one who needs an excuse to see him.” The elevator doors opened and Amanda gave Darcy a gentle shove. “I’ll be waiting in your office for a full report.”

The doors closed and Darcy leaned against the wall. She’d kicked her share of guests out of The Delaford and it had never been a pleasant experience. But Kel Martin wasn’t trashing his room or partying until dawn or abusing the staff. He had the dubious distinction of starring in her wildest sexual fantasies. Something that could hardly be considered a crime. She’d have to come up with a plausible excuse to get rid of him.

But then again, maybe she ought to stick with the truth. How difficult could it be just to tell him that she felt uncomfortable with his presence? “That would make it clear I still think about our night together,” she murmured. “And I’m not about to admit that.”

The doors opened onto the third floor lobby and Darcy stepped out. “Just do it, quickly and cleanly. Maintain your professional composure.” She walked down the hall to the Bennington Suite, then straightened her jacket and smoothed her hands over her skirt. But just as she was ready to knock, the door swung open.

Kel stood in the doorway, dressed in only a pair of surf shorts that hung low on his hips. The ice bucket was tucked beneath his arm. Darcy stared at his chest, smooth and muscular and gleaming in the soft light from the hallway.

“Hello,” he said. “We meet again.”

Darcy’s eyes darted up to his face. “Again?” Good God, he did remember her!

“Didn’t I see you at the candy shop this morning?”

Relief washed over her. “Mr. Martin, I’m afraid I have-”

“You know my name?”

“You just registered downstairs. I’m the manager of The Delaford and I-”

“You’re here to ask me what I need.” He chuckled softly, then braced his shoulder on the doorjamb and lazily rubbed his chest. He watched her, his gaze skimming over her face. “So, what are you offering…” He leaned closer and fixed his gaze on her nametag. “Darcy Scott?”

He hadn’t changed at all. He was still far too charming to trust. She was well aware of his reputation with the ladies and she wasn’t about to fall into his arms again. But, oh, what incredible arms he had. Darcy drew a deep breath. “There’s a book on the desk that lists all our services. Once you’ve had a chance to look at it, we’ll be happy to make reservations for you. We’ll see to your every need.”

“Every need?”

He leaned closer and Darcy was suddenly unable to continue. She wanted to step back, out of reach of his undeniable magnetism. But instead, she was drawn closer. She needed to reach out and touch him, to gauge his reaction to the contact. She slowly raised her hand and smoothed her fingers along his jaw line, rough with the stubble of a day-old beard.

“Every need within the law,” Darcy murmured.

A soft groan rumbled in his chest and he slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her against him. An instant later, his mouth found hers and she lost herself in his kiss. Memories flooded back and the five years between them evaporated like lake mist on a sunny day.

His tongue teased at her lips and she opened beneath the gentle assault. The taste of him warmed her blood and seeped into her soul. He tasted like…chocolate? She hadn’t remembered that, but it was pleasantly addictive, a taste she wanted to savor. Yes, it had been years, but it seemed as if they’d shared this same kiss not so very long ago at all.

He pulled her tighter, drawing her thigh up along his leg until her skirt was bunched at her hip. His palm slid up until he cupped her backside. Wild sensations raced through her, sharp currents that electrified every nerve in her body until she trembled with need. This was how it had happened the first time, impulse had turned to action quickly and without a conscious thought.

“That’s good,” he murmured, his breath hot against her lips, his fingers furrowed through her hair.

“Good,” she replied weakly.

“You satisfying my every need. Me satisfying yours.”

A door behind her closed and the sound was like a shock to Darcy’s system. She jumped back, out of his embrace, then shoved her skirt down and combed her fingers through her hair. “I should go.” Darcy pressed her palms against her flushed cheeks.

“It was nice meeting you, Miss Scott,” he said, before stealing another kiss. “I hope we’ll see much more of each other.”

Darcy slowly backed away, unable to take her eyes off of him. She stood like a fool in the middle of the hall until he stepped back inside his room and closed the door. The moment the lock clicked shut, her knees almost buckled and she pressed her fingers to her lips. They were still damp.

“What am I doing?” she murmured.

She didn’t have an answer to the question, but that didn’t seem to matter. She wanted Kel Martin, beyond all reason. She wanted him to open the door, drag her back inside and thoroughly seduce her.

“No, no, no,” she muttered to herself. “I’m supposed to be older and wiser.” Darcy knew precisely what would happen if she knocked on his door and, for a long moment, she contemplated doing just that. But in the end, she gathered her resolve, drew a deep breath and walked back to the elevator.

Kel was exactly like chocolate. She might want to indulge now, to allow herself just one tiny taste. But Darcy was afraid that one little taste might lead to a week-long binge. And after that, she’d crave a steady diet of Kel Martin.


KEL SLID onto a barstool and ordered a whiskey, then turned his attention to the basketball game on the television above the bar. He’d enjoyed a long, leisurely dinner in the hotel restaurant, hoping he’d run into Darcy again, but she hadn’t shown.

It was obvious by the kiss they’d shared that she remembered him. He didn’t know much about Darcy Scott, but he knew she wasn’t the type to kiss a complete stranger just a few minutes after being introduced. He frowned. Or maybe she had kissed her fair share of strangers and he had been just one more on her list.

He rubbed his palms together, recalling the feel of her silky hair slipping through his fingers. Everything he’d experienced today with Darcy seemed more intense, as though vividly colored with a desire that had been simmering for five years.

“Thanks,” Kel said as the bartender set the tumbler in front of him. The bartender nodded, then walked down to the far end. Kel’s gaze followed and came to rest on Darcy. He hadn’t noticed her at first, hiding in the shadows.

Their eyes met and he held his breath, a knot of anticipation tightening in his stomach. She had been waiting for him, knowing that he’d be looking for her. Still, Darcy’s expression was far from encouraging. She looked as if she might just bolt at any moment-or throw up.

Kel took a sip of his whiskey, the liquor warming his blood and fortifying his courage. Hell, he could understand her nerves. When they’d encountered each other five years ago, neither one of them had worried about the consequences. It had been a one-night stand, pure and simple. But now, there seemed to be so much more at stake.

He stood and strolled to the end of the bar, then sat down next to her. How was this supposed to go? Should he spend time on the preliminary flirting or did she expect him to get right to the business of seduction? “Can I buy you a drink?” he asked. A good start, but a bit of a cliché.

“Champagne,” Darcy said.

She’d ordered champagne that night. So this was how she wanted it to play out-exactly the way it had five years ago. “Are you celebrating?”

Darcy laughed softly, as if pleased that he remembered the words he’d used the first time they’d met. “I don’t know. I can’t think of anything to celebrate.”