Heating Up Hawaii by Carmen Falcone Read Free Book Online

breeze and stood high against the stars twinkling in the sky. Luc stepped on the pedal, and she immediately pushed the button to lower the car window.
    She slipped her head outside, feeling reenergized as the wind hit her face. She closed her eyes and soaked in the sweet scent of the sugarcane plantations they drove past.
    “You don’t mind the wind in your hair?” Luc asked her with a surprised look.
    “Not one bit.” She enjoyed the fresh, clean air.
    He grimaced, and whatever went through his head he chose not to share.
    When the car slowed in front of The Leoni, Penny exhaled in complete awe. The resort had to have at least thirty floors, all well-represented by an elegant façade that blended white and gold, the architecture with influences from the Italian Renaissance. As he parked the car and they walked inside, she appreciated the white marble floors and off-white walls accentuated by various shades of gold, from dark to sparkling, spread through the accent pieces, sculptures, and art frames.
    The reception desk was in front of an enormous glass wall, with exquisite views to the lagoon-style Polynesian pool that wrapped the hotel front. She could see why this was an adult-only property… The decadent décor and activities sounded like the perfect getaway for newlyweds, couples who wanted to take a vacation from everyday life, or single adults who sought relaxation and luxury.
    The front desk agent simply handed them keys, with no questions asked. They crossed the virtually empty lobby and she noticed there were no guests or other employees around. She smelled fresh paint on the walls, and noticed a few maintenance signs scattered through a hallway with a big DO NOT ENTER sign to prevent people from circulating in that area.
    “Are there any guests staying here?” she asked him as they got inside the elevator.
    “We started taking reservations a couple of weeks ago to get the staff back into the groove. Guests are staying in the north wing, which was less affected.” Luc pressed the buttons. “We are in the south wing, the part damaged by the storms. The remodeling is almost complete. We just need some finishing touches for the re-opening party, when we’ll work on full capacity.”
    Of course, it all made sense. As the hotel owner, he considered the guests’ comfort first. The elevator stopped on a high level, and she glanced down at the carpet, a soft gold with a white L monogram displayed every couple of feet. It smelled and looked brand new.
    She followed him through a spacious and elegant hallway, with guest phones and asymmetrical mirrors in every corner. She couldn’t brush off the hint of nostalgia. Luc had taught her how to do hotel inspection once, when the NYC hotel had wanted employees to experience every single department. Of course back then, it’d been different.
    She stopped short. I must be crazy for doing this. Luc Leoni was the reason she hadn’t considered marrying someone for years until Darren came along and she saw him as enough of a non-threat to let him in her life.
    And still, she hadn’t been able to take the last step.
    I ran because Darren wasn’t the man for me. It had nothing to do with Luc. Nothing.
    “Is everything okay, Penelope?” He stopped and turned to face her.
    Okay? Everything was far from okay. Issues she’d thought were buried deep in her brain had returned with open-wound freshness. Luc made her think of her past, of her decisions, of her mistakes. And she didn’t need any of it.
    She simply nodded which prompted him to stroll down to a room at the very end of the hallway.
    Only three more weeks until the re-opening party. I will get my references, and when I open my business I will rejoice. Pretty soon, Luc will be far away from me. For good.
    He halted, and gave her a plastic keycard. “This is your suite.” He glanced at the door in front of her and then his eyes searched hers.
    “Thanks.” Her fingertips trembled from the brief contact with