Well, in fairness, there were many places she could hide within Paradise West. The main building itself was huge with four floors and a ton of rooms, most of which were full of paying guests. He was surprised they would be okay with the noise, but on reflection, they were more than likely down here, too, rubbing elbows with Key West's locals and enjoying the party.
His eye caught a flash of movement to his left and he turned to see Rico rushing from the kitchen, the swinging doors swaying from the force of his exit. The normally confident ladies’ man was hunched with a spooked expression on his face, his jaw clenched. And if James wasn't mistaken, Rico was a bit green around the gills.
"Hey Rico," James called out as the alarmed man strode quickly past him, clearly making a beeline for the front door. "Are you okay?"
Rico pivoted, his eyes wild. "No, man. No!" His face was pinched with panic. "I'm not okay."
James frowned. "What's going on?"
"It's that damned…" Rico tossed a hand in frustration. "Witch woman in there telling me things. Bad things, man."With a growl, Rico stomped from the house and slammed the front door.
James glanced around, wondering if anyone else had witnessed the meltdown. But it was as if he and Rico had been the only two people in the room.
"Don't mind him," injected a sugary voice behind him.
He turned, his gaze moving to a tall, older woman as she strolled majestically from the kitchen. "He received some news he didn't want to hear," she finished, a serene smile on her face.
She had perfectly coiffed blonde hair and was statuesque in a floor-length flowing neon pink dress. There was no way anyone would ever miss her. She had an aura about her that practically demanded attention.
And right behind her followed the one woman he'd been searching for.
Anna…
His eyes drank her in, cataloging every detail. She looked uncomfortable in the crowded room, nervous and fidgety, but radiantly lovely. He wanted to plant a deep and thorough kiss square on her lips to let everyone—especially her—know she was his.
She was sheathed in an elegant teal blue sundress that matched her eyes perfectly and lovingly wrapped her sweet, feminine curves. The spaghetti straps emphasized her creamy, toned shoulders and the dress flared lightly, ending mid-thigh. She was manna for his eyes.
He deduced the woman in front of her was Louise and despite the fact that her aunt was nearly a foot taller than Anna, closer to his own height, he could see the resemblance. They both had the same blonde hair, the same peachy complexion, and the same radiant blue eyes.
Louise's shrewd gaze gleamed as she lifted a hand to him. "You must be James. I’ve been waiting for you to arrive," she teased.
He chuckled as he bent over her hand and planted a light peck. "And you must be Aunt Louise. I've been looking forward to meeting you."
Louise's brows arched and she threw a disbelieving glance at Anna who stood off to the left, her saucer-wide eyes on him. "She told you about me? That's interesting."
Louise pursed her lips as she studied him, as if she were peering into his soul.
"Impressive…" Louise muttered under her breath. "Definitely impressive."
Not sure what that means, but it sounds good.
"It's nice to finally meet you in person, James."
"The pleasure is all mine, I assure you." His gaze moved to Anna and his heart skipped a beat as she stared back with liquid eyes, an uncertain look on her face.
She looked nervous and unsure. He wanted to wipe it all away and make her smile.
"Actually Anna has told me quite a bit about you,” James added. “She mentioned you grew up in Key West and then moved to Delray Beach."
"That's right. My family moved to Key West when I was very young."
James nodded. “It makes sense, then, that so many people would show up tonight to welcome you.” Grinning, he took an angled side step to stand in front of Anna.
"But if you'll pardon me, I've been waiting all day to see this one." He wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her in. He held back a snicker, enjoying the way her mouth dropped open on a gasp.
Weren’t expecting that, were you, Kitten?
He cupped Anna's cheek as his mouth swooped down to capture hers. She went slack in his arms for the first few moments, then she came alive, her arms tightening around his neck as she returned the kiss. He growled when her tongue drove into his mouth, tangling with his.
