Chapter Thirty-Five

IN HER CAPACITY AS CONCIERGE, Acacia had previously spoken with her counterparts at the Hotel Dubai. The hotel was one of the finest in the world and stood like a gigantic ship made of steel and glass on the Arabian Gulf.

Since she was no longer his assistant, Nicholas insisted on making the local arrangements himself. But Acacia called one of her contacts at the hotel to arrange for the delivery of a series of clothing items better suited to Dubai for Monsieur Breckman’s assistant, Andarta.

Acacia texted Kate the name of the hotel in Dubai and her expected dates of travel. She begged her not to pass the information on to Luc.

For travel, Acacia wore a very feminine black and white Chanel suit she’d purchased in Geneva. It was beautiful, but much too warm for Dubai, whose daily temperatures in summer reached forty degrees Celsius and above.

On the flight from Santorini, Nicholas insisted they sit together rather than across from one another. Rick and Kurt sat at the rear of the private plane. Nicholas worked on his laptop, answering emails in French, English, and German, and reading reports.

Acacia updated her resume to show her resignation from Hotel Victoire and her brief contract with one of Nicholas’s companies. Madame Bishop had agreed to help her. Truthfully, Acacia believed she would have to change fields and find another line of work once Monsieur Roy began to share his opinion of her with other hotels in Paris.

Nicholas moved his left arm to the armrest between them and discreetly placed his hand over hers. She looked over at him and smiled.

On instinct, she peered over her shoulder and found Rick staring at her. She turned back around as her face heated.

Nicholas had kept his promise to speak to Rick and Kurt about the change in her employment status. But Acacia knew how things appeared.

She’d loved Luc when they were together. Their intimacy had grown and deepened over time. But she’d ended things with him when he decided to enter law enforcement.

She had no illusions about her relationship with Nicholas. They were attracted to one another. They were affectionate. But Acacia believed it would be short-lived—perhaps a month or two at most.

“You look unhappy.” Nicholas’s dark eyes radiated concern.

“Just lost in thought.” She squeezed his hand.

He turned to look at Rick and Kurt before leaning toward her. “Forget about them.”

“Theoretically, I’m sure that’s possible. Not in practice.”

Nicholas’s lips twitched. “Theoretically, it’s possible to be near you and not touch you.” He touched her chin and angled her face toward him. “Not in practice.”

He brushed his lips against hers. When he pulled back, she was smiling again.

“Forget about them,” he repeated. “We’ll have privacy at the hotel. We should arrive at five o’clock local time, which means you have time for a nap.” He traced a line down her neck. “You need to conserve your strength.”

“Oh, really?”

His tongue peeked out from between his perfect lips. “Now that I know how you taste, I’m eager for more.”

Acacia felt her face flame.

He kissed her shoulder. “Rest up.”

She chuckled and closed her laptop. She felt the sudden urge to nap.

When Acacia awoke, they were preparing for landing. She’d fallen asleep against Nicholas’s shoulder. Remarkably, he’d been able to work without the use of his left arm.

After they landed at Dubai International Airport and taxied to the area that catered to private aircraft, they deplaned. As she stepped down the staircase to the tarmac, the heat hit Acacia like a wave. The sun was bright in the sky, and the temperature hovered at forty-six degrees Celsius, which was one hundred fifteen degrees Fahrenheit.

“Are you all right?” Nicholas looked up at her as she descended the stairs. He’d deplaned first, and she’d played the role of the dutiful assistant and trailed behind.

She nodded and smiled brightly at the uniformed staff from Hotel Dubai who waited a few feet away.

The staff escorted Nicholas and his entourage into a private lounge where they spoke with customs and had their passports stamped. While Nicholas exchanged pleasantries in English with the government officials, Acacia noticed a large, flat crate had joined their luggage. Two men in uniform accompanied the crate, along with an airport official.

The government official pulled Nicholas aside, and the two men approached the crate.

“Of course you can examine it.” Nicholas reached into the interior of his jacket and withdrew an envelope. He handed it to the official. “All the particulars are there. Can one of my staff oversee the examination?”

The government official nodded.

Nicholas gestured to Kurt, and the bodyguard stood next to the crate. The uniformed men, Kurt, and the government official accompanied the crate behind a set of doors.

When Nicholas returned to her side, Acacia resisted the urge to ask questions. There would be time for that conversation at the hotel.

One of the hotel staff piloted the rest of the luggage out a side door, while the other staff member led Nicholas and Acacia outside. A helicopter and its pilot stood nearby.

“Sir?” Acacia gave Nicholas a questioning look.

“The hotel sits on the Arabian Gulf. Although you can book a car service, I thought it would be more interesting to fly. We’ll have a brilliant view of the city as well as the water.” Nicholas stood a few feet away and clutched his briefcase tightly. It appeared his fingers were itching to touch her.

She gave him an appreciative look. “I’ve never flown in a helicopter before.”

“Prepare to be impressed.” He gestured for her to precede him.

One of the staff members escorted her to the helicopter, helped her inside, and closed the door firmly. Nicholas entered the helicopter on the other side.

Acacia’s heart raced as the helicopter lifted into the sky. Although the flight to the hotel was only ten minutes, it seemed longer. In the late afternoon heat, a kind of haze hung over the sprawling city and its skyscrapers. The blue-green water of the gulf dazzled her. Then she saw the hotel.

Hotel Dubai reminded her of part of a ship. It was a magnificent structure that rose high out of the water, linked to land by a palm-tree-lined causeway.

The helicopter circled the hotel once before it landed on a helipad on top of the building. Within minutes, they were met by more hotel staff who guided them into an elevator and down to their suite.

“Magnificent,” Acacia said as they exited the elevator. A large central atrium ascended to the highest point of the hotel. Glass allowed the sunlight to pour in, reflected by the white balconies that ringed every floor. Aegean blue and an abundance of gold, black, and red were featured in the décor.

When they arrived at their suite, the door stood open. Six staff members, some of whom wore national dress, formed a receiving line in the entryway. Acacia accepted a hot towel to wash her hands before she retrieved a glass of champagne from a silver platter.

“They pride themselves on seven star service,” Nicholas murmured as he saluted Acacia with his drink.

She sipped champagne as she followed Nicholas and the private butlers assigned to the suite. There was a dining room, a private kitchen and pantry, a sitting room, and an entertainment room in addition to the bedrooms.

Rick and Kurt’s bedrooms were on the first floor. Acacia’s room was situated across a wide hallway from Nicholas’s on the second story.

The butlers unpacked Nicholas first before they moved to Acacia’s room. They hung her clothes in a large dressing room and showed her the items she’d ordered through the concierge.

Nicholas dismissed the hotel staff as soon as possible and stood with Acacia in the front hall.

Before she could say anything, Nicholas placed a finger to his lips and crossed to the dining room.

Wen emerged from the doorway. He gave Acacia a wide smile and a wave.

She smiled and waved in return.

He scanned her with a metal wand and paused at her left arm. He opened his silver briefcase, removed a pair of magnifying glasses, and stared at her elbow. Then he used tweezers to remove something from the fabric of her jacket.

He placed the item, which looked like lint, in a small box. Then he finished scanning her from head to foot, along with the contents of her handbag, before he repeated the process on Nicholas.

Acacia observed the procedure anxiously.

After he finished, Wen pointed to the room he’d just vacated and gave Nicholas the thumbs-up.

Nicholas piloted Acacia into the dining room and closed the door. “Wen has already scanned in here, so we can talk now.”

He placed his hands on her forearms and rubbed gently. “My advance team scanned the suite before we arrived, but then the hotel staff came in to deliver your clothes and a few other items. They’re re-scanning everything.”

“What did he remove from my elbow?”

“A surveillance device.”

“From where?”

Nicholas shrugged. “It could be from one of the staff. It could have been placed in the helicopter and you brushed up against it.” He pulled her into his arms. “You’re safe. Don’t worry about it.”

Acacia’s forehead creased.

He brushed his lips against the creases. “I’m sorry to say this is a way of life for me.”

“I don’t know what people hope to accomplish by eavesdropping.” She touched his jaw, underneath his scar. “Please be careful.”

“I am always careful, mon trésor. Now that you’re with me, I’ll be careful with you, too. I swear it.”

He kissed her hungrily and lifted her arms so they wrapped around his neck.

When they parted, he pushed a few curls away from her face. “What do you think of the suite?”

“It’s incredible. Do you always stay here?”

“No.” He grinned sheepishly. “I wanted to impress you.”

His confession took her aback. He looked boyish and eager to please at that moment. She found his expression endearing.

“The suite is beautiful. Thank you.” She touched his chest. “But I was impressed first by your character.”

“Would that I would find myself worthy of you,” he whispered.

She frowned. “I’m as good as anyone, but not better.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” His thumb stroked her lifeline.

She tugged his head down and kissed him. Nicholas responded by bending her backward and pressing his body against hers.

“Your guest room is only for appearances.” His mouth moved to her neck. “Tonight, you’ll be in my bed.”

“I hope so.” She clung to his shoulders as his lips slid to her jaw.

“The dining room table looks sturdy.” He nipped her ear and pulled her upright.

Acacia looked over her shoulder at the large, gleaming mahogany table. “It’s about the right height.”

Nicholas laughed.

He gave the closed door a baleful look. “I wouldn’t want you to feel embarrassed.”

Acacia followed his gaze. She thought of the staff on the other side of the door. At the moment, at least, she didn’t care.

She removed her jacket and draped it over one of the chairs. Then she hopped up on the edge of the table and grabbed his tie. She pulled him between her knees.

“Brazilians are incredible,” he whispered.

She kissed him intensely and teased his tongue with hers. But when she loosened his tie, he caught her wrists with his hands.

“What’s the matter?” she asked.

“This isn’t…” He halted, his gaze on her hands.

“Did I do something wrong?”

He lifted his head. “No, you’re magnificent. And I’m hard and wanting.”

“Good.” She tugged, and he released her hands.

“This isn’t what I want for us—hiding from the staff, a brief liaison on a table.”

“We were just being playful,” she said quietly.

“Of course.”

He touched her cheek, and Acacia was sure he could feel her blush through his fingertips.

“I want to be playful. But I’m concerned about the timing.”

Acacia caught the edge of her tongue with her teeth. She shifted forward to move off the table, but he stopped her.

He placed his palms flat on the table on either side of her hips. “You’re insulted.”

She maintained eye contact. “Maybe you can explain what just happened.”

“I’m trying to tell you I brought you here because I enjoy your company. I don’t want you to think you’re here simply for sex.”

Her puzzlement lessened somewhat. “I was under the impression we’d become friends, as well as lovers. A spontaneous encounter on a table could be considered friendly.” She pressed down on the table experimentally.

“Then I’ll make sure it happens. But later.” He moved the back of his fingers across her jaw. “I’m supposed to have a conference call in about ten minutes. You deserve far more attention and far more time than that.”

He kissed the corner of her mouth, then the other corner. Finally, he kissed the center of her lips and tugged her lower lip into his mouth.

“Your wish, your pleasure,” he whispered.

Acacia shivered and pulled him closer.

Her cell phone rang, but she ignored it. Eventually, the call went to voicemail.

When her phone rang again, Nicholas stepped back. “I think you’d better check that.”

She scowled at the interruption, and with a curse, hopped off the table. She retrieved her phone from her handbag and looked at the screen. Two missed calls from Luc. One voice message.

One text from Kate, which read:

Luc is looking for you.
He’s worried, and so am I.
Please keep checking in
so I know you’re okay.

“I need a moment.” Acacia crossed to the other end of the dining room as her thumbs tapped against the screen.

At hotel in Dubai. I’m fine.
I’ll let Luc know I’m okay,
but I don’t want him to know where I am.
Thanks.

She sent the text to Kate and checked her voicemail.

Luc sounded agitated. “Acacia, where are you? Have you been getting my messages? Your colleague Marcel is dead. The Paris police are conducting a murder investigation. Call me.”

Acacia lowered her phone and stared at it.

“Something wrong?” Nicholas approached her.

She tapped the screen and turned the phone off. She skirted Nicholas to return the item to her handbag. “Luc keeps calling me.”

Nicholas followed. “What does he want?”

“He wants to know where I am. He heard about Marcel. He said the Paris police are investigating the murder.”

“As expected.” Nicholas drew near and looped his arm around her waist. “Luc needs to be told you’re seeing someone.”

Acacia lifted her chin. “I’ll handle it.”

Nicholas’s eyes searched hers. He released her and took a measured step back. His expression grew blank as he moved to the large, well-stocked bar. “Can I get you a drink?”

“No, thank you.” Acacia watched him, confused. His reaction was subdued but the air between them was unaccountably tense.

Slowly and meticulously, he poured himself a Grey Goose vodka and tonic. He sipped the drink thoughtfully. “We’ll need to vacate the suite while my team goes over everything. Would you like to visit the spa?”

“With you?”

“I’m sorry.” He gave her an apologetic look. “I have a conference call and a few other things. You could take a swim, if you like, and visit the steam room. Or have a massage?”

Acacia looked down at her hands. His offer was thoughtful, but clearly he was still irritated about Luc. “I’m not with him. I haven’t been for years.”

Nicholas inhaled. “I know.”

“You know?” She lifted her head. “How long have you known?”

“I knew you two had history. I wasn’t sure what your feelings were for him.”

Acacia’s eyes narrowed. “How did you know we have history?”

“It came up in my investigation.”

She cursed in Portuguese. “Do you investigate everyone?”

“I wanted to know if Luc was clean or on the take. When I met you, I was concerned you were involved in the same illegal activities as Marcel.”

Despite her best efforts, Acacia felt the muscles in her shoulders grow tight. “What did you find when you investigated me?”

Nicholas’s features softened, and he put his drink down. “That you were intelligent and industrious. That you were well respected and had won awards and commendations for your work, prior to joining Hotel Victoire. That you had a few friends but spent most of your time alone.”

“This isn’t fair.” She crossed her arms.

“It isn’t,” he admitted. “I began investigating you after our first interaction at the Victoire. I had no idea one day I’d have to look into those beautiful hazel eyes of yours and apologize for breaching your privacy.”

“Are you apologizing?”

“Absolutely, but only for investigating you. Luc looked into me; it was only fair for me to look into him.”

“How do you know he looked into you?”

“My people have put certain markers in place that indicate when someone, especially law enforcement, takes an interest in one of my identities. I knew a few minutes after he’d typed my name into the BRB database.”

“That’s frightening.”

Nicholas came a step closer and brought his chest in contact with hers. “Is it?”

“Knowledge is power. But it comes with tremendous responsibility.”

“I don’t disagree.” His expression grew thoughtful. “I’m sorry I can’t accompany you to the spa. But this evening, you’ll have my full attention.”

She rubbed her eyes. “Maybe a visit to the spa is a good idea. I wasn’t able to practice my martial arts this morning. I’ll work out my frustrations in the pool.”

“I’d rather you work them out with me.” Nicholas’s voice was close to a growl.

Acacia jerked her chin toward the dining room table. “We’ve had that conversation.”

Nicholas lowered his head and his eyes leveled with hers. “Please be patient with me. We’re new. We will both make mistakes. But we have something special, and I want to explore it.”

“All right.”

“Thank you for telling me about Luc.”

“You could have asked.”

He frowned. “I’ve been referring to him as your boyfriend. You never corrected me. You told me it was none of my business.”

She set her chin defiantly. “It wasn’t. Things have changed.”

He smiled. “Yes. Which reminds me, I have something for you.”

He returned to the bar, where a large black box sat. He presented it to her.

She gave him a questioning look. When she opened the box, she found folds of ivory silk. Nestled against the silk was a necklace, formed of large blue globes.

“I wanted to give you something to commemorate our time in Santorini.” Nicholas carefully removed the necklace from the box. “This is lapis lazuli. It matches the blue from the buildings on the island.”

Acacia touched her hamsa pendant. As she looked at Nicholas holding the beautiful necklace, she unfastened it and wound it around her wrist, turning it into a bracelet.

“You don’t have to take off your pendant,” he whispered. “You could wear both.”

She reached out and touched the large lapis beads. “I wouldn’t want them to get scratched.”

He indicated she should turn around. Carefully, he placed the necklace around her throat and fastened the large, gold clasp. The globes were cool and heavy against her skin.

Her fingers coasted over the smooth beads. “It’s exquisite.”

Nicholas turned her and took a step back. He smiled. “It looks wonderful.”

“Thank you.” She touched the necklace again. “I love it.”

His smile widened. “Good.”

She reached up and moved her lips to his, gently stroking the back of his neck. “Do I have to go to the spa? I’d rather stay here.”

He touched the curve of her cheek. “I need you to work out some frustration. But save some for me.”

“I’ll try.” She winked.

“Rick will go with you.”

“That’s hardly comforting.”

Nicholas chuckled. “Poor Rick.”

With one final kiss, Nicholas pulled away. “Enjoy yourself. I’ll meet you here before dinner.”

He opened the door. Rick stood in the entryway to the suite.

Nicholas followed Acacia into the hall. “Rick, please escort Miss Silva to the spa.”

Rick grunted and opened the door to the suite. He checked the hallway before he stood to one side, waiting for Acacia.

She smiled over her shoulder at Nicholas before she followed Rick into the hall.