Free Romance in Dallas - Tycoon! by Nancy Fornataro Page B

tiles shiny
dark marble.
    She noticed an atrium bar, along with huge
fish tanks, holding all variety of bright blue, yellow and pink
tropical fish.
    Ram was on his phone, as usual, and motioned
her to sit and wait for him.
    Next, she heard snatches of his conversation
with a broadly smiling chocolate-colored manager. The unusual,
lilting Bahamian dialect was lovely she thought.
    A porter took their bags, while they rode an
elevator up to the room. Unfortunately, it was a speed elevator and
her belly lurched.
    "I think my stomach's still down there," she
told Ram.
    Laughing, he replied, "Sorry. I should have
warned you."
     
    But, as she entered the penthouse, she
gasped. "Oh, Ram. It's lovely."
    The living room was spacious, sporting muted
beige couches and chairs, with matching patterned seat-back
pillows. There were numerous potted large-leaf ferns, glass tables,
a dining table with four mahogany chairs, on the balcony four
casual chairs and another glass table, along with lounge chairs and
a blue shade umbrella.
    "Oh!" she exclaimed as she walked on the
balcony. The view below held miles of pristine, white beaches and
aquamarine water with small waves lapping, moored large speed boats
at a dock further down, along with tall swaying palm trees. A
swimming pool lay below, arching its way around lounge chairs and
blue shade umbrellas, with palms and red flowers.
    She was fairly speechless, and with her hand
held against her mouth, turned to Ram. "Oh, my," she finally
managed.
    He laughed, as he clicked his phone closed.
"Your eyes are like saucers. I'm glad you like it."
    She half-fell into a chair, still looking
around at the suite.
    "Can I get you anything?" He walked over to
the mini-bar in the corner, next to a compact kitchen.
    "When is the last time you took a pain pill?"
she asked.
    "It's worn off already, unfortunately."
    She noticed he had limped on the way up to
the room. "Don't mix the two. That can be very dangerous."
    He turned and crossed his arms, while he
gazed at her. "It won't kill me. Now, what would you like? Mixed
drink? Soft drink? Coffee? Tea? Me?"
    Watching him lounge, she grew warm just
thinking about their closeness the day before. "I'll have vodka.
Straight up."
    Then she thought she should kick herself.
After all, it was morning. "I'll throw caution to the wind," she
added.
    "Don't worry," he said, as if reading her
mind while he popped the vodka bottle top, "you'll have time to
sleep it off."
    He poured one for himself, returning to her
now. "There you go. Actually, a little later today, because I have
so many meetings and things to catch up on, I've booked you for a
spa treatment."
    "I've never been to a spa before," she
said.
    "My wife used to like it..." his voice
trailed off and he sat down stiffly on the chair across from
her.
    "It's all right," she said softly, "you can
talk about her."
    And, they did for a while. Jace found out Ram
met Susan at an art opening, where her paintings were displayed.
He'd married her a few months after that.
    Jace noticed his conversation didn't go near
the accident or its causes. He just spoke of their life together.
And, she couldn't help feeling a tug of remorse for him and herself
as well, while jealousy pulled at her.
    Ram left an hour later, dressed in a nice
suit, and he pecked her on the cheek before he left. "We're going
to Club Satire tonight for dinner. Upscale, kind of trendy. I think
you'll like it."
     
    Feeling glum, she called and got directions
to the spa.
    Once there, she met the owner, Mari, a
slight, dark-haired young woman who showed her the massage area,
the showers and whirlpool tub, hairdressing area and manicure with
pedicure stations.
    "We'll start with the hair," the slim
director said, as her fingers combed through Jace's curls.
    She washed then conditioned Jace's hair,
talking the whole time.
    "So," she said, "you're here with
Ramsey?"
    "Yes," Jace replied, loving the feel of the
head massage the woman gave as she washed and rinsed