Temptation

Momentarily, Noelle stood at the threshold of the dining room quietly observing the guests, and hoping to catch a glimpse of Tempest and Braxton, to no avail. However, she was totally satisfied that her fantasy hideaway had become her reality. Maybe now the gossipmongers would begin to take her seriously. There was no way that anyone could doubt that Liaisons was a huge success. And she’d only just begun.

“Checking on your guests again?”

The decidedly intimate voice came from behind her.

Noelle stole a glance over her shoulder to see Cole Richards standing a mere breath away. Her pulse shuddered as her brief glance told her that he was even more handsome than when she’d last seen him. If that were possible.

He stepped around to stand at her side.

“It’s my responsibility to make sure that everyone at Liaisons is well taken care of, Monsieur Richards.”

His slow smile taunted her. “I’m sure that everyone appreciates your conscientiousness.” He paused, noting the seriousness of her expression. “Please call me Cole. I’m sure we’ll be seeing enough of each other to be able to drop formalities.”

Her expression slowly relaxed. “I suppose you’re right. You must excuse me if I seem…”

“Anxious?” he said completing her sentence.

Her smile was tremulous as she nodded.

“It’s just that I’ve worked so hard for so long to—” she spread her hand in explanation “—make this all happen. I just want everything to be perfect.”

He saw the shadow of doubt flicker in those beautiful brown eyes and he had to reassure her.

“Believe me, I can’t imagine anyone thinking otherwise.” He lowered his gaze and then looked directly at her and added gently, “I’m sure Jordan would be very proud of what you’ve accomplished.”

“You knew my husband well?” she asked, smoothly sidestepping the compliment.

“Yes. Very well.”

Noelle recognized her opportunity. She straightened her shoulders and tilted her head.

“Would you care to join me for dinner—Cole?”

He took her elbow and grinned. “I thought you’d never ask. I’m starved.”

Dinner conversation was easy, unstrained and at times filled with laughter. They talked about old movies, the economy, hobbies, places that they had been and found that they had a lot in common. The unspoken realization was tantalizing.

“Your chef is magnificent,” Trent complimented, pushing slightly away from the table. “I can’t remember ever having poached salmon that could compare to this.”

Noelle smiled appreciatively.

“Jordan and I met Paul, the chef, when we were in Paris,” Noelle explained. “I decided then and there that if I were to ever have this dream of mine come true, I would make sure that Paul was my chef.”

Trent brushed his lips with the linen napkin then tucked it beneath his empty plate. “So you thought about Liaisons for a while?”

Noelle nodded. “All of the years that I worked at my aunt’s café in New Orleans, I envisioned a place of my own. Something unlike any other,” she added wistfully,

“You’ve outdone yourself.” He looked around the elegant dining hall, then back at Noelle. When his dark eyes settled on her, she felt her insides flutter. “I can’t imagine all the time and work it took to put this all together.”

She sighed. “I had a good teacher.”

For several moments they sat in companionable silence, sipping the last of their wine, each caught in momentary memories of Jordan Maxwell.

“Would you like to take a walk with me around the grounds?” Trent asked. “I haven’t had a chance to see very much.”

Noelle smiled. “I’d like that very much.”

They talked softly as they strolled across the grass covered slopes, with Noelle pointing out her favorite spots and explaining where some of her ideas had arisen.

“I wanted to try to recreate some of the wonderful things that I’d seen in my travels and bring them all together in one place.

“Like the fountains over there.” She pointed in the direction of the enormous marble fountains. “I’d seen those in Greece. The ideas for the pillars came from seeing the ruins in Rome. The hieroglyphics on the stone wall in the steam rooms came from my visits to the tombs in Egypt.”

Trent was visibly impressed, Noelle noticed with a touch of pride.

“You’ve obviously traveled a great deal. Not many people are that lucky.”

“Jordan tried to make sure that the whole world would be an education for me.”

Noelle slowed down and stopped walking. Trent halted his step and turned toward her. His expression registered concern.

“Is something wrong?”

She stood still for several moments framing the questions in her mind. “How well did you know Jordan? When did you see him last?”

He knew the questions were inevitable, and had dreaded this very moment from the time he mentioned that he’d been with Jordan at the purchase of Liaisons. Careless. He hated having to lie to her. She was so beautiful, so sincere, nothing like the person that he’d envisioned. But he felt he had no other choice.

He stepped cautiously closer. She looked so fragile and vulnerable. Her luminous brown eyes were wide with expectation.

“We worked—together,” he began, “on several projects.”

Noelle’s brow creased. “I don’t remember Jordan ever mentioning you.”

He thought quickly. “I was more of a consultant. He called me in from time to time.”

She lowered her gaze to the ground. Her voice was barely above a whisper. Trent strained to catch each word.

“I hadn’t seen Jordan for three months before the—accident. He’d spent his time traveling and then when the revolt started, he told me he couldn’t get away, there were too many things to take care of.”

Slowly she looked up, her eyes glistening with memories. “I’m sorry,” she said, swallowing back a sob. “I didn’t mean to drag you into my problems.” She sniffed and smiled weakly.

His gut twisted with guilt. “It’s all right,” he assured her softly. He pulled a monogrammed handkerchief from the breast pocket of his midnight blue dinner jacket and handed it to her. Instantly he realized his error.

The initials TMD hypnotized him. He held his breath while Noelle dabbed at her eyes.

“Thank you Cole.” She handed him the handkerchief. His relief was almost palpable. Noelle read it as discomfort. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I don’t usually do this kind of thing. Especially around strangers.”

His eyes roved over her face. “I was hoping that we were more than strangers.” He grinned mischievously. “Especially after this morning, Mrs. Maxwell,” he teased, his look bringing back swift memories of their earlier encounter at his suite. His crooked smile made Noelle laugh in spite of herself.