Page 83 of Ashes of Us

The audit of the Honolulu hotel was completed quickly; it was in even better shape than their initial research had indicated.

Not that Danica was surprised; Richard ran a tight ship.

It was clear that even Alex had walked out of the last meeting very impressed, telling Danica that if he had a Richard in every hotel, they would be the biggest, most successful hotel chain in the world within two years.

They spent the next few days sightseeing around O'ahu, including a full day at Sunset Beach watching some of the surfing competition and Christmas shopping. They were wandering through the Ala Moana Center when Danica decided to bring up Christmas to Alex, casually asking what his plans were.

“Don't really have any.” He admitted, picking up a bowl carved from Koa wood and examining it. “I spent last year with Kieran and his family in Ireland, much to Heidi's annoyance, and I have an open invitation to come back, but I haven't given it much thought. What about you?”

“I'm sure Em and Xavier are expecting me.” Danica shrugged.

“But I think I want something quiet and relaxed, just me and Indie.

You're welcome to join us if you'd like.” She tried to sound nonchalant, like it wouldn't make her year if he decided to spend Christmas with her, but judging by his satisfied smirk, she hadn't quite succeeded and decided just to be honest. “I would really like it if you did, actually.”

Grinning and looking incredibly pleased, Alex put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to him as he put down the bowl.

“I would love to spend Christmas with you and Indie.” He kissed her temple as he steered her toward a men's clothing store.

“How quiet were you thinking? Are we bothering with a tree and decorating?”

“Wouldn't really be Christmas without a tree and decorations.” Danica slid her arm around his waist, enjoying how casually affectionate he had become since Halloween.

She had a feeling that if she wanted things to progress, it would have to be her to make the move, something she was very nervous about.

She didn't think she was wrong about him potentially being interested in her, but there was still that small doubt, especially when she compared herself to Heidi.

She'd never been one hundred percent comfortable in her body, disliking that she was all hips and ass, with an almost boyishly slender torso and small breasts that just barely filled a B-cup.

While she was virtually positive Heidi's body had been surgically enhanced, the woman had an incredible figure that had made Danica go green with envy when she first met her.

The fact that she had lost so much weight and was struggling to regain it wasn't helping things.

She didn't like to cook for just herself and found herself living on peanut butter and crackers if Alex had plans in the evening when they were home and travelling every other week since the middle of August had made her very sick of eating out.

“True.” Alex nodded thoughtfully. “We'll have to find a tree farm when we get back to Boston, and I don't know about you, but I don't have any decorations. Heidi used to hire someone to come in and decorate our place.”

“I don't have any either,” Danica admitted. “I never had to decorate. I either spent Christmas with your parents or with Jasper's, so there wasn't much point to setting up when I wasn't going to be there.”

“Looks like we have some more shopping to do then.”

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Danica let out a groan as she stumbled into the presidential suite later that night and dropped the bags she was carrying next to the couch.

Alex was still downstairs, putting the rest of their shopping finds on luggage trolleys with a bellhop to bring all of it up to their hotel room.

Kicking off her sandals, she put her hands in the small of her back and bent backwards, trying to stretch out the soreness.

She had never spent so much time shopping in her life before.

Seven different shopping centers, what felt like hundreds of stores, and dozens of bags full of Christmas decorations, presents, souvenirs, clothes and dog toys had taken an enormous toll.

All she could think about was getting in the jacuzzi and staying there all night.

Walking out onto the balcony, she started the jacuzzi, then went back to her bedroom to change out of her sundress and put on her swimsuit, a cute two-piece with black boy-cut shorts for the bottom and a white bikini top featuring a small cherry print.

Grabbing a towel, she walked back through the suite when the door opened and Alex walked in, his hands full of bags, closely followed by the bellhop.

“Need a hand?” She asked, pausing in the doorway to the balcony.

Alex looked over, and he saw his eyes darken when he looked at her, and he shook his head.

“No, won't take a minute,” he waved her out and turned to the bellhop, giving him instructions on where to leave their packages.

Shrugging, Danica went outside and stepped down into the bubbling water of the jacuzzi, settling in with a happy sigh.

She wasn't there long when Alex appeared, dressed in a pair of shorts, a towel thrown over his shoulder and carrying two blue cocktails in hurricane glasses.

He held one out to her as he stepped down into the jacuzzi, throwing his towel on top of hers when she took the glass from him and sat down beside her.

Taking an experimental sip of the drink, she was pleasantly surprised to find she liked it.

She wasn't much of a drinker, preferring to stay sober and in control of herself, but tonight she might need a little liquid courage.

“How is it?” Alex asked as he sipped on his own. “I've never made them myself before.”

“Really good.” Danica took another sip. It was fruity and bright, and she couldn't really taste any alcohol. “Really, really good.” Alex chuckled and placed his hand on top of her glass, making her lower it.

“Take your time, I don't want to have to look after your drunk ass.”

“That would be a first.” Danica laughed at the idea of Alex having to look after her.

“I'm usually the one looking after people when they're drunk.” She set the glass on the deck beside her and sank lower in the water, shifting so the jet was pointing directly at her lower back.

“I've never spent an entire day shopping before; my back is wrecked.”

“Really? I'm shocked.” Alex chuckled dryly, and she felt his hand slide behind her, starting to rub between her shoulder blades. “I never would have guessed that you, Danica Grace Preston, have never been drunk or spent all day shopping before.”

“Hey!” She lightly batted some water at him, playfully pouting a little. “I've been drunk before.”

“Yeah, I'm sure you got wasted on your twenty-first birthday and never again.” He raised his drink out of the way of her splashing and shook his head, a knowing grin on his face, but Danica was genuinely confused about his knowledge of her drinking habits.

“How did you...” She shook her head, decided she didn't want to know if she was really that predictable and picked up her drink again, taking a long swallow. “Never mind.” She muttered.

“I didn't mean it as a bad thing, Dani.” Alex's hand moved lower to the middle of her back as he continued to massage her. “I only drink occasionally, and I haven't been drunk since my wedding night.”

“You got drunk on your wedding night?” Danica turned and looked at him in shock.

“Really?” Alex nodded, and if Danica didn't know what a bitch Heidi was, she would have felt bad for her.

Jasper had been drunk on their wedding night, and it had taken her months to forgive him. “How did that go over?”

“Fine,” Alex lifted one shoulder in a shrug.

“She passed out in the bathroom, so I helped her up to bed and Kieran and I spent the rest of the reception drinking in a nearby bar while the rest of our guests danced the night away on my parents' dime.” He pressed in, and Danica winced as he hit a sore spot on her back that she hadn't even been aware of.

“Sorry.” He immediately eased up and gently rubbed the painful spot.

“Maybe we should book you in for a massage tomorrow.”

Danica shook her head frantically. She hated massages, hated people she didn't know touching her.

“I'm fine,” she mumbled. “Just a long day walking in sandals. Should have worn my sneakers.” She picked up her drink and took another long sip.

She could see he was giving her side-eye and smiled at him. “Really, I'm fine, just a little sore.”

“Uh huh.” He nodded, but Danica could tell he didn't really believe her, but he let it go, falling quiet and watching the way the moon and stars reflected on the ocean for a few minutes, his expression relaxed and peaceful.

“I think it's time to get out.” He stood up, stretching.

Danica grumbled to herself, but knew he was right, and slowly stood up with him.

He stepped out and held his hand out to help her.

Taking his hand, she let him help her step out, but instead of letting her go, he pulled her close to him, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing his hands into the small of her back, holding her in place as he looked down at her thoughtfully.

“Alex?” She whispered, unable to help herself, and put her hands on his chest, sliding them up over his shoulders. His eyes closed, a low groan escaping him as he dropped his head and rested his forehead on hers.

“You're driving me crazy.” He muttered, slowly shaking his head. “God, Dani, do you have any idea what you do to me?” He opened his eyes, and she could see a hint of remorse in them. “I'm sorry, I'm trying to behave here, but...”