Page 44 of Captivated By You

“You say that now. But things change.”

She bit her lip and diverted her attention to the window.

My muscles tensed as I observed her. A simple sentence, but one steeped in a personal experience.

Things change.

Had she found herself in a situation similar to this one, and it had ended badly for her?

It had to be something of that nature.

If she were my assistant, or a board member, or someone I worked with every day, I wouldn’t pursue her. But she worked in one of my hotels, albeit the one in the city I lived in. It wasn’t as if I visited it all that often. I’d been there more of late because of the bullshit with Forster, but under normal circumstances, I might call in four, five times in a year.

My instincts fired up.

Her reluctance to enter into a relationship with me had nothing to do with me and everything to do with something that had occurred in her past.

I opened my mouth to ask her about it but changed my mind.

Now wasn’t the time.

She’d stiffened up, and if I asked, I expected she’d shut me down, which would make bringing up the subject again difficult. Timing was key, and I’d only ever get a first chance once.

“We’re at cruising height now. Feel free to move about the cabin if you want to stretch your legs.”

She let out a huge breath, and her posture slumped, almost as if she was relieved I hadn’t drilled her for information. It backed up my decision to bide my time before risking digging deeper into what I figured was a painful past.

“Tell me about your company.”

When I showed surprise, she smiled.

“I’m genuinely interested. I hope to have a long career with Kingcaid hotels, and while I did my research before applying, I want to hear it from you. How it started, where it’s going, what your plans and hopes are for the future. We have two hours to fill, after all.”

As I opened my mouth, her hand shot up.

“Don’t you dare.”

I grinned. “It’s both delightful and worrying that you read me so well.”

“It isn’t difficult.”

“To most people, I have a poker face worthy of a champion.”

She shrugged. “Maybe stay away from Vegas.”

I laughed, hard. “You are pretty damn special, Kiana Doherty.”

“Compliments, however well intended, will not make me change my mind.”

“No matter. I have many tools in my arsenal.”

She squinted, but her eyes held a twinkle of mischief. “I knew you were trouble from that very first meeting.”

“It’s true. I am. You should run fast and far. Just know that Iwillchase you.”

She shook her head again—she seemed to do that a lot in my company—but her lips lifted on one side.

“I think it’s the chase that’s fun for you, Mr. Kingcaid. Once you catch your prey, you get bored.”

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