Dreams That Bind Us (Romancing The Keys #3)

Chapter 14

S unset Key, Two weeks later

"Welcome back, Mr. Armstrong. We're so happy you could join us this evening." The concierge clutched a clipboard and directed their attention to the two young men standing nearby on the dock. "Thomas and Henry are available to help you with anything you may need."

"Thank you, Terry." James stepped off the plank onto the dock and offered a hand to Anna, who was quickly followed by Louise. He held his arms out to each woman and grinned when they both latched on.

"Wasn't that fun!" Louise remarked, looking over the dock's edge to the water below. "Thank you for the invite, James. This is positively stunning."

James led the ladies up the dock to the pebbled path of Sunset Key. "Just wait until dinner. The restaurant here is one of the best I've ever tried."

Louise swatted his shoulder. "That's high praise coming from a Manhattan boy."

James chuckled. Anna's aunt loved to tease him and he found it very easy to like Louise. Even though it seemed the woman was looking right through his soul sometimes, deep down she was a wonderful woman and full of life.

A lot like her niece.

"Then you know I've visited many outstanding restaurants in my day. I'm not lying when I say this one is in my top five."

"Ooooooh!" Louise clutched his arm. "I simply must know your top five now."

"What's that I heard you say, James? It's only in your top five?" Carl’s booming voice came to their left. "Are you fibbing to these beautiful ladies? You know we're the best."

"Carl!" James steered the ladies over and shook the old man's hand. It had only been two days since they'd been camped across from each other in the restaurant, finalizing their deal. "So glad you could join us."

James turned to Anna. "Anna, love, you remember Carl from the last time we were here?"

"Of course." She offered her hand to Carl, who immediately placed a kiss on it. "It's good to see you again."

"You are still as lovely as ever, my dear." Carl's gaze swiveled to Louise, and James could have sworn he saw a gleam in the old man's eyes. "But James, please do me a favor and introduce me to this stunning vision before I embarrass myself."

James snorted. "I think we're past that, man. Louise, this is Carl Owens, a good friend of mine. And Carl, this is Anna's aunt from Delray Beach, Louise Marlowe. She grew up in Key West and moved north several years ago."

"Any friend of James is a friend of mine," Louise responded, smoothly gliding toward Carl. "Please don't disappoint me, Carl. After that display with my niece, my expectations are fairly high."

Carl chuckled. "I wouldn't dream of slighting such a gorgeous woman." He made a grand show of bending over her hand and gracing it with a light kiss, outdoing any royal’s fancy etiquette.

"Anna and I were showing Louise around the island. Would you like to join us?"

Carl clutched his heart. "Why, I would be insane to turn down such an offer. Especially since you're technically the new owner." The old man shrugged. "I mean, the only thing holding it up is all that legal gobbledy-gook to be finalized."

James grimaced. He hadn't found the right time to tell Anna that he was the new owner of Sunset Key's Diamond Resort. She'd been shocked when she’d learned he’d bought the house sight unseen. So it was common sense that she’d be stunned by this new information.

Right on cue, Anna swiveled a shocked gaze toward him, her eyes like saucer plates. He nearly groaned out loud as his worry was confirmed. If she only knew what the rest of his business dealings entailed. For some reason, his wealth made her uncomfortable despite the fact that her business catered to Key West’s elite.

"You bought this entire island?" Her tone was a combination of accusation and disbelief.

"Well, no," he answered softly. "I've bought the resort. There are still several privately owned homes on Sunset Key. They enjoy the luxuries of the resort, but they pay an annual fee for that privilege, sort of like HOA dues."

Anna’s expression pinched as if the idea made her uncomfortable. "But, I don't?—"

"Louise, my dear," Carl cut in as he held an arm to Louise. "It would be my pleasure to give you that tour."

Louise's lips curled as she accepted. "I would simply love that. Thank you."

Carl beamed and his chest puffed out, looking like he was walking on air. "This way. We'll start in the main office. If you look close enough, you may spot some of your niece's furniture there," he teased.

"Carl, when you two are done with the tour,” James interjected. “Would you escort Louise to our table in the restaurant's private section? There will be an extra seat for you at our table if the thought appeals."

"I would be delighted." Carl's eyes twinkled as he led Louise along the pebbled path, pointing out areas of interest as they strolled arm-in-arm.

James turned to Anna, who watched Carl lead her aunt away, her brow beetled. "They'll be fine, don't worry."

"Oh, I'm not worried, at least not for Aunt Louise, anyway. But Carl may fall hopelessly in love with her before the night's over. She has that effect on men."

"It seems to run in the family," James murmured, as he pressed his lips to Anna's ear, feeling her shiver in response.

"Regardless of what happens to Carl's heart, it'll keep them busy while we finish this discussion." He slipped his hand into hers, leading her in the opposite direction toward his house.

"I can't believe you bought an island." There was a timidity to her voice that told him his assumptions were correct. She was intimidated by his wealth.

Don’t worry, Kitten. You'll get used to it.

"I didn't buy the island, just the resort," he reiterated. "When Carl and I met at that bar months ago, he mentioned he was thinking about selling and I revealed I was investing in Key West real estate. This is an outstanding property, and Carl has managed it very well. I mentioned to you that I'm selling off some of my businesses, and I want to invest more in this area, beyond just bringing The Majestic back. It was an easy decision."

Anna was silent for a few moments, her mouth opening and closing several times. "I just…"

"Come on. Stop worrying about the resort. I want to show you what I've done to the house since the last time we were here."

"What more could you have done to the house?" Anna sent him a scolding look. "It was perfect the way it was."

"Mmmmmmm." James squinched his nose. "No, it wasn't perfect. It was designed several years ago for another family. We need something entirely different, especially since I'm considering making this my primary residence."

He hadn't mentioned that idea to Anna yet, trying to be as low key as possible. But after Louise's tarot reading, he'd begun to think of their future, seeing them as a family rather than just a dating couple.

Their relationship was moving quickly, he knew. Some would say recklessly so. But even the more logical parts of his brain weren’t sounding alarms at the speed of their romance. His instincts were operating in overdrive when it came to this woman. It was almost time for him to lock this down and make Anna permanently his.

Anna blinked. "You are? When did you decide this?"

"I haven't made any decisions yet, but there's something about this place that calls to me. It's still part of Key West but far enough away from all the craziness."

"I can understand that. I bet it would be amazing to have a workshop here. But this," she sighed. "I just don't know."

He lightly squeezed her hand. "What don't you know? Talk to me, Kitten."

"Well, my workshop is on Stock Island. If you're out here, I won't get to see you as often."

"Why would that be the case?" he asked. "This could be where you come every afternoon after work. It's just a short ferry ride away."

She made a non-committal sound in the back of her throat. "I like your house in Old Town, especially with all the changes you're making."

"I like it, too. But this is quiet and peaceful." He stopped and pulled her in to his chest, kissing the top of her head. "It’s the perfect escape from the island chaos."

Anna giggled. "There's no chaos on Stock Island. And my warehouse is back near the docks, so not only am I difficult to find, but no one ever bothers me."

"No one would find you here and the view is better." James knew how to sell real estate.

She bobbed her head. "I can't argue with that. It's definitely prettier scenery than old rusty boats and the smell of decaying fish parts."

"See?" James draped his arm over her shoulders and continued down the path. "Promise me you'll think about it. You'll have a reserved parking spot available for you at the resort garage on the docks, and I'll even make sure it's one of the larger spots on the bottom floor so your truck will fit."

He knew he was almost there when she started laughing. "Okay, I'll think about it."

"Fair enough." The house was looming ahead of them. "You can't see it as well in the fading light, but I had the interior and exterior repainted. Had to twist a few arms to get the perfect shade of light blue that I love."

"That's my favorite color," she commented.

James grunted. "Mine, too. I did the best I could to match the color of your eyes."

Anna stopped and stared up at him, the stars shining in her gaze. "Stop being so romantic."

He turned toward her, cupping her cheeks and lifting her face. "Never gonna happen," he breathed against her lips. He kissed her softly, noting the way she shivered and how her hands clutched at his waist. "You can expect it to continue on steroids."

She blinked at him, her plump lips moist. "On steroids?"

"I plan on spoiling you rotten, Kitten. You'll get used to it." Unable to resist, his mouth slanted over hers. She was like the finest drug churning through his system or a perfect bottle of wine that he never wanted to end.

With a groan, he pulled away, clasping her hands together between his. "I have to stop now or I'll take you right here on this path in front of everyone." Not much of a threat since they were the only two people around. "And being arrested for public fornication is not how I want to commemorate buying this resort," he teased, loving the way the apple of her cheeks bloomed pink. "Let's save this for when we get back home where we can celebrate properly."

He chuckled when the shade on her cheeks turned from pink to a deep scarlet flush.

"This is such a beautiful piece of paradise. I can't believe what they've done with this little island," Aunt Louise commented. She squinted at the evening sky.

"If I remember correctly,” she continued, “the government sold it to a developer in the late eighties. When I left Key West around 1994, it was big news around town that they were planning to build a small housing development. It was such a joke because from Mallory Square, we could still see the piles of junk equipment littering the key. They were a laughing stock for years because everyone knew the military had been dumping there for decades. It wasn't just a junk depot but also contaminated with fuel and other wastes. It was ludicrous."

“And yet, here we are,” Carl commented, his eyes gleamed as he leaned toward Aunt Louise, clearly enjoying their conversation.

"It took several years to clean out the water and build the remaining infrastructure. Then, of course, the housing construction began. And can you imagine what it took to get all the construction materials here?" He settled back in his chair. "But by the time they were selling houses, the developer had a wait list of buyers."

"And I bet you were at the top of that list," Aunt Louise answered, batting her eyelashes.

Anna grinned, sipping her coffee. She couldn't remember the last time she’d seen her aunt flirt with a man. The chemistry between the two was palpable. Anyone could see the electricity popping between Carl and her aunt.

Aunt Louise tossed her head. "Well, clearly all the doubters—including me—were wrong, because this is spectacular and the view is breathtaking." She tapped Carl's hand. "Tell me, Carl, do all your guests get the five-star treatment like this from the restaurant?"

"When it's requested, of course. James wanted to celebrate tonight, as he should. And I assure you, the rest of the restaurant does not disappoint," he assured her.

"I'm sure you're right." Her aunt flipped a lock of hair over a shoulder, holding a seductive pose.

Oh yes, there was definitely something between these two. Very interesting.

Anna’s eyes turned to the ocean, noting the way the lights glimmered off boats in the distance. The moon hung high in the sky, full and bright. Even with the light breeze, it was a perfect evening for a dinner outside. James couldn't have chosen better weather.

As if he sensed her thoughts, his warm hand slid over her thigh, grabbing her attention. She gave him a contented smile. He was so elegantly handsome he took her breath away sometimes. So much so, she often wondered what he saw in her, what drew him to her other than their shared dreams.

When he mentioned taking Aunt Louise to dinner on Sunset Key, the last thing she expected was to be celebrating his purchase of the island, or resort.

Whatever. It was still mind boggling. She couldn't help the nagging feeling of not being good enough.

Anna had always been at peace with herself, even in the worst of times. She hated feeling insecure and out of place. What woman wouldn’t wonder why a man like James, who could have anything and anyone, would want her?

She was a simple artist who preferred the peace of her warehouse and quiet evenings to that of social events. It was a far stretch for her to even imagine a jet-setter’s lifestyle. She'd never be comfortable at posh cocktail parties or large formal dinners. It just wasn't her.

"I can see the wheels turning in your head," James murmured in her ear. "What are you thinking, Kitten?"

Anna glanced at her aunt, but she and Carl were absorbed in their own discussion and not paying them the least bit of mind.

Anna turned to James, her teeth worrying at her bottom lip. She wasn't sure how he'd handle her honesty, but she didn't want to mislead him into believing she was comfortable.

"What is it?" he whispered, his eyes pinched with concern.

"This is all just… overwhelming for me. I'm not sure what to think about you owning all this. And I don't know why I'm here." It sounded stupid now that she'd voiced it out loud, but it didn't make the dark feelings go away.

His lips curled into a sweet smile as he placed a finger under her chin, lifting her face to his. "You're here because I'm in love with you and I wanted to share this with you."

The breath froze in her chest at his words. She wondered idly if she’d misheard him. Their relationship was still fairly new and they certainly hadn’t discussed any emotions other than desire, much less the “L” word. She couldn’t even grasp how to reply.

Luckily it didn’t seem like he expected a response as he kissed her softly, a knowing twinkle in his green gaze.

"And," he continued, "it's just business, love. I have properties like this all over the world. By the time I'm done selling most of them off, I'll be downsizing quite a bit despite this acquisition. But this is where I want to be long term."

Anna nodded absentmindedly. It was difficult to follow the conversation when her brain had melted down at those five little words he’d dropped on her.

I’m in love with you.

How was it even possible that he felt that deeply in the short amount of time they’d known each other?

Because we're soulmates.

Her heart constricted in her chest and she absently rubbed the aching spot.

"Did you enjoy the dinner?" James asked, changing the subject.

Anna bobbed her head. "It was amazing. Their key lime pie might be the best I've ever had."

James grinned. "I'm told it's the chef's specialty. He's won awards across the globe. Was there anything else you wanted?"

"No, I’m stuffed." She lifted her cup. "This coffee is a perfect end to a lovely meal." She glanced at her aunt. "Did you get enough, Aunt Louise?"

Aunt Louise, in deep conversation with Carl, blinked at the interruption. "Oh, yes, dear. Thank you. Carl and I were just discussing travel."

"I have a villa in Tuscany that would inspire your creativity, Anna," Carl explained. "Some say the light is an artist's dream."

"I've always wanted to go to Italy." Aunt Louise sighed wistfully.

"Then we should go. I need to celebrate my latest windfall." He winked at James. "And the weather will be perfect there in another two weeks."

"Oh, Carl! I would love that," Aunt Louise gushed, snagging his hand with both of hers.

The old man preened. "Then it's settled. We'll leave for Tuscany in two weeks, and you'll be my guest."

"I can't wait!" Aunt Louise riffled through her purse and pulled out her tarot cards. "Carl, you simply must let me do a reading for you. I'm feeling a rush of positive energy coming from you right now."

"Go for it, Carl," James advised. "Her readings are amazingly accurate. Mine changed my life."

Aunt Louise's mouth curved into a pleased smile. "The fact we're here tonight celebrating your purchase of this resort is proof that your reading was correct." She shrugged one shoulder. "Well, that was only part of your reading. The rest is still to come. The universe is doing its best to get to you, James, but there will be turbulence first. You’ll be tested, and it won’t be easy. You must prepare yourself."

Phrased as they were, her aunt’s words were both a warning and a promise, making Anna’s stomach drop like a stone. There was no telling what it meant for them.

Based on her personal experience, Anna knew there was no use trying to prevent whatever it was that would happen. Sometimes you just had to have faith that everything would end up the way it was supposed to.

Anna glanced at James, noticing from his beetled brow that he didn’t care for the news any more than she did. He opened his mouth like he wanted to ask something, but no words came out.

Anna squeezed his thigh and winked when his gaze shot to hers, hoping to comfort him. Her aunt had a flair for the dramatic at times and people were either blindsided by her subtle warnings or mocked her messages. James was the former, and only fools chose the latter.

Carl cleared his throat and gave Louise a little nudge. "Where would you like to do this?"

"Here is just fine, Carl."

Anna listened half-heartedly as Carl was led through his reading, but inside anxiety churned in her stomach like a storm. Aunt Louise was rarely wrong.

So how exactly would they be tested?