Juliette had provided the opportunity. The rest was up to him.
MERRILEE SAT at her desk, staring at the large bouquet of red roses surrounded by baby’s breath and greenery, specially delivered to her at Secret Fantasy. Apropos considering the card hadn’t been signed, its sender anonymous, secret.
A knock sounded lightly on the closed wooden door to her office. “Come in.”
The door swung open and Juliette Stanton walked inside, dressed as if she’d just come from the beach. “Hello. I’m sorry to disturb you but I was wondering if you had a minute—Oh, what lovely flowers!” She walked forward until she stood in front of the large floral bouquet.
“Thank you.” Merrilee smiled. “I thought so too, though I do wish I knew who sent them,” she murmured.
Juliette bent forward and inhaled the fragrant scent. “A secret admirer? How romantic!”
Merrilee inclined her head. “More like mysterious.”
“Was there a card?” Juliette asked, then immediately waved her hand in the air. “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business.”
“Actually I’ve always felt once a person divulged their fantasies to me, a bond is created. I don’t mind answering. There was a note.” Merrilee lifted the standard-looking white card that had come attached to the flowers and read the inscription. “Roses, red as rubies. Because they’re your favorite.”
Juliette lowered herself into the armchair across from the desk. “And are they your favorite?”
Merrilee nodded. Because red rubies reminded her of Charlie, she thought, glancing down at her ring. But Charlie was long gone, as she knew too well. Getting sentimental and wistful over an intriguing gesture wouldn’t bring him back. And though she wondered who knew her secrets, now wasn’t the time to figure it out.
She pulled a tissue from the box on her desk and blotted beneath her eyes. “So what can I do for you?” she asked Juliette.
The younger woman’s eyes filled with concern. “Maybe this isn’t the best time. I can come back later.”
Merrilee waved away her misgiving. “It’s fine. I’m fine.” She’d learned to be, of necessity. “Go on, please.”
Juliette twisted her hands in her lap. “Well, I’m not familiar with how this fantasy stuff works but I have a request that may be…unorthodox.”
Merrilee smiled to put her guest at ease. “Trust me, there’s little I haven’t seen or heard as the person in charge of making fantasies come true.”
“Okay then.” Juliette drew a deep breath. “I want Doug—I’m sorry I don’t know his last name—but I want him as my fantasy man.”
Doug. Merrilee knew Juliette meant Doug Houston and realized he’d chosen anonymity as a cover. After Doug’s departure a week earlier, Merrilee had done some research of her own and was quite familiar with the behind-the-scenes story of this particular fantasy. She’d discovered, before agreeing to let him stay upon his second arrival, that he had told her the truth. One point in his favor but he was still on probation.
Merrilee understood now that if Juliette knew she’d chosen the man who’d printed the article on her ex-fiancé’s business partner, she’d bolt. Maybe. But maybe attraction and desire were stronger than fear.
“The man from the lobby earlier?” she asked, just to be certain.
Juliette nodded. “Yes. I know you said I’d be seeing more of him and I want to. I want to make sure he’s the man you’ve chosen for me. Unless he’s already taken?” Juliette’s eyes were wide as she waited for an answer.
“Obviously there’s a strong attraction between you two.”
Juliette blushed and averted her gaze. “I’m not sure I’ve ever felt this way before.” She laughed uncomfortably. “Kind of like it hits you between the eyes and you’re not certain what to do next.”
“Except not let him get away?” Merrilee asked, both amused and pleased Juliette was responding so strongly to Doug.
She grinned. “Exactly.”
The young woman had made Merrilee’s decision that much simpler. Bound by confidentiality and ethics, she wasn’t at liberty to reveal Doug Houston’s background or relation to Juliette’s recent past. That was for the two of them to work out, if and when the time came. But she’d studied Doug all afternoon and watched him around Juliette.
He might not be all he seemed, but Merrilee didn’t believe he was looking to hurt Juliette. “Well, I don’t see any problem. Whatever Doug’s fantasy, and you understand I can’t reveal that, it doesn’t involve another woman.”
Relief washed over Juliette. She hadn’t realized how nervous she’d been that she’d lose Doug before she ever had him. “So he’s…”
“Available.”
She laughed. “I was going to say mine.”
Merrilee leaned back in her seat. “Something tells me the man won’t know what hit him.”
Juliette grinned. “They say turnaround is fair play. As long as I’m giving in to the idea of this fantasy, I figured, why not try for the man who interests me most?”
“And I take it he’s fulfilling your fantasy needs?”
“Making me feel like no one or nothing else is more important than me?” She nodded. “He’s extremely good at that.” And so much more. His intensity was incredible. A woman could go her whole life without being the sole focus of a man’s attention. “I guess I owe my sister a thank-you for giving me this one week to enjoy and escape the problems back home.”
Merrilee nodded. “My hope is that my guests leave here with a whole new perspective on life.”
Juliette met Merrilee’s understanding gaze. “I’m hoping to leave here with a whole new perspective on a lot of things.”
“Well, if there’s anything I can do, please stop by again.”
She nodded. “Thank you. For everything. And until you find out who your secret admirer is, I hope you enjoy the attention.”
Just as Juliette would enjoy Doug’s.
Merrilee smiled, then stood, bracing her arms on the desk. “So, enjoy your stay at the resort, and let your fantasy begin.”
“I certainly will.” Juliette nodded, letting herself out of the office.
Her hand still on the cool doorknob, she recalled her time with Doug. For a split second this afternoon, she’d taken one look at such a good-looking man and nearly laughed at herself for thinking he’d be interested in her. Then she’d felt his hot hand against her thigh and his strong words of reassurance. She’d realized it was Stuart speaking inside her, making her doubt herself, stifling the confident woman she ought to be.
She’d allowed Doug to bring her confidence back because he cared enough to try. And caring was something she’d obviously missed out on—along with sexual tension and amazing chemistry. She thought about the upcoming week. Doug was a man who’d distract her from the dilemma over how and when to reveal her ex-fiancé’s deceit. A man with whom she could cast away the safety net she’d hidden behind all her life and discover the sensual side of herself she’d believed was missing or nonexistent. A man she’d never see again after their time together.
And most important, a man who wasn’t using her for her social or political connections.
JULIETTE STEPPED out of her cottage and into the humid night air. The floral scent she’d come to associate with the island hung heavy but, after the stifling isolation of home, she welcomed the fresh air and fragrant smells. She followed