“Ah,” Derian said, putting the pieces
together. She’d met with the tech’s CEO six months before when the rising
tycoon first showed interest in investing in American sports teams. “And how is
Mr. Yee?”
“Very well, thank you. We’re so happy to have
this opportunity to meet with you.”
“As am I,” Derian said automatically. She’d
danced this dance dozens of times in the past and wondered if she hadn’t
inherited far more of Martin’s business shrewdness than she wanted to admit. Right
now, the last thing she wanted to be thinking about was Martin. Every time she
thought about him, she heard Emily’s subtle accusation that she was motivated
by her need to best him. She shook off the memory. “I appreciate you meeting
me.”
Ming smiled slowly. “Of course, we are
pleased to offer you any courtesy we can.”
Derian had a feeling those courtesies might
extend far beyond a ride from the airport, and felt not the slightest twinge of
interest. What she wanted was a long shower, a longer drink, and something,
anything, to occupy her mind. A liaison with a strange woman, however, was not
on that list.
She collected her luggage and carried it out
to the waiting car. The trip to the hotel was mercifully short and she didn’t
have to do more than make casual passing conversation with Ming. When the limo
pulled up in front of the Copa, she shook Ming’s hand and bowed. “You were very
gracious to take the time to meet me.”
“We are staying here as well,” Ming said,
again with a smile that could be an invitation but stopped short of being
insistent. If she was disappointed that Derian didn’t request to meet at
another time, she didn’t show it. “My suite is 407. Please ring me if I may be
of service.”
“I’m sure I’ll see you again, and please give
my regards to Mr. Yee.”
Derian picked up her key from the express
check-in wall and headed directly upstairs. The hotel bar would undoubtedly be
filled with people she wasn’t in the mood to talk to just yet. Her suite was
another large, fully appointed trio of rooms with the requisite balcony, this
one overlooking the Copa beach. A cool ocean breeze cut the shimmering heat
enough to make sitting outside look inviting. Still jittery, like a car with
the idle revving too high, Derian took a shower and ordered up a bottle of
champagne. In briefs and a short-sleeved shirt, she settled on a lounger on the
balcony and let the alcohol slowly dull her nerves. Watching couples amble
across the white glittering sand, she glanced at the empty recliner beside her.
Loneliness was not a sensation she generally dwelled upon, but she couldn’t
help wishing Emily was there with her. An evening spent over a quiet dinner and
a late-night stroll on a moonlit beach, Emily’s hand in hers and Emily’s warm
laughter washing over her, struck her as more satisfying than anything she’d
ever done. She’d never wanted that with any other woman, and she wouldn’t be
finding it anywhere she went tonight.