7. Chapter Seven
Chapter Seven
ANGIE
Today had given me more fulfillment and pride in my job than anything else I’d done. It reminded me of how much I enjoy interacting with people and being busy. I’d never been good at sitting for long periods of time. Even as a kid. That was ultimately what I figured out with my computer major in college. Sitting for hours in front of a computer didn’t do it for me. It was boring and didn’t keep my mind or body busy enough.
I had enjoyed my waitressing job and, most recently, the management position. The pace of a restaurant, meeting and talking with new people, was perfect for keeping me busy and happy. That was probably why the idea of some place new had excited me so much.
I exited the ballroom and headed toward the front lobby. The wedding had run smoothly. Little to no issues, thankfully. The staff was still cleaning up and getting ready to start breaking down, waiting for the last of the guests to leave. But worry shot through me as I looked up and found Steven approaching.
“Angie?”
“What do you need?” I could tell from his facial expression he didn’t like what he had to ask me.
“Um.” He shifted on his feet. “I called Drake over at the fire department to come assist us with an issue but wanted to give you a heads-up.”
“Is there a fire?”
He shook his head. “No.” A blush crept up his neck and into his face. “A couple decided to use handcuffs for, um, fun.”
Oh my. I couldn’t help but chuckle. But poor Steven looked so uncomfortable.
“Apparently they can’t find the key.”
I barked out a laugh. “Okay. When the firefighter gets here, can you bring him in through the side entrance? We don’t want to alarm any of the guests.”
He nodded. “Yeah, that’s what I was thinking.”
Once Steven walked away, my gaze landed on Wyatt as he walked through the lobby with his arm draped around a woman. A tall, gorgeous woman with a trim waist and thighs that probably didn’t rub together when she walked. And I bet she didn’t need to wear Spanx under the dress that seemed two sizes too small for her. It fit that tight. I could never get away with anything like that. Even with Spanx pulling everything in, I would never feel comfortable in a dress that snug.
She was the plans he had tonight. God, I felt like an idiot. There had been a few times when I thought he was looking at me like he wanted me. This little display made it obvious to me I was nowhere near his type. Which was fine. I was his employee. Nothing more.
He tipped his head in my direction, and I narrowed my eyes. His smirk told me he knew he was getting a rise out of me and enjoying it. Asshole.
I wouldn’t give him the pleasure and yanked my gaze away from the two of them, focusing back on what I was doing. But as time ticked by, I became increasingly angrier with myself.
Why did I not look for somewhere else to stay? Now I had to share a room with the playboy and his revolving door of women. Would I have to witness or hear them going at it? The simple thought made me want to throw up. Maybe I could sleep on one of the sofas in the lobby.
Blanche was such a sweet woman. How she was the grandmother of such a jerk, I couldn’t understand. I blew out a harsh breath. Was I being unreasonably angry? It wasn’t his fault my pride was hurt because I’d started to read into things that weren’t there.
I turned around and headed back to the ballroom to check on the staff and to assist so I could finally sit and relax with a glass of prosecco.
After making sure I wasn’t needed in the ballroom, I ran into Steven and his friend Drake. Thankfully, they were able to handle our guests’ situation without any fuss. I chuckled, thinking of how shocked I was when Drake spoke, and a thick British accent came out. He was tall and muscular, and I wasn’t expecting him to be British.
My feet ached as I finally made my way to the bar. The bartender poured me a glass from the opened bottle of prosecco from the wedding.
“Thanks, Bryan.”
He nodded, and I kicked off my heels. With the shoes dangling in one hand and my glass in the other, I made my way out to the pool area and sat in one of the loungers. Happiness spread through me as I listened to the waves, smelling the salty air as the tide came and taking in the lighthouse illuminated by the bright light of the moon. I could sit out here all night. The water calmed me.
Movement from the door that led from the lobby to the pool area caught my eye. What the hell was he doing out here? And where was the girl he was with earlier?
His eyes found mine, and the smile he sent me made my stomach flip.
Stop it, Angie. He was just with another woman, I reminded myself.
I swallowed thickly as he sauntered over and sat in the chair next to me.
“Refill?” He held up a bottle of the expensive champagne we’d given the bridal party.
I stare at him wide-eyed. Had he lost his mind? “From the five-hundred-dollar champagne?”
“Is that not what you’re drinking?” He tipped his head at the flute in my head.
My mouth fell open. “No. It’s the prosecco.”
“Well, now you need to try this.” A smirk lifted his lips as he reached for my glass. “It’s like sex in a glass.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Everything go okay after I left?” He handed me the champagne he’d poured.
“Yep.” I took a sip, and a moan bubbled up, slipping through my lips. Jesus, he was right. It was like an orgasm in my mouth.
I peered over at him, and a heated stare looked back at me. I ran my tongue along my upper lip, tasting the champagne all over again and letting out another moan. Desire pooled in my belly as he tracked my movements, his pupils blowing out more as each second passed.
What was I doing? It didn’t matter how he was looking at me. He’d literally just had sex with someone else.
I cringed at the reminder. “What happened to your lady friend?”
“What are you, my grandmother?” he scoffed. “Who says lady friend?”
With a shrug, I focused back on the water. “Just trying to be polite.”
“Polite?”
“Fuck buddy would be rude.” I attempted to mask the emotions behind my words.
“Jealous?”
Not well enough, apparently. I jerked my gaze back to him and froze. He leaned forward intently, forearms braced on his knees and a seductive smirk that left me breathless.
Absolutely not hung on the tip of my tongue, but for the life of me, I couldn’t force it past my lips.