Chapter 11 #2
“Most of the time, I won’t need you in the game room. You’re free to sit by the pool with the other non-players. Some will be spouses, some might be executive assistants, some will be…” I hesitated.
Jett grinned and curled his fingers into air quotes. “‘Assistants’ like me?”
“Mistresses, yes.” I eyed him coolly. “I believe we addressed this when I made my offer, but as far as the others are concerned, you are very much my assistant and not my… ‘assistant.’ Understood?”
Jet’s eyes darkened even further, and his smile turned dangerous. “Oh, yes, sir. You’re straight as an arrow, sir. I won’t get any gay cooties on you while I’m sucking you off… sir.”
His comment made my temper flare, but I ruthlessly quashed it. I had no time for anger either, and I didn’t need to explain myself to him.
“While you’re socializing, keep an ear open for gossip,” I continued.
“You want me to spy on your friends.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Not spy, exactly. You work for me. I’m asking for your help—”
“No. You’re demanding it. In a particularly assholish way.” Jett blew out a sharp breath as if calming his temper. “Fine. What am I hoping to see or hear?”
“That remains to be seen. And maybe you won’t see or hear anything useful.
Simply take note of anything that seems unusual.
Anything that could help in a business negotiation, for example.
The Maris family didn’t get where we are today by underestimating powerful people. Just be aware. Use your head.”
He bounced his eyebrows at my word choice, so I rolled my eyes.
“Remind me again why you didn’t just bring a woman?” Jett asked. “Surely that would’ve been easier.”
He was damn right it would’ve. I didn’t want to think too hard about how easily I’d convinced myself that bringing Jett was the logical choice.
“I’m not in the habit of repeating myself,” I told him as though it didn’t matter one way or the other. “Please remember that this is a highly paid job, and one of the top requirements is discretion.”
“And one of the bottom requirements is… my bottom?” His cocky grin appeared, which helped ground me for some reason. If he was feeling easy about the two weeks ahead, maybe I could also.
“Let’s see if I’ve got everything,” Jett said as the car pulled up to the house.
“I make everyone feel welcome, facilitate their needs, act gregarious and charming enough for them to gossip at me except when standing silently as your beck-and-call girl, and carbo-load by the pool for long nights serving at the pleasure of your d—”
I was relieved that Jett broke off when the housekeeper opened the car door to welcome us.
“Good evening, Locke. Good to see you.”
I stood and leaned in to give her quick cheek kisses. “Ciao, Concetta. I’m happy to be here. This is my assistant, Jett Davis.”
She smiled warmly as Jett climbed out of the car behind me. “Welcome to Villa Altomare, Mr. Davis.”
An attendant was already pulling our luggage from the vehicle as Concetta led us into the house, chattering happily about the visit.
“We have your suite already prepared for you, and I’ve placed Mr. Davis in the suite’s extra room as requested so you will have privacy for work between sessions.
We will have dinner ready for you and Mr. Davis in the dining room in an hour if that suits you both. ”
Jett slowed down to take in the villa. “Call me Jett, please. This is beautiful.”
It was open and airy, luxuriously fitted with modern but comfortable furnishings. The far wall was a wide expanse of French doors open to the cool evening air and peaceful view of the Mediterranean Sea.
Fresh flowers filled vases here and there, and the scent of orange blossoms came in on the breeze.
“Dinner in an hour sounds good,” I assured her. “And thank you again. I know it is a lot of work on short notice.”
“Not at all. We enjoy hosting this group and have been looking forward to it. This way, Jett. As I’m sure Locke has mentioned, feel free to avail yourselves of any of the house amenities, including the pool, fitness rooms, common areas, et cetera. If there is anything at all my staff and I can do…”
As she continued with her welcome spiel, I felt Jett’s appreciation of the home. “It’s breathtaking,” he said. “Thank you for your warm welcome.”
I nodded my thanks to her as she finished showing Jett the locked safe for his passport and the concierge tablet mounted on the wall of the suite.
My grandfather’s suite comprised three rooms. A primary bedroom and sitting room with killer views of the Med, and a smaller second bedroom tucked next to the primary bedroom with only a small, arched window facing a garden.
It had originally been used as a nursery, and then in my grandfather’s older years, his personal attendant had slept there to be close in case my grandfather needed help.
It was strange to be sleeping here when I’d only ever stayed in my usual guest room.
There were a few details that had clearly been arranged to make the space feel like mine.
A painting from the bedroom I’d always stayed in.
A fresh coat of paint in a different shade.
New fabric on some of the upholstered furniture.
A larger table by the balcony doors so I could spread out and work.
It was the same, but different. I shot a smile of thanks to Concetta for her thoughtfulness. She returned it with satisfaction before leaving us to alert the kitchen about dinner.
Jett disappeared into the small bedroom but didn’t close the door.
He opened a suitcase, dug out a toiletry kit, and moved through the bedroom to his en suite bathroom.
Instead of continuing to track his movements, I forced myself into my own bedroom to shower and change into more comfortable clothes for the rest of the evening.
Just as I turned on the shower faucet, my bathroom door clicked open.
Jett’s hair was damp around the edges like he’d splashed water on his face. His shirt was missing, and his pants were open, revealing the same light blue briefs I’d noticed him wearing on the plane.
His eyebrows lifted, and he flashed a flirty grin. “Thought you might need help freshening up.”
The thought hadn’t occurred to me, not because I didn’t want his mouth on me again, but because I’d assumed we’d eat dinner first and then retreat to the bedroom for some play.
But now that he was standing so close, my dick was eager to take advantage of the opportunity. “Take off your clothes and get in the shower.”