CHAPTER SIX
Sutton
There are things you say during a one-night stand. Admissions you make. Liberties you take. Inhibitions you forget. And all of those are done with the presumption that you never plan on seeing that person again.
Ever.
You let yourself be someone else for a while, only ever expecting to revisit it in your own mind. Thinking the memory of the man is probably way better than the reality of him.
At least that’s what a logical, practical, newly single person like me would assume.
Yet . . . here I sit in a conference room across from three gorgeous men whose company acronym is aptly named S.I.N. And one of those men is currently living rent free in my head while at the same time, is the culprit of the slight soreness I feel when I shift in my chair.
How is this even happening?
“You think you can take all of it?”
“I’m sorry?” I startle and note three sets of amber eyes staring at me.
I all but choke upon hearing those words.
I’m immediately taken back to Johnnie standing between my parted thighs, stroking himself as he asked that same question.
“You caught me mid-note,” I try to explain by holding my pen up as if that will make them understand. “What did you ask again?”
“I asked if you think you can handle it?” Ledger leans back in his chair and angles his head as he stares at me.
There is curiosity in his eyes and God knows if I were in his shoes, I’d be more than worried about the woman tasked with taking on my project.
Considering every time I meet one of their eyes, I’m reliving the events of last night.
“Roz has assured us that you are well versed in what it takes to assess the problems and address the issues as they come with a resort of this size. As I’m sure you know, S.I.N.
has a reputation for impeccable service and stately accommodations.
Having a resort underperform, as this one has, is a blemish on our portfolio and we don’t particularly like blemishes.
We need to turn this around and turn it around promptly. ”
“Understood.” Fake it till you make it. “I’ve been over the financials, the anonymous employee surveys, the guest reviews, as well as dug around a little to see what the competition offers that you don’t.
Rest assured there is hope. The main thing we need is to get the staff on board with strong leadership, and once they realize the ship isn’t sinking, that we’re there and present, your staff confidence will improve too. ”
“Agreed. Callahan will be your point person,” Ford says, pointing to his brother. From the look they exchange, there’s some kind of tension there. But when Callahan looks my way and gives me a curt nod, all signs of it are erased.
“Apparently I’m the only one available for the job,” he says lifting a hand, and for a split second, I’m dead certain he is Johnnie Walker. There’s something in his eyes—amusement laced with mischief—that makes me feel like we’re part of an inside joke.
But then of course, when Ledger speaks, our connection is broken, and I question my own judgment.
How could I not?
“Great. I’ll make sure I provide twice-daily updates, if that works for you. We can have set times to talk if that—”
“There’s no need.” Ledger smiles. “He’ll be on-site with you.”
“On-site?” I muster a smile. Lovely. So not only will I be working with the company of Johnnie Walker, I might possibly be working side by side with him. This turn of events is so ridiculous, it’s comical. “Perfect.”
“Yes. Normally we manage from afar and let the resort manager handle things, but like we said, this project needs to be turned around quickly. We figure having both you and Cal on location will be beneficial in making this happen,” Ford explains.
Callahan glances briefly at his brother.
Definitely tension there.
“Despite the warning signs, he was the one so gung-ho on us buying this resort in the first place,” Ledger interjects, “so it’s only fair that he gets the satisfaction of turning it around.
” He glances at both of his brothers, giving them a look that almost feels like a warning, before turning back to smile warmly at Roz and me.
“From the praises Roz sings about you, Sutton, I’m sure the two of you will work well together. ”
I stare at the three of them with what I can assume is another deer in the headlights look on my face as I try to not relive any of last night while under their scrutiny.
“I’m sure we’ll get along just fine,” Callahan says.
“I’m sure we will,” I repeat, suddenly desperate to get out of here.
“See, gentlemen?” Roz interrupts with a smug smile. “I told you Sutton was the right person for the job.”
“It seems she is,” one of the men murmurs in a way that has goosebumps forming, but when I look from Roz to the three of them sitting across from us, I’m not certain which one it was.
But I swear to God, it was Johnnie speaking.