Chapter 15
ANDREW
K issing Rowan was all I could think about. I spent my free time in the shower, jerking off to the memory of Rowan’s taste, of our naked bodies in the sauna, and other fantasies that played out in my mind. But when I was back on duty, I kept to my best behavior. At least until his family departed.
Tomorrow I was leaving for my three-day break to Saint Martin.
Nothing but sun, sand, good food, and hopefully, great sex.
That kiss sparked a plan, one that would give Rowan and I exactly what we wanted.
Now all I needed to do was convince the dealmaker to buy in.
So, after dinner, I wandered up from the staff quarters to Rowan’s office, knocking on the door gently.
“Come in,” Rowan yelled out and then looked up when I entered. “Oh, it’s you.”
“Were you expecting someone else? I can go away,” I teased and made to turn around.
“Don’t be bloody ridiculous. Sit down and close the door,” Rowan insisted.
“I’d like to talk to you about something very important, but I need you to listen to everything I have to say first, then you can give me your answer. And if you aren’t interested, just say so. Is that okay?”
“Of course, ask away.” Rowan leaned back in his chair and smiled.
“I’d like to make you an offer.”
Rowan reared up and leaned forward. “Excuse me?”
“An offer. This isn’t one of your usual deals, but here it is…” I wiped my sweaty palms on my shorts and took a deep breath. Fuck, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been so nervous. Rowan stared at me with those mesmerizing eyes of his, and I temporarily lost my train of thought.
“I’m going to St. Martin for the next three days, and I’m inviting you to join me at my hotel.
We step off this yacht tomorrow morning, at which point I’m not Andrew Slater, your assistant, and you’re not Rowan Carter, my boss.
We’re just Drew and Ro. We get this,” I said, pointing between us.
“Out of our system, in the privacy of the resort. But as soon we step back on board on January 3 rd , Drew and Ro are done. No flirting, no lingering stares, and not so much as a hint of anything except work until my last day. Three days. That’s it.
” My heart was lodged somewhere in my throat as I waited for Rowan’s response.
“Can I make a counteroffer?”
“No. It’s a take it or leave it deal.”
Rowan’s eyes swirled with heat. “Do you guarantee satisfaction for the three-day period?”
My lips pursed as I tried to stifle a laugh. “I’ll do my best. But the three-day period is not obligatory. You have the option of returning anytime you want. Both parties need to agree on that clause.”
“In that case, I accept.” Rowan nodded and licked his lips. “You make a very attractive offer.”
“I learned from the best.”
Rowan laughed, and I couldn’t help but stare at his smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning then, Drew.”
I got up and opened the door, but a thought occurred to me. “Feel free to take the tender after me if you don’t want to be seen leaving at the same time.”
“Only the captain and Charlie will remain on board, and they won’t think anything of it. If I only get three days with Drew, I get three full days. That means I’ll ride with you.”
“I certainly hope so,” I replied with a wink and closed the door behind me.
ROWAN
I was crazy. Andrew was crazy. I didn’t care.
He offered me three days, and I took it.
Why continue to deny myself something I wanted more than my next breath?
Once our passion burned itself out – and it always burned out - we would be back to business.
It was the perfect solution. As long as we didn’t get caught.
I informed George that I no longer intended to head to the Virgin Islands as originally planned but would leave on the tender to Saint Martin instead.
Then I headed to my bedroom and searched my walk-in closet.
I located a small travel bag and started to pack - swim trunks, briefs, T-shirts, shorts, jeans, and running shoes.
What else? My inhaler, meds, shaving kit, sunscreen, and most important of all, condoms and lube.
Picking up my phone, I texted Rafe.
Rowan: Going to Saint Martin tomorrow and staying for three days. Feel free to use my place at BVI if you want. Let me know, and I can contact the house manager.
Rafe: I’m staying put in Miami for a few weeks, but thanks. why the change in plans?
Rowan: I got a better offer
Rafe: ?
Rowan: Drew and Ro will be spending a private long weekend together.
Rafe: Ahh. And then it’s back to work?
Rowan: exactly.
Rafe: hmmm
Rowan: what?
Rafe: I’m not sure you’re prepared for this.
Rowan: He made the offer. Three days only. That’s it.
Rafe: okay then, have fun. DON’T fall in love.
Love? Why the fuck did Rafe have to mention that?
He was acting as ridiculous as Dylan. I was crazy in lust, but that was all.
Not love. Never again. After my ex had revealed that he was in love with someone else, he’d told me that I wasn’t worth the hassle, that I was consumed with my work and emotionally unavailable.
I didn’t think that was true at the time, but it gave me pause.
After we broke up, he blamed me for the breakup and sold the intimate details of our relationship to a tabloid.
I’d been devastated and vowed never to give my heart to anyone ever again.
Doubtful anyone wanted it anyway unless it came with a large check they could cash.
The warm, fuzzy feelings I had for Andrew, bubbling up inside like the finest champagne, had everything to do with anticipation.
For sex. I wasn’t falling in love with him, was I?
Beautiful, funny, caring Andrew, who responded tartly to my sarcasm and made everything brighter.
Who saw me, the person, not the brand, and didn’t expect anything in return.
Who made my stomach flip when he laughed and made everything inside me light up like fireworks.
Fucking Rafe, trying to ruin my sexy weekend with talk of love.
Rowan: maybe you could start a new career writing romance novels like Cara
Rafe:
Putting down my phone and any thoughts of the “L” word, I grabbed my laptop and checked my work email. Ravi informed me that he would need another month’s leave. Not a problem , I wrote back, Andrew can deal with your workload. Take care of your family.
Why didn’t I feel guilty about slipping away? Was this a pre-midlife crisis I was experiencing? If this thing with Andrew went sideways, I guess I’d have more tales to work out in my therapy sessions. I finished the last email and hit send, just as my phone buzzed.
Rafe: including Dylan
Dylan: WTF Ro?
Rowan: Three days only. That’s it.
Rafe: You’re so fucking screwed.
Rowan: I hope so.
Dylan: and what happens after that?
Rowan: then it’s over. NP.
Dylan: what if you don’t get it all out of your system?
Rowan: I’ve rarely had interest beyond 72 hours.
Dylan: rename your ship the Titanic because the iceberg is right ahead…
Rowan: dramatic much?
Rafe: I agree with Dylan, rename the ship. And get a new captain while you’re at it, one who doesn’t scowl and isn’t offended by normal people enjoying themselves.
Dylan: What?
Rowan: don’t ask. Rafe and the captain crossed swords at Christmas.
Rafe: I wouldn’t let my sword anywhere near that man. He doesn’t deserve it. I bet he has a tiny sword.
Rowan: well, this has been strange. I have to get ready for my three-day sexathon. bye
Dylan: I hope you know what you’re doing.
Rafe: the best gifts are the unexpected ones.
Rowan: OMG Rafe, instead of romance novels, try your hand at greeting cards.
Rafe:
Throwing my phone on the bed, I put the conversation and the concern of my friends and family out of my head. I had a three-day adventure awaiting, and I was going to enjoy every fucking second of it. I did a final review of my bag, threw in my laptop and my headphones.
Then it hit me that tomorrow was New Year’s Eve. An opportunity for a midnight kiss and to celebrate new beginnings. I’d get the kiss I wanted from the man I wanted. And the new beginning? That I had yet to figure out.