Chapter 34
“I didn’t sign up for this.” ~ Dakota
Dakota
I park my car in front of The Hideaway Haven Resort and whistle. This place is super fancy. A few years ago – before I started working for Eli, the billionaire owner of Buccaneer’s Whiskey – I would have tucked tail and ran away. But now I’m used to fancy stuff.
Although, mostly it’s answering the phone from other rich people, reserving suites in swanky hotels, arranging for Eli’s private jet to pick him up – you know, totally normal rich person stuff.
I’m not usually invited to the parties. But today isn’t strictly a rich person party. It’s Eli’s surprise birthday party.
I roll my eyes. Eli is such a man sometimes. He almost ended his relationship with the woman he loves because he overheard her planning a surprise for him. Dork.
I exit my vehicle and slam the door shut. I open the trunk where the present Eli’s brothers bought for him is. I don’t know what it is. All I know is it’s a big ass box and it’s heavy as shit .
I wrestle the box out of the trunk. But now I need to shut the trunk and I have zero hands available. I’m not about to set the box on the ground. There’s no way I’ll be able to lift it.
I lean against the car and use my chin to drag the trunk down. I bend my knees as the trunk slowly closes. It’s almost latched when my foot slips causing my chin to move and I lose my hold on the trunk. It snaps open and whacks me in the face.
“Whiskey nuts. That hurt,” I mutter as I blink my eyes.
“What the hell are you doing? Are you trying to hurt yourself?”
Rhett yanks the box from me. I wish I could say I fought him for control of the box but my upper body strength does not match his. Rhett’s muscles have muscles. What I wouldn’t do to touch his naked skin and discover how those muscles feel up close and personal.
Too bad the guy is a total control freak. And no one is controlling my life. Not anymore.
“I was trying to bring your brother’s present into the party.” I slam the trunk shut.
“What the hell did you buy him?” He narrows his eyes. “Why are you buying your boss expensive gifts? Do you have a crush on him? He’s not available.”
I hold up a hand. “Stop, Mr. High and Mighty. I didn’t buy Eli a present.” I did but it’s a card with a gift certificate for a couples’ massage and fits in my purse. “This is your present for Eli.”
“This isn’t my present. I would never ask a woman to bring a present. ”
My nostrils flare and I fist my hands at my hips. “Because a woman can’t handle bringing a present? The Middle Ages are calling. They miss you and your misogynistic ass.”
“I’m not misogynistic. I’m a gentleman.”
I snort. “Do you even know what the definition of gentleman is?”
“It’s a man who carries things for a woman and opens her door for her.”
I open my mouth but I have no retort. His answer was actually kind of good.
“Whatever. Carry the present inside. I don’t care. I was doing the Raider brothers a favor.”
I start to stomp off but he hollers my name.
I whirl around. “What?”
He nods to the door. “Can you open the door for me?”
I jerk the door open with such force it nearly whacks me in my face. I have to hold the door with both hands to stop its vibrations.
Rhett smirks as he passes me. “The door came up and nearly bit you, did it?”
“You forgot to say thank you, Mr. Supposed Gentleman,” I holler after him.
He flicks his hand. Is that supposed to be a thank you? I don’t think so. And he can stop showing off how strong he is now. Holding the box with one arm. Why are jerks always the most sexiest men?
I follow Rhett into the ballroom and my jaw drops to the floor. Holy mermaids in the sea! This is awesome .
I don’t know where to look first. There are old whiskey barrels and mini wooden crates filled with vintage-style rum bottles scattered around the room. The tables are decorated with shimmering tablecloths that mimic ocean waves. And the ceiling is lit up with a million twinkle lights.
“Pretty cool, isn’t it?” Blossom says as she throws her arm over my shoulder.
“It’s amazing.” I scan the room. “Where’s your boss?”
She waggles her eyebrows. “Probably the same place your boss is.”
“I’m happy for Paisley and Eli but I hope I never walk in on them accidentally again.” I shiver. “I do not need to see my boss’s naked ass.”
She scrunches her nose. “I don’t know. I wouldn’t mind seeing more of a certain Raider brother’s ass.”
“Jaxon is still avoiding you?”
She sighs. “Yep. He’s not very stealth about it either. I walk into a room and he turns around and walks out. He actually walked into a wall once. He just stood there for a minute. I think he was pretending to be invisible.”
I giggle. “I can’t believe you managed to kiss him in the first place.”
“I have magical powers.” She winks.
Chloe skips toward us. “What are you two whispering about over here?”
I know better than to answer. Chloe is super nosy. I motion to the gift table. “We’re guessing what’s in the big box from Eli’s brothers. ”
She rubs her hands together. “I hope it’s a prank. I was forbidden from pulling a prank today.” She pouts. “Nova and Maya are no fun.”
I elbow her. “You’re just mad two of your drinking buddies can’t drink.”
She grins. “But you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding, are you?”
I open my mouth to answer but Rhett shouts before I can. “What the hell? You’re pregnant?”
I shush him. “I’m not pregnant.”
I can’t even remember the last time I had sex. There is literally zero chance of me being pregnant. Unless vibrators suddenly carry sperm. In which case, I’m in big trouble.
“Why did Chloe say you are?”
“Can you keep your voice down?”
Those bright blue eyes he shares with his brothers narrow on me. I wish he was gazing at me intently because he was planning on devouring my mouth but Mr. High and Mighty would never lower himself to have a relationship with the hired help. Never mind he didn’t grow up with money and he’s basically hanging on the coattails of his brother.
“Answer the question,” he grumbles.
I’ll deny it to my dying day but his grumbling has nerve endings waking up all over my body. Damn him and his sexy voice. And his sexy eyes. And his sexy muscles.
“Have you met Chloe? She’s a troublemaker down to her bones.” I motion to her and Chloe widens her eyes. “See? Told you. ”
“Do I not appear innocent?” Chloe asks.
Blossom giggles next to her. “I’ve watched you threaten to gut a patron for not leaving a fifteen-percent tip. Innocent got up and walked away the second it saw you coming.”
Chloe beams. “Thank you.”
“It wasn’t a compliment,” Blossom mutters.
“I’m getting a drink,” I declare and start to walk away. Rhett shackles my wrist to stop me. I raise an eyebrow at him. “Do you want to remove your hand from my body?”
He immediately lets go and raises his hands. “Answer my question.”
“Ask an intelligent question and I’ll consider it.”
“Are you fucking pregnant?”
“No!” I shout. “Are you happy? The entire island will know I haven’t had sex in over a year within the hour. Thanks for nothing.”
I stomp away.
“You haven’t had sex in a year?” he yells after me.
I do the mature thing. I give him the finger and keep walking.
If I wasn’t his brother’s assistant and work in the same building as him, I’d be glad to never see the controlling, domineering man again. Unfortunately, I have no choice.
The job with Eli offers benefits. And I need my benefits.