Emily:Yep! We get along great. You’re going to have to learn to play along with it and try not to take offense to whatever he says. He’s not serious about any of it.
Me:Easier said than done. Thanks for the advice.
I make it back to my room and fall back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. My mind wanders to Tait. His eyes are hauntingly beautiful, and his smile is perfect with that small dimple on his left cheek. That man exudes sex and dominance. My girly parts want all the parts of him just from a few minutes in his presence.
How is that even possible?
I should be offended by his sexual jokes, shouldn’t I? It seems odd, but I’m turned on. I start imagining myself helping him with hisworkouts. He’d be demanding, taking what he wants. There’s no doubt about that.
Also, when he told me to look him in the eyes, it was the sexiest thing ever. My submissive side was screaming at me to drop to my knees and wait for more instructions.
He exudes confidence, and that makes me want to please him. I’m going to be in trouble with Tait if I can’t figure out how to keep him at bay. The few minutes I spent in his room made me want to strip naked for him. How am I going to work with this man for the next month or so?
I rub my forehead, thinking of all the possible solutions for my predicament, and the best one that comes to mind is to distance myself from him. If I get too close, I’m bound to want more than I can have, but if I put some distance between us, I can’t get hurt.
It’s going to be a very long month, indeed.
I can’t lie around in my room all day. It’s beautiful outside, and I won’t have a lot of time to myself soon. A visit to the pool is in order. I change into my bathing suit—a two piece with a low-cut top and high waisted bottoms—and make my way outside. I find a prime spot in the sun, lay my towel down on a recliner, and stretch out. I pull outKeep Her Safeand begin reading.
I saw the first movie, and I enjoyed it, but the book series is so much better.Isn’t that always the way?Keep Her Safefocuses more on Sofia and Zach’s love story as Antonio tries to stop Nico. Nico will stop at nothing to climb his way to the top. There are so many twists and turns in this story, it’s hard not to read it over and over. I know what’s going to happen, and I still can’t stop myself from getting nervous. Nico is misunderstood and just needs a chance to prove he can handle the business. It makes me a little sad for him. I’m actually very excited to be able to see the behind the scenes stuff on this movie.
Someone clears their throat, and I look up to see Tait looking down at me. “Can I help you, Mr. Flanigan?”
This man must have been a Greek God in a past life; he’s flawless. His swim trunks hang low on his hips, showing off the sexy V that every man strives for and even more women swoon over. I appraise his appearance and lick my suddenly dry lips.I need a drink… or a tall, handsome man with green eyes.
“I was told to play nice, and I want to apologize as our conversation earlier may have been misconstrued. I’ve come to offer a truce and ask you to come to dinner with me tonight. I’d like to get to know you a bit.” He rubs the back of his neck.Is he nervous?“It’s a bit of a tradition Emily and I have. We get a chance to talk and relax before things get crazy.”
“Sure, dinner will be nice. Thanks. What time?” It’s sweet he would think of inviting me out to get to know him.
“How about six-thirty? I’ll come by to get you. What’s your room number?”
“Six-thirty sounds fine. I’m in room four-one-one-one.” He offers a small smile but doesn’t respond. We watch each other for another moment before, at last, I ask, “Is there anything else?”
“Nope, see you then.” He walks to the other side of the pool and takes a seat between two skinny, bikini-clad girls. I roll my eyes, pick my book up again, and read all about the scandalous Nico Rossi. I peer up over my book and watch him. The girls are all but sitting in his lap. He’s laughing and telling jokes, keeping them well entertained.
Watching Tait flirt from across the pool, I can see why he was picked for this role. He’s a charmer, just like his character, and those girls are eating out of the palm of his hand. I think back to the conversation I had with Emily about his one-night stands, and I try to quash any thoughts about him and how good he would be in bed. I lift my book back to my face and try to immerse myself in the story.
* * *
I lookat the clock next to the bar. It’s four forty-five. The sun has gone down a bit, and the breeze is picking up.Time to go shower and get ready.Butterflies erupt in my stomach as I think of having dinner with this man. I gather my stuff and wait patiently for the elevator.
“Mind if I join you?” Tait asks, motioning toward the closed doors.
I chuckle. “Guess you have to get to your floor somehow, right?”
The elevator arrives, the doors sliding open with ease. I step in and he joins me, standing as close as he can without touching me.Please move to the other side.I’m having problems concentrating with him standing so close. He still doesn’t have a shirt on, and I lower my gaze after clicking the button for both floors. His fingertips barely brush my forearms, and I inhale a shaky breath and shiver.
“Cold?” he asks, smirking.
“No, I’m fine.” I keep my eyes on the ground and will the elevator to move faster.
The playfulness to his voice has been replaced with a demanding tone. “I don’t like being lied to, Sam. I see your goosebumps. Are you cold?”
My body yearns to lean into his, wanting to feel the warmth of his arms.This is not professional at all.I clear my throat and look into his eyes. “No, I’m not cold, Sir.”
A low growl emanates from his chest, and he hits the stop button on the elevator. My eyes dart to the button in a panic. I reach toward it to get the elevator moving again.
“No. Don’t.” He didn’t raise his voice, but it was a demand all the same. I pause and drop my arm, my gaze locked on the button. “Why did you call me Sir?” he demands.
