Chapter 11

We were being driven somewhere in a limousine, and Casper sat beside me in the backseat. His legs touched mine as we both looked out of the windows. I had never been to Hawaii before. The sky was the color of the clearest blue sea, and everywhere I looked palm trees danced in a gentle sea breeze. The promise of the sea could be heard all around us with soft waves crashing against a beach somewhere. My heart was beating faster than the car was traveling. The place was exotic, I was sitting next to a man I couldn’t keep my eyes off, and I’d just had the best sex of my life. I was strangely happy and satisfied.

When I looked over at Casper, he had a smile on his face as he looked out. His rugged profile was highlighted by the golden ray of sun that filtered in through the tinted window of the car. His nose was sharp, his lips were thin and dark, and his skin was bronze now in the sun. For a billionaire, Casper Argent didn’t look as soft and under-worked as one would expect. He caught me staring, and I blushed before looking away.

“Feel free to look at me whenever you want,” he said softly.

I forced myself to look at him again. “I was just wondering what you want from me,” I blurted out. I was being truthful. It was all too good to be true. What could Casper Argent possibly want from me?

He laughed at me again, and the back of my neck grew hotter.

“Can’t you just relax for a bit and have fun?” he said without accusing me.

I licked my lips from nervousness and looked away from him. How could I explain to him that I couldn’t possibly relax? That I didn’t feel like I deserved any of this?

The car was slowing down, and Casper adjusted the bowtie at his neck. He had changed into a handsome black tuxedo that looked like it had never been worn before. I hadn’t seen him spend any time in front of a mirror since we got on that plane, but his hair still looked perfectly brushed back and styled, and as always, he smelled great.

The car stopped, and Casper was quick to get out. I could feel myself growing nervous again as he walked around the car and opened my door. He extended a hand and I took it. When I stepped out, he kept my hand in his, clutching it tightly as he led the way.

The luxurious beach-side hotel had uniformed people who greeted us with trays of tropical cocktails and a welcome flower garland. I couldn’t stop myself from smiling as I accepted the garland around my neck. Even the air smelled of coconuts and pineapples.

We were being led toward the back of the hotel where a blast of native folk songs was playing. An entourage formed around us while I kept my hand in Casper’s. I was afraid of my palms being sweaty, but he didn’t seem to notice.

Casper was surprising me again. He was unexpectedly forthcoming and gracious for a billionaire. He smiled at everyone, sometimes drew his hand away to shake people’s hands and quickly grabbed mine again. Everyone here seemed to recognize him as we walked. I had never been in the spotlight before, but having Casper by my side somehow made it more comfortable. He was charming and easy going at the same time and didn’t seem to notice how awkwardly I was behaving every time someone new came to shake his hand. I was starting to believe that he was proud to have me by his side.

But why?

I should have been expecting it – we were in Hawaii, after all – but the sight of the beautifully decorated luau took me by surprise. With an infinity pool in the center, overlooking a magnificent beach, the party space was decorated with flowers, straw stands, bars, and barbecues.

Male servers were dressed in bright Hawaiian shirts. The women wore traditional skirts and garlands around their necks. We both stood out in the crowd. I felt like neither of us were really dressed for the occasion, but again, Casper didn’t seem to notice.

A big wave of applause and high-pitched shouts rang out the moment we stepped into the scene. Flushed faces, cocktail glasses in hand, people came charging toward us.

Casper took the time to shake everyone’s hand, pat people on the back, give a few of them hugs, and accept drinks from whoever came to offer them to him.

I ended up getting hugs and having to shake hands as well. It was all a little too overwhelming. The music, the people, the colors, the pleasantries, the food… I didn’t know anyone here apart from Casper, and he seemed to be the center of everyone’s attention.

While he was talking to a group of people who all seemed to be his employees, I silently took a step back. I needed some space to breathe, to think, to absorb everything that was happening. Casper talked animatedly, his blue-gray eyes glimmering from the excitement. He was easily the most charismatic and handsome man in the whole place, and everyone knew it. It seemed like everyone else were moths attracted to the brightness of Casper’s flame. They not only respected him, but they also believed that he was their friend. I expected a posh, well-mannered office party, where Casper was the boss and everyone else was afraid to talk to him, or talk too loudly around him. What I found here was a fun Hawaiian party with all of Casper’s friends and colleagues.

I gulped as I watched him in his natural surroundings, and even though I should have been feeling glad and excited, I still couldn’t get that nagging feeling out of my system that he wanted something. Casper Argent definitely had an ulterior motive in all of this.