Reese

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“Oh,” was all I could say. Would he even have mentioned that I should move if Victor hadn’t been standing at my door when he arrived? Victor had appeared amused at first when Adrian pulled up. But then from the moment Adrian spoke, the atmosphere clouded over with such heavy aversion emanating from both of them, I felt certain fists would start flying, and relieved when they didn’t. “I detect a bit of animosity between you and Victor.”

He shrugged. “Nothing to concern yourself with. I’ll make some calls tomorrow morning and see what’s available.” He reached into the back pocket of his shorts and pulled out his phone, typed something on it, then tucked it back away. He always wore shorts, but he always looked immaculate and exuded confidence. Tonight, he wore a pale blue short sleeve golf shirt with a pair of casual, navy shorts.

“I don’t think that’s necessary, Adrian. I don’t mind living here. In fact, I like being close to the water and on the ground level.”

“There are other places similar, but nicer with newer appliances. Trust me. One small hurricane or volcano eruption, and this place will be gone. Victor’s family isn’t the best at keeping their complexes up to code. I’m sure there are plenty of things that have been skipped over for the sake of saving a few bucks.”

“Well, when you put it that way ...” I joked. The vision he just painted of my cottage being totally demolished, hit me with a shudder. But I wasn’t ready to just pack up and move so quickly because Adrian said I should. “But, seriously, I think I can manage here. I’m not ready to move yet. But when I am, I’d love your help. ” 

“Fair enough. Come on, let’s go.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing the blueprints,” I said as he opened the car door for me. I sat and watched as his long, perfect legs took a slow stride around to the other side of the vehicle.

After he hopped over the door into the driver’s seat, he started the car and headed down the highway.

“Why do you keep them at your house?”

“Two reasons: One, I work at home most nights and need to refer to them, and two, they’re safer there in my safe than at the office.”

I frowned. “Safer from whom?”

“From anyone who might want to steal the designs.”

“You’re not a very trusting person, are you?”

He frowned. “I’ve been burned before, and once that happens, trust is a hard thing to earn, especially when it comes to jerks like Victor.”

“But Victor doesn’t work for you anymore. How could he possibly get the blueprints if they were at the office?”

He glanced at me then back at the road. “Believe me, I wouldn’t put anything past Victor, or any of my employees for that matter. If you recall, Victor found out I’d hired you, information that wasn’t public knowledge, yet he found out on your first day and he didn’t work for the company. Those blueprints are too valuable to leave at the office. Anyone could snap a picture of them with their phone and I’d be taking the risk that the designs would be copied. Then I’d lose credibility with my investors.”

I had to admit, his logic made sense.

He turned the car onto a single lane road that twisted and turned for what seemed like a mile until it finally ended in front of a beautiful house large enough to be called a mansion. It was situated on the hillside facing the ocean. Stone walls flanked wide double doors with a half circle arch above, with four delicately etched windows situated atop them.

Adrian slowed the car as we made our way around a circular drive. In the center of the driveway a large, spherical garden bloomed with a variety of tropical flowers. Hibiscus, Bird of Paradise, and others I didn’t know the names of exploded the area with brilliantly vibrant colors. Adrian stopped the car in front of the entrance. He came around and opened my door for me and presented his hand. Adrian Marlow was always the perfect gentleman and I was beginning to like the extra attention he seemed to want to give me.

The inside of the house was even more impressive than the outside. Beyond the entry, which had an old-fashioned coat rack and a large fish tank built into one wall, the living room was stunning. The entire wall facing the ocean was glass and provided the most amazing view of the surf I’d ever seen.

His furniture was masculine. A light brown suede sofa with an adjoined chaise lounge offered a cushy and comfortable place to relax. I had an urge to kick off my shoes and plop myself onto it and count the dolphins as they swam by, which I’m sure was a regular occurrence. I knew he most likely lived in a nice house, but this was beyond anything I ever imagined.

He took a casserole dish from his fridge and placed it in the oven. I would have asked what we were having, but it didn’t matter since I knew I’d probably be too nervous to eat. He had mentioned the blueprints, but I was secretly hoping that there was another reason he brought me to his home.

“Do you mind?” My fingers wrapped around the handle of a sliding glass door that led to a veranda overlooking the water. “I want a better look at the ocean.”

“Not at all.” He swiped his hand through his hair and followed me out.

“I love your décor. Who’s your decorator?”

“Me. But my mother helped.” He came and stood close to me.

I inhaled deeply. The scent of him mixed with the sea was intoxicating. Being with him at a restaurant or on the beach, anywhere public, was one thing. Standing here in his home made me nervous. I glanced at him from beneath my lashes, and my cheeks warmed when I realized he was staring at me. I laced my fingers together so I wouldn’t reach out for him the way I wanted to. Remembering he was my boss, I stiffened.

“You did an excellent job. Makes me wonder why you need an interior designer for the hotel.” And I wanted to beat myself silly for saying that. What was I trying to do, talk myself out of a job?

“I don’t have time for that aspect of the project. Plus, I think you’ll do a much better job than I could ever do. Remember, I did say my mother helped with the house. My décor is another reason why I wanted to bring you here, aside from going over the blueprints. I want my hotel to have a somewhat similar comforting aura to it.”

“Does your mother live on the island?”

“No. She’s back in the mainland. Florida.”

Well, that would explain why he didn’t hire his mom to design the hotel’s interior.

“I hope you like Oysters Rockefeller.”

“I don’t know. I’ve never had it.”

“A first then.” His sexy smile tugged the corners of his luscious lips upward, giving me a glimpse of his perfect white teeth. My stomach tingled as I imagined running my tongue over those pearly whites. I squeezed my eyes closed, trying to make the image go away. I told him I had a strict policy of no fraternizing with co-workers, or bosses. At the very least, I should abide by my own self-imposed rules.

“Wine?”

“Excuse me?” I blinked a few times as the image of me licking my way into his mouth faded away.

“Would you like some wine?”

“Um...”