Chapter 6

“Because it’s such short notice, we’ll be staying at the five-star hotel I mentioned before. The one with the spa?” Tyson’s nose crinkled. “I’m kind of doing this on the hoof with you, so it's not going to be as organized as it would ordinarily be.”

Bernadette smiled at him as he opened the door to the taxi cab.

“I still remember how to rough it, Tyson. Not that staying in a five-star hotel could be considered anything like that.”

He grunted. “No, but a taxi is.” He told the driver their destination, then turned to her with a grin. “Still, I can show you the lodge, and you could always book it another time if you wanted to.”

“Have you been here before?” she asked, disregarding his comments. Not because he was trying to pimp her for a sale, but because she wasn’t sure what she’d do after this trip.

Not only was it so unexpected but going away with Tyson was the last thing she’d imagined happening yesterday when she’d been arguing with Em.

Hell, if Em had shoved Tyson in her face, Bernadette would have willingly leapt at the chance of some time spent with him.

One on one.

Which made Bernadette wonder if Em had known where Tyson worked all along…

With Em’s challenge to seduce Tyson urging her on - a challenge that once again confirmed how well Em knew Bernadette, because only a dare would actually prompt her to make the first move - this trip was going to be so much more than she’d ever expected.

Christ, seeing Tyson again was a miracle in itself. Never mind taking a short break with him, and being alone with him, one-on-one for the next few days, had her inner wild child doing a happy dance.

“I’ve been a few times,” he said with a rueful smile.

That smile told a thousand tales. And probably a few dozen one night stands too.

Was that what she was willing to be? Another notch on Tyson’s bedpost?

She bit her lip at the thought.

That was the last thing she wanted, and yet… Everything about Tyson screeched playboy. From his swanky tailored suit, complete with close-fitting waistcoat, to the sharp haircut and the manicured hands. He was so well presented, that it came as no surprise he had most women in his environs drooling over him.

He had the job of a playboy too. His seductive charm probably padded his commission out generously.

“Hey, where’d you go?” Tyson teased, waving a hand in front of her face.

“Oh. Nowhere. I think I must still be tired.”

“I’m not sure how considering you spent the four-hour plane ride asleep.”

Her cheeks flushed. “Sorry. I was shit company.”

His smile was soft as he shook his head-so genuine it made her heart clutch a little. “I could tell how badly you needed the rest, that's why I didn't disturb you. Em wasn’t wrong, Birdie,” he told her quietly. “You push yourself too hard.”

“I have to. I have a lot riding on Grafix. A lot of people who depend on me for their living. It's a lot of responsibility.”

“I know. That stress is definitely enough to do away with some nights of good rest.”

“You can’t judge anyway,” she retorted with a playful smile, trying to tease him from his suddenly serious train of thought. “What was it you said? That at the end of last year, you pulled some all-nighters to win the bonus your boss was offering?”

Tyson grimaced. “Yeah. I lost by a dollar too, can you imagine?”

“Still, sounds like you couldn’t have done much more.”

“No, not unless I started sleeping standing up,” he retorted with a grin.

“And you’ll probably do it against this year,” she predicted

“I don’t need to, but I like the challenge,” Tyson admitted. "Being competitive is a part of my nature now, I guess."

“I never saw you as being the type for sales, although, I guess you’ve always been great with people.”

He shrugged. “I fell into it by accident.”

“You did?” she asked, head whipping away from the landscape she’d been studying to look at him.

“I majored in psychology,” he said matter-of-factly. “Went for my PHD. Dropped out the second year.”

Her mouth fell agape, he was the only one who could consistently surprise her without irritating the living fuck out of her at the same time.

“Seriously?”

“Seriously,” he murmured with a wry grimace. “I don’t like thinking of that time.”

“You regret it?”

Tyson shrugged. “I’m not sure, if I’m being honest. I never saw myself doing something like this, but I like it. It’s fun. Far more so than practicing psychology would be. Plus, if it was about the money, I earn more from this than I would with a busy private practice,” he admitted.

“Wow! I figured your commission would be good considering you’re a charmer, but that good?”

He winked. “What can I say? I have the touch.”

Bernadette snorted, then prodded him in the arm. “Why does that not surprise me?”