Chapter Twenty-Two

 

Your lips are mine. Konrad’s words kept Scottie up all night. Six in the morning came fast, and as lethargic as her body was, her mind soared. She’d never known excitement like this for a man before. She’d never felt the sick, but good sick, feeling in her stomach, never been consumed with fantasies about a man. Konrad was the first.

All her fears were pushed aside. She didn’t care how fast it seemed. These things happened fast sometimes. At least that was what she’d heard before. Her mother once moved a man into their apartment after knowing him just two weeks. Finally, Scottie understood what drove a person to do such things.

She got up from her bed, eyes scanning her all-black outfit for the catering job. With two hundred dollars left over from pawning the brooch, she needed a thousand to get the pin back. This propelled her forward. She felt light on her feet and in her spirit as she flounced around her room, getting her things together. A notification on her cell phone stopped her in her tracks. The text could only be from one person.

Konrad: Schatzi, will I see you today on the yacht?

Me: Yes.

Scottie’s body surged. She couldn’t wait to see him again.

Konrad: Good. I’ll kidnap you for a little while. Maybe no one will notice. Is that okay with you?

Scottie bit her lip. Was this really happening? Was she really doing this? With Konrad? The man she wanted to stay away from? The man she had helped break hearts?

Yes.

Me: I want that.

Another text chimed her phone.

Konrad: Good. I hope you’re ready for me.

She tingled deep within, thinking of all the ways she’d be ready for him.

Tara called Scottie, taking her attention. She walked into the kitchen, taking an apron to the face again. Groaning, Scottie tied it around her waist, and thought of the texts messages with Konrad she’d just had.

“What’s with you?” Tara tilted her head. “You’re actually smiling. It’s weird.”

I should tell her. What was the harm in telling Tara that Konrad was her boss? It seemed crazy not to.

“Umm…” Scottie picked at the screen print of Decadent Chick Catering on the apron. “Okay, so… So, this might be weird…”

“Not weirder than you’re being right now, Scott. What’s going on?”

Dropping her hands to her sides, she began, “So, you know my boss at the temp job?”

“Yeah…”

“It’s one of Fabian’s friends. Konrad Korr. The tall blond.” It sounded like no big deal in Scottie’s head. She hoped that was how Tara took it.

Not likely.

“You’re shitting me.” Tara shook her head in disbelief, her hands coming up to her face. “And you didn’t say anything? Y’all didn’t say anything? Why?”

“I really didn’t think you’d cater for them again. Sorry.” Scottie knew Tara would not be satisfied with her answer.

“Seriously?” Tara gripped the edge of the counter. “Scottie, if this is a weird thing—”

“It’s not!”

Tara studied Scottie’s face. “Fine.” She bent over, closing the cooler lids. “God, just when things were smooth sailing. You better tell me immediately if it gets awkward.”

“It won’t.” Scottie was feeling more confident that day than she had in a while.

When they arrived at the marina in Kemah, Texas, Scottie spotted Fabian waiting for them on the edge of the dock. With him was a captain and another crew member dressed in a uniform of white shorts and a navy polo shirt.

Fabian smiled at them as they approached carrying the lighter boxes. “Good morning, ladies! Do you have more in the car?”

“Yes. A lot more,” Tara said, handing him a box.

“Greggory will get the rest of it. Is that your SUV?” He pointed to the SUV parked next to a Bentley, which was clearly his. Greggory, the crew member, took both boxes and disappeared down the ramp, Tara at his side.

“Come. Let me show you around.” Fabian briefly touched Scottie’s elbow. “You’re Scottie, right?”

“Yes, Scottie Roberts.”

“I’m Fabian Pallis. My better half, Antonia, should be here any minute.”

“Your fiancée is very beautiful. She’ll make a stunning bride.” Scottie felt weird talking to Fabian.

Fabian nodded. “She is amazing.”

She glanced at him, taking in his expression. Everything that was hard and angled about his face softened. This big, muscular, strong man had turned to complete mush at the mention of his fiancée. Scottie knew that was the look of love. It was beautiful and made her feel hopeful for once in her life.

When they’d finally reached a full-sized kitchen in the labyrinth that was the yacht, he turned to face her. “This is the main kitchen. Set up here.”

He pointed to the long counter space and the island in the middle. It was larger than the kitchen she and Tara shared. The display of wealth was outright obscene.

“Okay. Where will you and your guests have brunch?” She lifted the box that had been put on the floor.

“The upper deck has a table set up for ten. We’ll have brunch there. The buffet will be there too, but I would like for you to come around and refill drinks as needed.”

“Of course. We are here for your every need.” She pulled her hair up, her heart fluttering.

He winked, his white smile emerging from his tan face. “That’s what I like to hear.”

“So, I’ll let you get to it.” Fabian pulled the sunglasses from his polo pocket and slipped them on before he left her in the kitchen.

Thirty minutes later, Scottie balanced a tray of mimosas on one hand and a tray of mini almond raisin cinnamon rolls on the other.

“Just don’t drop them,” Tara called over her shoulder, busy chopping and seasoning and performing her culinary magic.

“I won’t.” She took one step at a time until out of the kitchen and into a living room decorated in a nautical theme of stripes, shiny Cherrywood, and chrome finishes.

“Watch your step, love.” The voice came from the left.

Before she could rebalance or catch a breath, both trays went crashing down to the floor, drenching her—and the ottoman nearby—with sticky orange mimosa.

“Shit!” she screamed.

His lip curled up in humor. “Indeed.”

Scottie met Konrad’s eyes, and she knew exactly what he was thinking because she was thinking the same thing. He reached for her, his mouth crashing down on hers with a passion that made her feel weightless.

With lips against hers, he said, “God, you look adorable in an apron. I want you to wear this later and nothing else.”

“Stop,” she whispered, pressing into his kiss again.

When they parted, he looked down at her. “Am I dreaming?”

She took in every part of his face. “No.”

He moaned, his nose dipping down to her neck. “Good.”

Tara’s voice stopped them from falling into each other further. Good thing. Scottie needed to remember what she was doing. And who she was doing it with. They separated quickly.

“Scottie?” Tara walked in, her eyes narrowed. “Oh…” She surveyed the mess of orange mimosa and mini cinnamon rolls all over an extremely expensive-looking ottoman. “What the hell happened?”

Konrad dropped to his knees, picking up the champagne flutes and rolls on the floor. “It’s my fault. I smashed into her.”

Scottie kneeled next to him, helping him clean up. “No, it was me. I should have watched what I was doing.”

To make matters worse, Fabian and Antonia walked in then, getting an eyeful of the scene. Fabian gasped. “What happened here?”

“No worries, mate. I ran into Scottie,” Konrad repeated, glancing at Scottie.

Fabian’s eyebrows lifted.

“I did it. It was me.” Scottie would take the responsibility.

“Rubbish. She’s being nice.”

“Stop cleaning, Konrad. What’s the matter with you?” Fabian said, annoyed.

“I’ll get the maid.” Antonia left, calling out to someone named Emily.

Konrad stood. “Come on, Scottie.” Offering her his hand, she took it, letting him pull her to her feet.

“I’m so sorry about this.” Tara was mortified. “We’ll replace the ottoman.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll square it with Fabian.”

Scottie couldn’t believe how determined he was to protect her, and it made her chest swell with warmth. The more she looked at him, the more she really saw him, the more she knew she was in trouble. Her heart could not deny it. Everything she’d believed about Konrad and men had been turned on its head with that look.

Before Fabian climbed back up the stairs, he asked Konrad to join him on the upper deck. Konrad nodded, though he stayed behind. Scottie wondered if he would tell Tara their secret. The big secret.

“Wow,” Tara began, wiping her hands on the apron tied around her waist. “This is awkward.” She threw Scottie a disapproving glance.

“I told her you’re my boss.” Scottie decided to take control of the situation. In doing so, she took a step back from Konrad. They looked too close, too intimate. She wasn’t ready to tell Tara the other secret.

“I don’t see why you have to keep that a secret.” Tara was annoyed.

“It’s not a secret. Yes, Scottie works for me. There’s no problem.”

Thank God.

“Exactly.” Scottie had unprecedented mixed feelings about his rationale. Though she knew he couldn’t disclose everything, in some irresponsible way, she wanted him to claim her.

“No worries, Tara. This doesn’t affect anything,” Konrad said smoothly.

Tara seemed satisfied. “I’m glad to hear it.” Tara bent over the ottoman, picking up the last of the mess. “Scottie, help me clean this up.”

“Leave it. Emily will be here any moment.” Konrad stuck his hand out in front of Scottie.

Tara sighed, standing. “Okay. Thank you, Konrad. Hopefully I haven’t completely ruined any chance for future catering jobs.”

“Trust me, you haven’t. In fact, I’ll bet you’ve earned more.” He smiled.

Scottie followed Tara back into the gourmet kitchen, Konrad still in her mind.