Page 222 of Daddy, Take Me Away
“Do you drink, Zoë?”
She laughs, and it’s a very likable sound. Another check in the odd column since I normally find laughter in adults quite horrendous.
“No, but I’m suddenly considering taking it up.”
Before I can reply with my disapproval or untangle the email/room situation, my assistant pops her head into my office.
“Mr. and Mrs. Frontenac are on their way from the airport, sir.”
My recently elevated mood plummets, as does my dick. As I look at the curly-haired breath of fresh air, I suddenly have the urge to jump out the window behind her, or maybe in front of her.
“Julianna, can you please have Ms. Wayz’ luggage brought to the Eden Villa? And email her the pass app for the door scanner as well.”
“Sir?”
I glance at my assistant, my annoyance evident in her hard swallow.
“The Eden?” I understand her hesitation. We never have guests booked there while I’m on site since my own villa is next to it. And even when I’m off-site, it’s rarely booked. It’s one of those exclusive, ridiculously expensive villas that no one but the uber rich can afford.
“Yes.” My reply is curt so she doesn’t say any more, just nods and disappears as quickly as she appeared. I rise, agitated over Julianna’s original announcement even though it was expected news.
“The Eden Villa?”
“It’s one of our best villas, right on the water, with a glass floor, private mini pool, hot tub and a slide off the deck into the water. There’s only a few of them. We usually reserve them for royalty, presidents, prime ministers… and special guests. The kind of special guest that could ruin my reputation with one scathing review.”
She bites back a smile. “Thank you. I’ve already put you out so much … I don’t want to push my luck.” She rises then too.
My eyes cut to hers, my right brow arching. “We’re beyond you pushing your luck, but let’s put that aside for now.”
She nods, her cheeks pink from my scolding.
“Instead, let’s do exactly as you said,” I say, shocking myself.
“Start drinking?” she asks, her voice rising an octave. I shake my head, giving her a half smile.
“Jump out the window?”
Nodding, I reply, “Let’s take the door, but yeah, let’s disappear, hike to the cliffs, and jump in.”
Her smile is instantaneous, and she gives me that little head bob again.
“Adventure is my middle name, Mr. Pellegrino. And after the long flight, I’m desperate to move my body.”
She does this little wiggle that makes my gut tighten, so I eye her rumpled skirt and sleeveless blouse in hopes it will douse the heat the move has induced. It doesn’t. I’m fucking desperate to move her body too.
“You need to settle in, shower, change?” I ask, the words coming out a little huskier than I’d like.
She looks down at herself. “Nope. These are skorts.” She pauses, looking at her sandaled feet and then walks over to her pile of stuff. Flinging her footwear off, she rustles through her bag, grabs a pair of thick-soled yellow water shoes, and pulls them on.
I blink. They make her feet look like rubber duckies. And oddly it doesn’t turn me off.
“I’m good.” She untucks the blouse, undoing the bottom button, and ties the tails in the front. The tiniest sliver of her tanned stomach shows, including her belly button, and I fight the urge to touch the smooth skin. Biting my tongue, I stop the thoughts from developing further in my head.
And then I chuckle, because I can’t help it. She’s nothing like I thought while reading that stupid email. This woman? The one standing at the ready for adventure? She matches the Zoë Wayz brand and the woman I’ve been talking to for months. Whomever wrote that email, and I’m pretty sure it wasn’t her, is nothing like the woman in front of me.
“Okay. Well, I need five to get out of this suit. Meet in the lobby?”
“Is there a back door?” she asks, her lips twisting to the side. “Might help me avoid the ex and sister.”
