Page 26 of Mister Stark

TWELVE

Risky Yacht Business

Several days had passedsince my encounter with daddy dearest and he ruffled my feathers. My surprise for Dylan hadn’t gone to plan and Daxon had ruined it. After him screwing his latest conquest and him catching me in the shadows, I threw the entire gift right in the trash. It no longer held memories for Dylan and me to create. His father had tarnished it with the memory of him and that perfectly delicious ass.

My skin grew hot at the very thought of it as the ocean breeze blew against it and tried to cool me down. Wispy black hair tickled my cheeks, and I was glad I put my dysfunctional hair in a messy bun. My hands rested in my lap against a pale blue sundress and I adjusted my sunglasses on my nose.

We crowded the small boat with Paisley, Dylan, Daxon, the driver, and me. We headed for an important dinner to close another business deal. But this one required a spontaneous vacation that D.S. Industries paid for and some time away from the busy city.

I looked around at Paisley admiring the view, Dylan seated beside me, and my gaze fell on Daxon. I couldn’t look away. He locked his deep brown gaze on me, and everything about it made me tremble inside. I saw his tease, taunt, and torment he held all for me. Then there was the hate he had for me. A fiery dysfunctional passion burned deep inside those wicked eyes.

He still pissed me off with his behavior in his office and the passionate torture he put me through. I had expected him to go straight to Dylan with my mistrustful actions, but he didn’t. I could’ve sworn Daxon would do anything to get rid of me. To get me as far away from the family business and out of his son’s life. He had caught me watching him have sex and it should do the trick.

So, why hasn’t he talked?

I was certain he had a grand scheme up his sleeve and he’d wait for the right time to strike. The perfect opportunity to take me out of the equation and have his way. I smirked at him and gave him a gentle wink to let him know I was thinking about him. Just to get on his patience and it worked. He gave me that familiar lip lick, followed by a bite of his bottom lip.

I didn’t give him the time of day as Dylan grabbed my attention and squeezed my thigh. “This is an important deal. The Brava family runs a tight business and you need to be on your best behavior.”

His stiff warning unsettled me and I simply nodded so he couldn’t hear the worry in my voice. Dylan remained unreadable, but I knew a business deal always put him on edge. And this one was a big one. Enough to travel hours away from home to seal the deal.

I looked over at Paisley, who rolled her pretty blue eyes when Dylan wasn’t looking, and I softly giggled. She knew how to lighten the mood and I was grateful she would endure the torture. At least for a couple of hours.

Suddenly, I heard Daxon clear his throat as my gaze darted in his direction and he glared at Paisley. He had caught our inside escapade. His stern warning blazed my way with the look of irritation on his face and he bit his lower lip with annoyance. It was a common trend he had with me, but I simply ignored the rude measure.

My attention landed on far more important matters, and that was the enormous yacht beside us. The bright blue paint hit the sunlight and the rest of the yacht was a pearl white. It shimmered with the sunshine and stood out on the clear, open ocean. Our tiny boat bounced as it pulled up beside it and settled on top of the water. I stood up and pressed my hands against my dress as it flowed down to my knees. Dylan took my hand and helped guide me onto the yacht’s deck, but into the hands of an older gentleman.

He took my hand, greeted me with a welcome kiss on my knuckles, and I blinked with surprise. “Welcome aboard. It’s a pleasure to meet a wondrous beauty.”

I blushed, took my hand back and fumbled with my hands. “Thank you, it’s very nice to be here, Mr....”

“Mr. Michael Brava, the man we came to do business with this afternoon.” Daxon said as he introduced the gentleman we came to see and firmly shook his hand. “This is Celeste Lovette, my future daughter-in-law.”

Mr. Brava was much older than Daxon, with a bald spot shimmering with the sunshine and he eyed me up from head to toe. He held a wooden cane with expensive carvings engraved on it and didn’t lean his body weight against it. He appeared to be steady on his feet, and I wasn’t sure if he actually needed it. It was a look to complete his fashion statement or the support he required.

A younger gentleman joined us and cleared his throat. “I’m Nicholas Brava, Michael's son and dinner is ready if you’d like to join us?”

“Don’t mind if we do.” Paisley announced as she stepped forward and held out her hand. “I’m Paisley, Celeste’s best friend.”

Nicholas’s eyes locked on Paisley’s extended hand and I expected him to shake it, but he bowed to kiss it. His lips tenderly grazed over each knuckle, and his eyes pierced into hers. Paisley never wavered from his majestic spell, and she beamed with delight.

“Right this way, Paisley.” Nicholas urged as he stood up straight and held onto her hand.

My eyes widened as I followed their lead and Mr. Brava fell into conversation with Daxon from behind me. Everything came down to business with him, and I was just thankful he didn’t speak about Paisley’s flirtatious behavior. Maybe he didn’t even notice because he was always about work. But a man like Daxon caught on to everything, and I was sure there must be a plan behind his madness.

We wandered up some stairs, and it led us to an oceanfront view. Up on the top of the yacht was a fancy table all ready for our company. It was a beautiful view of the water for as far as the eye could see. It was a breathtakingly stunning sight, and I didn’t want to take my eyes off it, but a hand rested on my lower back.

“Please take a seat, Celeste.” Mr. Brava said as he pulled a chair out for me and the pad of his thumb caressed my panty line.

I was uncomfortable and hesitant until my eyes fell upon Dylan’s and he raised an eyebrow at me. He nodded towards the seat and found his own across from it. “Take your seat, darling.”

I knew to do as instructed because the stakes were too high. Dylan was adamant about that fact and gave me full permission. I couldn’t help feeling like a prized piece of meat Mr. Brava could dig his dentures into. And my husband to be gave me up for the grand prize.

I sat beside the crippling old man and pushed my pride aside. He quirked a wrinkled smile and nodded his head towards the servant. I wasn’t at all surprised they were all females around the same age as me and wore tight white skirts that barely covered their ass. It was probably a specific touch asked for by Mr. Brava himself. But there was a job to be done and if entertainment for Mr. Brava was it, I’d try to bear through it.

Once this old man crossed the line, I’d be out of there.

“This looks delectable, Michael.” Daxon said as he admired the first course served in front of him from across the table.

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