Page 118 of Beyond the Hate

“Nope. You’re not letting your dad rule your life anymore. Starting today.”

“Who’s going to enforce this rule?”

“I am. I’m not leaving you. I’m not running away. And you can’t push me away. We’re in this together.”

Something settles in me at her words. Those are the words I needed to hear. I love you sounds fantastic coming from her but announcing we’re in this together is what I need.

“If I agree, I want drunk sex with you tonight.”

She sighs. “I guess I can agree to your terms.”

I reach for her again – she didn’t say we couldn’t fool around a bit before the party – but her phone beeps with a message and she rushes for it.

Her eyes widen as she reads the text. “Chloe says your assistant and your brother are screaming at each other.”

I groan. “I swear my brothers ruin everything.”

“Come on.” She nabs my hand. “Let’s go find out what’s wrong.”

I allow her to lead me out of the hotel suite. I’ll let her lead me wherever she wants to go. She wants to explore the nine circles of hell? I’ll buy some fire-resistant hiking boots.

Paisley is my person. I fucked it up before but I know better now. I’m hanging on tight.

Chapter 34

“I didn’t sign up for this.” ~ Dakota

Dakota

I park my car in front ofThe Hideaway Haven Resortand whistle. This place is super fancy. A few years ago – before I started working for Eli, the billionaire owner ofBuccaneer’s Whiskey– I would have tucked tail and ran away. But now I’m used to fancy stuff.

Although, mostly it’s answering the phone from other rich people, reserving suites in swanky hotels, arranging for Eli’s private jet to pick him up – you know, totally normal rich person stuff.

I’m not usually invited to the parties. But today isn’t strictly a rich person party. It’s Eli’s surprise birthday party.

I roll my eyes. Eli is such a man sometimes. He almost ended his relationship with the woman he loves because he overheard her planning a surprise for him. Dork.

I exit my vehicle and slam the door shut. I open the trunk where the present Eli’s brothers bought for him is. I don’t know what it is. All I know is it’s a big ass box and it’s heavy as shit.

I wrestle the box out of the trunk. But now I need to shut the trunk and I have zero hands available. I’m not about to set the box on the ground. There’s no way I’ll be able to lift it.

I lean against the car and use my chin to drag the trunk down. I bend my knees as the trunk slowly closes. It’s almost latched when my foot slips causing my chin to move and I lose my hold on the trunk. It snaps open and whacks me in the face.

“Whiskey nuts. That hurt,” I mutter as I blink my eyes.

“What the hell are you doing? Are you trying to hurt yourself?”

Rhett yanks the box from me. I wish I could say I fought him for control of the box but my upper body strength does not match his. Rhett’s muscles have muscles. What I wouldn’t do to touch his naked skin and discover how those muscles feel up close and personal.

Too bad the guy is a total control freak. And no one is controlling my life. Not anymore.

“I was trying to bring your brother’s present into the party.” I slam the trunk shut.

“What the hell did you buy him?” He narrows his eyes. “Why are you buying your boss expensive gifts? Do you have a crush on him? He’s not available.”

I hold up a hand. “Stop, Mr. High and Mighty.Ididn’t buy Eli a present.” I did but it’s a card with a gift certificate for a couples’ massage and fits in my purse. “This isyourpresent for Eli.”

“This isn’t my present. I would never ask a woman to bring a present.”

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