Page 8 of For the Promise

Unfortunately for Eli, Paisley hates him. Or, she says she does at least. I’m already making bets with her friends about how long it’ll be before the two are knocking boots.

“We should probably get going or we’ll be late.” Paisley is nearly as obsessed with time management as me.

She glares at me. “You don’t have to look excited.”

I can’t stop myself from smiling. “Sorry. Not sorry. I’ve wanted a tour ofBuccaneer’s Whiskeysince I arrived on the island but they don’t give tours.”

“At least there’s a bright side to a hurricane destroying the business,” she mutters as she opens the car door.

I pretend I don’t hear her as we drive out of town. The distillery is located in the middle of the island between the towns of Smuggler’s Rest and Rogue’s Landing. There’s one more town on the island – Pirate’s Perch – but it’s tiny and doesn’t have any businesses.

“What do you need me to do once we arrive?” I ask.

“We need to ensure all of the facilities are available for brewing beer – water supply…”

Paisley doesn’t stop listing all the things we need to check on until we arrive at the distillery. It’s a good thing I already spent several days researching the situation since I wasn’t able to make any notes while I was driving. Although, knowing my boss, she already made a checklist for me.

We step out of the car and the door to the offices of the distillery opens and Eli appears. I have no interest in the billionaire, but it’s not hard to admit how handsome he is. Especially wearing a three-piece custom suit.

Paisley scowls at him and I nearly giggle. It’s obvious from the flush on her cheeks and the way her breath catches that she’s into him.

“Why do you hate him?” I ask.

She ignores my question and marches toward Eli. I scramble to follow her.

“Eli,” she grunts in greeting.

He grins and his blue eyes light up. “Paisley.” He grumbles her name and I nearly swoon. Whatever’s holding my boss back from him must be big.

I wave. “Hi, I’m Blossom. I’m Paisley’s assistant.”

“Eli Raider,” he introduces himself as if everyone on the island doesn’t already know his name.

He’s a billionaire on a small island where the inhabitants think gossiping is a sport. Everyone knows every move he makes. Including me.

When silence falls, I rush to fill it. “I’m excited to tour your distillery facilities. I tried to get a private tour, but the master distiller apparently forbids heathens in his distillery.”

Eli grins. “My brother, Jaxon, is the master distiller. He’s very serious about his whiskey.” He motions toward the large garage doors. “Shall we?”

I trail behind Eli and Paisley as we walk toward the doors. Paisley slows down in an effort to lag behind Eli but he slows down along with her. It’s hilarious to watch. It’s as if they’re both dancing but listening to different music.

Eli opens the door with a remote. The door slides open and the distillery is revealed. There’s a large empty area where the brewing facilities will be housed whileFive Fathomsrebuilds. On the other side are barrels and kettles and various other equipment to support the distillery.

I step closer but a man marching toward us has me stopping. I don’t want to overstep my bounds. Especially since I’ll be working here with Paisley for the next while.

I study the man as he approaches. Unlike Eli, he’s dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. He’s tall and the t-shirt strains across his chest. He has a bit of scruff on his jaw but I get the feeling he’s not trying to look cool or hip. He’s also wearing a pair of black framed glasses that scream nerd.

The text of his t-shirt – it saysthat’s the spiritwith an image of a barrel of whiskey below it – confirms he’s a nerd.

If this is what ‘nerd’ looks like, I’m officially a nerd lover because this man is a tall drink of sexy with a side of handsome.

“A word,” hedemands of Eli.

“Paisley, Blossom, this is my brother, Jaxon. He’s the master distiller,” Eli introduces.

Paisley offers him a hand but he spins on his heel and marches away without shaking it.

“Sorry.” Eli excuses himself before following his brother.

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