Page 7 of Scarlett and the Big Bad Billionaire
“They’re kidding,” I said.
“No, we’re not,” Gandalf said. “Wolf here is just being shy. He was salesman of the year. You wouldn’t believe how many imprinted vibrators and dildos he sold this quarter.”
Clearly my commander was exacting revenge on me for stealing his dance partner.
“You should see the trophy they gave him,” he added with a snicker.
“Calling them ‘sex toys’ makes it sound trivial, but adult products are actually a huge business,” Badger said. “And of course, logoed condoms have saved countless lives, so actually ol’ Wolf here is a hero.”
“Shit, you’re makingmewant to sleep with him,” Volt said.
Red slid from her barstool suddenly and tilted to one side as she struggled to find her balance. Immediately, I was off my own stool, extending an arm behind her back but not touching her.
Miraculously she managed to right herself and gave a salute to my friends and squad members.
“I’mnot sleeping with anyone—ever again. I will be sleepingalonetonight… as soon as I can find my bed. Alone, alone, alone.”
She fished clumsily through her purse then pulled out a key card and held it aloft in a triumphant pose. “Hereit is. Goodnight gentlemen, to you and your dildos.”
Raucous laughter met her slurred pronouncement. I glared at my friends then followed Red, who’d already begun to stagger down the sandy pathway to the hotel.
It wasn’t until I dialed the car service for my friends and spoke aloud that she realized I was right behind her. She gave me an irritated look.
“Why are you following me? I don’tneeda ride—or any imprinted condoms, Mr. Dildo Salesman of the Year.”
I cringed but didn’t try to explain. The truth was off-limits, and she’d be too drunk to remember what I said anyway.
“I know. I’m not trying to sell you anythingorpick you up. I promised your sister I’d make sure you got to your room safely.”
“My suite,” she corrected.
“Ooh fancy. Your suite, then. I didn’t know I was dancing with such a high roller.”
She laughed. “I don’t usually roll that high. My fiancé booked the suite.”
For the first time tonight, my gaze fell to her left hand, which indeed bore a diamond solitaire. “You’re engaged.”
For some reason there was a sinking sensation in my stomach. Must have been hunger—dinnerwasseveral hours ago, and the water I’d been drinking all night wasn’t very filling.
“No,” she corrected. “I. Am. Not.”
“You’re already married?” The hunger grew worse.
Now Red laughed out loud, throwing her head back, which threw her off balance and sent her swerving right into me. If I hadn’t caught her, she would have toppled over sideways onto the dark beach.
“I’mdefinitelynot married,” she said into my chest. “I’m never getting married because men are a bunch of cotton-headed ninny muggins.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at the ridiculous insult. And the fact she’d just quoted the Elf movie. And because her breath was tickling my bare skin.
“Please allow me to apologize for the whole lot of us,” I said.
Lifting her head, she pulled away from me and spun around, lurching back down the path.
“What floor is your suite on?” I asked.
Red wasn’t listening. She’d wandered off the path toward the hotel pool, which glowed with inviting underwater lights as well as landscape lighting strategically placed among the lush plants surrounding it.
Closed at this hour, the pool area was deserted and quiet except for the steady rush of the artificial waterfall.
