I walked down the stairs and caught the sight of Rick, Jonathan, and Kristoff in a group. I looked at them suspiciously. Why would Rick and Jonathan be talking to Kristoff? Jonathan and Kristoff were sworn enemies after what happened with his ex-wife.
I approached the group of men. As soon as Rick spotted me, he stopped talking and I could swear for a blink of an eye guilt flashed across his face. But it was gone so fast, I couldn’t be sure.
“What is going on here?” I asked all three.
Kristoff answered sarcastically, “I have to say, Gemma. Seems you invited everyone but me to your little rendezvous. Not sure if I should take that personally or not.”
Rick mumbled something I didn’t quite catch. I looked at Jonathan but his face was blank, then I returned to Kristoff. “I don’t know, Kristoff. Should you take it personally? There is still time for you to go back to your yacht and just stay there. What’s it going to be?”
“There is nothing that will stop me from staying here, Gemma,” his voice was firm, then he leaned close to me and whispered in my ear. “When I leave, you’ll be coming with me. You have a contract to fulfill.”
I could smell his cologne and shivers raced down my body, wanting him. I should not want him so much. I could blame my wild hormones but truthfully it was all me. My heart, my body, and my soul wanted all of him.
I took a step back away from him to create space between us, answering, “I never signed it and I never will. Get your new blonde admin to sign it.”
I purposely averted my eyes away from him and looked at the rest of the men. I noted they were all watching us carefully. I raised my eyebrow.
“Something to see here?” I asked. “Please do share.”
Jonathan chuckled, which earned him a glare from me and Kristoff.
“Relax, Gemma,” he answered defensively. “I’m just enjoying the show.”
I exhaled in resignation. “Kristoff, want me to show you to your room. I really don’t want to waste my evening, it is late and I still have to get kids into bed.”
As if on cue, all the children started laughing and giggling in their play of run and catch.
“I’m ready whenever you are, beautiful,” he announced.
“Make sure it is just the room he is seeing, Gemma,” Jonathan added, laughing, which earned him another glare, but only from me this time because Kristoff’s eyes never wavered from me.
Rick came up to me and asked in a slightly worried voice. “Want me to show him to his rooms?”
“No,” Kristoff answered at the same time as me.
“No, I can do it,” I told Rick and he nodded with a wink and a twinkle in his eyes.
I exhaled feeling like they were all up to no good. “Hurry up, Kristoff, so I can get you off my to-do list. I guess for that price tag, the least I can do is show you to your room.”
His hand went to my lower back.Just like before.
“I will be sure to keep you busy so I never get off your to-do list,” he added when we were away from the group.
I stumbled, but he held me up with his hands firm around my waist, preventing me from falling.
“You alright?” he asked. The moment my body touched his, I felt the familiar attraction to him flood my body. I wanted him, craved to lean my body into his and feel his warmth. I could feel his breath against the flesh of my neck. I tilted my head, wanting to feel his lips there, and I froze.Stop it, Gemma!
“Yes… yes, I’m fine,” I answered hurriedly and moved away from him, putting some distance between us.
“Gemma.” His voice was low, and his gaze burned with desire. He stepped closer to me, not allowing the space between us. I put my hands flat against his chest, familiar hard muscles under my fingers. “What are you running from?” he asked.
I pushed him just slightly, just strong enough to get some space from him.
“Stop it,” I meant to say that firm, but it came out breathy. “I’m not running, but I would appreciate my personal space.”
He stroked his hand down my neck and I let an involuntarily moan.
“What’s the matter, Gemma?” he asked with a deep chuckle. “Scared you might not be able to resist and will end up in my bed again?”