Page 18 of Delicious Surrender
He would need to keep a close eye on her—not just because of the way her heart-shaped ass filled out a skirt, but because he couldn’t afford any mishaps at the club. Even if his prick found the little pixie captivating, he would not break his own policy regarding dalliances with staff. He had created it for good reason.
Although several months had passed since he broke his engagement with Sierra, the wounds were still raw. She provedhow mercenary a woman could be. He should have known, since his mother was the queen of the mercenaries, but it was still a shock when he learned of the lengths his fiancée would go to get him to the altar. She could have earned a BAFTA for her performances in the bedroom. He was grateful that he overheard her speaking to her best friend about how she wassufferinguntil the day when she could stop pretending to enjoy giving him head and doing his bidding in the bedroom. She also planned to demand that he sell the club and becomerespectable.
He was well rid of her. Plenty of women wanted to date him, though he had no interest in vanilla sex. For now, he remained unattached and would not try to find a submissive to play with. His mother had political aspirations and implored him to keep his “dirty dalliances,” as she called them, under wraps. Maybe it was time to consider a trip to New York or Houston where he could play in complete anonymity?
To get his mind off his self-imposed celibacy, he pulled up the latest investment pitches sent from his office in Edinburgh. He needed to make some decisions soon about the proposals now that they had Ministry approval. The local planning councils had finally approved the zoning and construction plans. There were a few more parcels of land to acquire to bring the plan together. A substantial investment of his own capital was at stake. It wasn’t a profit-driven venture, it was a passion project.
Garrick knocked and poked his head in. “I was just seeing Tink off.”
“Come on in. Will you have a wee dram?”
Garrick chuckled. “If it’s the 1824 you’re offering, I’m in.”
Gage poured his friend a drink and asked him point-blank,“You think she’s got what it takes?”
Garrick savored the scotch before answering. “Oh, I think she’s one tough cookie. Perhaps not as mild-mannered as the rest of the crew, but that will make it more interesting.”
Gage rubbed his jaw. “Aye, interesting until she slaps someone for taking liberties, like pinching her behind.” He smiled wickedly. “Hell, those curvy thighs are just begging for the palm of someone’s hand.”
Garrick’s eyes widened at his admission. “I made sure she knows what to expect. Our paperwork leaves nothing to chance, either. The members will proposition her. They might get a little touchy, but the floor monitors will keep a close watch, as always.”
Gage hoped he was right. He blew out a breath. “I suppose if she loses her cool, the consequences will give everyone an entertaining spectacle—and a look at her bare arse.”
“I hope the little pixie blows a head gasket and we get a front-row seat.” Garrick took another sip and chuckled.
Gage laughed, but something had been on his mind since Brynne left. “Maybe we should tell Sonya to make her outfits less revealing. It might save some trouble in the long run.”
Garrick looked at him skeptically. “Mate, are you going soft in your old age? We are in the business of liquor, sex, and entertainment. If she sells more drinks because her tits are on display, then that’s a good thing.”
He groaned. “Maybe, but we are not here to feed innocent lambs to slaughter.” Frankly, Gage didn’t want to be distracted by her breasts spilling out of her uniform, nor did he want theguests to lose their heads over her. He tossed back the rest of his drink and stood. “I’m going to head out. I’ve got meetings in Edinburgh tomorrow—but I’ll see you on Friday. Keep the machine running.”
“Will do, man. Safe travels.”
6
A Rough Start and A Rude Russian
Brynne lay in bed and replayed the interview in her head. Against all odds, she got the job. Aunt Josie taught her to never give up when pursuing her dreams. She cleared one major hurdle, but many more would follow! Mr. Big Dick Energy, was one of them. Too much testosterone and arrogance in one hell of a hot package. One minute Gage was cold and suspicious, and the next she swore there was something else radiating from his eyes.
From the top of his wavy dark hair to the soles of his handmade Italian shoes, he was sinfully delicious. Too bad, when he opened his mouth, he ruined her fantasy. His don’t-fuck-with-me attitude should not appeal. Except it did. Is this what a dog feels like in heat? At the mercy of nature? According to Darwin’s theory of natural selection, her body had just chosen her alpha.
She punched her pillow. “Sorry Mr. Darwin, I’m not fallingfor a man who wants to control my every move. It doesn’t matter because he is a million miles out of my league. Even if he is the man to deliver on my wicked fantasies, it’s best to forget him.”
The next day, Nigel gave her two more stories to edit on a tight deadline. She was glad of the diversion. She and Jared got takeout for lunch and found a patio table that gave them some measure of privacy. He pried all the juicy details out of her about the interview.
“I survived my meeting with his royal highness, Lord and Master of Club D.” She rolled her eyes and bowed her head mockingly. “So what if he is the hottest thing on two legs? Guys like that are usually selfish in bed. Women fall all over themselves for the looks or the money. I learned a long time ago to avoid hunks because they don’t have to work at relationships, and more often than not, they are self-absorbed.”
Jared spoke in a low voice. “A security monitor told me he was engaged until a few months ago. He found out his fiancée was lying to him, so he broke it off. He hasn’t been seen with anyone since.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “I bet it was that Sierra chick who I saw after my interview with Garrick. Are you telling me this so I feel sorry for him?”
“No babe, but sometimes good-looking men can be misunderstood. Women are calculating in their pursuit of looks and money without a thought to the guy’s feelings.”
Brynne saw Jared looking pensive as he chewed the last bite of his cheeseburger. “I know that’s happened to you, J.” She grinned, trying to lighten his mood. “It must be hard when boys come after you because of your tight butt and muscly biceps, andthey never bother to ask you about your hopes and dreams.”
“It’s a cross I have to bear.” He smiled, but it did not reach his pale blue eyes.
Jared was model handsome. His dark blond hair was long on top, and he kept his undercut fade perfect by going to his stylist every four weeks. The man always dressed impeccably, no matter the occasion. A scout discovered him at seventeen, and he modeled for three years. She remembered some of his stories. It was soul-crushing work, and he got hooked on amphetamines to keep his energy up and his weight down. The pressure to look perfect took its toll.