The Back Nine

by Gia Stone

  Alec made his way to his office and flipped on the light. He needed to get some work done, with the grand opening less than two weeks away, there was still planning and organizing to do. Especially with Marcos being out of town. He laughed to himself.

  From his laptop he logged in and began making notes on his spreadsheets. The resort was fully functioning at this point. The shelves were stocked, and the linens had been placed on all the beds. He would need to check with Brooke tomorrow to see how things were getting set up in the restaurant. Alec knew she was working hard, and it only made him want to be with her even more.

  He stuck the tip of his pen in his mouth. Rubbing it along the tops of his lips. He nodded. He was going to have to tell her at some point. The longer he withheld this information the more it would be detrimental to their relationship. A couple more days wouldn’t hurt. In fact, he would just wait until the grand opening and then tell her. It made perfect sense. He was sure she would see it the same way.

  Alec made a few more notes on his computer and typed out an e-mail to the fireworks crew. They had been debating about the quantity of fireworks and the timing of them. Alec wanted an impressive light show, but he didn’t like the idea of wasting so much paper. The firework crew assured them all of the discarded fireworks would be collected afterward, and the parts that could be recycled would be. This softened the twinge of guilt he had from doing anything that was less than green.

  He placed the pen from his mouth down on his mahogany desk. And stood up. He stretched his arms above his head. It was after midnight. Way past the time he normally closed his eyes for the night. He flipped off the switch and walked back to the bedroom. Brooke was sleeping on her side.

  Alec disrobed and climbed into bed beside her. He pulled her into his arms and inhaled her scent. Vanilla and lavender. He loved her fragrance. Did he love her?

  Chapter Nine

  The official start of the party was 7:00 p.m. But most people on the island wouldn’t show up until closer to 8:00 p.m. Alec was aware of the tardiness of big party events especially by the more influential clientele. The invitations had been sent out months in advance with a follow-up reminder via e-mail that week. It had been penned as the most exclusive event of the summer season. Off-season was when the more frugal tourists were traveling in the Caribbean, but this did not faze Alec from opening during the month of August. He was capitalizing on getting an earlier start and building up new clients. People who would want to visit the resort any time during the year and some of the locals who might become regulars of the café and the golf course.

  Tonight the menu would consist of Caprese mozzarella basil skewers with sour cream baked potato boats with crispy red bacon bits and thinly sliced chives, rainbow fruit skewers, Caprese quinoa grilled stuffed mushrooms with balsamic glaze, Zucchini pizza boats with cherry red tomatoes, Mediterranean cucumber cups with cubed red peppers and feta cheese, Spicy Shrimp Tapas with mangos, and Ricotta cheesecake strawberry lollipops. Going over the menu with Brooke had made Alec want to devour her right on the office desk. But he was trying to keep it professional for the time being while they were at the resort. A day didn’t go by that she didn’t ask something about Marcos. It was getting difficult coming up with new information to share.

  Alec glanced down at the list. Everything had been checked off excluding the final number count on the champagne. This needed to be remedied immediately. Champagne was crucial for the event. He marched into the kitchen. Brooke was counting boxes of champagne no less. She seemed to always be one step ahead of him.

  “Are we set?” Alec paced on the gray Plynyl tile. It was made of post-consumer recycled content and covered the entire resort.

  “Five hundred bottles ordered and accounted for.” Brooke stood up and brushed down her ruby Queen-Anne flared dress, it was several inches above her knee with a box pleat flare. Her neck was lined with a thin star necklace. Alec had given her the necklace along with the dress and matching gold strapped Stuart Madison gladiator shoes.

  “Fantastic. You look amazing. It makes me beyond happy that you wore the dress.” Alec reached for her hand. He wanted to pull her into his arms. But he refrained. After tonight he could capitalize on any desire wherever they were, but not until after they spoke.

  Brooke smiled. “Well, I didn’t really have a ton of options…but I still think this dress is too short.” Brooke tugged on the satin hem.

  Alec flashed a big grin. “It’s perfect. Your legs are….” Alec bit his lip. Damn, he craved having her legs wrapped around him. Tonight he would put both of them above her head. He knew she would cry out, but it would be the good kind. The sound of her voice asking him to stop because he was going to go in so deep. She would have the biggest orgasm of her life, and it would be from him. He counted on it and rubbed his finger along his jaw.

  “Are?” Brooke tugged on his pants. “Hello, Alec?” She squeezed his bulge. An erection was hard underneath his navy pants. A red tie hung from his neck, to go along with the theme Brooke had created. Red Hearts Forever, there was a hint of red on every table and each piece of food had to include something red. The champagne glasses had a red rim around the lip of the flute. The fireworks would be a mix of white and red. It was going to be a memorable evening. Flames of red would ignite between the two of them but only after they spoke. Alec was looking forward to telling her…he didn’t like keeping his secret from her. He wanted her to know. He was ready for her to know.

  Alec grabbed Brooke’s hand and dragged her into the pantry. He kissed her hard on the lips, forcing his tongue in immediately. His rough hands ran all over her body. Reaching up underneath her dress he immediately found her clit with one hand and with the other he cupped her behind. He swirled his thumb over her clit. Brooke moaned. His pants were too tight, only in one area. Dammit he wanted to release himself into Brooke at this very moment. He wanted to devour her among the pasta boxes. He pulled back. “Brooke, dammit I want you so bad right now… I promised myself we’d keep it professional here.” He trailed his thumb along her jawline.

  “Why? Because of Marcos? He’s never even shown up.” Brooke’s eyebrows furrowed.

  Alec eyed the floor. Dammit. He didn’t want to lie to her anymore. Well, technically it wasn’t lying. Shit. Yes, it was. But now was not the time. He needed to tell her after the fireworks. That was the plan.

  “I’ve got to go and check on the front. We’ll talk about this later.” Alec leaned in and kissed her cheek.

  Brooke was frazzled and wanton left alone among the pasta boxes. However, she was not dry and hard, but soft and wet. She slid down to the floor and sat in the darkened room. Alec seriously left her alone in the pantry closet with a pair of wet panties and no hopes of rectifying the situation anytime soon. What the hell was his problem? He wasn’t one for not seizing the moment. And because of Marcos? A guy who had never stepped foot in the restaurant. Would he even show up for the grand opening?

  Brooke reached for one of the shelves and lifted herself off the ground. She brushed her dress down and wiped underneath her eyes. A trip to the ladies’ room was definitely in order. Brooke sauntered out of the pantry and made her way toward the restroom in the café. The crowd from the terrace was growing. She needed to be quick and return to greeting guests. Among the people Alec stood out like a celebrity. His tan skin and jet black hair. It didn’t hurt that he was a head taller than almost everyone there.

  The brightly lit bathroom was not empty when Brooke pushed open the bamboo door. A couple of women dressed in shining cocktail dresses were powdering their noses. Brooke strode to the last stall.

  “Can you believe Alec?”

  “Like my mother always said, wonders never cease.” Both women laughed as the click of the latch met the frame.

  Brooke stared at herself in the mirror. Something was up, and it wasn’t just her hair. She smoothed down her hair and washed her hands. She snagged a microfiber cloth from the basket, dried her hands, and tossed the towel in the la
undry basket. Reusable everything. Which was not a surprise. But apparently something else was, and she was going to figure it out.

  On the terrace music from a local jazz band filled the air. They played an upbeat tempo. The breeze was light with no sign of clouds and little stars poked out from all areas of the sky sparkling along next to the crescent moon. Alec was speaking with a middle-aged couple, laughing like old friends. She knew it was a bit of a dare to go for it. But she had worked up the courage in the ladies’ room.

  “How’s everything going Alec?” Brooke asked as she stuffed her panties into his pant pocket.

  All eyes were on her, but she was going to have to go with confidence and smile in this situation. The couple most likely had no idea what she had placed in Alec’s pocket. Now, Alec on the other hand, Brooke was fairly certain, knew exactly what she had done.

  Especially as he bit his lip quickly. “Fantastic, Brooke. This is Martin and Erma Monchego. This is Brooke, the fantastic manager of our café.”

  “Lovely to meet you.” Brooke offered her hand to the Monchegos.

  “Brooke, these Spicy shrimp, you must give me the recipe. I’ve had at least three!” Erma touched Brooke’s arm.

  “Oh thank you.” The corners of Brooke’s mouth rose high.

  “Brooke, she’s had at least ten, so if there’s a shortage, you know who to blame,” Martin chortled.

  “Martin, you’re so loco. Stop it! She’s going to think unkind of me!” Erma giggled.

  Brooke let out a laugh as well. “I’m so happy you are enjoying them. Please excuse me.” Though Brooke appreciated an enthusiastic eater, they could not run out of food tonight. She rushed to the kitchen just as her arm was being tugged on.

  “Hey, well look who it is. All dolled up.” Marshall held tight on to her arm with one hand and in the other he held an almost empty glass of what appeared to be scotch.

  Brooke wrinkled her eyebrows. What was he doing here? She tried to pull her arm away, but his grip was too strong. She was definitely not going to shout. Causing a scene was the least likely thing she wanted to do.

  “Marshall, let go of my arm.”

  “Why?” Marshall chugged back the remaining amount of scotch in his glass.

  “Marshall, let go. You’re hurting me.” Brooke tried to yank her arm away again.

  “You’re hurting me. Right. How much do I have to pay you to shut up while I fuck you?” Marshall dragged her toward the kitchen.

  Brooke looked back toward the crowd. No one was paying attention. Would they even hear her if she did scream?

  Chapter Ten

  The kitchen was empty. Marshall had never displayed signs of violence, but now Brooke feared he was good at disguising his true self. He dragged her to the island of the kitchen.

  “Make me another drink, I’m parched.” Marshall slammed his glass down on the counter.

  “Um, I don’t think that’s a good idea. You seem like you’ve had too much already.” Brooke stepped away from him and moved toward the back counter. The knife drawer was only a few feet away. Slowly she tiptoed backward until her behind hit the granite countertop.

  “Too much. You wouldn’t know what too much is. Except for too much of a good thing. I gave you everything and yet you disgraced me. Make me a drink.” Marshall slid his glass across the kitchen island. It barely missed falling off the edge.

  Brooke opened the drawer and pulled out a knife. She held it up in front of her.

  “I worked for you as your personal assistant, not anything else. Now stay back.” Brooke sidestepped to the right. If she could get past the island she might be able to make it out of the kitchen before he could reach her side of the counter.

  “You owe me.” Marshall undid his tie. His gray hair was ruffed up on the side, and his shirt did not have the usual smooth press to it. He had never looked this disheveled before. Even his black Patton shoes were void of their gleam.

  “For what?” If she kept him talking maybe in his drunken state he wouldn’t notice her leaving the room.

  Marshall charged toward her. Brooke screamed and turned to run out of the kitchen. Marshall grabbed a hold of her dress. “You can’t escape me.” He scratched at the fabric of her hem.

  “What the hell is going on in here?” Alec’s eyes were cold.

  “Get out of here caddie.” Marshall fanned the air.

  “Let me go Marshall.” Brooke tried to pull away from him.

  Alec cast his eyes on Marshall’s hand wrapped around Brooke’s arm. The vein in his neck was throbbing like a race car looping the track at the Indy 500. In one swoop he cold-clocked Marshall and pulled Brooke to his side. Marshall lay slackjawed on the plynyl tile floor.

  “What happened?” Alec held on to Brooke’s hands. Her fingers were trembling.

  “I was going to check on the food and Marshall grabbed my arm and dragged me in here.” Brooke placed the knife on the counter.

  Alec picked up the knife and ran his finger across the blade. “Did he attack you?”

  He cast his gaze on Marshall’s body. He seemed to be coming to and was rubbing his jaw. Alec took in a deep breath and walked the knife to the sink. The clank of the steel on the metal was loud.

  Alec gripped the counters of the island. Dammit, it took everything in him not to finish Marshall off. He didn’t need a murder on his record or to be locked up. He cocked his head to the side and ran his hand through his hair. Alec slammed his fists down on the counter. No, he couldn’t kill him.

  “We need to get him out of here. He’s drunk and you should be out greeting guests.” Brooke smoothed her dress down. Her face was full of worry and embarrassment. Why was she embarrassed? Was she worried about the resort?

  “I’ll handle it. Why don’t you go back out and forget about this scene. We can talk about it later.” Alec reached for Brooke’s hand.

  “How about handling this. I’m about to sue the shit out of your ass caddie. Get me the owner of this place now. I’m going have you fired on the spot.” Marshall sat up and wiped his mouth. There was a large bruise forming and a small cut under his lip.

  “Marshall you have exactly three seconds to get off my property, or I will have you arrested for trespassing and assault.” Alec glared down on Marshall. What a sad sack of shit. Threatening him. He could go eff himself literally.

  “Your property? Ha. I bet the owner wouldn’t take too kindly of you lying to make yourself look important.” Marshall stood up. He was a tall man, but Alec still had a couple of inches on him.

  Alec’s muscles flexed underneath his shirt. The vein in his neck was working overtime. “Marshall, you should leave now. He’s right. The owner wouldn’t ever do anything to Alec.” Brooke stared at Marshall.

  “Oh really, why is that?” Marshall pressed his lips together.

  “Because I’m the owner. Now get the hell off my property.” Alec pushed his index finger into Marshall’s chest.

  “What?” Brooke glanced up at Alec.

  “Yes, I own the property.” Alec kept his eyes focused on Marshall’s as if he were going to beam him out of the room with telekinesis.

  “Oh, how quaint. Brooke went after a wealthy guy. Interesting. What is this some sick role play of yours, the poor guy who turns out to be rich?” Marshall stepped back and glared at Brooke. “And you, Brooke. You were already with the richest guy on this island.” Marshall ran his hand through his hair.

  “First of all, Marshall, I was never with you. I was your personal assistant, and second of all I had no idea Alec owned this place. It was something he failed to mention.” Brooke cast her attention to Alec. Shit. This was not the way Alec wanted Brooke to find out about him owning the resort. She wrapped her arms around her waist.

  “Senor, the fireworks. They are ready for you,” Mario said. His brow was furrowed. How long had he been there? Mario widened his stance.

  “Bueno, Mario, por favor make sure this man makes it off the property and never steps foot on it again.” Alec grabbed B
rooke’s hand and led her out of the kitchen and as far from Marshall as physically possible. He would deal with him tomorrow.

  “Si, senor.” Mario charged toward Marshall and grabbed him by the arm. “Vamanos.”

  “No speakey Spanish, okay?” Marshall shrugged off Mario’s arm and stormed out of the kitchen and down the steps toward the parking lot. Mario followed after Marshall to the parking lot and alerted the rest of the staff about the warning.

  Chapter Eleven

  The pyrotechnic experts were waiting for the cue from Alec. Of course this was not how he had wanted or expected things to happen. In his mind once he gave the cue to the crew he would hold Brooke’s hand and tell her he was so happy to share such a special evening with her. Then go on from there about owning the property. It wasn’t like he didn’t trust her. It was that he didn’t trust himself. He wasn’t sure about his instincts with women. This was the first relationship he had in a long time where he got the notion that Brooke was with him for him, not because of his status or money. Women were always interested in him, but it was usually for superficial reasons. The ladies at the golf pro shop were always wanting to see if he would cross the lines of professionalism and improve more than their golf swing. And the women he dated were always wondering if he was going to be something more than a golf assistant. They didn’t even know his proper title.