Brook smiled. “Isn’t that always the way?”
She rushed off, went to the locker room, showered, and changed into a pair of shorts and a tank top. Brooke wasn’t about to go swimming, and wearing her bikini in front of the guests felt kind of funny. This was perfect for the occasion. Alex had given her one of his books to read when she was first hired. Although she had intended to finish it, she couldn’t. By the time she made it to her room every night, she was dead on her feet and ready to sleep. A gory murder mystery wasn’t going to give her sweet dreams. But it was early afternoon. She had plenty of time to think of something more pleasant before bed.
As expected, there was plenty of room on the beach. After all, nightlife came with a price. Who wanted that big bright yellow ball in the sky threatening to make your hangover even worse? Brooke didn’t need to worry about that. She not only didn’t drink, she was a morning server, so she never stayed up past ten. At least not in New Hope. Who knew what her next job would require? Hopefully, it’ll allow me to sleep late.
Brooke considered herself a morning person, but really, everyone wants to be able to sleep in once in a while. The problem with living where you work, was you always felt like you were at work, even when it was your day off. Guests seemed to recognize her, even without her waitress apron, and before she knew it, she was fetching someone tea, coffee, or something to eat. Not once had she even considered telling them she was off the clock. She was there to make their vacation one they would never forget.
From what she’d witnessed over the past ten months, the word about New Hope was growing. They had been busy before, but the clientele was changing. It was a younger crowd, enjoying all the amenities the resort had to offer. Heck, if she wasn’t on staff, so would she.
Even though she’d been banking most of her check each week, it wasn’t like she could afford to stay on as a guest. This place wasn’t cheap. As a young girl, she’d stayed at more places like this than she could recall. It was nice having rich parents. However, even better than that was choosing to live without taking a cent from them.
Her friends all thought she was crazy, but it provided a sense of pride knowing everything she had or did was because she’d earned it. Of course there were times when she wanted to cave in and accept her parents’ offer for a new car or a house, but why did she need those things? Brooke had an amazing life. Each year she worked doing something different. By the time the job started to get old and stagnant, it was time for her to move on.
What she hadn’t done yet was plan out her next adventure. That was unlike her. She always had something in the works before now. Maybe she did like Tabiq more than she’d thought. It wasn’t as though she was going to be stuck at home, it just meant that her layover visiting the folks might be longer than planned. That will make them happy.
They had been begging her to spend the holidays with them, but as timing had it, the last few years she was off in another country. This past year in Tabiq, the year prior in Florence, and the year before that, on an Alaskan cruise line. People could mock her for choosing to be a waitress, but it meant she could find employment just about anywhere.
Time was slipping away, and she hadn’t even opened the book. Thankfully Alex hadn’t asked her what she thought of it. But she had her answer ready if he did. Bone chilling. She slipped her sunglasses on and opened the book. She was only on chapter three and still couldn’t shake the visual of the horrific scene from chapter two. Brooke had no idea Alex could write so . . . scary. Out of all the Hendersons she’d met, he seemed the most laid-back and easy-going. But his book was about a serial killer that stalked his victims while on vacation.
She slammed the book shut. Oh no. Not today. She would be looking at every guest like they were a potential murderer. That would totally ruin this adventure, and not just for her either. She could only imagine what a guest would think as she started questioning them.
“For someone who tried talking me into coming to the beach, you don’t look like you’re enjoying it.”
She didn’t need to look up to know it was Gareth. “I was enjoying it.” She hoped he picked up on the dig meant for him.
“Too hot? Book boring?” he asked.
“Company,” she blurted. Instantly she wished she could take that back. No matter what her feelings were, hurt or not, he was a guest.
“Wow, and here I was thinking you didn’t find me totally repulsive. Guess I was mistaken.”
“Yes. I mean no . . . I mean . . . I don’t find you repulsive. You seem like a very nice person,” she stammered as she tried to correct herself.
“But?”
“But what?” she asked.
“My company is what has ruined your time on the beach. Why?” Gareth inquired.
“I misspoke.”
“And I don’t believe you,” he said flatly. “Was it the last minute cancelation last night?”
Nailed it. “You mean ‘no show,’ correct?”
He had a puzzled look on his face then said, “You didn’t get my note.” She shook her head. “Damn it. I should’ve tracked you down and told you myself. There was a change of plans, an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”
“You don’t need to explain yourself to me. It was nothing. Trust me, I ate anyway.”
Gareth laughed. “I would hope so or I’d feel even worse than I do now. How can I make it up to you?”
“Like I said, there is no need,” she said, adverting his gaze. He could laugh if he wanted to, but she wasn’t.
“Not even over dinner tonight?” he asked.
This time she turned back to him and said, “I don’t want to hear what your hobbies or likes are that much.”
“Was that what we were going to discuss? I’d much rather hear all about you,” Gareth stated.
“Not much to tell. I like to read. I like to sail. I like . . . just about everything. No food allergies, and I’ve had all my shots. There it is in a nutshell. See. I just saved us both a lot of time.”
“You make it sound like I was shopping for a pet of some sort.”
“I have no idea what you are looking for, Mr. Lawson. But I can tell you, I’m not it.” That was pretty much as clear as one could get. Any other man would’ve walked away long ago, but he didn’t budge, didn’t even flinch at her words. Was he that thickheaded or just stubborn? Maybe it was because he wasn’t getting his way and couldn’t stand it. He did seem the type, like most men who stayed here, who believed their money gave them the right to whatever they wanted. She might have been brought up with a silver spoon in her mouth, but those weren’t the values her parents instilled in her.
“Maybe if you had dinner with me, you’d find I’m not such a bad guy after all. Well, I do have my moments, but overall, I can be charming. And Mr. Lawson is my father, I like to go by Gareth.”
“Fine, Gareth it is. But like I said, you very well might be a nice man, but—”
“You don’t like guys with dark hair. Or maybe it’s my brown eyes. Or my sense of humor. Too tall maybe? Or was it that I wouldn’t go singing? Because that is the one thing I can change. What would you like to hear?”
Brooke didn’t want to laugh or smile, but she couldn’t help it. Once he started singing some country song, belting it out like they were alone on the beach, it was all over.
“You win. You win,” she exclaimed.
“So you’ll have dinner with me?” he asked, looking hopeful.
“Only if you promise never to do that again,” she teased.
He grinned. “I told you singing wasn’t my thing. Now you know I don’t lie. So what time works for you?”
“How about now? I haven’t eaten yet.”
“It’s a bit early for dinner, don’t you think?” Gareth asked.
Brooke snorted. “Trying to wiggle out of it again so soon?”
He raised his hands. “Nope. Now is perfect.”
“What do you want to eat? I can grab it from the kitchen.” It was going to make her feel uncomfo
rtable having any of her coworkers wait on her.
“You can’t be serious,” Gareth said. “I asked you to eat with me, not serve me.”
Before she could reply, Dena, one of the women who worked the front desk, approached. Brooke prepared to be told her mini break had just been cut short. If that was the case, it was okay . . . disappointing, but still okay. She hadn’t expected time off in the first place.
“Hi Dena, is Janet looking for me?” she asked.
“No. Actually I’m here for Mr. Lawson. Mr. Henderson said he is ready to meet with you now and then dinner afterward.”
Gareth replied, “Can you please let him know I’ll reach out when I’m free?”
Brooke stood up. “You can’t blow him off. What if he won’t meet with you later?” He’d mentioned he was in the steel business. And she understood, work came before pleasure. Or lunch.
Dena stood there not sure what to do. Gareth said, “Trust me, he’ll see me later. It’s either that or you join us for dinner.”
Brooke choked. “I think the sun has gotten to you.”
“Brooke, I was with Alex last night. That’s why I had to cancel our date. I’m not doing that again today. He can wait.”
Date? Brooke didn’t miss the look Dena shot her, but thankfully she didn’t verbalize it. Oh, this is going to bite me in the ass. “I can’t . . .”
Gareth turned toward Dena. “Please tell him I’ll call him later this evening.”
“Yes sir,” Dena replied and scurried away.
“Gareth, this is your business. What if he was ready to give you a huge contract and you just blew it?”
He looked down at her and said, “Then it was his loss. Now, what do you want to eat? I’m thinking mango chicken over wild rice.”
Brooke shook her head. “You are so hard to figure out.”
Gareth laughed. “If you do, you’ll be the first. My brothers have been trying for years.”
I’ll be shocked if I even learn your favorite color. Her expectations were set very low. Not because she didn’t think they weren’t attracted to each other, but he was here on vacation or business, and she was here to work. It wasn’t like they met on some singles cruise or dating site. That didn’t mean she wasn’t going to enjoy their afternoon together.
Gareth never thought he’d find her lounging on the beach. His intention was to get a feel for the right location for their dinner date. He’d still like to know why she appeared to know nothing about his note. The woman had said she’d get it delivered right away. Had she tossed it instead? Anything was possible. It didn’t please him, but since it all seemed to have worked out, he’d let it slip. Besides, that wasn’t what he wanted to talk to Alex about tonight. They had much more important things to discuss.
Right now there was something else he wanted to focus on, and that was the beauty sitting beside him. Although the sandy beach wasn’t the ideal place to sit and eat, it was at least . . . private. The only intrusion was when the waiter brought their food. Brooke couldn’t even look at the man as he laid everything out. He got it, she felt guilty, although she shouldn’t. From what he gathered, she’d been working a lot. One afternoon off with a bit of pampering, wasn’t much to ask for. So why did she look so . . . uncomfortable sitting there?
“You don’t seem to be enjoying yourself,” he said.
“I am. It’s just weird.”
“Being here with me?”
Brooke shrugged. “I guess that too. But mostly breaking the rules and knowing that everyone knows about it.”
“Do you really care what anyone thinks?”
Brooke nodded. “I want to leave here with a spotless employment record.”
He laughed. “Do you think one lunch with me will do harm? Because I can talk to Alex and let him know this was all my idea. That I gave you no choice and you were forced to spend the afternoon with me.”
Her eyes widened. “Don’t you dare!”
“Afraid he’ll be angry with me?”
Brooke shook her head. “I don’t want him to think I’m that weak. If I didn’t want to be here, I wouldn’t be.”
Good to know. He didn’t try to hide his grin. “So, you do enjoy my company. I knew it.”
She wrinkled her nose and curled her lips. “Don’t get an inflated ego. It’s better than the book I was reading.”
That was funny, because he knew exactly who the author was. He wasn’t sure if Brooke knew that was Alex’s pen name. “Not a fan?”
“No. If I keep reading it, I might not be able to sleep for a month. He is very . . . descriptive.”
“I thought that was a good thing in a book.”
“Maybe a romance, but not a book like this.” He saw her shiver before she continued. “It’s so real that when I closed my eyes it felt like I was there. That scared the crap out of me.”
“It’s only a story,” he clarified.
“A very scary one. But you’re right, it’s ridiculous.”
“No. Actually it’s a compliment to the author. I’m sure he’d love to hear your feedback.” He didn’t expect her to follow through with that suggestion, but it hopefully provided her with a different way of looking at the book.
“I never thought of it like that. I’ll have to make sure I leave him a good review.” She smiled up at him. “Who would’ve thought you were so thoughtful?”
“Maybe I should help you write the review if that’s your way of paying a compliment,” he teased.
Brooke laughed. “You’re right. I have no idea what it is about you that makes me keep putting my foot in my mouth. My mother would freak out if she heard me.”
“Please don’t tell me I make you nervous,” he begged.
She shook her head. “I’m not afraid of you. Not in the way you might think.”
“Do tell. This conversation has piqued my curiosity.”
Brooke huffed. “Why do I get the feeling I walked right into that one?” He grinned, playing innocent. “Okay, I’ll play. You make me feel . . . uneasy when you look at me.” Gareth cocked a brow and looked deep into her beautiful brown eyes. “See. Like that. It’s like you’re looking into my soul. It . . . it—”
“Scares you?” he asked, not looking away.
“No. Makes me feel . . . vulnerable. I don’t normally feel that way.”
It wasn’t the warm fuzzy feeling he was hoping she’d have, but it meant he stirred something in her that other men hadn’t. She was doing the same to him. It’d been a long time since he’d met someone he couldn’t stop thinking about. There were a few problems with that. One, he wasn’t looking for anything serious. Two, the timing sucked. All she could do right now was fuck with his head so he’d slip up and blow it with Alex.
Like not meeting with Alex when he just asked me.
Hopefully he’d iron that out with Alex later. There was no doubt in his mind that Dena would’ve reported the reason behind Gareth’s delay. Was Alex going to be understanding or an ass? Gareth had no idea. A part of him didn’t give a shit. But Alex seemed to be willing to talk, and that was something Brice hadn’t been willing to do. Gareth needed to move while the opportunity was still there.
Gareth couldn’t end his lunch with Brooke on that note. He wanted her to know she wasn’t the only one feeling that way. Yet he couldn’t make any promises. Not even that he’d have time to see her tomorrow.
“I find myself wanting to spend more time with you. Maybe more time than I have. I wish things were different, but that’s the facts. I’m here on business and . . . I find myself not wanting to leave for my meeting.”
That said more than he wanted, but her eyes softened when he said it, so she got his point.
“Well, Mr. Henderson wouldn’t be too happy with me either if you decide to cancel all together. Although I have a strange feeling we’re going to be seeing each other again very soon.”
“Do you know something I don’t?” he asked.
Those beautiful lips of hers curled as she said, “Yes. I�
�m on the schedule tomorrow for room service, and if I’m right, you’ll be ordering your usual. Two eggs, two bacon strips, two sausage links, and extra coffee.”
He laughed. “That’s not fair.”
“What isn’t?”
“You know more about me than I do about you. I guess we’re going to have to do dinner tomorrow night to rectify that.”
Brooke rolled her eyes. “Please no more dinner invites. They don’t seem to work for us.”
He leaned over and said softly, “Trust me, Brooke. I won’t ever stand you up again. And if something delays me, I’ll let you know personally.”
She swallowed hard and replied, “Don’t make promises, Gareth. Neither of us is in the position to keep them.”
“Sweet Brooke, there are many things I can control, and where I am and who I spend time with is one of them. I promise, I’ll be in the lobby tomorrow at six waiting for you.” He kissed her lightly before she could argue. “But right now, I’m going to heed your advice and go meet with Alex.”
He could tell she was flustered by his brief kiss, but she didn’t say a word about it. “Good luck,” she said as he stood up.
“Are you staying here on the beach?” he asked.
Brooke nodded. “Actually I’m going to give this book another try. Who knows, maybe it’ll grow on me.”
Like you have grown on me.
“If you can’t sleep, you know what room I’m in.” He gave her playful wink before turning to head back to the hotel. He knew damn well she wouldn’t show up, but he wouldn’t turn her away if she did. Distraction or not, he wanted her.
This trip is full of surprises. Wish they were all as sweet as Brooke.
His next stop was Alex’s office. It wasn’t as informal as dinner had been last night, but they had more privacy, which seemed more important at the moment.
“Before we begin, how is it you knew who I am and why I’m here?” Gareth asked.
Alex said, “I didn’t. But Bennett Stone, my brother-in-law, keeps a close eye on who travels to Tabiq. When your name crossed the roster, he suggested I return to Tabiq immediately.”
“He believes I’m a threat?”
The Billionaire's Scandal (The Blank Check Series Book 3) Page 5
