At least he hoped it matched. When she insisted on leaving to sleep in her own bed, turning him down when he offered to take the dog outside for her, he had to wonder.
He also wondered if she’d eventually accept his offer to go to Hawaii. It surprised him how much he wanted her there. For one, he could use her advice, and for another, the girl was an untapped sexual powder keg. He wanted to be the one to make her blow.
Sex on Oahu would be a great addition to her repertoire. He’d had sex in Hawaii before, but he suspected with Rachel it would be different. With her, everything was different. Which made him worry slightly about the location of his balls. He’d like to think he still had them on his person and hadn’t handed them over to the tiny blonde currently turning his brains into paste.
Tag arrived at his brother’s office and spared a shit-eating grin for Bobbie. Reese’s secretary didn’t like him much, but he was determined to draw a smile from her. He’d achieved the feat once, about four years ago. He was convinced there was another one in there.
“Bobbie. Dumpling.”
“Mr. Crane,” she said flatly.
“Reese in there?”
“Yes.”
He sat on the corner of her desk, hearing the wood creak beneath his weight. She gave the surface a worried assessment.
“Do you have a favorite flower, Bobbie?”
“What on earth are you talking about?” Black eyes darted to his.
“Roses? Daffodils?” He snapped his fingers. “Wait. I’ve got it. Tulips.”
“None of the above. Mr. Crane, would you kindly remove your derriere from my desk?”
He did as she asked, walking to his brother’s door. “Okay, but I’m going to keep guessing.”
“Please don’t.”
“You’ll cave eventually,” he said as he turned the doorknob.
She spared him a glare and then picked up the phone and started punching numbers furiously. Probably an excuse to get him to go away. No smile yet, but he’d keep trying.
“Bro!” he said as he walked in to Reese’s office and found him tapping at his keyboard.
Reese looked up from his computer screen. “To what do I owe the honor?”
“Always so formal.” Tag sat in the guest chair in front of his brother’s desk. “I’m going to Hawaii in a few days, so I’ll miss the next board brouhaha.” He tossed the folder in his hand on Reese’s desk. “Details about what I’m doing there, if they care.”
Reese chuckled, warmth lighting his eyes. Maybe it was the infusion of sunlight bouncing off the buildings and the white, reflective snow, but his brother looked lighter lately. Less worried.
“How are things?” Tag asked.
“Things?” Reese closed the folder and set it aside. “Meaning?”
“With Merina. You seem…weird,” he said, using Reese’s words from the other day.
“Ha-ha.”
“Good, though?” Tag asked. “I mean, you seem good. It’s nice to see you happy.”
In a rare moment of sharing, Reese said, “Merina makes me happy.” Then his smile wiped away when he tacked on, “Had no idea what a miserable bastard I was before she came into my life.”
“I did.” Tag smiled, and in a snap, his brother and he were back on familiar ground. Either of them would go to battle for the other one, but they always gave each other hell.
“How long will you be on Oahu?” Reese asked.
“Week. Maybe two.” Tag averted his eyes. “Depends on how long my advisor wants to stay.”
“Calling in help, eh? Who is she?” His brother’s eyes twinkled.
“It’s not what you think.”
“You’re not looking to have some fringe benefits while on the island?” One side of Reese’s mouth lifted.
“She’s in the business.” Tag’s defenses rose, more because he didn’t want to admit that her pleasure was mostly why he wanted her to go.
Reese blew out a breath from his nose. “Well don’t take advantage of the poor girl so you can get laid.”
Offended, Tag bit out, “I already got laid.” The word sounded crude, so he rerouted. “Made love—whatever.” He felt his face warm when he mumbled, “Have some respect.”
Reese wasn’t often flustered, but his succession of quick blinks when Tag glanced back at him did showcase his surprise.
“This is new,” Reese drawled.
Tag shifted uncomfortably.
“Don’t you usually wiggle out of further commitment at this point? Disentangle yourself with a wink and one of those here’s-looking-at-you-kid taps to her jaw?”
“Not…always.” But most of the time. He wasn’t a one-and-done freak like Reese used to be before Merina, but Tag had never made it a habit to stick around. Where Rachel was concerned, he wasn’t in a hurry to see her go. Different, true. But it was what it was.
“What does she do besides what she does with you?” Reese leaned back in his chair, amused. Tag wished he’d have handled this with an email instead of stopping by.
“Rachel is a bartender with a background in marketing. She is very skilled at what she does.” In and out of the bedroom, he thought, and then quickly buried a budding smile. He’d never been so invested in a woman’s pleasure before Rachel. He hadn’t been lying when he’d told her only satisfied women left his bed, but when it came to Rachel, “satisfied” didn’t cover it. He wanted her thoroughly sated, boneless. Deliriously exhausted.
He put a finger to his lips to suppress a grin.
“A bartender,” Reese repeated, and Tag realized he’d spaced out there for a second.
“She’s smart. And she used to work at the Miami Winshop. She gave me some insight.”
At the mention of Winshop, Reese perked up. “Nicely done. We could use insight on our competitors.” He scooped up the folder and stood, stopping a few inches in front of Tag. “You know, if you like this woman, it’s okay to admit it.”
Tag shook his head. “You know the deal. Cranes play fast and loose.”
“You’re the one who used the term made love,” Reese said, slapping Tag on the arm with the folder. “Have a great trip, baby brother.”
Reese exited the side door, sending a know-it-all big-brother smile over his shoulder before he left. Then Tag was alone in the office, staring out the windows and feeling like “fast and loose” may have described him before he met Rachel, but now not so much.
He stood and walked out, muttering, “Made love” with a low chuckle.
Bobbie sent him a displeased frown.
“Later, sugar,” he said with a wink. No smile, but he’d swear a blush highlighted her slackened cheeks.
* * *
“It’s impossible to pack for this trip!” Rachel shouted from her room in Bree’s apartment.
Bree appeared around the corner, pulling her hair into a ponytail for her shift this evening. “What do you need? Raid my closet.”
“I…I don’t know.” Rachel gestured at the uninspiring wardrobe hanging in front of her. “T-shirts, long-sleeved T-shirts, leggings, a random dress I wore to a wedding a year ago. Wait, no…two years ago. And an array of black pants and blouses that are definitely boring with a capital B.” Aghast, she regarded her friend. “This is not the closet of a woman heading to Hawaii with a billionaire!”
“He wants you naked, Rach.” This helpful hint came from Dean, who walked by the doorway brushing his teeth. He spared her a foamy-mouthed smile.
“He’s right,” Bree said. “Plus, you’re going to advise on bar stuff. Dress like you would for work or vacation.”
“I can’t,” Rachel sighed. “I don’t have any vacation clothes.” Beach vacations weren’t exactly on her schedule when she’d lived in Ohio. Once she moved here, met Shaun, and entered the corporate world, where ladder-climbing was an Olympic event, she hadn’t had time for a vacation. And she certainly hadn’t bothered stocking her wardrobe with vacation wear.
“Then go shopping. Isn’t Oliver giving you your dog sitting check
this week?”
“Yeah…but I’m saving for a deposit on an apartment so I can get out of your hair.” She gave her friend a sheepish smile.
Bree walked into Rachel’s bedroom and put a palm on her shoulder. “Rach. I know it’ll take time. You’re not going to be here forever.”
“Thanks.” But Rachel didn’t want to prolong moving out. She wanted to be on her own. Be her own woman and reclaim her independence. Living in Oliver’s pad and now staying in Hawaii with Tag was going to put a massive gap between the kind of apartment she could afford and the kind of treatment to which she’d become accustomed.
“Plus you never know what might happen with you and Tag,” Bree said as she turned to leave the room. “For the long-term.”
“We’re not going any further than where it is,” Rachel called after her. Bree hummed in the back of her throat and disappeared down the hallway, leaving Rachel with her dilemmas, plural.
Wardrobe, Hawaii, and Tag included.
It was okay for this to be what it was: an enjoyable pastime and a once-in-a-lifetime experience of consulting for a massive hotel chain. She’d talked herself into going because (a) she could put it on a resume, and (b) she refused to allow Tag to pay her.
Whatever happened with him while she was there would be fun, but long-term? No, she wasn’t ready for anything longer than a week or so. Overcoming her sexy fears with Tag was fun, but she didn’t doubt for a moment he’d be over her and back to the game soon enough.
Anyway, she thought as she rolled a summer dress and stuffed it into her suitcase, she knew he wasn’t interested in her for more than a brief foray. It was a good deal for both of them, so maybe she should take Bree’s advice. Have fun, enjoy herself.
“And don’t think about the future.” Rachel capped the statement by tossing in a few pairs of slinky underwear with the tags still on them.
She’d vowed to recapture her boldness.
This was a step in the right direction.
* * *
Oliver handed over the check, and Rachel could swear it felt heavy. It was a lot of money and, after living in the lap of luxury on Oliver’s dime, seemed almost unreasonable to accept. But she did.
He was clear on what he hired her to do, and she’d done the job he asked. Hawaii wasn’t going to be cheap, and while she should be investing the check toward her future apartment, she refused to let Tag take care of her while she was there. She didn’t mind him buying a dinner or two, but she was completely capable of paying her own way.
“Thank you for taking care of Adonis,” Oliver said. “He’s going to miss you. I can see it in his eyes.”
His stormy gray eyes. So pretty. She knelt and gave Adonis a nuzzle, though doing so put her below where his giant head stood.
She straightened and shook Oliver’s hand. “Thank you again.”
“What’s next for you?”
“Oh, um…” She debated telling him the truth. Would he think she was a woman for hire? Bouncing from job to job after money? “Well…”
The elevator behind her dinged, and she turned her head to see the doors part and reveal a long-haired, sexy Adonis in his own right.
“Tag Crane,” Oliver greeted him. Rachel turned to see Oliver’s brow furrow in confusion. She could see the questions on his face. What is he doing on my private floor? Is there a problem with the building?
“Hey, Oliver. Adonis.” Tag reached forward and scrubbed the dog’s head. Then he did something that made Rachel want to hide. He lifted the largest of her bags and slung it over his shoulder. “Ready?”
Oliver slid a glance from Tag to Rachel.
“Uh…”
“Rachel is joining me in Hawaii as an advisor on my latest project.”
Rachel sent Oliver a sickly smile. Even though she didn’t owe him an explanation, she couldn’t help but feel as if he were the father figure in this scenario and she was a teen in need of discipline. Oliver grinned, which totally threw her.
“Congratulations, Rachel. Crane Hotels is a fine company. Does this mean you’re out of the bar? Don’t misunderstand me, I prefer you to wait on me and I’ll miss you, but this is the professional job you wanted, right? A second chance outside of the corporate shadow of your—”
“No!” she interrupted before he kept going and mentioned Shaun. She hadn’t had that conversation with Tag and didn’t want to—especially not in Oliver’s entryway. “I mean, yes, this is a great opportunity, but I haven’t left the Andromeda. Working with Tag is a temporary gig.”
The trip to Hawaii and being with him.
She sent a glance to Tag, who watched her for a few beats before smiling at Oliver. “No one is more qualified to give me an unbiased opinion. I’m lucky she jumped on it, even though it’s temporary.”
She’d also jumped on him, which made her feel flushed and warm all over.
So not the place to do this, Rach.
“Have fun,” Oliver said, and she could see he meant it. “You are going to love the island. Make sure to take a surfing lesson while you’re there.”
“Oh, I don’t—” she started, but Tag interrupted her.
“We will. Thanks, Oliver. Oh, and Rachel had an emergency at work so I made a copy of your key. If you’d like it back, I’m happy to return it. If not and you ever need me to check on Adonis, here, I’m glad to.”
“Hey, you own the building,” Oliver said with a teasing wink. “Frankly, I thought you already had keys to the residences. Keep it. Adonis was in good hands while I was gone. Thank you both.”
They finished up their goodbyes, and Rachel lifted her other bag and followed Tag into the elevator. When the doors closed, she turned to him. “How’d you know I was here?”
“Adonis has a happy bark.” Tag sent her a lopsided smile, one that curved his beard and made her want to kiss him. If only to feel the warmth of his lips. “He does it whenever you come home.”
Aww. That made her smile. She shook her head in thought. “I can’t believe how quickly the weeks went.”
“On Oahu, time will go slower. We’ll make sure of it.” He paired that statement with a big palm on her back, sliding down, down until he rested it above her butt. Tingles shivered down her arms. “We fly out at midnight. I figured the later the flight the more likely you are to sleep through the whole thing,” he said as the elevator opened on his floor. He held the doors open for her. “It’s unlocked.”
She opened his front door and walked into utopia. Seriously, his penthouse was massive.
“Do you want to take a nap before we go? Shower?” he asked, his voice rumbling through her.
“Um. No, thanks. I’m good.” And nervous all of a sudden. Which was ridiculous. She couldn’t be bold while battling nerves.
He carried her bag and her suitcase to the master bedroom. “I’m going to stash your stuff in here. Make yourself at home.”
She stood in the center of the living room, unsure what she was supposed to do with herself for the next five hours until they were airborne. Or what she’d do when she was in Hawaii with Tag. It occurred to her she hadn’t asked about sleeping arrangements, and she probably should before things went further.
“Tag?”
“Yeah?” He appeared in the doorway of his bedroom—a room she hadn’t set foot in yet—and then walked toward her. No, stalked. Stalked toward her like a lion. Or a panther. Or some big, muscled cat.
Definitely a lion. Because he has a mane.
“You okay?” he asked. “You look…not okay.”
She pulled in a deep breath and he lifted one of those “paws” of his and placed it on her face so gently, she snuggled into it.
“Overwhelmed, I guess. I’ve never…flown that far.” Flying was a legit fear. More legit than being nervous to go on a trip to an exotic tropical island with an exotic man.
“Good news. We’re taking the company jet, so you won’t have to worry about layovers or security or any inconvenience. Straight shot to Honolulu airport.”
> “Company jet. Right.” She kept forgetting the billionaire part of this scenario. “And the rooms?”
“We’ll stay at Crane Makai, our hotel on Oahu. The suites there are top-notch.”
She swallowed thickly and asked the question she wanted to ask. “Together?”
“I booked one for each of us. And no, you’re not paying for it; I don’t care how much you bitch at me about it. This is what I do, Dimples. I am entitled to provide a room for you and not take your money.”
She had to laugh, which did wonders for calming her down. Her insistence on paying for the room seemed silly when he put it that way, but it was sillier to stay in separate rooms when she damned well knew they wouldn’t use both.
She took his hand in hers and swallowed down her fears. Once she was a woman who asked for and received what she wanted. She still was. She was just out of practice.
“I think we could share one, don’t you?”
He smiled gently and something else occurred to her.
“Unless…” Her eyes widened. “I mean if you don’t want to, that’s fine, too.”
He might need his space. She hadn’t even considered that.
“Dimples.” He palmed the back of her neck and leveled his gaze with hers. “Hell yeah, I want to share a room with you. I had a great time the other night, and I was hoping on this trip we’d see what else happened.” Then he lost the schoolboy chagrin as the heat flared in his blue eyes. “Honey, I have imagined you in a lot of ways, and most of them involve you naked in my bed in Hawaii.”
She bit her bottom lip and his eyes went to her mouth. He lowered his face, hair shrouding them as she tipped her chin to meet his lips. Then they kissed, gently and surely, her hands moving to his sweater and gripping two handfuls. He sucked in a breath and pulled his lips from hers.
There. There it was. That surge of bravery that infused her every cell when he kissed her. She didn’t know if it was because his touch disabled the worrying section of her brain or what, but Tag was becoming an essential part to her finding her old self.
The Billionaire Next Door Page 13
