I had done my homework and did some online research of who I would be sharing my accommodations with. Some of these firms liked to be territorial and I needed them to understand that as official wedding photographer, on the wedding day they better not get in my way.
My size had me at a disadvantage. People had a hard time taking someone who barely came to most people’s shoulders seriously as an adult. It didn’t help that I dressed like a teenage boy most of the time, except when I was on a job. I prided myself on how well I cleaned up when I was in my professional mode.
Today, I didn’t need to be in professional mode. I would be alone at the bed and breakfast until Friday. Then I would pull out my professional clothes and face the staff from the PR firm.
Would the owner present himself? It made sense. He was part of that elusive circle of friends from the boarding school we all attended. Aleksander’s appearance was expected, he and Richard were best friends from the beginning.
Would Jackson Naile be overseeing the campaign to promote the island personally?
I put away my stuff, taking care to hang the sultry blue dress I would be wearing for the wedding. It cost me more than I spent on my entire wardrobe.
It draped low in the back. I loved the way it hung on my body. The quarter length sleeve hid my muscular arms and a single tattoo that covered a scar.
A reminder to never give up.
The sales lady was helpful in assisting me with finding the correct bustier to wear underneath so the straps did not show. I’d often been complimented on my sexy back. I would have to put my best foot forward, or in this case, my best back if I followed through on my plan to attempt to seduce Jackson.
Not that it would be hard. He was a notorious Womanizer. I doubt he would bring a date. I had not seen him in years. Would he remember me?
I decided to take a nap.
Some chattering woke me.
Must be the staff stocking the fridge for tomorrow's guests. They were not expecting anyone this early and I assured Mackenzie I did not need any pampering and could cook for myself tonight providing there was food in the fridge.
I headed to the well equipped kitchen and started dinner. With my lasagna almost ready, I lowered the temperature of the oven.
I began pulling equipment out of my bag. I wanted to get some shots of the sun setting from the top of the lighthouse. If I could get some really good shots, I may be able to sell them to Jackson’s firm as part of the PR campaign. I would take advantage of any personal contact I could exploit at this time.
I turned around and almost dropped my most prized possession. My very expensive Nikon F1050.
There he was, Jackson Naile, standing in my kitchen. Well not mine exactly, but what I thought would be mine alone when I arrived.
“You scared the hell out of me, Jackson, what the fuck?” Not the most graceful greeting. The look in his eyes told me he had no idea who I was. Better rectify this right away.
“Angelic Brooks, I went to Brentwood, ring a bell?”
“We went to Brentwood together?” He had that womanizing smirk I’d seen in the tabloids.
I wanted to slap it off his face.
Or kiss it off.
Of course he would automatically assume I was one of his many conquests. In a way, I guess I was. Not in the way he was thinking at this moment.
“No, we went to Brentwood at the same time, we did not go to Brentwood together.” The confusion on his face amused me. He had no clue what I was hinting at. “We were not in the same class.”
“Were you a Junior when I was a Senior?”
Was he really that clueless? The tabloids were notorious for reporting his misadventures. They often hinted at his lack of intelligence. I guess when you were a Billionaire, you didn’t need to worry about whether you were smart or not.
“No, I was in a different “class.” I air quoted the word class. “We didn’t run in the same circle.” The lights were finally coming on.
“Scholarship student?”
I just couldn’t help myself, I teasingly stood on my tip toes and patted the side of his face. “See, you’re not as dumb as the tabloids say after all.”
Big mistake. The fire ran from my fingertips straight to my toes and my brain remembered.
It remembered that one stolen kiss many years ago. A kiss that still burned my lips when I thought about it.
I immediately turned so he couldn’t see me blush. I was embarrassed that I allowed that kiss to happen. A kiss that to this day, he did not remember. He could not remember.
“Something smells really good.”
That was what got his attention, my lasagna. My mother always said the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach. Holy shit, did I want to get to his heart. Was I secretly hoping he would show up early like I did?
“The staff arrives tomorrow so I made dinner. There’s enough for two if you would like to join me?” I just invited Jackson Naile to join me for dinner. Fucking Jackson Naile was standing in my kitchen at my mercy if he wanted dinner.
I heard him snicker. “That’s a first, I’m not usually at anyone’s mercy.”
Did he read my freaking mind? “You’re not at my mercy, there’s plenty of food in the fridge. You can simply make something for yourself.” I was not going to let him know that my panties were melting with every minute he stood behind me.
I wondered if he was watching me as I tried to be leisurely about my actions. I didn’t want him to know how nervous he made me. How aroused he was making me.
He was fucking Jackson Naile. If I turned around and flung myself into his arms, by reputation, I knew he would carry me to his bed and fuck me beyond my limits.
Did I want him to?
Hell yes, I wanted him to.
I put the lasagna on the counter and took out two plates. “Yes or no?”
“Yes,” he smiled and my panties were soaked. I felt the need to stand and eat over the sink so I didn't leave any trace of my arousal on the chair.
The one he was pulling out for me like a gentlemen. I took the seat and hoped my sweats were absorbent enough to remove any traces my body had to his closeness.
He was hotter than I remembered from school. His jawline was more mature, and his high sculpted cheekbones would be the envy of every male model. His polo shirt snug against his chest and the short sleeves showed off his muscular arms.
The very arms I wanted him to use to carry my petite body up the stairs and to his bed.
His slacks did nothing to reveal what lay underneath. For that, I would have to use my imagination. It wouldn’t take much. Pictures of him had been in circulation over the internet for years.
It wasn’t that I’d been stalking him, it was more that I’d been torturing myself for never coming forward. For never taking the chance to come clean.
I needed to eat and get away from him before I propped myself on the counter and begged him to take me right here, right now. It was the first time in a long time that I thought about begging for anything.
I tried not to make eye contact. I knew the minute I looked into those piercing blue eyes I would never get him out of my head. Those beautiful ice blue eyes from long ago. Those full captivating lips I could still feel against mine.
I'd had sexual encounters in the past. I have even had hot sex with sexy men I’d picked up at weddings. Wedding one night stands were the best. Everyone was drunk and looking for a hookup to forget the fact that they had not found the one. But I have never had such a burning desire to be taken, to be claimed, to be ruined by anyone, except him.
He was filling the time with mundane chatter. I knew he was trying to be charming. Putting on his womanizing charm. Then it hit me, I looked like a sixteen year old boy. There was absolutely nothing sexy about what I was wearing.
He was simply being polite because I fed him. Maybe he was hoping if he was nice to me, I would make him breakfast before the staff arrived in the morning.
I needed to get out of here with
my pride intact.
“I’ll clean this up when I get back from taking pictures of the sunset.” I was sure this was something far too romantic for a man like Jackson Naile. If you looked up Hit it and Quit it on the internet, there would be a picture of Jackson.
The phrase, do you want to get nailed, was coined especially for him, for his reputation.
“Don’t climb the lighthouse unless you announce yourself. I almost walked in, or rather walked up, on Richard and Mackenzie.” His glare was teasing, waiting for me to blush. I didn’t give him the satisfaction.
“Thanks for the warning,” I picked up my camera, placed my unruly curls under my hat and headed out. “There’s plenty of beautiful trails, and I am sure the sun looks equally amazing setting over the ocean from any viewpoint.”
“Hold up, you shouldn’t be roaming around at night by yourself.”
What kind of bullshit story was that? “I’m sure I’ll be fine. We are on a secluded island with Richard’s family. I’m quite capable of taking care of myself,” I scoffed.
“What about the wild animals that might be lurking about?” There was something sinister in his eyes, his penetrating ice blue gaze stared through me.
“Wild animals?” Nobody said anything about wild animals. We were on an island, with wooded areas. Why wouldn’t I have been told about any dangers of wild animals?
Chapter 3
Jackson
I couldn’t get over her eyes, the way they glittered. They seemed very familiar. She admitted we kind of knew each other. She didn’t give any indication we spent any quality time together. I would have considered her jailbait in school. That’s where I drew the line.
Yes, even the great womanizer Jackson Naile had limits.
She pulled out two plates. “Yes or no?” She was very direct. Authoritative. I liked it more than I was willing to project.
“Yes,” I pulled out a chair for her. Why not be a gentleman? She was gracious enough to offer to feed me. She placed the full plates of lasagna on the table and took the seat I offered.
She didn’t seem to be paying attention to the conversation. I was used to women hanging on my every word. She looked like she couldn’t get away from me fast enough.
Why did I make her nervous? Was she aroused by my hard toned body?
I worked hard on my physique and was very proud of it. It allowed me stamina in the bedroom that earned me a reputation that women sought. Certain kind of women, anyway. The kind of women who enjoyed getting nailed by Jackson Naile.
I wanted to see what was under those baggy boys clothes she chose to wear. She had a beautiful face and I loved her untamed curls. That was no doubt the reason for the baseball cap. Something about her made my cock twitch. This was the longest conversation I'd had with a women in years, and it was all one sided.
I stopped dating once I understood women only accepted my invitations with the intentions of getting me to fuck them. Now I sat at the bar like bait and waited to get hooked.
I didn’t see Angelic as the type of woman who would sit in a bar, waiting for the great Jackson Naile to make an appearance.
She sure could eat for such a tiny person. Another reason I stopped bothering to take women to dinner. They would order the most expensive thing on the menu then shove it around their plates after two bites, claiming they were stuffed.
The lasagna she made was better than some I’d had in five star restaurants. I had to give it to her, she could cook.
My mother used to say the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach. Did I want her to get to my heart? I’d just met her, but I sensed there was more to this. She had no idea I would be showing up early. She had no ulterior motive in offering me dinner.
“I’ll clean this up when I get back from taking pictures of the sunset.” Was she trying to ditch me? I wasn’t sure if I should be upset or flattered that she was not considering me dessert.
Did she find my company or my conversation offensive? I tried to stick to neutral topics. Nothing that would indicate the desire my body had encountered since I stared into those amazing blue eyes and dark sooty lashes. And her lips, pink and pouty.
“Don’t climb the lighthouse unless you announce yourself. I almost walked in, or rather walked up, on Richard and Mackenzie.” I gave her a teasing glare. She didn’t bite or blush.
“Thanks for the warning.” She was gathering her equipment and hid her bouncy curls under her cap. “There’s plenty of beautiful trails, and I am sure the sun looks equally amazing setting over the ocean from any viewpoint.”
She was leaving, without me.
“Hold up, you shouldn’t be roaming around at night by yourself.” She was totally not buying it. I could see it in those eyes. Those eyes which had been haunting me since she turned around.
“I’m sure I’ll be fine. We are on a secluded island with Richard’s family. I am quite capable of taking care of myself.” She was mildly defensive. It turned me on that she was not melting at my feet, a common trait amongst most of the women I encountered.
“What about the wild animals that might be lurking about?”
“Wild animals?” I saw her tense slightly.
“I’m yanking your chain.” I couldn’t help but laugh. She wasn’t laughing. She didn’t look one bit amused. “Let me grab my hoodie. I wanted to check out the scenery as well so I can start working on a strategy for the campaign before my team arrives.”
We walked out the front door and before I could get out a word, she placed her hand over my mouth. Her small stature had her standing on her tiptoes to reach my tall six foot two height.
“Ssshh.”
I let her proceed, then noticed she was taking pictures of Richard and Mackenzie walking away from the lighthouse. Touching intimately, caressing like nobody was watching. It felt invasive to let her continue, to keep clicking that camera.
Before I could protest, she put the camera down. “Those are the candid shots that makes a wedding album priceless. The shots you get when the couple sees no one and nothing but each other.”
I wondered if Angelic yearned for someone to look at her like that. I could look at her like that. Hell, I had been looking at her like that since the minute I stared into those haunting eyes. Those beautiful crystal clear blue eyes. There was something more behind those eyes, but what?
We passed Richard and Mackenzie on the way to the lighthouse.
“I’m hoping to get some shots of the sunset.” Why did she feel the need to explain? Why was she suddenly nervous?
“She’s all yours,” Richard snickered as they passed by. Did he assume I was taking Ms. Brooks to the lighthouse to seduce her? It was something I had considered, but she had not given me any indication that she wanted to be seduced.
In fact, quite the opposite. She appeared as if she was looking to run in the other direction.
“The lighthouse is this way,” I pointed as she headed to the dock.
“I know,” she huffed and raises an eyebrow in frustration, “I want some shots from all angles, not just the lighthouse. Richard said I could take some off the bow of his sailboat. You coming?” She tilted her head and narrowed her gaze. “You don’t get seasick or are afraid of water, are you?”
“No,” I growled, coming off more defensive than I had intended. “I debated coming in on my own sailboat, but thought I should try out the Inn if I am suppose to promote it. I think I might return next weekend with the boat, you know, to get the entire island experience.”
“How does that work? Do you rent the dock space the same as renting a room? Do you still get to use all the facilities like the kitchen, showers? Do you book the excursions separately?”
“Those are a lot of great questions, maybe you should come work for me,” I halfheartedly teased.
“No, I like being my own boss now. I decide who I work for, what jobs I take.”
I watched her as she worked. Her movements were fluid, her concentration absolute.
“It’s hard
working on your own sometimes, but for now, it works for me.”
There was a sadness behind her words. Before I got the courage to ask her to let me in, she spun on her heels. “The sun is setting. I don’t want to miss these shots from the top of the lighthouse.” She left me standing on the boat.
This time, she did not ask if I was coming with her. My chest tightened.
I followed her to the top of the lighthouse and Angelic began shooting away. I watched her in her photographer mode. Her face lit up and her petite lithe body contorted into angles that made my pants uncomfortably tight. She climbed on top of the railing and pressed her back against the lights.
“Come here,” she instructed. “Let me use your shoulder for leverage; I don’t want to take a face plant off this thing.”
I was totally enthralled by her and I didn’t understand it. I’d slept with supermodels, heiresses, and women of a professional nature but… I couldn’t put my finger on it.
The fire burning inside me wanted to grab her close and kiss her like she had never been kissed. I wanted to rip those baggy boys clothes off her body and touch every inch of her, taste every inch of her.
Hell, I wanted to fucking devour her.
“Help me down.” She was very straightforward; no teasing glances, no lightly touching my arm and coyly asking if I worked out. She hopped off the railing and set her camera down and faced the ocean. “She sure is beautiful.”
“She sure is,” I wasn’t talking about the ocean or the last rays of the sun setting in the distance as the moon began to rise. I took a quiet step towards her. I bent over to kiss the soft curve of her neck just below her ear. On my decent, my breath brushed the top of her head.
The next thing I knew, I was flat on my back with her knee in my chest and my wrist twisted so that if I moved an inch, it would shatter every bone in it.
I should have been pissed. Instead, I was aroused beyond comprehension. She didn’t appear to be upset by my actions, only amused at my reaction to her actions. She slowly released my wrist, then removed her knee from my chest and extended her hand.
Womanizer Heir (The Heirs Book 4) Page 2
