Levi madethe rounds at Esther’s party, sending a warm smile to the guest of honor. Esther would be sorely missed, and not just because she kept this place running. She made Club Tahoe tolerable.
But for the first time since Levi began his sentence as CEO, he thought he might have another reason to tolerate the old place.
Levi Cade had noticed and admired just about every part of a woman’s body since he was fourteen years old, but he might have missed one incredibly sexy aspect. Since when did a woman’s back become the center of attention? Damn if Emily in that dress hadn’t stopped him in his tracks after he’d entered the room.
Normally, Emily wore fitted skirts, which he greatly appreciated. His assistant had a nice backside, and it gave a man something to look forward to each day, even if all he did was look. However, tonight she’d surprised him and shown off the upper body she usually hid under boxy blouses and cardigans.
The elegant fabric of her dress covered most of her body, but the dressmaker had done all of mankind a solid and cut out the fabric on her back. She was tall, with a small waist, and now that she wasn’t hiding her torso with ill-fitting tops, he was able to take in her small, shapely breasts too, covered though they were. Her back, however, was all creamy skin, toned, and with delicate bone structure that drew a man’s eye to the heart-shaped thing of beauty resting at the bottom of her spine.
Tonight was a night to celebrate. Perfectly acceptable for a man to stare at his assistant’s ass, right? Technically, he wasn’t working, so he didn’t think he was breaking any boss-employee rules.
He made a mental note to check the HR forms, just to be safe. Not because he planned to go near Emily. Though he had touched her bared skin—purely to get her attention. Had nothing to do with being drawn to her beauty like a bug to the neon light that would be its death.
No, Levi had no intention of going near Lisa’s little sister. Emily was aWright. And Wright women were beautiful, but not to be trusted. Even the damn name lured men in, giving them a false sense of security.Wright,as though everything would be all right. But if you got close enough…zap, just like the damn bug zapper. She’d take your heart and crush it in her soft hands, then stomp on it with her pointy heel for good measure.
Been there, done that. Not doing it again. Levi lifted his chin at his brother Hunt. Another reminder of the past and women to avoid. Only Hunt wasn’t looking at Levi. Hunt’s eyes were onEmily.
“Goddammit.”
“Excuse me?” One of the head chefs glanced at Levi.
He cleared his throat. “GodricHammit.I see Mr. Hammit just arrived.” He waved vaguely. “I should greet him. Excuse me.”
Leave it to Hunt to scout out the most beautiful woman in the room. And since when had Emily become the most beautiful woman in this place? She usually wore no makeup and shapeless tops, and hid behind her hand-held tablet. Levi preferred her that way. She didn’t draw the wrong attention. She didn’t drawHunt’sattention.
“Brother.” Levi slapped Hunt’s shoulder in greeting. He might have put extra muscle behind it.
Hunt winced. “What’s wrong now?”
“Oh”—Levi looked around casually—“nothing.” He caught Hunt glancing at Emily again. “As long as you keep your hands and eyes off my employees.”
Okay, so it was a double standard. Levi had just convinced himself it was fine to stare at Emily in her sexy dress. But Hunt was a different matter altogether. Much like his name, he was lethal to women. Levi didn’t want to see his innocent, young-looking—though sexy—assistant caught in Hunt’s snare.
Hunt rolled his eyes. “Since when is looking a problem? And you’ve got to be shitting me. When have Club Tahoe women been off-limits? I believe we all lost our virginity at one point or another to a wealthy wife or daughter staying at the resort. I can name at least three servers you slept with in high school.”
“That was when we didn’t work here. And lookingisforbidden when it comes to you because you don’t stop at looking.”
Hunt grinned lewdly. “True.”
Levi’s mouth twisted into a frown. “Like I said,eyes off.”
“Sure, sure.” Hunt grabbed a second glass of champagne. “Catch you later.” He headed for Emily.
Levi rolled his neck and stood for all of two seconds before he was following his brother. Would anyone notice if he throttled Hunt in the ballroom?
Probably. Esther wouldn’t like that.
Dammit.
He sighed. Fine. He’d have to use other means to protect Emily from Hunt.
Emily held a glass of champagne and was in a conversation with the head chef of Club Tahoe’s steakhouse, who was young and good-looking, if you were into that sort of thing. The guy’s facial hair was too well manicured. Levi never trusted a man who plucked his eyebrows.
Hunt approached the two of them, and Emily gave him a sweet smile. She had no idea how poisonous his younger brother could be. Or maybe she did. ShewasLisa’s sister, after all.
“Emily, would you like to see a Club Tahoe secret?” Hunt said.
“Secret?” Her gaze flew to Levi, who’d stepped up beside Hunt. A vee formed between her eyebrows. Probably because Levi’s jaw was clenched tight, his eyes focused on his brother like he wanted to rip off a limb.
