I plant my forehead in my palm. “You two are so extra. I didn’t come to Hawaii for a fling.”
“Well, you found one. Watch. He’s gonna get between your legs, in your panties, between the sheets, and all of the above,” Latoya offers after polishing off her drink. “And, he volunteered to pay for our food and beverages for the rest of the week? Yup. He’s gonna beat it up. Be happy there’s an ice machine on every floor. White boy looks rough.”
“Speaking of that,” Keri pipes in. “Did Dre pass out when he saw you with a white man? You’ve never dated outside of your race, but I know he has strong feelings about this topic.”
I roll my eyes and laugh. “I hope it eats his ass. He was just focused on trying to look hard in front of Axel. I’m sure if he has anything scathing to say, it will be when he’s not around. Axel did me a huge favor.”
Latoya reaches for her third drink. “Nope. He’s about togiveyou a big favor.”
Axel
I swipe my card across the reader and push the door open with my shoulder. I’m instantly surrounded by cool air and sunshine. My AC has been stuck on arctic since I’d arrived, but my senses are drawn to the ocean view. If I must work, I’ll do it on the balcony. That way it will feel like vacation and home. I think about the ocean view from my living room in Malibu and a grin tugs at my lips. I’m never far away from the ocean.
I kick off my flip flops and maneuver through my room, quickly grabbing my items. I need to set up for the next meeting. This first call ended before I’d made it to the elevators; Mr. Pafuti wants to meet me while I’m in town to talk about his surfboard orders. He’s one of our biggest clients, so I was happy to accommodate him. I have twenty minutes to put on a happy face for my team meeting. I originally wasn’t going to have one while I was gone, but I couldn’t risk the mole making up shit or poking around in my business.
I slide the doors open and breathe in the smell of the ocean and the food cooking in the distance. I make quick work setting up my station, but there is a knock on my door. My pulse begins to race. My mind automatically shifts to Heaven. If she is on the other side of that door, I’m going to miss my meeting. I’ve never been one for one-night-stands or flings, but there is something about her that gets under my skin. It is reckless for me to give a stranger my room number, but I did—twice.
I swing the door open only to find room service. I’m more disappointed than relieved.
“Hello, Mr. Behr. Bodhi sent up the rest of your food and threw in a dessert for you,” the teenager says as his wavy black hair falls in his face.
“Thank you,” I murmur and give him a twenty.
I drop the box on the granite countertop and grab some rum and a pineapple juice from the minibar. Maybe a drink will dull my senses and relax me. I’m amped up like a dog who smells a bitch in heat. I fill up a cup with ice and head to the balcony to mix my ingredients while my computer loads.
I take a long sip and my mind returns to Heaven. Her eyes are so expressive, and her emotions are openly displayed on her face. She wants me. I’m not being conceited or pushing my desires on to her. The way she looks at me tells me everything I need to know. She studies my lips as if she’s dying to taste them. Twice, I’ve seen her today, and twice she looked enraptured as if I’m the most attractive man she’s ever met. And fuck if that doesn’t stroke my ego... I’ve only known her for a couple of hours, and I want to give her everything she thinks I can and more. That thought is scary—terrifying actually. But, I can’t help it. There's crazy energy between us that makes me want to be reckless. I’m almost certain she feels the same way. I drum my fingers on the table and stare out into the ocean. This could be an epic or a major disaster. Unfortunately, only time will tell.
Meanwhile, my mind lasers in on the memory of her luscious breasts rebelling against her bikini top as she power-walked toward me. It was one of those halter tops that crisscross under her tits and ties in the back. I imagine untying her top, tossing it to the floor, and burying my face in those sweet, sweet tits before I pull a nipple into my mouth…
The shrill ringing of my meeting app pulls me back into my tit-free reality. I jab the enter button with far more force than necessary. My assistant’s big, hazel eyes fill the screen.
“Hey there, Allie Cat,” I greet her far too huskily. I curse under my breath and take another gulp of my drink to tamp down my hormones.
The surprise in her eyes shoots warning bells through my system; she heard it too. Allie is a cute girl in a wholesome, girl-next-door sort of way. She does nothing for me, which is awesome since she is the best assistant ever. I don’t want any romantic entanglements getting in the way. I must remove any note of impropriety.
“Sorry, I was lost in my thoughts and the ring caught me off guard and scared the hell out of me.” I try to sound as professional as I can while sitting in paradise, wearing a t-shirt, and drinking alcohol. “Is the team ready to start the meeting?”
Normally, I would have chatted with her to see how things were going before jumping into the meeting, but my cock won’t let me be great. I don’t have the ability to maneuver small talk right now since all of my free brain cells are banging Heaven. I get ‘sitreps’ from my employees and give them goals for when I speak to them again in a few days. My sexual irritation—it’s too soon to call it a frustration—must have fueled my business mind because I do such a deep dive into everyone’s roles, I’m surprised when my business cell rings.
“Damn, it’s been three hours?”
“Yes!” My team confirms in almost unison.
“Sorry everyone, I lost track of time. I will be back in the office June 4thif you need anything before that, I will continue to check my email once a day. Text me for emergencies.”
I disconnect and answer my call right after I vow to cut back on work for the rest of my stay.
* * *
I kickback on my sofa as I study the room service menu. I bury my disappointment deep and choose to focus on dinner. I haven’t run into Heaven or her friends since I had lunch with them. I know they’re still here because I had to authorize a small purchase today. I just didn’t want to look like a stalker, so after my meetings last night I forced myself to stay in my room until I went to bed.
I’d woken up this morning with the purpose to find and pursue her, but it didn’t work. The whole damn day, and I couldn’t pinpoint their location. After some light shopping, I decided to participate in some of the activities. I gave up after the lei-making class and went for a swim in the infinity pool. There were some women there who tried to worm their way into my universe, but I Agassi served their asses back to their friends and family. I wasn’t mean, just direct. If I’m going to break my rules and have a fling, it is Heaven or no one.
For fifteen minutes, I held this little leather-covered book with the high gloss pages, but I would lose money if I had to guess what was on the menu. My brain hasn’t read or processed a word. I sigh and settle back onto the white leather. Maybe I should start brainstorming about my happiness…
My room phone rings, but my brain takes a moment to understand since it has only rung once earlier in the day.
“This is Axel Behr,” I greet absently into the phone while I peruse movie options.
