Most of the women who attended an event with me assumed they’d be accompanying me for the entire season or that we were somehow exclusive, no matter how many times I told them it was only one date.I don’t do relationships.More than a few pissed off women have chased after me when they saw another woman on my arm at the next event.
It’s been several years since I’ve been in a serious relationship.Not since right after college, before law school.These days I focus on seeing my sister whenever I can, along with my niece and nephew.The rest of my time is spent working, hanging out with friends, or in the gym.That’s it.I don’t ask for much out of life.I don’t even have a fuck buddy right now because work has taken up too much of my attention lately.
My sister moved to Nashville, and ever since I decided not to offer her husband a job at our new location there, he’s done everything he can to pull her away from me.Seeing me upsets him.I’ve talked to one of my friends from law school to see if he could make the problem disappear.Maybe one of Brock’s guys in the clandestine unit he runs could eliminate my brother-in-law, but I don’t want to hurt my sister like that.
The aquarium tour continues to the back of the house.I follow along, replying to emails on my phone and barely paying attention.Movement catches my eye, and I look up to see a petite blonde.The second she turns her back to our group, I slip my phone into the inside pocket of my jacket and focus on her.
She has a tattoo running down her spine, a flower with words forming the stem.The sudden urge to trace it with my tongue overwhelms me before she pulls her wetsuit up and covers her body.Her back is muscular, but not excessive, just the perfect amount to suggest she works out for fun and health rather than bulk.
Lyla Mier, head of one of the departments, pulls my attention away as she explains why the team going into the tank is in full body scuba wetsuits.
My gaze returns to my girl, and I watch her braid her multi-toned medium blond hair.The colors look like a blend of ash and gold under the bright lights of the platform.She slips her hood up, covering her hair after she has her mask on.I watch her move with confidence as a guy helps her get the scuba tank on.
Again, I’m hit with a sudden emotion.Jealousy this time.I’ve never experienced this, not even with my ex.I want to rip the guy’s hands from his body for touching her.
She walks to the edge of the tank and waits until she’s directed to drop in.Enchanted, I watch the real-life mermaid in front of me as she helps guide the sea turtle into another area of the tank.
Moving through the crowd of board members, I step toward Lyla as the team emerges from the water.The same guy helps my girl out of her gear.Then she unzips her wetsuit, exposing her back again.When she turns, I finally get an unimpeded view of her front.She has the biggest grin on her sweet face.She’s a breathtaking beauty with a trim nose, narrow cheeks, and full lips.Her brows are darker than her hair, and her eyes are a bright green I can see even from this distance.She has more tattoos on her arms, and a flash of light catches a piercing in her belly button and another in her nose.
The world completely stops around me.I’m focused on her as if she’s all that exists.My feet are planted in place as my eyes devour her.When she turns and catches me looking, she blushes and drops her gaze.It’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen, and a complete submission to me.
One word keeps repeating in my head.
Mine.
“May I ask who that is?”I point toward my beauty.
Lyla follows my gesture, then looks back up at me with a smile.
“Mr.Boseman, that is our newest employee and a member of my team.We brought her in from Atlanta, where they were unable to use Daphne to her full potential.I’ve just started cross-training her with our river otter team,” she says.
It confirms what I already know deep down.She’s not only intelligent but hardworking.
“Daphne,” I say her name like a prayer on my tongue.It fits the enchanting woman.
“Yes.Daphne Placer.”
“Thank you.She will be at the Regents Gala, correct?”
“Well, usually senior aquarists don’t attend, but if you want, I’ll make sure she’s there.She’d be a perfect example of the direction we want to take with the aquarium.”
“Perfect.”I pull out my phone and send a quick text to my assistant.
Me
I want a deep dive on one Daphne Placer.Find out everything you can.If you need to, get a hold of my friends.I authorize their involvement.
He’ll know who I mean.
Jethro
On it, sir.Financials?
Me
Everything.Including personal relationships.
Jethro
