Gorgeous: Book One (Gorgeous #1) - Lisa Shelby Page 0,20

the wind, but unfortunately, her eyes are hidden by her big sunglasses.

Before the car has come to a complete stop, I have the door open and am stalking her way. I have two things thundering through me right now. One, I don't want Baxter to help her with her bags. I want to say hello to her first, and I want to be the one to assist her. Two, I don't like the way she was smiling and laughing with the valet while she waited. I have this overwhelming urge to punch the young punk in the face, throw her over my shoulder like a heathen, and toss her in the car, but I resist.

"Good morning, Miss Adams. You look lovely today." And just like that my comment has caused her back to go ram-rod stiff, and her demeanor has changed from fun and care-free with valet-boy, to polite and uptight with me. Part of me hates getting this reaction from her, but the other part of me is thrilled whenever I get a reaction of any kind from her.

A good morning in return is her only reply, and when valet-boy attempts to take her bags to the car, I stop him, tip him, and send him on his way. I load her bags into the trunk of the car, and when I shut it, I see Baxter standing next to the driver’s side door with a shit-eating grin on his face. He knows me too damn well.

If Olivia wasn't standing between us, I might tell him exactly what he can do with his smile, but she is standing there, looking gorgeous as ever. But deep down, I don't give a good God damn what he or anyone else thinks. My need to be near her overpowers everything else.

I open the door to the car for her, and she slides in silently. I have a feeling getting her to loosen up this weekend isn't going to be easy. But whoever said life was easy? I like a challenge, and this woman has been that since the moment she stepped onto my boat in Portland.

I try to make small talk, but she isn't much of a participant. Having her next to me with only the small space between us on the back seat feels awkward for her, this much is obvious. For me, there is a pull between us. A pull that is screaming that the most natural thing to do right now would be to take her hand in mine. I have a feeling there would be a resignation letter on my desk within the hour if I acted on that desire.

I can't take the reserved conversation, so I begin telling her about Haven. When I start describing the resort to her, she comes to attention, and I can see her taking mental notes of everything I say.

"There isn't going to be a test, Olivia. I just want you to experience Haven for yourself and get a feel for our properties. It's a pretty special place, and I hope you like it."

"I look forward to seeing it. I can't wait to see the meeting spaces and ballrooms in person. It's so much easier to plan an event if you've actually been in the space."

"Exactly the point of the trip, Miss Adams," I lie like a dog. Baxter clears his throat to get my attention and to let me know that the party in the front seat calls bullshit on my reasoning.

She is finally loosening up when we pull onto the tarmac at the airport. When Baxter parks the car in front of the private EVC plane, she shakes her head ever so slightly, and a small grin plays at her lips.

"Do I dare ask what you're thinking right now, Miss Adams?"

"You can dare to ask if you please, sir, but I wouldn't suggest it." She opens her door herself, stepping onto the tarmac and then closes the door leaving me inside.

Sass.

She is full of it, and it leaves me feeling confused, amused, and hard as hell.

One minute she is uptight and professional, and the next she is giving me sass like nobody’s business. I feel like I've got whiplash, but the car isn't even in motion. I have to admit, I like it. It adds to the challenge that is Olivia Adams.

Baxter beats me to the trunk this time and is handing our bags to the crew of the plane when I join him at the back of the car.