only assume is a perfect body underneath it. Flawless dark hair, impeccable complexion, and eyes as blue as the water playing center stage in my view on the edge of the Haven gardens.
"Olivia, it's nice to see you again." He leans down and kisses my cheek as his hand gently rests on my hip. "You look lovely this evening."
This isn't a date. Right?
I find myself looking over my shoulder like I may be in the wrong place, but the man stepping away from my scalding hot cheek and hip is in fact my employer. Yep, I'm in the right place.
Olivia Adams, he is your boss. He is a sophisticated man, and this is how he greets women. He probably greets his mother the same way.
"Hello, Mr. McKinley," I say shakily while I take my seat.
"Olivia,” he sighs. “Please call me Ronan. You are going to spend more time with me than you would probably like, so we may as well get to know each other and at least call each other by our first names."
I'm not sure why I still can't say his first name. Maybe because it feels too intimate or because of the way my “interview” on the boat felt. I don't want him to ever get the impression that there is more than a working relationship between us.
Or maybe it's me I'm trying to convince?
Or I’m more stubborn than I thought.
He stands next to my chair with his hands in his pockets and tilts his head to the side. He looks like he's struggling to figure me out. I wish he would just sit down and stop trying.
Finally, he takes the seat across from me, and it doesn't help because now he's…right…there. "So, what can I get for you? Would you like a glass of wine?"
God, yes, I need a drink!
"A glass of white would be nice, thank you."
He lifts his finger and gains the attention of our server and orders my wine.
"So, Olivia, did you find your room to your liking?"
"I did, thank you. I also took another little stroll around the property, and I just can't stay away from the gardens. They're beautiful. I think the dark pink Catalina Island Flowers are my new fave.”
“I see that,” he says with a nod toward me.
I was so taken aback by his presence I forgot I had slipped the flower behind my ear. I nervously make sure the adornment is still securely in place and carry on.
“I have a million ideas for different events to have here. I have to say, I think I could just work here and spend my days in that garden, and I would be perfectly happy."
The corners of his mouth slowly rise into a smile that would make you think he planted the gardens himself. He’s beaming with pride.
"I'm glad to hear it," he says as he nods his head to someone behind me. "If you're ready, it appears our table is ready."
He stands and helps pull my chair out while I stand. He guides me out the back door I just came through and in the direction of the gardens.
The sun is slowly beginning it's decent over the water, and the pink tint in the sky only adds to the beauty and elegance that surrounds us. I follow his lead and stroll leisurely amongst the flowers and enjoy the tranquility and quiet.
I'm so in the moment that it takes me a few seconds after we've left the gardens to realize we're headed for the candlelit gazebo. A few feet away, I finally find my voice.
"That's not for us."
"Oh, but it is, Miss Adams."
"Sir, what is this?"
"Dinner."
"Here?"
"Well, yes. Do you have a problem with the table? After seeing your enthusiasm for the gardens earlier today, I thought you might like to have dinner here. Was I wrong?"
"Yes!" I hiss on a whisper.
"Excuse me, you don't like the gardens?" He has the gall to sound perplexed.
"Well, no, of course I do. But this is a romantic, candlelit dinner. People passing by would most certainly think we were a couple on a date. It just feels a little, I don't know, inappropriate."
I'm starting to perspire—not the first time my body has reacted like this because of this man—and I can feel the heat of my blush covering my face. But I'm starting to feel extremely uncomfortable. Is this the real reason he hired me? Are all of my worst nightmares coming true? All the feelings I was having on that yacht just weeks ago