Gorgeous: Book One (Gorgeous #1) - Lisa Shelby Page 0,30
me when I refused to take the steps of the gazebo followed by his demand that I sit has me throwing my head back on my lounger and gently stomping my feet. I feel giddy and light.
Happy.
9
Ronan
I hate that I only got to see her at breakfast where she was busy laying out my schedule for the day. When she told me about her plans to explore the island alone, I was flooded with anxiety, and all I wanted to do was cancel everything on today’s to-do list and go with her.
Not only did I hate the thought of her off on her own in a new place, but I desperately wanted to spend the day with her. This woman, who won't even call me by my first name, has taken over every thought in my head. Not ideal when trying to run a business and trying to woo potential investors.
All I wanted to do was tell her she had to stay and assist me with my meetings and business lunch here at Haven, but it was hard enough to work with just the thought of her in my head let alone having her near me and in plain sight. This morning, watching her talk and not being able to reach out and touch her was almost painful.
She calls to me like nobody ever has, and I'm not quite sure what to do about that.
She is my employee.
She has a boyfriend.
Keep it professional, Ronan.
Out the window is where all my internal reminders go when I watch her bounce into the bar where she's meeting me before dinner. Seeing her in her white, sexy yet sweet, Audrey Hepburn-inspired dress, which is covered in a pattern of flowers, and her face lit up like it is, is worth the time apart. I can't help but smile while I watch her search for me. When she finally sees me, she pauses for a beat, and her hands glide over her dress as she straightens herself and seems to be forcing herself to contain her current level of joy. Just like every time she sees me, her professional side has kicked into gear.
I stand and she stops in front of me, seeming unsure of what to say or do. I take advantage of the moment and lean forward and kiss her cheek. I do my best not to linger but being this close to her is intoxicating. Her floral scent matches her happy dress and the mood she was in before she saw me. I force myself to step away from her, and she takes the seat in the booth across from me.
I didn't pick the dark booth in the corner on purpose. At least that is what I keep telling myself.
"Olivia, if the bounce in your step when you walked in here was any indication, you seem to have had a good day."
"Oh, I did, Mr. McKinley. I love it here!" She says beaming ear to ear. She somehow keeps her smile in place while taking a sip of her water.
"Ronan. Please all me Ronan, Olivia."
I don't mean to sound so stern, but this woman is making me crazy. I just want her to feel comfortable enough to say my damn name! Is that too much to ask? She sits up a bit straighter but crosses her arms in front of her and seems to close off just a bit.
"Tell me how your day went. Where did your adventures take you today?" I ask, trying to loosen her back up, and this seems to do the trick.
"Well, I actually rented a bike and rode all over Two Harbors. It was adorable and had a little basket in the front with a bell and everything. It was classic." She beams as her arms uncross, and her posture loosens again.
"Rented a bike, did you?"
"I did. I hadn't ridden one since I was tiny, but after a bit, it came back to me. It was a little shaky at first; I'm not gonna lie."
She giggles.
The sound is poetry.
"I would have liked to have seen that."
Her giggle falters, and she locks eyes on mine. For a brief moment, there is something there. But she ends the exchange quickly.
"Well, I wasn't a kid who spent a ton of time riding bikes so I didn't have as much muscle memory to work with. No skinned knees, though. It all worked out just fine. I had such a great day."
Why did your childhood not include time riding bikes?