Mr. Mitchell Billionaires' Club Book 2 - Raylin Marks Page 0,90

almost wanted to say I loved him after everything yesterday. Since waking up in the middle of the night when he held me close, and now seeing his pleasant expression, showing his beautiful soul on the inside, it was hard to keep my affections to myself.

I had to bring it down a few notches and act more rational. “Derek’s locked up,” I informed him, following Jim and the two plates he carried out to the poolside table and chairs.

He set the plates down, turned to me, and his expression became serious. “For how long?”

“His parents aren’t bailing him out of jail anytime soon,” I said as I took the chair he’d pulled out for me. “Thank God.”

He kissed my cheek. “Yes, thank God,” he said, going back into the kitchen and returning with two coffee mugs. “You still take it black, right?”

“Always,” I answered.

“Easy date,” he said, setting our coffee mugs down next to his picture-perfect eggs Benedict. “And still the most difficult. I believe I’ll never get the breakfast in bed thing down for you.”

“Kind of hard to do when your breakfast date can smell food and could very easily sleepwalk to where it’s being cooked anyway,” I teased.

“Sleepwalking to eat?” He arched that sexy eyebrow at me. “That is a tough one to beat.”

“Thanks for bringing me to bed and staying with me last night,” I said after cutting into my breakfast and swallowing a bite of food. “I didn’t expect to fall asleep out there on you.”

I glanced out and looked at the view this morning. This place was like a resort. If only there were a stiff breeze to push out the smog, I knew I could see the ocean from here, but I’d take this view, with or without haze, any morning.

“I was merely being the best host I could be,” he said with a smile. “I fucked that job up before, when I sent my young bride packing in England.”

I laughed. “You need to stop giving yourself shit over that. I walked because I was getting too attached. I knew better myself.”

He dabbed the corners of his mouth with his napkin. “Really? How do you feel about me not wanting you out of my life now? Ever.”

I smiled. “Even after a tiny taste of the bullshit of my life yesterday? Derek’s actions should have you second guessing this commitment idea of yours.”

He did that irresistible smirk. “The only trouble with yesterday was the fact that I couldn’t kick Derek’s ass myself.”

“And if that feeling of not kicking his ass every time he pulls shit like that never goes away?” I looked at his questioning eyes. “If he knows you and I are an item, he’ll just get worse. It’ll get way worse.”

“Well, if I can’t kick his ass, then I’ll just take a run in my work shoes to work out my frustrations.”

“Shit, I forgot about the foot rub I owe you.”

“All that matters is that you slept well, you’re back in my life, and I suppose the fact that my feet survived your neglecting them,” he said with a smirk after taking a sip of his coffee. “I’ll promise you this, though: I will ensure Derek remains behind bars one way or the other. He needs to be locked away or in rehab. He needs to fucking disappear.”

His expression was severe but mischievous.

“Whoa, yesterday I pinned you for a cartel guy, but maybe I should’ve gone with mafia don.” I laughed. “Fucking disappear, eh?”

“You know what I mean. His ass needs to get help.” I watched him do that handsome pucker while he chewed on the inside of his cheek. “Let’s just say that if he rejects rehab because he’s that big of a dumbass, and he comes after me, that’s where he’ll do time behind bars. Trust my word on that. He’ll eventually fuck up; all addicts like him do.” Then he smiled. “Perks of running and owning a successful global business: a team of badass lawyers are at my disposal.”

I laughed. “So, no digging holes in Vegas to dispose of the body?”

Jim frowned, but his forehead creased in humor. “Who’s the mob boss now?” He sipped his coffee again. “I won’t be crossing you any time soon.”

“I can’t live in some crazy fantasy with you like I did in England.” I chewed on my bottom lip.

He nodded.

“I really need to get ready and find out what’s going on with my car.”

Jim licked his lips and slid his bottom lip between his