the valet and turns back to me. “I have some things to take care of. Do you want to wander around, check out the pool and gardens?”
“Sure, but I thought you said we were getting ice cream.”
“We are, soon.”
Will opens his door, and the valet gives him a big smile. “Mr. Will, it’s so good to see you.”
Will shakes the man’s hand. “Anthony, my friend. It’s been too long. How is Hannah?”
He sticks his stomach out. “Another little one on the way,” he says, his big brown eyes beaming.
“Congratulations. Is Hannah well this time?”
He holds his hand out flat and wavers it a little bit. “Just slight morning sickness. Not like last time.”
“No hyperemesis, then?”
“No, thankfully.”
“Glad to hear it.”
I stand there and listen to the exchange. Not only does Will know the valet, he appears to know his wife and the circumstances surrounding her last birth. I’m beginning to believe there is more to this man than meets the eyes.
Will looks my way. “Anthony, this is my assistant, Khloe. Khloe, if you need anything at all, Anthony is your man. You can trust him to help you.” Anthony appears to grow two inches taller at Will’s compliment. I exchange pleasantries with Anthony, and Will hands his keys over. He circles the front of the vehicle, puts his palm on the small of my back, and leans in. “I’ll only need about thirty minutes, I think. I have some staffing issues that need my attention.”
“Who are you firing?”
He shakes his head. “I love the high opinion you have of me.” Before I can say anything, he holds out his hand. “Pass me your phone?”
I reach into my purse. “What do you want my phone for?”
“I’m going to put my number in, call myself, and then I’ll have yours.”
He takes my phone, puts his contact in and a second later his rings. “Don’t venture off the resort, okay?”
“Why?” I shoot a glance over my shoulder. “Is it dangerous?”
“It’s safe enough, but easy to get lost. Although I’m pretty sure you can handle yourself,” he says with a smirk.
“You know I can.” He gives me a nudge and the double glass doors open, inviting us into the posh lobby. I glance around, take in the buttery yellow sofas, the chandeliers, the curving staircase that leads to a restaurant on the next level.
“Through those back doors, you’ll find the garden, the pool and the bar. Grab yourself a drink. Charge it to me.”
“I can buy my own drink,” I say, and frown as I recall the meager amount of money at the bottom of my purse.
“You’re my guest, Khloe.” His blue eyes narrow, go serious. “You’ll charge it to me.”
“You’re kind of bossy.”
“Which is why you call me sir,” he says, but the heat behind that one word fills me with luscious memories.
My gaze travels back and meets his. “Right, thanks for the reminder, sir,” I tease, and I’m rewarded with a groan. With an extra little shake of my ass, I head toward the back door, not bothering to glance over my shoulder. My cell pings. I lift it and read the text from Will.
Will: You’re going to pay for that.
Khloe: Looking forward to it.
His growl follows me outside, and the sound is muted as the double doors close behind me. In the courtyard, men, women and children lounge at the pool. There are a few people sitting at the bar, nursing things that look quite refreshing. The fragrant foliage fills my senses as I walk the brick path to the outside bar. I slide onto one of the stools, and the bartender comes right over. He looks to be in his midthirties, a light beard covering his jaw. He’s handsome, but let’s face it, he’s not Will Carson handsome. Few, if any, are.
“I’d like something fruity and refreshing,” I say, and tap my chin as I look past his shoulders at the chalk menu listing the drinks.
“Strawberry daiquiri?” he suggests.
“Perfect.” The man two stools over picks up his icy beer and begins to spin my way. “Oh, and please put it on Will Carson’s tab. I’m his assistant,” I add, as per Will’s request. The man does an about-face, sets his drink back down and stares into the glass like it holds all the answers to the universe.
Wow, it’s almost like the simple mention of Will invokes fear in others. Maybe he actually is an ogre to the staff working here. In all seriousness, he’s been nothing but a perfect gentleman to