“I could go for tacos,” Mikelina said. “I wonder if Captain Lila has some taco shells that are still fresh. A little bit of lettuce and chopped tomato would go nicely with some diced and fried mahi-mahi.”
“You’re making me hungry and we have to catch the damned fish first.”
Just then her pole dipped low and almost jerked out of her hand. “Holy shit, I’ve got something.”
Bastien saved the lemonade from going all over the deck as Mikelina hauled back on the rod and started reeling in the line. Once she was convinced the fish was truly hooked, she let out a little line to give herself a break.
“Careful it doesn’t dart for the reef or rocks and tangle up the line.”
“It’s a big one, but it’s not a sailfish.” She turned the reel faster, her arms and wrists beginning to ache. “I hate being a wimp, but I think I’m going to need you to take over.”
He eagerly stepped in. “Let me know when you’re ready to hand off.”
The rod jerked and she had to tighten her grip. “I’m afraid to let go.”
Bastien put his arms around her and held the rod just above her hands. “I got you. You can keep reeling him in. Don’t worry about the rod. You can do it.”
“He’s heavy,” Mikelina grunted.
Captain Lila came out with a net. “Get it in close to the boat and I’ll scoop it up and help you haul it in.”
Grinning, Michelina concentrated on reeling in the line. With Bastien steadying the pole, she didn’t have to worry about losing her grip on it. “My hands are killing me,” she said, but even though she had to put in more effort, it was worth it to hear Bastien’s hoot of delight.
“Look at the size of that thing.”
Leaning over the railing, Captain Lila said, “Almost got it.”
Then, she scooped the flailing and writhing fish into her net and the three of them brought it aboard.
“That’s lunch,” Captain Lila said proudly, setting the large dolphin fish in an ice chest while she unhooked it from the rig.
“We did it.” Mikelina whirled to hug Bastien.
It was only natural to kiss him.
I really like him.
The thought surprised her and she broke away from him in dismay. She couldn’t get too attached, but damn, she wished he was boyfriend material.
“That’s a good-looking fish,” he said.
Mikelina wrinkled her nose. “It’s kinda ugly, but it’s yummy. Now it’s your turn to catch something.”
They fished for the rest of the day. They caught a few amberjacks but tossed them back. Her father always said the big ones had worms in them. Bastien scored a couple of kingfish and was planning on smoking them for dinner. After a great lunch of battered fish sandwiches and fruit salad, Mikelina conked out on a deck chair. She didn’t wake up until they pulled into the dock.
“I’m sorry,” she said, stifling a yawn.
“Don’t be. I was right there snoring with you. This has been a great day.” Bastien smiled widely. “I can’t remember a nicer time. I’m so glad I got to share this with you.”
“Me, too.”
She hugged him and his soft kisses made her clutch him close. She didn’t want to get off this boat and step back into reality. But he was the client. She was the concierge. They had a full two weeks of scheduled activities.
And they were still missing the groom and his groomsmen.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
BASTIEN DROPPED MIKELINA back at that awful hotel. “Is this where you stay when you’re in South Beach?” he asked, trying to keep the disdain out of his voice.
Mikelina nodded. “Depends on which property, I’m representing. This one is the closest to the beach house.”
“Where do you live when you’re not working?”
“I’m always working,” she said, getting out of the car.
“Don’t you have a home base?”
“No, I pretty much live out of my suitcase.”
“That must get old.”
She came around to the driver’s side and leaned down to give him a kiss goodbye. “Yeah, it does. But it’s not forever. Give me a call if you need me. Or...” she looked away and blushed “...if you get stood up for snorkeling tomorrow. I know how important keeping to the schedule is to you. You’re on your own for parasailing, though.”
Mikelina kissed him again, seeming as reluctant to leave him as he was to leave her. After one last soft kiss, she pulled away and touched his cheek. “Enjoy the kingfish,” she said, before turning around and going into the hotel.
He watched her walk across the lobby and disappear from his sight. Plugging in his phone to charge, he drove back to the beach house. He had a few missed messages, but he didn’t bother checking them. He was still riding high from the day and he wanted to keep the feeling of peace and happiness he had with Mikelina a little while longer.
Unfortunately, he heard the music a block from the house. Jace and his friends were having a party with a bunch of strangers. Bastien tried to sneak in with the cooler of fish, but Jace caught sight of him.
“Where you been, bro?”
“Fishing.” He held up the cooler. “Where were you guys?”
“That was today?” Jace slapped his forehead. “I totally forgot. Jet lag and late nights. Come on and meet everyone.”
“Let me put this in the fridge.” He was considering putting the schedule on the fridge, too, but he thought that might be too subtle. They should all have the itinerary in their phones by now. He’d texted it to them last night.
“What?” Jace said.
Bastien didn’t try to shout over the music. He put the cooler in the refrigerator and joined Jace and twenty of his new best friends around the house. The groomsmen were making out with women in bikinis. Bastien’s jaw clenched, but it didn’t look like there was a beach babe hovering around Jace.
“We met these guys last night at Flow.” Jace then proceeded to introduce him to everyone who wasn’t kissing and groping each other. Bastien didn’t hear or remember a single name, and to be honest, he didn’t care to.
He was getting a pounding headache. He wanted to go back to Mikelina’s hotel. Actually, he wanted to bring her back here and kick the bachelor party out. But that wasn’t why they were in South Beach, so he grabbed a beer and forced himself to mingle with the guests.
After about an hour, he had a splitting headache and his patience was fraying. It was impossible to hold a conversation because of the music and he was damned sure not going to be labeled as the old fart who told the party to lower it. Gritting his teeth, he forced his way through the crowd to Jace who was smoking cigars with a few guys in suits. They didn’t look like the rest of the beach bum crowd so Bastien wanted to make sure Jace wasn’t in trouble.
Jace looked over his shoulder and caught sight of him approaching and a flash of something went over his face.
Uh-oh.
He said something to the men and then intercepted Bastien before he could get closer.
“Rad party, right? I love this house. I wish I could live here forever. Do you think Kitty would like this place?”
Distracted by his sister’s name, Bastien frowned. “Sure, but her job is in New York.”
“Maybe as a vacation home then. I’ll have to check with the hottie concierge and see if the owner is interested in selling. It would make a good wedding gift for Kitty, don’t you think?”
Bastien nodded. “Who are those guys?”
“Just some guys we met at Flow. Hey, sorry about missing the boat. We wouldn’t have been good company anyway, we just got up a few hours ago. But we’re ready to dance and drink all night, right?”
He whooped the last few words, bringing a loud cheer among the guests. Then he proceeded to drag Bastien over to a group of giggling drunk girls, who surrounded him. Not one of them he
ld a candle to Mikelina, but he didn’t want to leave the group in case they turned their flirting onto Jace.
The neighbors put up with them until about midnight when they called the cops. Mikelina showed up shortly after the squad cars did.
She looked sun kissed and annoyed. She had thrown on a pale green wraparound dress that matched her eyes and the same flip-flops she had worn on the boat. Her hair was pulled back into a rough ponytail. He wanted to go over to her, but since Bastien was the only sober person, he had been delegated to talk with the police officers.
After turning off the music, most of the partygoers faded off before the police looked too closely at them. A few girls were looking for their bikini tops. Bastien pretended not to see the side-eye that Mikelina shot him.
“Just keep it down for the rest of the night,” one of the cops said. “I get it’s a bachelor party, but this is a residential area of older folks.”
“Yeah,” his partner said, with a hard stare at Mikelina.
Mikelina pretended not to notice and righted a vase that had tipped over.
Bastien hoped they weren’t blaming her for this. “I apologize, officers. We’ll be more considerate of our neighbors.”
“Thanks.” The first cop tapped his partner on the arm, who reluctantly turned away from Mikelina and then they left together.
“What was that about? You know that guy?”
Mikelina shrugged. “It’s a small community here. I’m sure we’ve run into each other.”
“He didn’t seem to like you. Are you in trouble?”
“Me?” She laughed. “No. I don’t even have a parking ticket.”
Bastien couldn’t help but wonder what roused the cop’s suspicion. Maybe the owner of the beach house had reported her using it when it wasn’t rented.
“I know we’ve only known each other a few days,” he said, taking a deep breath. He wasn’t sure how to broach the subject without embarrassing her. “But we have been conversing for a couple of months. And we’ve recently become more intimate friends.”
“Friends?” A ghost of a smile traced over her face.
He rubbed his hand up her arm. “If you need something, I’d like to help.”
“See, you are kind.”
Bastien snorted. “I’m a prick. Just ask my sister.”
“Thanks for offering, but I’ve got it covered.”
“Okay, just keep it in the back of your mind that I’m here if you need me.”
“I will.” Mikelina hugged herself and looked out into the pool area. “I see you found them,” she said, gesturing to Jace and his friends who hadn’t left the pool to see their guests out. “Where were they?”
“You were right. They were still at Flow partying. I’m glad I missed it. Sorry you had to come all the way out here tonight,” Bastien said, not sorry at all.
“The alarm company informed me of a dispatch call to the house and I was worried.” Mikelina was walking around the house, frowning at the mess.
“Don’t worry, we’ll tip the maids extra.”
Her smile looked forced. “I’m glad no one was hurt.”
“They’ll be hurting tomorrow. I wouldn’t want their hangover.”
She stepped over a pile of soaked towels. He saw her look at the closed bedroom door and caught a flash of relief that flickered in her eyes. Did she think he was sleeping with the girls at the party?
He caught a hold of her arm until she looked at him. “As crazy as it sounds, I wish you had come back here with me after fishing. Tonight would have been much more enjoyable if you were with me.”
“It’s not my place to be here,” she said sadly.
“It is if I say so.” He brushed a quick kiss on her lips and then moved away before anyone noticed. He could spend all night kissing her, but he didn’t want Jace to know about Mikelina and him. Not yet. Bastien didn’t trust the punk not to treat her like a sex worker instead of their concierge and Kitty would never forgive him if Bastien punched Jace out at his bachelor party.
“Micky,” Jace said, staggering in.
Bastien took a step toward him. He didn’t want Jace to get in her personal space. Not when he reeked of whiskey and cigars.
“I’m so glad you’re here. I want to talk to you.”
“You can talk to her tomorrow,” Bastien said.
“No, that’s all right,” Mikelina said. “It’s my job. What can I do for you, Mr. Benjamin?”
“Jace. Call me Jace. Mr. Benjamin is my father and he’s no fun at all. I want to send my girl something cool from Florida. What do you recommend?”
“Does she like jewelry?”
Jace snorted. “She’s a woman, isn’t she?”
Mikelina exchanged an amused glance with Bastien. “There’s a local artisan who does beautiful work with larimar and silver. Larimar is a light blue stone that some people say reminds them of the tropical waters. I could get an assortment and bring it to you. I think maybe a cuff bracelet or a necklace and earring set would be a nice gift.”
Jace nodded and pointed. “All that. I trust you. You’ve got good taste. Wrap it up and send it to her.”
“Don’t you want to see it first?”
He shook his head. “I’m not feeling well.” Then, his eyes rolled back in his head.
Bastien darted out and caught him before he hit the floor. “Douchebag,” he muttered. “Zack! Max! Shane! Get in here and help me with this.”
The three stooges staggered in.
“Why don’t you guys take Jace up to his room?”
The three of them hauled Jace up and they took the stairs, weaving and cursing.
“We might have to postpone the snorkeling.” Bastien looked over at her thoughtfully. “Unless you’d like to go with me?”
“I thought you were supposed to be spending time with your pending brother-in-law.” Mikelina jerked a thumb at the four men who were banging into the walls and faltering on their upstairs climb.
Bastien leaned in to her so their lips were almost touching. She licked her lips and he almost groaned at the sight of it. He wanted to lift her up on the kitchen island, ease down her panties and slide his cock inside her.
Her breath caught and he wondered if he’d said that last part aloud.
“I did my time tonight. I deserve a break. I think they’re going to sleep until after lunch. So that leaves the morning free for us. Are you interested?”
Mikelina bit her lip. “I am interested. If you’re sure you’re not doing this to avoid spending time with them.”
“That’s a perk. I have to admit it. But I’d rather be with you.”
She caught her breath. “I’d like that, too.”
“Let me walk you out to your car,” he said, before he was tempted to fuck her in the kitchen while the four drunken idiots bumbled around upstairs.
It was blissfully quiet, although he could sense the neighbors’ rage through their tightly closed windows.
“Was Jace serious about the jewelry for Kitty?” she asked.
“Yup, and I’ll remind him of it when I see him. Put it on the bill. I’ll text you the address to send it to.” Sheltered by the darkness, he took her into his arms and covered her mouth with his.
“Bastien,” she murmured, stepping away from him. “I don’t want to give the neighbors something else to talk about. If you don’t stop kissing me, I’ll strip you naked and take you on the front lawn.”
“Works for me.” He bent to kiss her again, delighted that this crazy passion wasn’t one-sided.
She gave him a playful shove. “Pick me up at nine so we can grab breakfast before we go out snorkeling. Unless...” she tugged on his shirt “...you want to come back home with me?”
Looking up at the second floor of the house, Bastien sighed. “I’d love to, but I should stick around and make sure they do
n’t drown in their own puke. I couldn’t care less, but Kitty would be heartbroken.”
“You’re a good brother.” She put her hand on his cheek. “And like I said, kind.”
He put her other hand on his cock. “I’m a prick.”
Mikelina’s eyes half closed as she stroked his hardness.
“You could stay here with me,” he said, trying not to undo her jeans so he could play with her, too. “I’m pretty sure they’re not going to know the difference.”
“Tempting,” she crooned. “So tempting, but I’m trying to be professional. And on the off chance that they catch me here, I don’t want them to think I’m part of the service.”
“The first one that does gets a bloody nose.”
“You’re so violent,” she said against his mouth.
“I thought I was kind.”
Then they were kissing again while she rubbed his cock. “You’re going to make me come in my pants,” he muttered.
“Take your pants off.” She sighed.
The lights came on across the street, illuminating the driveway. Mikelina jumped away from him as if it was a searchlight. “I need to go. Sorry I couldn’t finish what I started.”
He opened the car door for her. “You can make it up to me tomorrow.”
As she drove away, Bastien adjusted himself. Mikelina made him feel like a teenager again. And she made him want to throw his itinerary out the window and pleasure her all night long.
But this wasn’t his vacation. It was Jace’s bachelor party. He went upstairs to check on the idiots and found them all passed out in a puppy puddle on the common room floor between the bedrooms. Nobody was flat on their stomach and most of them were snoring away in drunken bliss. He snapped a picture and sent it to Kitty. Hopefully, he wouldn’t wake her and she’d see it in the morning.
He picked up the soaking wet towels off the living room floor so they wouldn’t damage it and tossed them into the laundry room for the maids to take care of in the morning.
As he was leaving, his eyes caught on a box marked Mikelina on the shelf. Curious, he reached up and brought it down. He supposed he should feel guilty for snooping, but it was right out there in the open.
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