Beauty Blooming [Bonding Camp 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More)

by Christelle Mirin

  She laid the handset on the dining room table and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. In a few hours, her life was going to change drastically. When she opened her eyes, she was surprised to feel a smile on her lips.

  Chapter Two

  Joseph Brown couldn’t stop grinning.

  Here he was, riding in a long black car, on his way to the firm’s compound to attend bonding camp. He’d read through the agenda Rhonda, the head secretary at the firm, had given him, and he was pumped. This weekend was going to be a treat, and he needed the weekend getaway.

  Since Lauren had hired him a couple of months ago, the partners had kept him extremely busy. He loved it. Interviewing clients, getting all the particulars of the cases documented, and researching whatever they asked him to research, Joe hadn’t had much time for himself. He wished he could have attended bonding camp last weekend, but he’d had too much work to do, so he’d spent his weekend at the office, trying to make a good impression. He knew they held a bonding camp last weekend for the new intern, Grace, and that was fine. He could wait. Now the wait was over, and he was excited. Not only because he was getting the opportunity to get to know Justice and Morgan better but also because from what he’d heard, bonding camp was a time to actually bond with the people he worked with. He looked forward to it. He wanted to be a part of the firm for a very long time, and he hoped this weekend cemented their relationship.

  The landscape whizzed by as the driver sped along the country road. When the car had stopped by the apartment to pick him up, Joe wouldn’t let the driver carry his bags. The driver, Jack, had insisted, but that wasn’t how Joe was raised. He had always done things for himself, his parents teaching him to take care of himself so that when he was grown, he wouldn’t have to depend on anyone and could stand on his own two feet. He supposed it came from his way of life on the farm back in Indiana. Do for yourself, and you won’t want for anything. So, Joe had introduced himself to Jack, asked him to open the trunk, and stowed his bags away inside before they left the city.

  Joe had wanted to ride in the front with Jack but as a driver, Jack had insisted he ride in the back and enjoy the scenery on the way. And he was enjoying it. They had entered the countryside almost an hour ago, and the woods were beautiful. “Hey, Jack,” he said, tapping the seat in front of him. “How much farther?”

  Jack glanced over his shoulder. “We’ll be pulling onto the property in about ten minutes.”

  Joe grinned. He couldn’t wait. He’d been aching to get out of the city and back into the outdoors. When he had told his parents he wanted to be a lawyer, they had long discussions about him taking over the farm and the pros and cons of getting into a line of work his parents weren’t familiar with. It had taken a while, but he had convinced them to let him make his own way in the world. He’d taken a lot of flack from his friends back home. They had always called him the “surfer boy” because of the way he looked. With his sun-bleached hair and his perpetual tan from working outside on the farm to his solid biceps, he didn’t look the part of farm boy or lawyer. He didn’t care. He was who he was, and that’s all there was to it.

  When he had left home for college, his mother had cried. He soothed her by calling home often and visiting when he could. His father was proud of him, he could tell from the look on his face whenever he came home from school. And it pleased Joe to know that even though he wasn’t going to carry on the family business, his parents were proud of the fact he was making his own way. Getting the job at Cane, Moss, and White had been the icing on the cake. He loved what he was doing, loved the research and all the paperwork included with it, and hoped one day to accompany one of the partners into court. That day would come, he was sure of it. One thing he wasn’t short on was confidence.

  Jack turned the car into a driveway and slowly weaved through the trees as they climbed a slight rise.

  Joe leaned forward, straining to see. “Is this it?”

  “Yes, this is the compound. It’s pretty secluded and a wonderful place to spend some time.” Jack glanced back and smiled at him. “I’m sure you’ll like it here. Everyone always comes away with a smile on their face.”

  “Have you spent time here?”

  “Of course. Most everyone who works at the firm or for the partners spends time here once in a while.”

  Joe sat back, amazed at his unbelievable good fortune of landing this job.

  Jack pulled the car up in front of a large house that had the look of a cabin but a bit more formal. He shut off the ignition and turned sideways to look at Joe. “We’re here.”

  Joe couldn’t wipe the grin from his face. “Thanks for the ride, Jack.” He opened the door before Jack could get out and do it for him.

  “A pleasure.”

  Both men got out of the car and walked to the trunk to retrieve Joe’s bags. A slight breeze rustled the pine trees that surrounded the house, sounding vaguely like whispering. Joe sucked in a deep breath, the scent of the forest filling his lungs.

  “You must be Mr. Brown.” A man walked down the sidewalk coming from the house.

  Joe turned toward him. “That sounds pretty formal. You can call me ‘Joe.’” He offered his hand as the man approached.

  “Rodgers.” He smiled and squeezed Joe’s hand once before letting go. “Welcome to the compound. I’ll get your bags.” He dipped to the side of Joe, reaching for his suitcase.

  Joe managed to beat him to it, picking up the suitcase and slinging his backpack over his other shoulder. “That’s okay. I can get it. Just point me in the direction I need to go.”

  Rodgers shrugged. “If you insist. I’m not going to argue with you.” He turned back toward the house. “Follow me.”

  “Hey, Jack,” Joe said, turning toward the driver. “It was nice meeting you. Hope to see you again soon.”

  Jack slammed the trunk lid shut. “It was a pleasure meeting you, too, Joe. I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon. I’ll probably be driving you back on Sunday.” He gave Joe a salute then walked around the car and slid in behind the wheel. When he pulled away, he beeped the horn twice and waved before turning back into the tree-lined lane that led him back to the main road.

  Joe shifted the backpack and trotted up the sidewalk, trying to catch up with Rodgers who was almost to the front door already. “Wait up!” Joe caught up just as he was opening the front door.

  Rodgers glanced back at him as he entered the house. “There’s no need to be in a hurry. Everything is pretty laid-back around here. As long as you are where you’re supposed to be close to the time you’re supposed to be there, no one cares if you’re a little late. There’s a schedule, but it’s more of a set of guidelines than something you have to punch a time clock over.” He stepped into the foyer.

  Joe followed, placing his suitcase on the floor. “I don’t like to be late.” He let his gaze travel over the foyer. “This place is nice.”

  “Yes, it is. Let me show you to your room.” Rodgers walked forward then turned down a hallway to the right. “After you get settled in, I can take you on a tour, if you like.”

  Joe followed him, suitcase in hand again. “That would be great. To be honest with you, this is sort of a minivacation for me. I’d really like to take a look around the place.”

  Rodgers opened a door on the right. “I guarantee when you leave here, you’ll be more relaxed then when you arrived.” He turned to face him. “This will be your room during your stay. Feel free to make it your own.”

  Joe hefted his suitcase onto the bed and dropped his backpack beside it. “Thanks.”

  Rodgers moved toward the door. “I’ll come back and get you in about half an hour. I’d appreciate it if you’d wait here until then. I would tell you to go ahead and roam around, but some of the others are a bit protective of their private spaces, and I wouldn’t want you to stumble into somewhere you shouldn’t go.” He held up a finger. “Unless you’re invited, that is.”

  Joe waved a hand at him. “Don’t worry. It’s no
t a problem. I wouldn’t mind having something to drink, though. Would that be possible?” His throat was dry after the long drive. He hadn’t had anything to drink the whole long trip.

  “I’ll have something sent up.” He rested his hand on the doorknob. “Do you have a preference?”

  “Cola if you have it. Any kind will do. And maybe a glass of ice?”

  Rodgers smiled and nodded. “Done. Someone will be here in a few minutes. See you soon.” He left, closing the door behind him.

  Joe looked around the room, pleased with his surroundings. The coverlet and pillow on the bed were a bit too feminine for his taste, but who was he to complain? If that was the only thing he could find wrong, he’d better just keep his mouth shut. He opened his suitcase and quickly put his clothes away then placed the suitcase inside the closet.

  Someone knocked on the door.

  Joe hurried to the door and opened it. “Come in,” he said as he swung the door wide. Then it was as if someone had sucked all the air from his lungs.

  “Hello,” she said, looking up at him with emerald-green eyes and a smile that made his heart stutter.

  “Who are you?” he asked, almost afraid to move in case she disappeared like a smoky dream.

  “My name is Rachel.” She moved past him and entered the room, carrying a tray with a couple of cans of cola and a glass filled with ice. “I am the housekeeper here at the compound.”

  Joe inhaled deeply when she passed. What was that scent? It was warm and spicy, reminding him of something, but he couldn’t quite place it.

  “I was told you would like a cold drink,” she said, placing the tray on the dresser.

  Joe swung the door closed and moved across the room to stand at her side so he could breathe her in. He watched her pop the tab open on the soda and pour the dark liquid over the ice in the glass.

  She lifted the glass and turned to him. “Here you go.”

  He had never felt so tongue-tied in his life. This girl was beautiful. He had always been partial to redheads, and Rachel was a true one. Her light-red hair matched the freckles that danced across her nose. Looking at her, he finally knew what the phrase “peaches-and-cream skin” was all about.

  She tilted her head, frowning. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes. Why?” He blinked.

  “Because you’re just standing there staring at me.”

  “I’m sorry, I—you’re very pretty.” His face grew hot. He took the glass from her hand and drank half of it before taking a breath. This was crazy. He was acting like a teenager.

  “Thank you for the compliment,” she said, her cheeks growing pink. “Are you settling in okay? Can I get you anything else?”

  He shook his head. “Not right now, thank you.”

  She smiled and nodded. “I’ll let you get back to unpacking then.” She moved toward the door.

  His throat worked as he struggled to find the right words to speak. Giving up, he just blurted one out. “Wait!”

  Halfway into the hall, she stopped with one foot still inside the room. “Yes?”

  “I’ll be seeing you around, won’t I? I mean, I’d like to get to know you better.” He took a step forward, hoping he didn’t sound too much like a schoolboy.

  The smile on her lips widened. “Oh, I’m sure we’ll get to know each other very well, Mr. Brown.” Then she walked out the door, closing it behind her.

  Chapter Three

  Rachel shook her head and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she walked down the hall away from Mr. Brown’s door and toward the kitchen. For some strange reason, she hadn’t been nervous around him. She knew that soon she’d be getting to know him on a much more intimate level, and the thought of that had been plaguing her with nervousness since earlier today, but once she met him, and saw how much he acted like a young boy on a first date, she’d had the overwhelming urge to calm him and sort of take the lead and soothe his nerves. It was an unusual feeling for her.

  She walked into the kitchen and ran into Rodgers. He was washing his hands at the sink. “I delivered the soda to Mr. Brown,” she said, opening the refrigerator and checking to see if the steaks had thawed for the dinner she was planning for tonight.

  Rodgers turned, drying his hands on a towel. “His name is Joe. If you’re going to be joining him in bonding camp, you should probably call him by his first name.”

  Rachel reached for the platter of steaks and took it from the refrigerator. Taking the platter and placing it on the counter, she smiled. “Joe. I like that name. But I’m not ready to call him that until he asks me to.” She began to gather the makings for a dinner of steak, baked potato, and salad. “Funny thing though, I don’t feel all nervous around him.” She laughed, taking three potatoes from the bin and carrying them to the sink to wash. “He seems nervous around me.”

  Rodgers crossed his arms and leaned against the counter, watching her wash the potatoes. “Maybe it’s because he’s attracted to a hot redhead.”

  “You’re too funny.” She rolled the potato she was holding beneath the stream of water.

  “Rachel, you underestimate yourself. You are a beautiful woman.”

  “Oh, come on, Rodgers. We’ve worked together for how long now? And you’ve never said anything like that to me before.” Was he just saying that because he, too, would be involved in her bonding camp and was trying to make her feel more comfortable? She had always thought Rodgers was a nice-looking man, a bit older but he had a face a woman could look at for a lifetime and never get tired of gazing at. She’d never really thought of him in a sexual way, but then, they worked together, so she always thought of him as a coworker.

  “Maybe I’ve never said anything because I thought you knew it already.” He started for the door. “I’ve got to take Joe on a tour of the compound. I’ll see you at dinner.”

  Rachel finished washing the potatoes and prepared them by splitting them, adding butter, steak sauce, and a slice of onion in the center then wrapped them in foil and put them in the oven. Then she began preparing the steaks, tenderizing them. Her mind began to wander as she worked.

  As soon as she began thinking about bonding camp, her hands began to tremble. She shouldn’t have waited so long to tell them she wanted to join in. Why in the world was this making her so nervous? She knew everyone and shouldn’t be afraid to allow herself to let go when it came to having sex. Everyone except Joe Brown. Her hands stilled as she thought about him.

  He had acted like such a young boy around her. It made her smile, thinking about how he had began to stutter and then told her she was beautiful. Heat bloomed in her cheeks. Not only were her cheeks warm, but they were starting to hurt from the wide smile she wore. She wasn’t so backward that she didn’t realize that Joe was attracted to her. And she was attracted to him, too. He looked like a California boy with his slight tan and sun-streaked hair. Standing at least six feet tall, he was just the right height for her to slip her arms around his neck and press her body against his obviously toned one.

  She brushed a strand of hair back from her forehead with the back of her wrist. If she could control her nerves, she’d love to get closer to him. In a very intimate way.

  She picked up a steak to turn it over and almost dropped it on the floor. “Oh!” She jerked and caught it before it was ruined. Slapping it back on the cutting board, she gave it a pound with her tenderizing hammer. “Get your mind back on your job.”

  After getting the steaks tenderized and ready for the stovetop grill, she checked the potatoes and prepared the salads. Going into the dining room, she set the table for three. When the partners arrived, she and Rodgers would eat in the kitchen, but when there was only one guest, they ate with the guest so that he didn’t feel too alone. It was the partners’ idea, helping to keep the guests at the compound feeling like they were included and at their second home away from home. It helped them to get to know the staff, which was good when it came to bonding camp and having the staff participate. That way the guests knew a
bit about the people they were bonding with, the ones they didn’t work with every day.

  Having dinner with Rodgers and Joe might help to settle her nerves. She did want to get to know Joe. She’d like to know how such a handsome, young, athletic-looking man ended up being a lawyer. He didn’t look like a lawyer at all with his shoulder-length, tousled hair and his honest, open face. It would be interesting to find out why he chose to be a lawyer.

  Shaking herself out of her reverie, Rachel finished setting the table and returned to the kitchen to put the steaks on. “Oh, hello,” she said when she entered the kitchen.

  Rodgers and Joe turned to face her. “I was just showing Joe around the place. We’re not in your way, are we?”

  Rachel crossed to the stove and turned on the grill section of the stove, keenly aware of Joe’s eyes following her. “No, but you men should be somewhere other than the kitchen while I’m cooking.” She really wanted them out of there. She couldn’t focus on cooking if Joe was in the kitchen. Just being near him seemed to heat her blood.

  “It sure smells good in here,” Joe said. He rubbed his stomach. “I am hungry now that I think about it.”

  “Dinner will be in about half an hour.” She put the steaks on the grill, sizzling filling the kitchen. Turning, she put her hands on her hips. “Now you two find someplace else to be. I’ll call you when dinner is on the table.”

  Joe laughed. “Boy, this place is beginning to feel more and more like home.”

  Rachel bit the inside of her cheek to keep herself from smiling. She had just scolded both of them as if she was the woman of the house.

  “Come on, Joe. I’ll show you the pool.” Rodgers moved to the side door to the outside. “Call me on the radio when dinner is ready, Rachel.”

  “I will. Now go,” she said, the smile creeping onto her lips.

  Joe grinned at her and nodded before he followed Rodgers out the door.