“Fancy meeting you here. I was just saying that to Scottie, wasn’t I?”
Nodding, she said, “He was.”
Jeff’s gaze slid from Konrad to Scottie. “We were wondering where you ran off to, Scottie. Tara thought you saw someone you knew.”
“Oh, yeah. No. Actually, I just had a wardrobe emergency.” She laughed nervously. “All better now.”
“We got a table,” said Jeff. “Come join us.” He didn’t look back to Konrad, who wanted to obliterate Jeff when he reached for her arm.
Scottie moved, avoiding his hold. “Let’s go then.” She looked back at Konrad, her eyes telling him so much. She did want him. He didn’t need her verbal yes.
Konrad walked behind them, and as they remerged into the noisy main bar, he leaned in to her as he passed and said into her ear, “Your lips are mine.”
He continued to walk to the VIP section and didn’t look back.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Your lips are mine. Konrad’s words kept Scottie up all night. Six in the morning came fast, and as lethargic as her body was, her mind soared. She’d never known excitement like this for a man before. She’d never felt the sick, but good sick, feeling in her stomach, never been consumed with fantasies about a man. Konrad was the first.
All her fears were pushed aside. She didn’t care how fast it seemed. These things happened fast sometimes. At least that was what she’d heard before. Her mother once moved a man into their apartment after knowing him just two weeks. Finally, Scottie understood what drove a person to do such things.
She got up from her bed, eyes scanning her all-black outfit for the catering job. With two hundred dollars left over from pawning the brooch, she needed a thousand to get the pin back. This propelled her forward. She felt light on her feet and in her spirit as she flounced around her room, getting her things together. A notification on her cell phone stopped her in her tracks. The text could only be from one person.
Konrad: Schatzi, will I see you today on the yacht?
Me: Yes.
Scottie’s body surged. She couldn’t wait to see him again.
Konrad: Good. I’ll kidnap you for a little while. Maybe no one will notice. Is that okay with you?
Scottie bit her lip. Was this really happening? Was she really doing this? With Konrad? The man she wanted to stay away from? The man she had helped break hearts?
Yes.
Me: I want that.
Another text chimed her phone.
Konrad: Good. I hope you’re ready for me.
She tingled deep within, thinking of all the ways she’d be ready for him.
Tara called Scottie, taking her attention. She walked into the kitchen, taking an apron to the face again. Groaning, Scottie tied it around her waist, and thought of the texts messages with Konrad she’d just had.
“What’s with you?” Tara tilted her head. “You’re actually smiling. It’s weird.”
I should tell her. What was the harm in telling Tara that Konrad was her boss? It seemed crazy not to.
“Umm…” Scottie picked at the screen print of Decadent Chick Catering on the apron. “Okay, so… So, this might be weird…”
“Not weirder than you’re being right now, Scott. What’s going on?”
Dropping her hands to her sides, she began, “So, you know my boss at the temp job?”
“Yeah…”
“It’s one of Fabian’s friends. Konrad Korr. The tall blond.” It sounded like no big deal in Scottie’s head. She hoped that was how Tara took it.
Not likely.
“You’re shitting me.” Tara shook her head in disbelief, her hands coming up to her face. “And you didn’t say anything? Y’all didn’t say anything? Why?”
“I really didn’t think you’d cater for them again. Sorry.” Scottie knew Tara would not be satisfied with her answer.
“Seriously?” Tara gripped the edge of the counter. “Scottie, if this is a weird thing—”
“It’s not!”
Tara studied Scottie’s face. “Fine.” She bent over, closing the cooler lids. “God, just when things were smooth sailing. You better tell me immediately if it gets awkward.”
“It won’t.” Scottie was feeling more confident that day than she had in a while.
When they arrived at the marina in Kemah, Texas, Scottie spotted Fabian waiting for them on the edge of the dock. With him was a captain and another crew member dressed in a uniform of white shorts and a navy polo shirt.
Fabian smiled at them as they approached carrying the lighter boxes. “Good morning, ladies! Do you have more in the car?”
“Yes. A lot more,” Tara said, handing him a box.
“Greggory will get the rest of it. Is that your SUV?” He pointed to the SUV parked next to a Bentley, which was clearly his. Greggory, the crew member, took both boxes and disappeared down the ramp, Tara at his side.
“Come. Let me show you around.” Fabian briefly touched Scottie’s elbow. “You’re Scottie, right?”
“Yes, Scottie Roberts.”
“I’m Fabian Pallis. My better half, Antonia, should be here any minute.”
“Your fiancée is very beautiful. She’ll make a stunning bride.” Scottie felt weird talking to Fabian.
Fabian nodded. “She is amazing.”
She glanced at him, taking in his expression. Everything that was hard and angled about his face softened. This big, muscular, strong man had turned to complete mush at the mention of his fiancée. Scottie knew that was the look of love. It was beautiful and made her feel hopeful for once in her life.
When they’d finally reached a full-sized kitchen in the labyrinth that was the yacht, he turned to face her. “This is the main kitchen. Set up here.”
He pointed to the long counter space and the island in the middle. It was larger than the kitchen she and Tara shared. The display of wealth was outright obscene.
“Okay. Where will you and your guests have brunch?” She lifted the box that had been put on the floor.
“The upper deck has a table set up for ten. We’ll have brunch there. The buffet will be there too, but I would like for you to come around and refill drinks as needed.”
“Of course. We are here for your every need.” She pulled her hair up, her heart fluttering.
He winked, his white smile emerging from his tan face. “That’s what I like to hear.”
“So, I’ll let you get to it.” Fabian pulled the sunglasses from his polo pocket and slipped them on before he left her in the kitchen.
Thirty minutes later, Scottie balanced a tray of mimosas on one hand and a tray of mini almond raisin cinnamon rolls on the other.
“Just don’t drop them,” Tara called over her shoulder, busy chopping and seasoning and performing her culinary magic.
“I won’t.” She took one step at a time until out of the kitchen and into a living room decorated in a nautical theme of stripes, shiny Cherrywood, and chrome finishes.
“Watch your step, love.” The voice came from the left.
Before she could rebalance or catch a breath, both trays went crashing down to the floor, drenching her—and the ottoman nearby—with sticky orange mimosa.
“Shit!” she screamed.
His lip curled up in humor. “Indeed.”
Scottie met Konrad’s eyes, and she knew exactly what he was thinking because she was thinking the same thing. He reached for her, his mouth crashing down on hers with a passion that made her feel weightless.
With lips against hers, he said, “God, you look adorable in an apron. I want you to wear this later and nothing else.”
“Stop,” she whispered, pressing into his kiss again.
When they parted, he looked down at her. “Am I dreaming?”
She took in every part of his face. “No.”
He moaned, his nose dipping down to her neck. “Good.”
Tara’s voice stopped them from falling into each other further. Good thing. Scottie needed to remember what she was doing
. And who she was doing it with. They separated quickly.
“Scottie?” Tara walked in, her eyes narrowed. “Oh…” She surveyed the mess of orange mimosa and mini cinnamon rolls all over an extremely expensive-looking ottoman. “What the hell happened?”
Konrad dropped to his knees, picking up the champagne flutes and rolls on the floor. “It’s my fault. I smashed into her.”
Scottie kneeled next to him, helping him clean up. “No, it was me. I should have watched what I was doing.”
To make matters worse, Fabian and Antonia walked in then, getting an eyeful of the scene. Fabian gasped. “What happened here?”
“No worries, mate. I ran into Scottie,” Konrad repeated, glancing at Scottie.
Fabian’s eyebrows lifted.
“I did it. It was me.” Scottie would take the responsibility.
“Rubbish. She’s being nice.”
“Stop cleaning, Konrad. What’s the matter with you?” Fabian said, annoyed.
“I’ll get the maid.” Antonia left, calling out to someone named Emily.
Konrad stood. “Come on, Scottie.” Offering her his hand, she took it, letting him pull her to her feet.
“I’m so sorry about this.” Tara was mortified. “We’ll replace the ottoman.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll square it with Fabian.”
Scottie couldn’t believe how determined he was to protect her, and it made her chest swell with warmth. The more she looked at him, the more she really saw him, the more she knew she was in trouble. Her heart could not deny it. Everything she’d believed about Konrad and men had been turned on its head with that look.
Before Fabian climbed back up the stairs, he asked Konrad to join him on the upper deck. Konrad nodded, though he stayed behind. Scottie wondered if he would tell Tara their secret. The big secret.
“Wow,” Tara began, wiping her hands on the apron tied around her waist. “This is awkward.” She threw Scottie a disapproving glance.
“I told her you’re my boss.” Scottie decided to take control of the situation. In doing so, she took a step back from Konrad. They looked too close, too intimate. She wasn’t ready to tell Tara the other secret.
“I don’t see why you have to keep that a secret.” Tara was annoyed.
“It’s not a secret. Yes, Scottie works for me. There’s no problem.”
Thank God.
“Exactly.” Scottie had unprecedented mixed feelings about his rationale. Though she knew he couldn’t disclose everything, in some irresponsible way, she wanted him to claim her.
“No worries, Tara. This doesn’t affect anything,” Konrad said smoothly.
Tara seemed satisfied. “I’m glad to hear it.” Tara bent over the ottoman, picking up the last of the mess. “Scottie, help me clean this up.”
“Leave it. Emily will be here any moment.” Konrad stuck his hand out in front of Scottie.
Tara sighed, standing. “Okay. Thank you, Konrad. Hopefully I haven’t completely ruined any chance for future catering jobs.”
“Trust me, you haven’t. In fact, I’ll bet you’ve earned more.” He smiled.
Scottie followed Tara back into the gourmet kitchen, Konrad still in her mind.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“So, she works for you at Korr Properties?” Fabian lifted his eyebrows.
Konrad glanced at Scottie holding a tray of salmon puffs to Antonia and two of her friends across the upper deck where they’d been tanning for hours. They’d been cruising toward the Gulf of Mexico at full speed, the water lapping against the sides of the yacht.
“Yes.” Damn, she’s gorgeous. Konrad couldn’t take his eyes off Scottie. She was the only woman he could see.
“And you knew,” Fabian continued, his finger pointed at Dallas accusingly.
Dallas lifted his hands in surrender. “Hey, it wasn’t my business to tell.”
“She’s hot,” Tylund put in, his gaze on her too. Konrad wanted to shove him overboard.
“Don’t,” Konrad sniped, causing eyebrows to lift further.
Not Dallas though. He had a sagacious look in his eyes.
Konrad shoved his sunglasses to the top of his head. “I’d rather you not objectify my employee,” he said to Tylund.
“Or he’ll be forced to defend her.” Dallas grinned.
Konrad pushed down his sunglasses over his eyes again. The Coast Guard would be busy fetching Konrad’s friends out of the Gulf if they kept it up.
Wankers. Konrad turned his gaze back to Scottie. She was more than hot. His eyes followed her lines, curving and petite. He relived his touch on her skin, making him hard almost instantly. He wanted her again. And she must have sensed him staring because her eyes shifted to him, her wide smile taming into a coy curve on her lips. They were on the same wavelength. No question.
“Excuse me, lads. I’m going to fetch a salmon puff before the ladies devour them all.” Without waiting for a response, he made his way to her.
“Konrad!” Melina called upon his arrival, her champagne flute lifted. She’d already had a whole bottle herself. “Cheers!”
“Cheers, love!” His eyes were on Scottie.
“Salmon puff?” Scottie lifted the tray.
“I’d love one.” He took a puff and brought it to his lips, reveling in her attention to his every move.
Scottie seemed embarrassed to be caught staring because her cheeks blushed, and she looked away. “I better get more.” She dashed off, leaving him to quickly devise a plan to get her alone.
Because Konrad knew the layout of Fabian’s yacht well, he retreated back inside from the opposite end, knowing it would lead to the same wide staircase back to the main cabin. He waited for Scottie at the bottom, scanning the area. He was completely alone.
Seconds later, her shoes tapped against each step until she became aware of him. Stopping in her tracks, she gasped.
“Konrad.” His name was breathy on her lips.
Without a word, he took her face in his hands and kissed her so hard, she dropped the tray. The crashing sound parted them, but his attention wasn’t on the tray. Neither was hers.
“I’m kidnapping you.” He was breathing heavily, his groin tightening in response to her finger hooked in his belt loop.
“Now?” She glanced toward the kitchen. “We can’t here. Can we?”
“Not here.” He took her hand. “Come with me.” Without resisting, she squeezed her fingers around his and let him lead.
In the wing of bedroom cabins, Konrad opened a door to one he’d stayed in many times. The urgency to be together was so strong, he didn’t glance inside. He didn’t take notice of the furniture or any other detail inside the room. All his focus was on her hand riding up his forearm.
He closed the door, pushing her back against it. “My God, Scottie. This is absolute torture.” He pressed his mouth on hers, taking her tongue between his lips.
She put her hand on his chest, separating their connection. “Will they hear us?”
“Not a chance.” Konrad picked her up in one fell swoop, his lips still on hers, and walked to the king bed in the center of the large cabin. He placed her on the bed, trying to contain himself. Desire took over.
Once on the bed, Scottie pawed his polo shirt, lifting it over his ribcage, and tossed it to ground when she’d succeeded.
“I was serious about the apron.” After he’d untied her apron, he yanked it off, and she slipped under him, taking his bottom lip between her teeth. He loved how responsive she was to him. It matched exactly what he felt for her. Ready. Urgent. And he was so fucking hard. He would rip the crotch of his shorts if he didn’t get them off.
Through their fast, hungry need for each other, they’d stripped off each other’s clothes until they were naked. He ran his palm down the center of her chest until he touched her clit. Scottie spread her legs wider, hooking her legs around him. He hovered over her, staring into her sun-touched face, his heart slowing way down. He knew they had to be fast, but that
didn’t stop his desire to savor her.
Konrad kissed her neck, sucking her skin while he rubbed her. Her whimpers kept him going, kept him on the path to her pleasure. He took her nipple in his mouth, licking it, biting it, and only pulling back when she winced.
“Sorry,” he said on a groan, his mouth moving toward her other nipple. “I can’t help it.”
“No. It’s okay. You didn’t hurt me.” Her pelvis lifted to his circling touch.
Another bite to her nipple and she bucked under him.
“You taste good,” he said. The task to get down her body continued. Down her stomach, he circled his tongue on her sweet skin, dipping it into her belly button. He intended to go farther.
“Oh…” She moaned as he slipped a finger inside her.
Wet and hot, the thought of being inside her made him absolutely insane. He already knew what it felt like, but there was something that felt different about being there with her on the yacht. The anticipation of having her, of making her orgasm so hard the whole yacht might find out about them, got him more excited, if that were possible. That was his lust talking, though.
He didn’t want to think about the others on the yacht. There were no others, as far as he was concerned. How different his life could be in a week astounded him.
He moved down still, his mouth between her thighs. She was bare and completely open to him. Glancing up, he met her eyes, which were drooping with wanton need. She’d never looked so gorgeous. Taking his lower lip between his teeth, he turned his gaze back to her.
“I’m going to taste you,” he said, his palms pushing down her thighs. A moan soared through the air, and he nearly lost it.
One swipe, then two, and her skin sent him ablaze. He couldn’t stop himself. He intended to lick every part of her. Over and over, he circled his tongue around her. He delved his tongue inside her, making her buck under him, soft words falling from her lips he didn’t quite decipher over the hard beat of the blood coursing between his ears.
“Konrad…” she cried, her fingers fisting his hair. She was close. He could feel it. “Please. Please…”
He continued licking her and rubbing her. She was his priority. It has always been that way with her. No one else had ever been able to evoke that from him.
Playboy Boss (Society Playboys Book 2) Page 14