He eyed her with half amusement and half trust. “I hope you are correct and that we might celebrate a Pantos win on Saturday night.”
“If we win, I will invite you to a celebration with the captain, crew, and owner of the boat.”
Something more lit his eyes, and he held out his hand to take hers. “Deal. And if you don’t win, I will work one week for you for free.”
A smile filled her face before she could temper it. “That’s almost incentive enough for me to sabotage our win.”
His laugh fell from his lips naturally, freely. “Thank you.”
“I don’t know your name.”
“Too true. I’m Trent.”
“Just Trent?”
“Trent Hudson. I’m afraid I don’t have business cards with me.”
She laughed at his obvious joke, though he didn’t appear to have tried to be humorous. “I’m happy to meet you. Please call me. For business purposes, or personal if you like. I’ll be here for the duration of the Regatta festivities.”
He tapped his shorts pocket. “You can count on it.”
They had circled back around and were once again standing at the hallway that led back to the pool. He nodded his head toward her. “I do have to get back to work.”
“Of course.” She’d wondered how he managed such a long break.
But when he turned to enter the resort, he headed in a different direction, away from the pool. He was such a mystery to her. Never had she met anyone like him—though she’d also never spent much time talking with bellboys. Maybe they were all incredibly handsome and carried themselves like kings. Either way, just thinking of him filled her with a curious rebellion. What would her parents say if she brought the likes of him to the banquet? She giggled. He’d fit right in. Just thinking about him in a tux made her knees go weak. Maybe Luke Valdez would have some knowledge of his family. He was the Torren prince who acted as their inside security man. Maybe if she ran Trent by him, he could do a few searches for her.
But no matter what Luke found, she was hooked on the idea of Trent. He would be on her mind for the rest of the afternoon at least. She hoped he’d want to talk more about a potential job and move. She should have set up another meeting to discuss the particulars of her offer and his experience. It had all happened so quickly she didn’t really have the particulars of an offer ready for him.
Another excuse to spend time with him gave her a new spark of energy as she thought about the many events coming up. She could even think about her coming dinner with her father and Tehan without dread. If one afternoon with the bellboy could make everything in her life suddenly easier, she wanted to see what the next would bring. And the next. She didn’t even balk at the dangerous direction of her thoughts. Nothing could happen between them, so why not appreciate what time she had with him, and hope that something would develop—a business relationship.
Chapter 4
Trent made his way to the El Reino Tres room, smiling. He shook his head. What a turn of events. She’d gone from totally dismissing him to wanting to hire him.
Tessandra Santorini. He pulled out her card. Could she be related to the throne? He’d heard that the Santorini family was extensive, but he wasn’t sure if it was a common name like Smith, or if she was really in some way related to the king. She’d said she could get him in with the Regatta victory celebration, so she had connections of some kind. And she had the wealth to hire a guy on the spot, to relocate him to her island.
Either way he was intrigued. So much so, that he planned to contact her as soon as these consultations were finished. Maybe they could have drinks or something.
The open door led into a small conference room. He appreciated the lines, the modern, stark décor, the blues and greens that matched the brilliant waters of Majorca. An overeager man sat across the table from him.
Trent took in his pressed clothes, his new haircut, his straight tie, and decided the man had potential. He stood, and they shook hands, the man’s grip impressively firm but not overbearing; Trent appreciated him even more. No competitive gleam. Good, the man had backbone but wasn’t going to treat a consultation like a horse race.
After Trent had offered his advice and business tips to five very willing and accepting recipients, his mood and confidence lifted. He returned to his room, his thoughts full of Tessandra and how he could make time to see her again. Did it matter that she thought he was a bellboy? He didn’t think so. She didn’t seem to mind spending time with him, had even wanted to hire him.
His mind paused. If her friendliness was all with the purpose of winning him over as a new employee, she would most certainly dim her efforts when she realized she could not afford him.
Or maybe she could afford him. He needed to do some basic searches about her and her company, whatever it might be. How odd she had not disclosed much in her impromptu offer. He chuckled again, thinking about it. He had to admire her excellent business sense and judgement of character. Without realizing it, she’d just offered to hire the CEO of a top consulting firm, with some of the biggest American names as clients.
He pulled out his phone. Several texts from Tim made him smile. “There’s an interesting club. The guys are going. You making an appearance?”
Normally he wasn’t into clubbing, even on vacation, but his mind immediately went to Tessandra. Perhaps she would be there? He shook his head. Then he thought about his team. Would it be good to join them? They were certainly in a location filled with potential clients of all kinds.
The pounding at his door could only be Tim.
He opened it. “Will you never master the delicate tap tap?”
“Whatever, dude. Sometimes I feel the need to remind you we played football together.” He lowered a shoulder and rammed toward Trent, but Trent knew what was coming and pivoted out of the way. Tim dove onto the bed. “I never could tackle you. It’s like you can see sideways.”
“It’s your smell.”
He checked his armpits. “Nope. I smell good, man.” He propped his head on a pillow. “So, what’s up with the babe?”
Trent shrugged out of his t-shirt. “You’re not gonna believe it.”
Tim sat up. “What?”
Trent eyed him. Did he really want to hear grief about this for days on end? “She thinks I’m the bellboy.”
Tim’s silence was funnier than the actual telling. His friend’s absolute confusion comforted the tiny drop of insecurity that had niggled inside when he wondered why on earth she’d thought him a bellboy.
“It’s true. She ordered a drink and food, and then, when I offered her some free advice, she dismissed me with a wave of her fingers. That is, until she realized I was right and wanted to hire me.” He laughed. “Said she was certain she could pay me more than I was currently making.”
“Get it in writing.”
Trent shook his head. “The whole thing is ridiculous, but there’s something there. I want to explore this.”
Trent’s eyebrow rose slowly. “Is this what I think it is? The Trent Hudson is showing interest in a female?”
“Yes, I am attracted to women.” For some reason he didn’t want to reveal her name yet. He didn’t want the speculation running crazy among the guys if it was nothing. And something about her felt private, not up for speculation.
“But this woman…”
Trent placed his phone and room key on the table, refusing to answer.
“So, you coming?” Tim asked.
“I’m in. Let me clean off the bellboy in me and I’ll be right down.”
“I heard the royals are coming tonight. Early.”
“Do I want to know where you get all your inside scoops?”
“Probably not.”
“That’s fair. Are they staying at this hotel?”
“Yep. Maybe we’ll see them. It’s been forever since we’ve seen Nico. That guy knows how to party.”
“But if you want anything done with Torren, you talk to the duke.”
“Wor
king with him on the environmental summit was smooth.” Tim ran his hand in a flat plane, and Trent knew just what he meant.
Trent showered and took a few extra minutes on his appearance. Then he went to meet Tim and the guys. They stepped into the high-class yacht club, music pounding off the walls. A light show played at one end of the room, bright fluorescent colors flashing in patterns to match the beat of the music. A bar served drinks at the other end. Trent’s team approached and high-fived Tim.
Trent turned to get a good view of the room, and the guys followed suit. “Take a look around you, gentleman. Most of the powerful allies in Europe are in here and will be at all the events this week. Get to know some of them. Remember in all that you do, you represent Link Capital. Go get us some more clients.”
The guys put their hands in for a huddle, which Trent humored. Tim had never gotten over his football days. The others seemed to like the sports-style motivation, so Trent played along. “Jed, go wide. Tibbets, wait for the pass. Everyone else pick your man and don’t let him out of your sight.”
“Or woman.”
Trent turned to follow the focus of Tim’s attention. “Or woman.” Tessandra. On the arm of… His mouth broke into a grin as he picked up his pace to meet them. “Nico Valdez!”
Tessandra’s wide eyes amused him. Let her muddle through that one. How would a bellboy know the crown prince of an island country? Nico pulled him into an embrace, kissing his cheeks. “Trent. It has been too long. You here for the Regatta and gala, the whole thing?”
“You bet. Wouldn’t miss it. In fact, Tessandra and I have a bet going.”
“You know Tess?”
She raised her eyebrows. “We met earlier today. Although I’m beginning to wonder how much I really know about Trent.” Her calculating gaze washed over him, leaving a pleasant trail of expectation. “And he doubts Pantos will win.”
Trent nodded. “I’ve got an invitation to dine with the crew on the line here.”
Earlier, Nico had invited him to join them as well. They had a yacht in the race and were equally convinced of their own victory. Nico’s eyes sparkled with interest as he looked between Trent and Tessandra.
Trent stepped closer. “Good to see you again, Tess.” He emphasized the shortened version of her name.
She tilted her head. “You as well. Perhaps you could find me my favorite drink of the evening.”
She couldn’t possibly think he was working this event. He eyed her. While her face was a perfect blank, her eyes sparkled with mischief.
“I’d love to get you a drink. If you save me a dance.”
She inched closer to Nico. “I don’t know. Every Valdez brother is here.” The mischief in her eyes grew.
But he shrugged. “I’m not concerned about a little competition.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “From the entire royal family?” As her gaze travelled over him, she nodded. “I can see that.”
Nico himself seemed highly amused. But before he could say anything else, Trent was surrounded by old friends. “Thad! Luke!” He pounded the backs of each brother until he was surrounded by all six of them. And then Dahlia sauntered closer, and his heart skipped. It had been a long time. Would she bring up the past? Did she still carry a grudge against him? But she hugged him just like her brothers had. “Good to see you.”
They shared the same exuberance with Tess, and he soon found the two of them side by side, surrounded by old friends who he hoped would soon be clients. “Guys, the Valdez brothers are in the house! How long has it been?”
“Too long, man.”
They started dancing, each pulling a woman to his side, including Nico, which left Tess and Trent together. He turned to her. “Would you like to dance?”
“Absolutely. If only to clear up my grand confusion about you.”
He pulled her close, the beat was fast, but he wanted to hold her, to converse. “Why clear it up? Sometimes a little mystery is exciting.” He spun her around.
“You work as a hotel staffer, and yet, you befriend royals, attend yacht club events…” She waited then made a point of examining his person. “You dress like you belong here.”
“What if I do?”
“You undoubtedly do.” Her lips puckered in a frown his gaze was immediately drawn to. “But…”
“Why must there be a but?”
The song changed, and the Valdez brothers were back, cheering and jumping to the faster beat. She shouted over the music, “We aren’t finished yet.”
“I hope not.” He was equally curious about her. He hadn’t had time to even search her name. They made their way through the crowd. Trent had many people to greet, to renew his acquaintance with, but the one he’d hoped to find had not come. Tehan Paixao.
One of the Mediterranean princes, Charles, almost tripped over Trent. He’d had too much to drink already. Trent steadied him. “Tell me, Charles, are the Santorini royals here?”
“Just the princess. The others come tomorrow.”
“Thanks, man.” He assumed Tehan would be wherever the king was. They were an alliance that would be difficult to either join or break, and from what he’d heard, the princess was as good as married to Tehan.
Could he convince the ever-elusive king to do business with him? That was yet to be seen. And with the prince already making eyes at the princess, his chances to get to know the king through her seemed slim to none. He didn’t think he’d ever seen her. He’d have to look her up so he didn’t happen upon her unawares.
At last, the evening started winding down. The crowd thinned, the line of cars out front grew, and Trent looked for Tess. Her thick, red curls made him smile. The flush on her face accented the flash in her eyes, and his blood raced. “Want to go somewhere?” he asked.
She stepped closer. “Yeah.”
“Walk on the beach?”
“Okay.” She started walking toward the line of cars.
“Wait. Where are you going?”
“To the car…”
“I thought we’d take mine.”
“Yours?”
“Sure.” The valet drove up with his rental for the week, the flashiest, most expensive car he could rent on the island. A Lamborghini Countach, teal. Sporty, low to the ground. The valet held the door open for her, and Trent gestured for her to slide in.
“What?”
“I like to do my own driving sometimes.” He winked. “It’s a power thing. I admit it.”
Her smile started slow, but it spread across her face. “I like that.”
“Somehow, I guessed you’d understand.”
“You guessed that?”
“Yep.”
Her cheeks flushed in such a charming way he was even more drawn to her. “I’ve never met anyone I want to compete with and conquer as much as I want to join forces with and dominate everyone else.”
She buckled her seatbelt beside him, and he smiled at the sight. “I like you in here.”
She didn’t respond as she wiggled down into her seat, and the thought of her getting comfortable made him smile.
“I thought we could go out to the lighthouse.”
“El Formentor?”
“Si.”
She laughed. “Isn’t it like a thirty-minute drive?”
“Well, yeah.”
Her gaze searched his face, so he added. “I’m interested in a whole bunch of stuff about you, and I thought we could swap stories on the way.”
That was the right thing to say apparently, playing on her curiosity. “Okay. You first. Are you, or are you not, a bellboy?”
He turned to take in her beautiful face, full of questions. The tiniest hint of vulnerability made him want to sit taller and wrap his arm around her. “I am not a bellboy.”
“But you were in uniform. You brought me drinks. Food!” Her face blushed again. “I told a random stranger to go get me drinks?” She shook her head. “And who paid for it?” She rested her forehead in her delicate hand. “I knew you were way too hot to be the bel
lboy.”
She brought a hand to her mouth. “What did I just say?” She shook her head. “No, I meant…” She stopped, and he waited, enjoying this turn of conversation way more than he should.
She leaned back and her eyes perused him again. This time the shyness was gone. “You’re hot. And you know it. And you’re composed and well-dressed. You carry yourself well.” She shook her head. “I should have known. I mean, what about you says, “I want to be your servant?” She laughed. “That’s crazy. You’re intimidating. Does anyone boss you around?”
He shook his head. “Just you so far.”
He enjoyed the small smile that played around her lips. “What? You like that?” he asked.
“Well.” She shrugged. “Sure.”
“What about you? I don’t get the impression many people get to tell you what to do.”
Then came a large sigh. “I’m a literal servant in my own house.”
“Wait, so you’re the bellboy here?”
She looked away, and he regretted his callous joke.
“You don’t feel in control of your life?”
“I’m not in control of any aspect of my life. I am at the beck and call of my family, and I don’t see any stop to it. Ever.” She looked out the window.
He didn’t respond, sensing she might want to have a minute. They drove along the water, but it was too dark to see anything except for the lights from docked yachts, passing freighters, and the moon. “I was just thinking we should stop up here at this beautiful beach and take our walk. The lighthouse is much better in the daytime. This drive up the hill is stunning during the day, one of the best in Spain.”
She waved her hand. “I know. I’ve been.”
“Oh, well, you still game?”
“I love a good walk on the beach at night. And the weather is perfect.”
When they got out of the car, he led her over the sand, closer to the water. She slipped out of her sandals and carried them while they walked on the damp, solid sand.
“So, Tess, what about you? We seem to travel in the same circles.”
“Yeah, how do you know the whole Valdez family?”
“I met them skiing. We like to go to the same resort in Switzerland.”
Her Billionaire Bellboy Page 3