Chapter 3—Travis

I awoke with a killer hard-on. It’d been a few weeks since I’d seen any action and the first woman I meet who interested me ends up being my boss. It was going to take some work to crack Jessica, but I would. And I’d enjoy every minute of it before I savored every inch of her. My dick twitched at the thought, and I groaned.

Knowing the only way to alleviate my pain was to take a cold shower or rub one out; I opted for a cold shower. I was in a hurry to get to the office. Jessica would be there, and I had every intention of being a royal pain in her ass today. After a quick shower and an even quicker breakfast, I was out of my bungalow and headed across the island. It was barely eight o’clock and the place was peacefully quiet. Smiling, I walked into the offices and came face to face with Jessica. She was scowling at me again and I realized I rather liked the way she scowled. There was something harmlessly sexy about it.

“Do you think that’s appropriate work attire?” she asked.

I glanced down at my carefully chosen ensemble of khaki shorts, sandals, and blue polo shirt. “Is there something wrong with it?” The strap of my laptop case bit into my shoulder, and I adjusted it before folding my arms over my chest.

“Here at the Paradise Falls Resort, we like to portray an image of professionalism. Sandals and shorts go against that,” she said.

Jesus! Had this woman memorized the damn employee handbook? “Would you like me to go home and change into something more professional?”

She hesitated as if seriously contemplating her answer. I waited, brow raised. She really wasn’t going to make me walk all the way back across the island to change, was she? “No, but tomorrow I expect you to dress accordingly,” she said with a firm nod. “Come on. I have to get you up to speed on a few things before my afternoon meetings.”

I followed her to her office. She wore a pair of firm fitting gray dress pants that made her already tight looking ass look much more delectable. I licked my lips and thought about my hands squeezing those perfectly rounded globes as she rode my cock. Fuck. I really needed to get her to relax so I could move beyond all this professional bullshit.

“Did you hear me?”

Her words distracted me from my fantasy. “No, I’m sorry. What did you say?” Shit, she looked pissed again. I’d better straighten up. Like it or not, she did have the authority to can my ass, and I couldn’t let that happen.

“Until I get approval to hire another secretary, we’ll have to share Amy.”

She sat behind her desk, and I sat across from her, letting my laptop ease off my shoulder onto the floor. “I don’t need a secretary,” I said. “In fact, I prefer to work alone.”

“Mr. Hale, we’re a team here, and we all do what is necessary to make sure this place runs as smoothly as possible. You may not want a secretary, but I assure you, you will have to get used to the idea of working with others. You’ll have to coordinate with all the different departments for their expenses and budgets—”

I held out my hand to stop her. It was too early, and I was too sexually frustrated to listen to her drone on about working with others. She had no idea just how well I could work with others. “Look, Miss Wallace, it’s very heartwarming that you take your job so seriously, but please respect that I’ve worked for a major university and the government. I’m more than capable of doing this job without a secretary.”

She glared at me, and I held her gaze, refusing to back down. The stubborn determination in her eyes was making me hot. I was going to get her into my bed before the week was out.

“Very well then,” she said without breaking eye contact.

A woman who wasn’t going to back down? My attraction to her doubled, which moments ago, I would’ve thought was impossible. “Thank you.”

She slid a stack of papers toward me. “Here are the budgets for the various departments. We’re quickly coming into our slowest time of the season. For the next three months, the resort will be closed to guests so that we can do upgrades, repairs, and hopefully make it through storm season without any catastrophes. These three months should give you plenty of time to get the hang of things and work with the various departments to coordinate budgets.”

“I perused the books for the past three years. I’ve seen the trend.”

“Good.” She smiled, and I knew I’d won some more points with her. Although, if she knew why I was really here, she’d probably want to kill me. “We run on a skeleton crew during the three-month shut down, and this weekend is our last fully operational weekend. We’re having a little get together tonight. As the newest employee, I expect to see you there.”

“Doesn’t that go against the no fraternizing with the employees rule?” I asked. The look on her face told me she didn’t find my response funny, and I hadn’t meant it to be. It was a serious question.

“Socializing with your co-workers and building a sense of camaraderie is not fraternizing.”

I cocked my head and raised a brow.

“Do I need to spell it out for you, Mr. Hale?”

I grinned, wanting to hear how she’d explain this one in a professional manner.

“You are not allowed to engage in any type of sexual behavior with any of the staff.” She shifted in her chair, and her cheeks turned crimson.

I knew I shouldn’t push any further, but I couldn’t help myself. Fighting to hide my smile, I said, “Define sexual behavior.”

She took several deep breaths, and I could tell she was struggling to maintain her composure. I was a dick for not dropping it right then and there, but I had a feeling I was so close to cracking that tough, professional exterior. And that’s all I needed—one small crack that I could use to get closer.

“I mean, I know that intercourse and fellatio are out of the question, but do you consider kissing sexual behavior? What about hand-holding and hugging? There are just so many gray areas here, I think we need to—”

“Oh, for Christ’s sake, Travis!” But her eyes betrayed her words. Her gaze lowered to my mouth and lingered before slowly raising back to my face. She could act as cold and unaffected as she wanted, but I was getting under her skin.

I tried really hard not to laugh. I really did, but when she slammed her palm on the desk and her cup full of pens tipped over, I lost it. I laughed loudly, and she almost laughed, too. Almost. I was close. A few more visits to her office, and I’d have her where I wanted her.

She cleared her throat, all traces of humor leaving her face. “Get out of my office.”

I shrugged. “Okay. Have fun in your meetings later.” I grabbed my laptop and left her office. I swore I heard something hit the door seconds after I closed it. A smile was plastered across my face as I made my way into my office. Sex with Jessica would be fun, and I was getting more and more excited by the idea. But first, I had to do my father’s dirty work and figure out who was stealing money from the resort.