Chapter 43 Taming The Rebel
Skylar opened her bleary eyes but felt mowed down by Christian St. James. Her eyes widened with horror and all the sleep left her instantly. When did the guy return and why was he sleeping on top of her? Anger bubbled inside her after the stunt he pulled last night. How could he spend the night with Rossi and return to her for a cuddle?
“Get off me, asshole!” She shoved him off herself with all her might.
“Ow! Can’t you let a guy sleep in peace?” he grumbled, rolling back into her.
Skylar grunted with anger and pushed at him again. “Sleep on your side. Why do you have to sleep all over me?”
“Because I want to.” Skylar sprang up from the bed at seeing him roll over towards her again. Why was he so damn stubborn? Why couldn’t he take no for an answer? He wasn’t this way earlier?
“Well! I don’t.” His fingers gripped her wrist as he pulled her back to the bed with him.
“I don’t give a damn! You’re coming back to bed. We can afford an hour of rest.” Skylar scowled at him, feeling herself pinned to the bed yet again. What was wrong with him today?
“Get off me, Christian! Go to the place you went to last night.”
“No, I’m on holiday now. I’m fine where I am,” he mumbled with his eyes closed, while his hand stroked her arm, her throat, her neck. Skylar’s body trembled at his rough touch. What exactly did that mean?
“Don’t touch me with your dirty hands.” She scowled, struggling to get free. After touching Valentina Rossi, how could he touch her now?
“I love being dirty with you. I love doing dirty things with my dirty hands. Try me,” he mumbled against her neck.
“Do them with your whore.”
“I’d rather do them with my fiancée.” He planted an open-mouthed kiss beneath her ear, making her tremble with need. Her nipples immediately strained against the soft top with arousal. How could such a subtle move turn her on so easily? How could she react to the man who had spent the night with another woman?
“No, I’m not your real one. I’ll speak to grandpa Ben and break off our engagement. Get off me, Christian.”
“Nope! Let’s see you do it.” His mouth trailed to her jawline and Skylar’s heart thumped wildly in its ribcage. It seemed he was determined to get what he wanted. He knew how much she feared grandpa Ben. It was impossible for her to gather so much courage and face grandpa Ben.
“Stop. I need to pee!” she exclaimed, and he sighed and stilled. The moment he eased himself off her to gaze at her, Skylar slipped out and ran to the washroom to hide. She closed the door and sank behind it with relief. With Christian in such a dangerous mood, it would be difficult to ward him off easily. It would be even more difficult now when he was off work to enjoy his holiday in Rome.
A knock on the door brought her out of her thoughts. “Have you gone off to sleep in there?”
Skylar rolled her eyes and freshened up. Was he waiting for her outside? Let him! She brushed her teeth, taking her own sweet time. Maybe he would lose interest and go away.
Christian smiled, satisfied with his approach. He would now force her to surrender to him. That was the only way to tame her!
He picked up his clothes and went to the spare washroom to freshen up. It was tiny but it would do.
After ten minutes, he was ready and waiting for his coffee and breakfast on the porch. The pale rays of the sun peeked through the swaying greenery all around and he felt a little nostalgic leaving the place. It was his dream vineyard, and he loved the property so much! This was the only one he build without Sebastian or grandpa Ben’s help. It was his baby and therefore closest to his heart.
A phone call from Mr. Costa alerted him. What could he want this early in the morning?
“Good morning, Mr. Costa! Tell me.”
“Good morning, sir! I’m sorry for bothering you so early, but there’s an urgent issue here. It needs your intervention, please.”
Christian frowned and got up to deal with it before leaving the property. “What issue?”
“Sir, Ms. Rossi has just handed in her resignation to me. She will consider only if you speak to her.”
“Fine. I’m coming over in a few minutes.” Christian disconnected the call and frowned at her new tactics to get to him. Last evening, she had wanted him to accompany her to her house for dinner. When he declined, she was quite upset with him. He had never expected her to resign because of such a petty issue.
Christian knew of her interest in him for a long time, but he never encouraged her in any way. For him, there was only one woman in the world! The rebellious, immature Skylar Carnell who fought him tooth and nail over every little thing. Yet he loved her with his whole heart and soul!
Valentina’s advances, therefore, didn’t bother him at all. Neither did the advances of his other female employees all over the world. Being the owner of such a gigantic multinational hotel empire at such a young age, he was used to these things. Despite his good looks, he had a down-to-earth attitude and a simple perspective on life. Flings, affairs, crushes, and one-night stands didn’t interest him at all. If only Skylar could understand that!
He strode off towards the office room to find an annoyed Valentina sitting with Mr. Costa. “Mr. St. James, can I please have a word with you in private?” She demanded, and Mr. Costa got up to leave the room. Although she addressed him formally in front of the other employees, in private, her demeanor was totally different.
“Yes, Valentina. Tell me fast. I’ll leave in an hour.” Christian sat down to face the crazy woman.
“I can’t work here anymore, Christian. I’m hurt by your indifference. We have built this resort together. We make such a good team. I thought you liked me. This time, I thought you would want to give us a chance. How can you suddenly throw it all away and get engaged to that young, immature girl?” she asked with tears in her eyes.
Christian sucked in a deep breath and looked at her directly in the eyes. “Look, Valentina, I’ve not encouraged anything between us. To me, you’re the marketing head of this resort. I like you just the way I like Mr. Costa. It’s a professional compatibility we share! Please don’t take it to a personal level. As for Skylar, I have loved her since I was 7. I have pursued her for years and finally united with her. She’s young, just out of college. I’m sure after a few years she will mature and take over the responsibilities of the GM of Saint James Intercontinental Suites.”
“Professional compatibility? Is that what you call what we share? I’m really upset. I’m sorry, I can’t continue here. Please accept my resignation.”
“Fine. We’ll accept your resignation, Valentina. I’ll have a word with Mr. Costa and we’ll clear your dues. Have a good life!” He got up to leave, while Valentina Rossi gaped at him in disbelief. She hadn’t expected him to accept her resignation so readily and release her. She had expected him to extend his stay and beg her not to resign. After all, she was indispensable to the company, right?
“You’re an arrogant asshole, Christian!” she exclaimed, her face red with fury.
“And you’re a scheming bitch who can’t understand simple words. I’m not interested in you. There are millions like you in every hotel I own. I don’t entertain such flings.” He stormed out of the office to speak to Mr. Costa.
“Accept Ms. Rossi’s resignation letter and release her dues. You can appoint Mario Greco, our marketing manager, as the new marketing head. I shall leave in an hour. Do you need anything else, Mr. Costa?”
“No, sir. I’ll handle this. Wish you have a successful trip.”
“Thank you, Mr. Costa. You can call me anytime.” He left to go back to the cottage to see Skylar sitting on the porch with a grumpy look on her face.
“What happened? Why aren’t you having your breakfast?” he asked, helping himself to the coffee and breakfast laid out for them.
“Where were you?” Christian rolled his eyes and pushed a plate of sandwiches towards her.
“At the resort.” Skylar didn’t eat the sandwiches he offered. She had seen Valentina Rossi storm out of the resort. So he went to meet her!
“Right! So did you meet the one you went to see?” Christian didn’t miss her tone dripping with sarcasm. Of course, he met Valentina and Mr. Costa, the ones he went to see.
“Yes. Now eat and let’s get going.” She picked up an apple and started munching angrily as if she was eating his head instead.
“Why was she angry with you? Didn’t you agree to marry her as well?” Christian gaped at her for a second and then laughed. She looked so adorable when mad!
“No, I’ll marry only you,” he said, picking up a sandwich and leaning over to feed her forcefully. That’s what he would do from now on. Force her to surrender!