“Funny,” I said, sliding my phone back in my pocket. “What’s your name?” The white cotton of my shirt pulled tightly across my arms.
“Penny. Let me guess, you must be the new owner. The hotshot real estate guy?”
“Hot shot?” I grazed my teeth along my lower lip before releasing it. “That’s the second time you’ve called me hotshot. You also called me genius. So, I guess you can call me hotshot genius if you like, or Theo Sullivan.” I closed the distance between us and leaned in. I needed to remind myself more than her nothing would ever happen between us. “Your boss.”
FOUR
PENNY
The Lord of My O’s was my new boss?
My body froze, and my jaw dropped as his stern stare held me captive. His hair, once neat and close cut, was now an ink-black, tousled mess on top of his head. And those lips, framed by a close-cut beard, which grazed along my shoulder as he used them to trace over me, were currently frowning at me. Memories of our chance encounter flooded my mind as I remembered his strong, muscled arms holding me close. Silently, I seethed. Was I unmemorable? Maybe I should tell him. My make-up must have been really caked on, and the wig must have done the trick, because this guy had no clue who I was. And now I worked for him. My hands stilled on my arms. Realization set in; my boss. What were the chances he would keep me around after he knew who I was? I couldn’t imagine he would feel comfortable working with me everyday after the intimacy we shared. This was bad, I didn’t want him to recognize me now. I couldn’t lose this job. He gazed over my hardened nipples from the chill of the cooler. I crossed my arms over my chest, paranoid he would know my tits were from the night we shared. His eyes shot back up to mine, and I waited for recognition to light his thick-lashed, dark eyes. It didn’t. A tinge of hurt crept in. I understood he didn’t recognize who I was, but knowing his charming act I fell for was one he’d probably rehearsed and played out many times before stung. What a player.
I stood abruptly and he retreated from my space.
“Since we’re stuck in here, would you mind helping me lift the keg so I can change the tap spigot?”
“Ok, sure. Since we have a little free time. I didn’t think I’d be working hard on my first day, though,” he said.
“What’s wrong, afraid of a little hard work?”
He walked closer, towering over me. The way he gazed down on me made my body erupt with goosebumps, more so than the air of the cooler. My traitorous body pulsed and thrummed deep inside and my legs shook slightly. I noticed a tiny faint scar slashing through the edge of his left dark brow. Oh shit, he’s so good looking. How could I get through this every day?
“I’ve never been afraid of anything in my life. Where’s the keg?” he asked with a slight bit of teasing in his voice.
“There,” I pointed, motioning toward the Heineken keg I attempted to move earlier.
He grabbed the keg, moving it over with little effort and brought it closer to the coupler.
His warm hand brushed against mine as we tried to get the spigot hooked up, and I didn’t want to be touching him. Touching would lead to remembering. Deflated, I made a decision to never tell him about our one night on the beach, which obviously meant more to me than him. I quickly backed away, sliding my hand into the pocket of my shorts. A few moments later the door swung open.
Theo stalked out, not even taking a second glance my way.
What the hell? New owner. Fuck my life.
***
“Penny,” Theo called from behind me. “Come join us on the patio.”
A few of the employees gathered at a table on the deck as Theo instructed. I made my way over and took a seat next to Fiona.
“What’s this?” I whispered next to her ear.
“Not sure.” She shrugged her tanned shoulders. “He wanted to talk to all of us.”
“I’m glad I could get a few of you together.” Our attention turned to Theo as he spoke. “I wanted to introduce myself. I’m Theo Sullivan, the new owner.” His hands grasped an empty wicker chair in front of him, and I fidgeted in my seat remembering the way they trailed over my body. “I know it’s a big shock to everyone about Richard quitting this morning. It’s definitely something I wasn’t expecting, but let’s move forward. Until he’s replaced, I’ll be filling in for him.”
My brow furrowed and we all glanced around at each other. Maybe it was shock, maybe we were curious, either way, we were riveted.
“Any questions?” he asked.
No one spoke.
He smiled and my stomach did a little flip at the boyish grin. “Ok, good. Now let’s get back to work. If anyone knows of anyone looking for a management job,” he laughed, slightly, “send them my way.” He raked his fingers through his dark hair as we all slowly rose from our seats.
This was my moment, my opening to take the leap. I wanted the management job and I was determined to get it. I stepped away from the chair, eyes trained on Theo and took a deep breath.
Nerves churned in my stomach, of course, but I hid them with the biggest smile I could muster in the moment. “Hello, again, Mr. Sullivan.”