This trip was supposed to be fun. She liked Wyatt. The man, the sex, and his dominance. And there was no reason the two of them should spend the rest of the week dancing around each other. But now she had to convince him of that.
“The boat ride isn’t supposed to be too long,” Wyatt said absently, his eyes focused on his phone, his thumb scrolling through emails. “They don’t have an airstrip on Devil Cay.”
She nodded, fiddling with the hem of her cotton skirt, trying to find the right words to kill the awkwardness between them. “I’ve never heard of Devil Cay.”
He glanced up, a quick flick of a look, then he was back to his phone. “You wouldn’t have. It’s a private island and resort owned by the guy throwing this shindig. Well, this year, it’s his son’s deal actually. Edward Carmichael usually hosts this retreat at his resort in Tahoe since it’s ski season, but he’s having health problems and handed the duties over to his son. This place is his son Andrew’s newest acquisition. My guess is the prick wants to show off.”
Kelsey’s eyebrows lifted. She’d never heard such a bitter tone from Mr. Stoic. “Not a fan of Andrew’s?”
“I went to school with him. He’s an arrogant dipshit with too much money and just enough brains to be dangerous. And we hated each other.” He smirked. “He’s also the client my father most wants me to land this week.”
“Fun.”
“Getting his business alone would be worth all the other clients I could gather here put together,” Wyatt said, sounding tired and finally putting his phone to the side. “But I don’t think I’m physically capable of acting like I’m interested in what he has to say.”
“I don’t remember seeing his name on an index card. What’s he into?”
Wyatt sniffed. “Up until a few years ago, he was just another playboy rich kid, spending his time jet-setting, gambling, getting high, and getting laid. Supposedly, he’s taking over the reins of his family’s empire these days with a focus on the luxury hotel division. But my guess is he hasn’t changed that much. He was always more interested in the flash than the work.”
Kelsey crossed her legs and smiled. “Then you’re in luck.”
Wyatt frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“Those types are my specialty. They’re the easiest customers to manipulate. You bat your eyelashes and feed their ego, and they’ll buy whatever you’re selling. Let me help you with him.”
A cloud crossed over Wyatt’s face. “When exactly have you come across rich playboys in that little diner?”
“Besides you?” she teased.
“I’m serious, Kelsey.”
She sighed. He knew all her other shit now, so she might as well tell him. “After high school, I danced at a high-end strip club . . . and eventually a few not-so-high-end ones. The only way I made any money was learning how to play my customers just right. I was good at it. If I hadn’t dumped all that cash into my habit, I would’ve been making a pretty nice living.”
“Christ, Kelsey.” Lines creased around his eyes, as if the revelation had physically hurt him. “Did no one protect you?”
“My sister tried, but she didn’t have a shot. I thought I knew it all.” She glanced down and shrugged. “Told you I wasn’t that sweet.”
“Don’t,” he warned. “Don’t do that.”
“What?”
“Look ashamed,” he said, his tone firm. “I won’t sit here and allow you to do that.”
She pressed her lips together and looked at him from beneath her lashes, taking a risk. “Or what? You’re going to spank me?”
He scowled, but she didn’t miss the need that crossed his features before the cool mask slid back in place. “We’ve already discussed that.”
“And I’m not sure I agree.” She uncrossed her legs and leaned forward, the seat bumping beneath her as they went over an uneven road. “I don’t love you, Wyatt.”
His eyebrows drew together. “What?”
“And you don’t love me,” she continued, her voice matter-of-fact. “Correct?”
He held his hands out to his sides, clearly confused by her line of questioning. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“It has everything to do with it. Don’t you see? You’re scared of harming me, of repeating the past, right?”
His lips pressed into a line.