“Argumentative discussion.”
“Yep. There was no yelling and no actual fighting, just two adults hashing things out like adults should.”
“Uh-huh. Well, I’m glad it happened then too. If that’s how you wanna frame the moment.”
“It is,” I said as I pulled her into me. “Now, are you sure I can’t get you a drink?”
“I don’t drink on the job.”
“Ugh. Sam. You’re killing me.”
“That is not a funny joke,” she said.
Her eyes whipped up to mine, and I could see that same fear trickling across her face. The fear I saw that night when I looked into her eyes as she ran toward me, that same fear she had when she came running to the shoreline after thinking she had lost me underneath the waves in Hawaii.
“Sorry. That was insensitive,” I said.
“Damn right, it was.”
She leaned into my body, allowing me to hold her even closer as I sipped on my champagne. The view from the ocean was beautiful. Out here, California didn’t seem too threatening and scary. Out here, it was like I was staring at all the bad and tossing it a big, swollen middle finger. I didn’t want to go back. I wanted to whisk us back to Hawaii and stay in that blissful little bubble we had going there. It was perfect for both of us, and it was exactly what Sam deserved.
Perfection and happiness all wrapped up into one sun-shining bubble.
As I stood there with her in my arms, a thought crossed my mind. Sooner or later, Jacob would be caught, which meant her job would be over. What would that mean for us? She would leave, obviously, but would that mean she would leave what we were cultivating underneath the stars of the California ocean sky? The thought made me ache. Losing her was more terrifying than losing my own life at this point. I had fallen hard for this woman, and I didn’t want her leaving. I liked having her around. Hell, I loved it. She worked well as my security and even better as my lover.
“When this is all said and done, I’d like to hire you as my head of security.”
The word vomit came up faster than I could contain it, but I didn’t regret it. She was fabulous at what she did, and I would pay her whatever she asked for. I could afford it, she could have the job, and we could continue whatever this was brewing between us. I felt her tense against me as she slowly turned around, confusion written all over her face.
“Your what?” Sam asked.
“My head of security. When Jacob’s caught and your job here is done, I want you to come on as my head of security.”
“Why?” she asked.
“Why? Because you’re the best, and that’s what I hire. I hire the best. You’ll take the position Griggs used to have, and you’ll have full control over security measures not only at the house but at the company. You can be a personal and professional employee for all I care. I’ll pay you whatever you want.”
“I know where this is coming from.”
“When you guys leave, I’ll have to hire a new security team anyway. Why not hire one that’s already settled in for the position? You know the layout of my house and my company. You know all the security protocol I have in place. Why not?”
“Derek, come on,” she said. “Do you really think you’re fooling me with this act?”
“What are you talking about, Sam? I’m offering you a job.”
“We’re tangled up personally, Derek. I know you’re offering me this job because you don’t know what comes after once Jacob is caught. What happens if this falls through? If this doesn’t work? If we break up or something? Then I’m your head of security as well as another ex.”
“Sam, that’s not what—”
“I’ve got a good thing going with my company. I’ve built a solid reputation that I’m not willing to throw away yet,” she said.
“That makes it sound like you’ll still consider it.”
“I don’t know. A decision like this takes time to make. Are you expecting an answer now?”
“No. I’m expecting you to do what you do best. Stay on high-alert and let me hold you,” I said.
“Good. Because I won’t have an answer for you anytime soon.”