Chloe
Today was scorching, and I arrived at the club in a rush. I hadn’t been able to sleep for hours last night, and then I’d slept through my alarm. I rushed into the cabana by the pool and took off my shorts and t-shirt, stuffing them into my locker. I glanced once at my phone before slamming it shut. No messages. My tummy felt empty and anxious, and I berated myself.
Did I expect Rhett to text me? Why was I so desperate when it came to this guy? It was annoying as hell.
I stepped out into the hot sun and headed for the pool, hoping no one had noticed I was late. As soon as I got there, someone waved from under an umbrella.
“Chloe! Good morning.”
I blinked toward the voice, shoving my sunglasses over my eyes. Doctor Carl. Great.
“Good morning, Doctor,” I said, trying not to feel awkward.
I hated seeing people I interacted with in real life at the club. It was hard to be taken seriously after someone had seen you in a thong swimsuit. Doctor Carl was wearing swim shorts and a t-shirt, which he stripped off as he wandered toward me. He flexed his pecs as he walked. Yikes, the cringe was strong with this one.
“Nice day for being at the pool, isn’t it?”
“Sure is. Enjoy yourself,” I said and turned to leave.
“Wait, I thought we could hang out a little. I could get us some iced coffees—”
“I’m working,” I reminded him.
“Don’t tell me I have to pretend to drown to get some attention from you?”
I pasted a pleasant smile on my face, but inside I was boiling. This sleazy slimeball thought I hadn’t heard all these lines a hundred times?
“I’m afraid so. Now, if you’ll excuse me,” I said, turning away again.
A hand landed on my arm, stopping me. I looked down at Carl’s hand, too outraged and surprised to speak.
“Come on, Chloe. You need me. I can be the difference between a discount for your mother’s care or premium prices. That’s not an offer a girl like you should turn up her nose at.”
“Excuse me?” My voice strained with disbelief, and my face heated with anger.
I was worried everyone around the pool could hear, and they’d all know how pathetic I was. The tears haunting me since last night threatened to break free, but it wasn’t sadness; it was anger. I was so angry I could barely speak.
“Chloe, sweetheart, I think what you meant to say is what the fuck?” A deep voice spoke beside us, jolting me from my paralyzed misery. Rhett towered over both of us, his eyes narrow with fury. His eyes were fixed on Carl’s hand, still pressing into my skin.
He let go quickly and laughed nervously. “Oh, man. You’re Rhett Sutton, aren’t you? I have all your Forbes covers.”
“Do you really? Are you a member here?” Rhett asked, bringing his dangerous gaze to Carl’s flushed face.
He nodded eagerly. “Yeah, it’s my first month. Always wanted to join, and I could never afford it before. It’s great. I love it.”
“It’s a shame you are no longer a member. Your membership is revoked as of this moment. No one propositions my staff. No one.”
Carl’s mouth dropped open, and he flushed. “I think there’s been a misunderstanding. I know Chloe. We had coffee together yesterday, and—”
“Is that true?” Rhett demanded, turning to me.
I shrugged. It was true, after all, even if it did paint me in a bad light. Would Rhett think I was asking this sleazy doctor for special favors?
“In that case, not only is your membership revoked here, but I’ll have my lawyer report you to the medical board for misuse of a position of power,” he said, stunning me.
Carl gave a strained laugh. “Look, Rhett—”
“Mr. Sutton to you,”