“Compliments of the owner,” the waitress said as she opened the bottle and poured us each a drink. Tate raised his glass in a toast to me as I gave a slight smile and returned the gesture. “Enjoy.”
“I think someone could use that ice bucket more than us,” Leanne joked. “It seems that someone’s set his sights on you.”
“Don’t be silly.” I pushed her shoulder, mockingly. “It’s just a kind gesture.”
“And has he used that gesture with anyone else tonight?” Billie asked as she reached for her flute and held it in the air as I brought mine to clink alongside.
“No, but that means nothing,” I replied as I pulled the glass to my lips and allowed the fizzy bubbles to tickle my throat.
“Keep telling yourself that.” Billie put her glass down and battered her eyelashes at me. “Tate Hillside always has an agenda.”
I ignored her comment and drifted deep into thought as the two women started to laugh between themselves. I hoped that maybe this friendship between us would last. I could certainly do with allies in my corner as the battles commenced.
Chapter4
Tate
Ihoped she may have done some research and discovered my hiding hole. I prayed she did, especially when I told her the name of the club when she requested our initial meeting, but when she turned up with her friends everyone else was forgotten. Only one woman had my attention, Sutton Wilkinson. She’d pulled out all the stops with her outfit. That sexy as sin dress hugged every curve and cut just under that perfect rounded ass. I wished she’d bend over so the fabric would slip up her creamy flesh an inch further. Fuck, it’d look even better ripped off her body in shreds. Why did she have to be part of that family?
It didn’t stop me from being a dick and playing with her or keeping her on her toes. Give her a top-notch drink; play with her thoughts. The least she deserved.
That’s why, when Asher walked in, a sight for sore eyes, having not noticed his sister or friends yet, I decided I was about to unleash some fireworks.
“Let’s go find a quieter table,” I uttered as I stood and wrapped my arm around the less than respectable man. His shirt was untucked as the corner hung out of his suit trousers and the scrunched-up tie hung from the half undone buttoned shirt. “You calmed down yet?”
“I need to get this pressure off my mind,” he snapped. “Stop it eating away at me.”
I waltzed past the bar and nodded at a waiter as I held up two fingers, indicating to bring across the drinks; everyone in the place knew my taste and two glasses of the finest malt would be by my side in moments. I ensured that the booth I decided on gave me a perfect, birds-eye view of his sister. I took the seat that would face her, leaving Asher’s choices limited.
“Now, what seems to be wrong? I thought I was very clear yesterday.” I placed my hands on the upholstered chair and allowed my arms to trail over the plush fabric as I waited for our whisky to arrive. “I’ve had enough of your sorry face today.”
“Sutton, that’s what, and you’d be the same. She knows too much,” Asher said as my gaze was drawn to her warmth. I was blindsided by her. She seemed generally relaxed, with her hair cascading down her back as she talked to the red-head by her side. Not like she was with me; the polar opposite, uptight and wound in a coil.
“Tate, I need you to listen,” Asher barked at me, as my eyes snapped back at him. “Sutton isn’t a little girl – yes, my little sister – but she’s a woman who’s relentless and she knows something is going on. She’s clever and will not stop until she finds every answer she needs.”
“Asher,” I growled. “You’re doing a good enough job, even above this fucking music, telling the world yourself. Bring. It. Down,” I seethed. “What about the assistant you’ve got, can she help?”
“Erm, nope.” Asher scratched the back of his neck. “We may have crossed wires.”
“You mean you fucked her and pissed her off. What’s the first rule of business? Not to fuck the staff, especially a personal assistant.” I dropped my head and ran my hand over my forehead. “They have big mouths, and you never know who they may talk to.”
“What do I do? I can’t avoid her forever,” he admitted as he sunk backwards into the seat.
I lifted my gaze and grimaced. “Nope I don’t think you can, because…”
“Asher.” Sutton slid into the booth. “I wondered where you’d been hiding. You see, I’ve had a few issues catching up with you,” she uttered in a sarcastic tone as she placed her hands on the table and righted her posture before she smirked and addressed me. “I was sure your right-hand man could help me.”
I chuckled, unable to hide the fact I liked this show of control from her. She wasn’t scared to step up and call anyone out on their actions. I mean, I had thought it was merely bravado the first time with me, but no, this was all Sutton Wilkinson, and I couldn’t deny the way it turned me on.
Asher sat silently; his backbone disappeared to nothing as he slumped in the chair.
“Miss Wilkinson.” I decided to push my placement in this battle between brother and sister. “Could this not have waited for more appropriate office hours?”
“No, it couldn’t actually. As you’re probably more aware of my brother’s time keeping than most, he’s been elusive at work to say the least, Mr. Hillside.” She challenged me as she leaned forward. “Asher will be in my office tomorrow morning at ten am.”
Asher gulped back and a pale sheen swept across his skin, as Tate cocked his head to the side. “And if not?”
“Then Dad will be the next call on my list.”