Fair enough. It served him right for being such a contemptable ass the morning after Halloween.
‘You’re Alex Costa, aren’t you?’ The older woman who had been standing with Ellie sent him a curious look. ‘I saw your picture in that list of hot eligible bachelors,’ she added, and he bit back a groan. ‘You and your pal Roman Fraser were vying for the top spot again this year.’
‘He won,’ he snapped.
He hated that damn list. It made him feel like a piece of prime rib.
Plus, he wasn’t an eligible bachelor. He came from a long line of men who had failed at marriage. Dating was great, good sex even better, but commitment? No way. Because unlike his old man, he had no intention of faking it.
The fact his pal Roman had beaten him out to the top spot this year only added to the burn. Because even though he didn’t give a damn about that dumb list, he hated to be second place, at anything.
‘And you are?’ he asked, deliberately changing the subject. Maybe he could enlist her help in his campaign to make amends with Eleanor... And get her to upstate New York for Thanksgiving.
‘Bethany Sullivan, Ellie’s boss. I own the lot you just landed on.’
‘How much do you want—?’ he began.
‘Save it, buster. I’m not interested in your money.’ She looked insulted—he seemed to have that effect on women in Staten Island today. ‘Seeing you land on my lot is the most excitement I’ve had since my Eddie died.’
The comment had him choking out a rough chuckle, his first in a long time. ‘Good to know.’ He decided he liked Bethany Sullivan. She was a straight talker.
Her eyes narrowed, her expression becoming shrewd. ‘So how do you know our Ellie?’
‘It’s a long story,’ he said, and one he did not plan to repeat, because he wasn’t exactly the hero. More like the big bad billionaire who’d stolen Ellie’s innocence and then treated her like a hooker.
‘I wish I had the time to hear it,’ Bethany said, the shrewd look becoming razor sharp. ‘But I’ve got to get to Philly before the vacation traffic hits I-95.’
‘Are you closing the bar for the whole of Thanksgiving?’ he asked.
She nodded. ‘Sure am.’
So Eleanor was at a loose end? Surely chilling out with him at his place on Gold Lake had to be a better prospect than hanging out alone in Staten Island? Especially as he’d seen the desire she couldn’t hide in her eyes.
‘Ellie deserves a break,’ Bethany supplied, because as well as being a straight talker, Eleanor’s boss also appeared to be a mind reader. ‘She’s been working her butt off doing double shifts most days ever since I hired her on November first.’
Alex frowned, the guilt making his chest feel tight—if he’d taken two seconds to think three weeks ago he would have figured out Eleanor was the opposite of a freeloader.
‘I’m planning to change that,’ he said, more determined than ever now to whisk Eleanor away for the weekend.
Not only did he want her—but he owed her. She deserved to be properly seduced. He’d initiated her into sex with not a lot of his usual finesse. He could do better. A lot better. And show her how good their rare sexual chemistry could be. The fact he would also enjoy it—and her fascinating company—was an added fringe benefit.
‘Yeah, I heard your invitation,’ she said. ‘That’s why I’m going to let you try to change Ellie’s mind without an audience.’
‘Thanks,’ he said, but as he went to charge past her Bethany blocked his path.
‘Not so fast, fella,’ she said, her tone steely sharp. ‘I want your word if she says yes, you’ll treat her right.’
Alex had given his word before and broken it. He was a ruthless goal-oriented over-achiever who had no qualms about doing whatever was necessary to get what he wanted. But something about Bethany’s fierce expression reminded him of the girl inside the bar. The girl he’d hurt three weeks ago without realising he could. And so when he gave Bethany his word, he made a silent vow to keep it this time—and give Eleanor MacGregor a Thanksgiving weekend she would never forgot... If she’d let him.
CHAPTER SIX
ELLIEHEARDTHEback door close as she finished wiping down the bar. Or rather scrubbing it so hard she was surprised she hadn’t scraped off the veneer.
Of all the arrogant...
She straightened. She hadn’t heard Alex Costa’s helicopter take off, and until it did she would be on edge. But once he was out of her life again, she’d be okay. Thank goodness she’d stood up to him this time. It would give her closure. Eventually.
‘I won’t be long, Beth,’ she said, when her boss didn’t say anything. ‘If you want to get away, I can—’