“What the fuck?” Isaac asks, and props his hands on his hips. “Since when did this become an amateur operation?”
“He’s headed back to town to get what we need, but we’ll lose two hours.”
That means we’ll all be working an extra two hours today.
“Okay, it is what it is.” I consult my iPad and make notes. “Mark, do you know when the outdoor restrooms will be delivered?”
“My brother just had to order the hoity-toity toilets,” Isaac laughs.
“I’m sorry, but I refuse to put a Honey Bucket out for the guests to use,” I reply, and shake my head.
“Hell, the men could find a bush,” Mark says with a smirk, and then laughs when he sees the scowl on my face. “I’m just kidding.”
“This isn’t a frat party, you know.”
“Wait until the music and liquor start.” Isaac pats my shoulder almost apologetically. “And it’s not the boys you have to worry about.”
“Our girls know how to have a good time,” Mark adds with a smile.
“Oh, I’m aware, and I’m looking forward to it,” I reply. The girls are a blast, if a bit of a handful. “You know you love it.”
“We wouldn’t have it any other way,” Isaac confirms with a half-smile. “I’m going to go check on other details before I leave you in Mark’s capable hands.”
“Let me know if you need anything.” I nod at the guys and turn away just as my phone begins ringing. “Hello, Tonya.”
“What the fuck, Alecia? I’ve texted you nine times today!”
“I’m aware. I haven’t had a chance to respond.”
“I need more attention than this! This is ridiculous! I need to feel like I’m your only client!”
I roll my eyes and rub the back of my neck. “Your business is appreciated and important, Tonya, but you’re not my only client. What’s going on today?”
“If you would have read my texts, you would know. My fiancé’s sister is a bitch. I don’t want her in my wedding.”
“Okay.” I take a deep breath and mentally think, hello pot, meet kettle. Tonya is my most challenging client. If you look bridezilla up in the dictionary, her photo is right there. “Have you informed her that she’s not going to be in the wedding party?”
“That’s your job.”
“No, Tonya, it’s not my job. This is a family matter.”
“What did I hire you for?”
I take another deep breath and count to ten.
“You know what, if you’re not going to do your job, I don’t fucking need you! I don’t need this stress! You’re fucking fired!”
She hangs up on me, and I exhale. That commission was huge, but sweet Jesus, it wasn’t worth the shit that girl can sling.
“What’s wrong?”
My head whips up and I find Dominic standing ten feet away, hands in his pockets, watching me quietly.
“I’m fine.”
His jaw ticks, and the next thing I know, he takes my hand in his and leads me across the grass, into the back of the villa, and into the sunroom, shutting the door behind us.
“You’re not fine.” He stalks to me, all tall muscle and intense blue gaze, and just like that, my breathing increases and I can’t remember why I’m frustrated and pissed off. I back up as he advances, until my back is against the wall. He braces one hand on the wall beside my head and cups my cheek with the other. “You’re not fine,” he whispers, just before his lips meet mine in a slow, lazy kiss, just like the last two.
But I’m not feeling slow or lazy.
I moan and bury my fingers in his hair, grip it in my fists and press myself against him, taking the kiss from easy to hot in one-point-three seconds. I bite his lip, then devour his mouth, sucking and biting, and I just can’t get fucking close enough to him.
He growls as he leans into me, pressing me between his hard body and the hard wall at my back. His hands travel from my shoulders, over my breasts and down my sides, and then he gathers my skirt in his hands, pulling it up around my waist. I slide one leg up his, hook my leg around his hip, and moan in delight when his hand cups my ass firmly, tilting me against his hard erection.
“Cazzo, cara,” he whispers, as he kisses his way down my jawline to my neck.
Oh, God, my neck! It’s my sweet spot.
I’m not responsible for my actions if he kisses my fucking neck.
Suddenly, from somewhere behind him, someone clears their throat loudly, making us both come to a halt. Dom catches my gaze in his molten blue one and slightly shakes his head, warning me not to move.
Thank God he’s shielding me from the view of the person behind him.
“Yes, Celeste.”
“You’re needed out in the barn, sir.”
“Thank you.”
We hear her walk away and he lets my leg lower to the floor. We’re both panting hard, my nipples are hard nubs, stabbing his chest, and dear God, I’ve never ached for anyone the way I’m aching for him right now.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
“We didn’t even hear her,” I mutter with frustration. What am I doing? Thank God the sun shades are pulled on the windows of this room; otherwise, the entire crew would have had an eyeful.
“Are you okay?” he asks again.
“Fine.” Fuck, I’m not fine.
He watches me for a heartbeat, then presses his lips to my forehead. “That was a lie. You’re only allowed one, cara.”
“I’m not—”
“We’ll talk tonight.” He steps back, makes sure I am steady on my feet, and then drags his fingertips down my cheek. “Don’t ever let anyone speak to you the way that woman did again.”
I raise a brow in question.
“She was loud. I could hear her as if I had my own ear to the phone. You don’t have to be abused like that by your clients.”
I blush and smooth my skirt down my legs. “It doesn’t matter. I’m not working for her anymore.”
“Good.” He tilts my chin up and I’m caught in his bold blue gaze. Damn it, I like him.
“Thank you for breakfast.”
“You’re welcome.” He smiles now, a bright, full on, infectious smile that lights the room before leaning in and pressing one more light kiss to my lips. “Tonight.”
He winks and then walks back outside toward the barn. I have to take a moment to catch my breath.