Chapter 1
“Welcome everyone!” My dad’s voice booms through the mic coming from the small stage in the event hall. “I know this is a work conference, but I just want to tell everyone that this week is about fun and relaxation. A reset if you will.” He raises his glass in the air. “So everyone, please drink up and let’s get this week started off with a bang!”
The DJ begins playing the music again, and some employees wander back to the dance floor while the rest crowd the bar and buffet tables. Only at my dad’s company would the CEO decide on a whim that he wanted to book a week long vacation at a resort in Mexico for the whole local division staff, and only at this same company would pretty much every single employee be able to make it.
The staff at Excelsis eats, sleeps, and breathes work. None of us have lives outside the job. It’s because of things like this. This trip. I never thought I’d end up working at my dad’s company, but honestly it’s like no other company out there, and trust me, I tried going to other places.
It’s why my dad’s company still remains successful year after year even when the economy is down. He treats his employees like they are family, and not like how most companies say their employees are family. Like an actual family. As in he actually does regular raises and bonuses, books spontaneous vacation trips and team bonding events, and starts employees at five weeks of vacation. You know the things that actually matter in a job. Not just a pizza party after everyone worked their tails off for six months straight.
It’s funny really because Excelsis has one of the best available work-life balances out there, but most of the employees choose to spend more time at work because that is their life. It’s not only all the extravagant perks though. My dad is a unique soul. Doesn’t give a fuck about what anyone thinks.
“Oh! One more thing!” My dad shouts through the mic. “We don’t need anyone leaving this trip uptight, so for fuck’s sake everybody better find someone and get laid!”
The whole room erupts in cheers as people shout and raise their glasses in the air. Okay, so maybe everyone has already been drinking for a good portion of the night, but even if we were all sober, everyone would probably react the same way. We’ve come to expect these kinds of antics from my dad.
Todd laughs as he leans in closer to me. “You think we can make daddy proud? I’ll slip you my room key.” He winks at me.
Todd is basically like my best work friend. We flirt constantly and have shared a kiss or two over the years at different events like this. I just never took things all the way with him. I’m not exactly sure why. He’s hot enough. Fit, good head of hair, killer smile.
Oh, what the hell. I’m not seeing anyone right now. Not even casually. It’s been long enough since I’ve got any. I give Todd a seductive smile. “It’s only the first night. What fun would that be? How are you going to seduce me?” I smile as I walk my fingers up his chest.
He bites his lip between his teeth. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”
The alcohol may be talking a little, but I don’t care. I feel good. So good in fact that I’m going to go grab another drink to keep this buzz going. “I’ll be back. You want anything from the bar?”
Our co-worker Craig walks over to us and hands Todd a drink. “Here’s that beer.”
I fake offense. “You didn’t bring me anything?” I joke as I walk away toward the bar. “Be back in a second.” I call out to both guys.
I take a seat at the bar and smile at the bartender. I mean, I have to keep my options open, and I love the sexy, local vibe he has going as he shakes the drink and then pours it. I flip my hair over my shoulder and give him my sexiest smile when I suddenly feel a chill wash over me.
I feel a presence beside me. I know who it is even before I look. It’s like he carries a cloud of assholeness around him. “Sawyer.” I grit out without turning toward him.
“B.” He spits back as he leans up against the bar.
I finally look his way. “It’s Blake.” I correct him for the millionth time.
He gives me that devilish grin of his. “I know, but I don’t want to accidentally slip when I want to call you that other B word. You know, as in bitc-.”
“Fuck off.” I cut him off.
He orders a drink from the bar and then turns back toward me. “You know I’m just trying to defend my man Todd’s honor after you keep stringing the poor soul along for all these years. He’s like a lost, sad puppy dog pining after you.”
I reach for my glass and gulp down a few more sips. I’ll need it if I have to deal with him any longer. “Don’t pretend you are friends with Todd. Besides, you don’t know what Todd and I do.”
Sawyer chuckles. “Oh please. The man looks like he walks around with a stick up his ass. He definitely hasn’t gotten laid recently.”
“Ha! Don’t pretend you can tell if someone got laid based on how they look.” I respond.
He smiles at me as he grabs his drink from the bar. “I said by how they walk.” He smirks as he walks away confident as fuck, and Jesus, he definitely looks like he’s been laid recently. The man oozes sex. If I didn’t hate his guts, I’d climb that man like a tree.
He’s tall enough to climb, and strong enough to support you once you’re up there. Darkish hair, longer on top and shorter on the sides. Piercing blue eyes that glisten like he’s fucking blessed by God. High cheekbones and a sexy as fuck jaw line that’s usualy covered in a little scruffle. Killer smile that knocks you off your feet. He’s like the perfect mix of boy-next-door and dangerous asshole.
I hate myself for following after him, but it’s like my body couldn’t stop itself. “What are you even doing here?” I spit out at him.
He grins as he spins back around like he knew I wouldn’t let him walk away. “I work here.”
I place my hand on my hip. “Like you’re going to do team bonding?” I ask sarcastically.
Sawyer’s eyes follow a girl’s ass who just walked by, and then he turns back to me. “I’m sure there will be some form of bonding going on.” He says seductively.