She turned her head so sharply in his direction, he was afraid she’d give herself whiplash. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”
Christ, yes, he wanted to say. “I’m not going to push myself on you, Gabriella, if that’s what you’re afraid of.”
“Of course, I’m not afraid of you.”
“Good.” He smiled. “I’ve never instilled fear in a woman before. I’m the nicer brother of the three.”
“I heard you’re the bad brother.” She clamped her lips shut, her eyes going wide.
He stopped in front of the hotel and so did she. Great. So she knew about his past? But then again, who didn’t? “My reputation always precedes me.”
She cocked her head to the side, contemplating him. “You’re actually quite the gentleman.”
If she was referring to the other night, she didn’t know how much it took for him to use such restraint. Normally he would’ve jumped her. Hell, he would’ve had his hand up her skirt and his fingers beneath the front of her panties by the time the cab stopped at their destination.
“I’m trying to walk the straight and narrow,” he said, his voice tight, his jaw aching from gritting his teeth.
“Really?” She tsked and shook her head. “Well, isn’t that a shame?”
Gabriella turned on her heel and entered the hotel, not once looking back.
And leaving Rhett in the dust.
Chapter Eight
The moment Ella stepped off the plane and onto the tarmac, the fragrant, salty sea air washed over her, lifting her dragging spirits. She’d slept hardly at all last night, spent the long hours tossing and turning in her more-than-comfortable bed. A mixture of emotions had run through her all the while—such as worry over messing up the most important job of her life by having sex with her boss. Images of her tumbling into bed with said boss, their naked bodies wrapped around each other, their mouths fused...
Needless to say, she’d kept herself awake with her overactive imagination.
Slacking when she should’ve been preparing to leave and apprehensive at seeing Rhett after last night’s interlude, she’d boarded the private Worth jet full of nerves. Pointless considering he’d hardly paid her any mind, spending the majority of the trip on his laptop, tapping away at the keyboard. He’d barely glanced in her direction. She should’ve been insulted.
More like grateful he didn’t notice her wretched state.
“It’s beautiful,” she murmured to herself, her gaze locked on the swaying palms in the near distance. They were only at the airport and she was already enchanted. What might happen when she saw the ocean, when they finally arrived at the hotel? Full sensory overload?
“It is.” Rhett stood beside her, the sound of his deep voice warming her from the inside out. As was his way, he placed his hand on the small of her back, gently guiding her toward a woman standing a few feet away, a colorful lei clutched in each hand. “Our carriage awaits.”
She loved it when he touched her, even so casually. His fingers were like a hot brand that burned through the thin layer of her shirt. “You have a car waiting?”
He met her gaze, a faint smile curling his sensual lips. “Being wealthy has its perks, Miss Durand. I try and take advantage of them as much as possible.” The smile grew. “Besides, this is for business.”
They stopped just in front of the woman, who
beamed brightly at them. “Aloha.” Burnished skin, almond-shaped eyes and with her glossy black hair, the woman was lovely. She held one of the leis out and Rhett automatically bent his head. The woman draped the lei around his neck, then turned to Ella.
“Aloha, welcome to Maui,” the woman murmured as she slipped the fresh flower lei over Ella’s head. “I trust your stay will be most pleasant.”
“Aloha. Thank you.” Ella bobbed her head inanely, feeling the fool. Everything her father had taught her, all the things she’d picked up traveling as much as she had, most of her life, and a few minutes in Rhett’s overwhelming presence on a tropical island trashed it all.
“The car’s just over there.” He waved a hand toward a silver four-door car that was unlike any sedan she’d ever seen before. “They’ll bring our luggage later.”
“Um…okay.” She glanced back toward the jet, saw that they were indeed unloading their luggage. She may have traveled for years, but she’d never had such luxury treatment in her life.
They approached the car, Rhett opening the passenger door for her and she slipped inside. The interior was sleek, the black leather seats butter-soft, the dashboard an intricate modern work of art. Leaning forward, she smoothed her hand along the top of the dash. She’d never cared much about cars, had an old beater at home, but she could get used to this.
Rhett slipped inside, settling his big body into the driver’s seat. He started the car, the engine roaring to life, and he shifted into gear, driving right off the tarmac. “It’ll take about a half hour to get to the resort, so sit back and enjoy the view.”
She knew he meant the view of the island, but she couldn’t help but steal glances at the man to her left. The innate power that radiated from him in palpable waves, the way he gripped the steering wheel with his large hands, it drew her. Made her want things she had no business wishing for.