My boss takes the whip and whaps me right on my right thigh. “Ah!” I moan. My boss takes the edge of the whip and points it right at my neck. He leans in and growls, “Under no circumstances are you to f**k him. If you do, I will do bad things to you. Is that understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
I get up from my chair and relax into my boss’s massive arms. I lie there like his little pet while he strokes my hair. I want to show him that I am his loyal servant. While we cuddle, I can feel his animal heart, beating like a drum. He is a tiger at rest. But still, a tiger.
***
“Welcome to Kapalua, Sarah.” Mr. Peak’s voice echoes in my head.
I slowly open my eyes. Wow. Was I asleep all that time? I wake up in Mr. Peak’s strong arms.
He directs me to the window next to his seat. I look outside and see the island of Maui. What a sight.
“You better take your seat,” my boss advises.
Not one to disappoint my master, I do as he says. I strap myself in as the Gulfstream descends onto the airstrip.
We land faster than I thought. The plane wastes no time rolling over to its final stop. This certainly is not like flying commercial. Under a minute later, the cabin door is open and we are ready to depart. Nice!
Mr. Peak exits the aircraft first. I follow. The warm ocean air splashes across my face as I set my eyes on Kapalua. Oh, I am going to like this. A group of fast moving baggage handlers gather Mr. Peak’s rather formable luggage set. Of course, the familiar Louis Vuitton pattern catches my eye. There must be about $50,000 worth of baggage right there.
Out of nowhere, a fleet of large luxury automobiles arrive right next to the plane. I am unfamiliar with the make of the cars. We get inside and I see the Maybach logo all over the place. My big boss certainly doesn’t travel cheap.
Mr. Peak reclines his rear seat, relaxing his legs on the foot rest. I look around for the controls which will allow me to do the same. Wait a minute. Would my boss approve? Or will I be taking too many liberties? I sit up straight and just admire the view of the island.
Mr. Peak is busy checking his messages on his iPhone. The fleet of Maybach sedans speeds down the road. The drivers must be committing about twenty moving violations. My guess is that law enforcement is not going to pull them over.
The Maybach turns on to a lone road. I wonder where we are going? “We have arrived at Sir Gerald’s Private Estate, Mr. Peak,” the driver announces. Good God. I look out the window and all I see is land and ocean. Where the f**k is his mansion?!
A full minute passes before I see the sprawling mansion itself. It’s not the big and imposing classic residence painting in my mind. The home itself is low and long, stretching across the coastline. Very cool.
The Maybachs come to a halt and the doors open. I exit behind Mr. Peak. The white water waves of the Pacific ring through my ears. We are less than fifty feet from the water. The home, the water and the sand seem to be at complete harmony with each other. Seriously, I could spend the rest of my life here.
A very large and I mean non-human sized looking Hawaiian guy escorts us towards the house. However, the six-foot, eight-inch, five hundred pound man walks us around the estate towards the beach. Damn, I wanted to see the house. But, hot damn, look at that view of the beach.
We see a tall, well-built guy with flowing sandy hair, cargo shorts and a loose fitting cabana shirt standing towards the ocean. He turns and walks towards us. I don’t need any introduction. This man has swagger. This man has billionaire swagger. Yes, I know I am looking at Sir Gerald Lovell.
“Welcome to my island, Mate,” the Aussie tycoon says in a voice that could shake every palm tree around him. I look at my boss and see him stare down the other billionaire. For the first time, I see my billionaire interacting with someone who is his equal.
The two hulking billionaires shake hands. It’s that sort of aggressive “bro” handshake that kinda shows two alpha male angling for control. Sir Gerald is as big and as strong looking as my Mr. Peak. However, that’s where the similarities end.
The Aussie billionaire’s wild hair and beard, casual clothing and wild gestures are a complete contrast to the reserved, silent and clean-cut appearance of my boss.
“Look at this estate. Just f**king look at it. I got it for just under $50 million. That’s a bargain!” Sir Gerald screams over the surf. Mr. Peak smiles and nods his approval of the gorgeous beachside property.
Suddenly, Sir Gerald looks at me. His blue eyes take in my small frame and my unkempt hair.
“Sir Gerald. May I introduce you to my as**sociate Miss Sarah Salamuri,” my boss says as he places his right hand on my shoulder.