Daddy's Virgin (A CEO Boss Romance Novel)

I assessed the glimmer in his eyes while his face was otherwise straight. "You know, I'm rich too."

"How's that going?"

I laughed and shook the chef's hand. "I'm starting to think I'd trade my fortune for a practical skill. At the end of the day, you've actually created things, and that has to feel good."

The chef graciously served two more guests and came back to join me. "It does feel good. It's never too late to learn. You interested in cooking?"

"Me?" I asked. "No. But recently I started to get into gardening."

The chef barely contained a snort. "You know how many of my clients demand fresh herbs and vegetables but won't even think of putting a few potted plants on a windowsill? No offense, but sometimes I wonder what you people do all day."

"None taken," I said.

It was an honest opinion, and as I looked around the yacht, I started to agree with the chef. Everyone was dressed in designer clothes with jewelry made to impress. Instead of noticing the delicious food, hand-crafted right in front of them, or the beautiful scenery of the San Francisco Bay, the ultra-rich were standing around only noticing those who noticed them.

Across the deck, Ellison gave me a come-hither glance. I held up another stuffed mushroom, and her perfect lips pursed tight. She turned back to a small knot of fawning admirers and ignored me.

"Well, I might be the only one, but I'm really enjoying your efforts. Thank you," I told the chef.

I scanned the room again and felt my heart sink. I was stuck on a yacht in a sea of my peers and couldn't see a single person I wanted to talk to. Except Tasha.

She was encouraging the first mate to tell her more about the unique features of Alcatraz Island. He was more than happy to oblige and leaned close as he pointed out landmarks. I handed my small plate to a passing waiter and set out across the crowded room.

"Hello, Rainer." The woman's voice was cool.

"Patricia, how are you?" I swallowed my irritation and focused on the redheaded woman. We'd had a passionate night after a product launch party, and I could tell she was surprised I knew her name. "How's your sick dog? The last time we were, ah, together, you had to rush home to give it antibiotics, right?"

Patricia blinked a few times. "That's right. Bingo's fine, thanks for asking."

I stood looking down at her as she hadn't moved, but she had nothing else to say. "I hope you enjoy the party," I said, stepping around her.

"It's not going to work, you know," Patricia said over her shoulder. She turned and nodded towards Tasha. "She's too good for you. Besides, she's been warned what you're really like."

"We had one night together. You don't know me," I said. I stalked away from her, my fingers curling into fists.

So, more people than I thought had noticed my interest in Tasha. No wonder I could feel eyes on me as I slowly wove my way through the party towards her. It took a lot of maneuvering, but I finally cornered Tasha near the small bar at the back.

Tasha eyed the narrow hallway next to her but decided to stand her ground. "I'm hearing rumors you might have a special announcement tonight," she said.

"What the hell," I muttered, missing at first the teasing light in Tasha's eyes. "Oh, right. Make fun of me. Like you won't have hundreds of men lining up to propose to you now that you've made billions."

"I've had three proposals so far tonight," Tasha said.

"Let me guess, the first mate? Watch out; you know the captain can marry people," I said.

"Oh, so is that what you have planned for Ellison?" Tasha asked.

I grabbed her arm and pulled her down the narrow hallway. She darted inside the first open door, hoping to dodge around me, but I blocked her way and shut the door behind us.

"I am not marrying Ellison Ramsey tonight, and I do not ever intend to marry her."

Tasha's irritated expression softened. "Okay. I was just teasing you, Rainer."

"Not a lot of people do that," I said.

She inched closer. "Why am I so different?"

I ran a hand through my hair. "If I could answer that I might feel sane again."