The Allure of Dean Harper (The Allure #2)(24)

He nodded and then retreated back to the helm. I reclined on the sundeck’s couch and took the opportunity to check my email one final time before everyone arrived.

I had the usual crap clogging up my inbox, but third from the top, there was an email I’d been waiting to receive for the last few days. I scrolled past the introduction and smiled.

Mr. Harper, I’d be happy to meet with you during LV Restaurant Week. I have available appointments throughout the event, so once you and your team know your schedule, get in touch with me and we can work something out. In the meantime, I’ll start preparing dishes.

Las Vegas Restaurant Week was an annual event. For one week a year, every restaurateur worth their shit dropped everything and headed to Sin City. LVRW was where deals were brokered, chefs were hired, drinks were thought up, and new fads were invented. I’d been on the fence about attending again, but that email changed everything.

Antonio Acosta was the executive chef at the most famous tapas restaurant in Los Angeles. For a pretty penny, he was willing to advise me on the menu for the new restaurant and it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.

I headed down into the en suite cabin to swap my phone out for my laptop. I needed to book last minute flights for my team and then try and scramble to find a hotel room.

“What a shocker!” Zoe said, stepping through the threshold wearing a black one-piece and jean shorts. She had a towel clutched under her arm and a bag slung over her shoulder. “You’re out on your yacht and you’re working.”

I smiled and turned my computer around so she could see the airline’s website. “No choice. We’re going to LVRW.”

Her jaw dropped. “What? I thought we were going to skip it this year.”

I explained the recent change of events.

“Well shit,” she said, dropping her towel and bag on the cabin’s floor. “Everyone is up on the sundeck. I’ll go fill them in.”

“Call Hunter too,” I yelled out as she set off for the stairs. “He’s not coming today.”

I turned back to my computer and scanned through the available rooms at the Bellagio. I knew it would be slim pickings. The hotel booked up quickly on a normal week, but the fact that it was also the home base for the convention ensured that we would be lucky if we found a room within a five-mile radius. I scanned through the availability for the guest rooms and suites, not shocked to find them all booked.

I was about to call the hotel to book one of their nine private villas, when I heard Lily’s voice on the stairs.

“Does he think we have no life? I can’t just drop everything and leave town on a moment’s notice.”

I rolled my eyes. “You will if you plan on getting paid this month,” I yelled.

She came into view at the door of my suite, arms crossed over her short white cover-up. Her tan shoulders were bare and her bright red suit was just barely visible beneath the thin fabric of her dress. Her long legs were more on display than they’d ever been—a tempting sight that I didn’t indulge in. Her blonde hair was tied back at the base of her neck, allowing me to take in every ounce of anger written across her features. She was pissed. I was intrigued.

“You can’t force me to go to Vegas,” she countered.

I smirked. “Antonio Acosta has agreed to help us with the menu for the new restaurant.”

Her grip loosened on her arms. She knew that name. “Are you kidding me?”

I shook my head.

“When do we fly out?” she asked, her tone slightly less abrasive than before.

“Wednesday, assuming I can book this villa in time.”

She swallowed and nodded. I could see the excitement growing behind her gaze. The Las Vegas Restaurant Week was an invite-only event. It was exclusive and elite. I knew how badly Lily wanted to attend, and I knew she would have admitted that desire to anyone but me.

Why?

Because we were both playing the same game.

“Julian said he’s available up until Friday,” Zoe explained, cutting her gaze between Lily and me. “He’ll need to fly home before us.”

I nodded. “As long as he’s there for part of the week, it should be fine.”

“And Hunter?” Lily asked, her gaze focused on Zoe.

“He’ll be there, but he’s been warned about his behavior. Don’t worry.”

She nodded, seeming to accept my answer.

Zoe clapped, breaking the silence. “Okay, well, we’ll go mix some drinks on the deck and let you finish up. Let me know if you need my help with anything.”

Zoe pulled Lily’s arm and they turned toward the stairs. I focused on Lily’s body as she walked away, wondering if it was a good idea to book one villa for all five team members. There’d be plenty of space for everyone, but something told me that staying in a hotel room—even a large one—with Lily Black would be temptation in its most extreme form.

…



By the time I’d finished booking everything, we’d dropped anchor in open ocean. I surfaced from my cabin, hot and cranky, and paused at the top of the stairs. Zoe was lounging on the sundeck with her sunglasses covering most of her face. Julian and Josephine were sitting on the couch beneath the roofed section of the sundeck. Julian leaned in and kissed her cheek. I looked away and my gaze followed the line of the sundeck until I spotted Lily behind my bar, wearing nothing but her red bikini and one of my old Nicks caps. It sat crooked on her head, the wide brim covering her entire forehead.