The Billionaire Next Door (Billionaire Bad Boys #2)(43)

“He’s right,” Bree said. “Plus, you’re going to advise on bar stuff. Dress like you would for work or vacation.”

“I can’t,” Rachel sighed. “I don’t have any vacation clothes.” Beach vacations weren’t exactly on her schedule when she’d lived in Ohio. Once she moved here, met Shaun, and entered the corporate world, where ladder-climbing was an Olympic event, she hadn’t had time for a vacation. And she certainly hadn’t bothered stocking her wardrobe with vacation wear.

“Then go shopping. Isn’t Oliver giving you your dog sitting check this week?”

“Yeah…but I’m saving for a deposit on an apartment so I can get out of your hair.” She gave her friend a sheepish smile.

Bree walked into Rachel’s bedroom and put a palm on her shoulder. “Rach. I know it’ll take time. You’re not going to be here forever.”

“Thanks.” But Rachel didn’t want to prolong moving out. She wanted to be on her own. Be her own woman and reclaim her independence. Living in Oliver’s pad and now staying in Hawaii with Tag was going to put a massive gap between the kind of apartment she could afford and the kind of treatment to which she’d become accustomed.

“Plus you never know what might happen with you and Tag,” Bree said as she turned to leave the room. “For the long-term.”

“We’re not going any further than where it is,” Rachel called after her. Bree hummed in the back of her throat and disappeared down the hallway, leaving Rachel with her dilemmas, plural.

Wardrobe, Hawaii, and Tag included.

It was okay for this to be what it was: an enjoyable pastime and a once-in-a-lifetime experience of consulting for a massive hotel chain. She’d talked herself into going because (a) she could put it on a resume, and (b) she refused to allow Tag to pay her.

Whatever happened with him while she was there would be fun, but long-term? No, she wasn’t ready for anything longer than a week or so. Overcoming her sexy fears with Tag was fun, but she didn’t doubt for a moment he’d be over her and back to the game soon enough.

Anyway, she thought as she rolled a summer dress and stuffed it into her suitcase, she knew he wasn’t interested in her for more than a brief foray. It was a good deal for both of them, so maybe she should take Bree’s advice. Have fun, enjoy herself.

“And don’t think about the future.” Rachel capped the statement by tossing in a few pairs of slinky underwear with the tags still on them.

She’d vowed to recapture her boldness.

This was a step in the right direction.

*



Oliver handed over the check, and Rachel could swear it felt heavy. It was a lot of money and, after living in the lap of luxury on Oliver’s dime, seemed almost unreasonable to accept. But she did.

He was clear on what he hired her to do, and she’d done the job he asked. Hawaii wasn’t going to be cheap, and while she should be investing the check toward her future apartment, she refused to let Tag take care of her while she was there. She didn’t mind him buying a dinner or two, but she was completely capable of paying her own way.

“Thank you for taking care of Adonis,” Oliver said. “He’s going to miss you. I can see it in his eyes.”

His stormy gray eyes. So pretty. She knelt and gave Adonis a nuzzle, though doing so put her below where his giant head stood.

She straightened and shook Oliver’s hand. “Thank you again.”

“What’s next for you?”

“Oh, um…” She debated telling him the truth. Would he think she was a woman for hire? Bouncing from job to job after money? “Well…”

The elevator behind her dinged, and she turned her head to see the doors part and reveal a long-haired, sexy Adonis in his own right.

“Tag Crane,” Oliver greeted him. Rachel turned to see Oliver’s brow furrow in confusion. She could see the questions on his face. What is he doing on my private floor? Is there a problem with the building?

“Hey, Oliver. Adonis.” Tag reached forward and scrubbed the dog’s head. Then he did something that made Rachel want to hide. He lifted the largest of her bags and slung it over his shoulder. “Ready?”

Oliver slid a glance from Tag to Rachel.

“Uh…”

“Rachel is joining me in Hawaii as an advisor on my latest project.”

Rachel sent Oliver a sickly smile. Even though she didn’t owe him an explanation, she couldn’t help but feel as if he were the father figure in this scenario and she was a teen in need of discipline. Oliver grinned, which totally threw her.

“Congratulations, Rachel. Crane Hotels is a fine company. Does this mean you’re out of the bar? Don’t misunderstand me, I prefer you to wait on me and I’ll miss you, but this is the professional job you wanted, right? A second chance outside of the corporate shadow of your—”

“No!” she interrupted before he kept going and mentioned Shaun. She hadn’t had that conversation with Tag and didn’t want to—especially not in Oliver’s entryway. “I mean, yes, this is a great opportunity, but I haven’t left the Andromeda. Working with Tag is a temporary gig.”

The trip to Hawaii and being with him.

She sent a glance to Tag, who watched her for a few beats before smiling at Oliver. “No one is more qualified to give me an unbiased opinion. I’m lucky she jumped on it, even though it’s temporary.”