The Billionaire Next Door (Billionaire Bad Boys #2)(58)

They climbed into the backseat and Rachel shuddered violently. “It’s freezing here.” Her voice faded into a whine as she laid her head back on the seat.

“You’re zonked,” he observed.

Without opening her eyes, she grunted.

“Kevin, forget that first address. Go to my place.”

“Yes, Mr. Crane. Ms. Foster, there is a vent by your legs if you’d like to adjust the heat.”

The seat shifted next to her as Tag leaned forward. A second later, warm air was blowing on her frozen limbs. She let out a long hum.

She opened her eyes. Wait…did he say…?

“No, I need to go home,” she told Tag. “If I go to your house this late, I’ll fall asleep and won’t be able to leave.”

“Deal.” His slow spread of a smile made her stomach flip.

She should have argued, but she was too exhausted. And he was too…something. Too everything.

“It’s no big deal. I have a big bed. You have luggage.”

She guessed it wasn’t. Maybe she’d been the one hyper-focused on everything between them. Maybe she should chill out. Not hard to do here in the tundra.

“Thanks.”

“Welcome,” he answered. She rested her head on the seat again and closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of his broad palm on her thigh.

*



Tag woke his houseguest the next morning by diving beneath the thick comforter. He applied kisses to every inch of Rachel’s body as he stripped her bare, damn near suffocating under the blanket because she complained she was cold.

Soon enough, though, her complaints were muzzled. She’d tossed those blankets off and came—multiple times—under his ministrations.

After Kona coffee at his breakfast bar, she was already working, and on a roll.

“If you push back the bar rather than have it in the center of the two pools, you could create a place for the guests to hang out,” she was saying. “Milling around would be easier if they weren’t in danger of slipping into the swimming pools by taking a step to the left or right.”

She pointed at the drawing with her pen. He could see what she meant. The bar being moved would allow more room for guests who were ordering and, as she’d suggested, offer more seating for guests who already had drinks.

“Even with the swim-up open again, you’ll increase your ability for more traffic if the bar is elsewhere.” She then pointed the pen at him. “And I was right about the setup. Your server’s wells are too far apart. You need one designated area, and preferably one bartender who prioritizes the servers and helps the other two bartenders during downtime.” She put the pen down, fire in her eyes as well as her voice. “Once you have it redesigned, I’m betting you can use this as a template for some of your other hotels. I know Hawaii is a different setup given there are multiple pools, but I think…” She trailed off and broke into a smile. “What?”

He shook his head, dropping his arm from where he’d been resting his chin in his hand. “Nothing. I’m listening.”

“You’re staring.” She tucked her hair behind her ear, fidgeting. Adorably. “Sorry, I’m passionate.”

Didn’t he know it. He hadn’t realized she’d caught him zoning out, eyes on her. Hell, didn’t know he’d been doing it until she pointed it out. He’d been listening to her ideas and watching her draw for the last half an hour, his mind on how perfect their trip had been.

“Reese is going to love your ideas.” He lifted the paper she’d been sketching on and studied it further. “Why’d you leave marketing for the glam life of bartending?”

Her eyes darted to the side. “Just…It was time to go.”

“Why?”

A one-shouldered shrug, then, “Truth?”

“You have to ask?” He raised one eyebrow in challenge. She should know by now he preferred things laid out.

“My ex-boyfriend,” she said after blowing out a sigh of defeat.

“Damn.” He slapped one palm on the counter. “I knew it was his fault.”

“We were partners on a project, and he took full credit for what amounted to seventy-five percent my ideas. Management gave him the promotion I was angling for.”

Tag scowled.

“I know, right? Dick move to pull on your girlfriend. We had a big fight at work. My boss suggested I resign before I was written up and possibly fired.”

Now Tag was pissed.

“Your boss sounds like as big of a dick as your ex.”

“Can’t argue with that.” Her lips twisted.

“So what do you want to do?”

She shook her head, but he could see the wheels turning. She knew; she just wasn’t telling him. What made her keep pulling away? And what made him continue asking?

That was the more concerning issue. Not that it was unreasonable to care about her or what she was into, but the chasing was new.

“Do you see yourself in marketing again?” he pushed, evidently content to ignore his own concerns.

“Not really. I like bartending.” She smiled and looked down at her drawing. “I liked sharing this project with you. It’s been fun.”

In more ways than one.

He held her gaze. She looked away first.