Rebel Heir (Rush Series Duet #1)(5)

One big rule I did have was to not shit where I eat. Or rather, not to fuck where I work. Crossing the line with an employee was a hard limit for me. I’d yet to screw anyone I employed. And I wanted to keep it that way. Therefore, the moment I hired Gia Mirabelli was the moment Gia Mirabelli became off-limits.

Not mixing business with pleasure normally wasn’t an issue for me. But when that little firecracker ran her mouth off at me earlier, I could have sworn my dick hardened the second the word fuck came out of her mouth. No one spoke to me like that, which was precisely why I liked it when she did. Not to mention, fuck is a lot prettier sounding of a word when it comes out of the mouth of a beautiful woman.

Word around The Heights was that people seemed to think I was intimidating, particularly those who worked under me. Aside from Freddie, AKA ”Oak”—who, let’s face it, didn’t have to fear anyone because of his size—people seemed to be almost scared of me. But not Gia. Gia had no fucks left to give, and that was just about the most refreshing thing I’d experienced all year. Maybe ever.

During a slow spot in the evening, I’d had her write down all of her personal information for payroll purposes and—what do you know—turns out she lives in one of my properties that was rented out as a summer share. Since I had a management company that handled the tenants, she would have no easy way of knowing I owned it. I made a mental note to spring that piece of news on her when the opportunity was right.

The connection didn’t surprise me. I owned a good chunk of real estate in this part of the Hamptons. My estranged father and brother stayed in the City for the most part, managing the family business there. The Hamptons, though, was primarily my territory, at least from an operations standpoint.

While a casual beach bar by day, at night, The Heights turned into more of a club and restaurant with live music on the rooftop. And on this Friday night, it was packed both indoors and outside.

Once again, I found my eyes firmly planted on Gia. She was actually damn good at this job I’d given her. I’d downplayed the role of hostess earlier, but it wasn’t as easy as I’d made it out to be. She greeted every customer with a bright and enthusiastic smile, as if they were the very first ones to walk in the door. She also took the initiative to walk around to the tables and check on patrons during the breaks when there wasn’t anyone in line. Thankfully, she seemed oblivious to the fact that I was watching her.

By the time everyone cleared out, it was well past midnight. It was starting to rain, and the nearby ocean was getting choppy. I was outside smoking a cigarette when Gia walked right into my cloud of smoke.

“I didn’t realize you were still here,” she said.

Smoke billowed from my mouth as I said, “Sorry to disappoint you.”

“You didn’t. I just…figured you’d be gone a long time ago.”

“Nice job tonight.”

“Whoa.” She smiled wide. “Is that a compliment?”

“I call it like I see it. I’d tell you if you sucked, too. While you couldn’t bartend to save your life…you were a hell of a hostess.”

“With the most-ess.” She winked. “Well, I kind of have experience. I used to have a hostess job in the City.”

“You can definitely tell it wasn’t your first rodeo.” My gaze instinctively fell to her heaving breasts, which were straining against the black bra I could see through her sheer white T-shirt. I pried my eyes upward.

Our eyes locked, and suddenly she seemed eager to leave. “Well…have a good night. I’ll be here tomorrow on time.” When she started to walk past the lot of cars, I realized she didn’t have a vehicle; she was walking.

Dressed like that? At night?

I jumped in my Mustang and drove up beside her, rolling down my window. “Isn’t it kind of late for you to be walking alone?”

“It’s alright. I don’t mind walking.”

“It’s dark, and there aren’t many streetlights on the way to your house.”

“How do you know where I live?”

That’s right. She didn’t know I owned her damn house.

“You gave me your address earlier, remember? I know this town like the back of my hand.”

“I see.” She continued to walk as I drove slowly alongside her.

“I’ll drive you home.”

“It’s fine.”

“It’s not fine. You’re my employee. You worked late on my watch. If something happens to you on your way home because of that, I’d feel partially responsible. And I don’t want that on my conscience.”

She stopped walking and put her hands on her hips. “Well, I don’t have a car at the moment. So, I’m planning to walk home most nights. If you can’t drive me every time, then why bother?”

I wasn’t going to waste time trying to rationalize with her. “Get the fuck in the car,” I demanded.

She didn’t argue as she opened the door and looked at me. “Thanks.”

The recognition of her scent and the way it was making me feel put me on edge. I couldn’t figure out why I was having this kind of reaction to a woman I’d just met. She seemed familiar, even though I knew we’d never crossed paths before today.

I’d fucked around with a lot of women, to the point where I thought I was immune to feeling like this. But there was something different about Gia that I couldn’t put my finger on.