CHAPTER NINE

Leilani watched Jacobdepart. As he disappeared through the doorway, she realized she was holding her hand to her cheek.

Exactly where he'd kissed her.

"Is he coming back?" Blake asked her.

"No." She shook her head, then turned, glancing at the new men who had arrived.

All three of them were huge. Even if it wasn't plainly obvious while they stood among the Dufort's. They were a little younger, more her age than say Daniel's, but no less attractive.

Who was breeding all these gorgeous males?

Beside her, Blake cursed.

"Who are they?" she asked, then shook her head. "Sorry, none of my business."

Blake dipped his gaze at her. "It appears that it might be. Lelani, Jacob likes you. But you should be careful. He's going through some stuff and could hurt you."

She blanched.

"He was very nice when he saw me upset." Leilani defended him.

Was he okay?

What was he going through? Had he wanted her to be there for him? Is that why he asked me to run away with him?

She knew he wasn't asking her to run away forever, simply for the night.

But she'd seen desire in his eyes, felt the way he'd held her, and had not wanted it to end.

So, she wasn't sure what he'd been offering.

Then he'd left.

"Which is why I know he likes you. He's my brother and I love him, but he can be selfish. Right now, he has every right to be, but I don't want to see you get caught in the crossfire." Blake shared. "You are a great PA, and my wife likes you."

Leilani gave him a polite smile. "Thank you. I like her too."

She glanced toward the doorway and wondered how far he'd gone.

"Blake."

"Yup," he asked, about to walk back to his wife.

"Do you need me for anything else tonight? I'd like to get home to Mom."

A lie.

She'd told her mom she would be out late, and their neighbor was with her until at least ten.

"Go. You've done an excellent job." Blake said, and Leilani thanked him, grabbed her jacket and purse, then gave Bella a quick hug before running out the door.

"Lani!" Missy called out.

Christ.

She sped up and ran through the door out into the—slam!

"Woah there, princess." Huge hands caught her arms, holding her steady.

Her hand went to her head. "Jacob?"

"Where's the fire?"

"No, I was...what are you doing? I thought you had left." She tilted her head back to meet his eyes.

Jacob grinned. "I am now that I've got what I came back for. Shall we get out of here?"

Oh.

"There you are!" Missy cried from behind them. "Hey, hottie."

Oh, God.

"Yes, please." Leilani begged Jacob, knowing they were already going to be on Missy's Monday morning gossip list. "Get me out of here, right now."

He swept out his arm. "Your carriage awaits, princess."

He could hurt you.

As Jacob swept her out of the hotel, Blake's words echoed in her head. She had no idea where he was taking her. All she knew was that she wanted to be with him.

Wrongly or rightly.

He made her feel seen and cared for. Plus, a whole lot of other things. But it was the concern Jacob had, asking why she was upset, that seemed to surprise her.

Did he actually like her?

Lust was one thing, but it was almost like he cared. How was that possible?

She had no idea what she was doing leaving with him, but frankly, she was going along for the adventure because she couldn't say no to this man.

Her body burst into flames every time he was near. A thousand times while they were dancing, she'd been mentally begging him to kiss her.

Imagine Missy's gossip train then.

Outside, a black luxury car was waiting for them, the engine still running and a driver standing by the open door. Leilani climbed into the back seat and Jacob followed. Suddenly, it was just the two of them, alone in the dark of the vehicle.

A shiver ran through her as they both turned to face one another.

"How much do you want to forget your worries tonight, princess?" Jacob asked, running a finger across her forehead.

Oh, boy.

––––––––

JACOB WATCHED LEILANI'Sreaction. He still wasn't sure what he was going to do with her.

Oh, he knew what he wanted to do, but whether it was a stupid fucking idea was another thing. As angry as he was with Blake, he still respected that she was one of his employees.

But she had left the event of her own free will.

Had she followed him?

Because he sure as fuck had gone back for her. After driving a block away, he'd instructed the driver to turn around and go back. Then she'd run right into his arms.

How fucking romantic.

But that wasn't what this was. Jacob was going to taste this gorgeous woman and show her a world of pleasure unlike anything she'd experienced before.

Arrogant, yes.

That didn't make it untrue.

As he pondered his choices, he considered if he should take Leilani to the club or invite a friend to his place for a little toned-down fun.

He was eager to get his hands on her and drink a fuck ton more whisky. If she wasn't into it, then Jacob had no issue making sure she got home safely.

"If you want to do more dancing and make me smile some more, then I'm up for that."

Okay, fine, the club it is.

He could ease her into it, floor by floor.

"I know a club. It's a—" he began.

"Sailors. I know. I've been."

Jacob's brows shot to the roof of his head.

"What?"

He was pretty sure he'd know if she was a fucking member. His eyes dipped to her red heels and back up to her large glossy lips.

"And I know you own it." She gave him a cheeky smile. "My friends and I went to a bachelorette party about a year ago."

Okay, so the vanilla floor.

No groups were allowed on the second or third floors. Especially not a bunch of half-drunk women with penis straws.

"Did you, now?" Jacob stretched out a leg. "Donny let's head to Sailors. I'm taking my girl on a tour."

"Yes, sir," the driver replied.

His girl?

Shit, that was a faux pas. When he glanced down, Leilani was hiding her smile and staring out the window.

Do not play with this one, Jacob.

Maybe playing was exactly what they both needed, and Blake didn't know what he was talking about.

Not everyone wanted to get married and start a family. Whatever was upsetting his little Hawaiian princess—likely a breakup or some asshole—he would cheer her up.

And perhaps even introduce her to a more open-minded way of expressing her sexuality.

He slid out his phone and messaged one of his friends, Carter.

You at the club tonight, C?

...

Sure am. I'm up on The Deck.

Good. I'm bringing a new friend. She's new. Take it slow.

Got it. Can't wait to meet her.

Jacob smiled to himself. This was perfect. While he was priming Leilani and enjoying a night with her, he wasn't thinking about all his new family members and what was expected of him.

That could wait.

Tonight, he was going to taste this delectable morsel.

As they pulled up outside the club, he slid his hand over Leilani's thigh, and let arousal flow through his body as she subtly relaxed her legs.

Interesting.

That showed a willingness to widen them for him later.

Hopefully not much later.

"Leave your jacket here," Jacob instructed her. "And put some more of that sexy lip gloss on for me princess."

Images of it sliding over his cock would get him right in the mood.