11. Chase

What was Russell thinking closing the office? “This is unnecessary,” I said it because I should, even as I tossed the keys to the valet and tipped the man loading our luggage onto a cart.

Heat zapped all the moisture from the air and pressed in on me until I unbuttoned my top button and yanked my tie loose. The three of us looked like a regular bunch of asshats standing around in our three-piece, custom-tailored suits as we stood on the sidewalk outside our hotel.

People eyed us in passing, scouring our faces for any hint of recognition. It wasn’t uncommon to run into a celebrity or two when we stopped here. I had my mind on other things today.

Russell smirked at me and pushed his sunglasses further up his nose. “We’ll see.” His head swiveled toward Sabrina as Garrett held out his hand and helped her from the car. “Sometimes you have to take a step back to see what’s right in front of you.” He slapped me on the back. “This is that step.”

“You can’t just close down the office,” I growled my frustration, running a hand through my hair. “How are we going to catch anyone if we’re not even looking?” My sexual needs didn’t matter in the great scheme of things. What good was sex if I lost my business, my livelihood? Although, sex with Sabrina might make me want to risk it.

Russell shrugged. “It’s for a good cause. We need this. If we’re going to get anywhere on finding our thief, we need to be able to look at the whole picture without getting sidetracked.”

Sidetracked. Right. Like any of us could focus with Sabrina around. As though she felt us watching her, Sabrina ran her hand down her ass and slid her fingers into her back pocket. Fuck it. He was right. I couldn’t keep my eyes off her in the weekly meetings. And seeing her hand in Garrett’s had my mind spinning out of orbit. I wanted to yank her away from him and take possession for myself. “So this isn’t a real work retreat?” I dragged out the words, forcing Russell’s attention back to me.

“That depends on Sabrina and what she wants. We’re paying her for a real work retreat.” His jaw ticked and he pocketed his hands with a deep inhale.

God help us all if she said no. I’d been thinking of her—dreaming of her—since she left my bed.

Sabrina dropped Garrett’s hand and strode into the hotel with her chin up and a soft smile teasing her plump lips. The ride over had been almost silent, all of us wound tighter than coiled springs as we waited. She’d been polite but a bit standoffish. Probably because we kept looking at her like we wanted to devour her.

The doorman opened the door for Sabrina and she nodded her thanks before marching to the front desk. “Grady checking in.”

The man behind the counter looked Sabrina over, his expression slightly incredulous but somehow managing to sneer at the same time. “Do you have a reservation?”

I held out a hand, planting my palms on Russell and Garrett simultaneously when they both started to rush forward. “Wait.”

“What the hell?” Garrett fumed beside me.

“Wait.” I wasn’t about to let some pompous jackass get the better of Sabrina, but I’d noticed the way her weight shifted forward and her chin lifted even higher. She loved a challenge, and damned if I was going to interfere with her fun. “Give her a minute.”

Russell’s chest rumbled under my hand, and the soft sound of his chuckle caused Garrett’s jaw to clench hard enough I heard his teeth pop.

“Would I tell you I was checking in if I didn’t have a fucking reservation?” Sabrina’s low, dusky voice infiltrated the room. “Stop staring at my tits and look at your computer, asshole. You’ll find the reservation under Chase Grady. Think you can spell that or do I need to do it for you?”

The man blanched white beneath his starched shirt. “Chase Grady?”

Sabrina scoffed and began to turn. “Forget it. I can see we’re not wanted here.” She took out her phone. “I’ll call Regency Air. I’m sure they’ll be more accommodating.”

“No.” The man held up a hand, his other flying furiously over the keyboard. “I have your reservation here. Four rooms. Penthouse suites for the weekend.” His cheeks flushed bright red. “Please accept my apologies,” he said as he held out a stack of keycards. “Your stay comes with a complimentary breakfast.”

Sabrina took the cards and turned on her heel. She waved a hand over her shoulder. “Maybe next time a woman walks in, you won’t automatically assume she’s destitute because she’s wearing jeans. Get yourself up to speed on fashion. I shouldn’t have to waltz in wearing a ten-thousand-dollar dress to get my room key.” She eyed me and winked. “It’s not like you require your male guests to check in wearing tuxes to prove they’re wealthy enough to stay here.”

“Damn.” Garrett melted, taking a backward step. “Girl’s got fire.”

“She is fire,” I corrected him. And she was going to send us all to hell if we were not careful. I’d willingly take the heat to feel her sizzle.

“Let’s go.” She cocked her head to the side and waved the cards. Once we stood close enough, she whispered, “I’ve never stayed in a penthouse suite before. Can’t wait.” She squealed and danced in place, spinning around on her way into the elevator.

The sight of her happiness twisted something inside me. I’d never felt this before. Not for any woman. It made me want to promise her the world on a silver platter. I tamped down the thought and pressed the button for the penthouse.

“I’m sorry you didn’t bring Keith,” Russell spoke into the quiet.

Sabrina stilled. Her gaze darted around, looking almost panicked. “I …”

“Maybe next time.” I gave her a reassuring smile. “Once you see how these work retreats operate you’ll have a better understanding, and you might be willing to bring him along.” My heart pinched at the look of relief on her face. “If there’s ever anything you need, for you or Keith, we’re happy to help.”

Her face hardened at that. She turned that stubborn tilt of her chin on me. “We don’t need help.”

Low and solemn, her tone cut through me.

I’d wanted to show her I cared, but it backfired in a big fucking way. “I’m not trying to make you feel obligated. That’s not …” I stopped and swallowed. “Forget it.” I’d never explained myself to anyone before and I’d be damned if I started now. I had feelings for Sabrina. That was obvious. That did not mean I’d fall to my knees and beg her to be with me or to let me take care of her. She had a stubborn pride that I appreciated. It made her strong. Only a bastard would take that away from her by making her feel less than for feeling like she traded sex for domestic help. Though, wasn’t that what was happening this weekend?

The doors opened and we all hesitated before Russell took the first step from the elevator. “Everyone get settled. We’ll meet up in a few hours to talk strategy.”

“This is me.” I pointed my keycard at the door straight ahead. Russell’s room was in the center next to mine, Garrett’s was on the far left, and Sabrina’s was on the far right. “All the rooms are adjoining, and we have the whole floor to ourselves.” It’s what we always did when we came here. It cut down on interruptions.

This weekend, I hoped for all the interruptions as long as they included time with Sabrina.

Russell walked away, keeping pace beside Sabrina.

Garrett stood with me and watched them go. “She’s something else.”

“That’s why I hired her.” I made myself remember that she was an employee. “She has that young, energetic spirit that is great for the company.” Again, I pushed my mind to accept reality. Sabrina was half my age. That alone should be enough to keep me from pining after her like some lovestruck schoolboy.

I’d grown up and matured enough to recognize the sexual attraction between us.

“You’re pissing in the wind, Chase.” Garrett slapped my shoulder. “You and I both know that you’re watching her ass the same way we both know that our rule about interpersonal relationships was a way to keep employees from coming onto us all the time. We never dreamed this might happen.” He motioned at Sabrina.

I shrugged off his hand. “There is no this.” I waved my hand between me and Sabrina, then pointed at him. “This is supposed to be a work weekend.”

“Tell that to Russell. The man looks damned comfortable standing there. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he booked this getaway as a means to an end. A way to get around our rules. No one can see us here.” He took a step back and held up his hands in an obvious display of surrender. “But you’re the boss. This weekend is whatever you say it is.”

Fucking right. Then why did my stomach drop when I realized that all three of us felt the same way about Sabrina? What were we supposed to do, share her? I scoffed at the idea, then stilled.

“What?” Garrett’s eyebrows lowered and he shot a look at Sabrina. “You just had an idea. What was it?”

“Nothing.” I waved him off and approached my room. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”

“I’m going to the bar.” Garrett tucked his keycard into his wallet and saluted me with one finger to his forehead. “This retreat was a great idea. I’m on Russell’s side here, so if you plan on pissing and moaning all weekend, keep it to yourself. I came to have a good time.”

Russell’s words came back to me. “Sometimes you have to take a step back to see what’s right in front of you.” I knew what was right in front of me. Pure, unadulterated attraction to a woman I should avoid.

Work or play? Which did Russell have in mind when he told Sabrina to book this shindig? I had my suspicions, but we hadn’t been able to talk about it in the office.

Down the hall, Sabrina opened her door and ducked inside. I’d pay to be in there right now, seeing her reaction to the room. She was classy and educated, but penthouse suites were for the elite. I wasn’t surprised she’d never seen one before.

Her excited squeal bounced down the hallway and shot straight to my dick. I’d promised her a one-time pass to get this desire out of our systems. It didn’t work. I wanted her more than ever. I wanted to hear her make those sounds as I ate her sweet pussy, to make her moan around my cock.

The images came with vivid details that had my dick threatening to burst from my jeans. I wrenched the door open and did my best not to slam it behind me.

The elevator dinged, telling me that Garrett was on his way downstairs. Thick walls kept me from hearing into Russell or Sabrina’s rooms, though I knew all I had to do was open either door and knock to join them.

I should have gone downstairs with Garrett to drown myself in a few glasses of whiskey but paced to the window instead. The California coast spread out in the distance, blue water shimmering in the setting sun. I should have felt exhausted after a full week of work and the flight, but energy pulsed through me.

I stretched my arms overhead and twisted to loosen the tight muscles. “Just go talk to her, for fuck’s sake.” I gripped the curtains and leaned my forehead on the cool glass. The best way to find out Sabrina’s expectations for the weekend was to ask her straight out.

She wasn’t shy or demure, and I’d accept whatever answer she gave me.

Mind made up, I tossed the curtains wide open and marched to the door, not bothering to be quiet as I closed it and made my way to Sabrina’s room. I lifted my hand and knocked three times.

Silence greeted me, and I considered for a second that I’d misread everything about the situation. No way. I knew the look in Sabrina’s eyes when she watched me. I felt it when her breath hitched every time I walked close enough to see the sparkle of gold in her eyes.

I knocked again. “Sabrina, it’s Chase.”

The knob twisted and the door opened.

Russell stood in front of me, a cockeyed smile creasing his eyes.