Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

E vangeline

Who was this guy?

It took no effort for him to lift her from the water, placing her gently on the side of the pool. The entire rescue seemed to happen in slow motion, which allowed everyone to slide into shock and awe. The other girls’ mouths were hanging wide open, for God’s sake.

I almost told them to be careful or bugs would fly in.

Yeah, I was irritated as hell with them. No one was doing anything now, just like before.

“Jeff,” Mr. Hero yelled. “Get the resort doctor. Now.”

“Yes, sir,” Jeff told him with ease of respect.

Who was this guy?

On top of the heroic moment, he’d also flown into action fully clothed.

While I raced up the close stairs, he hoisted his massive body up to the edge, taking two seconds tops to jump back onto the pool deck. At least I was still in a good reactionary mode, pushing my friends aside so I could try to help.

“What can I do?” I asked nervously.

Whoever he was didn’t bother looking at me, instead checking Heidi’s pulse.

“Fuck,” he hissed. “I hope to hell you know how to give a decent mouth to mouth while I do chest compressions.”

His voice was deep, rough.

And full of anger.

Not that I blamed him.

When he lifted his head, I was almost driven into utter shock by his good looks. Thick, wavy hair that every woman would want to run their fingers through. Shimmering eyes the color of whiskey or hot buttered rum. A sharply chiseled jaw that could easily cut glass.

And the kind of killer body that would stop both women and men in the street.

“Yeah, of course.” It was one of those courses my father had insisted I take, and my limited medical knowledge had come into play more than once.

“My God. I can’t believe you jumped in and saved her,” Kristen said, back to hovering over us.

“He’s a spectacular male specimen,” Ashley cooed and both Mr. Hottie and I gave her a nasty look.

I believe I was mumbling under my breath as I lifted her head.

Meanwhile, Hotness had already placed his hands on her chest, prepared to do chest compressions. Over the course of the next couple of seconds, he instructed me how we should work together. It seemed like in no time Heidi was coughing up water and starting to flail.

“Keep her head tilted to the side,” he instructed.

Which I did.

I wasn’t entirely certain I liked his bossy attitude, but I reminded myself he was just nervous, which all of us should feel.

After a full minute, he pulled back, wiping water from his face. Another man’s appearance drew my attention and Mystery Hottie’s immediately as well.

“Doctor. She went into slight cardiac arrest for a few seconds.”

“You reacted quickly, both of you, and her life will be forever changed because of it. I’ve got it from here.”

The older man was dressed just as sophisticatedly, his attire a bit more formal. Both Mr. Hottie and I got to our feet, pulling away from the scene as the crowd started applauding, issuing supportive words.

“Way to go!”

“Both heroes.”

I was dripping wet; the sundress I’d selected for the beautiful evening was soaked, maybe ruined given the material. I couldn’t even think about that. At this point, I was far too mesmerized by the man’s stunning good looks. He was also taller than me by what seemed like two solid feet. An exaggeration but still, the dude was six and a half feet tall or something, his shoulders broader than most doorways.

“Can someone get the man a towel?” I barked. That amused him.

“What’s wrong? You don’t like me wet?”

His question was both on the rhetorical side as well as being overtly sexual.

At least in my opinion.

“Water is dripping in your face. I thought you might like to get the chlorine out of your eyes.” Just by my nature, the words were said a little tartly.

He swaggered closer and I heard my other friends swooning audibly. Now they reacted to something. Even though he could be considered a drowned rat, his scent was all masculine and sensual, the combination of cigars, citrus, and some exotic wood suiting him perfectly.

The towel suddenly appeared and he grabbed it without looking at the person, wiping his face roughly like a man would do. When he chivalrously offered me the towel, he hesitated, not letting go until our fingers touched.

To say there was a wild current of electricity shooting through me was an understatement. He kept his eyes piercing mine, his entire face slightly contorted.

There was that moment when all time stood still again, the wind knocked out of me and not from exertion. “I guess I should say thank you for coming to the rescue of my friend’s life. I don’t think I could have pulled her to the side.” I held out my hand, trying to be polite.

He studied me as if I’d been the problem but accepted the gesture and hot damn, the crackle between us was off the charts. “Are you included in this… bachelorette party?”

The man made it sound like a bad thing. The tone was also accusatory.

“I’m a member of the group, yes. Why? And who are you?” I folded my arms across my chest, cocking my hip and giving what my friends called an ‘eat shit and die’ look.

He was more amused than ever, lifting his eyebrows as he gazed down the length of me. “Well, my name is Gage Royal, which makes me one third owner of this luxurious resort.”

I knew the Royal name, his photograph not doing him the right kind of justice in my mind

“Well, good for you.”

“Your friends are drunk. Mixing drunken idiots and bodies of water never ends well.”

Wow. The man went for the jugular. Well, he did have a valid reason but that was beside the point. “Don’t worry. We can take care of ourselves.”

“Gage. She’ll be fine,” the doctor said. “But she needs some rest. She’ll have one helluva headache in the morning.”

I glanced at the doctor and nodded. “Thank you for taking care of her.”

Heidi was moaning.

“Of course.”

“Just do me and the other guests a favor. Try and keep down the noise factor while you’re here. I don’t want to have to toss you guys off the island because you’re too… Rambunctious.”

For a bunch of reasons, that pissed me off. I planted my hands on my hips, glaring at him. “Look, buddy. We weren’t causing any trouble, just trying to have a good time. I highly doubt Heidi wanted to end her evening almost dying. Okay?”

“Buddy?” he repeated, his chest puffing up.

“You heard me. And don’t worry, my friend will have an entourage following and waiting on her. Just because you’re such a nice guy, I’ll see what I can do about keeping them cool as cucumbers like a good girl should.” I turned on my heel, barking orders to help Heidi get to her suite safely. I waited until two of them were carrying her away, remaining where I was for a few seconds.

Owner or not, he wasn’t going to ruin the entire event for Heidi or any of the girls.

He chuckled and it was all I could do not to take a swing at him. What an arrogant prick.

I swung back to him abruptly, getting even closer. “Look, I’m no fool in that my besties were drinking too much, but this is a celebration. Surely you’ve had them before.”

He was far too smug, but I’d roll with it. “I’ve had many a lovely celebration here, Ms.…”

The man hadn’t earned the right to learn my last name. “Just Evangeline.”

“Well, just Evangeline, as owner, if destructive behavior continues, I’ll need to shut down all the fun. It would be such a shame if you didn’t get to spend time with male strippers.”

“Why do you make that sound so dirty? Women have been doing this for decades.”

“Yes, but not usually on an exclusive island. You were provided with a privilege, Evangeline. I wouldn’t take it lightly.”

My God. The man had the nerve to walk away from me. Damn him.

I watched, just like I had a feeling he knew I would. “What a piece of work,” I muttered under my breath. It was time to get out of the wet clothes.

I stormed around the other end of the pool to grab my things, wanting nothing more than to shove the gawkers aside. But I was that good girl, keeping some manners. I snatched my phone and my purse, shoving my iPhone inside as I grumbled. Why had he been so fucking arrogant? Why? Because he owned the place? Yeah, wealth and power could do that to you.

Another one of those ‘men’ tales I had so many of.

As I headed for the doors to the resort, I realized my nipples were rock hard. Shit. No wonder he’d been staring at me. I was already embarrassing myself.

“Ugh!”

Gage

There were people you met where there was an instant dislike, personalities clashing after only saying a few words. That was the case with Evangeline.

Only there was a flipside to that, our chemistry something else entirely.

I was snickering as I walked through the lobby, noticing Travis was jogging in my direction. Even he had a towel in his hand. Why were so many people worried I’d gotten wet?

“Boss. I heard. Are you okay?” he asked.

I took the towel anyway, rolling it around my neck. “I’m fine. Another couple of minutes and the girl would have lost her life. Tourists.”

“The bachelorette party?”

“You bet.” He was walking with me as I headed toward the private elevators. “Do me a favor. I need to know what I’m dealing with regarding the group. Check on Evangeline and her friends.”

“O-kay. What do you want to know?”

“Everything you can find.”

Travis chuckled. “You like one of them, huh?”

“Not in this lifetime.” She’d grated on my nerves like fingernails being raked down a chalkboard.

“Let me see what I can find. You should change before you catch cold.”

“Why is everyone doing that? I’m a big boy.” I pressed my keycard into the slot, grumbling under my breath as I hadn’t done in a long time. Why her? Why now? The doors opened and I immediately stepped inside, Travis remaining on the outskirts. I turned around, crossing my legs at the ankles and shoving my hands in the pockets of my linen trousers. He had an amused look on his face.

But the soaked girl watching as I entered the private space only twenty feet out had a different expression altogether. If I didn’t know better, I’d call it lust.

I laughed the entire incident off as the steel box headed for the top floor. That took no time, the pinging sound causing me to push off the wall.

The main part of the resorts had been designed and established in three wings, several restaurants and casinos, and a dance club located in the cathedral-style bell tower. The suites were placed on two sides, two suites each. That allowed for maximum privacy.

In addition, there were bungalows in and surrounding the water, more private settings for our guests. In addition, in the private rooms located in the section of the more commercial space, my guests could enjoy their sadistic or masochistic tastes in private, being watched or in a group setting.

We took pride in hiring the most qualified and well-trained people in the business of satisfying, nurturing, and educating those interested. The men and women were masters at technique, which had added to our solid reputation. Using the same keycard, I let myself into the main body of the rooms. Once inside, I realized I was freezing given the wet clothes. I quickly headed for the bathroom, turning on the shower before discarding my clothes.

I still couldn’t believe the other women had stood there, not bothering to help their friend. Some friends they were. I chuckled and tossed the damp towels toward the hamper, grabbing a clean one.

Given we also had a family empire bungalow held in reserve for the family members, I’d always stayed there, but something had told me to switch it up for this trip.

Now I was glad.

As I stepped into the shower, I thought about the woman, sweet and caustic Evangeline, laughing at the fact my cock was twitching. Even my balls were tight. What the hell was up with that? Yet as I washed off quickly, my thoughts turned completely lurid.

And utterly forbidden.

I rolled my hand down my chest, fighting the urge to provide myself with a little relief. I failed miserably, slamming my hand against the marble tile.

Why had this woman pushed my buttons all while looking so damn gorgeous? It just wasn’t fair. The thought gave me a wicked grin as I cupped and squeezed my balls until the pressure turned painful. That wasn’t enough to stop my filthy urges. I rubbed the palm of my other hand down my chest very slowly, teasing my cockhead.

I even jutted my hips forward, closing my eyes as I allowed the heavy sensations to roll. I hadn’t pleasured myself in one hell of a long time. I also hadn’t been with a woman in a long time; maybe that’s why I’d gawked at her like she was a teenager.

At least darkness was rolling in, maybe capable of hiding my thoughts. What had disturbed me even more than our confrontation was my reaction. And that of a couple of members of my staff.

There was one main rule we brothers had decided together, even writing it down in the corporate employee handbook. No relations allowed with guests.

That had kept our butts out of hot water more often than not. With the other two being seriously involved, that left all eyes on me. Someone knew at some point I’d crack. Hell, the others had.

I shoved the thought aside, telling myself this was why I was getting relief now. So I wouldn’t be tempted. I slammed my hands against the tile for a second time before concentrating on twisting my hand around the base of my shaft. Creating painful friction was the only way to keep my libido in check.

I was sweating both from the round of pleasure and the building steam, my entire mind turning dirty as could be. I could only imagine what her sweet pussy looked like. Damn it. If I wasn’t careful, I’d go off half-cocked.

I stroked savagely, abusing my cock since it had been so long. My testicles were still fresh contenders, pushing the desire to the point I ignored every aspect of pain. God, the pressure was building to a precipice that I wouldn’t be able to control.

With her luscious body in the forefront of my mind, I finally allowed the relief to come, gyrating my hips as cum erupted from my slit. I continued pumping as additional strings flowed, the pleasure spilling over into everything. With my body still shaking, my muscles remaining tight as they could be.

I began to rub my cum all over my stomach and chest and all I could envision was covering her voluptuous body in my seed.

“Fuck.”

That was the only word that covered everything. I certainly hadn’t expected a night like this.

Laughing, a few seconds later, I finally slipped back under the water. It was time to become presentable again.