Chapter 18

Daisy

I’m exhausted. I feel hung-over when I haven’t had a drop to drink. I blame Hart and his insatiable sexual appetite.

The guy is a sex god.

Even now, at ten past nine after a scant three hours of sleep, I remember the feel of his hands and mouth on me, the rasping of his stubble against my inner thighs, the hardness of him inside me.

I am in no shape for an impromptu meeting with Alf.

He landed on the island an hour ago and texted me to meet him in the conference room at nine. While I dragged myself out of bed leaving a sated Hart sleeping and made it here two minutes early, Alf hasn’t appeared. Typical.

I slick a coral lipstick over my lips, check my calf-length navy shift is respectable, and sit at the conference table. I’ve brought my notepad and laptop because I have no idea what this meeting is about.

I’m used to these senseless meetings where he’ll try to reassert his control when we both know I’m the one doing all the work and keeping his company afloat. It’s one of the major reasons I’m contemplating resigning to start my own business.

If only Alf had give me a well-deserved promotion, I’d be happy. Quitting isn’t high on my priority list but if he leaves me no choice… I hate thinking about walking away from a second commitment in a year.

I flick through the latest campaign update for Hart, loving how it’s all coming together.

Alf blusters into the room at nine-fifteen, no apology for his tardiness. ‘I need to talk to you.’

‘What about? I sent through the latest campaign specs—’

‘I know what you’re up to and I won’t stand for it.’ He jabs a pudgy finger in my direction before collapsing into a nearby seat. ‘It’s unprofessional.’

My heart stalls before I give myself a mental kick. He can’t know I’m contemplating leaving. I’m not dumb enough to sabotage my job even if I am tiring of the lack of recognition. He’s fishing.

Mustering my best acting skills, the ones I use on a daily basis to pretend I actually respect this doofus, I fix a polite smile on my face. ‘I don’t understand what you’re referring to.’

He slams his palms down on the table so hard I jump. ‘Don’t act so damn na?ve. You’re up to something with my clients.’

I try to remember if I’ve slipped up with any of my recent jobs and come up with nothing. He’s definitely trying to psych me out or probe for information.

‘Can you be more specific?’

‘This is a bloody outrage! You sitting there like butter won’t melt in your mouth when I know you’re screwing me over, you conniving c—’

‘That’s enough!’ Hart’s booming voice makes me jump for the second time in as many minutes and I swivel in my chair to find he’s entered through the side door.

He’s red-faced, scowling, and his shoulders are so rigid I could stack bricks on them.

Alf’s expression crumples. ‘I was going to say cow—’

‘I don’t give a fuck what you were going to say, you don’t call a lady names in the first place.’ He strides towards us like an avenging angel and looms over Alf, who is doing his best to shrink into his seat and disappear. ‘And you certainly don’t make half-assed accusations to an employee without proof. Now apologise.’

Alf crosses his arms and his mouth compresses into a thin, twisted line. He’s never apologised for his shitty behaviour towards me in the past so this will be a first; which I’ll probably pay for later. Maybe it’s time to move on from contemplating leaving to actually doing it.

‘A client in Brisbane mentioned something about your lackadaisical approach on his job—’

‘That doesn’t sound like an apology to me.’ Hart perches on the table in front of Alf, ensuring he towers over him. ‘And you’d better make it good because if you don’t I will personally fund this talented young woman’s solo foray into PR so she never works for your slimy ass again.’

Alf gapes like a goldfish and I sit on my hands to stop from applauding.

Hart, my hero.

It doesn’t take Alf long to reassemble his wits. Nothing keeps his big mouth shut for long. ‘I’m sorry,’ he mumbles, staring at some point over my shoulder.

Hart leans forward so he’s almost in Alf’s face. ‘If you don’t make a better job of it than that, I will sack you right now and give the advertising contract for my entire business to Daisy Adler.’

I assume it’s an empty bluff but I stare at Hart like he’s a knight come to rescue me. I want to clamber all over him and hug him tight but that would only undermine my professional stance and ensure I get fired rather than an apology.

Predictably, the threat of losing money works. Alf sits straighter and actually looks at me this time. ‘I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions, Daisy, I’m sorry.’

Hart’s frown deepens and Alf adds, ‘You’re doing an excellent job.’

‘She certainly is.’

I don’t need Hart’s affirmation but it helps, as a warm glow of pride spreads in my chest. Sure, I get clients thanking me after I finish a campaign but it’s usually Alf who receives the accolades because he makes out he’s the brains behind our unit.

One day we’ll be in competition for business and I can’t wait to go up against him.

‘Is there anything else you need to discuss or can I confer with my PR rep on where my campaign is at?’ Hart clasps his hands and rests them on his thighs, instantly drawing my attention to his quads and evoking a memory of how I stroked them in the early hours of the morning.

Heat flushes my face and as if sensing my thoughts he switches his potent gaze from Alf to me. I feign a cough and he smirks, knowing exactly how he affects me.

‘No, I don’t need to be here for you to meet with Daisy.’ Alf struggles to his feet, considering his ass is wedged in the chair. ‘I’ve seen what she’s come up with for your island so far and it’s very promising.’

It’s better than promising and we both know it, but I’m used to his pompous proclamations. Hart isn’t.

‘Her work is extraordinary,’ Hart says, standing next to Alf, presumably to help shove him out of the door. ‘I’m more than satisfied.’

‘Good, good,’ Alf starts to bluster again, out of his depth and intimidated but trying not to show it. ‘I’ll leave you to it.’

Neither of us speak as Alf shuffles out of the door, suitably cowed. Only when the door closes do I allow myself the luxury of touching Hart. A hand resting on his forearm that can’t be misconstrued if anyone happens to come into the conference room.

‘Thank you. No one’s ever stood up for me like that before.’

He makes a disparaging sound, half snort, half grunt. ‘I hate bullies.’

His vehemence magnifies the three little words, making them sound like an unsavoury curse.

‘Personal experience?’

The questions pops out before I can stop it and he rears back like I’ve poked him in the eye, dislodging my hand in the process.

‘I lived in the foster system for eleven years, what do you think?’

‘I think I should know better by now not to ask such personal questions but I can’t help myself.’

He eyeballs me with blatant wariness. ‘Why?’

‘Because I’m a glutton for punishment? Or maybe I’m just interested in you beyond your dick?’

If my bluntness startles him he doesn’t show it. Then again, I don’t think much would dislodge that poker face. He’s a master at it. The only time I remotely get a read on him is after we’ve had sex and even then only for an all too brief moment before he emotionally withdraws and yanks down the proverbial shutters.

He swipes a hand over his face and sinks into the chair next to me. ‘That asshole got me riled up. I shouldn’t take it out on you.’

‘Especially when I was so nice to you last night.’ I bat my eyelashes at him and he smiles as I intend.

‘You weren’t nice, you were naughty.’ He leans across to nip my ear. ‘Very naughty.’

‘That’s only because you were and I was trying to keep up.’ I drop my gaze to his lap. ‘And speaking of up…’

He groans. ‘Stop. I have to walk out of here shortly and I can’t do it sporting a boner.’

‘A massive boner,’ I add, with a grin.

‘So you’ve said.’ He shuffles in his seat. ‘You know the way to a man’s heart is to compliment the size of his cock.’

‘Hey, I’m just telling the truth.’ I hold my hands wide. ‘That’s one mighty impressive appendage you’ve got, mister.’

When he allows himself to smile, it melts away the residual tension and transforms him from handsome to gorgeous.

He hasn’t answered my personal question about being bullied but I let it drop. We’re good together when we banter like this and I’m a fool to want to delve. He’s an expert at deflecting the hard stuff, as evidenced when we played twenty questions last night.

If I learned anything in my short engagement to Casper, it’s to not push for something that isn’t there.

‘As much as I’d like to continue this scintillating conversation, I do need to work.’ I point at my laptop. ‘I’ve got a stack of online marketing sites to contact and a bunch of high-end magazines to harass for advertising space.’

I hold my hand up and start ticking off tasks on my fingers. ‘I have to give final approval to the photographer’s shots around the island. I need to ensure the new website is ready for launch by the end of the week. The podcast interviews you’ve done need to be vetted. And that’s just for starters.’

He’s staring at me like I’m some kind of magician; it’s disarming.

‘You really are determined to make me look good.’

‘Isn’t that what you’re paying me for?’ I wrinkle my nose. ‘Or paying Alf, more to the point?’

‘You need to quit and start your own business.’

I stiffen, before forcing my shoulders to relax. He makes walking away sound so easy but what he doesn’t know is my confidence is a bluff. I can wow clients with my skills but what if it’s tougher on my own? What if no one wants to take a chance on a start-up? What if I end up floundering, like I have been emotionally for the last year?

Casper really did a number on me and while I pretend I’m fine, I harbour doubts I’m not good enough in all aspects of my life. Screwing up professionally will be the last straw.

I can’t quit my job, not until my self-belief is stronger. Any time now would be great.

‘It’s not that simple.’

‘Yes, it is.’ He points to my notes on the desk. ‘You know what you’re doing. You’re smart and switched on. You should do it.’

Easy for him to sound confident when he has the Rochester millions backing him. Even if he flounders in his new role he won’t be left feeling a useless failure.

But I don’t say any of that. Instead, I point to the large window on the far side of the room, where I can see a stunning view of the resort’s lush gardens and the marina beyond. ‘Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind. In the meantime, I’m almost done with the PR on making your resort more appealing, because that out there sells itself.’

‘Great.’ He glances away and an uncomfortable silence descends.

‘What’s wrong?’

He takes another few seconds to respond. ‘Nothing. We can discuss it another time.’

Uh-oh. ‘But you’re happy with my work, right?’

‘Absolutely.’ He shoots me a tight smile. ‘It’s just an idea I had on the way over here but I’d prefer you wrap things up on the resort’s PR, then we’ll talk.’

‘Phew.’ I make an exaggerated swipe of my brow. ‘Okay, sounds good.’

‘I’ll leave you to it.’

Before he stands I touch his hand, just because I want to. ‘Things are all good with us, yeah?’

‘Yeah.’ He glances out of the window, as if ensuring we’re alone, before swooping in for a quick kiss. ‘Though you should’ve woken me this morning.’

‘Why, when I was having so much fun watching you sleep?’

I trace the back of his hand with my fingertip, over the tendons, the knuckles, his long fingers. It’s an intimate gesture and he doesn’t shy away.

‘That’s rather stalkerish,’ he says, turning his hand over so we’re palm to palm.

‘Then consider me your stalker for the brief time I have left on the island.’ I make a scary woo-woo sound. ‘You have been warned.’

He cracks a grin but his heart’s not in it. Something is wrong but before I can grill him further he gives my hand a squeeze and stands.

‘I’ll see you later.’

‘You can count on it…’ but my response fades because he’s already at the door like he can’t get away from me fast enough.

After last night I know we’re okay. We’re going to have fun after hours for however much longer I’m here, a few days max. That’s what happens when I do too good a job, it wraps up earlier than expected.

But Hart is hiding many secrets and I need to accept that I’m not the woman he’ll divulge them to.