Page 84

The moment I saw Cari coming down the stairs in that dress, I knew this evening was going to be tough.
My heart lurched at the sight of her. The black fabric made such a contrast with her golden-red hair, she was a striking vision to behold.
It was soher. No flimsy fabric. No slit. No plunging cleavage. And yet I want her in this as much as I wanted her in that red dress.
I shouldn’t have come here. I wouldn’t have. Bryce and I have bad history, a business deal that went sour when he turned on me and took more money than we’d agreed on.
I detest people like him. I like honest people, and Bryce is anything but honest. I have ulterior motives for coming here, and now I’m paying the price having to converse with people I don’t even regard as my friends. I get to spend more time with Brooke, and she loves the ponies. She wouldn’t stop talking about them last year. Anna brought her, because I was working on a big business deal during that visit.
But it’s not just because of Brooke’s love for ponies. I wanted to disrupt Cari’s evening with Jacques. My blood boils at the thought of her seeing him again.
“Jett, old boy. I didn't expect you to show up.” Bryce slaps me on my shoulder, and we shake hands warily.
“You asked me to come,” I reply, casually, before sliding my hands into my pockets.
“So I did. I’m delighted to see you. And who is this delightful creature?” he asks, eyeing Cari like a predator. If she senses him being slimy, she doesn’t show it and instead gives him a smile he doesn’t deserve. I feel a muscle pop along my jaw. Before I can answer, Cari does.
“I'm taking care of Brooke.” She can probably see right through him, and tells me she’s taking Brooke to see the ponies, then quickly makes her escape. I chuckle to myself. She’s always been a good judge of character.
“I don’t remember her from last year,” Bryce comments.
“That’s because my nanny quit. Cari’s helping out. She’s my assistant.”
“Yourassistant?” Bryce winks at me. “She must be super fucking talented if she’s an assistantanda nanny. And she’s a hottie.” Bryce gazes at Cari and Brooke in the distance. Pretty soon they’ll be out of his line of sight. And mine. She looks gorgeous in that dress which contrasts so magnificently with her hair. I’ve never looked at her as intensely as I have here in Bermuda. In New York, I have ways and means of avoiding her, but sadly none of them apply here. And now not only is she wearing a dress and looking so damn fine, she’s also not wearing any panties. My cock hardens some more. At this rate I won’t be able to contain myself any longer.
I love how Cari is with Brooke. She genuinely cares and wants the best for her. She could so easily be a nanny, and a PA, and anything else she set her mind to. That girl is just fucking amazing all around. I’m lucky to have her.
“Does it bother you?” Bryce pulls me back into the conversation.
“Does what bother me?” I ask, bracing myself
“Brooke. She’s grown so much and she looks so much like Sophia.”
The bastard. Trust him to bring up my wife.
“Why would it bother me?” I look away, hoping this fucker gets the message that I don't want to talk about this.
“Because, you know—”
I don’t know and I don’t care to find out. “Excuse me.” I need to get away from this prick. “I should check in on them.” I pat him on the shoulder, but he grabs my arm.
“Your daughter? Or the PA?” He winks at me again. He knows. I need to be careful.
There's something happening between me and Cari. Something weird and wonderful. Something that can get me in trouble. I should hold back. Ishould. But I don’t think I can.
I shake him off and walk away, swiping my hand through my hair as I head for the stables. What the fuck am I walking into?
I turn the corner to see Cari taking photos of Brooke and it makes me happy. I always forget to do that. My eyes linger on Cari longer than they should. I take in her curves, her slim waist, and remember how she looked in that red dress. I groan, and when my gaze dips lower, below her waist, I suck in a breath at the thought of her being naked underneath.
I’d rather be in the bar at home with her than here. I’d rather be talking to her than these people. Even though she’s giving me the silent treatment right now, I deserve it.
I led her to believe that I had feelings for her, and then I told her to leave.
I would hate me too if I were in her shoes.
CARI
I keep snapping pictures of Brooke to add to the many I've taken on this trip. It was something my mom always did, even though we never really went on vacations. Just the one.