Page 32 of The Tycoon
My entire body stiffens; all the arrogance falls from my face. I was really counting on the amazing Kitty Douglas to sweetly talk her way out of my failure, but I suppose that would have been too easy. Karma has to nick me in the artery every now and then to keep things balanced.
“How close are we to losing thiscontract,Mama?” I ask.
She lets out an exaggerated sigh before standing to full height.
“We only have until this weekend to make good on our end of the deal.”
A wave of unusual anxiety flows over me from head to toe. I suppose my plans of whisking Dolly away to Tuscany are now sufficiently snuffed. I’ll have to reschedule it for after the meeting with the board of directors at the end of next month. Murphy might be one of my family’s most loyal supporters, but I would love to throat punch him right this very second.
Keeping my covered gaze on my Mama, I attempt to loosen my rigid body language. As much as it angers me, I do need to get this sorted out as soon as possible.
“Sweetie really likes you, Princess,” I say, my voice tight despite my efforts. “I have some puppy treats for her in the kitchen. Why don’t you take her back up and give her some so I can sort things out. We won’t be long, I promise.”
Nodding her head, Dolly shrugs her shoulders. Sheprobably has no interest in dog sitting the demon, but I think she can tell by the change in my demeanor that she doesn’t have much of a choice.
“Yeah, of course,” she replies, quickly moving to the stairs of the hot tub and climbing out.
Grabbing her towel from the concrete floor, she quickly dries off her curvy body. I watch her from the corners of my eyes, admiring the way her bottoms are just a hair’s breadth from slipping off her hips. She must feel my gaze, for she quickly reties the bow and wraps the terry cloth around her torso. Much to my chagrin.
Turning her attention from me to Dolly, Mama brings Sweetie in for a kiss.
“You be a good girl for Dolly, yes? Be a good girl? Aww, I know you will! I know you will!”
Curling my lips in semi-disgust, I watch horrified as Sweetie licks my Mama’s lips.I will never understand how people allow their dogs to lick their faces, especially their mouths. It makes me want to dry heave.
“Come on, Sweetie! Let’s go find you some treats!” Dolly says, her voice hitting an octave that I have yet to hear.
Carefully taking the dog from Mama, she holds the pup like it's the most precious thing in the world. To my shock, the devil dog doesn’t put up any sort of a fight. Not even giving Mama the courtesy of another look, Sweetie allows her to takeher away.
“We won’t be long, you remember the code right, Princess?” I ask.
Turning her head, Dolly gives me a quick nod.
“I do, Sir. Take your time,” she replies before smiling at Mama. “I’ll take really good care of Sweetie, I promise.”
“Oh, I know you will, darlin’! We’ll be up in a few!” Mama replies.
Watching her as she walks away, I unabashedly have my fill of the sway of her hips. Whatever my Mama has to say better be quick, I need to make up for our lost time in the hot tub.
“Sutton Andew Douglas!”Mama hisses.
There’s my full name, again. I barely have time to look at my Mama before she bends down and begins whacking on my bicep.
“Hey, hey, hey! What, Mama? Damn!”
Giving me another slap for good measure, she pushes out an annoyed huff.
“That girl is covered inhickeys,Sutton! My God! Have you no shame?” she growls.
Holding in a laugh, I purposefully paste a look of faux remorse on my face.
“Don’t worry, Mama, I’m going to marry that girl. But if it makes you feel better, I’ll make sure she’s covered up from now on until they heal. She’s a good girl, it was all me. I just got a littlecarried away. I’m sorry.”
Her frown deepens, I know she isn’t happy with my actions one bit.
“I know she’s a good girl, Sweetie wouldn’t have let her take her away so easily if she wasn’t. Just be careful from now on, ok? Speaking of…please tell me you’ve been using protection? Lord, I really don’t want to plan a shotgun wedding. I mean I will, but Sutton, I swear, that girl is too pretty to wear a maternity wedding dress!” she squeaks.
I can’t help but chuckle at her plight. I knew she would love Dolly, but I’m sure she wouldn’t bethisover-the-moon with her if it wasn’t for her damn dog. I guess I’ll have to make sure Sweetie gets a really good birthday present this year.