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His gaze shifts pointedly to the door in an invitation for me to leave.
I ignore him. “I’ve tried that, obviously. Camila and Lara have given me loads of advice and still ... I’ve come up short with Blaze.”
He remains unconvinced. “So why come to me?” he asks skeptically.
I know he trusts me as far as he can throw me. Which, strangely enough, might be pretty far, given the toned physique I can make out under his suit and tie. I saw him nearly naked on that beach two months ago. I know what lies beneath his prim and proper exterior. Maybe my theory about his suits holding all his power is wrong after all.
I clear my throat and refocus.
“Whynotcome to you? You’re incapable of lying to me, Cole. In some people, honesty is a virtue, but for you it’s just a weakness,” I taunt, leveling a mind reader’s gaze in his direction. “So tell me, where am I lacking?”
At first, he holds out. Long seconds pass as we endure a silent standoff.
Then, he props his elbow on his desk and crosses one of his ankles over the other, getting comfortable in his assessment of me. His throat constricts with a swallow as he gives me a drawn-out once-over. His perusal is so unnecessarily long it makes me want to squirm, especially as his gaze trails down my bare legs. When his brown eyes clash with mine again, they narrow shrewdly.
“Well, for starters, I think you’re barking up the wrong tree. Blaze has the IQ of a gnat.”
I bristle at his cruel tone.
“Well, he’s who I want,” I insist with a harsh finality. “And I’d be careful,Mr. Money Man. Disparaging the guy who brings in all that alcohol revenue for the resort isn’t so wise.”
He gives up leaning on his desk and instead tilts closer to me. The air shifts.
His breath is minty fresh, and I’m staring intently at his mouth as he begins. “Okay, you want Blaze? Here’s what you’re going to want to do.”
I immediately wish I had a pen and paper to jot this down. He looks like he’s about to dole out some seriously good advice.
“You’ll need to buy a clicker.” He air-clicks his thumb and makes a light popping sound effect with his tongue. “You can find one on Amazon. Oh, and grab a bag of M&M’s—y’know, something small so he won’t choke if he forgets to chew. Every time he displays some good behavior, like paying you any meaningful attention, you’ll click the clicker and treat him. You’ll have him eating out of your hand in no time.”
I’m already giving him aYou’re not funnyglare, my eyes narrowed into slits, but he continues, unperturbed. “Now, if he jumps up and starts pawing at you, you can try the choke chain. But remember, some guys aren’t into that.”
I’m already walking out of his office at this point, wishing I hadn’t bothered in the first place.
“Have you tried one of those whistles?” he calls after me.
Cole, I decide, will be no help at all.
Chapter Ten
PAIGE
Sometimes you have to go after what you want. Love isn’t going to just fall into your lap. I think whoever coined the phrase “Good things come to those who wait” probably just didn’t want to have to pause Netflix and get up off their couch. Genius, when you think about it.
I don’t have that luxury. It’s time to make a move with Blaze once and for all.
I seek him out at work. The grotto isn’t that busy since it’s only 2:00 p.m.
He’s behind the bar, slicing lime wedges and dropping them into a plastic container while he sways to the beat of the pop music playing over the speakers.
“Blaze!Just the man I was looking for!” I drum my pointer fingers on the counter.
He looks up, startled. “Uh ...” Worry lines his forehead as he searches behind me. His eyes flit back up the path in both directions, like he’s expecting someone else to appear. Cole, perhaps?
“It’s just me,” I say with a light laugh.
His demeanor visibly relaxes.
I made sure to wear my name tag today. It’s pinned on my shirt, visible to anyone within a twenty-foot radius. Still, I straighten my spine and jut out my chest to make sure he sees it.Paige.Yes, that’s my name. The effect my posture has on my breasts is a plus as well.
