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I blinked a few times, outwardly showing none of my thoughts. Instead, I took a single step closer and held my arm out to her. “Can I escort you to dinner?”
She nodded and shyly put her arm through mine. Her blushes and the way she glanced down and made her eyelashes more obvious in the bright light created even more of a reaction. Some of my past relationships had involved a dominant and submissive dynamic, and I couldn’t help but look at her and think she would make the perfect submissive for the right dom.
We’re not here for that, I reminded myself, but I got the impression, as I glanced over at her again and felt the weight of her hand on my arm, that I wouldn’t be listening to myself one single bit.
CHAPTER SEVEN
We made our way down to dinner, and Juno spotted us almost immediately. She stopped in her tracks, having been coming our way, and instead backed up to let us through the doorway to the outside terrace. The seating out there had been upgraded since the last time I had been on the island, and there was a lot more room for a group this side.
There were also heat lamps that would allow us to be out there until long after dark.
“Sit wherever you would both like,” Juno said as we got closer to her. There was a slight smirk on her face, and I stiffened a little. Once again, I had forgotten that I didn’t want to draw attention to myself or any interest in a relationship.
“Thank you,” I replied. “I wanted to help Kit to a seat. She looks like those heels could be a nightmare on those steps down from the main floor, and I wouldn’t be a gentleman if I let anything happen to any of you lovely ladies.”
Kit glanced up at me, a hint of confusion on her face, and it stabbed right into me, knowing I had put it there.
I exhaled and kept looking away, trying to decide if I should sit with her or not.
“Lukas, over here,” Sarai said, Richard getting up and pointing to the only spare seat at their table. I frowned, knowing it was an easy way out but not wanting to be that rude to Kit.
“Can we make room for your friend?” Sarai asked, having the sense to notice that I wasn’t alone, at least.
“Oh, it’s okay. I can sit with Juno tonight. Thank you for escorting me down.” Kit looked at me again with her eyes even more lit up by the lamps and fairy lights hanging everywhere.
I didn’t let go of her even as she gently tried to pull her arm away. She lifted an eyebrow but didn’t fight me, letting me pin her arm against my side for a second or two longer. As I looked down at her, I had to fight the urge to kiss her again.
“I insist that you sit with me at breakfast tomorrow,” I said, my voice quiet enough that only she would hear. “I would have your company then if I cannot have it now.”
“You insist?” she responded, her eyes somehow growing even wider and more beautiful as she did. She looked like a deer trapped in headlights, and her mouth opened slightly.
“Yes. Can you handle that?”
She nodded, seemingly unable to speak. I found myself smirking, heat flushing through me as I considered how quickly she had agreed to do as she was told. Feeling a heady mix of arousal and knowing I needed some distance between us so no one else would notice, I finally let go of her and hurried away to the table I had been invited to join.
When I finally dared to look her way again, she was already sitting on one side of Juno, Alma on the other side of her, and deep in conversation with the two of them.
Despite Richard talking to me for much of the dinner and it becoming clear we could all do business together, my mind wasn’t fully on the subject whenever there was a lull or someone else asked us a question. More food was brought out, and thewaiters came around frequently with wine and any other drinks we wanted.
Every time something drew attention away from me, I looked over at Kit. A few times, I caught her looking back, and she would look away, flushed and not sure what to do. But most of the time, I could simply drink her in and enjoy the view.
Jack, Juno, Alma, and Kai made sure she was looked after, but it was clear she was the gentle, passive type. She had opinions, that much was clear from hearing her talk about her work, but she was never going to argue with someone or talk them down.
“Admiring a pretty face?” Richard asked when my attention was on her a little longer than previously.
I smiled and looked down, mentally kicking myself for being so obvious.
“There are a lot of pretty faces here. I can admire from a distance and appreciate that I have good company before I go back to normal life.” I tried to throw off the comment, but it reminded me that people were watching, and I had to be careful. So many people wanted to be in my circle or have me in theirs because it benefitted them, and even if she seemed submissive, she could still be dangerous.
I didn’t need to complicate my life right now. It was enough to keep my work clean and away from those who would use my success to further theirs. I wasn’t doing anything or getting involved with anyone if it didn’t also benefit me, and no matter how attractive I found Kit, she moved in different circles.
No matter how much she might be interesting and a possible new submissive, she was still a woman who had no reason to be in my world outside of this wedding. I had to remember that.
Once again, I focused on Richard and his wife, starting to ask the business questions that usually put people off working withme. I had plenty of requests for my expertise, but I wanted to know if they could afford it or if it would be worth my while.
“Well, we don’t have a huge amount to pay you upfront,” Richard began, and immediately, I knew this could go the wrong way. If my work would be just a favor to someone, I wasn’t interested. “But we’ve got some cash projections based on our previous themed areas, and we’d like to offer you a percentage share of the revenue going forward. We know what you’re worth and what you can bring to the table, and I think this can be worth it for all of us.”
I looked over at Sarai, and despite Richard saying this to me, I got the impression she was the one behind it. She had realized what was needed, and Richard was just the mouthpiece. The understanding made me frown. I knew it was common in business for women to have men alongside them to ease these sorts of business deals and buy them respect, but I wasn’t the kind of guy to look at a woman and try and take advantage or see her as less competent.
