AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Because I’ll get this inn and prove to you I’m the one you should pick to run the company. Because I can’t be overlooked as your second choice—again.
“This plot of land is too good to pass on. You know the money we could make with a prime piece of real estate like this. It’s worth giving it a shot. And once I do this, you’re going to see I’m the right fit for CEO,” Atlas said, his stomach twisting into knots.
“Did you hear Christina is pregnant?” His mother didn’t even bother to acknowledge his response.
He walked over to the window, staring out at the beach. “Yeah. I heard.”
“Your brother is married, and now we have a grandchild on the way. I think it’s about time you settled down too.”
Here we go again.He gritted his teeth as she went on.
“When you come back, we should have dinner with Veronica and her parents. Maybe talk about an engagement party.”
Right. The other reason closing this deal was so important: Veronica.“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
She clicked her tongue. “Nonsense.”
“There has to actually be an engagement first,” he argued.
“We all need to eat dinner. It’s been ages since I’ve seen Bill and Kathy.”
He sighed. If he landed this deal, it would soften the blow when he told his parents he wouldn’t be marrying the woman they’d chosen for him when he was in diapers—political family connections or not.
“Atlas? You there?” his mother asked impatiently.
“Yes, Mother. I’m here. I don’t know exactly when I’ll be back. Depends how soon I can close this deal. Then we can talk about Veronica.” And how it will never happen.
“Alright. Well, I have to run. Your father and I are meeting for lunch at the club,” she said.
“Okay. Bye.”
“Ciao.”
He shook his head and tossed his phone onto the bed. He threaded his fingers through his hair and groaned in frustration. He just needed to get Ms. Evans to sell him the inn and then all his problems would be solved. He’d prove he was as good as his brother, and his parents and all their expectations would get off his back.
“You can do this. Just got to stay focused and find her weakness. Find out what she wants and give it to her.” Everyone had a price; Atlas just had to find Ms. Evans’s.
Atlas walked into the bathroom and checked his reflection in the mirror. He smoothed over his dark hair. He unbuttoned the top of his shirt. He’d need all the tools in his gear belt to accomplish his goal, and harnessing his sex appeal wasn’t beneath him. Not when his entire future was riding on this deal.
He left his room, tucking the key in his pocket. Who even uses actual keys anymore?
Right across from his door was another marked “Private.” He turned left and glanced down the hall towards three more doors, each marked with a sign like the one on his, only they read “Sea Breeze suite,” “Starfish suite,” and the “Anchor suite.” Cute.
Atlas continued his self-guided tour down the white and grey wooden staircase that matched the rest of the inn. A large common area was to his left with a simple grey L-shaped couch and a couple of matching over-stuffed chairs. Turquoise accent pillows were spaced along the sofa. Several ocean-themed knickknacks decorated the shelves. A rope net lay over the coffee table. The style seemed to be minimalist farmhouse with a nautical twist. The inn had character. It would be a shame to see it demolished.
What? He stopped in his tracks.Since when did he care about a property being knocked down to build something grander? Something more commercial?
Shaking his head to rid it of the thoughts, he walked into the lobby where he’d checked in. He searched the C-shaped desk, finding the card stock sign front and center with Jasmine’s contact information. Where is she?
He turned down another hall, focusing on the painting of the stormy sea that had caught his attention when he’d arrived. Dark, dangerous waves rose taller than the ship alone in the chaotic expanse. A tiny light shone in the distance—a lighthouse. The splash of lightning lit the grey-black clouds, showing the peril the vessel was in. It seemed depressing; the ship would surely sink with everything against it. The tiny lighthouse of hope seemed sent to tease the sailor in danger. But something about the painting was hauntingly beautiful.
He forced himself to look away and walk down the hall into a giant dining room with high-vaulted ceilings. One end was a large kitchen with mostly updated appliances. Past that was a screen door with a view of the ocean. He stepped towards it, some invisible force drawing him out there.
Atlas pushed it open with a creak and exiting the back porch before it shut behind him. He glanced at his feet. He’d forgotten to put his shoes back on. He bent and removed his socks, sticking them in his pocket and then continued over the steps to the warm sand. He searched the beach. A flick of black hair past the beach grass caught his attention. His legs moved of their own accord along the sand path. The floral scent of the pink and white flowers was intoxicatingly sweet in the warm breeze.
Jasmine’s arms reached towards the sun before she folded herself in half, fingers drifting to her toes on the purple yoga mat. His cock twitched. The tight leggings she wore showed off her very fine ass. Down, boy. This is just business. She hooked her arms behind her knees, slowly rising again. Jasmine stretched her hands out to the sides before bringing her palms upwards to face the sun. Drawing her prayer hands to her chest, she bowed her head.
“Namaste,” he said.
