Eat Your Heart Out: Virgin Cove Trillionaires (Single Brothers Book 4) Page 3

  The tailor left. Roxanne Norouzi then wrapped her arms around me and hugged me. “You’re our guest. Don’t worry about a thing.”

  My own mother hadn’t been a hugger. Mrs. Norouzi let me go and invited me to breakfast on the garden terrace.

  A few of Gerard’s brothers- and sisters-in-law milled around, but coffee and smelling the sweet air was nice. The air in my old apartment had been stifling, but then, it might have been my life.

  After we finished, I headed out to the beach for a walk on my own. My temporary situation calmed me. In the distance, I saw yachts, and one caught my eye. It had no guns, but it reminded me of a destroyer from the battleship game. I walked onto the dock to get a closer look. Others were white and all looked fancy.

  I wondered which one was Gerard’s, but then he stepped out on the deck of the beautified board ship and called down to me. “You’re up. Want a tour of the ship?”

  “Sounds practical,” I said as he lowered a ramp and raced down.

  Then he motioned for me to head up. My hips swayed a little more as I walked toward him. Then he had me go first.

  “Your mom is super nice.”

  “Maman? You saw her?”

  I stopped on the top deck. In my mind, for a second, I saw high waves and maybe a gun deck, though in truth, none of that existed. He had a green grassy area and some boxes on the sides.

  “We had breakfast together, and she had me measured.”

  He nodded. “Ah, tonight is formal, and tomorrow morning, we shove off.”

  I backed up to the grassy area and glanced at the decks above. It was a personal cruise ship, though I only said, “This is much bigger than I pictured.”

  “The salesman said I could have a hundred people stay over. I wanted something bigger and capable of being used in all weather.”

  I supposed if he had the money to spend, then it was about having the biggest boat in the bay. I motioned behind me. “I totally understand. You have a golf course.”

  He waved it off but then pointed to the boxes. “That’s standard. The jet skis are locked in here, but the tour begins inside.”

  Right. I followed in a daze as I wondered what his life might be like. I gazed up at the huge tri-floor ceiling and the chandelier. “This is amazing.”

  He waved for me to see the other rooms. “It’s the grand room, where the guests would be if I did have a party. For the trip, though, I liked the idea of a big room with places to sit.”

  I poked my head in the back room overlooking the ocean. “And a dining room. Is this where I bring the dinner?”

  “Yes.” He choked out the word, or at least, that was how it seemed.

  My skin prickled as worry filled me that he’d changed his mind.

  Then he showed me the library. “The entire ship is wired, so we can talk to each other even in another room.”

  I saw no button, so I assumed it was voice activated. I scanned the walls but saw no camera. “That’s cool. I’ll be ready to receive orders, then.”

  He blushed. “Right.”

  My skin was alive, as I wasn’t sure what he was hiding.

  He then directed me to a stairwell. “Downstairs is interesting.”

  I hugged myself, realizing all my questions came from being unable to trust him. I bounced on the steps as I asked, “Are you showing me the bedrooms on your warship version of a yacht now?”

  He ignored a few floors entirely, and we headed to the bottom, which was designed like a living area. He motioned me to the small glass window at the bottom and the school of fish underneath. My heart raced. In movies, people died at sea. Storms threw ships upside down. I swallowed and backed away.

  He took a seat. “It’s designed to endure the high seas. And no, I was showing you this.”

  I uncrossed my arms, as we weren’t sinking or taking on water, but my voice was high as I asked, “Won’t a glass bottom break if we’re in a storm?”

  He pressed a button, engaging a quiet engine as the viewing window disappeared. “We close it and only open it when it’s safe. It’s plexiglass. This ship is made to withstand all climates and weather.”

  My heart slowed down as I gazed at him. He was nice, and we would be on an adventure soon. “Well, it’s gorgeous. And I need to thank you for this offer. I haven’t caught a break in a while. I’ll be less rude from now on.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” he said.

  For a second, my lips tingled like he’d kissed me.

  Then his phone rang, breaking the moment.

  He stood. “I have to take this call. Wait for me, and we’ll walk back together.”

  I nodded. Staying sounded easy, but my skin tingled. He started talking, and I decided to explore the ship. If I knew the layout, hopefully, I would be less intimidated.

  I went up a deck and found some bedrooms. I checked out the bathroom, which was small, but the view was nice. Maybe I would get a window in my room and wake up every day looking at the blue ocean. I leaned against the window and closed my eyes.

  In another life, one where things had gone differently and I hadn’t ended up with my scars, maybe I would deserve to be there. I fell on the bed and replayed the worst moments of my life. We had gone headfirst into the other car. My mother had thrown herself on top of me. I’d screamed.

  The door opened, and I jumped off the bed. I hadn’t meant to lie down or be caught looking like I was sleeping. Until then, I had always been a good worker who avoided doing anything wrong. I didn’t know why I’d been possessed to ignore a simple order.

  Gerard tapped the wall. “Well, let’s head back.”

  “Let’s race back,” I said quickly, like we were more than what we were.

  My heart pounded as I flew past him, mostly because I needed to escape. My life was no fairy tale. And as soon as I understood exactly what I was supposed to master to get the job done, I would be happier. The less I thought about my life and my mistakes, the more I could breathe.

  5

  Ali

  At the end of the dock, I caught my breath. He shouldn’t have seen me slacking. I lowered my body and curled into a ball for a second. No one except him and his family had ever seen the real me. I winced as I recognized my mistake. I’d let myself get comfortable. I gulped, then Gerard joined me.

  He squatted and pressed his arms to his knees. “Why did you run?”

  My heart pounded in my chest. I tightened my arms around my waist. “I’m not good at being by myself.” The truth of that sentence rocked through me. I’d never said it out loud or even though it, but that was why I’d stayed with John so fucking long. I had left myself vulnerable to the point of being physically disposed of.

  Tears welled in my eyes. I wasn’t the one my mother should have saved in the car.

  “Well, I should have knocked on the door when I realized you were inside,” Gerard said.

  “It’s okay.” I stood, and so did he.

  Then he placed his hand on his heart. “No, it’s rude. I’m not used to having a woman in my inner circle, and soon, we’ll be on the ship together, all the time. I’ll learn manners.”

  My heart swelled. It was me who hadn’t followed orders, so he had no reason to be so nice about it. My lips curved higher. “You’re funny, and you might turn out to be one of the good guys.”

  We turned to walk together as he said, “I’m glad you think so.”

  I glanced up at the house and the door. Inside, he had everything I’d ever wanted, and it wasn’t physical. It was a mom, dad, siblings, and their wives, all a support system. I had no idea why he would leave that for a year.

  “Well, your mom is sweet. Your family loves you. And I know I was rude about it last night, but figuring out who you are and what you like and want is really a good thing. It’s something they don’t teach in school.”

  He reached for the door and opened it for me. “You don’t have to keep apologizing.”

  I passed him, and my skin felt like butterflies were tickling it. “Technically, I didn’t, but I am sorry.”

  He closed the door behind him and headed to the stairs. “As it’s your last day in town, is there anything you want to do?”

  My eyes widened, and I pressed my hands to my heart. “Me?”

  He tilted his head and stared at me like he wasn’t sure why I’d asked. But then again, I read people wrong all the damn time. I lowered my head as he said, “Yeah.”

  A thought rushed through me. I was leaving Virgin Cove on a high note, not walking alone on the side of a highway. I met his gaze and pointed behind us. “Can we go get a burger at the Burger Shack?”

  He circled back to me. “Absolutely. Is there a reason?”

  A huge grin grew on my face as I stared at him. “It’s the best burger in town and pretty much the only thing I’ll miss here.”

  His eyes brightened at the thought. “Then I better try one. Am I dressed okay, or should I change?”

  Shorts, a T-shirt, and beach shoes were common there, though his muscular physique had me wondering if he ate food like me. I shrugged. “You’re fine. I’m still in shock. You’ve really never had a burger there?”

  He opened the door again as we headed out. “No, my skin usually burns when I hear the word ‘shack.’”

  I snickered and shook my head. “So you’re a snob?”

  He rubbed the back of his head. “Yeah, I am. Especially about food.“

  I waved for him to step out into the beautiful, sunny day. “That’s interesting. You won’t be disappointed.”

  He directed me to the waiting driver.

  I stiffened. We would stick out there fast. “We’re not going in a limo.”

  He waved to the lot behind the driver. “The Porsche?”

  I scanned the lot. Porsches, Mercedes, Ast
on Martins, and not one Chevy or Toyota in view. I let out a breath when I saw the rack of bikes and walked toward them. “Let’s just take the bicycles, as you clearly keep in shape.”

  “Sounds fun. Let’s do it.” He showed me a small path off the property and swiped his card to get through the gate.

  Soon enough, we were on the beach boardwalk.

  Most of the people sitting around were tourists or day-trippers enjoying the sun. Luckily, there were no clouds in sight. The waves were coming in, and people were having a good time enjoying the gorgeous day at the ocean.

  I guided him a good fifteen or twenty minutes to the shack near the pier then shouted, “This is it!”

  He gazed at it. “They need a better roof.”

  We pedaled our way to the door as I said, “They need money for that, but that doesn’t affect the taste.”

  Then we left the bikes on the rack, and I bounced as I directed him in.

  “Come, we’ll sit near the beach.”

  He walked with me and gazed at the menu above the entry, where we’d give our orders. I wondered if he’d ever had fast food at all. His sexy body might never have tasted the delicious poison the rest of us loved. It tasted better than anything I could whip up on my own.

  I ordered a burger, and he paid. I sighed. Once he paid me my salary, I would return the favor.

  Then we found seats outside.

  The sound of children laughing at a birthday party inside meant the patio was preferable. We sat, and I gazed at Gerard. His square jaw and high cheekbones gave him a regal look, but then, it might be the fact that his T-shirt was probably designer. Soon, I would get used to him as my boss.

  I settled back in my chair. Life was good.

  Then my skin grew goosebumps. I wasn’t sure why a cloud covered me until I heard John’s voice. “Ali?” Nausea rocketed through me.

  Gerard sat straighter.

  I motioned toward Gerard as I said, “John, this is my new boss.”

  Gerard scooted my chair closer to him, like he would protect me. “You’re the ex.”

  John gazed at me and avoided Gerard’s eyes. “Look, yesterday, I was high. I was hoping to find you and apologize.”

  I closed my eyes, wishing he would disappear. Never seeing him again was the best outcome. I shook my head. “Well, you have, and you did. Bye now.”

  John lifted a hand. “Wait—”

  The buzzer announcing our food went off, and Gerard stood, not giving John another chance to speak. “John, I suggest you do as the lady said. It’s time for you to go.”

  John backed up, slowly, as if realizing he’d poked a bear. “I’ll talk to you later, Ali.”

  Or never. I was done in Virgin Cove for good. I’d not touched John in over a year, so on some level, I’d known he wasn’t the one for me.

  Gerard sat back down with trays containing our order.

  My face was hot as I said, “Sorry about that.”

  He nodded. “He shouldn’t bother you.”

  I reached out and took his hand in mine. My skin had instant sparks. Holding him wasn’t wise, but I needed him to believe me. I fought the feeling. My past didn’t need to ruin the future. I met his gaze. “Look, he… doesn’t matter. I don’t do drugs. I will work hard for you, and I promise you’ll like me.”

  He whispered like it was a secret, “I already do like you.”

  Awareness zipped through my veins. I ached to kiss him. It was crazy. Maybe it was the lack of touch I’d experienced over the past year, but I broke the spell.

  We both picked up our burgers to take the first bite. Then I watched him, sucking on my bottom lip, as he tasted his food. He let out a sigh, and I hoped it was in contentment.

  “So, how’s the burger?” I asked.

  He smiled. “Better than I thought it would be. Do they need more customers to earn the money for the roof?”

  My skin prickled. Not everyone took generosity from strangers like me taking a job without an application, sweat, and tears. If he sent money, the owners might be upset. Heat rushed through me. “Yeah.”

  He nodded. “I’ll help.”

  I pushed my hair behind my ears and wished I were comfortable. “They’re not likely looking for a handout.”

  He shrugged. “That’s not what I’m offering. I write a food blog.”

  Interesting. We both ate in silence. Gerard was serious about food.

  I’d been vulnerable with him since we met, and he’d never taken advantage of me. Since that first moment, and even that morning in the ship, he had been sweet. I’d forgotten people might be straight-up nice, but my heart whispered there was more to it. “I never would have guessed that. But then again, I’m sure you only eat at five-star restaurants.”

  He finished his burger and wiped his lips. “I will go down to three.”

  I finished my plate as well, cleaned up, and sat back. “Sometimes, I wish food bloggers focused on small, local dives with delicious meals, like this one.”

  He folded his hands on the table. “Can you write pretty clean?”

  I narrowed my gaze and mimicked his body language. “Writing can be dirty?”

  His lips quirked up. “I mean, how are your basic writing skills?”

  The forgotten art I’d enjoyed. I lowered my lashes, as bragging wasn’t good. “I used to get As in high school. It was pretty easy to fake that I knew stuff on essays.”

  He nodded. “Well, let’s set up an account for you on our world tour. You can write about all the places you eat, and you’ll be my guest blogger.”

  Blog? About food? It would be something to do at sea. “Sounds interesting.”

  He sat back and gazed at me. “If people like your writing, then sponsors might send you stuff.”

  Considering I had nothing, anything extra might be nice. I finished my soda. “Now, that’s pretty cool.”

  The sun hung lower in the sky, and the air was slightly cooler. The day must have flown.

  Gerard finished his fries. “We should head back and get ready for the party.”

  Hopefully, I fit into whatever the tailor altered for me. I stood. “Lead the way, boss.”

  As we returned to the bicycles, he said, “Just call me Gerard.”

  I already did in my head. I sighed and picked up my bike. “Okay, Gerard.”

  A nice, leisurely return trip was the perfect end to a day of getting to know the man who was clearly going to star in my dreams. He was a rare man, and his self-control was fucking sexy.

  6

  Gerard

  On the trek back, my eyes strayed to her ass on the bicycle. It had me wondering what she would be like in bed, riding me. I winced at the inappropriate thought and refused to follow through on the image.

  We made it home, and I let her go ahead to get ready for the party, feeling slightly stiffer than I normally did. Honestly, I’d not felt so turned on since high school, so I hoped a cold shower helped.

  As I dressed for the party, night was falling, and guests were already arriving. I was sure Cyrus and Rachel were down and greeting people, so I hurried to be a good brother and help out if they needed.

  I noticed Arman and Maddie, Joel and Kendal, and Warren and Kerry were all in different corners of the ballroom, but the smiles and laughter from each couple were obvious. Elon, Kir, Charles, Jeff, Roman, Xerxes, and Adrien were also helping out, but they somehow felt lonelier. I glanced at my parents, who hugged each other after a small argument, and my heart wondered if they made it through everything because they had each other.

  My gaze went to the top of the stairs, and for a second, when Ali appeared, I couldn’t breathe. I left the couple I was ensuring had what they wanted and waited for her. As she joined me on the bottom step in her deep-purple dress, adrenaline rushed through me.

  I lifted my chin. “You look amazing.”

  She tugged at the waist. “Your mom picked this out for me. I feel prettier than I did at junior prom.”

  We walked through the party together so she could get whatever she wanted, but my chest puffed more as I said, “I bet you were gorgeous that night.”

  She ignored the food and hugged my arm. “You’re sweet.”

  My skin buzzed with awareness. She was clearly pained by her past, and I wanted to make her laugh and trust. Having her work as a waitress was going to create a distance I didn’t want, but I wasn’t sure what to do, as I wanted her to come with me. I wasn’t sure she would cope with whatever she’d experienced when we were all alone, but that question was for later.