Mr. Big Shot: An Enemies To Lovers Romance (Kinda Cocky Book 1), стр. 36

“What time is it?”

“Seven-thirty, ma’am,” he said, glancing down at this watch.

I nodded slowly. “Great. Thank you. I appreciate that, and I’ll keep it in mind.”

I watched as the man bowed out kindly from my room, then I turned back to the flowers. I smiled as I cupped them softly, some of the petals as big as my palm. They really grew them big there, and I loved that. I loved everything about the place, in fact. From the sights to the sounds to the smells and the tastes.

“Maybe one day when I can afford to retire,” I whispered to myself.

Dipping my nose in to smell the flowers, I drew in their sweet and creamy scent. I wasn’t sure how a smell could be creamy, but it reminded me of the feeling I got whenever I watched creamer swirl around in my coffee. I smiled as my eyes fell closed and reached for a sliver of coconut and tossed it into my mouth, marveling at how it melted against my tongue.

Then, my stomach began to growl.

“I know, I know. Let’s go get some breakfast,” I murmured.

I decided to clean myself up for the day. A quick shower, a cute business-casual outfit, and a purse full of my things. Then, I slung my laptop bag over my shoulder and gave myself a once-over in the mirror. I needed to be business casual for the rest of this trip. I didn’t need to be wearing anything that might distract Zane from our purpose here.

Especially after the night before.

Not that it wasn’t any good. I just didn't know where we stood. He looked almost regretful of the situation after I happily mentioned taking a shower together. No matter, though, it was a new day, and the last thing I needed was to be taking shit like that personally.

We were there for work, and we needed to keep it that way.

My heart had other plans, however. The second I walked into the dining hall to get some breakfast, I found Zane sitting in a trimmed suit with his napkin in his lap and his eyes gazing out the window.

He was already at breakfast.

And he looked just as dashing as ever.

I felt butterflies taking flight in my gut as I started for the table. Then, I paused. Maybe he wanted to be alone. Maybe he didn’t want to have breakfast with me. As much as I wished everything to be a continuation of the fun we had the day before, the truth of the matter was, we couldn't. We couldn't continue to cross that line if I wanted to keep my job.

“Are you going to come sit down?” Zane asked gesturing toward the chair across the table.

I winced at his voice. It was cold. Bitter. Hard. Nothing like the man I had experienced life with just twelve hours before. I sighed to myself before I went to sit down across from him. Quickly, a waiter rushed up to my side.

“What would you like to drink, ma’am?”

“She’ll have coffee, like myself,” he said.

I nodded in agreement. “And I’ll have a nice omelet or something for breakfast.”

The waiter jotted down my order. “Anything else? Maybe a bowl of our seasonal fruits? Or some fresh cream for some pancakes?”

Zane wrinkled his nose. “Who puts cream on pancakes?”

I smiled up at the waiter. “I do today. All of that sounds lovely. Bring me the smaller portions of all those things you just mentioned.”

The waiter smiled. “Coming right up.”

I turned my attention back to Zane. “Did you sleep well?”

“Are we prepared for the meeting at nine?” he asked.

I nodded. “As prepared as we can be.”

“That isn’t what I asked.”

“Yes, Mr. Hearthstone. We’re prepared,” I corrected myself.

I did my best not to show how absolutely insane I thought his switch in personality really was.

“Wonderful. Then, shoot me an email with the notes and preparations you’ve made. I need you to do some things around the island for me,” he said.

Clearing my throat, I asked, “I’m not going to the meeting?”

“Not this one, no. The ones going forward? Yes. But, you’re not needed at this one, so I have other things you can accomplish for me.”

I dug out a pen from my bag. “Hit me with it.”

“I need you to get in touch with everyone who’s supposed to be in the meeting tomorrow and move the meeting to ten o’clock. I can’t do any other time because of a manufacturing warehouse I’m touring tomorrow at one. Understood?”

I began scribbling things down on a napkin. “Of course. Next?”

“The sheets on my bed have an odd smell to them. Have the front desk change them, or send for a higher thread count for sheets. Also, the hairdryer in my bathroom isn’t working. That put a dent in things this morning.”

I tried not to giggle. “Anything else?”

“Find the driver that brought us from the plane to the bungalow suites. I liked his driving, and I could use a chauffeur I trust and enjoy while we’re here. The roads are much too winding, and I get car sick. Also, there’s this little hut on the side of one of the roads around here, ask some of the locals about it. They make nothing but banana bread, and it’s supposedly the best in the country. I’d like to have a loaf.”

I slowly raised my eyes. “Are we going to be sitting down at all today to go over things for tomorrow?”

“No. We can reconvene tomorrow at seven-thirty for breakfast. Today we go our separate ways.”

How convenient. “Is there anything else you need?”

“I’m sure there is. I’ll text you once it dawns on me.”

I licked my lips. “Fabulous.”

“You should get started on those phone calls. The earlier you make them, the better.”

I started gathering my things. “I’m well aware.”

The waiter returned. “Here you are! A two-egg meat and cheese omelet with fresh vegetables, a small bowl of--.”

I interrupted him. “I’m so sorry. Can I get this to go?”

Zane waved his hand. “I’ll