Pursuing Desire: An Enemies to Lovers Road Trip (The Anders Billionaire Brothers), page 9
Dax holds out his hand. “Deal. I’m all about winning.”
We shake hands. “Deal.”
“Should we seal it with a kiss?”
I jerk my hand back. “Really?” I say in disbelief. My voice is several octaves too high.
“Too soon?” He waits with an expectant look. When I don’t bother to respond, he grins and heads toward the door. “Come on. We don’t want to be late for our reservation, now do we?”
I know it’s a requirement to compete in the game as a couple. I wonder if I murdered him, would I be allowed to finish on my own? I have a bad feeling that our little truce isn’t going to last long.
We make it out of our hotel suite, down the elevator, and into the restaurant without talking. The hostess greets us as we come in.
“Hi there,” she says brightly. “You must be the winners of the competition, right?”
Dax steps forward. “Yes, Dax Anders. Table for two, please.”
She smiles brightly at him. “Yes, of course. We have a special table reserved for you and your lovely fiancée. Come this way, please.”
I begin to follow her, and Dax places his hand on the small of my back to usher me forward. My back tingles at the warmth of the contact.
The beachside restaurant is a great blend of beachy charm and upscale, sophisticated design that still has a relaxed, welcoming ambiance. We pass couples seated at tables covered in white tablecloths and beautiful nautical-inspired tablescapes. Everyone is speaking in hushed tones, so we are able to hear the soft music playing throughout the room.
The hostess leads us to a table near the rear of the restaurant. The location is perfect for a view of the ocean through the large floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows. There are pink rose petals covering our table, and a bottle of champagne sits to the side in a bucket. Dax pulls out my chair. I murmur my thanks as I ease onto the plush chair.
As we settle in, a server stops by the table. She flashes a friendly smile as she hands us menus. “Good evening, Mr. Anders and Ms. Roberts. I hear congratulations are in order for winning first place today.”
“Thank you,” Dax says. “So, you know about the show?” he asks the server.
“Oh, yes. All of the hotel employees know about the show. Most of us are pretty excited about being on TV.”
I groan inwardly. Somehow I keep forgetting about the cameras. I cast a furtive glance around, and to my relief, there’s no sign of Taylor.
“We are, too,” Dax says. He turns to me. “Aren’t we, Jess?”
“Oh yes, so excited to be on camera.” I manage to say that big, fat lie with a huge smile on my face. “It’s too bad Taylor isn’t here right now. I’m sure she’ll bring that camera over here soon enough.”
I’m used to being on the other side of the camera, taking photos of people. I can’t even remember the last time I had my own photo taken. But if it means winning cash prizes, I’ll suck it up and do what needs to be done.
If the server detects my false excitement, she doesn’t comment on it as she hands us our menus. “All of our dishes are amazing, but the chef’s specialties are the blackened amberjack and the pan-seared red snapper. I also recommend the lobster mac-n-cheese.”
Dax raises his eyes at me in question, and I nod.
“We’ll take one of each,” he says. “And also a side of sautéed green beans. And a couple of house salads as well.”
“Great choice. I’ll get your order placed and your salads right out,” she says brightly. After pouring our champagne from the waiting bottle, she picks up the menus and heads to the kiosk to put in our order.
Aware that some of the restaurant’s servers are still focused on me and Dax, I force a sweet smile on my face. “So, we have all day together tomorrow. What should we do?”
Dax takes a sip of his champagne before answering. “I saw some local shops down the street. I wouldn’t mind visiting those. I’m sure they’re total tourist traps. We aren’t allowed to spend money other than food, but it could be fun to window shop.”
Relieved he didn’t suggest another beach outing, I readily agree. “That sounds fun, yes. Let’s do that. We received a message on the app about dinner tomorrow. Apparently, we’ll be having dinner with the other contestants tomorrow night. Then we head out for our next segment of the trip the following morning.”
“Sounds good. I wonder where the next location will be,” Dax muses out loud.
“Guess we’ll find out soon.”
The calm atmosphere of the restaurant has put me in a serene and relaxed state of mind—or maybe it’s my few sips of champagne. Either way, I’m not bothered by Dax sitting across from me now that he’s been on good behavior this evening. Fingers crossed, he keeps it up for the rest of the night.
He seems so at ease here. Of course, this is a familiar environment for him.
Sometimes I let myself forget that he’s giving up three weeks of his life to do this trip with me so I can replenish my savings. Whenever I get frustrated with him, I try to remember that very important fact. He could be in his penthouse with his personal chef and eat like this whenever he wants. But he’s chosen to risk life and limb and dysentery to go on this adventure with me instead.
Okay, slight exaggeration. But still, I owe him, and I’m trying to keep that in mind whenever he tries to rile me up.
My thoughts are interrupted by the server as she drops off our salads and explains that our dinner will be out shortly.
Dax digs into the leafy greens like a man who’s never eaten before. “Perfect timing. I’m starved.”
I’m dying to make a comment about him being a growing boy and needing his food, but I refrain at the last minute. I’m sure he’ll twist it into some sort of sexual comment.
Instead, I put my efforts into eating my own salad.
“Tell me about your family,” I surprise myself by saying.
Dax looks up from his plate. “You want to know about my family? I mean, there’s not a ton to say.”
I pin him with an incredulous look. “Not a ton to say? You’re a member of the grandiose Anders family. You and your brothers run a hugely successful business and live in penthouses in Manhattan. I imagine you could talk about your family for days and never run out of things to say.”
He chuckles at that. “Well, you have a valid point. But you already know about my family. You’re best friends with Lana. Since she’s married to my brother Jake I’m sure you’ve heard all our family secrets.
“Lana doesn’t spill any family secrets, much to my dismay.”
He laughs. “Alright, then. So, you already know Jake. He’s the oldest brother, and, of course, you know he runs our company. I’m the middle brother, second-in-command at The Anders Group. I handle some of the legal things within our organization. And then there’s our youngest brother, Ethan, who is in charge of operations. But you probably know a lot about him, since you’re friends with his wife, Liz. Is there anything else you wanted to know about?”
My hands are on the table, fiddling with the fork. “What about your parents? Or how did the business get started? I don’t know. I’m just curious, and honestly, Lana doesn’t talk much about your family. She’s too busy talking about Jake this and Jake that, all the time.”
“Well, I think you met my parents a couple of times. They’ve been together since they were young. They started the business together. All of us boys were raised knowing we’d take control of The Anders Group eventually. It was my father’s legacy to us. He finally stepped down recently, and now the three of us brothers are in charge.” He stops to take a sip of water before continuing. “My father was always tough but fair. He instilled good values into us, and we work hard to make sure his company continues to thrive and grow. We work so hard because we want to make him proud.”
He says that last bit with a passion I can feel and see. The business is clearly important to him. Interesting. The playboy has a serious side, after all.
“Do you enjoy working with your brothers?”
“Most of the time, yes. It can be annoying sometimes. But overall, the three of us get along very well. Jake, Ethan, and I have a special bond. We also know when to give each other space. That’s probably the most important thing when working with family.” He raises his brow in question. “And what about you? I haven’t heard you talk about your family much.”
I’m not surprised that he’s asking about my family, but I am surprised that he actually seems interested in my answer. He’s leaning forward, and his full attention is focused on me as he waits for me to respond.
“Well, I have a sister, Chelsea. She’s living in California at the moment, so I don’t get to see her often. And you know my parents live in Massachusetts, near the border of Connecticut. Since they retired early, they spend their time raising chickens and goats.”
Dax’s eyes crinkle up in the corners. “Chickens and goats? Are you serious?”
“Yep! One day, they announced they were moving from the city, and no amount of convincing would get them to stay. Now, they’ve taken to farm life. They seem content with the quiet, though I couldn’t imagine living there.”
While we are talking, the server drops off our main entrées and quietly backs away, leaving us alone again. We both pick up our forks and begin eating but continue talking. This feels like the first real conversation we’ve had since meeting, and I’m surprised to find that I’m enjoying myself.
“I’d love to meet them before the wedding,” Dax says with a conspiratorial wink and a nod to the right. “We should’ve made time to go see them before now, but it’s been crazy with work.”
Just then, I notice Taylor settling into a seat at a table near us. Her camera is already out and appears to be recording.
“The wedding? Oh, yes, of course. We should plan a trip there before the wedding, for sure. I know my parents would love to meet you in person. You know, since I talk about you so often.”
“Do you?” Dax asks.
“Do I what?”
“Talk about me often?” Dax clarifies.
“Oh, um, yes, all the time. Can’t shut up . . . about you,” I stammer. Hopefully, the camera doesn’t see the glare I shoot his way.
“I’d love to hear what you say about me. Did you tell them I’m irresistibly handsome? A paragon of a man with endless charm? That your heart goes pitter-patter every time I’m near?”
“Absolutely. That’s exactly what I say about you. I also talked about how you’re not at all egotistical, self-absorbed, or full of yourself,” I say sweetly. “And that you’re shy and keep all your obnoxious opinions to yourself.”
Dax surprises me by letting out a loud bark of laughter. A few patrons from the tables near us turn their heads in curiosity. A stab of annoyance pierces me when I notice the too-interested look coming from a woman at the table nearest us. She’s licking her lips like she’s ready to have Dax for dessert.
Dax cocks his head to the side and studies me, laughter still hovering on his lips. “You know, Jess. I have always enjoyed these stimulating conversations with you. You never seem to bore me, that’s for sure.”
“And neither of you bore me,” says a familiar female voice coming up behind me. “It’s easy to see the chemistry between you two.”
Dax scoots his chair back and rises in greeting. “Hi, Taylor. You’re so quiet we didn’t know you’d come in. Here, have my seat. I can ask for another chair to be brought over.”
Taylor puts her hand up. “No, please, keep your seat. Thank you, but I’m not staying. I was going to stay and film, but I figure you two could use some time alone. I just came over to give you a heads-up and let you know that we just now set up a camera in your suite. With all the lovey-dovey action in the ocean earlier, I didn’t have time to get it set up before.”
“You’re going to be watching us in the suite?” I ask, trying to control the shock in my voice. We knew it was a possibility, but I didn’t actually think the show would do something so intrusive. The room was supposed to be our safe space from all of this craziness.
Taylor holds up her hands in surrender, or to ward off an attack. I’m not sure which, and she probably isn’t either. “I know, I know. But it’s just the main area. It’s on a motion sensor and will only be recording video and sound when you’re in that specific room. You’ll have complete privacy in the bedroom. You know, where it counts. We can’t see or hear a single thing that goes on in there.” She winks and then walks off, her bag bouncing against her hip.
I’m glaring at her back as she retreats, wishing I could throw something at her. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice that Dax is still standing. He holds out his hand to me. “Well, sweetheart, we might as well get back to the room. Our fans await.”
I stand up and ignore his hand as I start heading toward the exit. As I pass him, I pause and hiss in his ear, “I’m not planning to give them any show. I’m going right to the bedroom and closing the door.”
He follows closely behind me as I make a quick exit and head for the elevators. Once inside, I punch the button to our floor with as much malice as I can muster in my finger. Dax takes the hint and doesn’t try to engage in conversation with me as we make our way up and to our room.
The silence continues all the way into the suite and then into the bedroom, where I close the door with a loud click.
Dax looks at the clock on the bedside table. “Are we really going to bed this early? We could change into more comfortable clothes and go for a stroll on the beach?”
“A romantic, moonlit stroll on the beach with New York’s most eligible bachelor? I’ll pass, but thanks for the offer,” I say with plenty of sarcasm.
Dax rolls his eyes at me. “You know, I do have some self-control. I won’t maul you on the beach.”
“Like you did earlier?”
“Fair point.”
“Forget your stroll on the beach. We need to talk about the sleeping arrangements. I get the bed tonight,” I tell him. I don’t leave any room in my voice for argument. As far as I’m concerned, he’ll be on the couch for the rest of this trip.
“What a coincidence. I’m also getting the bed tonight,” he says.
I put my hands on my hips and lean forward with a frown on my face. “I claimed the bed first. You can sleep on the couch. It looks comfortable enough.”
“You know I can’t sleep out there. It’ll look fishy if I’m not sleeping with my fiancée.”
“Then sleep on the floor! Or in the bathtub. I don’t care. Just not in the bed.”
“Me? On the floor. That’s not happening, babe. You know what kind of nasty funk lives on these carpets?”
“Don’t call me babe,” I fire back.
“I’ll put pillows between us, just like in the movies. It’s a huge bed. I promise to keep my hands to myself,” Dax says reasonably.
“It’s not your hands I’m worried about.”
He smirks at me. “Fine. I’ll keep my ginormous King Kong dong on my side of the bed. It usually hogs the entire bed, but I’ll have a little talk with it and tell it to respect your space.”
“King Kong dong? Guys who exaggerate their size are usually hiding something. You sure you don’t mean your micropenis?”
He gets a thoughtful look on his face. Then he holds up his index finger in the air as though trying to count how many inches it would be. Then, he smiles and shakes his head vigorously. “Micropenis? I don’t think so. You didn’t seem to mind the size so much when you tried to have your way with me in the ocean.”
“You’re right.” I shrug. “I was pretty hot and heavy into you until I felt your, ummm . . . manhood up against me. Did you wonder why I left so quickly? It’s because I was embarrassed for you. Must be difficult to go through life with your little deficiency.”
Dax crosses his arms over his chest and gives me a cocky grin. His eyes narrow in challenge. “Since you’re so quick to disparage my poor micromanhood, it’s only fair you give it a chance to prove you wrong. I bet you’re too scared.”
Unwillingly, my eyes drift downward to the obvious bulge in his pants. Clearly, he’s turned on by this ridiculous conversation. And also, clearly, he doesn’t have a micro anything.
Never one to back down from a challenge, I take a couple steps closer to him.
“I’m not scared at all. I just don’t want to waste my time with someone who wouldn’t be able to satisfy me.”
He walks closer to me and stops when we’re barely a breath apart. He reaches out and uses his index finger to tilt my chin up. His mouth is inches from mine. “Babe, you talk too much. I can think of so many other things your mouth could be doing right now.”
A thrill of excitement races through my blood, but I fight against it. To give in to Dax for a one-night stand would be the worst kind of mistake. I already have one colossal mistake I’m trying to fix, and it’s the entire reason I’m here now. One night of sexual gratification is not worth the mess it would leave behind.
I reach down between us and run my finger softly over Dax’s hardened length, and I feel his body jump in response. His eyes darken, and I know he’s about to kiss me. I put my hands onto his shoulders for balance and then lift up onto my tiptoes. My lips are up against his left ear as I whisper, “I can tell you want me. But, news flash, stud. I’m not interested. Not now, not tomorrow, and not ever. It’s never going to happen. I’m not attracted to you. Not even a little bit.”
I plant my feet firmly onto the ground and tilt my head back to see his response. The bemused look in his eyes gives me an indescribable satisfaction.
It’s about time someone put Dax Anders in his place, and I’m pretty damn happy I was the one to do it. God’s gift to women is going to have to find another girl to kill time with in the bedroom. Cuz it sure as hell isn’t going to be me.
Chapter 8
Dax
I think I’m in love.
Okay, not actually. But I’m sure as hell in lust, and damn, that woman is making me abso-fucking-lutely crazy. Micropenis? I want to laugh and cry at the same time. I still can’t believe she had the nerve to say that to me last night.
