[Cole]
She hadn't spent this much time on the last guy. Her finger traced my lips as she debated what to do with her latest plaything. Emboldened by her touch, I took her hand into both of mine and gingerly sucked her finger into my mouth.
Surprise and excitement collided on her face as my tongue swirled round and round her digit.
"Charmed, Miss Brianna Chase," I returned, dragging her finger out of my mouth.
She was startled by the pop of her finger leaving my lips, but was quick to compose herself and yank her hand out of mine.
"Brianna Chase. That's me. You know my name," she said, looking down and smoothing out the skirt of her dress to avoid my eye, clearly flustered.
The mood shifted. The spell was broken. Something heavy clung to the air between us. Did I say something wrong?
"Who doesn't, right? Brianna Chase, up and coming supermodel of the hour. Caught your big break when you debuted at fashion week in Milan two years ago. Beyond that, and your talent of course—" I gave her a quick once over again. "The world seems to know precious little about you."
Harmon called her talentless, but I swear she had her moments. Like when we first locked eyes in Milan. She was pure grace and perfect poise on the runway. I was probably just another pair of eyes in the crowd, but she stood out to me. So much so I looked her up on social media and asked around about her.
"So much for peace and quiet," she mumbled irritably, giving me whiplash.
Weren't we just flirting?
"I thought this place was for the elite and famous to take a load off without being harassed." She signaled for the bartender to bring her another drink. The bartender locked eyes with me and I gave him a nod.
"Aah, that is the promise, isn't it? One hundred celebrities and rich folk, hand picked and vetted by a billionaire. All for you to share this extraordinary island with for the duration of your vacation."
Within a few minutes, the bartender set down two drinks; her cocktail and my usual scotch on the rocks. She looked visibly unnerved. It delighted me. Women wore smiles in my presence. Even if they were forced at times. She had no such hang ups. The scowl was etched on her face and here to stay.
"Surely even such a promise should have its limits though, don't you think?" I continued on anyway, genuinely curious about how she would respond.
"Easy for you to say." She scoffed, pulling the little umbrella out of her drink before picking the glass up and taking the straw into her mouth to take a sip.
My eyes followed her movements of their own accord, lingering on her tongue as it toyed with the straw. When she licked the alcohol off her lips, I licked my own.
"I swear I have had every man in the place hit on me by now. I just got here five seconds ago," she grumbled, yanking the straw out of the glass and knocking back the rest of her cocktail. "What does a girl have to do to get some space around here?" she asked, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand when she was done.
At this claim, I flashed her my pearly whites and slid off of the stool. "Forgive my boldness, Miss Chase." I took her hands into mine. "But beauty like yours simply is not meant to be ignored. I am afraid your plight is one that you will carry with you throughout your stay here."
"Think I can sue Mr. Hunter for false advertising?" A ghost of a smile played on her lips and her cheeks flushed a light pink.
The reluctant return of a fragile intimacy between us almost made me change my mind, but the twinkle in her eyes held a profound sadness. Something I was not expecting. It tugged at something inside me. Had the scandal rattled her that much? I made my way to the back of the bar.
She raised an eyebrow at me in curiosity. I wondered what shocked her more: that I left her side of my own volition or that I was now on the other side of the bar.
Brianna Chase certainly was not what I was expecting. I watched all night to see who would be the one to take her home. By guy number five, I debated throwing my own hat into the ring.
In the end, it seemed that I ought to have trusted my initial instincts. Alas, no man was getting her between the sheets, not tonight. As much as it pained me, it was best to live to fight another day.
I spoke a few words to the bartender, who then relayed the same to the rest of the staff. I watched as they all sprung into action. Within five minutes, the restaurant was empty. She jumped down from her stool and took a look around the place as I approached her.
"How did you–" she began in an accusatory tone.
"There is little even Cole Hunter can do to make you less desirable. I do, however, hope this offers you some consolation. Evidently giving up my private cabin for your use on the jet was not enough. If you will excuse me, Miss Chase," I said, leaning in to kiss her cheek.
Her body stiffened as my lips brushed her soft skin. She inhaled sharply, frozen in place. I chuckled, but turned on my heel anyway
"Wait," she called after me as I started walking away.
"Drinks and dessert are on the house," I halted to say, before I started moving again.
"Where did everyone go? Where are you going?" she persisted.
Unable to help myself, I stopped again, turned and took one last look at her.
Live to fight another day, be the gentleman you're not.
I repeated this to myself on a loop, before responding to her.
"Why, to prepare my legal team for a potential lawsuit, of course," I said with a coy smirk.