Holidays with the Billionaire

Chapter 20

Adlee

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I can’t help but be a little flattered when Kelton gets so mad, he practically drags me off the ice to put our shoes back on and retrieve our belongings. While in a nearby shop, we wait for his SUV. His face is stormy and he’s hardly speaking.

I can’t really take it anymore, so I put my hand on his arm. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he mutters, but of course I don’t believe him.

“Is it that Jet guy? He’s a jerk. I have no interest in him, if that makes you feel any better.” I shrug like it’s no big deal.

It’s obviously flattering to get hit on by such a good-looking and wealthy guy, but I’m not stupid. I know he was only doing it to piss off Kelton. I could tell by his smug smirk. I know Kelton’s family has been a longtime rival to Jet’s for a while, and I’m sure that’s not the first time that’s happened to him or anyone else in the family, maybe even going back generations. I can tell they’re both highly competitive.

“I know you don’t, Adlee. It’s the fucking set he has on him to be that brazen right under my nose.”

“Has he not done that before?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “Not that blatantly. Though, I’ve never really been out with a woman I cared about before.”

My head whips up and I smile. “You care about me?”

His face is instant regret, but he hides it well and nods. “I take dates out to events, and he always tries to talk to them.”

“So this is different?” I point between us.

I can read between the lines here. He didn’t care when Jet flirted with his dates, but with me, he cares. It’s that same possessiveness he seems to get when we talk about me going back to work for Mr. Laskin. He doesn’t want anyone else to have me, personally or professionally, and I find that flattering. Honestly, the thought of him with another woman makes me kind of growly too.

The black SUV pulls up and the driver is out quickly, taking the bags from our hands and opening the door. He puts our bags in the back and drives toward the resort. I wish we could have spent more time out, but obviously that Jet jerk killed the mood.

I turn and look at Kelton, who is looking straight ahead, clearly still pouting. His jaw tics, and I think he skipped shaving today so the scruff looks hot. Part of his light-brown hair sits over his brow. I can’t believe someone like him is interested in someone like me. I’m just a girl from a small town in Texas who works in an office.

“What is it?” he asks, without turning to look at me.

I put my hand on his leg. “You have nothing to be jealous of,” I say softly.

He finally turns to look at me. “I’m not jealous, per se. I’m more irritated at the balls on that guy. I’m getting sick of his shit, honestly. He literally wants everything I have.”

“If you continue to let this bother you, he wins. Just forget about it. I already have,” I reply, stroking my thumb on his thigh over his jeans.

He looks down at it, then at me. He leans over and presses his lips to mine and I kiss him back. Soon, I’m straddling his lap and he wraps his arms around me. I’m grateful for the privacy screen separating us from the driver or else he’d get an eyeful. We continue to kiss and touch each other, and I can feel how much he wants me as he grinds himself into my core through my pants.

The SUV comes to a stop, and I break the kiss to look out the window. We’ve arrived at the resort.

“Thank you,” he whispers against my lips.

“For what?” I ask, smiling.

“For choosing me,” he replies.

I shake my head with a shy smile. “It wasn’t even a competition.”

The door opens and the driver escorts us out and to the front. “Would you like me to take your bags to your room, sir?” he asks.

“No, Theo, I got it.” He hands the bags to Kelton and then drives off in the SUV.

As we approach my door, he hands me my bags and tells me he’ll see me at dinner. I’m a little affronted and confused by the apparent dismissal, but I have to remind myself he’s in a bad mood.

I set my bags on the dresser and use the bathroom quickly. As I scroll through my phone for the night’s itinerary, I have to wonder if there’s anything I can do to fix this thing with Jet Keystone. It’s obvious this rivalry has been going on for a long time, so I doubt anything I could do would help the situation. The only thing I can do is reassure him that I don’t want Jet or anything to do with him. For all I know, the guy is married anyway. He was wearing gloves the two times I met him so I never bothered to look for a ring.

The dinner tonight is formal, so I set my phone down and go to the closet. The long black dress with the thigh-high split will do. It’s strapless but I brought a shawl with me.

As I’m applying a final coat of dramatic red lipstick, there’s a knock on my room door. I open it to see Kelton standing there in a dark-blue suit with a red tie. It fits him like a glove and his hair is styled so it’s not lying in his face. His bright blue eyes steal my breath as he takes in my dress, his gaze raking me from head to toe.

“Oh, hi,” I say. “I thought I was meeting you down there.”

“I’m going to escort you to dinner,” he says.

“Sure, let me grab my bag.” I snatch my clutch from the dresser, ensuring my phone and slim wallet are inside.

He puts his arm out and I loop mine with his as we walk to the elevator. He pushes the button and then turns to me. “I want to apologize for earlier.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, already knowing but making him work for it.

“You didn’t deserve to be in the middle of the beef between Keystone and me. He’s a sanctimonious ass and always will be. I have to let him... stop getting to me.”

“He’s definitely an ass.” The car arrives and we step inside, and I’m grateful we’re alone. I turn to my boss and say, “I can handle an asshole, Kelton. I can tell y’all go way back, but you have to stop letting him bother you. He gets off on it.”

“You got all that from a couple of brief interactions?” he asks, amusement coloring his face.

I nod. “I did. He loves to make you upset, get you flustered. Keep your cool next time. And I will too. I have zero interest in Jet Keystone. There’s only one man who invades my thoughts day and night,” I finish on a whisper.

Kelton grins and leans down to brush a feather-light kiss on my lips. “Is that so?” he whispers.

I want to make out with him in this elevator. I want him to unzip his suit pants, pull out his dick, shove my dress up, and stuff his cock into my pussy. I purposely didn’t wear any panties in the hopes he’d do just that. Either now—or later.

Unfortunately, the elevator bell indicates our arrival and I disentangle myself from my boss and lift my chin in case there’s anyone waiting on the other side.

An older couple offers us polite smiles and greetings as they board the car while Kelton and I exit toward the dining room.

He says nothing as we walk, not touching me in any way. He opens the door and indicates I go through first. Once there, I can see most of the shareholders and his brother and wife are all seated, waiting.

“Oh, good. You’re here!” Bernice exclaims, clapping her hands together. “Please sit!” She points to two open seats near the head of the ornately decorated table. Her green dress boasts wrapped gifts all over it, with their bows actual ribbon coming out of the dress. Where does she find these crazy clothes?

“Thank you, Bernice,” Kelton says, dipping his chin in acknowledgment.

Bernice clears her throat and announces, “This is the last dinner banquet for the Fox Investment group. We imported a few delicacies for you all, and hope you enjoy them!”

Jerrold Laskin rubs his hands together like he just won the lottery and mutters, “Yes!” under his breath.

I resist an eyeroll.

The kitchen staff emerges through the doors pushing trays and setting out the food on the long table. As we watch, waiters pour champagne into our glasses and I thank Darnell as he winks at me while filling my glass.

Once the staff leave, Kelton stands and lifts his glass. “Thank you for another great year at Fox Investments. We wouldn’t be successful without all of you!” He puts the glass to his lips and the rest of us do the same. “Now, please get some of these apparent delicacies as Bernice so eloquently put it.” He points to the buffet table.

Kelton sits and sets his glass down. “You hungry?”

“Starved.” I smile.

“Go get some. I hear there’s seafood,” he replies, jutting his chin at the staff crowded around the buffet table.

“Seems like you’d do a sit-down dinner for this type of occasion,” I say, lifting the glass to my lips.

He lifts a shoulder and replies, “I thought so too, but Bernice said these types of things are best buffet style. I never argue with Bernice Evergreen.”

We both laugh and wait for the line to die down before getting up and heading to the table. Bernice wasn’t holding back. Snow crab legs, shrimp on ice with cocktail sauce, smoked salmon, caviar... they spared no expense.

My mouth waters at the other non-seafood delicacies, and once back at the table, I have to hold back on horking down all of it like a piggie.

As the board members and staff eat and talk quietly among themselves, I look at my boss. “This is really good. How is the salmon?”

I obviously didn’t take any seafood, but will admit that salmon, if cooked right, isn’t too bad. I passed on it in case I didn’t like it.

“Everything is amazing,” he admits. He wipes his mouth on a cloth napkin and turns to face me. “Not as amazing as you, though.”

I swallow the lump of potato in my throat and look at him wide-eyed. “Really?”

He chuckles low in his throat. “Really.”

Glancing around the table, I turn my attention back to him. “Kelton, once this week is over, where does that leave us?”

He looks distressed by my question, staring at his plate, then he brings those dazzling baby blues back to me. “Wherever you want it.”

“So... I go back to working for Laskin and you keep Lea onboard... while I ogle you from afar in the office?” I’m blunt, thanks to the champagne.

He dramatically shakes his head with a smirk. “No more Laskin. You’re mine .”

My eyes widen. “Wh-What?”

“If everyone is almost done,” Bernice announces with a quick double clap of her chubby hands, “dessert will be delivered shortly!”

Claps erupt, and I want to roll my eyes. I want to leave this room and take my boss upstairs and take a ride on his cock.

But, unfortunately, that can’t happen. I gaze around the room to see if anyone has noticed how we’re looking at each other, but everyone seems to be wrapped up in themselves.