“So, you and Jack?” Penn asked, as she slipped the mouthwash back into her purse, coaxing Sterling for more information.
“It’s not like I sought him out on purpose.” Definitely not. Sterling was way out of her element on this boat. Hobnobbing with fancy, rich people was not a typical evening of fun. However, she had promised Penn she’d try her best to leave stick-in-the-mud Sterling at home and let loose. So much for that plan. And now that she’d met Jack Vaughn, her own self-doubt needled its way back into her brain.
“Maybe not, but the fates have decided something else entirely.” Penn wiggled her eyebrows. She’d been coaxing Sterling to date for months and finally, Sterling felt ready to get back in the game. Granted, she had a lot of baggage, but she wasn’t looking for Mr. Right. She was looking for Mr. One-Night Stand. That was about all she could handle right now. But was Jack Vaughn the best candidate?
“Don’t you think it’s a little awkward?” she asked.
Penn stared at her. “How so?”
“Considering he’s your boss.”
Relief washed over Penn’s face. “When have I ever suggested anything appropriate when it comes to men?” She grabbed a handful of paper towels and held them under the tap, drenching them in cold water. “He doesn’t seem to be as involved in the family business as Cole, Finn, and Neil.” She patted the wet paper towel against Sterling’s face and neck. “He does his own thing.”
Everyone knew that Jack Vaughn partied as hard as he worked. And it was easy to do when you owned five of the hottest restaurants in the world. He flitted across the globe, tending to his businesses, keeping girlfriends in every city. If she was honest, the man she read about in the magazines and the man who held her hair while she heaved just didn’t jibe. But she’d promised Penn, and herself, that she’d break out of her shell. And tonight was supposed to be the first night of a new and improved, sexually enticing Sterling Andrews.
How many years had she spent compartmentalizing her life—organizing, planning, being prepared? Her plans should’ve led to a successful, drama-free existence. Which so far hadn’t worked out. Every moment of her life was spent doing things for other people. She was tired of being used. Now was her time to do something for fun, something strictly for herself. Maybe Jack could be her “something fun.”
“Is it just me or is Jack the hottest thing you’ve ever seen?”
“Honey, try working with three of them every day. I’m constantly wiping drool from my mouth.”
They laughed and walked back to the scene of the crime. George was no longer there sweeping up glass. Sterling glanced at the spot where she’d first seen Jack, remembering his utter gorgeousness.
Penn was right. Those men were drool-worthy. Especially Jack. Who cares if he was the type to take what he wanted and leave her in the dust? That’s exactly what she was looking for. This time, she was going to be the one to take what she wanted and never look back. And what better man to practice with than the King of Flings, Jack Vaughn?
“So…” She bit her bottom lip. “How exactly do I go about seducing a man like Jack Vaughn?”
Chapter Two
Jack paced the main deck of the boat, desperate to jump over the railing and swim to safety.
Toronto’s wealthiest citizens filled the yacht, waving their tumblers of top-shelf liquor, talking about their checkbooks and summer vacations. Luckily, they were exactly the type of people who were more than willing to give away some of the money collecting interest in their bank accounts. But indulging all the cloyingly perfumed women hoping to hit it rich by trapping one of the Madewood brothers wasn’t his idea of fun. At least not anymore. Hence his retreat to the bottom deck.
The luxury boat was rather old, but the decor masked its age. Several stations had been set up with spectacular hors d’oeuvres made by a group of kids in the program. The bar—which had no shortage of alcohol—sat off to the left.
Big band music played in the background—his mother’s favorite. His brothers worked the room, mixing and mingling with the guests, but Jack kept a low profile. A year ago, this cruise would have been his bread and butter. The schmoozing, the socializing…he could charm a buttload of zeros onto a donation check. But his former life—one of girls, drinking, and the never-ending party—now seemed insignificant.
Feedback from the microphone quieted the boat and everyone turned their attention to the lectern, where Neil waited to address the crowd.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for coming tonight.” He grabbed both sides of the lectern and took a deep breath. “My brothers and I contemplated long and hard about whether to hold this event tonight. Given the circumstances, we just weren’t sure if we were in the right frame of mind. But thanks to the newest member of the Madewood team—Penn Foster—we’re all here tonight, helping raise money for the Cooking for the Future program. Ladies and gentlemen, please acknowledge her hard work and dedication.” Neil gestured to where Penn stood. She raised her champagne flute and smiled from ear to ear.