The Bachelor Contract(21)

Sometimes it was just easier, not acknowledging the pain. It didn’t make it go away. But it did lessen the blow.

He fell asleep to the vision of dark hair, Nike shoes, and a masseuse with hands of gold.

It was the first time he’d dreamed of a woman who wasn’t Nikki, and when he opened his eyes the next morning, guilt followed him around just as George’s words had the night before.

His itinerary had him visiting the five-diamond spa again for another massage and a tour. What if he ran into her? What if he just randomly asked for the name of every employee who had dark hair and then followed them home?

Yeah, Brant, good one. The lady touched your ass, then you wrote her up for having dust in her room, and now you’re going to stalk her.

With a curse, he walked toward the spa and stopped when he saw a flash of dark hair.

“Damn it.” He tried following her, but Cole Masters suddenly appeared out of thin air.

Cock blocked. He was literally out to ruin Brant’s life.

“Need something?” Cole asked. Hands folded behind his back, posture perfect, straight, blindingly white teeth, and irritating smirk.

Brant had to remind himself not to strangle the man in an effort to shove him to the side so he could stalk—follow—the woman he assumed had massaged him.

He’d seen a flash of Nike. She was wearing all black. And dark hair had peeked out from underneath a giant hat that looked ridiculous perched on her head.

“Hats,” Brant blurted. “Isn’t that against company policy? I vaguely remember a strict black-and-white dress code; I would hate to write up someone, especially if that particular someone has already been warned.”

Cole flinched. “Yes, well, when an employee is allergic to the sun they’re allowed to wear hats.”

Brant crossed his arms. “Inside?”

“It’s an open resort.” Cole wasn’t backing down. “Sun at times does filter in through the…air.”

“The air,” Brant repeated. “I can’t decide if you’re an idiot or a jackass.”

Cole’s smile fell.

“Or maybe a bit of both?”

Cole flexed his fingers into fists.

Brant was having the time of his life. “So.” He rubbed his hands together. “How about that tour?”

Cole opened then shut his mouth. “You don’t make it easy to like you.”

Brant frowned. “What the hell makes you think I give a shit if you like me? I’m your boss—you don’t have to like me.”

Cole gritted his teeth. “Well, boss, maybe people would react better if you didn’t have a stick up your ass….sir.”

Well, at least now they were getting somewhere. Cole had been reserved up until then, keeping his thoughts to himself, though his expressions always gave him away.

Brant stopped walking. “I’ve given you no reason to hate me, I’ve just been doing my job. No reason to disrespect me. This can be painless. You just need to pull your head out of your ass long enough to realize this is going to be best for the employees—best for you, in the long run. But I can’t do my job when you linger around every damn corner. Let me do my job. And I’ll let you do yours. And if I for one second don’t think you’re the fucking best at what you do, I’ll fire your sorry ass, understood?”

Cole muttered a curse. “Fine.”

“Wow, don’t piss your pants.” Brant shoved his hands into his pockets. “Now you can show me the spa.”

Cole was quiet as they walked down the luxurious hallway. A stream ran down the side of the building over rocks and different pieces of metal sculptures.

They stopped in front of a wooden door. Cole opened it, and steam billowed out around Brant’s feet. He took a step in. The air was thick.

“You’ve been to the massage area,” Cole said in a seminormal voice. “This is what we call the Zen room.”

Brant did a small circle. “It’s too quiet.”

Cole rolled his eyes. “Zen. It’s a Zen room.”

A guest walked in, unwrapped her bathrobe, and lay down on one of the lounge chairs. Two staff members immediately brought her tea and hot towels for her face. Her white bathing suit had the hotel’s emblem stitched in gold around the center.

“Huh.” Brant nodded. “You couldn’t pay me to sit that still, in the quiet, with all the tea.”

Cole shrugged. “Some people actually enjoy relaxing. And this is the best place to do it.” He pointed to a far wall. “Through that wooden door is the sauna, a steam room, a plunge pool, and a hot tub. It’s all private, for the guests only, of course, but any guest can use this area if they are paying for spa services.”