Page 32 of The Tycoon

“Probably working.What would you like to drink?”

“Just a glass of Malbec, if you have it.”

“I do.It’s become my favorite red wine.”

She leaned back against the sofa and crossed her legs.

Cole came over, holding two wine glasses.He handed her one and then sat on the opposite end of the sofa.He crossed his legs and leaned toward her, then he extended the hand holding his glass toward her.“To new friends.”

Regan clinked her glass with his.“To new friends.”She sipped her wine.The Malbec floated over her tongue, smooth as silk.“This is really good.Have you ever had Black Bubbles sparkling wine?It’s by Davey and Browne.It’s like having a sparkling Malbec.Absolutely wonderful and my favorite wine ever.”

“I’ll make it a point to have Sara pick some up.It sounds interesting.”He leaned back, resting his head on the back of the couch, and closed his eyes.“I never wanted the accident to happen.People are protesting my rigs because they say I caused the oil to leak into the ocean, but I didn’t.We take so many precautions, which is why I’m sure it’s sabotage.”He straightened and stared at her.“Someone on that platform will try to kill me and as much as I didn’t want a bodyguard, I’m glad you’re here.I have some skills, but I’ve let myself become lax about my surroundings and about people.I would never have pegged Jerry from the night of the play as wanting to kill me; yet you believe it and I trust you.You’ve already saved my life twice, not including being shot at, because I saved us that time.Regardless, I hope that’s all either of us has to do.”

Cole set his drink on the glass-topped coffee table, then he sat forward with his elbows on his knees and his hands linked behind his head.“I’m afraid someone else will be hurt while these people are trying to kill me.”He sat straight.“That can’t happen.That’s why we need to figure out what happened on that rig.I don’t want anyone hurt.”

“We will, Cole.I can read people, and you showing up is not something they will expect…or is it?Do you make a habit of dropping in on your platforms?”

He was shaking his head before she’d finished the question.“No.Never.This will be the first time I’ve ever been to this platform, though, if it were me, I’d be expecting it.What they won’t be expecting is you.You’re going in as my assistant, not my bodyguard.They might open up to you, because you’ll be one of them.Just another employee.”

She had her doubts it would work, but she was hired for one reason, and she would abide by instructions as long as it didn’t interfere with her primary assignment.“Whatever you say, Boss.”She waggled her eyebrows.

Cole chortled.“Yeah, it probably won’t work, but it’s worth a try.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“I’m sure you will.”He lifted his glass in the air.“To successful adventures.”

“To successful adventures.”She sipped her wine and was surprised to discover she’d finished it.It was definitely time to go to bed when she didn’t remember drinking a glass of wine.She stood.“I think it’s time to call it a night unless you have something else you’d rather I do?”Am I actually trying to flirt with my boss?What is the matter with me?

He shook his head.“Not that I can think of.Have a good night.See you in the morning.”

She took her glass to the kitchen and placed it in the dishwasher, even though she didn’t have to.Regan could have left it on the coffee table, but that bothered her.She’d never had someone clean up after her before, and she didn’t want to get used to it.Not all of her assignments would be this easy, although she had to admit, this one was more exciting than any other she’d had.And her client was better looking this time than anyone before him.But she couldn’t let Cole’s good looks affect how she did her job.

She walked back through the living room toward the bedrooms.“Good night, and don’t answer the door unless it’s Mason.”

Cole pretended to pout.“Yes, Mother.”Then he grinned.“I’ll follow orders.Tonight was enough to show me I’m not safe, even in my home.”

“That’s right.Until we can get to the bottom of this, you need to be careful.”She continued on to her room.Once there, she changed into some soft sleep shorts and a tank top, so she was ready for anything.

Regan slept hard.Nothing awakened her.She was relaxed and felt wonderful.The bed in her room was great.Hard where she needed it and soft everywhere else.

She padded into the kitchen to get coffee and found a pot already made.Cole hadn’t been in the living room, but he’d obviously been here.She was grateful for the coffee, however, and didn’t really care if it was Cole or magical elves who had made it.Regan chuckled at her whimsy.She wasn’t usually a whimsical person, but she guessed today was one of those days.

“I see you found the coffee.If you’re like me, I can’t start the day without the caffeine.”His familiar baritone sounded from behind her.

She turned toward him.“You’re right, I need it to wake me up.”She noticed his hair was wet, and he was dressed.“It looks like you’re way ahead of me.I guess I better jump in the shower.I’ll be back in fifteen minutes.”

Cole snickered.“Fifteen minutes?I don’t think so.I have a sister, and she spent fifteen minutes in the bathroom before she even got into the shower.Then another fifteen minutes in the shower, and another twenty minutes after she got out doing her hair and getting dressed.I’ll see you in about an hour.”

“You forget I was in the Rangers.A shower was a luxury that we didn’t get that often.If I wanted any hot water, I learned to be fast.I’m still fast.You’ll see.”She turned and headed back to the attached bathroom in her bedroom.

Once in her bathroom she stepped into the multi-jet shower.She really wanted to linger and let the water beat her tired muscles, but she knew she was on the clock.When she stepped out of the shower, she grabbed a towel.It was thick, fluffy and of a thread count she’d never felt before.She didn’t know that towels that felt that nice existed.She hurried through the rest of her routine.

Fifteen minutes later, she rejoined Cole.She’d showered, dressed and braided her hair by the time she returned.

Cole looked her up and down.“Wow.I have to say you are the fastest woman I’ve ever known.And I mean that as a compliment.”

“Then I’ll take it as one.So, are you taking me to breakfast?I don’t really feel like my leftover steak this morning, which is too bad because now it will have to be tossed.”She poured herself a cup of coffee and took a sip.“You don’t have any food here, do you?I’m a decent cook, if you do.”