Scarlett
I tugged at the scarlet red one-piece I had chosen for tonight's events. It was fairly modest but given my hips almost any swim suit came off sexy. I tightened the wrap I had around my waist and attempted to pull some more of it over my thigh. "That's it. I'm wearing shorts." I huffed turning away and nearly knocking Drew over.
"What's wrong baby doll?" He asked gripping my shoulders. Ever since I crossed paths with Michael again hearing Drew call me baby doll instantly caused my face to scrunch up.
"I just don't feel comfortable wearing a swimsuit." I admitted. His brows furrowed in confusion.
"You look great babe. Trust me. And besides it's part of the theme." He said as if I truly cared. I looked away before softly rolling my eyes.
"Fine." I mumbled fighting the urge to stomp.
He kissed my cheek and pulled me into a brief hug. "Thanks baby doll ... and red lips tonight." He said pointing his index fingers at me with raised thumbs.
Michael
I graciously accepted a glass of champagne from a server as I made my rounds. It was a beautiful afternoon and everyone seemed to be in good spirits, which in return put me in good spirits. It was important for me to ensure that my staff was happy. And that they all understood how much I truly appreciated each and every last one of them. So I made the effort to welcome each new member in the most extravagant ways. If I wanted them to be good to me then I needed to be good to them.
"They're here sir." Pat whispered into my ear before looking off into the direction of which they stood. I took in Scarlett's appearance and found myself at a stand still. Something about seeing her in red mesmerized me every time.
I signaled for the dj to cut the music and turn on the mic and spot light as I made my way over to Drew. "Drew man I thought you were going to miss your own party." I joked seeing as how they we're one of the last to arrive. I slapped his hand before pulling him into a friendly hug.
"I would have been here earlier if it were solely up to me." He admitted tilting his head at Scarlett, gaining a look of shock. "But you know how women can get. One more outfit change turns into six." He shrugged before placing his hands into his pockets and softly rolling his eyes. I watched Scarlett whip her head around before leaning back into her shoulder.
"Can't fault a woman for wanting to look good for her man now can we?" I stepped into her space before placing her hand to my lips and winking. Her lips parted slightly as a sharp breath escaped them. "Nice seeing you again Scarlett."
"Same." She whispered gently pulling her hand from mine.
"Let me introduce you to your new colleges." I said motioning for the two of them to follow. I was sure to have them both grab a glass of champagne before joining me on the make shift stage. I introduced Drew over the mic and we welcomed him with a toast before the mixing and mingling could commence.
Drew seemed eager to meet everyone and easily made friendly conversation. Scarlett however seemed on edge. She said enough to come off as friendly but for the most part avoided any further engagement. I watched her from the corner of my eyes as she stood supportively beside Drew, her hand wrapped around his arm. You'd think seeing them together like this would piss me off. But it had done the exact opposite. I found myself fairly entertained by this.
She was trying so hard to ignore me and focus on him that she had become noticeably uncomfortable. Not that Drew was paying her much attention at this point. He was too busy enjoying the attention to notice. I could tell she was irritated by his lack of intuitiveness. But what did she expect. Drew was not the man for her. Regardless of how bad she wanted him to be. It would never work.
When my soul was in the vicinity of hers I could almost hear exactly what she was thinking. I could almost feel exactly what she was feeling. It had been that way since the very first moment we met. And I didn't see it changing any time soon. I just needed her to acknowledge that she felt the same shit I was feeling. And I knew deep down she did. No matter how hard she tried to hide it. No matter how hard she tried to deny it. She had to feel it too. She just had to. The shit was just too strong.
I watched Drew excuse himself to go get another drink from the bar. Scarlett nodded her head in understanding before rolling her eyes as he stepped away. She took this time to walk over to the railing of the boat alone. And naturally I took this opportunity to speak with her.
"Having fun yet?" I asked stepping up behind her only leaving centimeters between us. She turned her head a bit. Not enough to look into my face but only enough to acknowledge my presence.
"Tons." She said less than enthused.
I placed my arms against the rails as she had. She stared off into the water but at nothing in particular. "I'll play your game Baby Doll, but only for so long." I admitted gaining her full attention.
"What game?" She asked pretending to have little to no clue as to what I was talking about.
I simply looked into her face and nodded my head in the direction of which Drew had went. She lifted herself from the railing before turning into me. My eyes fell on her firm breast before traveling down to her hips which were teasingly wrapped in a scarf. She cleared her throat before placing her hand on her hips with much attitude. Quickly regaining my full attention.
"There are no games being played sir. You simply seem to have a problem with rejection. I'm with Drew and You're with Tessa. That's it. That's all." She was speaking but her words weren't registering. I was too busy watching the way her red lips moved about.
"Tessa and I are not together ... so to speak ... it's complicated." I shrugged not really wanting to discuss Tessa's and I's relationship or lack there of. That was neither here nor there.
"It's complicated." She repeated before scoffing. I watched the way her tongue slid against the inside of her jaw as her eyes rolled. Was she jealous? "See that's what I mean ... Things don't have to be complicated. People make things complicated and then act like they don't know what the fuck happened."
"Say the word and I'll uncomplicate everything." I offered more than serious. The ball was in her court. Had been for a minute. I watched her eyes fall to the floor. She talked a good game but once met with no resistance things quickly changed.
"Mike I ... we can't ..." She trailed quickly closing her mouth as Drew joined us. She smiled into his face as he wrapped his arm around her waist.
I placed one hand in the other in front of me before rolling my shoulders. Prepared to keep the same energy I had when we we're alone. "We can't what?" I asked with a raised and daring brow.
"We can't thank you enough for all of this." She said waving her hand over the party. I smirked finding it cute how quickly she had covered up her lie. But I'm the one who's playing games ...
"Yeah man. This is really nice and I'm ... I mean we are extremely thankful." Drew gushed.
"It's nothing really." I downplayed it softly shaking my head. "I'm just happy to have you on my team. This is only the beginning." I spoke drilling my eyes into the side of Scarlett's face.
"Well hello!" Tessa sang reemerging from the inside of the yacht. I watched as she introduced herself to Drew before quickly wrapping Scarlett into a very friendly hug. "Mike didn't tell me you'd be here tonight." She said wrapping her arm around Scarlett's waist and pulling them closer together.
I noticed how alarmed Scarlett was by Tessa's presence. And found it damn near comical. "Well I wasn't certain she would be Princess."
"You look absolutely amazing!" She gushed taking Scarlett's hand and twirling her in a circle. I could tell that Tessa had undoubtedly partaken in other party festivities that she still believed I had no clue about. "Doesn't she just look good enough to eat?" Tessa quizzed looking from Scarlett to me. I raised my right brow before tilting my head. Scarlett looked on in fear as Drew attempted to make sense of what was happening. And I wondered what had happened to that same energy she had a moment ago.
