Page 416 of His Virgin Romance Series

“Who’s that man over there…with Ms. Sinclair?” I asked. “He’s not a guest here, is he?”

“Not that I know of, sir,” he replied.

“Do you know his name?”

“No, sir.”

I gritted my teeth together and tried to push away my curiosity, but it just wouldn’t slink away. I reluctantly went to my table and sat down. I had mixed feelings about the fact that Brie and her partner were directly in my line of sight. I tapped my fingers against the table and tried to look away.

Brie and her partner left the bar and were shown to a table in the center of the restaurant. The man held her chair out for her. I could hear the faint chime of her laughter, and a wave of jealousy rushed through me. Who was this guy, I wondered, and why had Brie never mentioned him? Was he staying with her in her suite or was he just a random man she’d happened to meet while she was here?

“Sir?” Kani appeared before me. “I brought you a menu, just in case.”

“I’ll get the fettuccine with lobster and shrimp,” I said because I was too preoccupied to give much thought to what I was going to eat tonight.

“Right away, sir,” he nodded, before disappearing once again.

I sat there, battling with jealousy as I admired how beautiful Brie looked tonight in that stunning dress and her loose blonde hair arranged in waves carelessly over her right shoulder.

I was staring directly at them when Brie happened to turn in my direction. She caught my eye and gave me a small smile and a wave of acknowledgment. I probably should have just waved back and allowed them some privacy, but my curiosity got the better of me, and I stood up to walk to their table.

“Good evening,” I said, glancing only momentarily at Brie’s partner.

“Hello, Seth,” Brie replied with a bright smile. Her eyes were sparkling, and she looked like she was having a wonderful time. Again, jealousy reared its ugly head, and I had to fight to keep my face straight.

She turned to her partner and made casual introductions. “This is Seth; he’s the owner of the resort,” Brie said, before turning to me. “This is David. David Conrad.”

The name was vaguely familiar, and I guessed that he was the son of some business mogul. David reached out to shake my hand, and I was forced to accept the gesture. “This is a fantastic resort you have here,” he complimented me.

“I’m glad you like it,” I said, with a tight smile. “How have you been enjoying your stay with us?” I asked, fishing for some information.

“Oh, unfortunately, I’m not staying here,” he replied. “I’m staying at the Sheridan.”

“Ah,” I nodded. “And, how did you two meet?”

Brie gave David a dazzling smile and placed her hand on his arm. “We were both enjoying the beach when we ran into each other,” she said. “We started talking, and…one thing led to another—”

“And, I couldn’t resist asking this beauty out,” David finished her sentence, as though they were old lovers. I had to resist the urge to punch the bastard in the face and tell him to stay far away from Brie.

“Are you okay, Seth?” Brie asked unexpectedly.

“Excuse me?”

“You just seem…a little out of sorts,” she said, wrinkling her brows at me as though she were trying to figure out why I was acting so weird.

“Uh… I… It’s just been a long day,” I said, stumbling over my words slightly. “That’s all.”

“It must be hard work, running a resort,” David said. “I couldn’t do it.”

“I wouldn’t recommend it,” I said stiffly, wishing he’d just stay quiet and let Brie and I talk.

“This restaurant is beautiful,” she said, pivoting the conversation. “And the menu’s huge. It’s the first time I’m trying it out.”

“What would you recommend?” David asked me.

I bristled at the fact that he was treating me like a waiter, but I kept my expression neutral. “Everything on the menu is fantastic,” I replied. “The pastas are especially good. But I’d go with the chef’s special; it changes every two weeks. I think this special is rabbit cacciatore.”

“Sounds wonderful,” Brie smiled.

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