Read Mr. Romantic: A Mister Standalone (The Mister Series Book 2) for Free Online Page A

voice startles me, and when I look over my shoulder, she’s standing a few feet in front of her cabana, door open wide.
    “Yes?” I say, getting to my feet and wrapping my towel around my waist.
    “I thought I told you not to interact with my brother?”
    “You did, but he approached me. It’s not in my best interest to be rude to the man responsible for choosing the next manager of Hundred Palms Resort when I want the job.”
    “Want the job?” Claudette asks, walking forward a few more paces. “I’ve already explained the situation, Miss Rockwell. You’re not getting the job. You’re here as a favor and nothing more. You’ll be sent home after the meeting tonight.”
    “Probably,” I say, forcing myself to stay brave. Why is Claudette so intimidating? Nolan was far easier to deal with than she is. “But until that happens I’m going to do my best to show that I’m worthy of the position. That I have things to contribute. And that I might just have an opinion that could help this resort.”
    Claudette scowls at me, annoyance all over her face. “It’s two o’clock. The meeting is at six. We’ll finish up at eight. You’ll be on the jet by nine. Don’t get too comfortable.”
    I nod and smile. But I don’t answer. I just walk towards my cabana and go inside.
    When I close the door I’m breathing hard, sweat pouring down my body. And not all of that has to do with the extreme heat.
    I did it.
    A small smile creeps up my face as I replay my first real interaction with Nolan Delaney. He was arrogant, sure. But he wasn’t demeaning. He listened to my assessment and took note on my observations. Which are correct. I was one hundred percent right and he knew it. And maybe the temperature of the rooms and pool water aren’t groundbreaking revelations, but it’s all in the details, right? That’s what makes a resort worthy of five stars.
    I can do this, I decide. I can. I might be right out of school, but I’m smart. I like details. I live for details.
    I quickly change out of my bathing suit and throw on some tan slacks and a silky white blouse that should help keep me cool in this abominable weather. I need more details between now and six o’clock. I need to walk this entire place. See all of it. Come up with a plan. It was dumb luck that I was frustratingly hot when I got to the room and decided to take a swim. Dumb luck that I figured out that the pool water was too hot. And dumb luck that Nolan Delaney came along at just the right moment to hear my complaints about them.
    But I did it.
    I take a deep breath as I dust my face with powder and reapply my eye makeup.
    Nolan Delaney is hot.
    I can’t stop thinking about that pool move. The way his muscles bulged in his arms as he drew himself up and out of the water. The sight of his body when he stood up. The little river of water that fell down over the curve of his chest and the six pack abs. The way he stared at my body, those hypnotic green eyes lingering on my breasts for the briefest of moments.
    He thinks I’m pretty. I can tell.
    But the way Claudette tells it, he probably thinks everyone is pretty. I mean, I am pretty. I’m not strikingly beautiful or anything. But I’m cute. My blonde-brown hair might be just another ordinary color, but my eyes are blue. A blue so light, they almost look gray. People say it’s one of my best features.
    Richard liked my eyes, but does Richard even count? I don’t want to brag, but I was a lot cuter than his last girlfriend. He pointed her out to me enough when we were walking across campus and saw her—all huddled up with her serious friends. She didn’t wear make-up or fashionable clothes like I did. She was one of those people who go to college to join things. Movements and marches. And she was off-putting any time Richard said hi to her and we were together. Turning up her nose at me like I was some kind of pariah.
    Richard was the one who said I was too pretty for her. She loathed people who took