TAMING MR. WHITMORE: THE CEO FROM HELL.

HUDSON'S POV:

THE HOT LAS VEGAS sun beat down on the crowded pool area, cooking the bodies standing around or splashing in the pool without mercy. Most people here weren't sober and so they didn't care about that.

I took a sip of my Bourbon on ice, set my glass down, and leaned farther back in the lounge chair. A cannonball landed somewhere to my left, sending a wave across the pool that rocked an inflatable flamingo carrying a laughing couple. Everyone around me seemed determined to enjoy themselves.

I wasn't.

"Hey, none of that," Owen said. "We're on vacation. Be excited."

I glanced over at the lounge chair next to mine, where my hulking best friend and co-founder was sprawled out. He wasn't looking at me, and for all I knew, he was falling asleep behind those dark sunglasses of his.

"You know it's killing me that we're lazing around," I complained. "The last thing I need is your whining voice in my ear. We should be working. You know, WORKING!"

"Come on, Hudson. All that working and no fun has turned you into a grumpy asshole." Owen turned his head and looked at me.

I tilted my sunglasses down to stare back at him.

Owen lounged like he'd been born beside swimming pools. Six feet of muscle stretched across the chair, one ankle hooked over the other, sunglasses hiding whatever trouble he was already planning.

Owen and I were a contrast in so many ways. I couldn't even tell how he was still in my life when we didn't get along eighty percent of the time.

With a huff, Owen let his head fall back onto the cushions of his chair and said, "That launch is a year from now. If you can't live a little..."

"Owen, if it isn't perfected, there's nothing to be launched. It's the first of its kind. An innovation..."

"Dude, relax," he sighed. "You're going to bore me to death. Please, Keep Whitmore Robotics away at least for the time we're here. You're the genius. I'm the idiot who reminds you to enjoy yourself."

"Yeah, all right," I grumbled.

"Besides." he grinned. "I thought your biggest concern was getting recognized and having the whole trip ruined. Doesn't seem like that's been a problem so far."

I scoffed. "Someone's going to recognize me eventually. The whole reason I told you that coming to this pool was a stupid idea."

He rolled his eyes. "Man, find a girl..."

Owen got distracted as two girls in skimpy bikinis walked by and eyed us up and down. One of them gave me a wink and a little finger wave.

I responded with a half-smile and chin jerk, but that was it. I let her continue right on by.

"Really, man?!" Owen gently smacked my chest, once the girls were out of earshot.

"What do you mean?"

He sat up and swung his feet around so he was facing me fully. "That girl was clearly flirting with you," he said. "And she was hot, but you didn't even look twice at her. What's wrong with you?"

"Why are you getting on my ass about this?" I demanded to know before shrugging. "Yeah, she was hot, but so what? Look around, dude. There are tons of hot girls here. You know I have rules. Very. Strict. Rules."

Owen rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "Fuck rules, Hudson. You mean you don't want to get some Vegas pussy all because of stupid rules you created?" Owen narrowed his eyes. "Wait."

"What?"

"Are you gay?"

I stared at him. "Seriously?"

"I'm just saying, I've known you for years and I've never seen you chase a woman."

"I'm very much into women, Owen. Don't be dramatic."

"Prove it."

"Hell no! I'm just not going to sink my penis into some random female just to prove a point to you. Also, I thought this was supposed to be us spending time together. So, you want me to ditch you..."

"Yes!" He didn't let me finish. Owen clasped his hands to his chest and spoke in a too-sweet voice. "Aw! I'm so touched though that you'd give up sex with a hot bikini girl for me."

"Don't let it go to your head," I warned him.

He chuckled and reached out a hand to give my knee a firm pat. "It is kind of cool of you to prioritize me," he said. "But still, forget those ridiculous standards you've set and go get an orgasm. It's the best therapy for your mind."

I didn't respond and a moment of silence fell between us.

Owen's eyes darted around for a bit before landing back on me. He suddenly looked nervous, which put me on the edge immediately.

"What?" I urged.

He stared out at the pool for a few seconds before speaking again. "Can I ask you something?"

"Even if I said no, you'll still ask."

A smile that disappeared almost immediately tugged the corner of his lips. He hesitated a moment more, before finally speaking. "Have you... talked to your Dad lately?"

My jaw clenched at the mere mention of my father. "No. And I don't plan on talking to him ever."

Owen nodded, a flash of understanding crossing his gaze. "I know," he murmured. "I wish he did better as a father and wasn't such a dick..."

"Owen, please, let's not talk about him," I growled.

Gray Whitmore.

The only man who could ruin my day without being anywhere near me.

My irritation shot through the roof. I decided I didn't want to be around all these drunk idiots who didn't seem to have a care in the world as they laughed and partied. I moved to get up off my lounge chair and Owen asked, "Where are you going?"

"I'm going back to the room. I'm tired, and..." My words trailed off when I suddenly locked eyes with a gorgeous copper auburn standing on the other side of the pool. Her gaze was warm hazel-brown, and her shy, tentative smile made my heart race.

She was wearing a bikini that matched her eyes and showed off her curvy figure and fair, lightly sun-kissed glow that made the copper tones in her hair stand out even more. Her hair was in a messy bun at the back of her head, while stubborn strands escaped to frame her face, softening her features and giving her an effortless kind of beauty. When she moved her head, the hair caught the sun and turned it into molten amber.

She kept tucking loose hair behind one ear every few seconds.

Suddenly, I didn't care about my father, work or the launch. My irritation drained away and was replaced by the urgent need to meet this girl. I couldn't say for certain what it was about her that made her stand out among the sea of attractive and scantily clad figures around us, but I had to know who she was.

I wasn't the type of guy who believed in love talk more of the ridiculous concepts of love at first sight. I never slept with anyone without clear boundaries, recent test results, and an understanding neither of us expected more than pleasure.

However, this was lust at first sight, and I was so pulled to get her. I wanted this girl. Badly. And, given the way she couldn't seem to take her eyes off me, I think that she wanted me just as badly.

So help me God, I was about to break my own rules.