ROMANCE: THE SHEIKH'S GAMES: A Sheikh Romance (44 page)

“Good morning Beau. Why are you on the far side of the bed? Come close and keep me warm,” Rosemary cooed, as she had been his companion the previous night.

“Sorry Ro. I have to shower and get ready for a meeting at 8:30 so I have no time to snuggle.”

Rosemary was the daughter of a business associate of Beau’s. Bringing her home seemed like a good idea after several bourbons. He had to remind himself that prudent choices were not made after a few drinks.

“You don’t expect me to get up at the crack of dawn, do you Beau? I suppose that joining you in the shower might wake me up.” Rosemary had legs that went on forever and a great body that she had paid a great deal of money to maintain.

“My morning shower is a solitary pursuit. We had plenty of fun last night, from what I can remember and who knows maybe this will happen again. Sleep as long as you want and the kitchen is yours to raid. Tell your father I’ll call him this week and thanks for last night Rosemary.”

Beau kissed Rosemary good-bye before he walked naked into his private bathroom. She was bewildered and disappointed as women usually were after spending the night in Beau Savage’s bed. There were countless other bathrooms in his home but the one off his bedroom was his sanctuary. The walls were Italian marble with ornate etchings. The shower stall was made of the same material and it was larger than most apartments in New York City. Whoever said that things were bigger in Texas had never been to Beau’s ranch in Wyoming, which his grandfather Jacob had named the
Wandering Bison Ranch
. He stood as the eight pulsating jets massaged his 6’2” frame. Beau was all muscle and although he was 41, he had never been in better shape with a wasp waist and squared off shoulders. He washed his black hair, which was flecked with gray and closed his blue-gray eyes. He hoped that by the time he was done with his morning rituals, that Rosemary had taken the hint and moved along. Beau enjoyed a woman’s company at night but when the sun shined, it was time for business.

Beau put on his hat and favorite pair of boots before hopping in his truck. If it were up to him, he would have on jeans and head to the stables. Unfortunately, he was more than a cowboy; he was the president and CEO of a business empire. Someday, he hoped he could seamlessly delegate the business aspect of his life to a son but that required a mate and that didn’t seem to be in the cards. He knew that most single women were aware of how much he was worth and wanted a slice of the pie. He had been called paranoid but at least he was having fun. He decided to swing by his Grandfather’s home on the ranch to say hello before going into Cheyenne.

“Hey Pops. I thought I would come and check on things before going into Cheyenne.” Beau pulled up to the white four-bedroom ranch house his grandfather called home.

“I don’t need watching over Beau. You hired that Pearl lady to look out for me. What were you thinking getting that tart to be my caretaker? Is she one of your castoffs?”

Jason Savage, 90, was the only person from which Beau took orders. He had outlived two wives, a daughter and a son. He had been just like Beau when he was young, which is why Savage Enterprises, Inc. thrived. He was an old curmudgeon but he was wise and tough. With his deep wrinkles and gnarled hands, Beau pictured himself in 50 years. It made him determined to get as much living as possible into that time.

“Pearl isn’t a tart Pops and I never bagged her. She’s a nice trustworthy woman. I looked into her background to make sure she’s not a gold digger. I wouldn’t bring in anyone in who has designs on our fortune.”

“Speaking of tarts. How’s your love life Beau? Am I gonna live to meet the future Mrs. Beau Savage?” Pops asked with a grin.

“Doubtful Pops. I expect you to stick around for a while but women are disposable assets to me. I have yet to meet a woman who can hold my interest for more than a night or two.”

“You have a stable full of women but you’ll know her when you meet her. Then you can send some of them fillies my way.”

“I’ll keep it in mind Pops. Gotta run and catch a meeting but I’ll stop by tomorrow and we can sip a glass of bourbon.”

“Don’t spend too much time in that suit. It’ll start to itch after a while,” Pops said as he tilted his hat down over his eyes. He spent the majority of his days resting on his front porch and dreaming of life on the range.

Jackie Keller, 29, was going to meet with whomever she could find who would talk to her about the evening’s charity event benefitting the children’s hospital. Savage Enterprises was a major donor and as the catering manager at the Clear Creek Resort, she needed information. A big table was reserved for the corporation. Jackie needed to know what they might be drinking and eating. It would be embarrassing if they ran out of the CEO’s favorite.

Jackie’s priority was to meet Beau Savage. All she knew about him was that he was a playboy, highly intelligent and not to be underestimated. From a friend she had also heard that the man was hot and advised her not to be burned. Having just moved from New York City where she worked at the resort’s corporate office, Jackie thought she could handle anything. A man wearing a cowboy hat and living on a farm would be nothing compared to the sharks that she encountered back east.

“You appear lost.”

Beau walked through the oversized glass and steel doors of the BSE building. He noticed a woman who was beautiful and bewildered so of course he approached her. Jackie was gob smacked by the Adonis towering above her petite 5’2” frame.

“I’m new to Wyoming and this is my first time in the BSE building. I need some information from someone on the executive level for the charity event tonight. I want to make sure the Clear Creek Resort has everything they need. I’m the catering manager and I’ll be overseeing the event.”

“Do you come with a name? I might be able to help.” Beau smiled as he enjoyed toying with the stunning stranger.

“I’m Jackie Keller. What I’m trying to find out, if you’re able to help is what the people at the table drink and if there are any foods that the CEO in particular dislikes. I hear he’s finicky and a bit of a pain.”

Beau laughed. “I guess that’s accurate. Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Beau Savage. CEO and majority shareholder of Savage enterprises.”

There wasn’t a name for the shade of red that Jackie turned.

“Oh, I don’t know how I can begin to apologize. I heard you were. Ugh, bad start. Can I have a do-over?”

“Come to my office Jackie and I’ll let you try to impress me. I’ll also give you all the particulars about what I demand at my table. This is a $2000 per plate event and if you screw it up then your stay in Wyoming will be a short one.

Jackie followed Beau to the elevators and they ascended to the 30th floor which contained his office and a penthouse suite for his use only. A redhead in her 20’s occupied a massive desk constructed of roughhewn timbers. The décor was western but elegant featuring a portrait of Beau and what looked like his grandfather about whom she had read. Beau showed Jackie in and removed his tan cowboy hat. She no longer thought of him as just a cowboy who lived on a farm but as an in-control executive.

“I have a list of things I need to know.” Jackie sat in a brown leather hair and pushed her long pin-straight hair behind her ears. “I’m going to fire questions at you.”

“No, no, no. I don’t take well to being fired at. The children’s hospital has a wing in my family’s name thus I believe I have the right to run the show.”

Beau cleared his throat as Jackie nodded and got out her pen to take notes.

“I want only female servers for our table. Don’t even think of pouring water from a pitcher as I only drink bottled water; preferably French. I’m to be addressed as Mr. Savage and I will speak for everyone at the table. No chitchat from the servers. Too many times I’ve encountered waitresses that think they stand a chance with me. Any beef served is to be from one of the suppliers that buys from Savage Enterprises. I’ll be able to tell if it’s not from my cattle.” Beau put his feet up on his desk, revealing boots that were probably worth $1000 and had never been worn before. “I have wine already in the cellar at Clear Creek so don’t try and serve anything else. As far as bourbon goes, I drink
Angel’s Envy
or
Bookers
on the rocks but don’t let the ice melt. I require a new glass every 20 minutes, whether I have touched it or not.” Beau paused.

Beau watched Jackie as she took notes. She was not like women he was used to seeing. She owned the space she occupied with a sense of confidence and grace. Her long black hair and olive complexion made her look like an Indian princess although her eyes were light green. She was slender but strong and all natural which was rarely seen in the circles in which he mingled.

“Accommodating your needs will be no problem. I ask in return that you treat my wait staff with respect. They’ll be there to do a job and since it’s clear none of them stand a chance with you; there is no need for chit-chat. I have the names of everyone at your table Mr. Savage, except for your guest. Can you provide me with a name?” Jackie waited for an answer.

Beau was caught off guard by the question. “Her name is Tammy. No, it’s Theresa. Oh, now I remember, Tiffany will be accompanying me to the dinner.”

“Does Tiffany have a last name,” Jackie shot back.

“You’ll have to ask her,” The corners of Beau’s mouth turned up slightly.

“I have what I need Mr. Savage. I can show myself out and I’ll be there tonight if you have any last minute needs.”

He thought of a need Jackie could help him with but he could tell Ms. Keller would not be so easy. “My life story is all over the media. What’s yours Jackie?”

“How far back do you want me to go? I was born in Utica NY.”

Beau interrupted as he took his feet of his desk and got comfortable on a chair next to Jackie.

“Skip ahead to how you arrived in Southeast Wyoming working at Clear Creek Resort.”

“I started for working for Dominion, which is the parent company of many resorts around the world right after graduating from Fordham University. I worked my way up in catering as I worked in Bermuda, South Carolina and the Cayman Islands. I went back to NYC to get some further training and now I’m here.”

“Married? Children? Lesbian?” Beau asked.

“This isn’t Match.com so I don’t feel obligated to answer but I will. No, No and No. I have to leave Mr. Savage.”

“See you tonight Ms. Keller.”

“Can’t wait to meet Tiffany.”

“Who? Oh yeah, my date.” Beau winked.

After a busy morning in the office, where he seldom spent his workdays Beau went into his penthouse. The panoramic view faced the Rocky Mountains and rolling foothills. The western view had spectacular sunsets, which had been enjoyed by many beautiful women. On that afternoon, there was only one woman on his mind. He couldn’t get Jackie Keller out of his thoughts. There was rarely a day in which his personal voicemail box was not flooded by invitations from supermodels, socialites and actresses. Beau reclined on his chaise pondering why a catering manager from Utica NY had gotten under his skin.
What the hell
he thought and picked up the phone.

“Felicity (the red haired receptionist) I want a flower arrangement sent to Jackie Keller, catering Manager at Clear Creek Resort. Make it a nice mix of wildflowers indigenous to Wyoming.”

“Yes sir. What should the card say?” Felicity asked. “
Welcome to Wyoming — Mr. Savage (Beau).
That’s all and hold my calls. I also have to make sure my tux is ready for tonight. Buzz me when Tammy gets here. I mean Tiffany.”

Jackie pulled up to the Resort on Cow Creek. On her way back from downtown Cheyenne, she was trying to decide if she liked or hated Beau Savage. He was a male-chauvinist pig who clearly thought that any woman would be lucky to land him. On the other hand, he didn’t hide who he was, which was refreshing. Many men she had known showed themselves one way but hid their true selves. It was his eyes and toned physique that threw her off her game. He also had an air of mischief about him that was sexy. She shook her head because she doubted he had even remembered her name.“Hey Colette. Can you get me a list of the servers on duty tonight and I’ll need to make sure we have enough
Bookers
bourbon on hand,” Jackie said to her admin.

“You have only been in town two weeks and you already have an admirer.”

“What are you talking about Colette?”

“Flowers are on your desk. I know the florist and I could pay my month’s rent for what that arrangement cost.”

Jackie was blasted by the pleasant aroma of the flowers as she read the card. Colette smiled while standing in the doorway as she waited for details. They had become friends since Jackie moved to Cheyenne and she knew of no special man in Jackie’s life.

“Who’s the guy Jackie?”

“Beau Savage. He’s just a client.”

“There is nothing
just
about Beau Savage. He’s the most sought after man in the Western U.S. I would be bouncing up and down with joy if I ever got flowers from him.”

“He’s a cowboy from Wyoming. I’m a glorified food server from New York City. I’m a bit of a feminist and he’s not. He’s charming, suave and drop-dead gorgeous but not my type,” Jackie lied.

“What are you wearing tonight so you can try hard not to impress Mr. Savage?” Colette grinned as she enjoyed teasing her boss.

Alone in her office having finally gotten rid of Colette, Jackie called Beau.

“Hi. Mr. Savage. I’m surprised to hear you answering your phone,” Jackie said.

“I scribbled my personal number on my card and I was expecting your call. I was sure a nice college educated girl would call to say thank you for the flowers. Call me Beau.”

“You asked that you be addressed as Mr. Savage.”

“I didn’t mean you. I’m straight forward as you know and therefore I’ll say what’s on my mind. You intrigue me Jackie. You’re smart and beautiful, which is a rare combination and I should know. As my grandfather would say, I have many women in my stable. I find you to stand out.”

“Did you really just compare me to a horse in a stable — ugh. Do women normally take that kind of talk from you?”