The Ruthless Gentleman
by Louise Bay
by Louise Bay
As a chief stewardess on luxury superyachts, I massage egos, pamper the spoiled and cater to the most outlandish desires of the rich and famous.
I’ve never had a guest want something I can’t give them. Until British businessman Hayden Wolf comes aboard—all sexy swagger and mysterious requests.
He wants me.
And Hayden Wolf’s a man who’s used to getting exactly what he demands.
Despite being serious and focused. Demanding and ruthless. He’s also charming when I least expect it as well as being devastatingly handsome with an almost irresistible smile.
But guests are strictly off limits and I’ve never broken a rule. Not even bent one. My family are depending on me and I can’t lose my job.
Only problem is Hayden Wolf is looking at me like I just changed his life. And he's touching me like he’s about to change mine.
A standalone romance.
Add to Goodreads
I’ve never had a guest want something I can’t give them. Until British businessman Hayden Wolf comes aboard—all sexy swagger and mysterious requests.
He wants me.
And Hayden Wolf’s a man who’s used to getting exactly what he demands.
Despite being serious and focused. Demanding and ruthless. He’s also charming when I least expect it as well as being devastatingly handsome with an almost irresistible smile.
But guests are strictly off limits and I’ve never broken a rule. Not even bent one. My family are depending on me and I can’t lose my job.
Only problem is Hayden Wolf is looking at me like I just changed his life. And he's touching me like he’s about to change mine.
A standalone romance.
Add to Goodreads
Pack Your Bags And Get Ready To Board!
Exclusive Excerpt
“Good morning, sir. Coffee, juice, the Financial Times, and the Wall Street Journal,” I said as the doors slid open. I bent and put the tray on the table beside his chair, glancing at him to check his reaction. With his muscular, bronzed legs and slightly curly hair that had seemed straighter yesterday, he looked like any other guest. I couldn’t imagine he took much care in shopping for clothes and, given the way he’d reacted to me offering to unpack for him yesterday, it seemed unlikely he had a stylist or someone to buy them for him. Perhaps his expensively rumpled linen shirt, which was still on unfortunately, and French blue shorts had been bought by a girlfriend.
“Because I’m British?” he asked, indicating the Financial Times.
Clearly he wasn’t a morning person. “No, sir, we have that on board for all our guests.”
He slid his laptop to the end of the lounger. “You don’t need to call me sir. Hayden is just fine.”
“I was wondering,” I said, tucking the tray under my arm. “Chef Neill would really appreciate some guidance on your food preferences. Is there anything in particular you’d like to see on the menu?”
“I was serious yesterday when I said I don’t mind.”
Neill was climbing the walls with this guy’s lack of concern about mealtimes, and I hated to see him so stressed. I glanced out over the water. The haze of the sun sitting on the horizon blurred the coastline as though some kind of force field existed between the water and the land. “It’s going to be a scorching hot day. What about I get you fruit, yogurt and toast for your breakfast? A chicken, goat cheese and pomegranate salad for lunch and then what about sirloin steak in a watercress sauce for dinner?” I was pretty much suggesting my favorite foods.
A beat of silence passed as I waited for a response. He might think I was being too pushy and get irritated. Some men—I found it was the less confident ones—would react badly to a stewardess trying to steer them in one direction or another.
“I think that sounds like you just read my mind and described my favorite foods.”
I wanted to tell him they were mine but that was probably too familiar. “Reading minds is part of the package,” I replied, trying not to show how delighted I was at his reaction.
The corner of his mouth curled up and I wondered if he’d be a good kisser. “Good to know. I might have a use for that kinda skill.” He paused, almost as if he was going to say something, but then pulled his laptop back onto his knee as I mentally high-fived myself at getting this guy to engage a little, to loosen up. He stopped typing. “And actually, if you can throw in some carbs somewhere, that would work.”
“No problem.” I was about to walk away but I wanted more for Neill than just today’s menu. And it was my job to ensure Hayden Wolf had what he wanted.
“I guess in your business you like working with people who want to give their best. People who give one hundred percent, and are great at what they do?”
Hayden looked up from his laptop, frowning.
“Well, the crew want to do the same for you, and our mind-reading ability only goes so far. We want to give you our absolute best. Neill is a fantastic chef. This boat has amazing facilities—Jet Skis, a pool area that we can set up in the ocean that safeguards against jellyfish. We even have an inflatable banana.” I paused. “Although that might not be your thing.” It was difficult to imagine Hayden Wolf doing anything just for fun, but I was sure he’d go to his grave without sitting astride an inflatable banana. “We’re here to give one hundred percent. And we like what we do. I know you are incredibly busy, but if you could give some thought to your preferences sheet, maybe it will provide you with a little light relief between phone calls.” I set down a blank form I’d printed off in the wheelhouse earlier. “This is an unusual charter for us—just one guest, eight weeks.” I shrugged. “We would be really grateful for a bit of direction.”
He didn’t say anything but continued to look at me with his dark blue eyes after I finished speaking. “I’ll take a look,” he replied eventually.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to go on. I just—”
“I’ll take a look.” He was done talking.
“Thank you.” I headed back to the main salon. It wasn’t a promise, but maybe he’d come up with something and at least I had today’s menu for Neill.
“Avery.”
I turned back to face him.
He didn’t look up from his laptop. “I’d like to deal with you as much as possible, exclusively, in fact.”
I didn’t let my smile drop as heat stirred in my belly. He wanted more time with me? Or did he not like Skylar and August?
“It might make things easier. I don’t want to have to fend off small talk from other crew.”
“Because I’m British?” he asked, indicating the Financial Times.
Clearly he wasn’t a morning person. “No, sir, we have that on board for all our guests.”
He slid his laptop to the end of the lounger. “You don’t need to call me sir. Hayden is just fine.”
“I was wondering,” I said, tucking the tray under my arm. “Chef Neill would really appreciate some guidance on your food preferences. Is there anything in particular you’d like to see on the menu?”
“I was serious yesterday when I said I don’t mind.”
Neill was climbing the walls with this guy’s lack of concern about mealtimes, and I hated to see him so stressed. I glanced out over the water. The haze of the sun sitting on the horizon blurred the coastline as though some kind of force field existed between the water and the land. “It’s going to be a scorching hot day. What about I get you fruit, yogurt and toast for your breakfast? A chicken, goat cheese and pomegranate salad for lunch and then what about sirloin steak in a watercress sauce for dinner?” I was pretty much suggesting my favorite foods.
A beat of silence passed as I waited for a response. He might think I was being too pushy and get irritated. Some men—I found it was the less confident ones—would react badly to a stewardess trying to steer them in one direction or another.
“I think that sounds like you just read my mind and described my favorite foods.”
I wanted to tell him they were mine but that was probably too familiar. “Reading minds is part of the package,” I replied, trying not to show how delighted I was at his reaction.
The corner of his mouth curled up and I wondered if he’d be a good kisser. “Good to know. I might have a use for that kinda skill.” He paused, almost as if he was going to say something, but then pulled his laptop back onto his knee as I mentally high-fived myself at getting this guy to engage a little, to loosen up. He stopped typing. “And actually, if you can throw in some carbs somewhere, that would work.”
“No problem.” I was about to walk away but I wanted more for Neill than just today’s menu. And it was my job to ensure Hayden Wolf had what he wanted.
“I guess in your business you like working with people who want to give their best. People who give one hundred percent, and are great at what they do?”
Hayden looked up from his laptop, frowning.
“Well, the crew want to do the same for you, and our mind-reading ability only goes so far. We want to give you our absolute best. Neill is a fantastic chef. This boat has amazing facilities—Jet Skis, a pool area that we can set up in the ocean that safeguards against jellyfish. We even have an inflatable banana.” I paused. “Although that might not be your thing.” It was difficult to imagine Hayden Wolf doing anything just for fun, but I was sure he’d go to his grave without sitting astride an inflatable banana. “We’re here to give one hundred percent. And we like what we do. I know you are incredibly busy, but if you could give some thought to your preferences sheet, maybe it will provide you with a little light relief between phone calls.” I set down a blank form I’d printed off in the wheelhouse earlier. “This is an unusual charter for us—just one guest, eight weeks.” I shrugged. “We would be really grateful for a bit of direction.”
He didn’t say anything but continued to look at me with his dark blue eyes after I finished speaking. “I’ll take a look,” he replied eventually.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to go on. I just—”
“I’ll take a look.” He was done talking.
“Thank you.” I headed back to the main salon. It wasn’t a promise, but maybe he’d come up with something and at least I had today’s menu for Neill.
“Avery.”
I turned back to face him.
He didn’t look up from his laptop. “I’d like to deal with you as much as possible, exclusively, in fact.”
I didn’t let my smile drop as heat stirred in my belly. He wanted more time with me? Or did he not like Skylar and August?
“It might make things easier. I don’t want to have to fend off small talk from other crew.”
© Louise Bay, The Ruthless Gentleman, 2018
Review
Avery Walker never expected the turn her life would take but things don't always go as plan. Her family means the world to her and she'll do whatever it takes to provide for them. But when she takes this latest assignment, her life is turned upside down yet again.
Hayden Wolf has worked hard to get where he is in this world. So when his empire is threaten, he'll stop at nothing to find out who's behind the plot and do what it takes to make his empire stronger. What he never expected was the meet someone that completely turns his world upside.
Some line are meant to be crossed while others are not. Yet when attraction is as strong as what Avery and Hayden have, some chances are worth the risk.
But when certain actions come to light, will miscommunications and misunderstandings tear them apart for good, or will they be able to over come this hurdle and become a stronger couple?
The Ruthless Gentleman is a fun, exciting, engaging read that captives the reader right from start and keeps them enchanted until the sensational end.
Avery is smart, caring, and loyal woman that isn't afraid of a little hard work. I love how strong her passion is to be there for family as well as doing her best on job. She's a strong, independent woman who'll do what is needed and solve any problem that comes her way.
Hayden may be a ruthless business man, but he is also a very humble and kind human being. I love how close he is with his brother, their banter is stellar for sure. His keen intellect and kind heart make him a hero worth swooning over.
I enjoyed watching Avery and Hayden getting to know each other and finally succumbing to their passion. Their connection is intense right from the start and only grows that more time they spend together. But be warned, Hayden has a way with words that will make you panties melt, knees weak, and hearts skip a beat.
Louise has give us another sizzling read that you won't want to put down. The storyline is fun and engaging, the hero is intriguing and sexy, the heroine is witty and saucy, and passion that will take your breath away.
I highly recommend you pack your bags, grab your sunscreen, and get ready for trip filled with sun, surf, and a whole lot of sex appeal.
About Louise Bay
USA Today bestselling author, Louise Bay writes sexy, contemporary romance novels – the kind she likes to read. Her books include the novels Faithful (not currently on sale as undergoing maintenance!), Hopeful, The Empire State Series, The Nights Series (a series of standalones alone books each following different characters) and The Royals Collection.
Ruined by romantic mini-series of the eighties, Louise loves all things romantic. There’s not enough of it in real life so she disappears into the fictional worlds in books and films.
Louise loves the rain, The West Wing, London, days when she doesn’t have to wear make-up, being on her own, being with friends, elephants and champagne.
She loves to hear from readers so get in touch!
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