His Naughty Lessons
Chapter 68: Utilitarian and Entertaining

Chapter 68: Utilitarian and Entertaining

** Eli **

The expectant curiosity on Harper’s face was dazzling. For a moment, Eli simply stared, forgetting to answer her question.

She was gorgeous today. Breathtakingly so. He had been transfixed ever since she stepped through those glass doors to the terrace, just as the evening sunlight fell at an angle onto her delicate frame. It was enchanting, the way her eyes gleamed when she took in the scenery in front of her, the way her lips parted ever so slightly in a silent gasp of awe. Not to mention how beautifully that new dress fit her, the soft ivory lending her skin a silky, flawless glow. Eli had to try hard not to keep his gaze locked on her for too long, as if he was ogling ... like he probably appeared to be doing right now.

But it was so difficult to look away, especially when she had that waiting smile on her face.

Eli had seen a fair share of attractive women in his life. Probably more than a fair share. But after all these years, Harper still struck him as completely different from everyone else. It probably had something to do with that genuine air of hers, the way that whenever she smiled or laughed or simply looked at him curiously, she meant it. She was always so unpretentious, so ... real.

Unlike him. Unlike most people who were a part of the life that he was used to.

"Eli?" Harper’s voice snapped him back from the meandering thoughts. He realized belatedly — embarrassingly — that he was still staring.

"Um, right." They were talking about the venture project. "It will take a couple of weeks for the contract to finalize, of course. We’re currently going through all the legal side of things. Once that’s done, it will be time to discuss the project scopes and schedules. Since this is the first partnership between our companies, the discussions will likely take quite a while and involve extended meetings between members of both teams ..."

He was speaking a bit fast and borderline rambling about irrelevant details. Ugh. What was this about acting out of his own character every time Harper was around? "Anyway. What I’m trying to say, is that we’ll need to get everyone together more easily than having to travel back and forth between offices, or doing the whole thing over zoom."

Harper nodded in agreement. "A satellite office could do," she suggested with a half-joking grin. "Or you can just make yourself at home in one of our spare conference rooms. Can you imagine that — I’ll actually see you every day at work!"

Hmm. Eli knew she was only kidding, but he filed away that thought for later consideration anyway. Seeing her every day at work did sound like a tempting perk. Though— "It gets better than that," he chuckled. "The current plan is something that’s both utilitarian and entertaining."

Harper tilted her head, clearly intrigued.

The waiter took that opportunity of brief silence to bring them their first course.

"Oh, you’ve already ordered before I got here?" Harper looked at the seared scallops in front of her. "This looks delicious."

"... Right, I forgot to tell you about that." Because he kept getting distracted by staring at her like an idiot. "This restaurant runs on a menu dégustation only. Five courses of the chef’s special selections, and you won’t know which one you’re getting until it’s on the table. I hope you’ll like the surprise."

Harper’s eyes snapped toward him with a gleam. "I like surprises," she grinned again. "And you’re good at making them worth it. So tell me — what could possibly get better than an office next door?"

Eli smiled at her impatience. He waited for the waiter to leave, then leaned across the table. "How about a hotel room next door?" he whispered with a suggestive tone.

Harper blinked.

"Remember I said I’ll need to show you those luxury hotels we partner with in the Caribbean?" he continued. "Unfortunately, July is not the greatest time for the Caribbean, hurricane season and all that, but we do have an equally luxurious alternative — a resort in Hawaii. Summer is the perfect time of year for a beach break there, with lots of sun and warm water. So, as a toast to the beginning of a new partnership and a warm-up to kick off the projects, we’re planning an offsite meeting at the resort in just a couple of weeks."

He paused, waiting to see Harper’s reaction to the news. He was half expecting her to clasp her hands and squeak in excitement, or widen those beautiful eyes in thrilled disbelief, when she said instead, "Hawaii? For the whole team? But how big a portion of the budget is that going to cost?"

"..."

Right, that was Harper for you, always practical and down to earth. Instead of daydreaming about a luxurious vacation, she was wondering if it’d burn away the precious budget that was hard earned for the team. What an exceptional girl.

"Not much at all, actually," Eli replied, hiding his awe. "Partner hotel packages are kind of a mutually beneficial deal. Besides, only the core team members will be invited, and not all rooms are equally expensive."

She nodded as if in relief. Then the excitement finally hit. "Wow, Hawaii ... I’d never even dream of it for a business trip! And if this restaurant is anything to go by to speak for your standards" — she gestured at the ornate terrace and limestone building — "I bet the hotel will be unlike anything I’ve ever seen ... You’ll be staying at the presidential suite, I assume? Can I come see how splendid it looks?"

Eli gave her a sly glance at that. "Only to see?" he smirked, feeling the urge to tease her. "I was thinking more along the lines of continuing our lesson arrangements there, to add some new vibes to your writing inspirations ..." He laughed when Harper’s eyes widened. "What do you say? Isn’t this more utilitarian and entertaining than an office next door?"