jake

Ginny's POV

After a quick shower, I combed a wave defining cream through my hair with my fingers and twirled pieces around my fingertips to shape them. I dabbed on a tinted moisturizer with sunscreen in it, then tapped a warm coppery eye shadow on both of my lids to complement my green eyes.

With a soft bristled brush I swiped a bronzer-blush blend over both cheekbones, then coated my lashes with two coats of volumizing mascara. I finished the look by smoothing rose balm over my lips and rubbing them together tightly to bring blood to the surface.

Regarding myself in the bathroom mirror, I tugged on the off-the-shoulder sweater I had chosen, shimmying it down just slightly to show off my collarbones. I spritzed my neck with my favorite citrus almond body spray, and slid an edgy pair of pewter earrings into my ears before walking through the bedroom and opening the door.

I let out an involuntary squeal of surprise to see Derek relaxed on the couch directly in front of my bedroom door, watching me with predatory eyes.

"Ready?" he asked, his voice a low rumble.

"Yeah," I breathed.

I walked past him and grabbed my keys and purse off the hook by the door and gestured for him to exit. As he did, I shamelessly checked out his butt.

Yep. Nice as fuck.

After locking the door and dropping my keys into my bag, I looked around the parking lot for the black sports car we had driven in yesterday. I didn't see many cars in the parking lot at all, being a weekday while people were at work, but I certainly didn't see the black GTR.

Beep beep.

The electronic sound of a car unlocking pulled my attention to the left, where Derek was walking nonchalantly towards a jacked up black jeep with a full body kit, making it look aggressive and powerful.

As Derek opened the passenger side door for me, I grinned and hopped in, swinging myself up into the seat with ease.

When I turned to reach for my seat belt, I caught sight of the shocked look on his face.

"What?" I asked flatly.

"Nothing," he said, shaking his head. "Just... I usually have to help people up into this car."

I laughed openly as he slammed my door and came around to the other side, climbing up into his seat in one effortless move before settling back and looking at me.

"Ready for a fun ride?" He asked, wagging his eyebrows up and down.

I kept as serious a face as I could manage and answered, "I was born ready."

This time when the vehicle shot forward, I was ready for it, and I knew I was going to enjoy this ride.

After thirty minutes of bobbing and weaving through traffic, Derek turned off of the main roads onto a two lane highway, and we floated along in silence, my thoughts wandering across the Arizona countryside.

"We're here," Derek announced suddenly, drawing my attention back as he pulled the Jeep into a narrow driveway flanked by huge columns.

A classy, stamped metal sign boasted the name of the exclusive Galloway Ranch. I took in the scenery, the sloping paths that led to different buildings on the ranch, and the subtle built-in grottoes that were nestled into little nooks in the landscape.

l watched Derek's long fingers grip the steering wheel with ease as he maneuvered across the rocky ground and slowed to a stop in front of the main entrance to the ranch. As Derek rolled up under the parking pavillion, I watched the massive, ornate door open to the main building, and I craned my neck to try to sneak a peek at the inside of the building.

Instead, however, my view was blocked by a massive, solid form in the doorway.

Well over six feet tall, just an inch or so shy of Derek's height, the man who opened the door had warm caramel skin and soft, gentle golden eyes framed by long, feathery lashes. Tiny dreadlocks were tucked under a gray, wool beanie, a perfect compliment to the long sleeved henley he wore over khaki cargo pants and worn leather boots.

We rolled to a stop in front of the low stone porch and Derek put the car in park before leaning across the center console to give a brotherly wave to the venti caramel macchiato that was sauntering towards us, his massive, chiseled chest flexing under the slim fitting fabric of his shirt as he tucked a hand under his chin and gave the little rascals wave back to Derek.

Derek's eyes slid sideways to to mine as he cracked a grin. "Come on, Virginia, meet my right hand man."

"It's Ginny," I snapped instinctually, forgetting that I had agreed to answer to my full name with Derek. I clicked my seatbelt loose and grabbing my leather hobo bag with one hand while reaching for the door handle with the other.

Derek smirked and let out a little puff of air that sounded suspiciously like a chuckle as he let himself out of the Jeep in one fluid motion.

I rolled my eyes and unlatched the door handle just as the entire car door was swept out of my hand and out of the way, only to be replaced with a mountain of warm khaki topped with cream colored waffle knit.

I swallowed hard as I noticed the rippling ab muscles barely contained beneath the cotton fabric, then let my eyes wander lazily up, up, and up as the trim waist broadened to huge, firm shoulders that flexed deliciously as he swung the door wide and leaned forward to offer me a wide, calloused hand.

These men are definitely hard workers.

I slung my bag up onto my shoulder and reached out, placing my left hand in his and swinging my feet out of the vehicle as his huge hand swallowed mine, pulling me to my feet in the small gravel space between the car and the curb.

The added five inches he stood on put me eye level with his flat stomach, and his warm, cocoa and coffee scent overtook my senses. I smiled breathlessly and sidestepped the giant just as Derek appeared on my right, grabbing my hand and pulling me quickly up onto the curb, my left hand still grasped in the hand of the giant.

Looking from one man to the other and back again, I raised my eyebrows and indicated my hands.

The caramel man dropped my hand like a hot potato and stuffed his fists into his pants pockets, grinning in amusement as he turned his face away. I glanced back at Derek as he slowly slid his hand away from mine and replaced the contact with a palm on the small of my back.

Guiding me around the still opened car door, Derek held his right hand out towards the giant caramel god, who turned back to face me again, his expression a blank slate.

"Virginia, this is my oldest friend and business partner, Jake." Derek kept his hand on the small of my back as he spoke, but let it drop away from my body as I stepped forwards and offered my hand to Jake.

It was the first time I had taken in the facial features of the man who had caught my attention coming out the door of the lodge earlier. I took the time to really appreciate it as I slid my hand into his for the second time in two minutes.

As our skin touched, I noticed the stark contrast of my swollen and bruised porcelain knuckles against his warm, coffee and cream colored fingers, and let my gaze travel up his taut, muscular arm.

I focused on my breathing as I saw just how large his shoulders really were, and bit my lip to keep from drooling as my eyes wandered over his chiseled jaw, luscious lips, straight nose and high, broad cheekbones before settling on the warmest hazel brown eyes I had ever seen in my life.

"Jake, this is our new personal assistant, Virginia," Derek announced from over my right shoulder.

"It's just Ginny," I corrected him, not taking my eyes off of Jake's face as I spoke. Hazel eyes squinted in amusement as his mouth curved in to a soft smile. "It's nice to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine, Ginny," Jake said softly, his voice like butter. His hazel eyes sparkled for a moment as he regarded me curiously, then twitched his gaze to Derek.

From my peripheral vision I saw the two of them exchange a look that carried an entire conversation. It was clear the two of them were close friends.

Derek spoke next. "Virginia has agreed to be addressed by her full name while in our service, J. We feel it gives a more wholesome image than 'Ginny' does."

Jake nodded as Derek spoke, and cocked an eyebrow in affirmation at the reason Derek gave for my work-name. I had to admit, Virgin-ya did sound more wholesome and innocent than Ginny, especially considering the fact that we were trying to improve the guys' reputations.

I found myself incredibly interested in the interaction Derek and Jake shared.

I imagined vaguely what else they shared, thinking of my job responsibilities. Then I caught myself and yanked my mind back to the moment.

Wrenching my hand out of Jake's strong but tender grasp, I hooked my thumb in the strap of my purse for some stability and looked from Derek to Jake and back to Derek.

"Well, which one of you is going to show me around the place?" I asked expectantly, wickedly enjoying the scramble both men went through to answer my question.

I almost couldn't blame them for acting like nervous teenagers; I knew I looked good. After Derek blindsided me with work and then insisted it was a casual day, I had decided to be a little sexier than usual with my outfit as a boost of self esteem after seeing my ex.

I had selected a wine colored, off the shoulder sweater over dark, form fitting skinny jeans that hugged my hips, and wedge heel booties, a combo that accentuated my figure and made my legs look a mile long.

After an awkward moment of confused conversation, the pair of tall, handsome men smiled and said together, "we both are," before each offering me an arm.