Chapter Four #2
“Might?” He chuckles. “I love my sister, but she’s built some pretty thick walls around that heart of hers. She hasn’t dated since she lost Harvey, and she doesn’t like to talk about him. Especially with people outside the family. If she lets you get close to her, it’ll be a miracle.”
Then miracles do happen, and I’ve got one foot in the door. Physically at least. That’s a start. “I hear you loud and clear. I’m going into this with my eyes open.”
“In that case, I appreciate your transparency. It says a lot about the type of person you are, but what my sister does with her personal life is none of my business. If you feel that strongly about her, go for it. Whether she gives you a chance or tells you to get lost won’t affect our working relationship. ”
Relief washes over me. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“I will give you one piece of advice. Whatever you do, don’t ask anyone to put in a good word for you with Victory.”
“I can do my own bidding, but now I’m curious why you’d say that.”
“Because if anyone tells Victory to run right, she’s not only going to run left, she’ll fucking zigzag just to piss you off.”
Victory
I couldn’t have picked a worse night to hook up with Wells.
As if functioning on little sleep isn’t hard enough, add in an ongoing battle of deliciously dirty memories making me hot and bothered and the guilt those feelings stir, and it’s impossible to focus at my monthly management meeting.
I thought a lunchtime workout would clear my head, but then the songs Wells and I danced to last night came on my playlist and blew that plan out of the water.
It’s late afternoon, the management meeting is in full swing, and I still feel like I’m going to climb out of my skin.
Blank Space recently purchased M&O, a smaller talent agency, and I put Padma Desai, our director of operations, in charge of overseeing their transition and integration into the company.
As she brings us all up to date, my mind tiptoes back to Harvey.
Padma had worked for Harvey for several years before I was hired, and in the years since he’s been gone, we’ve gotten closer.
She’s become the person I rely on most to fill in when I’m traveling or unavailable.
I look around the room at the faces of our other most trusted executives, each of them listening intently to Padma, nodding and taking notes. Harvey would be proud of our team.
Most of these men and women are working their asses off to achieve their dreams, but I think the few who knew Harvey still carry his dreams in their hearts, too. Harvey had that kind of lasting effect on people. I hope I make him proud.
My attention catches on my cell, silenced and face down, lighting up with a message or call.
My thoughts go straight to Wells, and my pulse quickens.
I hate that, but I can no sooner control it than I can stop feeling bad for not texting him back last night.
But the intensity of our chemistry is dangerous.
It’s best to cut myself off cold turkey and let it fizzle out.
I lower my cell to my lap to check it so I don’t distract the others. I’m hit with a pang of disappointment when I see my assistant Yvette’s name on the screen, and I hate that I feel that, too. I tap the message bubble.
Yvette: FYI. Ms. McVay can meet with you Thursday morning. I confirmed and moved your return flight to 2.
I’m glad Ms. McVay is able to work around my busy schedule. I’m heading to Los Angeles tomorrow for a week of meetings, and to support a client who is recording their first album. It’s a big moment for them, and I want to be there to cheer them on.
I thumb out a thank-you and send it off, quickly scanning my other unanswered texts. At the bottom of them, Wells’s name stares back at me. Like an idiot, I open the thread.
Hit me up the next time you’re down for some fun.
Ghosting me already? Or did you pick up another lucky bastard on the way home?
The devil emoji at the bottom has me thinking about last night.
His husky voice tramples through my mind.
Lean up on your elbows, sexy girl. I want those beautiful eyes on me when I make you come.
The image of my legs over his shoulders, his piercing dark eyes watching me as his mouth worked its magic, has my heart racing.
You taste too fucking good. I could eat you all—
“Victory?” Padma asks from the front of the room.
I startle and turn my phone over. Shit . All eyes are on me. “Yes? Sorry, I was handling an issue.” I wave my phone as if to validate my excuse.
“I’m sorry to interrupt,” Padma says. “I was just wondering if you have any questions.”
“No. Thank you. That was an excellent presentation. Unless anyone else has questions for you, I believe we’re done for the day.”
There’s a flurry of activity as everyone gathers their things, and I silently chide myself for getting lost in Wells again .
As I push to my feet, Padma picks up her laptop and comes around the table.
At forty-nine, she’s as striking as she is sharp, with light brown skin, straight raven hair cut just above her shoulders, and keen eyes that never miss a thing.
She stands with her back to the others and lowers her voice.
“Are you okay? You seem a little distracted today.”
“I’m fine. Thanks. Just sidetracked by a few things I need to take care of.” Like erasing my memory .
“Anything I can help with?”
“I wish,” I say lightly, although I don’t wish she could help me with Wells. For some strange reason, the idea of him with another woman bothers me, which is ludicrous. The man has probably slept with half the women on Silver Island.
“Okay. I’ll send you my report and my notes on the other presentations in case you missed anything.”
“You’re a lifesaver. Thank you.” We walk out together, and Mark Savnor, the creative director, falls into step with us.
“Vic, sorry to do this on short notice, but I’m about to send you mock-ups for the strategy meeting tomorrow. Do you have time to review them?”
“Sure, I can do it tonight and get it back to you first thing in the morning.”
“Sounds good. Thanks.” He heads down one hall, and Padma and I head in the other direction toward our offices.
As we walk past Yvette’s desk, our bright-eyed assistant looks up from her computer and smiles, her blond hair covering her shoulders in gentle waves. “Padma, Corbin called. He can’t make dinner tonight. He said he’ll call you later.”
“He needn’t bother,” Padma says. “Cancel once, it’s bad timing. Twice, and it’s iffy. But three times in one month? He’s done.”
“Good for you. You’ve got to know your worth,” Yvette encourages. “Victory, the two messages on your desk need to be returned right away, and the car will pick you up at seven tonight for Cage’s birthday party.”
“ Shoot. I forgot about the party.” Cage Rekyrts is an MMA fighter. He and his brother, Boone, a musician, along with a few of Boone’s friends, were special clients of Harvey’s. I took over managing them after Harvey died.
“Do you want me to tell them you can’t make it?” Yvette asks. “I canceled your dinner reservation at the tavern, but I’m sure they’ll still find a way to fit you in.”
“They better. She’s their best customer,” Padma says.
“No, it’s okay.” I would never let Harvey down by blowing off any of his favorite clients. “I need to make an appearance at the party. Pad, since Corbin canceled, would you mind taking a look at the mocks for Mark?”
“Not at all. It’ll probably be more exciting than Corbin would’ve been anyway.”
“Great. I’ll forward them to you.”
As Padma heads into her office, Yvette says, “Do you have an outfit for tonight? Or do you need me to have one sent over?”
“I’ve got something I can wear, but I could use a blowout, if you wouldn’t mind making an appointment.” I usually tame my thick mane myself for work, but the party is at a rooftop bar, and the humidity will wreak havoc with it.
“Consider it done.”
I head into my office and return those important calls. When I’m done with the calls, I move on to returning emails and reviewing reports. I’m elbow-deep in a document when Yvette rings through on the intercom.
“Excuse me, Victory?” she calls.
“Yes?”
“There’s a Wells Silver here to see you.”
I freeze, and my chest goes hot. What is he doing here? Shitshitshit.
Yvette clears her throat, indicating I’m taking too long.
“You can send him in, thanks.”
I push to my feet as he walks through the door, looking like sex on legs in jeans and a navy T-shirt, both of which hug him in all the right places.
He closes the door behind him, flashing the slow grin that did me in last night.
Butterflies swarm in my chest, and my legs are rooted to the floor behind my desk. “Wells, what are you doing here?”
“I was out looking at properties and thought I’d pop in to say hello.
” He comes around my desk, closing the distance between us, and leans in to kiss my cheek.
His masculine scent infiltrates my senses, awakening my entire body.
“I haven’t heard from you,” he says gently, like he’s stating a fact, not accusing.
“I—”
“No need to explain. I get it.” He brushes the back of his fingers along my cheek, sending shivers of heat down my body. “It’s been a long time since you’ve allowed yourself to take what you wanted. You’re probably having all sorts of thoughts about me, and I bet they make you a little nervous.”
What are you, a mind reader? “Didn’t we talk about you not showing up in my kitchen ?”
“I got hungry,” he says with a seductive glimmer in his eyes.
As hot and exciting as his flirting is, I need to shut it down because I know where it will lead, and the aftermath is too hard to deal with. “I thought we were on the same page about last night.”
“We were. I had a great time, and I think you did, too.”
“I did,” I admit, because he deserves to hear the truth.
“Then let me take you to dinner tonight. It doesn’t have to be anything more than that. I just want to spend time with you, have a few laughs, and get to know you better.”
“As tempting as that sounds, I can’t. I have to attend a birthday party for a client tonight.”
“Need a plus-one?” He motions to his chest. “I look sharp in a suit.”
I laugh softly. “I remember from the wedding, but no thank you.”
“Afraid I’ll put your client to shame? That is a concern. Especially if he’s insecure.”
“He’s an MMA fighter. He doesn’t have an insecure bone in his body.”
“No, I guess he wouldn’t. Then there’s only one explanation for why you wouldn’t want to show up on my arm.” His gaze turns serious, and he takes my hand. “I get that whatever this is between us scares you—”
“I’m not scared .” I tug my hand free, because even that simple touch makes me want more.
“Maybe I used the wrong word. What do you think is holding you back?”
My mind reels through excuses. I like him more than I thought I would, and the sex was phenomenal, but that doesn’t change any of the facts.
He’s still a player, we’re in vastly different places in our lives, and he should be with a woman whose heart isn’t trapped in the past. But I don’t want to discuss any of those things, so I go with, “I’m just not that into you. ”
He grins. “Nice try, but those blue eyes don’t lie, sweet thing. Come on. I’m not asking for a relationship. Can’t we just be friends and have fun?”
“Like that’s going to work?” We practically set the bar on fire last night.
“Why wouldn’t it? Unless you’re saying you want to be friends with benefits? I mean, if that’s what you want, we can negotiate.”
“You’re relentless,” I say with a laugh.
“And you love it, which is why we’ve clicked from day one. Think about it. Even on the island when you were turning me down, we bantered all night at the holiday dance and the wedding. Face it, sweet thing. We’re drawn to each other.”
He’s not wrong, and that makes him hazardous to my hormones. “Okay, you know what, charmer? This has been fun, but I don’t need a boy toy tonight, and I have work to do. You need to leave.” I give him a playful shove toward the door.
“I’m going, but I’m not buying any of this.” He looks back at me as he reaches for the doorknob. “See you soon, friend .” He tosses me a wink and walks out, closing the door behind him.