1. Olivia #2
Adrian opened the door and gestured for me to lead the way. As soon as I entered the space, I noticed the scent of pine and leather emanating from the man seated at the table.
It took Lucas a moment to extricate his attention from his papers. When he did, he locked eyes with mine, then slowly moved to the pizza-sauce-shame displayed on my chest. I made a mental note to research family curses I could inflict on Tony.
When his eyes returned to my face, we held each other's stare for a few tense seconds before his brother’s voice stole his attention.
“Brother! I’ve come to deliver you a beautiful angel. I believe this fulfills my gift quota for at least the next year. I’m off the hook for your birthday.” Adrian winked at me again and walked out of the room with a wave and a “Have fun!” called over his shoulder.
I smirked as I watched him walk away. An introduction like that would normally piss me off, but it seemed wholesome and lighthearted coming from Adrian. I decided to allow it without giving him a lecture about professional interactions with women.
When I turned back to Lucas, he was moving around the table toward me. He reached me and stretched out his hand similar to his brother moments ago. His vision briefly flitted to my red stain again before it moved to my face.
“Lucas Alessi. Angel, was it?” His mouth remained neutral, but his eyes were dancing with a glimmer of his brother’s mischief. Though, where Adrian’s antics felt lighthearted, Lucas seemed to be challenging me.
I met his gaze and stood my ground, offering the biggest smile I could muster. Maybe he thought my stain was blood and I could use it as a show of dominance. That’s right, Lucas. Who knows where I got this? Don’t fuck with me.
“Olivia. Dawson. We have a one o’clock meeting to discuss the Arnoult project?” I said as I reached out to clasp his offered hand.
It was large and warm and nothing like Adrian’s.
Shaking hands with Adrian was like a hug from big brother, comforting with a slight sense that you should get out quickly before getting tickled or attacked in some way.
Lucas was different, like a server was walking toward you with a dish of your favorite comfort food.
It was familiar and calming, but there was excitement too.
How that was possible when we’d never met before, I didn’t know.
My hand practically disappeared in the mass of his while warmth traveled up my arm and spread like liquid through the rest of my body.
Lucas stared at our joined hands, his mouth briefly opening, then shutting.
I watched the light gray of his eyes get eaten up with black for a millisecond before he looked back up at me as if nothing had happened.
“Ah, my mistake. Have a seat, Olivia.” He offered with a small smirk before returning to his previous seat and clearing his throat. “I’ve been reviewing the floor plans Helen sent over. Have you had a chance to look at them?”
Those steely eyes opened wider and stared at me pointedly. Was that how these men were so successful? Did they just stare everyone into submission?
Helen had sent those floor plans about two hours ago, knowing we were meeting today. Her accompanying message had read, ‘ Found these online! What do you two think? Can’t wait to see what you come up with!’
I’d barely had time to look at them, much less print them out and create a file, before heading over here from my pizza olympics .
“Yes. I’ve reviewed them…” I answered. I had thoughts, but I wanted to see where he was going with this.
“And…,” he drawled. He seemed more curious than impatient.
We were playing a game of chicken. Feeling each other out. Fine. I could give him a minor concession. “And… I think they’re somewhat conflicting.”
He let out a huff.
“Conflicting?” His eyes flicked to the French doors before settling back on me. He leaned back in his forest green velvet chair, tilted his head, and squinted his eyes almost imperceptibly. “How so?”
Okay. Game time. I needed to convince this man that I was in control of this situation. That I was skilled and not only worthy of a project this size, but of being so intrinsically involved in the initial planning.
“The brainstorming conversations I’ve had with Helen have focused on romance and nostalgia.
She’s expressed a love for buildings like…
well, a lot like the one we’re sitting in.
The plans she sent over feel too modern and impersonal.
She says she wants it to feel inviting and homey, but she’s included a lot of open spaces and basic layouts.
I think, with her budget, we don’t have to worry about being so standardized. ”
“I’d envisioned hidden spaces and maybe a closet or two with an awkward shape.
A few touches that would harken back to a time before everything was so perfect.
She should have windows and natural light, but also some spaces that just don’t get that bright.
Her and I have always bonded over reading and I know she wants a library.
Who wants a bright library? Libraries are meant to be quiet, cozy, and dark. ”
He watched me, void of any expression, as I offered my assessment of Helen’s internet research mind dump. When I finished, a small, satisfied smile appeared, coupled with an equally slight head nod.
“She voiced the same to us. So what would you suggest?” he asked, any trace of approval removed from his face.
“Well, I’d had more of a modern English cottage in mind.
Lots of natural materials, deep window wells, fireplaces everywhere.
Obviously, with the size she’s looking for, it will be a challenge to work a cozy feeling into the space, but I still feel it’s doable.
Helen has a lot of hobbies and I’d love to give her individual spaces to pursue them without making one giant rec room.
I know open-concept is the thing, but I’d like to achieve something open enough to not feel stifling, but with the warmth of an older home. ”
I loved old things. So did Helen Arnoult. It was how we’d bonded and why she’d given me the job. It seemed like she was having some trouble relaying that into an actual plan though, which was fine because she had plenty of money to hire people to do it for her.
Lucas stared at me from across the table. Maybe I would download some sort of time tracking app and track the time this man stared at me for the remainder of this project. For science.
With a small smile on his face, he silently slid a piece of paper across the table. We maintained eye contact as I picked it up. His attention made a prickly heat spread over my body, making me itch. I wanted to squirm in my seat, but summoned all my willpower to remain still.
I couldn't look away from his eyes. Light gray framed by long, dark eyelashes that I was equal parts attracted to and jealous of. I was contemplating the unfairness of a man being graced with those eyelashes when I realized I was supposed to be looking at the paper he’d handed me.
He pursed his lips together to mask his expanding grin and glanced at the paper in my hand.
Right. Focus.
I took a deep breath.
Had I not been breathing? I wasn’t entirely sure.
I broke eye contact and scanned the page in my hands. It was a building plan, branded with the Alessi Construction logo. And essentially the physical manifestation of the little speech I’d just made.
In no time, the plans completely consumed me. It was like I could picture myself walking through the home. As I did, a steady stream of ideas flowed through my mind, prompting me to take out my notebook and quickly jot down my thoughts.
This was her home. I knew it. She was going to go crazy when she saw it. I couldn’t wait to fill it with beautiful things.
Lucas watched me scrawling notes with a look of reserved intrigue. After a few moments, I realized I’d drifted into a space that was inappropriate in the company of another person and glanced up at him with my pen held mid-air.
“Sorry… sometimes I feel like I need to write thoughts down before I lose them.” I was a little embarrassed, but th is was technically my job. He should understand. He said nothing, but continued to stare with an expectant expression.
I sighed. “It’s perfect. Helen is going to love it.”
He nodded once, like I was stating the obvious. “It’s what she says she wants, so that’s what we’re going to give her. I’m relieved we agree.” He paused and for a moment we sat smiling at each other like a couple of kids.
When it registered that we were just silently staring at each other, Lucas cleared his throat.
“I’ll email the plans so you can start planning on your end.
This is just the basics. It will need to run through our architecture and engineering teams. As soon as we have more concrete plans, you’ll have those too.
Is there anything else you want to review today? ”
My muscles relaxed, and a wave of pride and relief washed over me. I had visualized essentially the same home as this very successful man. It gave me a confidence boost I hadn’t realized I needed.
I made sure Lucas had my contact information, though Helen had already given him every single item, including my home address. We planned to hash out details and updates via email, hopefully having Helen approve the plans at our next meeting.
With the broad strokes outlined, we adjourned and walked silently to the front of the building. Lucas loomed next to me like a heavy rain cloud about to unleash a summer storm. It didn’t make me as uncomfortable, though. Instead, my skin was buzzing like it would welcome the drench.
That haze must have affected my motor skills because I suddenly realized I’d missed a step, causing my heel to catch on a slightly raised slate tile and sending me lurching forward.
My thoughts quickly snapped back to reality as I realized I was about to fall on my face.
In front of Lucas Alessi. In his gorgeous office building.
But before I could topple over, powerful hands gripped my arms and pulled me back until I was flush against a wall of warm muscle.
Holy hell.
“Are you alright?” He spoke softly from behind me, hovering just over the shell of my ear. So close that his breaths whispered against my skin.
His grasp on my arms remained firm. My body went rigid, deeply aware of every point of contact between us.
“Yes. I’m… fine.” I spat out a response as I took a deep breath. “Thank you…”
He loosened his hands, one finger at a time. After a few lingering seconds, he slowly dropped them to his sides. Meanwhile, I worked valiantly to gather my senses and step away from him.
When I turned to face him, I tried my absolute hardest to put on the most professional face possible. You know, one that didn’t say being held by you in the most innocent way just made my heart rate increase to terrifying levels.
“I’ll see you in two weeks then.”
As if he could read my mind, his mouth turned up in a knowing smirk. He was wordlessly calling out my bluff. Then he spoke, low and firmly. “Two weeks, Angel.”
Wonderful.
Glad that was catching on.