Heart of Stone (Heart of Stone #1)

Chapter 1

LEAH

“Exit the elevator, turn right. It’s the last set of offices on the left.

” Those were the only instructions provided to me by H.R.

when they’d called. It’s obvious there will be no handholding here.

I bite my lip and groan as I hug my box closer to my chest. I instantly regret the beachy yellow dress I’d confidently selected this morning.

Every female I pass is wearing a smart-looking skirt and jacket set with at least a four-inch heel.

The men are sporting expensive suits with ties.

I’m out of place. Things were more business casual in California, where wearing a colorful sundress was perfectly acceptable.

Here, it looks like stuffy business suits will be the norm. Ugh!

While I was extremely grateful to my friend Madison for this internship, it was hard not to start second-guessing my decision to accept it.

After graduating from Stanford in California, Madison and I had worked together at a small investment firm for about a year before she landed an internship at Stone Investments in Washington D.C.

It’s one of the top investment firms on the east coast and her top choice for a career.

She’s brilliant and has a great head for business, so it was no surprise they scooped her up.

When I got the devastating news of my mother’s diagnosis, it was a no-brainer that I would return to Maryland to help take care of her.

I reached out to Madison and asked her to put in a good word for me once I’d submitted my resume.

Within a week, I had an online interview, and a few days later, an offer.

The following week, I packed my things and headed home.

I wish it was under better circumstances.

“May I help you with that?” a deep voice rumbles from behind me.

My shoulders jerk up, and I almost drop the box when I turn toward the person.

A pair of muscular arms shoot out and grab the other side before it falls.

My eyes land on the stranger’s hand, then travel up the firm, muscular arm before settling on the most stunning face I’ve ever seen.

But his eyes are what make my heart slam into my chest—aqua blue like the color of the Caribbean Sea.

“Oh, thank you.” A blush creeps up my cheeks.

His full lips turn up at the corners into a smirk as his eyes scan over me. Looking up at him, he’s at least six feet tall, maybe more, and I feel tiny standing in front of him. I clear my throat with a mental head shake.

“I’m, um, in the last office on the left.”

He runs a hand through sandy blond hair before he takes the box and walks past me. I smooth down my dress and follow him, grateful to have someone who knows the way. My eyes settle on his butt; the perfectly shaped and firm cheeks look incredible in his jeans.

Jeans?

And a tight black T-shirt? I must have been so taken with his amazing features that I hadn’t noticed his lack of professional attire before.

Maybe he doesn’t work here? But then how does he know his way around?

Maybe he’s a maintenance guy or something.

My eyes wander across his broad shoulders and down his trim waist, and I bite my lip as I secretly indulge in the view from behind again.

I almost plow into the back of him when he stops in front of the closed door.

“Here, let me get that,” I say as I squeeze by him.

Walking into the large room, I notice several desks and large picture windows line the back wall.

Thank God. Dark, gloomy offices where you can’t tell if the sun is shining or if it’s raining are awful.

People scurry about the room, pointing at computers and collaborating on tasks, but none of them are too busy to say hello as we pass by them.

Scanning the room, Madison is nowhere to be found.

It would have been nice to have a familiar face right now.

I trail behind the handsome man who’s still carrying my box of office supplies.

There’s an empty desk in the corner that has nothing but a nameplate, my nameplate, and I smile at it.

I glance to my left and notice Madison's picture of us by a computer and a few scattered files. Of course, we’re sitting next to each other.

That’s definitely her doing. Not to mention, we’re next to a beautiful window with a view of the street below.

“Where do you want this?” that deep voice asks, and I turn to face him. Damn, he is handsome.

“Oh, sorry. Right there is fine.” I point to the corner of my desk.

He sets the box down then turns those amazing eyes back to me. His mouth stretches into a broad smile, making him even sexier than before. “Welcome to Stone Investments, Ms. Ward.”

His eyes crinkle in the corners as he grins at me with perfect white teeth. His silky blond hair is hitting right at his chiseled jaw. I resist the urge to tuck it behind his ear. Jesus, he can’t be real. His smile fades as he watches me.

“Are you alright? You look a little flushed.”

“Sorry.” I clear my throat. “I’m Leah.”

I reach out to shake his hand as I mentally kick myself for staring. Geez, Leah, get a grip. My face turns even redder as his hand closes firmly around mine. Oh, those hands, I can only imagine how they would feel on my body.

“I make it a point to know the names of everyone working here.” He releases my hand and reaches up to tuck his hair behind his ears. I nervously twirl my hair with my fingers. His attention drops to my hand and watches as I twist a long red strand around them.

“So, tell me,” I grin, “does everyone around here dress like they’re going to a funeral?”

His eyes find mine again, and his expression changes to one of confusion. “Excuse me?”

I lower my voice. “I just feel really out of place.” I motion to the colorful dress I’m wearing.

His eyes do a slow perusal down my body, lingering a moment too long on my breasts. My stomach flutters as he looks at me again. “I never really thought about it, but a little color is kind of nice for a change.”

Did he just check me out? Trying to hide my embarrassment, I turn and start taking things out of the box. “I’m just not used to such a professional setting. I guess I’ll need to update my wardrobe.”

He steps back and stares at me again, “I think you look great.”

I bite my lip as I place the same graduation picture on my desk as Madison’s. I can feel his eyes on me as I continue to pull things out of my box. “So, what brings you to D.C.?” he asks.

I turn to look at him as I rest my hip against my desk. “It’s a long story.”

Taking a step closer, he places his hand on my desk. My heart practically stops as he leans toward me. “I’d like to hear that story someday.”

I swallow hard around the lump that has lodged in my throat.

His eyes are locked onto mine—a spark of hunger flashes within them.

His intense gaze sends a strange tingling sensation through my body, and I have to fight the urge to lean in and press my lips to his.

God, he is close. He lifts his hand, and I swear he is about to reach out and touch me when his phone rings.

Clenching his fist, he steps back as he pulls his phone from his back pocket.

“Sorry, I have to get this.”

“No problem,” I practically squeak.

I barely get the words out when he walks away. What the h-e-double hockey sticks was that? I take a deep breath then return to my box. I’m emptying the last of my things when a loud squeal fills the entire room. I glance up to find Madison rushing toward me, a huge grin on her face.

“O.M.G. You’re finally here,” she squeals with excitement as she plows into me.

The tension of a new job fades the moment I throw my arms around her.

We hadn’t seen each other in over three months, and I missed my best friend terribly.

Having her by my side will make this transition a whole lot easier.

Madison’s bubbly personality is irresistible, so irresistible that she makes friends extremely easy.

I look up to her, figuratively and literally, as she’s taller than me at five-eight.

Her shoulder-length blonde hair reminds me of sunshine and honey, and her hazel eyes can stop a man in his tracks.

She is beautiful, and for a short time back in California, she had been recruited to be in a film when she was walking down Rodeo Drive.

She didn’t have a big part, but it did lead to a few smaller roles in a couple of indie films. She gave it up, though, because her real passion lay in investments.

“Tonight, I am taking you to my favorite sushi restaurant to celebrate your first day,” she says with way too much enthusiasm.

“Saki’s,” we both say at the same time and then laugh.

“That’s right. I forgot you were from around here.”

Saki’s Cafe is the best sushi restaurant around. When I lived here, it was a mother-daughter date night ritual. My mom and I would drive into D.C., have dinner, and then catch a show. I missed those nights, and now, she’s too sick to make the trip into the city.

“I can’t wait.” I shake my head and try to change the subject. “So, who is the hot maintenance guy?”

She stares at me, her eyebrows scrunched together, “Who?”

“This insanely hot guy helped me carry my stuff in here, but he had to leave before I got his name. He was dressed pretty casually next to all these suits.”

I glance around at the other people in the office. “And thanks for informing me of the dress code.”

Madison brushes the front of her black pencil skirt and smooths the collar of her gray silk shirt. “There isn’t a dress code.” She chuckles. “Just, kind of, an understanding.”

“Well, I clearly didn’t get the memo.” I throw my hands up and spin dramatically in my dress.

Before I manage even half a twirl, I slam into the solid chest of my blond box carrier.

I gasp as I plant my hands on his chest. He grips my waist to keep me from falling over, and his chest expands as he takes in a deep breath.