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I paced the kitchen. I wanted to go for it, but held myself back. My nature wasn’t to go casual. I was a commitment guy, even if the relationships I had been in fit on one hand.
The six weeks it would take to get Experience up and running hardly afforded time for a relationship with Lia.
“What’s not you? Being happy?” Kendall snickered. “Seems like it.”
I was a commitment guy, and didn’t have time to commit to Lia. These days, my only commitments were to my business. Most of my adult life revolved around Experience. My commitment to my career was iron clad. Although, in that commitment, I met Ms. Amelia Hall.
Lia was hot, and I was hungry; craving more than the taste I’d stumbled into.
I could imagine being inside her, and the notion drove me out of my mind. The more I tried to erase the niggling images, the more persistent they became. The big question on center stage was what I should do about it. I breathed out a resigned sigh.
“I’m going to keep this professional. I have to. A short-term relationship would just lead her on. I can’t afford the distraction. The stakes are too high for this project.”
“Oh, come on! It isn’t a relationship, it’s convenience. A business deal. Ya never know, she could be into it, too. If she isn’t seeing someone, maybe she’s looking for some fun, too. A little friends with benefits action? It’s like I always say: you have to take the lady’s feelings into consideration, Raph.”
Kendall laughed at himself, the notorious bachelor. Bastard.
“I’ll see you in a couple days, Ken.”
Kendall ended the call with a chuckle and mumbled agreement.
I decided what I’d do going forward, but didn’t feel any better about it.
Kendall’s official stance opposed mine, which didn’t surprise me in the slightest. What had I expected of him? A sudden change in his opinions on social decency? But he made some good points, too.
Being direct was not an issue for me. I put my desires out on the table. I learned from the best, after all. Maybe I needed to take a page from Kendall’s book instead of Geoff’s. Someone with a mastery of their social life rather than their professional life. He was never short on company or on laughs. And I could stand to be a little less serious.
But that seriousness got things done. Getting Experience Shoreview off the ground was only one responsibility I shouldered. I still had to check in on Aire and Experience in New York. I couldn’t afford to fall behind now that we were expanding again.
Getting some distance from Lia would tamp down my sex-starved decision making. If I removed myself, all the tension would fizzle, like it hadn’t been there at all. The connection I felt was probably all in my head. It had been too long since I was with anyone, and the first attraction I felt threw me. With distance, it would subside.
I just had to get through the afternoon with her at the property and I was home free. I could manage that. Piece of cake.
If not, God help me.
Chapter Nine
Lia
The cheery sunlight of a cloudless Fall day spilled into my room through the gaps in my drapes. My alarm would blare in a few minutes. Even though I was meeting Raph for a tour of the building, I still had a meeting with Derrick to suffer through before I could enjoy the alternative torture.
Memories of last night flooded my mind while I wiggled into the ass-hugging jeans Shell recommended. The dinner, the ride home, the kiss. If he had followed me upstairs, how would our night have ended? I wasn’t the kind of girl who slept with someone on the first date, but this was far from my first date with Mystery Guy.
He was real now, not a blurry image with piercing eyes of differing tones. And I would have been more than willing to let him get to know me better.
I paired my dark skinny jeans with a slouchy, berry-colored shirt that bared one shoulder, accentuating my collarbones. Casual. Toned way down compared to the little black dress hanging on the hook behind my closet door.
I checked the clock after sliding my feet into some comfy brown booties with a flirty wedge heel. 9:45. Shell would be settled in at the office right about now. Being home alone during the workday was eerie. But my meeting with Derrick was coming up, and I needed to call a car to take me into the office.
I unplugged my cell and ordered the car, then checked through my missed notifications from the night before. A few emails and a text from Shell.
Shell: Good luck today, babe. Knock his socks off, and yours too, while you’re at it. Fill me in this afternoon. xx
I sent a quick wink back to her, letting her know I appreciated the encouragement.
Moving on to me email, I had an ‘open immediately’ from Derrick, sent about an hour ago. Before I went to bed last night, I sent him an email letting him know I accepted the job and signed the contract. He should have received a copy this morning from Raphael’s office.
I have received the signed contract and expect regular updates. This contract, however, doesn’t make you any less Design Everything’s employee, and I expect you in the office when you aren’t working directly with the client. Design Everything’s reputation is not to be marred by your lack of experience, nor are the attendance policies yours to disregard. If I catch wind of Mr. Teresse being displeased with your performance, you can rest assured this will be the last opportunity of its kind extended to you.
