The Secret Heiress (10 page)

Anna gestured to the foundation. “This is a unique space that I think could remind wine connoisseurs of the feeling of going into a wine cellar.”

Alistair looked over the space. “It’s going to take a huge amount of effort and money to transform this.”

Trying to slow down her rate of speech, she said, “The investment is substantial, but you would have the added benefit of supporting a public garden.”

He watched her closely. “Do the dates work? What about the caterer?”

She nodded. “The date is set aside for you. I’m in the process of interviewing caterers that specialize in outside dining.”

“Gala & More will need to put together a comprehensive budget. The ground covering, rentals, lighting.”

“I’ve been working on it and should have it together by Wednesday.”

He turned to look at her. “This is a magnificent venue.”

She could barely see his facial expressions, but his tone was positive. Relief flooded through her body. He liked the concept.

“You have hidden talents, Ms. Bolles.”

Anna moved forward to see his expression. It was impossible to get a read on him.

He lightly touched her arm and pulled her closer. She reached out to steady herself and could feel warmth emanating from his chest.

He was within inches of her and said, “I love your fragrance.”

Capturing her head with his hands, he lowered his mouth and kissed her lightly and pulled back. Waiting for him to kiss her properly, she drew in a breath. He traced her lips with his tongue, before fully exploring her mouth.

She lost all sense of time and place as she returned his kisses, clinging to him. His breath sounded harsh when he finally pulled back and said, “I can’t get enough of you.”

The darkness surrounded them and she moved forward and kissed his neck. He turned her and captured her mouth again. She tugged on his shirt and lifted it from his pants. Running her hands over his warm, sculpted chest—he let out a groan. He pulled up her dress and ran his hands over her bottom, pulling her closer.

Anna could feel desire course through her body and moved closer to feel his body. She wanted more of him. She wanted to move against his erection but held back.

“Anna, I want to take you home tonight.” He touched her breast and she couldn’t think.

She leaned her head against his chest and could feel his heartbeat. “We have to wait until the business aspect of our relationship is settled.”

“You want a promise of an investment before you have sex with me?” He ran his hands over her back. “Fine. I’ll invest.”

She attempted to move away from him, but he held her tightly. “No. I want to move forward in a relationship with you regardless of whether you invest or not. It just can’t affect the outcome. It would be unfair to the others involved in the company.”

“I don’t get it.” He continued to caress her bottom and drew her closer to his erection.

She pushed away slightly. “The investment shouldn’t rely on our relationship. It should stand on its own merit. I need to complete the event and then you can decide to invest or to walk away. At that point, we can explore the attraction between us.”

He let go of her and her dress fell back into place. “You are willing to put aside your desire for weeks?”

Stepping away from him, she said, “It’s the right thing to do, Alistair.”

Anna retraced her steps to the Land Rover. She needed to move forward with her ideas and stop obsessing about her desire for him. Would they be able to wait? Or would she cave in to her desire? It seemed unfair that she had known him for so long but now needed to wait for the business transaction to be concluded. It’s not what she wanted but it was the right thing to do. It was the right thing but it felt impossible at the moment.

Anna woke early with a nervous feeling in her stomach. She and Elyse were set to drive down that morning to present the event concept to Martin Enterprises.

Over the last several weeks, she barely had contact with Alistair and instead had been working on events Gala & More had already been contracted to manage. The wine launch would be the first event that she had conceived of and designed herself. She had driven Frances and Olivia insane with the details, but she was ready.

Alistair had told her in a conference call that he was going to assemble his sales and marketing teams to give their stamp of approval. There would be at least six people attending her pitch.

She met Elyse at the office and the assembled the needed samples and materials for the presentation.

Getting into the small hired car, Anna said “I hope this goes well. So much is riding on getting this project and the investment.”

Elyse said, “You have done a brilliant job. Each time I’ve heard the presentation, I was sold. Remember positive thoughts.”

During the drive, they discussed other projects and reminded each to relax.

They parked behind the building, allowing them to carry in the samples and materials. Anna had emailed the presentation the day before so Alistair’s assistant could set up the conference room. Katie had bound and copied a dozen color proposals to hand out.

In the parking area, Elyse reached out and touched her elbow. “You’ve got this. Your presentation is engaging and the concept is brilliant.”

Anna hugged her. “I appreciate all of your help and guidance.” In the last few weeks, she had become close to Elyse and Katie. The company was beginning to come together.

She opened the boot and took out the cart they had purchased for events. Elyse helped her load all the boxes and materials.

Anna was familiar with Martin Enterprises and led Elyse to the conference room, after saying hello to the receptionist.

Alistair’s assistant, Ryan, was getting the room ready and helped them unpack the boxes. Anna advanced the first digital slide and thanked Ryan for uploading it. Elyse placed the proposals in front of the chairs for each person that would be seated at the table.

The other samples and materials were set up on a side table and included a place setting, linens, flowers, lights and the fabric that would cover the pathway.

Pacing in front of the podium, Anna took a deep breath and waited for the attendees to come in. Mentally reviewing the concept in her head, she reminded herself to slow down and remember to get a read on her audience. Elyse stood off to the side and would help answer questions and distribute samples.

Alistair was the first to arrive and greeted both her and Elyse before speaking with Ryan.

The sales and marketing executives came in and Alistair introduced everyone before taking a seat at the end of the long table.

Anna tried not to focus on Alistair, but her gaze kept returning to him. Since their erotic encounter at the public garden, the tension between them was palpable. Each time she thought about seeing him, she reconsidered her position but came back to the same issue. For his part, Alistair hadn’t brought it up or made any attempt to change her mind. She was certain, if he had, she would crumble. These days, her desire for him occupied most of her thoughts.

Alistair nodded, and she addressed the executives. She began her pitch with a brief background of Gala & More. The team assembled seemed receptive and friendly.

She explained the concept for the evening and clicked through images of the venue. She stepped back when she launched a short animation of the nighttime dinner with the tables, linens, and chairs in place. She stopped it twice to point out particular features. Keeping an eye on her audience, she noticed they seemed engaged.

Elyse turned the lights back on and Anna gestured towards the proposals that had been placed in front of them. She went through the costs and all of the elements she had considered. Elyse passed around samples of the ground covering and pointed to the samples for the linens and place settings.

She opened up the presentation to questions and noted that most of the concerns raised were around the flow of the event and making sure the sales team would be able to talk about the wine.

Alistair said, “Thank you. If you want to wait in reception with Ryan, we may have a decision for you today. You are the third and final vendor to present.”

They were the third vendor? She thought that Alistair decided to work exclusively with Gala & More. It made sense, they wanted to get a range of ideas, but she worried that her idea may be too grand.

Ryan served them coffee in the upstairs reception area. She and Elyse spoke about another event and tried not to obsess about the deliberations.

After twenty minutes, Alistair called them back into the conference room and indicated that they should sit. The podium had been moved and the smart board was turned off. Anna began to have a sinking feeling. Alistair had been committed to mentoring her, but maybe his team had another vendor they favored.

“I explained to my team that if Gala & More was selected by Martin Enterprises that it was more than a commitment to an event. We would be bringing on your company for all event management over the next year and I was considering an investment into Gala & More.”

Anna met his gaze. He was deciding early. He wasn’t going to wait until the event unfolded.

He smiled at her. “Your concept for the celebration won everyone over. We have selected Gala & More to manage the event and become our preferred events management company.”

Shock sifted over her. She had worked so hard on the concept, but she hadn’t let herself believe that they would be selected.

Anna stood up, saying, “I greatly appreciate your vote of confidence in Gala & More.” She smiled at Elyse and looked back at the executives around the table. “We can’t wait to start.”

After a few more questions, Elyse and Anna began to pack up the materials and samples. Everyone on staff was positive and congratulatory.

Alistair walked them out and asked for a moment with Anna.

Stepping away from the car, Alistair said, “My team was impressed. Instead of adding another layer of pressure to the event, we decided collectively to offer Gala & More the contract for all event planning for the year. I’ll reach out to my solicitor to sort out the investment contract.”

“Thank you, Alistair.”

He held her gaze. “There will be a few stipulations to the agreement, moving to a more appropriate business location and hiring a chartered accountant.”

Anna nodded. “It’s been part of our long-term plan. But we haven’t had the funds.”

He smiled. “Let’s meet on Monday to sign the contracts and then I’ll take you to a celebratory dinner.”

She nodded and stepped closer to embrace him. It didn’t feel real. Had she really secured a future for Gala & More? What did this mean for them personally? Was he interested in having an affair with her?

His seductive scent was full of complex spices and his pressed shirt was cool beneath her hands. Stepping back, she caught a look of desire that flashed across his face, but he let her go. She wanted to press her mouth to his but Elyse was a short distance away loading the car.

“I can’t quite believe we are moving forward. Cheers.” Anna walked back to Elyse and helped her position the last box.

When they were on their way, she said to her, “It’s odd. I don’t feel anything. I should be over the moon.”

“You must be in shock, but the joy will come. Do you want me to drive?”

She focused on driving. “I’m fine. I need something to do. I feel like adrenaline is buzzing through my body.”

Elyse called Frances and put her on speaker. They spent the next thirty minutes discussing the investment and how to move forward.

After dropping Elyse off at her flat, Anna gave her mother a call. The housekeeper told her that her mother had gone on a three-week cruise and was expected back in four days. She decided not to call Olivia. She wasn’t ready to discuss her relationship with Alistair. She wasn’t even sure if it was a relationship.

Anna was at loose ends. She had worked hard to earn the investment, but now she felt unsettled instead of happy. Deciding to go for a run, she went back to her dingy flat and changed. The entire run was spent thinking about Alistair. He was becoming an obsession. Why didn’t he wait for the event? Was he getting bored with Gala & More?

By the following Monday, Anna accepted that Alistair had changed the rules. His solicitor had reached out to her and she had put them in touch with the solicitor that Olivia had recommended. Her solicitor had reviewed the contract and drew up a partnership agreement with Frances that included buyout clauses in case one of them wanted to leave the company.

Anna took Monday off to get a haircut, facial, and stop by to see Olivia. She decided on a short stylish dress and four-inch heels.

Arriving at the solicitor’s office a few minutes early, she was welcomed and brought into a conference room. Her solicitor arrived with the documents already signed by Frances and the meeting took place. She was disappointed that Alistair didn’t come; he had signed the documents and sent a check via courier.

“Congratulations, Ms. Bolles. I wish you the best of luck with your endeavor.”

Anna handed all of the documentation to her solicitor along with the check to hold for two days, giving each party in the transaction the right to cancel the investment in the next forty-eight hours. He shook her hand and headed back to his offices.

Deciding to walk a few blocks to a local park, Anna caught sight of Alistair leaning against a Trident Iceni, his low-slung sports car in metallic gray. He was wearing sunglasses, obscuring his eyes, but smiled broadly at her.

Anna hesitated briefly before walking to him.

“Your legs are gorgeous in that dress.”

“That is what you’re choosing to say to me?”

He took his glasses off and stepped closer to her. “We are on a busy street, love.”

She tried to keep her voice neutral. “You’ve directed every comment to your solicitor and then you don’t even show up for the contract signing.”

Alistair opened the door for her. “Let’s talk in private.”

Anna contemplated walking away, but she wanted to know what he was thinking.

“Anna, please.”

She moved past him and climbed into the low car with as much dignity as she could muster.

Alistair closed her door and went around and got into the driver’s seat and started the powerful engine.

“What happened to your Land Rover?”

“It’s a business vehicle. This car is pure pleasure.”

They rode in silence for several minutes as Alistair navigated the insane traffic.

She bit down on her lower lip before saying, “Why didn’t you come to the meeting?”

Alistair spoke in a flat voice. “It was better to leave it a purely business transaction. As you said, our desire for each other shouldn’t influence the deal.”

Turning towards him, she said, “You can’t be part of a business conversation with me?”

Meeting her gaze briefly, he said, “I’m no longer interested in merely a business association with you.”

“Then why did you invest?” Anna watched him shift gears; they were heading out of the city.

“I knew from the beginning I would invest in Gala & More. With minor tweaking, your company will do well.”

She shook her head. “I don’t understand. You are bored with Gala & More but think it is a good investment?”

He shifted again and passed another car. “I want us to move past the business aspects. Now that the deal is complete, I intend to focus on the more personal aspects of our relationship.”

Anna readjusted her seatbelt. “If you were interested in a personal relationship, then why haven’t you called or texted?”

He kept his eyes on the road. “I wanted to give you the space to make a decision not based on longing or desire but business. Was this the right deal for Gala? Were the terms acceptable?”

She snapped, “It’s not that easy. You are completely intertwined in the business decision. You were giving advice and expecting me to jump through hoops for you.”

Alistair shrugged. “The night we went to see the public park, you said you needed space to figure out the business issues before anything happened between us.”

Anna rubbed her temples. He was impossible to figure out. “Alistair, I felt abandoned by you. Over the last six weeks, I spoke with you daily or communicated through email or texting. But since you decided to invest, your interest has disappeared.”

He glanced at her. “I don’t know why this is an issue for you. You could have easily picked up the phone or dropped by to see me.”

Anna shook her head but said nothing. She didn’t feel comfortable reaching out to him. It was true, she had wanted to resolve the business entanglements before she was open to having a relationship but she wanted his involvement.

Without thinking she said, “What kind of relationship are you interested in?”