The Secret Heiress (5 page)

She met his gaze and he could feel his blood heat. They had an unbelievable chemistry between them. He banished an image of her naked and willing in his bed. Their association couldn’t be about desire and sex. He needed to keep a level head and curtail his curiosity. Her connection to Fionn should be enough to keep his hands off of her.

She was scrolling through her calendar. “Do you have the date and budget set?”

Anna Bolles may be off limits but he was going to enjoy watching her jump through hoops for him. “Mid-October and the budget will depend on the concept, the venue, and catering.”

She stood up. “It is a long time to wait for a decision about investing.”

She was making this rather easy for him. “You are free to explore other options.”

“I’d rather spend my time building the company and not looking for funding.” She was a remarkable beauty. Her eyes flashed a blue fire and she barely contained her frustration.

“I agree with you. I’m going into London this evening and can give you a lift home.” He had seen her climb out of a taxi earlier. It surprised him that she didn’t have a car.

“Thank you.” She took another sip of her wine. She had graceful mannerisms and he was drawn once again into watching her.

A powerful lust shot through him. Watching her lick her lips, he wanted to taste the fragrant blend of wine on her mouth. He turned away from her and tried to dispel the thought from his mind. What was it about her that drew him in?

“What did you think of the vintage?”

“I enjoy a robust wine. This particular one was delicious.”

“Come. I’ll get you back.”

He guided her out of the back entrance of the building to his Land Rover.

Sliding into the luxurious leather seat, Anna attempted to relax. Olivia would find her predicament funny. The other night she had mentioned that Alistair was a catch. Fionn had just walked in and wasn’t thrilled with the exchange. He had cautioned Anna about getting involved with Alistair, and his wife playfully suggested that men had a way of growing up.

Anna tried to recall stories she had previously heard about him. Fionn had mentioned years ago that Alistair had been raised by a single mother in Ireland and it was not until his father died that his grandparents reached out to him. She guessed his parents never married and his mother was important in his life. She had also heard that Alistair ran wild on the streets of Dublin with Fionn but excelled at academics. He had been given a scholarship to attend an elite boarding school in London.

Alistair skillfully navigated the rush hour traffic through London. He wasn’t easily aggravated or at a loss when being made to wait.

He changed lanes. “You intend to use the next few days to deal with the hoarding tendencies of your colleagues?”

Beyond hiring a refuse company to remove everything, she hadn’t formulated a plan yet. “It has to be dealt with. We wouldn’t want to pay a moving company to move the junk to a new location in the future.”

Alistair laughed. It was a low, throaty laugh that calmed her nerves slightly.

Anna checked her calendar. “I have an afternoon event on Saturday, so I’ll be a little late for your gala.”

He glanced at her. “Does having a sister that is a fashion designer come in handy for your new career?”

She thought about her sister. She was immensely grateful to have such a loving sister and nieces. Her life would be so different without them. “Yes. Olivia is incredibly generous, which has saved me on numerous occasions.”

“I haven’t seen Fionn and Olivia in months. How is their wedded bliss going?” he asked in a distracted tone.

She looked out the window. “Pretty blissful. They are enjoying their girls and of course are busy with their empires.”

“Why didn’t you approach Fionn to fund your new venture?” His direct question surprised her. Did Alistair feel competitive towards Fionn?

“I want to do it on my own. I don’t agree with mixing money and family members. It could get complicated if things didn’t go according to plan or if there is a difference of opinion.”

Alistair downshifted and moved lanes. He gave her a slow smile. “It’s odd how our paths have crossed again. London is a big place.”

Anna nodded. “I agree. It’s odd.”

It was odd and a complication she could have done without. Being near him made her forget all of the carefully developed rules she had about men. It made her wish for things that were impossible. Given the chance, she would throw herself at him again. But she was older and wiser this time and knew enough to hold back. Life wasn’t full of happy endings.

Men who weren’t interested in a meaningful relationship weren’t worth the effort. She wondered about her mother. Was she so charmed by Oliver Bolles that she was willing to overlook his basic dishonesty?

Anna gave Alistair her address and he used the voice activation to set the navigation. He couldn’t travel to that particular suburb of London often.

“What have you found surprising about your new line of work?”

She thought about it. Everything surprised her. “It’s quite different from the financial world. Events Management is much more creative and less male dominated. I’ve already had the chance to meet with and get to know many talented women. That didn’t happen at Blackly Simonson.”

He glanced at her. “Was that one of the reasons you decided to shift careers?”

She considered his question. “I wouldn’t have realized it before taking this position. As a math major, I was comfortable being in a male-dominated field, but I’m beginning to like less competition and more open communication.”

Alistair slowed down for a light and she readjusted her seatbelt. She needed to escape his presence. She found everything about him fascinating. The way he drove, the easy way he made conversation, his laugh and the tight muscles under his dress shirt. She tried to remind herself that he was just a man. And an irritating, demanding one at that. A man who rejected her when he realized who she was.

He pulled up to her building and shut off the engine.

“I’m surprised you live in this neighborhood given your previous salary and the trust fund you must have access to.”

His questions about money offended her, but she decided to answer them anyway. “My mother is the one who received a settlement from my father, not me. I wasn’t that important to him. My grandparents had put aside a set amount for any grandchild that I’ll inherit at thirty or when I marry.”

“How long have you lived here?”

She undid her seatbelt. “I moved into this neighborhood only a few weeks ago when I resigned from Blackly Simonson. I knew that the salary would be low for a year or two and I would need to be frugal.” She resented having to explain herself but it was far better than having him hold onto misconceptions about her.

“Maybe you should have chosen a neighborhood that was more familiar to you.”

She opted for complete honesty. “I’m not hooked on material items. I’d rather live within my means.”

His eyes narrowed. “Do you worry about crime in this area?”

“I’m tougher than I look.” She reached for the door handle.

“Anna.” His hand touched hers and she felt a rush of intense longing. Being trapped inside the SUV with him was overpowering and intoxicating.

He softened his voice. “We need to talk about what happened between us years ago.”

She held back a gasp. “It was nothing.” She had no interest in discussing the past.

He touched her chin and forced her to meet his gaze. “I hadn’t meant to kiss you so passionately. Somehow it had gotten out of hand and I hadn’t realized how young you were.”

She bristled at his assertion. “I’m not that much younger than you. Maybe six or seven years.”

He continued to gently hold her chin. “You weren’t yet eighteen and I was twenty-five and only interested in one thing.”

She pushed his hand away and picked up her handbag. “I should go.”

He cupped her head in his hands. “I want to taste the grown up you.”

She met his gaze and saw the seriousness of his expression and stilled.

Alistair moved forward and captured her mouth with his. Then he gently stroked her lips with his tongue. His strong hands pulled her closer while his tongue sought entrance to her mouth.

She could hear herself moan and opened fully to his exploration. He kissed her several times before he pulled back and then gently ran his fingers over her jawline and kissed her again. She could feel her desire for him building in her core.

Cradling her head in his hands, Alistair used his lips and tongue to drive her to a deeper level of desire. She was lost in the sensation and reached out to explore his shoulders and chest with her hands.

When she needed a breath, she broke off the kiss and he moved his exploration to her neck. His hand moved down and touched her breast through her shirt. Molding his hand to her shape and then flicking his thumb across the sensitive peak. She could feel her nerve endings come alive and she pushed him away.

“We can’t do this.”

He laughed softly. “We can. I’d like to take you straight to my bed.”

She shook her head. “That is impossible. I’m working for you at the moment. I need to go.” She straightened her shirt and opened the door.

Climbing out, she didn’t let herself look at him. He was too sexy and too intriguing. She needed to block him. Block his wit, charm and the way he got under her skin. Alistair Martin would break her heart if given the chance. She needed to be smarter than that. He held the keys to unlock the potential of Gala & More with his promise of funding. But how could she accept his offer without getting personally involved with him? It would be so easy to fall into his bed but she knew that it would ultimately destroy her.

By Saturday evening, Anna was on edge. The last thing she wanted to do was go to Alistair’s gala. Rushing around, she took a two-minute shower without getting her hair wet. Stepping out of the bathroom in her tiny flat, she groaned when she glanced at the clock. She was going to be so late.

The evening dress she borrowed from Olivia was hanging in the protective sleeve in her closet. It was probably the most valuable item in her flat. Finding sheer stockings, her favorite silver heels and a bra, she dressed. After applying a sweep of makeup, Anna arranged her hair in a neat updo. The fitted and embellished subtle pink dress was shorter than she expected. Without worrying about it, she gathered her keys and handbag and headed to the party.

Approaching her rented zip car, she realized that it was packed with event odds and ends. The afternoon event had been a formal tea at a public library, and all sorts of items were needed to be delivered and taken back. A lorry would have been more helpful instead of packing the car to the brim. She hadn’t thought about the day-to-day movement of flowers, rented dishes, decorations and other items. Frances had promised the job at a discounted rate and she didn’t have the heart to cancel it.

She decided not to worry about the car appearing as if she were living out of it. If she attempted to unload it at the office, she wouldn’t make the event. At least the zip car had navigation. Relaxing somewhat, she thought about the evening ahead. Alistair wanted her to get a sense of the type of gala he put on.

It was a thirty minute drive from London. Her first thought when his mansion came into view was, it was a massive event. There were professional valets who were parking cars on the enormous lawns of the estate. Everything was beautifully illuminated with lighting in the trees, along the pathways, and countless ornate hanging lanterns.

The valet opened her car door and handed her a ticket. He didn’t show any reaction to her packed hired car. Walking up the stone pathway to the decorated entranceway, she noticed the house looked like a medieval castle. A servant greeted her and opened the front door from the outside, and she stepped into the event in full swing.

The formal spaces had enormous displays of flowers, and waiters were circulating with trays of hors d’oeuvres. The French doors on the far wall were opened to the gardens and she could see guests outside.

The event was expected to raise five million pounds for disadvantaged youth. Each person attending the event had paid a thousand pounds and then there was a silent auction and a list of benefactors.

Anna decided to glance through the silent auction and was intrigued by the experiences and luxury villas donated. There was the use of a yacht on the Mediterranean, a year’s worth of wine, a penthouse in New York for a weekend shopping excursion. Someone had put a huge amount of effort into finding unique experiences that would appeal to the wealthy.

She sensed Alistair behind her and turned slightly to acknowledge him. He was standing close to her and she could make out his subtle masculine scent of rosewood and it gave her a hint of his erotic nature.

His voice was smooth and controlled. “Does anything catch your interest?”

Attempting to clear her thoughts, she said, “Yes. All of it. Whoever put this together was a genius.”

Alistair smiled broadly and she realized he had. He lightly touched her lower back. “Maybe by the end of the evening, I’ll earn your complete adoration.”

She put some space between them. “You spent time asking for donations?”

He met her gaze. “As the CEO, I have to stay involved. My marketing team did the displays and the write-ups, but I did the brainstorming and outreach. It’s hard to say no to me.”

Anna turned to look at the next exhibit. She didn’t know how to respond to a flirtatious Alistair.

He watched her beautiful body hovering as she read the details of a guided hike to Mount Olympus. She wore sexy heels that brought her up to his shoulder and her dress was a layered transparent silk design. Her hair was up, and from behind, he admired her translucent skin and beautifully sculpted arms. She was beyond lovely and he was finding it hard to rein in his thoughts.

“It’s all very intriguing.”

“Come with me and I’ll take you through the hidden areas.”

He led her to a busy kitchen where the caterers had taken over and several prep areas were in motion. He introduced her to a few of his staff.

She needed to see the event in action. Every aspect of it had been discussed and orchestrated. His event manager, Simon, was speaking into a headset, reminding the valets to be careful when marking each set of keys. Next he alerted a wait staff to clean up a spill in the dining room. He was using cameras to watch the formal areas and make sure things were progressing smoothly. Nodding to her and Alistair, he kept up a steady stream of instructions to the staff.

Alistair was ready for the evening to be over. It was a success and the funds raised would exceed expectations, but now he wished the guests would go home. He needed the physical release that only exercise would bring and a tepid shower.

Anna seemed to be taking in all the elements. He led her back to the foyer and introduced her to Marcy, who was coordinating the pledges. She stood behind a table in an alcove with a large book and elaborate cash box. He interrupted the couple recording their donation in the book and introduced Anna. The man was in financial services and recognized her as Oliver Bolles’s daughter.

Alistair watched as she politely deflected questions about her father. It was probably difficult for her. She couldn’t possibly have known him well. She was young when he died in the tragic motorcycle accident.

Anna was an odd mixture of the Bolles lineage but with a much different approach to life. Living in a sketchy neighborhood to pursue her dreams and not asking her family for help. Her father would never have sacrificed his material comforts to pursue a new venture. Oliver Bolles was from old money and was use to luxury and pleasure.

“I’ll leave you in Marcy’s capable hands for a few minutes while I say hello to a few people.”

Anna introduced herself to Marcy when the couple drifted away. She explained that she was a partner in a small events management firm that Alistair was considering hiring for a future event. She decided not to mention the possible investment. She wasn’t sure what he wanted her to tell people.

Marcy spent a few minutes explaining how they secured the pledges. Taking in all of the moving parts, she realized that the attendance created an issue. Most of the formal areas were so crowded that the staff could barely get through with the trays of food.

The rest of the evening flew by. Anna made it a point to speak with the staff and get a sense of the event behind the scenes. Every person she spoke with thought highly of Alistair but worried they weren’t working hard enough. He created a culture where everyone understood their role and knew how to conduct themselves. It was a different level of organization and it worried her a little. She liked to give others the freedom to decide how to accomplish their tasks. Alistair seemed to leave very little to chance.

Gala & More hired other companies and expected that it would go well. They didn’t micromanage. They took it for granted that it would work out. Maybe she needed to pay more attention and not count on luck.

She caught only glimpses of Alistair over the next hour. She had sought out Olivia and Fionn and they introduced her to many of their friends and acquaintances. Many of the people were surprised by her career shift. The women congratulated her, but the men held off giving an opinion.

Anna pushed herself to make conversation and connect with others. She thought back to her time at Blackly Simonson and realized she didn’t miss anything about her former life. Except maybe her flat, if she was being honest. Her new flat was tiny and run-down. But she was proud of herself for deciding on a different path. She was no longer obsessed with honoring the memory of her father by following in his footsteps. She may have inherited his talent with numbers, but she could choose to lead a different life.

She thought about her teenage crush on Alistair. He was sexy and intriguing. She caught sight of him across the room and her body heated. Taking a sip of champagne, she made herself focus on the fashion conversation happening around her.

Olivia whispered to her, “You spent quite a bit of time with Alistair this evening.”

“He is considering investing in Gala & More. It’s such a coincidence, but when I had that pitch session, he was one of the investors.”

Olivia smiled at her. “So he dragged you to this event?” Anna had been so consumed with her new job with little time for anything else, that she hadn’t shared the latest news with her sister.

Getting Olivia off by herself for a moment, she said, “He is giving Gala & More an event to plan, so this was a good opportunity to see what his expectations are. I’m a little worried.”

“Me too.” Olivia gave her a terrified look and both of them dissolved into laughter.

Fionn interrupted and suggested to Olivia that they head home. Their youngest was having nightmares and they’d promised to be home early.

Fionn gave her a hug and said, “Be careful, Anna. He is not the man for you. He is in another league altogether.”

She lowered her head and wondered why Fionn would choose to warn her about Alistair? Was she that transparent?

Olivia whispered, “Just be careful. Fionn is worried that Alistair doesn’t take personal relationships seriously. He does seem to move from one woman to another.”

Anna kissed her sister on the cheek. “I’m not interested in a fling, so you shouldn’t worry.”

Deciding to seek out Alistair to say goodnight, she glanced through the formal spaces. It was nearly eleven and she needed a few hours of sleep before she threw herself into a gardening club event in the morning and a book signing in the evening.

He was deep in conversation with an older man but drew her into the interaction. He then politely excused himself saying, “I need to show Anna something before she leaves.”

He led her to the back of the house and down an elaborate wooden staircase to a stone wine cellar.

The hand-placed stones and old beams reminded her of walking back in time. Glancing around the space, she saw it was neatly kept and massive. The exposed stone walls held wooden racks with wine bottles separated by year and vintage.

“For the celebration, I want to replicate the feel of coming down here. For wine enthusiasts, the wine cellar represents history, success and abundance. The feeling is pure bliss. I want you to find a venue that replicates this feeling.”

Anna glanced around the cellar. It was going to be nearly impossible to replicate a feeling. Not everyone would have the same response. “I imagine it must feel like stepping back in time?”

He watched her closely. “Not exactly. It should be a venue that taps into the feeling of the success that comes with producing a good wine.”

She moved further into the cellar. “I get that successful events are much more than just combining the right elements. But translating a feeling of pure bliss into an experience for two hundred guests seems impossible.”

He stood watching her. “Are you not up to the challenge?”

Anna turned away from him. He was asking far too much, and if she didn’t get it right, he would choose not to offer the funding.

“I’ll need a few days.” She looked at the displayed wine and was amazed at his organization. Everything was exact and symmetrical. She had barely reconfigured Gala & More’s office space. Worry permeated every bone of her body. She would need to find a way forward.

He moved closer. She met his gaze and attraction sparked between them. The brief kiss a few days ago in the car only served to make her more aware of him. His expensive suit concealed a strong, tight body and she felt drawn to his intensity and passion.

“I’m intrigued by the challenge, but I need to take care of a few projects first.”

He brushed a stray piece of hair out of her face. “Is Gala & More taking on more work than you can handle?”

Facing him, she said, “Possibly. But that is how we hope to grow.”

He rested his hand behind her on the stone wall. “Be careful. Reputation is crucial at this point. Each event needs to be impressive, stellar.”

She leaned back against the cool wall and closed her eyes briefly. She couldn’t handle the chemistry between them. Instead of thinking about her next business move, the only thing she could think about was his kiss.

She opened her eyes and could see desire written in every line of his body. He wanted her and it didn’t seem to matter that he was thinking about investing into her company or that they had a social connection through Olivia and Fionn.

Alistair moved forward and captured her mouth. She let out a moan and her hands grasped his tuxedo jacket, pulling him closer. Kissing him back, she matched each stroke of his tongue with her own exploration of his mouth. His hands moved to her hips and he pulled her against him.

She could feel his strength and steadfast focus and wanted to give in to the seduction of it but held back. He kissed her neck and his tongue lingered on each tender spot. Her breathing sounded ragged to her own ears. When she took in a deep breath, his hands moved to her breasts and desire burned through her.