“That’s true. I suppose it makes for a better story. One man who succeeded against all odds and all that.”
“Yeah. Anyway, as the company grew and the profits came in, I set up my parents so they never had to worry about money again. My siblings all went to college—Logan included. I brought in my other brothers and sisters to help. The company is vast, and most of them found their place in it.”
“So out of all of you, who works in the company?”
“Pippa and Logan, obviously. I’m the oldest, then come Logan and Pippa. You’ve met Alice. She decided to do something else. The first set of twins is next, Christopher and Max. Max is in London, and Christopher in Hong Kong, building our presence in those markets. The next set of twins—Blake and Daniel—are undecided yet, and the family baby, Summer, is a painter.”
“Wow. Your family sounds fantastic. Blake and Daniel are the party brothers, correct?”
I grimace—shouldn’t have mentioned that to her. People always pick on Blake and
Daniel. A few women I’ve dated even went far enough to suggest I should completely cut them off. But they are family, and family comes first. Always.
“Yeah. Blake and Daniel will come around,” I say evasively, with no desire to hear another person talk about how I should crack a whip and put some sense into them.
“Well, everyone is different. As long as they don’t hurt anyone, I don’t see why they shouldn’t do whatever they like.”
I appreciate her nonjudgmental tone. “Many people view this as a corporation. I see it as a family business. A big one, it’s true. But there you have it; I’m not the core of the company. My whole family is.”
There it is again, that vulnerable look in her eyes. I want nothing more
than to wipe it away with a kiss and a hug, but I stay put.
“So basically, you built up this company to make sure your family is well taken care of. You are the most interesting man I’ve met.” The sincerity in her words catches me off guard. Oh, I’ve heard this sentence from women before. It usually comes after I give them an expensive gift, not after I talk about my family. “I can’t wait for the show in two weeks.” Her eyes light up with excitement.
“Maybe I’ll go too this time.” Seeing her curiosity, I want to go, if only to watch her experience everything. “Got enough material for your marketing campaign?”
“This isn’t just about the campaign. You’re fascinating. I could hear you talk all day.”
“Careful there, don’t feed my ego. I’ve been told it’s oversize already.”
“I’m sure that’s true, but you might be one of the few men who deserve that ego.”
“Actually, Logan’s the one with the big ego. He likes to tell everyone he’s the nice brother. Don’t believe him.”
She tilts her head to one side. “Tell me more.”
“Enough about me. Tell me about yourself.”
“Pffft, my story isn’t nearly as interesting as yours.”
I lean forward. “I think you’re interesting.”
In fact, I think she’s
very
interesting. I chuckle, remembering Logan saying he got so bored at his last date he wanted to poke his eyes out. Blake refers to such dates as
so boring I couldn’t even get it up
.
Well, judging by the stirring in my boxers, that’s not the case here. Of course, the nipples almost showing through her shirt also contribute to that. I had a glimpse of them when she unbuttoned her suit jacket. Imagining how puckered they must be drives me crazy. Her reaction to me tells me exactly the kind of effect I have on her. A lovely blush spreads on her neck. Smiling, I lean back to give her some space. “Do you have siblings?”
“No, I was an only child. My mom died when I was in college.”
“Sorry to hear that. How about your dad?”
“Never met him. He took off before I was born.”
My jaw ticks. I detest men like him. Switching to a safe topic, I say, “Tell me about New York.”
“I’ve lived there since I was born, but I don’t see too much of it lately. I’m always somewhere else with clients. Singapore, Sydney, San Francisco.” She pauses, frowning. “I wonder if they sign me up to clients based on the letter the city starts with.”
“Do you like traveling? I find it exhausting.”
“I love it. It’s a lot of work, but I manage to squeeze in plenty of sightseeing. Can’t wait to explore. Believe it or not, I’ve never been to California.”
“I can show you around.” My words surprise both of us. I haven’t had time for such things in years. More accurately, I didn’t
make
time, but her enthusiasm is catchy. I like how carefree she makes me feel. I haven’t felt this way since I was working at my parents’ ranch, before I took it upon myself to take care of my family.
A grin flickers on her face. “I might take you up on that.”
“I’ll make sure you do.”
As we leave the restaurant, I notice her flexing her neck. “You look tense.”
“I wrapped up the last project in Sydney five days ago. My boss didn’t let me take a few days off. I was assigned directly to this project.”
“I promise not to go too hard on you in the first days.”
Her pupils dilate, and I swallow hard. Well, you know you’re on a slippery road when you start making involuntary innuendos. The valet brings the car and as I open the door, the words slip out. “Are you seeing someone?”
“You’re technically not allowed to ask me that.”
“Of course, I can. I’m the most interesting man you know. Don’t I get a hall pass at invading your private space?”
A red hue stains her cheeks as she whispers, “No, I’m not seeing anyone.”
I drive her to the complex where she told me her serviced apartment is, and invite myself upstairs. I can’t believe my eyes when she opens the door to her room.
"When did you arrive?” I ask.
“This morning.”
“This place looks like you’ve lived here for months.” There are photographs and little keepsakes from her numerous trips.
“You like it?” She smiles proudly.
“It looks almost like a home.” It’s warm, bright, and colorful, like her.
“Well, I spend so much time traveling and living in hotels or serviced apartments that I try to make it seem like home everywhere. It feels less lonely.”
“You don’t have to be lonely. There’s me and a bazillion other Bennetts to keep you company. My family is very friendly,” I add, before I can stop myself. I should go, but something makes me want to stay. “Aren’t you going to invite me for a drink?”
“It’s early afternoon, and I don’t have any drinks. Besides, I already have plans for today. I have to leave in about half an hour.”
“You’re kicking me out?” I ask in disbelief. I like this woman more with each passing moment.
“I am. I officially start working for you tomorrow, so the rest of the day is mine. I’m exploring the city.” She presses her luscious lips together in a tight line.
“I like a woman who is confident enough to spend time by herself, but wandering through San Francisco on your own is not the best idea. You don’t know the city.”
“Sebastian! Thank you for your concern, but I live in New York, and I have traveled to some very shady cities. I know how to take care of myself.”
I back off, trying to rein in all the feelings she stirs in me: protectiveness, desire, and something more.
“Besides, don’t you have work to do? I heard you’re a workaholic.”
This sobers me up. Yes, I am; but she made me forget that for a few hours. Stepping in front of her, I brush the hinge of her jaw with my fingertips. I take endless pleasure in the way her pupils dilate and her tiny body quivers at my touch. “Enjoy your day. See you tomorrow morning.”
Chapter Five
Sebastian
“I can’t believe you took her to Alice’s place. How was lunch?”
I look up from my papers to find Pippa in the doorway. Alarm bells ring immediately at her characteristic smile. When we were kids, that grin usually meant
I broke a window—don’t tell Mom
. As of late, that grin means
I’m trying to set you up with someone
.
It was a bad omen then, and it is now.
“The food was good.” Despite my neutral tone, Pippa’s smile morphs into a grin.
As I said, bad omen.
I hold up the report I’m reading to show her I have no time. Instead of taking the cue, Pippa proceeds into my office, sitting in the chair opposite me and resting her elbows on my desk.
“Oh, but it’s all in the company, not in the food, right. So, how was the company?”
“Ava’s smart,” I reply curtly, still surveying the report in my hands.
“And beautiful and sexy. You want to add anything to that list?”
With a groan, I give up and push the papers away. It’s not as though they’ll stop Pippa when she’s on a mission anyway.
“What’s your point?”
Her brows lower and she answers in the most innocent tone possible, “No point. Just trying to get a feel for the situation.”
“There is no situation, Pippa.”
Her grin returns, all traces of innocence—real or feigned—gone. “Yet, Alice told me you and Ava were giving each other hot looks.”
“I don’t get involved with employees.”
“Ha!” Pippa points a triumphant finger at me, as if I admitted to a mortal sin. “So you have thought about Ava like that.”
“Pippa, I’m a man. She’s a smart, beautiful woman, and sexy as fuck. Of course, I thought about it. But—”
“You’d be perfect for each other.” Pippa rubs her palms together in excitement.
“Damn it.” I drop my head in my hands, sighing. I’ve opened Pandora’s box.
“Hear me out.”
“By all means, go on,” I say in defeat. I can make boardrooms go quiet by only looking at those in attendance. Shutting up my sister? Any of my sisters, for that matter, and sometimes even brothers, if they feel like meddling? Impossible. Of course, there’s something to be said about the fact that we’ve all seen each other playing in mud and had each other’s backs, but still. Years have passed since then. I’m thirty-three. One would think they’d find me at least half as intimidating as our employees do.
“The two of you are very much alike.”
I lounge back in my leather chair, frowning at her. “Meaning?”
“You both have a shield of
steel”—
Pippa grimaces
—“
you show everyone, and. . . ah, what is the phrase, ‘a heart of gold’ inside?” She cringes. “I always thought that expression sucks. I mean, steel and gold are both as hard as it gets. Why is a heart of gold considered a good thing? I mean, who decided that should be a
thing
as opposed to say. . . a heart of cupcakes? That sounds much better, doesn’t it?”
I’d point out that gold is a soft and malleable metal, but Pippa knows this. I have a hunch I’m missing her point. I lost her somewhere between gold and cupcakes, so I don’t answer.
“What I mean,” she insists, oblivious to my predicament, “is I think you have lots in common.”
I scoff. “And you noticed that in the fifteen minutes we were downstairs?”
“You know I can read people.”
Yeah, except that asshole you married
. I swallow my words though because I know Pippa is still hurting, no matter what she says. The truth is she does have an extraordinary talent for reading people—most of the time. She got that from Mom. It’s a dangerous talent, especially when both of them decide to use it against me.
“Okay, let’s wrap up this conversation.” Pippa pushes herself to her feet, smoothing her skirt.
I shoot her a suspicious look. “You’re not one to give up until you get what you want.”
Putting a hand on her hip, she leans slightly forward. “But I already got what I wanted.”
“And that was?”
“To make you admit you’re not indifferent to Ava’s fabulousness. Now you’ll be thinking about her all day.”
“No, I won’t. I hate to break it to you, but I’m the CEO of this company. I have more important things to do than that.”
She waves her hand, as if saying,
That’s nothing
. “You won’t be able to concentrate.”
“You’re crazy,” I mutter, rising from my desk to walk Pippa to the door.
“Of course, I am. But I channel my crazy into creativity, making beautiful jewels that will bring happiness to high-maintenance women and clueless men worldwide.”
We stand midway between the desk and the door, but Pippa doesn’t budge any further, just looks at me expectantly.
“You’re not going to leave until I tell you I love you despite your craziness, right?” I ask.
“Well, the men in our family are the only ones who do love me. A girl has to make the most of what she has.” Pippa says this with a smile, like it’s a big joke, but I know it’s not. I know my sister. She masks everything with a smile and a joke. Much like Ava, I realize, remembering that fleeting moment of vulnerability she let slip today.
“Did Terence contact you again?”
Pippa flinches, hunching her shoulders. In a matter of seconds, my sister seems to have shrunk a few inches.
“He tried. How do you know?” she whispers.
“Wild guess. What did he want?”
“I didn’t pick up,” she answers a little too quickly.
I raise my eyebrows.
“I haven’t spoken to him.” She smiles, pulling herself straight again, setting her jaw. “I’m throwing away all the things he didn’t bother to take with him when he left. I swear I keep finding his shit everywhere.” I read between the lines. Terence moved out a month ago. If she still hasn’t thrown away all of his things, it means she’s still holding on to them.