by Lea Hart
Would he be less volatile, or would his temper and tendency to throw around recriminations and fists be the same?
Rolling his shoulders, he walked up to the front desk and gave the woman there his name. After a cursory security check that was almost laughable, he was given his father’s room number along with directions.
Moving through the corridors, he noticed the place was clean and seemed well worth the money he and his brothers were shelling out every month. The staff he encountered were friendly, and the public rooms looked busy with people engaged in different activities.
Not a bad place to live out your sunset years, that was for damn sure.
Hearing a laugh that sounded familiar, he stopped and wondered if his mind had conjured it up. When he heard it again, he followed the sound into a small employee lounge and ran smack dab into Cecily. Feeling both happy and confused, he gave her a smile. “Hey there.”
Pressing her hand to her chest, she let out a gasp. “Zach, what in the world?”
“I’d like to tell you that I tracked you down so you can tell me why you disappeared, but the truth is I’m here to see my father.”
“Oh, then let me help you find him.” Picking up her water bottle, she nodded to the woman she’d been speaking with and then stepped out. “What room is he in?”
“Why didn’t you come back?”
Running her nail over the cap on her bottle, she frowned. “I did and decided the view was lousy.”
“Whatever you think you saw wasn’t real.”
“The fact you responded that way, tells me it absolutely was.”
“Jeeze, Cecily we were…”
“Just two people who shared several hours of entertaining conversation. Nothing more.”
“The hell it was.” Lifting her chin with his thumb, he looked into her stunning whisky-colored eyes and wanted nothing more than to fist his hands in her silky mahogany hair, pull her close and kiss the shit out of her. But that would never work, since she was looking at him like he was something that got stuck to the bottom of her shoe. “Any chance we can have a do-over?”
“Why in the world would I want that?”
“Because we had a hell of a connection, and I want to see what it means. All those hours we spent talking last night tell me you’re someone I’d like to get to know and—”
“What is your father’s room number?”
Sighing, he stepped back. “Okay, I can see you’re not ready to deal with the thing we’ve got.”
“We don’t have a thing,” she replied as she pushed her hair over her shoulder.
“I get that you have to deny our connection right now since you think I dissed you.” When she started to sputter a response, he pressed his fingers against her lips and shook his head. “I wasn’t interested in the woman who draped herself over me like a wet blanket, and if you would’ve waited and asked me about it, you’d know that.”
“That is the biggest load of—”
“Truth,” he finished for her. “The absolute fucking truth.”
“Says you.”
“Why the hell would I want another woman after meeting you?”
“Clearly you did, so there’s no need to make up lies.”
He bent down and moved his mouth against her ear. “You’ve ruined me, Cecily. Now that I know you exist, I’ll never be satisfied with anyone else.”
“Great line, but hardly believable.”
“Try.”
“I’m not sloppy seconds, Zach.”
“I know and never considered it for a minute.”
Stepping away, she smoothed out her dress and then straightened her name tag. “This isn’t the time or place to discuss this.”
“Then tell me when and where we can.”
“Let’s find your father’s room.”
Ignoring the brush off, he leaned against the wall. “I thought you worked for a company in Northern California.”
“I do.”
“What are you doing here then?”
“I’m the Director of Operations for Affinity, which owns and runs this facility along with forty-seven others.”
“That’s impressive, considering your age.”
“I started working in retirement homes in high school and then continued through college, so I’ve got a lot of experience.”
Knowing he couldn’t leave things where they were, he took a gamble and stepped closer. “Can I take you out to lunch or dinner after I check in on my dad?”
“I’ve got a full afternoon and then need to get on the road to drive home.”
“Are you really willing to walk away from this?”
“I don’t think we have anything and considering we live in two different states, it doesn’t really matter.”
“Last I heard, flights run in and out of Vegas and San Francisco every hour on the hour, so seeing each other is totally doable.” When she didn’t respond, Zach knew he’d done as much as he could for the time being. “Seth gave me your number, so I’ll be keeping in touch with you in case you decide to give the magic we had another chance.”
“I don’t think that’s...”
“It is, so don’t bother wasting your breath.”
“That’s not very charming.”
“I know, but it’s true, and you might as well know what you’re going to be up against.”
“Just know it probably won’t work.”
He took her hand and grinned. “Agree to disagree.”
“You’re beginning to annoy me.”
“I haven’t even gotten started.”
Rolling her eyes, she slipped her hand out of his. “Lucky me.”
“Okay, Director, help me find room 4589.”
“It would be my pleasure, Mr. McCallan, since we pride ourselves in outstanding customer service.”
Thinking about the pleasure he really wanted to give her, he followed her down the hall and told himself to be patient.
Something he’d always found difficult.
CHAPTER FOUR
Cecily wiped the sweat off her neck and then took a slug of water as she looked around the busy gym. It was filled with moms, real gym rats and a few men who looked like professional athletes of some sort. Checking her watch, she realized she needed to get moving if she wanted to finish her routine and get to her meeting on time.
She glanced at her phone, taking note of the next weight machine she needed to tackle and took a step, bumping into something solid. Looking up, she stilled. “Shit.” Zach put his hands on her arms and steadied her, grinning like a man who’d just been dealt the winning card. “Any chance you’re not going to make a thing of this?”
“No,” he replied with a grin.
“Would you consider it if I bribed you?”
Laughing, he shook his head and wrapped his arm around her and hugged her tightly. “Knew you couldn’t stay away.”
“I have stayed away and I’m sweaty, so let me go.”
Pulling her closer, he snorted. “Not a chance in hell.”
“Zach…”
“Fine, but I reserve the right to hug your sweaty delicious body next time.”
“Said the man who was soon locked away in a state mental facility.”
“Not a crime to hug on your woman.”
“Read the fine print; I’m not your anything.”
“Details,” he replied as he let her go and stepped back.
Watching him give her the slowest up and down in the history of the word, Cecily prayed her body showed no signs of a reaction, because the lycra that encased it was no match. “To what do I owe this unfortunate coincidence?”
“Not unfortunate, baby, but goddamn fortuitous.”
“You’re annoying.”
“So you’ve said one or a hundred times.”
“How do you have the time to text me five times a day? I thought you had a job.”
“I do and yet there is nothing more important than carving out a slice of time to let you know what’s going on in my day.”
&nb
sp; “Your daily lunch selection isn’t as fascinating as you think.”
“And yet you always have an opinion about my choices.”
“Consuming that many carbs and fat isn’t good for anyone, and I would be remiss if I didn’t point it out.”
Leaning in, he pushed a strand of loose hair over her ear. “Knew you cared about me.”
Swatting his hand away, she rolled her eyes. “That’s ridiculous.”
“You didn’t tell me you were going to be in Vegas.”
“I don’t tell you most things, so it’s not surprising.”
“Is your company pressuring you to relocate here?”
“How in the world did you know that?”
“Do you really want to know?”
Stepping back, she nodded. “Yes, because it’s creeping me out.”
Letting out a huff, Zach moved her away from a weight machine. “I did a little research and discovered your company has recently relocated it’s headquarters to Vegas and then talked to a realtor friend and heard a lot of execs were looking at homes in my neighborhood. Since you’re part of senior management it wasn’t hard to deduce that they’d eventually want you here, and since you’ve been in Vegas for three days, clearly I’m right.”
“And how in God’s name do you know I’ve been in Vegas.”
“Instagram.”
“Shit.”
“Yeah, we need to evaluate your whole social media presence because you don’t have enough of your settings switched to private.” Looking down, he shook his head. “Any weirdo could find you.”
“Yes, I can see clearly that you have.”
“I’m not a weirdo, baby.”
“You just keep telling yourself that.”
“Why in the hell are you and Norbert spending so much damn time together and posting shit?”
“None of your business.”
“Not for long,” he muttered.
“What are you doing here?”
“Meeting.”
“With whom?”
“Scott and Ginger. They own the club and want their security upgraded, so I’ve come out to tour the facility and evaluate what they need.”
“Really?”
Looking down, he raised an eyebrow. “Yes.”
“Mmm, seems slightly suspicious.”
Rocking back on his heels, he gave her a cocky grin. “Maybe you grilled Seth when you two talked earlier in the week. For all I know he told you where I’d be, and you chose this gym in the hopes you could run into me, since resisting me is futile.”
“Are you on medication?”
“No.”
“Maybe you should start, because with that kind of crazy, it could be a good idea.”
Stepping closer, he ran his finger down her arm. “Are you ready to have dinner with me?”
“No, I’m very busy and have a list a mile long of things I need to get done.”
“Like what?”
“Upgrading the security at all the facilities is at the top of the list.”
“I’ll take care of that one for you. What’s next?”
“No, you will not take care of anything.”
“Considering we’ve got one of the best security companies in town, I sure as hell can.”
“I guess sending the outline to Seth wouldn’t be the worst idea.”
“And why would you do that?”
“Because I don’t want to work with you.”
Smiling, he moved closer. “Because I’m too tempting and you know that spending time together will result in you falling head over heels?”
Groaning, she flapped her hands. “Go find your leggy blond and leave me alone.”
“I don’t have a leggy blond, and the only woman I want is you.”
“I’m not interested.”
Chuckling, he lowered his gaze and let his eyes rest on her top. “Yes, you are.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she frowned. “It’s cold in here.”
“So many responses flying around in my head.”
“Keep them there.”
“Fine, but let me just say—”
“What?”
“I am so fucking happy to see you. I feel like it’s Christmas morning, and everything I ever wanted is sitting under the tree just waiting to be unwrapped.”
“Why do you have to say things like that?”
“Because, it’s true.”
Looking him over, she let out a breath. “I’ll send you the outline, but please don’t mistake it for any interest on my part.”
Zach took her hand and pressed it against his chest. “We’ll do right by you, and your company is going to be impressed as hell.”
“I hope so, but I’m going to have to get several bids.”
“I know, but I’m confident we’ll be your only choice.”
“Who are your biggest clients?”
“The UFC, most of the big independent casinos, several restaurants and clubs and a few celebrities that I can’t name.”
“Impressive.”
“Bet your sweet ass it is. Why don’t you come by our office this afternoon, and we can do the whole dog and pony show and then I’ll take you to dinner.”
Hearing her phone buzz, Cecily groaned. “I’ve got to go.”
He bent down and kissed her cheek. “Okay, I’ll send you the deets on our office and then plan on seeing you there around four.”
“I probably won’t have time.”
“Then I’ll take you to dinner tonight, and we can discuss your security needs then.”
“Will you behave and treat it as a business dinner?”
“If that’s what you want, then of course.”
“I do, Zach.” Narrowing her eyes, she nodded. “I’ll send the information later and then follow up.”
“Can’t wait,” he replied before stepping back and grinning.
Letting out a long breath, she did her best to ignore how damn enticing he was and promised herself to double her effort in making a collision between them impossible.
And right after she managed that, she’d get to work on world peace.
***
Zach walked into Cole’s office and collapsed into a chair. “Finally.”
“Is that supposed to mean something?”
“I ran into Cecily at City Athletic Club this morning, and we’re getting together later today.”
Cole sat back and ran his hand over his face. “Did the running into her have anything to do with stalking her social media accounts?”
“No.”
“Bullshit.”
“It doesn’t, and the fact we both were there at the same damn time tells me the universe wants us together and is trying to help.”
“That’s very…”
“Don’t say it.”
“I’m trying like hell not to.”
“If the Zen bullshit is working and helping me keep my temper in check then let me have it.”
Cole leaned forward and folded his hands. “You know, I will do anything that makes you and Seth okay. So if you want to meditate twenty-five times a day and Seth needs to have every fucking cyber gadget to believe he’s got things under control, then so fucking be it.”
Nodding, Zach decided to drop it. He knew his brother would burn down the world for him and Seth, and now that Cole had Kelly, he’d do the same for her, as well. “Cecily sent me the outline for the security upgrade Affinity is looking for, and it’s something we can do in our sleep. This is a hell of an opportunity to put me in her world long enough to convince her I’m freaking Prince Charming.”
“Do whatever you have to and know that I don’t care how much of a margin we make, if it gives you the chance you need.”
“Thanks, man.”
“What are you thanking him for,” Seth asked as he sauntered in.”
“We might run tight margins on the contract for Affinity so I can hang out with Cecily.”
“Then you’re really interested in her?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“It’s just that…”
“She’s beautiful, smart and keeps me on my toes. What more could I want?”
“Nothing, it’s just that you’ve never had a long attention span when it comes to women, and Cecily doesn’t seem like a woman who’d put up with that.”
Cole let out a snort. “I think this woman is going to change the way he operates.”
“I know so,” Zach replied. “I just need to convince her that I’m worth a shot.”
“Fucking Danielle,” Seth responded as he sat in the chair opposite Zach.
“Don’t say that name out loud,” Cole hissed as he looked toward the door. “Kelly is down the hall, and that name does not need to be spoken because then my whole day goes into the shitter.”
“Is she still pissed?” Zach asked.
“Not on the outside, but on the inside she keeps a fire burning, and hearing that woman’s name will only ignite it into something that will take days to put out.”
“Understood,” Zach responded. “Since I’ve got my own personal bonfire to deal with.” Hearing the click-clack of high heels let him know Kelly was on the way in and any further discussion of what had gone down at the wedding would have to wait.
“Hey, babe, are you ready to go to lunch?” Cole called out.
Kelly stood in the doorway holding a set of files against her chest. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing, just catching up,” Zach replied as he gave her a wide smile.
“I know it’s something more, because the three of you are trying to look innocent.”
Cole stood and walked around his desk. “A person who is always throwing around accusations is usually projecting, so maybe it’s you who’s up to something.”
“Cole, between my business and keeping you in line, I don’t have five extra minutes to be up to anything.”
“Which is the way I like it,” he replied. “You fucking love me and enjoy the hell out of keeping me in line.”
“Some days I don’t.”
“You did this morning.”
Zach and Seth stood at the same time and both waved their hands. “Stop,” Zach said loudly. “We do not need to hear more.”
Kelly walked over and let Cole pull her against his side. “I wasn’t going to say anything.”
Seth hooked his finger over his shoulder. “But big brother was.”