by Lea Hart
“Before you leave, tell me how your visit went with your dad,” Kelly said.
“It was fine. We didn’t get into a squabble and no voices were raised. In fact, he was really mellow, and it kind of weirded me out because he’s always been so volatile.”
“He’s been sober for three months, and that’s the longest stretch of time he’s managed since mom left, so it’s not a surprise he’s lost some of his piss and vinegar,” Seth commented.
“He’s also taking an anti-depressant, eating regular meals and working out with the PT, which is a huge part of the change,” Zach added. “Maybe we should invite him out for Thanksgiving or something.”
Cole pulled Kelly tighter and shook his head. “No way. He needs to make amends in some way to the three of us before I’m going to let that shit happen.”
“That may never be possible, honey.”
“I know, Kelly, but he needs to do some real work before he comes around, because I will not have our kids exposed to that shit.”
“I understand,” she replied. “But we don’t have any yet, so maybe a short visit wouldn’t be bad.”
“He’s not going to budge, Kelly, so don’t bother,” Zach remarked as he walked toward the door.
“I don’t have your Zen, man, and forgetting what he’s done isn’t happening,” Cole said.
“I know,” Zach replied. “I’m going to work on the proposal for Affinity so when Cecily and I get together, she’ll be dazzled by it and me.”
Seth shook his head and walked toward the door. “And if that happens, then we know miracles really are possible.”
“They are, man. No doubt about it,” he called over his shoulder as he walked into his office. Sliding into his desk chair, he leaned back and studied the Vegas skyline and thought about how far he and his brothers had come.
Not only had they all served their country with honor, but now they also had a hell of a business that would allow them to make solid futures. Cole had already managed to get a great start on his, since he was engaged to Kelly and they were talking about kids and carpools.
Was he next?
Did he want something similar?
Looking at the picture on the corner of his desk of him and his brothers in their uniforms made him remember how lucky they were to be alive. Seemed, wasting that piece of good fortune would be stupid and now that he’d found Cecily it was time to do something with it.
Even if it did scare the shit out of him.
Hitting the power button on his computer, he waited for it to boot up, so he could make a security plan so enticing she’d have no choice but to choose McCallan and maybe even him when all said and done.
CHAPTER FIVE
Cecily swiveled in her chair and tried to take in all the details of the Red Room bar, and found it impossible. It was Vegas at its best with the low-slung, red leather sofas that lined the wall and chandeliers that reminded her very much of a woman’s treasure. Add to that the gold accents and the strategically placed mirrors and the environment was pure seduction. “I love this place.”
Zach shook his head and leaned back. “I can tell because you’re about to levitate out of your chair and your cheeks are rosy.”
“I’ve heard about this club for a year and never expected to know someone with a membership. We’ve got nothing like this in Silicon Valley, since everyone is too worried about being politically correct to let a private sex club get approved.”
“It’s a fine dining establishment and adult entertainment venue according to both Gio and Kelly.”
“I like Kelly and loved meeting her earlier in the office.”
“Figured you would, since women who kick ass have a tendency to flock together.”
“Is she really engaged to your brother?”
“Did you see that big ring on her finger, the hearts in her eyes and the way she fussed over him?”
“Yes, since it would be impossible to miss.”
“That’s your answer. She and Cole fought like hell for over a year until he’d had enough and decided all their squabbles were just foreplay in disguise.”
“Interesting,” she replied as the bartender delivered their drinks. “They seem so different.”
“They are, but that’s what makes them work.”
“I guess you’re right, since two of the same is never interesting for long.” Taking a sip of her gin and tonic, she let out a contented sigh. “This is perfect and much needed after the last couple of days.”
“At least we got one thing marked off your to-do list, since the security upgrade is handled.”
Turning, she frowned. “I need at least four bids, and it has to go before the board before anything is decided.”
“I know, but were going to be the company that’s chosen, so all the hard work is done.”
“I hope you enjoy that fantasy world you live in.”
Laughing, he lifted his glass and tipped it against hers. “More than you’ll ever know.”
She smirked and then leaned back, looking around at the patrons. “Am I going to see anything super naughty?”
“Do you want to?”
Shrugging, she looked down and ran her hand over her glass. “I’m not sure.”
“The Red Door is a successful club and restaurant above anything else. So you won’t see anything in the bar that you wouldn’t see at any other club. But…”
Leaning forward, Cecily pressed her hands together. “Tell me.”
“If you walk through those red doors, you’ll see people indulging in their wildest fantasies.”
“In public?”
“Mostly. Almost anything goes in the open spaces, along with the rooms on the upper levels.”
Feeling her face heat, she lifted her glass and drank half of it down. “You don’t say.”
Leaning over, Zach dipped his head. “Is this your scene, Cecily? Is this what you fantasize about?”
Looking into his beautiful slate-blue eyes, she found herself momentarily incapable of speech. He was her fantasy and the embodiment of everything she never let herself dare desire. She let out a breath. Allowing that thought to fully form was dangerous, and she did her best make it disappear. “What if it was?”
“Then I’d have to find a way to make it mine, as well.”
“Have you spent much time behind those red doors?”
“As a matter of fact, I have.”
“I’m not surprised.”
“Not as a customer, though.”
Lifting her drink, she took several sips. “Really?”
“McCallan Security designed the security for the club and it took almost six months to get the right protocol in place. Which meant I spent quite a few nights observing the clientele and determining how to maintain their privacy but also keep them safe should something arise.”
“And did you enjoy those evenings?”
“Not particularly, but seeing your face flushed tells me you might.”
“I am curious, but probably not enough to ever participate.” She crossed her legs and laughed. “If I have to relocate to Vegas, I may look into membership, though.”
“No need, since I have one.”
“But what if—”
“No, Cecily.” Letting out a breath, he shook his head. “This thing between us may not happen this week or this month, but it’s happening. And when it does, I’ll make damn sure I’m the fucking star of whatever scene you want to play out.”
“That doesn’t even make sense.”
“Maybe not. But if you want something; ask me. You need something; tell me. You have a fantasy; demand it of me.”
Pearls of perspiration dripped down her back and she found it hard to catch her breath. Pictures of what he’d said flickered across her mind like a movie, making parts of her body ache with a need she hardly recognized. “I…”
“Me, Cecily. I’m the man who can do whatever you need, whenever you want, wherever you desire. No one else.”
“That’s so…”
“Amazing?”
“Crazy!”
“I don’t mind crazy.”
“I need another drink or five.”
“Let’s go grab a table for dinner and we can order a bottle of wine.”
Nodding, she looked down and wondered how much trouble she was in. “Mmmmkay.”
“The minute you’ve only got one-word responses is the minute I take a victory lap around the bar.”
Snapping out of the sexy fog he’d created, she smirked. “Do that and just keep running out the door, because no woman would tolerate it.”
“Fine, I’ll just sit here and enjoy it silently.”
“No victory has been achieved, Zach. We’re having a business dinner and nothing more.”
“That’s the biggest crock of you know what.”
“It’s certainly not a date.”
“I know, because there’s no way I’d ever live down taking you to a sex club for our first date.”
“I thought it was an adult whatever you called it.”
“It is, but when you get mad at me somewhere down the road, you’ll call it a sex club and give me shit for not doing something romantic.”
“We may never see each other down the road. This could be it.”
“Not a chance in hell, baby. We’re going to have some incredible adventures together.”
“You need to be medicated.”
“Tried it, didn’t really work.”
Cecily leaned back and let her gaze move over his face. “You’re serious.”
“As a heart attack.”
“Are you going to tell me about it?”
“Whenever you want.”
“Really?”
“I told you I was an open book and I am.”
“Should we be friends?”
“I want a hell of a lot more than that, but we can start there. Though I don’t think it’ll last long since men and women can’t really be friends.”
Slapping her hand on the bar, she rolled her eyes. “Are we going to have the ‘When Harry met Sally’ debate?”
“I don’t know since I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“The popular movie from the nineties…famous rom-com.”
He shook his head. “Means nothing.”
“That’s a tragedy on a lot of levels.”
“I’m sure you’ll survive.”
“I may not, but I will tell you the premise is that Harry doesn’t believe men and women can be friends since men always want to bang the woman who they’re allegedly friends with.”
“Which is true.”
“Do you have any female friends?”
“I do now.”
“And who pray tell might that be?’
“Kelly, but she’s going to be my sister-in-law before too long, so that might not count.”
“That’s a short list.”
“But I have one.”
“I have a lot of male friends and doubt any of them want to bang me.”
“They do,” Zach said firmly. “They’re just not admitting it.”
“Norbert and I are now friends, and there’s no sexy vibe between us.”
“For you maybe, but if you gave him a go signal, he’d be on you like mustard on a hot dog.”
“That’s not a pretty picture.”
“It’s the truth.”
“Very disturbing.”
“Norbert wants you and to pretend otherwise is foolish.”
“He doesn’t, and I think he’d be perfect for my best friend, Inez.”
“Does he agree?”
“I think so.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s doing all the things I’ve suggested so he can win her heart.”
“Interesting.”
“Affairs of the heart always are.”
“Are you sure his heart is involved and not just his dick.”
“No, but can you ever be really truly sure?”
“Good point.”
“That’s my specialty.”
“Figured.”
“Would you be my friend, Zach?”
He took her hand and nodded. “I’d be whatever you want, Cecily.”
“That’s the loveliest lie anyone has ever told me.”
“You’re going to feel so bad when you finally accept it’s the truth.”
Cecily looked over Zach’s shoulder and almost let out a slow whistle of appreciation for the gorgeous man that was approaching. He looked like a dark prince who’d just stepped off the pages of GQ. “Who’s that?”
Turning, Zach let out a chuckle. “That’s Gio Zanetti, the owner of the club.”
“He’s very…”
“Married,” Zach replied.
“Of course,” she replied as he joined them.
Gio slapped Zach on the back and leaned in. “I approve.”
“Of what?” Zach asked.
“The woman who has clearly stolen your heart.”
Cecily wiped the condensation off her glass as her face heated. “I’ve stolen nothing and we’re merely—”
“Working out the details,” Zach responded.
“Good man.”
“Gio, what are you doing here? I thought you’d be at home with your bride.”
“My bride is upstairs in the office working with an architect, and I’m waiting patiently to take her home.’
“Does that mean the Ceylon Rose is a go?”
“Yes. Whatever my beautiful Valentina wants, she gets.”
“That’s a lovely attitude for a new husband,” Cecily commented. “And your wife is very lucky.”
“It’s me who’s fortunate,” Gio responded. “I met her when I was a young man, and it took me almost fifteen years to make her mine, so there’s nothing I won’t do to ensure she never regrets marrying me.”
“And what is Alessi up to these days?” Zach asked.
“My sister is in the kitchen cooking up a storm with Fabrizio, and if I’m not mistaken falling very much in love with my chef.”
“Good for her,” Zach replied.
“I’m getting a signal from Luca, so please excuse me.” He took Cecily’s hand and kissed it. “Wonderful to meet you.”
“You as well,” she replied.
“Zach, don’t screw this up.”
“Not a chance in the world,” he replied with a laugh.
Cecily watched Gio walk away and then turned back to Zach. “Are you feeding me on this non-date?”
Standing, he held out his hand. “Sure am,” he replied, leaning forward. “If you’re done swooning over Gio.”
“I was doing no such thing.”
“You were and it’s only because I’m so confident that I’m not offended.”
“It’s a good thing that you’re so muscular.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because it’s the only thing holding up that big ego of yours.”
A booming laugh was his response, and Cecily knew there was no way to dent his self-assurance long enough to slow him down. Putting her hand in his, she slipped off her barstool and tried to determine how in the world she was going to avoid the oncoming train that was Zach McCallan. And more importantly did she really even want to?
CHAPTER SIX
Zach leaned against the conference table watching Cecily speak with Seth and tried to determine if she was being friendly or flirting. Feeling his big brother come up on his six, he turned. “Meeting went well.”
“It did, and I suggest you quit giving the Director of Operations a death glare, so the deal doesn’t crater.”
“Do you think she’s flirting with Seth?”
“No, you idiot.”
“She’s leaning in and that usually indicates interest.”
“She’s leaning in so she can understand all the tech jargon that Seth’s probably drowning her in.”
Zach ran his hand over his head and nodded. “You’re right.”
“Always am,” Cole replied.
“N
o you’re not, and I’m sure Kelly can provide you with a long list in case you’ve forgotten.”
“No thanks.”
“Looks like Seth is winding down, so I’m going over to spread some of my charm around.”
“Good luck with that,” Cole said, snorting as he walked away.
“Don’t need it,” Zach said quietly as he stalked over to Kelly. “Has Seth answered all your questions?”
“He has,” Cecily responded with a smile. “We were just talking about some of the options for locator devices for our residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s.”
“It’s a fine line we’d have to tread between keeping them safe and not invading their privacy,” Seth commented. “There are a lot of new options on the market, and the hub for monitoring their whereabouts could easily be built into the system we proposed.”
“Would one system fit all our facilities since we have buildings less a year old and some that are well over forty?”
“I should see them in person and then I’d could answer that with more accuracy,” Zach responded.
“I suppose we could go to Arizona for the day since it has the both types within driving distance.”
“How does your schedule look for Wednesday or Thursday?”
“I could probably do it tomorrow, but let me confirm with Zelda that she doesn’t need me.”
Seth nodded and then checked his tablet. “I’ve got a conference call I need to jump on, so I’ll follow up later.”
Nodding, Zach watched his brother walk away and then took Cecily’s hand. “We could make it an overnight trip and then…”
“No way, Zach.”