by Addison Cole
“What else?” he asked. “I see a storm brewing in your eyes, and I don’t want to let you leave until we talk it out.”
“It’s ridiculous. Not important.” She put her arms around his neck and said, “Kiss me. I’ll be fine.”
“But I won’t be fine knowing you’re not really fine,” he said sternly, and that dimple appeared in his cheek. “If this is going to work, we have to be totally honest with each other. Talk to me, Serena.”
“It’s just…I really like Daphne, and I’m happy you guys hired her. She’ll do a great job, but it feels weird being replaced so quickly.”
“Remember how irritated you were when I didn’t hire her right away?”
“I know,” she said sharply. “I told you it was ridiculous.”
“No. It’s not ridiculous.”
“It’s reality, and I’m not upset over it. I’m just soaking it in and processing the finality of it.” She gazed into his caring eyes and knew she had to be completely honest with him. “There’s more. I have to ask you something that’s going to seem like I’m rushing our relationship, but I don’t mean to. I just don’t want to hold you back. You’re in your midthirties. Are you ready for a family?”
He cringed. “Can we not call thirty-four midthirties?”
“I just meant that maybe you were ready. I know you want a family, and I do, too, one day. But I’m not anywhere near ready, and just like you didn’t want to hold me back from achieving my dreams, I don’t want to hold you back from the things you want, either.”
“I want a family one day, Serena, but I’m in absolutely no hurry. I want time to build our relationship as a couple.” He brushed his thumb over her cheek and said, “You could never stand in my way, because my path includes you from here on out.”
Relief washed over her. “I didn’t realize how worried I was about that. But wow. It’s like a weight just fell off my shoulders.”
He chuckled and lifted her onto the hood of her car. “We’re made for each other. I thought you were the one who had to convince me of that.” He wedged his big body between her legs and said, “Besides, Supergirl, we haven’t had nearly enough naked time together yet.”
Chapter Sixteen
DRAKE PULLED OPEN the doors to Serena’s office building Wednesday afternoon, excited to see the look in her eyes when he surprised her. He couldn’t shake the worry about the pressure their relationship was putting on her. Only the evenings brought relief, when they’d catch up and she’d rave about her job and her team. That’s why he’d been thrilled this morning when he’d received a call from a vintage guitar dealer who was going out of business. His store was about half an hour from Serena’s office, and Drake had jumped at the chance to review his stock.
As he crossed the marble lobby and stepped into the elevator, giving a cursory glance to the guy in a suit standing by the button pad, he thought about their calls the last few nights. Serena’s life was falling into place. Last night she’d gone out for drinks with the receptionist from her office and Gavin. He wasn’t thrilled about the dude, but he trusted Serena, and if he were honest with himself, he’d rather she had a male coworker looking out for her than no man at all while she was out in a new city at night.
“What floor?” the guy asked.
“Oh, sorry. Fourteen, please.”
The guy pushed the button and said, “That’s my floor. Who are you going to see?”
“Serena Mallery. She’s a designer with KHB.”
“And a fine one at that. You’re in good hands.” He held out his hand and said, “Gavin Wheeler, also a senior designer with KHB.”
And the guy who had drinks with my girlfriend last night. He shook Gavin’s hand, trying to put the sharp, preppy dresser and Serena together. She was so laid-back, it was hard to picture. “Nice to meet you. I’m Drake Savage.”
“Ah, yes. The elusive Drake. The cookie man, resort owner, and the guy who’s got her drawing little hearts on her notebooks.”
Drake chuckled. “Sounds like my girl. I heard you had drinks last night.”
“Someone’s got to watch out for the women in this office. Although, from what I’ve seen, Serena can be a real tiger. I doubt many guys could pull the wool over her eyes.”
“She’s strong, that’s for sure.”
“Did she tell you she went head-to-head with the big boss this morning for taking her juniors on an initial client visit?”
“No, but that doesn’t surprise me. She stands up for what she believes in. Hopefully it didn’t get her in any real trouble.”
Gavin shrugged. “All I know is that the door was closed for a long time, and when Serena finally came out, I asked how it went and she said if they expect her to run a team, then they need to give her the space to do it right.”
Drake cringed inwardly. He’d been around enough to know that some executives didn’t like to have their decisions challenged. “That’s my girl,” he said as the elevator opened on their floor. “She doesn’t know I’m here, by the way. I was in the area and wanted to surprise her.”
“Come on. I’ll take you back to see her.”
He followed Gavin through the elaborate offices, which were vastly different from their offices at the Cape, and exactly what Serena had always talked about getting into. Guys in suits and women in professional dresses and slacks moved busily about. He was glad he’d thought to clean himself up a bit and wear slacks and a dress shirt.
Gavin pointed across the room to a glass-walled office. “That’s her office, but she’s probably still in the conference room with her team.”
He led Drake down a hall to a glass-walled conference room. Drake took a moment to watch Serena through the glass. She was dressed in a curve-hugging white dress with a black panel down the center and high heels. Her hair was pinned up in a sexy twist as she leaned over a set of drawings, talking with a skinny blonde and a tall, slim, bearded guy. His pulse ratcheted up, not just because she looked hot in that dress, but also because Serena had made it. Whether she was testing her boss’s patience or not, she was making a name for herself in one of the biggest design firms in the industry. His heart filled with happiness, and he vowed once again to do everything he could to support her success. He prepared himself to give her a kiss on the cheek and not grope her fine behind.
“Look who I found in the elevator,” Gavin said as they walked into the conference room.
Serena turned, and her whole face lit up. “Drake!” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him square on the lips. “You’re here! Why? And your hair!” She ran her hands over his new short cut.
“I think she’s glad to see you,” Gavin said.
Serena took a step back and said, “Sorry. I’m more than glad. Shocked, in the very best way.”
“I’ve got to make a few calls,” Gavin said. “It’s nice to meet you, Drake.”
Drake shook his hand again. “Let me know if you’re ever on the Cape. We’ll grab a beer.”
“Sounds good,” Gavin said on his way out the door.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” Serena said again. “Why are you here?”
“I’m checking out some vintage guitars about a half hour from here and thought I’d stop in and surprise you.”
She touched his hair again. “And you cut your hair?”
“I figured I should clean up for your fancy new digs.”
“I love it,” she said. “You look very hot and very professional. Now please grow it out again.” She turned her back to the others and gave him a quick, seductive wink that brought a wave of awareness to his entire body.
“Anything for you, Supergirl.”
“Supergirl?” the bearded guy said. “That’s the perfect name for our chief.”
“I’m not a chief,” Serena insisted. “We’re a team. One for all and all for one. Spencer, Laura, this is Drake. Drake, these are the talented designers I told you about. The best team a girl could ask for.”
Spencer stood up to shake his h
and. “It’s nice to meet you. How do you keep up with her? She’s a whirlwind.” He was tall and lean and looked like he belonged at a chic coffee shop with a laptop. He was what Rick called a hipster, with his black-framed glasses and wearing a navy shirt with a white-diamond pattern, a brown sport coat, and dark skinny slacks.
“That she is,” Drake said proudly. He would find it hard to keep up with the fashion of the city, but Serena had seamlessly made the transition.
“No, seriously. She comes up with ideas that blow everyone out of the water,” Spencer explained.
“Serena’s a great boss,” Laura said. She stood to shake his hand. She was pin thin and also fashionably dressed in a pair of taupe slacks and a ruffled white blouse.
“Teammate,” Serena corrected her.
“Boss who doesn’t mind bucking the system,” Laura said. “Serena took us on an initial client visit, which we never do. It’s amazing how much more we gleaned from hearing the client’s initial thoughts on the project.” She pointed to the designs and catalogs spread out on the table. “We’re only a couple hours into this project, and look. We’ve almost got it nailed down. She’s taken the collaboration process to a whole new level.”
Serena looked blissfully happy, fully alive, the way she had when she was in the design and coordination phase during their first year of business. The way she looked each time they opened a music store. No wonder she was sad when she didn’t get to help bring all of her ideas to fruition with him for the grand opening. He’d unknowingly stolen that joy from her.
“That’s awesome,” he finally said. “Serena’s a remarkable woman. Can I take you all to lunch?”
Serena winced. “I’m sorry. I wish we could, but we have to leave in twenty minutes to get over to the law office we’re designing. I wish I’d known you were coming. I could have rearranged our schedule.”
“Don’t be sorry,” he said, masking his disappointment. “I’m glad I got to see you and meet your team.”
“We had the best meeting this morning for a home-library renovation. And Laura’s right. We’re cruising right along with it.”
“I’ll get out of your hair.” He put a hand on her hip and bent to kiss her cheek.
“I’d rather you got tangled up in my hair,” she whispered in his ear.
He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to the back of it, holding her gaze and wishing he could pull her into his arms and kiss her properly.
“I’m just going to walk him to the elevator,” she said to the others.
“It was great meeting you both,” he said. “Good luck with your projects.”
“I still can’t believe you’re here,” Serena said on the way to the elevators. “My two worlds have collided, and I couldn’t be happier.”
The elevator arrived, and he said, “Wanna bet?” as he pulled her inside.
He hit the CLOSE DOOR button, and the second the doors closed, he captured her mouth, crushing her to him, and she was just as ravenous for him. Their hands moved over each other’s bodies as they made out like they’d never get enough.
“Man, I miss you,” he said, kissing his way down her neck.
She ran her fingers over the short sides of his hair. “I need your hair to hold on to.”
He chuckled and kissed her lips again. “I’ll grow it back. The way you were talking about sharp-dressing, clean-cut guys, I figured you might be into the look.”
“I’m into you, Drake Savage. I am utterly and completely yours.”
The elevator doors opened, and they jerked apart. Two guys in suits gave them an amused look. Serena’s lips were pink and puffy from their urgent kisses. Thank goodness she didn’t wear lipstick.
Serena cleared her throat as the two men stepped into the elevator. “Hi, Joe, Kev. This is my boyfriend, Drake. He just stopped by to say hello.” She was beaming as she looked at Drake and said, “It was good to see you.” She stepped off the elevator, stifling a giggle.
“Shine on, Supergirl. Talk to you later.”
As soon as he was back on the street, he called Kane’s Donuts. “Hi, Abby? I met you the other day. Do you deliver?”
“We sure do.”
“Great. I’d like to order a dozen Chocolate Orgasms…”
LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON Serena sat across from Seth Braden, the president of BRI Enterprises, and his new partner, Jared Stone, feeling like she’d hit the jackpot, despite having her head handed to her again earlier that morning when she’d told Suzanne she wanted to bring Laura and Spencer with her to another initial client meeting. There was no time to worry over Suzanne’s refusal. For now she heeded her request. At least long enough to figure out the best way to sell her on the idea.
She focused on her new clients, who wanted to be involved every step of the way, from the space design right down to the colors of the trash cans, and they were giving her complete freedom of design. Seth had been featured as one of Forbes’s most eligible bachelors a couple years ago, and it wasn’t just for his wavy brown hair, killer blue eyes, or the whole hot-nerd thing he had going on with black-rimmed glasses, a plaid shirt, and a patterned sweater that looked like it had been knitted by his ninety-year-old aunt. He was a brilliant investor, and based on the last hour, he was about as laid-back as someone who did nothing but lounge on beaches all day. While his tattoo-sleeved, jeans-clad, Adam-Levine-lookalike partner, Jared, hadn’t stopped moving since he sat down. If his jaw wasn’t jumping, his knee was. A chef by trade, Jared owned several restaurants as well as clothing stores. They were an unlikely partnership, which made them that much more interesting. They’d come together and formed Nova Initiatives, a line of retail operations and restaurants.
“We want something new, fresh.” Seth scratched his scruffy jaw. “As you know, my brand is a bit more elegant than Jared’s edgy, eclectic vibe. Do you think you can combine the two without seeming over the top with either?”
“Or being too trendy?” Jared added. “I hate trendy.”
“I’m confident that my team and I can come up with unique options to combine your brands in a way that speaks from your heart.”
Seth sipped his coffee, watching her intently. “I work with a lot of designers, and you’re the first to mention an organ.”
She stifled a laugh, remembering Drake’s earlier text—I’m thinking about adding organs to the store, to which she’d replied, Really? I’ve been thinking about a skin flute.
She cleared her throat to get her head back in the game and said, “You’re both clearly passionate about what you do, and passion comes from the heart. It would be a mistake for me to ignore that vital organ when coming up with the concepts for your business.”
The two men exchanged an appreciative look.
“Let’s talk schedule,” Seth suggested.
They scheduled a brief meeting via Skype for Monday, so she could introduce them to Laura and Spencer, followed by a presentation meeting the following week to discuss concepts. They also set aside a tentative time to visit the Boston Design Center a few days later, assuming they approved the presentation.
She called Drake the minute she left the building and gushed about them as she walked along the sidewalk. “Freedom tastes so good! I can’t wait to fill in Laura and Spence and get started. Things are looking up. We’re making headway with Muriel Younger’s office and our other projects, too.”
“That’s great, babe. You sound excited.”
“I am, but part of that excitement is that it’s Friday, and after stopping by the office to get my stuff, I get to come home and see you! I cannot wait to get my lips on you.”
“Your bed or mine?”
“Mine this time, so we don’t have to worry about being seen if we decide to go au natural under the stars.”
“Sounds good to me. I’ll bring over a change of clothes. I have a little something for you when you get here.”
She lowered her voice as a woman walked by and asked, “Does it involve nakedness?”
A deep
, growly sound came through the phone, heating her up like an inferno. She loved his dirty side, and his noises, and his…everything.
“Now I’m going to be aroused all evening thinking about you naked.”
“I like knowing I can get you all hot and bothered. Did I tell you I’m wearing the white lace panties and matching bra that you love? The one with the bows on my hips.”
He made another sexy sound.
“Or that I bought thigh-high stockings to wear home tonight just for you? There might be garters involved.”
“Serena… How fast can you get home?”
“Traffic’s going to suck.” She lowered her voice as a group of men walked past and said, “I’m going to be starved by the time I get there because I’m too excited to eat.”
“I’ll be your feast, baby.”
“That’s what I was hoping you’d say.” She flagged down a cab and said, “Safe subject time. I’m getting in a cab.” She climbed into a cab and gave them the address of her office. Then she said, “I reconfirmed the bands for the grand opening tomorrow, and we have no last-minute cancelations. I can’t believe it, and I can’t wait to see it all come together. It seems outrageous that you own five music stores. You’re like a music store mogul. Remember how nervous everyone was when you opened the first one?”
“You weren’t,” he reminded her.
“Because I knew you’d succeed. You’re too driven, too bullheaded, not to.”
Another call rang through, and she checked the screen. “Ugh. That’s my boss. Hold on.”
She switched to the other call and said, “Hi, Suzanne. The meeting with Seth Braden and Jared Stone went tremendously well. I can’t wait to get started. And we’re making headway on both the Younger project and the Wilkinsons’ library renovation.”