Five Star Desire
Page 6
Kellen wasn’t convinced, but he didn’t want to argue with Dreyden.
“Are you okay?” Sage inquired when she strolled into the house and found him alone in the family room. “You look upset.”
“I’m fine,” he huffed. “I just wish that Dreyden would see a doctor. He keeps saying that it’s just a bug, but he hasn’t gone to the doctor for a checkup.”
“None of us likes going to the doctor,” she pointed out. “When was the last time you had a checkup?”
“It’s been a while,” Kellen responded. “But there’s nothing wrong with me. I’m healthy.”
“Well, our brother is a grown man. We can’t force him into anything. I guess we should just let him be.”
“I guess,” he murmured.
After everyone left the house, Kellen found his father in the library.
“Dad...I really want to get my job back. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Malcolm folded his arms across his chest. “Are you sure about this, Kellen?”
Kellen nodded. “I want to make this work with ADDG. It means everything to me to be able to work in the family business. I realized that I went in acting entitled, and it was wrong.”
“If you want your job back, then I think you should talk to Addison.”
“I intend to go in Monday morning,” Kellen stated. “I just hope I can get Addison to give me another chance.”
He missed the warmth of Addison’s smile and the cute little way she wrinkled her nose whenever she was focused on her work. Kellen was looking forward to getting back to the job. He had to convince Addison that he was ready to be a team player, and that he was an asset to the company.
Chapter 6
“What are you doing here?” Addison asked when she found Kellen waiting for her outside her office the following Monday.
“You can’t bar me from the building. My father still owns this place.”
“Okay, so why did you come to this department?” she demanded. Her words came out tight and breathless. “In case you’ve forgotten, you don’t work here anymore.”
Kellen wasn’t imagining the determined tilt to her chin, or the barely veiled antagonism.
“Actually, that’s why I’m here, Addison,” he responded. “I want to apologize for my behavior.” Kellen grinned. “I even bought you flowers.”
His charm wasn’t wasted on her.
“Thank you,” Addison said clearly. “But I still don’t quite understand why you’re really here. It must be important since you felt the need to try and impress me with roses.” She sniffed the pink blossoms and admitted, “Even if they are quite stunning.”
Addison met his gaze. “You’d better get to the point. I’m afraid the novelty of these will wear off quick.”
“I’d like you to give me another chance.”
She bit back a smile. “It’s going to take more than a rose bouquet to convince me that you’re ready to work in this unit. Kellen, you and I can’t work together. You have a problem working under me.”
“I’ve given you a hard time, and I was wrong for it.”
“Tell me something...why do you want to come back to the team?” she asked. “Is this out of loyalty to your father or do you really want to be here?”
“It’s both,” Kellen stated. “I want to work with my family, and I enjoy the projects we produce. This is where I belong, Addison.”
“I’m not going anywhere and I will not have you undermining or disrespecting me. I want to make that clear.”
“Understood,” he responded.
“Are you sure?”
Kellen nodded. “I give you my word...if you let me come back, you won’t regret giving me a second chance.”
Addison folded her arms across her chest. “Please see that I don’t.”
“Okay, boss lady.” Kellen removed his backpack, asking, “What’s on the agenda?”
Their gazes locked—hers wary and uncertain, his impossible to read.
She shrugged. “You can work with Charles and Andrew on the project for the Arizona property. Let’s see how well you work with a team.”
“Not a problem. I can be a team player.” He grinned, a flash of white teeth making her knees embarrassingly weak.
But putting up with Kellen Alexander also meant ignoring the way her heart took off at a gallop when he was around. He seemed to fill any space he was in, changed the air pressure and the temperature. He made her body feel hypersensitive as if just his nearness was a caress across her bare skin.
Addison smoothed her hair with shaking hands. “Kellen, I’ll check in with you in a bit. I have some work to do,” she said.
She went about her routine on autopilot, desperately aware that Kellen was two doors down from her office.
She wasn’t in love with Kellen Alexander—it was more like an intense fascination built on searing sexual attraction. Addison didn’t want to admit that she ached for the man constantly.
She was not ready for this.
Not at all.
“I was wondering if you’d like to have dinner with me,” Kellen inquired at the end of the workday. “It’s my way of saying I’m truly sorry for the way I acted before.”
“We’re fine,” she responded. “You don’t have to take me out.”
“It’s not a date,” he clarified. “Just dinner. You have to eat.”
Addison considered his words. “Okay. Dinner is fine.”
“Why don’t we eat at the Premiere Italiante in Hollywood?” Kellen suggested. “My family owns the restaurant, but I’ve never eaten there.”
“Sounds good,” she said. “I’ve heard good things about it, but I haven’t tried it, either. I’ll drive my car and meet you there.”
He was surprised. “Really?”
Addison nodded. “Yeah. I think we should take both cars.”
He smiled. “You’re still concerned about what others will think.”
“I don’t want anyone getting the wrong impression, Kellen.”
“People are going to think whatever they want, Addison,” he said. “You can’t let others define who you are.”
* * *
Low lamplight, fresh flowers in vases and plants littered every tabletop while mauve wallpaper was pasted to the walls. Kellen sat across the table from Addison, admiring her beauty.
“You do realize that you’re staring at me,” she said as she laid down her menu.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stare, but I couldn’t help myself. You’re a beautiful woman.”
She waved her hand in dismissal. “Let’s not go there, Kellen.”
“Hey, I was just giving you a compliment. I didn’t mean any harm.”
“None taken, but it’s not necessary,” she responded.
He laughed. “I’m not trying to seduce you, Addison.”
She flushed in embarrassment. “I never said that you were.”
He eyed her. “Then what’s the problem?”
Kellen’s wry humor kept Addison on the verge of laughter as they dined on filet mignon, baby asparagus and large, fluffy baked potatoes.
“Now you’re the one staring,” he said.
She seemed a little embarrassed to have gotten caught. “You’re a little hard to read, Kellen.”
He gave a slight shrug before shifting his position in the seat. “What you see is what you get when it comes to me.”
She smiled. “I would say the same about me.”
Kellen smiled. “I don’t know. I would say that you’re very guarded. I’d just like to know the reason why.”
* * *
His response took her by surprise. “You think I have walls up?”
Kellen nodded. “I would like to get to know Addison Evans—the p
erson. I have a one-dimensional view of who you are.”
She understood what he was saying, but she did not want to risk getting too personal with her employees. Past experiences had taught her to be wary.
“I’ve been burned before,” Addison stated. “Someone tried to sabotage me after I let them get too close. I won’t let it happen again.”
“I’m not that person and neither are your other employees. Do you believe that someone on your team wants your job?”
She met his gaze. “I thought you wanted it.”
“I did,” Kellen confessed. “But I wouldn’t try to sabotage your work to get the job.”
Addison took a sip of her water. “I have to admit that I thought you’d be given the job, anyway.”
He laughed. “Then you don’t know my dad very well.”
“I admit I was wrong.” Addison settled back in her chair. “However, I want you to know that I enjoy working with you. I’ve never encountered someone with so much natural talent and ability.”
“I feel like I was born to do this,” Kellen said. “It’s my passion.”
She nodded in understanding. “I’ve felt the same way since I was five years old. My mother loved looking at model homes. We would pretend that it was our home and we’d talk about the things we’d change. I would take floor plans and make additions...changes...stuff like that.”
He smiled. “I used to buy home-design magazines and do the same thing. I could sit and draw for hours.” Kellen finished off his food. “I appreciate your sharing this with me.”
“You’re pretty easy to talk to,” Addison responded.
“I’m glad you feel this way. I feel in order to click as a team, you have to take time to get to know one another.”
She smiled. “Point taken.”
Kellen broke into a grin. “Do you trust me?”
“Yeah, I do. Why?”
“Because I’m going to order dessert for us. It’s my mother’s favorite, and she raves about it.”
Addison met his gaze. “I’ll try almost anything once.”
* * *
Kellen had a hard time admitting it, but Addison had a lot more experience and was very knowledgeable in their field of work. She tackled every project with heart and the longer he worked there, the more he came to admire her work ethic.
He glanced up from his computer monitor just as Harold walked into the office. “What are you doing here?”
“I was in the area and I figured I’d come see if you had some time for lunch.”
“Sure.” Kellen pushed away from his desk. He needed to take a break. He’d spent all morning glued to his computer. Addison had given him his first solo project and he wanted it to be perfect.
“Looks like you’re working hard.”
“I am,” Kellen confirmed.
They walked across the street to a restaurant on the corner.
“So how is married life?”
Harold grinned. “I’m loving it. Amy is wonderful, and she makes me happy. To be honest, I’m crazy about her.”
Kellen chuckled. “You sound just like Ari and Blaze when they got married. Do you really feel that way or is it something that you’re supposed to say?”
“Wait until you find that special woman you want to marry,” Harold responded. “You will be singing the same anthem.”
“I’m not sure I’m marriage material. My career is definitely the priority in my life right now.” As he said the words, an image of Addison floated across his mind.
Kellen had developed genuine feelings for her but had not acted on them. She was slowly letting her guard down around him and he didn’t want to do anything to put the progress he’d made with her at risk.
“How is William doing?” he asked.
Harold gave a sad smile. “Not well at all. I don’t think my brother is going to be around much longer.”
“I’m sorry.”
He shrugged. “Death is a part of life.”
“It still hurts the same,” Kellen responded.
“Meredith has been great with taking care of him. He has a private nurse, but my sister insists on being with William for every treatment. She was the same way with Uncle Robert.”
“I heard the same thing about you, Harold. You never left his side, either.”
He gave a tiny smile. “That’s what you do for family.”
“I agree completely,” Kellen told him.
They finished their lunch and headed back to the office.
“When you have some free time on your hand, Amy and I would love to have you join us for dinner one evening.”
“As long as you’re not trying to hook me up.”
Harold laughed. “I’ll tell the wife.”
Kellen headed to his office after saying goodbye to his cousin. He fought against all thoughts of Addison before they consumed his mind. The last thing he wanted was a serious relationship with any woman—yet he could not escape the hold that the gorgeous boss lady had on him.
Chapter 7
Kellen and his family were present for the grand opening of the Alexander-DePaul Center. He was surprised when he saw Addison enter through the double doors. She looked stunning in a navy dress and silver high-heeled sandals.
He met her halfway. “Addison, I didn’t know you were coming.”
“We worked very hard to bring your father’s vision to life,” she responded. “I wanted to be here when the doors opened.”
Kellen was thrilled to see her, although he tried not to show it. He didn’t want to spook her. “I hope you don’t mind my saying that you look beautiful.”
“Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself,” Addison responded warmly.
He escorted her over to a table and pulled out the chair for her.
“Always the perfect gentleman,” she murmured.
“My mama raised me right.” Kellen sat down beside her.
Addison laughed.
Her laughter set his pulse fluttering. He ignored the sudden surge in his pulse and maintained an even tone. “Would you like something to drink?”
“A glass of white wine, please.”
Kellen returned a few minutes later with her drink.
“Duty calls. I have to join my family for now, but I won’t be gone long.”
He walked briskly across the room where his family had gathered for media photos. Homelessness was a cause that Kellen and his family cared deeply about—it was one they were determined to do what they could to help those who found themselves in this situation.
“I see Addison’s here,” Dreyden whispered. “Did you invite her?”
“No,” he whispered back. “Dad must have invited her.”
“So what are you going to do about it?”
“Make the most of my time with her,” Kellen responded with a grin.
“Would you like to dance?” he asked when he returned to the table.
“Sure.”
Addison was a good dancer, he noted as he watched her body move to the rhythm of the music.
They danced to three songs before Kellen escorted her off the floor. “I really like this side of you.”
She smiled up at him. “I do let my hair down every now and then.”
“Glad to hear it,” Kellen replied. “I wasn’t sure if you knew how to have fun.”
Addison paused in her steps. “Really?”
He nodded. “In the office you’re always so focused on work.”
“Like you, I take my job very seriously,” she stated.
“I don’t think there’s any harm in having fun while you’re on the job.”
She gave him a sidelong glance. “Kellen, is this your way of saying that we don’t have fun at work?”
Addison laughed. “I think that’s a good idea.”
Kellen’s eyes traveled the room. “You all did a great job on this center,” he said. “This is exactly what my father envisioned.”
“This was actually a labor of love for me,” Addison admitted. “Homelessness is a cause that I’m very passionate about. I volunteer at the L.A. Mission once a month.”
Kellen wasn’t surprised. He’d witnessed her buying lunch for a homeless man who hung out at the end of the block. He knew that she had a generous nature. “There was a young man in Atlanta, attending college and homeless. I invited him to stay in my apartment. I hated the thought of someone like him living on the streets. I bought him a laptop and promised him that he could stay in the apartment until he graduated.”
“That’s very generous of you, but how did he end up homeless?”
“His mother died and he couldn’t pay rent. He was evicted from their apartment.”
Kellen met her gaze. “He managed to keep his grades up during all of this. I felt he deserved a chance.”
“I agree.”
“Addison, what area do you live in?” Kellen asked. “I imagine you somewhere on the beach.”
“I live on Figueroa at the Apex.”
“Nice...” he murmured.
She met his gaze. “I bet you live in one of those luxury residences at the Alexander-DePaul Hotel.”
Kellen shook his head. “Right now I’m living with my parents, but I’ve been looking for a place of my own.”
“I’m sure you could have your pick at the hotel.”
“I could, but I’m more like Dreyden and Blaze when it comes to living quarters. I want my own space away from the family.”
“So where have you been looking?” Addison asked. She took a sip of her drink.
“West L.A., Beverly Hills... I really like the Century, though.”
She agreed. “They are really nice. I looked at them but decided to go with the Apex, instead. They were a little too rich for my blood.”
“What you pay in rent at the Apex, I’m sure you could afford the mortgage on a condo at the Century.”