Stiff_A Graves Family Romance

by Kim Linwood

  “No?”

  “No. I’m a professional with more than enough experience to officially take over as director. You can get back to me when you change your mind about my role here, or if you find someone else I can work with. In the meantime, believe it or not, I’m doing a damn good job running things on my own.”

  “Come on, you’re being ridiculous.”

  “You just tried to negotiate yourself a girlfriend, and I’m the one being ridiculous?”

  “You seriously think I’m…” He has the gall to look offended before getting angry. “You’re not going to get another offer that’s as—”

  “Wrapped in dubious sexual innuendo? Hopefully you’re right.”

  “You’re being unreasonable. Ms. Williams.”

  I have a sneaking suspicion he’s right, but I know for sure that trying to maintain any sort of professional working relationship with Carter Graves would be impossible. The only thing I regret about turning him down and kicking him out is that I’ll never find out if he would’ve rocked my world before he inevitably broke my heart.

  Tempting, but so not worth it. “And for the record, our date’s definitely off.”

  Carter stands up, grabbing his things and sending me a look that’s far more determined than discouraged. “For now.”

  “Forever.”

  “Keep thinking that, Sadie. It’ll make it sweeter when you give in.”

  “Get. Out.”

  “All right. All right.” He holds up his hands in mock supplication, but his dark eyes are gleaming and they are focused right on me. It doesn’t look like Carter Graves is used to hearing the word no. “I’m going, but this isn’t finished. It’s only just begun.”

  It’s a good thing I’m sitting down, because otherwise he might see the shiver that shoots through me at the promise dripping from his words.

  Shit.

  5

  Carter

  “Carter, get your ass in here!”

  If there’s one universal truth in my family, it’s that when Martin Graves—owner, CEO, and general hardass—calls you into his office, you go. Immediately. That lesson was drilled into me from day one, and it’s just as true twenty-six years later.

  Though, in his defense, he probably waited until I could walk, so let’s say twenty-five.

  You’d think that graduating summa cum laude and then going on to have a more successful record than any other negotiator in the company would count for something. You’d be wrong.

  I get up from my desk with a groan, not looking forward to having to explain why I wasn’t in the office yesterday. Instead, I extended the stay in my hotel and then drove all the way back to Philly this morning knowing exactly what I was coming home to. It didn’t have to be this way. I could’ve had the contract signed and come back after a night out with Sadie.

  But how the hell was I supposed to know who she was? She threw me off my game and I got overconfident, blowing the whole thing. I haven’t screwed up this badly in… ever. Fuck me for paying too much attention to the woman and not enough to the business.

  Can you blame me? Before she realized who I really was, she was looking at me like she was imagining all the things I wanted to do to her, and adding a few of her own. I should’ve made a call and gotten someone else to handle the takeover, but that would make my plans for the new home that much harder.

  Let’s face it, I’m a sucker for the girl-next-door look and Sadie’s got it in spades. Soft brown hair, big warm eyes and the sorts of curves that all too many of the women I meet pay top dollar to sweat and starve away.

  I want to see if her cheeks flush the same shade of pink in bed as they did when she was busy chewing me out. I bet they do, and I’m damn sure finding out when I go back, because there’s no way I’m leaving things as they are. No fucking way. I refuse to let this be a failure on my record, professionally or personally.

  Not that my father would ever let me get away with backing out anyway. He might be more interested in her potential assets than her ass, but our end goal is the same. Growing and strengthening the Graves brand.

  Axton nods at me from the couch when I enter Dad’s office. Of course he’s already here. Whatever goal Dad sets, Ax will meet it a day early and ten percent over. Always. It doesn’t matter if it’s finding the perfect Christmas tree, or negotiating the lowest cost from a supplier.

  I nod back, annoyed, but unable to hate him for it. In spite of how hard his perfection is on the rest of us, he doesn’t do it because he’s a dick. It’s just who he is, and as the oldest, he’s always been as good a brother as he is good at everything else.

  Would it kill him to be late once in a while, though?

  And just as equally predictable, Brandon is gracing us with his absence. It’s only ten thirty, after all. He’s likely just rolling out of bed and if he shows up at all, it’ll be when we’re done. Not that it matters much. He’s more interested in racing than the funeral business, anyway. His position here is mostly just a way for our parents to make sure he has the money to keep food on the table. Mom always jokes that Ax used up all the responsibility she’d stored up, so there was nothing left for Bran.

  Ax is the good son, Bran is the fun one, and I’m… the third. Caught somewhere between my two older brothers. There’s Danielle, of course, who lucked out by showing up eight years late to the party and being the only girl. She gets to just be herself, the lucky little snot.

  Dad scowls from his desk, watching us both like a hawk and reminding me a lot of Grams. The only thing that would distract him from business would be the end of the world, and even then he’d make sure to haggle for a good deal with the ferryman before crossing the river Styx. His hair might be gray now, but he’ll be sitting there when he’s a hundred, too stubborn to die until we can give him the perfect funeral.

  “Do you want to tell me why I don’t have a signed contract on my desk?”

  Not really. “Complications.”

  “Complications? Care to elaborate?” He leans forward while Axton watches cautiously. We haven’t had a chance to talk about what happened, but he knows failure isn’t looked kindly upon in our house.

  “The Williamses are out on some sort of retirement vacation, and they’ve left their daughter in charge. She’s more invested in the business than we were led to believe and wants to renegotiate. I’ll get there in the end, but we haven’t come to a final agreement on the details yet.”

  Dad huffs like an unhappy bear. “They were happy enough with the offer two weeks ago.”

  “Look, it’s a family business and you know how that is. She’s been acting manager for a while now, and from what I can tell, isn’t thrilled about having the place sold out from underneath her.” To put it mildly. “It’s not a big deal, but it’s going to take a little longer than expected.”

  “I’m not a fan of longer than expected. You know that.” His bushy eyebrows are tightly knit, warning me that while I’m not going to find myself out of a job, I could end up polishing coffin displays until he deigns to forgive me.

  “I said I’ll get her there, and I will.”

  Ax raises a hand. “If you need help, I’m happy to go in and talk to her for you.”

  “Thanks, but no.” I glare at him as I bite the words out between my teeth. I’m sure he means well, but his helpful intentions often end up undermining me, and this deal is more important to me than he realizes.

  “Maybe that’s not a bad idea,” Dad puts in. “I know you’re a smooth talker, but when it comes to women, Ax is better with the business types. You’re usually too…”

  “Pretty?” Axton suggests, this time completely aware that he’s driving me crazy but doing it anyway. “Flirtatious?”

  I deepen my glare, willing him to shut up. “I said I’ve got it.”

  It’s all too easy to envision Axton sweeping into the Williams parlor and wowing Sadie with how professional he is. She’d take one look at him and know the place was in good hands and that he’d never even th
ink of crossing the line. She’d love Axton for all of the reasons she probably thinks she hates me. Which is why they can never meet.

  At least not until after the funeral home and the girl are mine.

  “They’re a dinky little agency. How hard can it be?” Dad scoffs. “The only reason we’re even looking at them is because of your grandmother’s ridiculous attachment to that town.”

  I feel the need to defend them, even though he’s just saying exactly what I would’ve a few days ago. “You’ve seen the numbers. They run a solid business. In fact, once everything is settled, I think it’ll be the perfect starting point for giving the new style homes a try. What do we have to lose?”

  “Money.” Dad sighs. “The nineties were so much easier. Build things bigger and better and people loved it. This damn trend where everything has to be authentic is a pain in my ass.” Dad rubs his forehead like he’s chasing away a headache. “Look, I sent you over there because, for whatever reason, you’ve got a way with people. You’re a Graves. We get the job done and we don’t fuck around. That’s how we’ve gotten where we are. So get it done.”

  Practice is the only thing keeping me from wincing at his dismissive tone. Sometimes I’m not sure why I bother trying when no amount of academic or professional success seems to matter. “Of course.”

  Axton grabs my arm on the way out of the office once Dad’s done going over everything else he has to complain about. “So, tell me what really happened. Is she hot? The Williams girl?”

  I cut him a suspicious glance. “What’s that got to do with anything? But for the record, she’s hideous. Like a troll that just crawled out from under a bridge.”

  “Yeah, right,” he says with a laugh. “If that was true, you would’ve let me go in there in a heartbeat. You don’t want me anywhere near… what’s her name? Sadie? Let me guess. She took one look at you and slammed the door.”

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I pull my arm out of his grasp and turn on him in the hall.

  “Woah, relax. I’m not Dad. I know you’re good, but let’s face it, you and women are either like a moth to flame, or oil and water. Since you’re here and the contract isn’t, I’m guessing this one’s the latter. Face it, bro, she’s probably taking this seriously and when you’re on the prowl, professionalism isn’t your strong suit.”

  God damn it. Nobody here trusts me to do my job. They love me, but I need this chance to prove I can hold my own in this company. If I fuck it up, I’ll be back traveling around shaking hands and smiling for promo pictures while Axton does all the real work. Maybe Brandon has the right idea. Maybe I should be off doing whatever I want, because at this point I’m not sure they’d notice much if I was gone.

  But I’m not Brandon, and I’m damn good at what I do. I’m going to make this work if it kills me. Both the deal, and the girl. I smile back at my brother and clap him on the shoulder. “You couldn’t be more wrong. I just need some more time to go over the details with her. In fact, we got along so well I’m taking her out.”

  Axton raises an eyebrow. He knows me way too well to buy it. “I thought you said she was hideous.”

  “Shut up.”

  6

  Sadie

  “Thanks for helping out today, Zoe.” Standing in the doorway at the side of the viewing room, I watch mourners file in to pay their respects. It’s a full house today.

  “No problem. You’re the boss.”

  “Mmm,” I hum in noncommittal agreement. How much longer will that be true?

  I squint critically at the arrangements, not quite happy with the display in spite of the fact that there are flowers everywhere. Tulip and rose arrangements are propped up against the casket, lilies on all sides, and the crowning glory of the display, a giant accordion made entirely out of carnations stands directly behind the deceased’s casket.

  A fitting farewell for Rudolph Novak, the Pocono Polka King.

  “What do you think? Is it too much? Should I have filled in less at the sides so it didn’t look so…”

  “Tacky?”

  “I was going to say ostentatious, but close enough.”

  Zoe glances around uncomfortably, like she’s nervous to be out of her cave and mingling with the living. “Rudie isn’t going to care, right? I think it’s fine. At least people will feel like they got their money’s worth of dead plant clippings.”

  “Flowers. Normal people call them flowers. Dead plant clippings sounds like mulch.”

  “Whatever, at least mulch is useful,” she says with a tiny smirk, and we slip out of the way to leave the visitors to their grief and memories.

  Ever since the meeting with Carter, I’ve felt off balance. No matter how hard I try to focus on work, he keeps invading my thoughts. If it was just the business on my mind, it might not be so bad, but I’d really been looking forward to our date, and I can’t quite forget how nice an ass was attached to that jerk.

  Zoe sends me a sly look. “I saw you here working last night.”

  “So?”

  “So, didn’t you have plans?”

  A bit of fuzz on my sleeve suddenly seems really interesting. “Were you here? I thought you’d gone home.”

  “I was doing some reading and my favorite chair is down there. Don’t change the subject.”

  I shudder at the thought of curling up with a nice book surrounded by the smell of formaldehyde, cleansers and whatever other weird things she’s got in the basement. “That’s disturbing. Do you read aloud to the clients?”

  “Don’t be silly. You can’t hear a thing from inside the fridge. Kenny and I tested it ourselves. Again, stop changing the subject.”

  “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that, and no. I didn’t go. To answer your next question, I was the one who cancelled and I did it because things got way too complicated.”

  Zoe perks up like a gossip bloodhound scenting drama. “Tell me more. How complicated can it get with a guy you’ve only met once?”

  “A lot when it turns out the hot businessman was a little hotter than anticipated. He showed up at our door yesterday morning.”

  “That seems a bit pushy, but so?”

  “So, he introduced himself as Carter Graves.”

  “Who?”

  “Graves, as in Graves Funeral Homes? You know, the people who are bound and determined to take over the entire state?”

  “But…” Zoe’s mouth opens in surprise, and her eyes light up. “But, that’s perfect. Isn’t it? You guys would have tons to talk about. Flower arranging, casket prices, how hard it is to find a really excellent embalmer.”

  I snort. It’s impossible to imagine having a meaningful discussion about the business with Carter.

  “Wait. That would make him related to Brandon Graves, right?”

  It’s my turn to be confused. “Who?”

  “The racer.” She looks at me expectantly, like that’s supposed to help. “Do you pay no attention to what I talk about?”

  “Um, the wheels on the car go round and round?”

  Zoe has two passions, the human body, and stock car racing. Embalming I’ve had to learn a certain amount about because of work, but racing? I tend to tune it out once she gets going.

  She rolls her eyes. “Brandon’s good enough to go pro if he wanted to. He’s pretty well known in the local circuit and between the name and the fact that Graves is one of his sponsors, I’m pretty sure he’s related.”

  “Sorry, but I have no idea. We never made it to the sharing about family part. There was no way I wanted to spend an evening across another table from him after the way things went. Turns out business and pleasure really don’t mix.”

  Zoe smiles and bats her long, black lashes at me. “Are you sure? I really think you should consider un-canceling so you can work your way into his family and introduce me to Brandon.”

  “No way! I’m not dating Carter so you can stalk his brother. That’s what Google’s for, remember?”

  “I’ve already done that. It
’s not the same. But, wait. Why did Graves send someone to talk to you? Are they opening a location nearby? That would be a huge hit for us.”

  I take a deep breath, considering how much I should say. Nobody said I couldn’t talk about the sale, but I didn’t want to mention anything until I knew what was going to happen, and after meeting with Carter, I’m more confused than ever. Two heads are better than one, even if one of them is a little crazy, so maybe including Zoe would be a good idea.

  “They made us an offer. My parents scheduled a meeting yesterday, and when Carter was the one who showed, everything came out. To make a long story short, the money’s good, but my working conditions would suck.”

  “Woah. Woah! You’re selling?” Zoe hisses out, holding up her hands and looking seriously ticked off. “Why is this the first I’ve heard about it? I just got that chair broken in!”

  “Calm down.” I throw a glance back at the viewing room and pull her farther away so we can talk. “I only just found out, too. We’re thinking about selling. Just thinking. My folks want to retire, and when they got the offer, they decided it was perfect timing. Nothing is set in stone yet. I’m supposed to make the final call, but their representative isn’t taking any of this seriously.”

  “So turn them down. They’ll either drop it, or have to up their game, right?”

  “That’s what I did.” Except I’m afraid that instead of making them take me more seriously, I’ve just waved a red flag in front of a bull. “And they’ll definitely be back. Carter Graves doesn’t seem like the kind of man who will back down easily. Even if we never get our date, it’s definitely personal now.”

  “Ooooh, juicy. Maybe you should quit and then I’ll charm him and get to meet Brandon on my own. It’s win-win-win. I’ll obviously have to dump Carter and break his heart before he asks me to marry him, but—”

  I stare at Zoe in amazement. “You need help.”