I wouldn’t be so sure.
Once I’m finished explaining my vision for the Rizon campaign contest, Mitchell’s idea won’t stand a chance.
I flip to the first page of the notepad in front of me and take a deep breath.
“This is unlike anything you’ve seen before. I’m calling it a night to remember.” I lock eyes with West across the table.
“I just had one of those.” His gaze drifts over the neckline of the black dress I’m wearing.
A chorus of male laughter fills the room.
“I wish I could say the same.” Trent snickers.
“Me too,” Mitchell chimes in as my dad pats him on the shoulder.
I shoot West a look and I’m rewarded with a wicked grin and a lift of his brow.
The man is playing with fire and I’m not going to be the one who gets burned.
I clear my throat to draw the attention back to me. “The winner of the Rizon vanilla vodka launch contest will enjoy a night in Manhattan with a guest of their choosing. They’ll experience the best the city has to offer that culminates in their attending the vanilla vodka launch party. I’ll see to it that it’s a night they’ll never forget.”
Tipping his chin up, West smiles. “Everyone deserves a night like that.”
Chapter 36
Jeremy
Her pen is on the move again.
This time she’s resting it against the corner of her mouth while we all sample our coffees and add cream and sugar.
David took it upon himself to prepare Linny’s coffee for her before he slid it across the table.
I didn’t see her as someone who loaded up on the sugar and cream, but judging by the number of sugar packets her dad dumped into her cup, she’ll be bouncing off the walls for hours.
I make a note to memory to add just as much sugar and cream to her coffee when I deliver it to her in bed the next time we spend the night together.
She takes a tentative sip. Her brow furrows.
Jesus, she’s gorgeous.
“Go ahead, Linny.” I snap the lid back on my cup after adding a splash of cream. “I’d love to hear your concept.”
Her smile is soft when she looks my way. “Thank you, Jeremy.”
My dick hardens instantly at the sound of my name from her lips.
She calls me West most of the time. I love that, but this is different. This speaks of a familiarity I want to have with her.
I’ve always been West to the women I fuck.
I want to be Jeremy to her. I want to be everything to this woman.
I shake that off when she clears her throat again. It’s a subtle way of drawing David and Mitchell’s attention to her.
It works. They both glance in her direction.
“We’ve been fortunate enough to work with many wonderful clients over the years.” She nudges her eyeglasses up the bridge of her nose. “I took the liberty of contacting several in my quest to create a magical two-night experience in New York City.”
I lean my elbows on the table. I wasn’t expecting this.
I assumed that the money I was throwing at this campaign would result in attention being lured to my product and my product only.
I’m not sure how I feel about other companies benefitting from this.
“What clients?” Trent asks the question that I was about to.
Linny turns to look at him, her ponytail swaying. “I’ll explain.”
Trent nods and tosses her a smile and a wink.
The asshole is flirting with her. I should have expected as much given how he couldn’t stop talking about how wonderful Linny is on the subway ride here.
“It will be a cross promo between Rizon and the other clients who have agreed to take part if we get your go ahead.” She drops the pen on the table.
“Cross promos can be worthwhile.” Trent’s hand slides closer to her.
She eyes it and shifts in her seat away from him. “Rizon supplies airfare for two to New York, unless our winner is already here.”
I nod. “What else, Linny.”
She glances down at the open notepad in front of her. “A two-night stay at the Bishop Hotel in Tribeca and dinner at Nova in Greenwich Village before the launch party.”
“Your choices are certainly memorable.” Trent breezes his hand over her bare forearm again.
I grip the armrests of the chair I’m sitting in to avoid snapping his wrist in two.
She reaches for her coffee cup, leaving Trent hanging. She takes a long gulp, her eyes pinching shut and her nose crinkling. “I spoke personally to the owners of the Bishop Hotel and Nova. Both were more than happy to agree to supply the guests with Rizon products as part of their experience.”
She taps her pen on the notepad. “Mr. Bishop is going to include complimentary cocktails and caviar for the winner in their suite. They’ll be served Rizon vanilla vodka, of course.”
“I handled the Nova account. Did you consider bringing me in to talk to Tyler Monroe?” Mitchell questions from where he’s sitting.
Linny glances over at him. “I dropped in there yesterday and Chef Monroe was gracious enough to join me for lunch. Nova serves Rizon exclusively, so he was happy to agree to a complimentary dinner for two complete with vodka cocktails.”
She’s covered every base. The fact that she did it without anyone’s input is impressive.
“This certainly qualifies as a night to remember,” David says.
Linny wags a finger in the air. “There’s more.”
A smile tugs at my lips. “What else have you planned?”
Her gaze settles on me. “Our winners will also receive two orchestra seats to the New York Philharmonic the night before the launch party. Alexander Donato will be guest conducting the evening they attend.”
I’m not a fan of the symphony, so I have no idea if that’s impressive but apparently, Trent does.
“You’re shitting me,” he says with a rub of his shoulder against hers.
Fuck this guy and his touchy-feely bullshit.
Her hand darts to the frame of her eyeglasses. She adjusts them slightly. “I’m serious. A private meet-and-greet with Alexander before the concert will be included too.”
“How did you make that happen?” Mitchell drums his fingers on the tabletop. “We’ve never done any work for the Philharmonic.”
She looks over at him, her eyes widening. “I can’t reveal all my secrets.”
Trent and her dad both laugh. I don’t because I see something they can’t. I see her determination, her grit. I see a woman who wants the job of CEO and will go above and beyond to get her hands on it.
I see the most remarkable woman I’ve ever met.
“Each partner in our promotion will be listed as a sponsor on the Rizon website page where we’ll feature the contest, its rules and the requirements for entering.” She writes something in the notepad in front of her. “My suggestion would be a contest on social media. We can ask entrants to tag the Rizon official account in a post they make that includes a picture or video of them drinking a glass of Rizon vodka or posing with a bottle.”
It’s a way to further our social media reach.
“I have our lawyer working on the contest rules as we speak,” she goes on. “We’ll leave the judging to a panel of Rizon employees. Your pick, of course, Jeremy.”
I nod. “It sounds like you’ve covered all your bases.”
She glances down at the notepad in front of her. “I feel a countdown to the launch of the contest will have a tremendous impact. I should mention that Bishop Hotels and Nova have both agreed verbally to prominently feature the contest on their websites. That will link to the Rizon website. I’ll get that in writing, but it’s a win-win for us. The crossover web traffic will be significant.”
I scrub my hand over my forehead. I can’t fucking think.
It’s a brilliant idea put forth by an incredible woman.
All I want to do is take her in my arms and congratulate her for kicking ass.
I want to tell her that I’m proud of her but I can’t. Not right now, at least.
She closes the cover of her notepad and places her pen on top of it. “I think that’s it. Your turn, Mitchell.”
Chapter 37
Linny
“Great minds think alike.” Mitchell taps one of his fingers on his forehead. “My plan was similar although I was planning on adding a helicopter tour of Manhattan to it and the matinee of a Broadway show.”
“That would lessen the impact.” West sighs. “Linny’s presented a high-end experience that the average tourist wouldn’t be able to afford. Helicopter rides and musicals are standard items on the itineraries of most people when they visit New York City.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
I bite back the urge to smile. My presentation went off without a hitch, except for the fact that Trent couldn’t keep his hands off of me.
At one point, I thought West was going to crawl across the table and grab him.
“Jeremy and I will discuss your ideas.” Trent pushes back from the table. “We’re heading back to the office now.”
West rises to his feet, buttoning his suit jacket. “Walk us to the elevator, Linny. I have a few questions about the contest for you.”
I slide back my chair and pick up my notepad and pen. “I’d be happy to do that.”
I’d be happier if I were getting on that elevator with West so we could spend the rest of the day in bed together.
“After you.” Trent waves his arm in the air.
I round the table and breeze past West on my way out the door.
I’d call this meeting a success. I’m hopeful that West and Trent see it the very same way.
***
“Do you know how desperate I am to kiss you right now?” West leans against my closed office door.
“You practically threw Trent in the elevator before pushing the button to take him to the ground floor alone.” I laugh as I toss my notepad and pen on my desk. “Your desperation is showing, Jeremy.”
He tilts his chin toward the floor. “I’ve heard my name thousands of times from hundreds of different people, but it’s never sounded like that before.”
“Jeremy?” I repeat it back. “You’ve never heard it sound like what before?”
He closes the distance between us with a few measured steps. “Like that. I love the way it sounds coming from your lips.”
I raise a hand to stop him right before he reaches me. “We can’t.”
His hands fist at his sides. “I know. I almost pulled the goddamn fire alarm in the corridor to clear the building so I could get you alone.”
“You can have me all to yourself tonight.”
He gives a short laugh. “Is that supposed to satisfy me until then? What the hell am I supposed to do with the overwhelming urge I have now to kiss you, angel?”
I take a step closer to him, knowing that I’m tempting fate. “It’s supposed to make you think about me all day until that moment when we’re alone later and you can kiss any part of my body that you want.”
He rakes me from head-to-toe. “I’ll kiss every inch of you.”
The sound of my office door opening turns West on his heel. I peer past his shoulder.
“Linny.” My dad’s gaze is cast down to his phone. “Back in the conference room, you mentioned that you wanted to discuss…”
“Dad,” I interrupt him. “Jeremy and I were just talking about…”
“Who should judge the Rizon launch contest,” West interrupts.
My dad’s head pops up. A wide grin sweeps over his mouth. “Jeremy, I was just typing out an email to you, but here you are.”
West nods. “What can I do for you, David?”
I catch my dad’s expression when he notices the bouquet of flowers on my desk. “I have two tickets to the baseball game tonight. I was wondering if you wanted to join me.”
West’s shoulders stiffen. “I haven’t been to a game in years.”
“If you don’t enjoy baseball, I’ll pass them to Linny and her special someone.”
“Her special someone?” West glances at me.
“I believe his name is Roland.” My dad approaches the flowers, reaching out to touch one of the delicate petals of a yellow rose. “One of our clients owns a jewelry store. I stopped in there yesterday to pick up a surprise for my wife. I had a good conversation with the owner and her husband. He’s the one who let it slip that my daughter was dating a young man. It would have been nice to hear it from her first.”
I almost drop to my knees so I can crawl under my desk.
Who knew Jax Walker was a gossip?
“Roland is a lucky man,” West says, amusement flashing across his face. “I’m needed back at my office. Thanks for the invite, David, but give those tickets to Linny and Roland. There’s nothing quite as romantic as a night at the ballpark.”
I rub my forehead.
“I agree with you on that one.” My dad shakes West’s hand. “We’ll be in touch tomorrow.”
“I look forward to it.” Turning away from my dad, West faces me directly. “Make it a night to remember, Linny.”
His play on my words isn’t lost on me. “I plan on it, Jeremy.”
The arch of his brow and the smile on his lips says it all. I’ll be in his arms tonight, right where I belong.
Chapter 38
Linny
“If Roland is with you, he can go straight to hell,” West calls out.
I laugh as I toss my purse and overnight bag on a table in the foyer. I just stepped into the same hotel suite that West and I shared a few nights ago.
It’s been hours since he walked out of my office. Once he was in the elevator, he sent me a brief text message.
Jeremy: Make my every dream come true. Meet me at the hotel at 8.
I waited until my dad left my office before I responded, fearful that the wide grin on my face would give me away.
Linny: I have a dinner meeting with a client, but I’ll be there as soon as I’m done.
I laughed when his response lit up my phone’s screen.
Jeremy: I’ll watch the game on tv while I wait. If I catch you on the kiss cam with Roland, I’m going with Mitchell’s pitch, helicopter ride and all.
“I’m in bed, angel. Come join me.”
I kick off my shoes and pad across the floor, rounding the corner to the bedroom with a smile on my face.
It widens when I see West in the bed. He’s sitting up with his bare back resting against the headboard. A white sheet is covering his groin.
He pats the bed next to him. “How was your dinner meeting?”
I slip out of the red dress I put on for dinner. The meeting was with a client who circles back to use our services every few years. She owns one of the few bookstores left in Manhattan and every time she comes back to us, we use the same campaign ideas.
Tonight was different. Mitchell suggested a new approach while I listened. It involved an author in residence program and free writing workshops for kids.
Our client was beaming by the time dessert was served.
It was a victory for Mitchell and I conceded on the sidewalk outside the restaurant, telling him that I thought he did a great job.
“Leave the bra and panties on.” West’s hand squeezes his erection through the sheet. “Red is your color, angel.”
I slide into bed next to him. “My dinner meeting was fine, but I don’t want to talk about that.”
His lips brush over mine for a soft kiss. “What do you want to talk about?”
“Roland.”
His dark brows pinch together. “Don’t say his name when I’m hard as nails.”
I reach to run my fingertips over the outline of his cock. “You know that it’s over between us, right?”
“I know that you told me you ended it with him. I believe you.”
I slide my lips over his chin. “Good.”
He reaches to cup my face. “I also know it was hard for
you not to correct your dad when he assumed that Roland sent the flowers.”
Guilt has been consuming me since that moment. A lie is a lie whether it’s direct or an omission. I allowed my dad to believe that Roland sent me that beautiful bouquet. I’ve kept the secret of my relationship with West hidden from my dad for weeks.
If he finds out that I’ve been keeping that from him, my future as CEO of Faye & Sons won’t be the only loss I’ll suffer. My bond with him will be marred as well.
We’ve always been honest with one another, even when that honesty results in pain.
I slip my hand back into my lap. “Why did you have to pick our agency to help with the vanilla vodka launch?”
His arms circle me, tugging me closer to him. His breath whispers over my cheek. “Blame fate. It led me straight to you. I’ll be forever grateful for that.”
***
Sweat mists my skin as West drags his body over mine.
“It was so much,” I whisper into the still darkness in the room.
“I could eat you for hours.” He licks his lips before pressing them to mine for a tender kiss.
I weave my fingers through his hair, relishing in how soft the strands are. “You did.”
He lets out a deep laugh and it resonates through me. “It wasn’t enough.”
I’m sore from his fingers and his mouth, but I want more. I need more because soon day will break and I’ll have to rush home to change before I go to work.
I want to stay, but I know I can’t. I know he can’t.
“Jeremy,” I say his name softly.
“Angel,” he whispers back.
I kiss him again, harder this time, tugging his bottom lip between my teeth. “Get a condom.”
He groans into my mouth. “Fuck, Linny.”
I let out a bubble of laughter. “That’s exactly what I want.”
He inhales sharply when he pulls back and our eyes meet. “What would it take to convince you to stay here with me?”
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