by Lea Hart
He watched Gio’s head of security lead Kelly to the red door that separated the bar from the private rooms and tried not to chew on her words. She sure could talk a good game, but he didn’t know if that’s all it was. When Gio took the empty seat and gave him a shit-eating-grin, he knew the next five minutes were not going to be a lot of fun.
Clearly, the man had seen the exchange between him and Kelly and being the damn insatiable gossip that he was, there was no way he was letting it go.
Not today and not ever.
CHAPTER FOUR
Kelly sat in an office next to the kitchen at McCallan Security and tried her best to ignore the smell of popcorn. She hadn’t been hungry five minutes ago, but now that the smell of the buttery treat was floating into her office, she was starved.
She checked her watch and realized it was getting close to twelve, so she pulled out her lunch bag and dug through it. All the healthy choices she’d packed earlier were of absolutely no interest, and she really wanted a burger from Umami with a side of fries.
But that wasn’t going to happen because she had pigged out at the church picnic yesterday and was going to have to pay for it all week. Her friend’s wedding was in a little over two months, and the unforgiving dress she had chosen to wear wasn’t going to fit if she kept eating like she had been.
Pulling out her bag of sugar snap peas, she tried to pretend like they were salty deliciousness and popped one into her mouth. As she chewed, she saw Terrence walk out of the kitchen with his bag of popcorn and turned back to her computer.
Hearing a bag crinkle, she looked up and saw him leaning against the doorway. “Keep moving, T, because I do not need the temptation.”
He gave her a wink and grinned. “I can’t tell if you’re talking about me or my snack.” He looked down and then shrugged. “I bet it’s me, ‘cause there are few women who can resist my acres and acres of cocoa brown muscles.”
She let out a snort and took a snap pea out of her bag and popped it into her mouth. Terrence Norris was six feet five of flow, and his charisma was as strong as any she’d seen. But they were not attracted to one another, despite all the flirting and sassing they did with one another. “I was surprised to see you at church yesterday.”
Smirking, he walked into the office and collapsed into a chair. “Momma informed me it was the monthly picnic and that’s not a thing I like to miss. So, you can bet your skinny white ass I was there praising the Lord like any good Christian.”
“Is that what you call flirting with Jazzy Taylor?”
He shook his bag of popcorn and then set it on the desk. “That wasn’t flirting. The woman is totally immune to me, and it’s making me damn near insane.”
She grabbed the bag of popcorn and took a handful. “She is a faithful woman, and I doubt she’s ready for anything you have in mind.”
He took the bag back and ate a piece. “Maybe that’s what’s got me so damn interested. Her little church dresses with high collars and her quiet way of speaking have me half in love. Did you know she’s a librarian and loves to discuss books? I hardly know what she’s talking about half the time, and all it’s doing is making me want her more.”
“Why don’t you ask her what her favorite book is and then read it, so you two can talk about it? Maybe the way to this woman’s heart is through her mind and not her body.”
“I already know that, and since it’s going to take me more than a minute to figure out how to use my brain instead of my body, it’s frustrating.”
“Guess you’ve got your work cut out for you.”
“Don Quixote.”
“What?”
“That’s her favorite book.”
“Damn, the girl has good taste. I read Cervantes in college, and that book was over a thousand pages of adventure, risk, and fortitude. The man from La Mancha was a soldier, so you should have no problem relating. Your years in the Marines will make you appreciate what the character went through.”
“Did you say a thousand pages?”
“Give or take.”
“Shit, that’s going to take more than a couple of days to read.”
“Why don’t you grab a copy and then make sure you talk to Jazzy about it each week. At least you know where she is every Sunday and I bet if you suggest dinner dates to discuss the finer points, she’ll agree. I wager that by the time you’re half-way through the book, she’ll be willing to see what your body has to offer too.”
Pounding his hand on the desk, he grinned. “That’s a hell of a plan, Kelly.”
“Just call me Dr. Love.”
Cole walked in and looked between them and then crossed his arms. “Why are we calling my accountant, Dr. Love?”
Terrence stood up and slapped Cole on the back. “‘Cause she’s a freaking genius.” He gave Kelly a wink and then sauntered out of the office.
Seeing Cole’s sour expression made her wonder if he was feeling uncomfortable about the conversation they’d fallen into on Friday. It certainly had breached what she considered appropriate banter, and she didn’t know how much of a problem it was going to be. “What can I do for you?”
“Meet me in my office in an hour.” He held up an envelope and frowned. “We got a letter from the IRS and have a date for the initial meeting regarding the audit.”
Nodding, she gave him a smile. “I have ninety percent of the year in question complete, so you will be ready.”
“We will be ready.”
“Cole, I told you that my colleague has a lot more experience with the process the IRS utilizes during an audit. You have her number and need to call her so that she can represent you in the meeting.”
“No, you’re my accountant, and I want you sitting beside me.”
“But I didn’t prepare your return for the year in question, so you really should take a tax lawyer.”
He walked in and closed the door, taking the seat that Terrence had vacated. “Did the accountant we used screw us, or do you think we’re just lucky and this is a random audit?”
“As best as I can tell, the guy didn’t screw you. There might be some expenses the IRS considers unallowable, but at the same time, there are some that were not taken. It’s not like you moved income from the business into a shell company and then tried and pass it through a trust.”
“I have no idea what you just said.”
“It’s just a technique that some companies use to avoid paying taxes.”
“We didn’t do that, though.”
“Exactly. The audit is going to be a long, arduous process, and my best guess is that it will be a wash in the end.”
“So, why do I need someone else?”
“Because I’m not a tax lawyer. I’m a CPA and far from an expert on the audit process.”
“You’re who I want.”
“But…”
“No buts, Kelly.”
“I’m not sure if we should continue our professional relationship.” His brows knocked together, and she swore he was about to growl. Inwardly groaning, she kicked herself for crossing the line of impropriety.
He shook his head and fisted his hands. “And why would that be?”
“Our conversation on Friday…”
“Was two people talking outside the office. I’m not worried that the woman who’s going to stand between me and the vultures over at the Internal Revenue Service is into kinky shit and neither should you.”
She leaned forward and hiss-whispered, “I’m not into kinky s.h.i.t.”
“Honey, you were sitting in the bar at the Red Door, and it’s not ‘cause you like the martinis.”
Sitting back, she slapped her hands on the desk. “This is why a continued professional relationship is inadvisable. I don’t need to defend myself or my choices when I’m outside the office.”
“And I’m not asking you to.” He gave her a smile and uncrossed his arms. “I’m not judging you and don’t care what you’re into. All I care about is that you’re honest and understand our business.
Since you fulfill both of those requirements, you’re my only choice.” He leaned forward and lifted her arm and twisted it back and forth. “Cuffs or no cuffs.”
Sliding her arm away from his hand, she sat back. “You should leave before my temper snaps.”
Standing, he knocked the desk and winked. “Sometimes angry sex is the best kind.”
Before she could respond, he’d walked out, and she was left sputtering. “Asshole!” His head popped back in, and she sucked in a breath.
“Now, for that, we’d need to know one another a lot better and might need to share a meal.” He disappeared, and she let her head fall to the desk as his stupid hyena laugh filled the hallway.
Thank God this was Vegas and hitmen were a dime a dozen. Sucking in a deep breath, she once again wondered how much it was going to cost her if she found it necessary to get rid of Cole McCallan.
***
Cole watched his two brothers walk into his office and noticed they were both frowning. “What?”
“Why do you insist on pissing off the people who can help us most?” Zach asked as he walked over to the bar and poured drinks.
Seth took a seat and leaned back. “We need Kelly on our side and saying crazy shit to get a rise out of her is not how that’s going to be accomplished.”
Cole studied his youngest brother and wondered if he was the smartest of the three or just the craziest. Maybe it didn’t matter because he sure as shit had a guardian angel. “Not sure what you’re accusing me of, but I plead innocent.”
Zach handed out the glasses of bourbon and took his own seat. “After your meeting, she was telling the guys she’d pay double for offing you and made sure they understood no price was too high. She also threw in doing their taxes as a bonus.”
He leaned back in his chair and took a drink of his bourbon. “She’s really pissed this time because she’s never offered the tax prep thing before.”
“Not something you should be smiling about,” Seth replied.
Zach crossed his legs and set his drink on his knee. “You have a fucking high school crush on the woman, and you’re not handling it well. Considering what we’ve got going on with the IRS, it’s not acceptable. Either do something about it and ask her out like the grown ass man you are or leave her be. Throwing out inappropriate comments to get a reaction is only going to blow up in your face.”
“This is like that girl from high school that played him junior year,” Seth said as he snapped his fingers and looked at the ceiling. “Dee or Delilah something.”
“Danielle,” Zach said quietly.
“Fuck you both for even thinking it, much less saying it. I’ve got the situation with Kelly under control, and this isn’t some sick leftover fantasy from high school.”
Zach held up his drink and nodded. “Make sure it isn’t because, not only is she a good gal, but we’re not going to let you screw up the business we’ve busted our asses to build.”
Seth tapped his brother’s glass and then sat back. “I think you and Kelly make perfect sense in a totally screwed up way. She’s your whole good-girl cheerleader fantasy, and you’re probably her bad-boy dream come true.”
Snorting, he turned his chair, looked at the skyline, and ignored the grain of truth his brothers had laid on him. He’d been so fucking inappropriate with Kelly and hadn’t yet managed to keep his promise to himself and quit the shit. Instead, he was upping the ante and going down a path that wasn’t going to do either of them a bit of good.
Draining his glass, he made another resolution and promised himself he’d pull himself together and treat Kelly with respect. Nothing inappropriate would pass his lips, no matter how much he liked seeing the spark of interest in her eyes and heat in her cheeks.
He was playing with a flame that was going to burn both of their asses, and he needed to stop.
Or go all the fuck in.
“Let’s get out of here and head home,” Seth said as he stood. “I need a swim and some dinner.”
“I’ll grill tonight,” Cole replied as he stood as well. He looked at both of his brothers and shoved his hands in his pocket. “Don’t worry; I’ll handle my shit with Kelly and not put our business in jeopardy.”
Zach nodded and then took their glasses to the wet bar. “Maybe it’s time you nut up and ask her out. You clearly are interested and should just bite the bullet.”
“Not a great idea, considering I’m not into relationships,” he replied as he grabbed his keys and phone.
“Maybe this woman is going to change that. Either way, you need to get your shit together because you can’t keep poking her and not expect to get bit,” Shane added.
He followed his brothers out and vowed once again to pull his head out of his ass because the last thing he wanted was for he and Kelly to end up with nothing but bad feelings between them.
CHAPTER FIVE
Another day in paradise, Kelly thought as she walked back into the office she’d been using at McCallan Security. “And hopefully the last,” she mumbled to herself.
Mentally checking her to-do list, she realized she was all but done. The prep for the audit was ninety-five percent complete, and the other projects they’d agreed on were finished as well.
The billing and reporting systems were in place, and all the McCallan brothers had to do was make sure Jared maintained them. Eventually, they’d need a CFO but that was at least a year off, and Cole already had it in his plan.
Letting out a long breath, she knew the end of her and Cole’s business relationship couldn’t have come at a better time. The dance they’d been doing with one another had treaded into dangerous territory, and she no longer could tell if irritation or desire was fueling their fights.
His gaze was no longer filled with just exasperation and frustration. It also held a heat and hunger that told her if he ever got his hands on her, she might not survive.
And the idea, unfortunately, wasn’t as appalling as it used to be.
Which meant she was going to finish her work and not get baited by Cole. Settling herself into a chair, she dug into the work that was left and was almost in the groove when Cole stood in the doorway. “What’s up?”
Walking in, he collapsed into a chair and grinned. “Hell of a presentation this morning.”
She ran her fingers over the keys of her computer and studied him. “On a scale of one to ten, how sarcastic are you being?”
“Zero.” He pointed to the big box of magnum condoms that sat on the corner of her desk and grinned. “Your visual aids kicked ass and your speech about safe sex and economizing really hit home.”
“Why do I feel like you’re making fun of me?”
He leaned forward and held up his hands. “Babe, that was the first time in company history that all forty operators were actually listening.”
She let out a laugh and crossed her arms. “When Terrence yelled: ‘preach it, sister,’ I knew at least one man was paying attention.”
“They were all on the edge of their seats.” He ran his hand over his pants. “Remind me next time to put you at the end of the meeting. You’re a hell of an act to follow, and the guys weren’t even pretending to listen by the time I got up there.”
“Not going to be a problem since it was my last one.” She watched him frown as he sat forward.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“Did you read the email I sent?”
“Which one since you send me at least ten a day?”
Letting out a huff, she sat up straight. “The one that outlined all the projects I’ve completed. I probably have only a couple of days left on the IRS audit prep, and then I’m done.”
“No, you’re not.”
His bright blue eyes flashed with irritation, and she saw his blunt features tighten. “Cole, when I started working with you, we both agreed on what you wanted to accomplish, and I’ve held up my end of the deal.”
“Then you can be our CFO and make sure we don’t fuck shit up when you leav
e.”
“You don’t need a CFO yet. Just get someone to help Jared if you pick up another major account, and you should be fine.”
“I don’t want fine; I want you.”
“Not interested, but I appreciate the offer.”
“Is this because I’ve said a ton of inappropriate shit lately because, if it is, I promise to cut back.”
“No.”
She watched his arms cross and his muscles bulge as he stared her down. At one time, she’d found him slightly off-putting, but now she knew he was no more threatening than a spoiled baby. Six feet of Cole no longer affected her, and she saw him for exactly what he was: a man used to getting his way, with few people willing to stand up to him.
Turns out, she had no problem doing it and if he wanted to spend his afternoon mean mugging her, then he could. Didn’t change her plans.
Not only was she not interested in a full-time position, but she didn’t need to be tempted. The chemistry between them had a better than average chance of blowing up, and she needed to get out while she could. Last Friday had been a perfect example of what could happen if they let their guards down, and since she avoided colossally bad ideas, it was past time to leave.
“Let’s go get some lunch and discuss it.”
Looking down at her desk, she shook her head. “Thank you, but I’ll pass. It would be better if I finished the audit prep.”
Standing, he closed her laptop. “Yeah, that’s not going to work for me.” He held out his hand and wiggled his fingers. “Get your ass up and come eat.”
“If I hadn’t seen your American Express bill for the last five years, I might think your charm never worked on a woman.” She stood and straightened her dress. “But I’ve seen the bi-monthly flower charges, so I know there are women out there that have succumbed. Though I don’t see how that’s possible.”
When he didn’t respond and kept his hand up, she let out a huff. “We really don’t need to share a meal together.”