Only You (A Sweet Torment Novel)

by Joya Ryan

  And instantly my damn drooling problem was back. It wasn’t just the way he looked, it was every move he made. Relaxed and easygoing. Like he owned the frickin universe. We both knew I was in a bind and he was on the brink of winning this little battle we had going.

  “I don’t want to fight with you, Red,” he said with all the charm in the world. “I should have given you more time, but it’s important you accompany me. I need you.”

  I bit my lower lip and trembled just slightly as that warm feeling he usually left me with turned a little hotter.

  “You do?”

  He nodded.

  Wow. He needed me. That idea almost drowned out the dress debacle and made me feel important. A small smile tugged at my lips. He valued me enough in this short time, and maybe with this project, to see me as a valuable employee—

  “See, there’s this woman . . .” Leo said.

  My stomach dropped. “What?” But he said he needed me. Why was he talking about another woman? I crossed my arms over my chest.

  “Her name is Siobhan. She’s the wife of one of my investors and gets handsy after a few chardonnays. I need you to be my date, keep her at bay. Deflect.”

  “Deflect?” Now it all came together. He didn’t need me the way I had hoped. No, he wanted me to run interference.

  He nodded as if this were a totally normal request. All of a sudden I went from coffee-getting-gopher to secret-project-keeper, to . . . what the hell was opposite of a wingman? Woman repeller? Awesome. Just frickin awesome.

  “So.” Leo held out his hand, motioning back toward his bedroom, and likely the closet of slutty dresses.

  I didn’t know where they came from and I didn’t care. Fuck emotions, expectations, and hope. Business Paige was kicking into gear, because if one thing was made clear just now, it was that I was Leo’s assistant first and foremost, a job I’d be out of in two months. And I needed another one lined up.

  “I’ll wear my own dress,” I said calmly and, before walking out of his room, informed him, “I’ll be ready and waiting in the foyer at seven.” Which gave me plenty of time to follow up on some phone calls and get ready to be the deflective date to one of the most eligible bachelors who ever lived.

  Looked like I would be pulling out the big gowns.

  Chapter Nine

  I walked up the same steps I had taken many times the past couple weeks, only this time, I was in a strapless dark-gray dress that fit like a dream. It hugged my body perfectly and every time I put it on, I felt powerful and beautiful.

  I had saved for over a year to buy it and wore it to my first gala at the governor’s mansion. Being in it again was bittersweet. It reminded me of what was, what could have been, but I wasn’t going down that route tonight. No. Tonight would be new opportunities, and hopefully a new beginning.

  I held my shawl together, juggling my clutch in the same hand, as I opened the door to the Main House with the other, and headed into the foyer.

  “Good evening,” I said, and Leo, who had been talking to Sampson, the older fellow manning the front desk, turned to face me.

  Leo’s mouth opened a little and I mirrored the movement because, holy hell, he looked good in a tux.

  His blue eyes took a lazy stroll over my entire body and I felt each swipe of his gaze more acutely than the silk gown grazing my legs. My hair was fastened in a loose knot at the base of my neck and a few tendrils framed my face. I felt the need to tuck one behind my ear but that would be fidgeting.

  “You look amazing, Red,” Leo said, taking a step toward me until we were out of earshot of Sampson. “And you look like you belong on my bed.”

  I gasped and he smiled and lifted his chin at my dress. “The color.” I glanced down at the gray silk and remembered that Leo’s entire bed was made up of similar colors. “It’s my favorite.”

  I hadn’t even thought of that. Yet somehow, the compliment made me heat a little and feel like I stood out in a good way. Because not a single gown I had seen in his closet was gray.

  “Thank you.” I wanted to tell him he looked beyond amazing himself, but his ego was large enough and keeping niceties to a minimum would help remind me why I was here: to deflect.

  Operation Don’t Get Caught Up in Leo Savas’s Charm had commenced. And it was a tall order, considering every lazy grin and intense feel of his warmth was already affecting my mind . . . and my body.

  “Your driver is waiting and it’s a half an hour drive until we get to the gala. We should get going,” I said.

  “So organized.” He smiled and extended his arm. I took it and he escorted me out to the waiting vehicle.

  “Ready for some fun tonight?” he asked, hopping in the backseat next to me.

  “I’m ready to meet your business contacts and get a better understanding of the dynamics of the shipping industry. I don’t think fun is the adjective I’d use though.”

  He smirked. “We’ll see about that, Red.” He leaned in so that I felt his breath skate over my bare shoulder when he whispered, “I hear there is going to be tequila.”

  “Best investment I ever made,” Harris Reigncord said, tilting his gin and tonic at Leo across the room.

  Harris was a billionaire who’d made his money on Wall Street years ago. He was also one of Savas Shipping’s largest shareholders. Now in his late sixties, the man seemed happy with his lot in life and was nice enough. He’d also been drinking for the past hour, so that probably helped.

  “Yes, there are some exciting new developments on the horizon, and the way Savas Shipping is expanding, the stock is reflecting its growth prospects. It’s only going up from here,” I replied, and took a sip of my champagne. If I wanted to mingle and fit in with the elite, I had to be able to keep up with them in a conversation. Which was why I had done my research about Savas Shipping.

  From stocks to stockholders, I knew who was who and basic key discussion points. When I was in politics and the governor had his meetings, events, and galas like this, I had to do the same thing. Know who people were and be able to blend in like I belonged.

  “I agree. It’s been, what? Over a three percent rise in . . .”

  “Eight percent in two years, which is double what the broader shipping market has been showing.”

  Harris raised his brow. “My, my, sounds like I’d be silly not to increase my stake.”

  “You said it, sir, not me.” I smiled and he laughed. Talking stocks wasn’t my forte. I knew just enough to not sound like an idiot, but I was running out of material quickly. Time for a subject change.

  “I can see why Leo snatched you up, Miss . . . ?”

  “Levine,” I responded.

  “Ah, yes, I’ve heard a lot about you,” a voice from behind me said. “Harris, how are you?”

  “Great, Colin. Good to see you.”

  I frowned at the man who had just interrupted, but recovered quickly. Colin. As in Colin Davis? Davis Shipping was Savas’s biggest competitor and, based on the plethora of information I’d been left, that was the only Colin I’d come across.

  “I was just talking with Miss Levine here,” Harris said.

  “Pleasure to meet you,” Colin said, and kissed my hand. “I’m Colin.”

  “Nice to meet you too.”

  “I heard stock trading and couldn’t help but venture this way,” Colin said, and I wished I had a bit more information on him. Like who his main shareholders were. Because by the way he glanced between me, Harris, then to Leo, I got the feeling there was some competition afoot, beyond the actual shipping aspect of business.

  “Miss Levine was just telling me some numbers, impressive numbers”—Harris raised his glass to me—“about Savas Shipping. When the market opens, I just may have to buy up some more.”

  Colin raised a brow at me. “How delightful.”

  I smiled the best I could, but something about Colin made my douche alert go off. He was obviously wealthy and ran a business, but there was a shady persona about him, one I’d come into contact
with before with politicians. Like they were always plotting something and you never knew when they’d strike.

  “Looks like you’re settling into your role well, Miss Levine,” Colin said.

  Though I figured Leo’s assistant, Cathy, must be known by Leo’s associates, I didn’t think my position at Savas Shipping was anything newsworthy.

  Colin was younger than I’d imagined. Mid to late thirties maybe. Then again, Leo was relatively young. Only thirty-one. Funny I knew that after reading it from a file rather than basic info you gathered on a man you were sleeping with. Scratch that. Had slept with. Once.

  Still, with a family legacy of shipping, you inherited young sometimes.

  “I am enjoying my position,” I said.

  “Well, would you enjoy a dance, Miss Levine?” Colin asked. I gave my polite smile, ready to decline, when Colin finished with, “Or I could stand here and chat with Harris about Davis Shipping stock.”

  That wasn’t good. Colin was out to play hardball, and while I had no effect on Harris and his stock portfolio decisions, keeping Leo’s competition away from a major stockholder was smart.

  “Thank you, Mr. Davis, I’d like that.”

  I excused myself from Harris, and Colin took me to the dance floor.

  “I see you know who I am,” he said, catching that I’d called him Mr. Davis instead of Colin.

  “Yes, sir, I do.”

  He smiled. “I like that. Being known by a woman like you makes a man’s night a bit brighter.”

  I gave a tight nod and glanced around. I saw Leo off to the left talking with a few men. He was animated when he spoke. Fiery and flashing that megawatt smile. He looked excited about what he was saying and, in return, the men were engaged and excited with him. Of course, Leo was that way, easily able to get you onboard with what he wanted. My skin flushed thinking of just how good he was at bringing out that emotion in me.

  Leo glanced away momentarily from the group and caught my eye. He stalled, his shoulders instantly bristling, and his bright eyes turned darker. I offered a slight smile in acknowledgment, but he didn’t return it. He went back to speaking with the group, and those baby blues skated my direction every so often.

  “I must say that when I heard you talking about stock portfolios with a major player on Wall Street, I was curious to meet you,” Colin said, snapping my attention back on him. Thank God Colin hadn’t noticed my rising unease that the minimal information I’d learned about stocks and Savas Shipping was running low. His hand on my lower back tightened a little. “That’s pretty bold.”

  “Just doing my job, sir.”

  “Well, you seem thorough. Savas is lucky to have you. Tell me”—he spun in the other direction when my gaze met Leo’s again, cutting me off from being able to look at him anymore—“What would a man have to do to lure you away?”

  I kept my expression as still as possible, not particularly liking the way he phrased that. It reminded me of Bill. Colin’s interest in me, professionally, was something I should keep in mind for the future. But my loyalty lay with Leo and Savas Shipping, because what I should do and how I felt were two different things.

  Security and options were a good thing to have since my employment and living situation were based on a ticking clock. Details Colin didn’t need.

  It would be a bad play to let on that my job with Leo was temporary. At least for now, all Colin knew was that I worked for Savas. He didn’t need to know I had a deadline. I was playing the long game with a temporary situation.

  “I like working for Mr. Savas,” I said. The truth was always best, but spinning was better. Say what you need to say so that you aren’t caught in a lie, but present the best possible side.

  “I’m sure you do,” Colin said and I caught the slightly sarcastic tone in his words.

  I lifted my chin and looked him dead in the eye. “Shipping is a complex process and being a part of the inner workings of such a company is challenging. Challenging is where I excel. So yes, I like my job at Savas Shipping and like what I’m learning even more.”

  He nodded, hopefully getting the hint that I was purely professional and could turn that tone right around.

  “Of course, Miss Levine. I have already seen with our brief encounter just how good you are . . . at your job.”

  The song ended and I was happy to be done with this conversation. I was dancing around a spot—literally—I couldn’t win. And if there was one thing I’d learned in all my years working with politicians it was: If it didn’t look like you were getting traction to win, find a new path to ensure victory.

  “Pleasure meeting you, Mr. Davis.”

  He smiled. “The pleasure was all mine, Miss Levine.” I turned to walk away but he grabbed my hand and coaxed me back to face him. “If you ever find your job with Savas unfulfilling, make sure to keep me in mind. I could use a good exec assistant on my team.”

  I nodded once. While it was an opportunity, it made my stomach hurt. Mostly because I recognized Colin as a man I couldn’t trust completely. Granted, we’d just met, but over the years I’d learned to trust my instincts. If I got a bad feeling about someone, it usually led down the path of mistrust. I was pretty certain I knew what kind of man Colin was because I had worked for a man just like him for years. All I could hope was there would be more options when the time came.

  “You looked graceful out there,” Harris said and handed me a glass of champagne.

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “Tell me, is there anything you can’t do?” The older man smiled with a light in his eyes that wasn’t the same as Colin’s. Harris was sweet. Kind. And enjoyed talking shop. He also smelled like cigars and mints, and his trim white hair and matching mustache made his rosy cheeks glow like Santa’s. My kind of man.

  “I see you’ve met Paige Levine, my new executive assistant,” Leo said, resting his palm on the small of my back.

  “Indeed. She was just reminding me that Savas Shipping is doing spectacularly! I want to get on your books for a meeting to discuss some future endeavors together.”

  Leo glanced at me, first with a bit of shock, then he winked. “Sounds great.” When Harris got sidetracked and began talking to a man next to him, Leo leaned in. “Did you enjoy your dance?”

  I looked up at him. His expression was rougher than usual, though he still had a slightly amused look on his face.

  “Enjoy would be an overstatement,” I said, and took a sip of champagne.

  Leo smiled. “Davis didn’t dazzle you, huh?”

  “I’m not easily dazzled,” I replied, and Leo’s grin only widened.

  “Oh, I’m aware. But that’s the problem.” He tilted his chin in the direction of Colin, who was at the other side of the room, glancing in my direction. “You’re a chase, Red. And you’re in his sights now.”

  I faced Leo fully with the intention to defend against that stupid notion. I also wanted to look somewhere other than at Colin.

  “I’m not out to be chased.”

  “Yes you are, and I’m not the only one who can sense that.” Leo leaned in closer. I could smell him and feel his heat. “You’re just not out to be caught.”

  I swallowed hard and realized I was doing it again. Getting caught up. Inhaling deeply, I forced the tiny pricks of lust popping up on my skin away and kept my tone even.

  “Is there something you wanted, Leo? Or were you just coming over to inquire about my dance card?”

  “I just wanted to remind you that Davis is my competition.”

  “I’m aware.”

  He nodded. “Good. So I can expect your dance was nothing more than a friendly mingle?”

  My glare hardened. I would never breach the professional trust Leo put in me. Not to mention the reason I’d danced with that A-hole in the first place was to keep him from talking to Harris about Davis stock. The fact that Leo questioned my integrity smarted something deep down. I was learning quickly that Leo was a master of give and take. He gave me a little, like trust in th
is slip deal, then he took. With a single comment, he took the warm fuzzy feeling away by poking holes in the very trust he’d bestowed on me. I couldn’t win.

  Or perhaps there really was something about me that people couldn’t fully believe in. The thought made that ache in my stomach pulse.

  “A friendly mingle,” I assured, and the words tasted sour.

  Leo glanced over my shoulder and his face dropped. “Ah shit . . .” he mumbled lowly. “Stay close, Red. I think you’re my lucky charm.”

  He spun me and we faced . . . I didn’t even know what to call her. Fashion Diva, maybe? With bleached-blonde hair, a good amount of plastic surgery, and heavy makeup, a dramatic woman walked our way. Her body said she was in her twenties, but her hands gave her away as late forties.

  “Leandro Savas, it’s been ages!” the woman said.

  When Harris kissed her cheek, I figured it must be his wife. The wife Leo put me on deflection duty for.

  “Good to see you, Siobhan.”

  When Siobhan leaned in and gave Leo a hug, I didn’t miss that her hands were a little south on his back. Looked like Leo wasn’t exaggerating.

  Another man approached, with very similar build and looks to Leo.

  “Kyros!” Leo said, and embraced the man.

  “Cousin,” Kyros said back. The men patted each other’s backs. “Sorry I’m a little late.”

  “It’s no problem.” Leo smiled.

  Kyros’s flight got in earlier this morning. Though I’d coordinated with his assistant and made arrangements for his stay, I hadn’t had the chance to meet him or even lay eyes on him. When the day drew on with still no sign of him, I figured he’d been sleeping off his jetlag so I had arranged a second car to bring him to the event this evening.

  “It’s going to be a good month,” Kyros said lowly, and smiled at Leo.

  My thoughts exactly. He was here to get on board with purchasing the new slip in London and, standing in the middle of two Savas men, I could see how this force was something to be reckoned with.