The Sheikh's Secret

by Knight, Kylie

  Unfortunately Skylar still had about ten blocks to go and only twenty minutes to make it to the building and up to the fifteenth floor. Dammit she knew she should have just taken her car from the parking structure near the office, but it was a nice day and she needed the time to clear her head before meeting with Ryder Tompkins. He had a reputation for being hard to read, exceedingly professional but fair.

  She made it to the Tompkins-Cross Building with five minutes to spare and counted that as a win. As long as the elevators aren’t out of service, she thought as she slid between the closing doors. At the fifteenth floor she checked in with the receptionist and ducked into the bathroom to freshen up. She felt poised and confident, ready to handle a meeting with the company CEO. That in itself was odd, since she normally dealt with creative directors or sometimes business development managers. Sitting in the plush lobby on a white leather chair—so typical—she spotted a gorgeous man with a flop of blond hair, eyes so green they had to be fake and swagger for days. He threw her a charming smile she was sure made most women swoon. Not Skylar though. The man fell squarely in the man candy category as far as she was concerned, but she conceded he was probably a major player. It didn’t matter to her though. He was nice to look at, the end.

  A few minutes later the pretty blond receptionist led her into a glass walled conference room that tech companies were so fond of these days. Inside the room she gave the blond a friendly smile and turned to find a tall man with short dark chocolate hair and hypnotizing blue eyes. His smile was friendly and professional but his posture was stiff and controlled. He flicked a button and the transparent walls were instantly opaque. Damn but Ryder Tompkins was a beautiful work of art. “Ms. Morris, thank you for coming. I’m Ryder Tompkins,” he extended a hand.

  Skylar accepted the shake and her own hazel eyes widened in surprise at the jolt that went through her body. She ignored it and what it might mean because she didn’t have the time to deal with tingles. “Mr. Tompkins thanks you for meeting with me.”

  He smiled and she had to grab on to the edge of the table to stop her knees from wobbling. The blond was gorgeous but Ryder was, he was breathtaking and extremely…potent. “No problem. Shall we get started?”

  He sounded so stiff and formal she relaxed a bit. It was easier to settle down when a man that looked like him was brusque and obviously uninterested. “Yes lets.” She outlined her company’s goal and narrowed in on how she could help ETI. He gave her his full attention, jotting down notes without taking his eyes off her. It was disconcerting to have his full attention on her, but it also endeared him to her in a way she was unused to. “I’m confident my company can help you improve your numbers in the next two quarters, maybe three, and create a plan for long-term and constant growth.” She exhaled slowly so he wouldn’t see it when she was finished, and gave him a relaxed smile.

  Ryder was impressed. Hell, he was more than impressed and it wasn’t just with Ms. Morris’ stunning looks which she played down. But her confident presentation, efficient manner of asking questions and the way she easily answered his questions had impressed him plenty. “What can you do that is likely to work in the next four months?” She gave him another killer smile and pushed a copper curl behind her ear.

  “I think our first plan of attack has to be on your turf, so to speak. By that I mean we need traditional glossy ads in educational journals, magazines and catalogs. We need targeted social media ads visited by administrators and executive, plus search ads based on our keyword algorithm.” Skylar took a deep breath and threw him a disarming smile and started again. “Then we need to hit conventions and fairs where your development manager will get a chance to speak with decision-makers. Pretty much phase one is to infiltrate the education community so they can’t open a magazine or catalog or Facebook page without seeing an ETI product.”

  Ryder was struck by the extent of her beauty when her face was relaxed in a smile. Her copper hair looked like flames licking the space around her heart shaped face and drawing attention to her sharp cheekbones and pouty lips. He couldn’t take his eyes off her until she called his name several times. “Thank you Ms. Morris,” he stood and straightened his tie unnecessarily. “Your presentation was fantastic, exactly the combination of traditional and modern that we need right now.”

  The man’s demeanor could use some work but he knew how to say all the right words. “I’m so glad to hear that Mr. Tompkins becau—”

  “Ryder. Call me Ryder since we’ll be working together a lot for at least the next six months.” This time her smile was intoxicating and he felt sucked right in to her web.

  “I’m glad to hear you say that Ryder because that was our goal when my partner and I started Innovative Marketing Strategies four years ago.” Skylar sucked in a breath at the sight of his smile, completely spontaneous and captivating. Without the cloak of his icy demeanor, the man was a sight to behold. She’d initially pegged him as the serious sort, which he was. That was unfortunate because he was sexy as hell but appeared to be lacking a sense of humor, which she needed in any love interest of hers. Not that she was considering him for the part, just you know, in general. Besides Ryder would technically be her boss, well her client but the end result was the same. He was completely and totally off-limits.

  The brothers made great eye candy for a girl on a guy hiatus, but that’s all they would ever be.

  “I’ll have the contract couriered over to you later today. You impressed me today Ms. Morris and that rarely happens.”

  “Please call me Skylar. And thank you. I’ll get to work on some ads for you to look at next week.” He guided her to the elevator and Skylar had to stop her mind from wandering to the heat his body emanated and the way her own body responded to him. Dammit. It felt like the end of a date and she knew it wasn’t so she needed to get her mind back to business. “Bye Ryder.”

  “Bye Skylar.”

  A few floors down Hunter waited for the elevator, a charming smile on his face when the doors opened to reveal the sexy redhead from earlier. “Hello beautiful. I’m Hunter, the fun and sexy brother.”

  She laughed at his introduction and accepted his handshake. “I’m Skylar. Marketing.” Hunter was handsome but his problem was he knew it and that was a major turn-off. What he didn’t realize was that his brother Ryder could give him a run for his money.

  “So Skylar, can I interest you in dinner tonight? I have a standing reservation at Rafaelli’s.”

  She bit her lip to keep from laughing at him. That charming smile and confident lean probably had the ladies dropping at his feet. She shook her head at him. “No sorry, I have plans.” He didn’t know her plans included Pad Thai and catching up on the last season of House of Cards.

  Hunter slid in closer, invading her space because he could and because his big body had been known to get a woman hot and bothered. “How about tomorrow night? Or even better, how about dinner and dancing on Friday?”

  She smiled but it wasn’t flirty. “You’re relentless, aren’t you?”

  He leaned in, his smile on full wattage to dazzle. “When I see something I want Skylar, I stop at nothing to get it.” His finger traced her jaw line. “And Skylar? I want you. Bad.”

  She looked deep into those killer green eyes and laughed. “Does that line actually work for you?”

  He shrugged, playing up his boyish charm. “Most of the time. But I guess I need to up my game when it comes to a smart woman like you.”

  Oh, he’s good. “Maybe so.” She stepped off the elevator and turned to get one last glimpse of the glossy blond. “It was nice meeting you Hunter. I’ll see you around.”

  His smile was predatory. “Count on it.”

  Skylar laughed as she walked out of the Tompkins-Cross Building. The brothers were totally different. Both handsome and driven but that was where the similarities ended. She shook off all thoughts of both men and high-tailed it back to her office to share the good news.

  ***

  “I should be w
orking with the marketing girl Ryder, not you.” Hunter barged into his step brother’s office and interrupted his phone call, towering over him with his arms crossed.

  Ryder as usual, was not rattled and just held up a finger to stop his brother’s rant. He listened with a small smile to his head programmer as he explained how the glitches had been fixed in the latest program to help dyslexic learners. “That sounds good Josh. Keep up the good work.” He hung up the phone and typed a few notes into his calendar before finally turning his attention to Hunter. “What can I do for you Hunter?”

  Hunter didn’t miss the slightly irritated pitch of his voice. “I said I should be working with the marketing girl.”

  Ryder rolled his eyes. Hunter was transparent. It was obvious he’d targeted Skylar as his next conquest. “Marketing girl, really? Tell me Hunter, what exactly do you know about marketing to make you think that?”

  “I know enough.” His green eyes bore into Ryder, who was still unaffected.

  “Enough to get in her pants? I don’t think so Hunter. We need her to do her job, not quit in the middle because you get bored. Besides you’re booked for an educational conference in Chicago next week.”

  Hunter slumped down in his chair. “Come on, Ry. I hate those things.”

  Ryder held back a smile. Hunter hated them because education was a long-term career choice and he’d plowed through the available women pretty early on, no pun intended. “Well you need to do something to make up for past two quarters and there are some new faces thanks to a community college initiative set up by the new Governor.” It was poised to help the business and he needed Hunter there. Wanted him there.

  Hunter squirmed in his seat. “Dammit Ry, come on. Petra Connor will be there and that woman is a viper.”

  Ryder chuckled. “Just chalk it up to your never ending charm.” Petra had taken a shine to Hunter after only one night together and she wouldn’t let him go. “Just tell her you’re engaged or gay or…something.”

  “You’re not funny at all.”

  “I’m kind of funny.” He was also highly motivated to keep Hunter away from Skylar. It was true that he was worried about their relationship making a mess of what the company needs. He also couldn’t stop thinking about the electricity that flowed between them during that initial handshake. It had been more than electric, it was highly charged and he had a feeling it could be life changing. If he went for it, which he wouldn’t because he never did. “Seriously Hunter this is a great chance for some long-term contracts so go charm the hell out of everyone and bring us some good news. I’m counting on you.”

  “Really?” His tone was full of disbelief.

  “Yes, really. You may be an ass sometimes, okay a lot of the time, but you are damn good at what you do. We all need you to go to Chicago and do that.” Ryder didn’t hate his brother and it didn’t hurt a bit to compliment him. At least until that smug grin appeared.

  “Well it’s nice to hear you acknowledge it once in a while, that’s all I’m saying.” He stood and smoothed his suit jacket. “I’ll go and do my thing. But when I come back I’m going after Skylar.”

  Ryder groaned. He was afraid of that. If he warned his brother again Hunter would do it just to spite him. If he said nothing, Hunter would steal Skylar right from under him. “Just go to Chicago, Hunter.”

  Chapter 2

  Skylar lounged on a red chaise lounge with white trim while her partner, Kendra sat on a nearby ottoman inside the loft that was the Innovative Marking Solutions office. They worked all morning on a strategy layout for the ETI contract and she finally felt confident that everything had been settled to her satisfaction. She stretched her back and looked up at the brick façade all around, letting a small smile touched her lips. She always loved these old lofts and seeing her dream come true inside of one, was doubly satisfying.

  “I’ll go to Chicago for the Educator’s Fair.” Kendra fingered the papers stacked between them and picked up the itinerary. “I’ve got friends there I haven’t seen in ages and I know you don’t want to go.”

  Skylar nodded appreciatively because she really didn’t want to have to deal with Hunter for an entire week. He would be relentless in his efforts to get her into bed and she knew eventually she would have to turn him down flat because she didn’t do that, not with anyone. “You’re the best Kendra. You don’t know how badly I didn’t want to go.”

  Kendra smiled sardonically and pushed her thick black hair off her shoulder. “I had an idea Sky. You don’t hide your feelings nearly as well as you think you do.” She knew her friend held back a few details of the meeting but she would get them out of her. Eventually.

  Skylar blushed. “Yeah well, leave me to my delusions, will ya?” She planned to spend the week ironing out the details of their campaign with Ryder and Cressly. With their approval in place, she wouldn’t have a reason to spend much time at ETI headquarters and that was exactly what she wanted. Mostly. The social media campaign had already begun and she would show the numbers to Ryder later today.

  Kendra wasn’t interested in any of that just yet. “So tell me Sky, are the brothers as gorgeous in person as they seem in the papers?” Ryder and Hunter appeared often in the gossip rags thanks to their publicized beef as well as Hunter’s active social life. Combine their looks, their wealth and prominence in the city, they were staples of the gossip and entertainment publications.

  Skylar sighed, reluctant to remember the handsome men any more than necessary. But Kendra was nothing if not persistent. “Yes. They are both gorgeous as hell but in completely different ways. Hunter is blond and tall with lots of swagger. His eyes are so green I’m still not convinced they aren’t due to tinted lenses. He’s flirty, a total playboy I’m sure. Ryder on the other hand is…more intense. He’s got short dark hair and hypnotizing blue eyes, strong jaw and sharp cheekbones. He’s more serious and severe, the perfect opposite of his brother.”

  Kendra squealed and stomped her feet. “Damn they both sound hot! You obviously have a thing for Ryder so if the opportunity arises, I’m going for Hunter.” She eyed her friend closely for a reaction. “What? Tell me.”

  “Well Hunter already tried and I shot him down.”

  “Why?”

  Skylar sighed. “He’s a player and I don’t want to shit where I eat, for lack of a better phrase.”

  Kendra frowned and shook her head in disgust. “Well any other phrase would’ve been better than that one!”

  She laughed lightly. “This contract could turn into something big for us, for the company. If it were to go sideways with either brother you and I might find ourselves working for jackasses like Harper Crenshaw again.”

  That thought sobered both of them. Their previous employer was stuck in his ways, had no problem taking everyone’s ideas and passing them off as his own and his hands ever met an ass they didn’t want to touch. “Yeah okay, amended plan. You leave them both alone but I may or may not make a play for Hunter.” At Skylar’s affronted look, she explained, “I can separate my need to get some from my need to get ahead and we both know you can’t.”

  She nodded and agreed as she finger combed her hair back into a bouncy ponytail. “True enough. Just be careful, Hunter strikes me as the kind of guy who loves nothing more than the chase.”

  Kendra waved off her concern. “Don’t worry, whatever happens or doesn’t happen will be done by the time I get back from the fair.” She stood and smoothed the silky shirt that had ridden up and showed off a sliver of her dark brown tummy. “That ponytail looks fine, so does your lips and skin so stop stalling and get to your meeting.”

  Skylar frowned but couldn’t argue that’s what she had been doing. “Yes Mom,” she whined and stood to pack her bag. An hour later she was sitting across from a stiff and standoffish Ryder, unaware what she had done to cause such a swift change in his demeanor. Things had been fine with them over the past week, they had talked on the phone several times and exchanged several emails. All were friendly and profes
sional. Today he was downright icy.

  Ryder stared at Skylar, looking more beautiful than ever with her fresh-faced, girl next door appeal. She wore dark jeans with a deep pink cashmere sweater, her hair in a ponytail and minimal makeup. With a friendly, if wary, smile she looked like exactly the kind of woman Ryder wanted by his side. At least she would if he hadn’t already decided to give up on his attraction to her and their undeniable chemistry. Hunter had Skylar in his sights and she would probably succumb to his charms as most women did. So he had decided he would rather never have her at all than risk losing her to his charming step brother. Although it had never happened before—surprisingly given their extreme competition—things between them were more contentious than ever and he wouldn’t put it past Hunter to do it just because he could. “I’ve seen some of the ads you’ve used on social media and I have to say they are pretty good, even if they are a little offbeat.”

  She smiled at the change in his demeanor. “That’s true but we’ve found that offbeat works well, especially in professional communities where people tend to take themselves a tad too seriously.” She handed him a document that outlined their reach over the past seven days. “You can see that the click rate is over ten percent, which is extremely good. I’m sure if you speak with Cressly he’ll tell you they’ve seen an uptick in interest.”