Zane steepled his hands beneath his chin. “Tell me more.”
Calum explained what his research had thrown up and how he’d come to his final conclusion. Zane interrupted with the odd question a couple of times, but on the whole, he listened quietly.
“I see,” he said when Calum had finished. “She should be in by now. I’ll give her a call so we can talk it through.”
Calum withheld a grin. This should be good.
While Zane contacted Laurella, Calum wandered over to the window and drank his coffee, staring at people on the street below, all dashing around in their urgency to be somewhere. Thirty seconds later, the door creaked open behind him. He turned around in time to catch Laurella quickly frowning, then she smoothed her expression.
“Morning, Calum,” she said in a tight voice. “Nice weekend?”
“Excellent, thanks.”
“Good.” Her tone told him she didn’t care about his weekend. That was fine by him. He couldn’t give a shit about hers either.
She sat and crossed her legs. “What’s this about?”
That was the thing with Laurella. Small talk was something to be gotten out of the way, almost as if she’d read a How to Engage with Coworkers manual and was ticking off a list. Give a greeting: check. Ask about weekend or previous night: check. Acknowledge answer: check. Move on quickly, hoping no one will notice blatant lack of interest: double check.
Zane took a seat behind his desk. Calum remained standing to Zane’s right. Laurella’s mouth was pinched around the edges. Good. She’d read the situation correctly.
“I asked Calum to take a look at your proposal,” Zane said.
Her eyes widened, and she gave a slow, disbelieving headshake. And then her chin actually trembled before she clamped her jaw tight.
Fuck! The ice queen was actually hurt that Zane had gone behind her back. A tight feeling spread across Calum’s chest. Maybe he should have at least tipped her off or given her a heads-up that their conclusions differed. His guilt lasted a microsecond, ending when she met his gaze with an icy stare intended to give his balls frostbite.
“Why?” The question came out short and sharp as she quickly recovered her composure.
“I wanted a fresh pair of eyes from someone who’s been in the company longer than you. It doesn’t mean I don’t trust you.”
Her eyes cut to Zane’s. “That’s exactly what it means.” When his eyebrows shot upward, she backtracked. “Sorry if you think that was blunt, but I can’t pretend I’m not disappointed. I thought we operated as a team here.”
Zane winced while Calum remained stoic. She wouldn’t get a reaction out of him.
“We do,” Zane said. “I wanted a second opinion—that’s all—and Calum is my number two. Please don’t worry about being blunt.” He cocked his head toward Calum. “There’s the master.”
Laurella’s eyes didn’t even flicker in Calum’s direction. They remained fixed on Zane. “And what is Calum’s conclusion?”
“It’s a good idea,” Calum said. “But it won’t make money in its current form.”
She took a deep breath through her nose, her gaze still averted. “Yes, it will.”
“I disagree. And that’s what I put in my report.”
She finally looked at him, her irises tinged with an emotion he couldn’t place. Sadness maybe? No, it couldn’t be that. He was reading the signs wrong. Before he could take a closer look, her face became shuttered.
She turned her attention back to Zane. “It will make money. I will prove it.”
Easing to her feet, her posture stiff and unyielding, she smoothed her skirt—a regular habit, Calum noticed—and set her mouth in a firm line. “Would you do me the courtesy of sending Calum’s findings to my email please, Zane? It seems I was left off the distribution list.”
Ouch.
“Of course. Although that’s not Calum’s fault. I asked him to report back to me. I am sorry. I should have suggested he discuss his findings with you.”
“Or he could have come to that conclusion on his own,” she said. “But then, that would mean he had to think like a team player, and it’s becoming more and more obvious that Calum believes in the old adage of, ‘There is no I in team, but there is most definitely a me.’”
Double ouch.
Her final jibe having been delivered with scalpel-like precision, she swept out of the room, closing the door with a quiet click. Hmm. Calum had expected a slam. Another twinge of guilt crept in. Irritated with himself, he shoved the feeling to one side. Laurella Ricci wasn’t some helpless female being pushed around by the big boys. She was a tough competitor who gave as good as she got.
Zane looked positively distraught. His eyebrows were drawn low, and he repetitively drew his teeth across his bottom lip. “I feel terrible,” he finally said. “I shouldn’t have gone behind her back.”
Stunned, Calum slammed his hand on Zane’s desk. His friend jumped.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Calum said. “Does she have something on you that I should know about?”
Zane frowned. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“The way you are with her. If you’re not mooning after her with puppy-dog eyes, you’re apologizing when absolutely no apology is required. Jesus, it’s like she’s the boss and you’re the lackey.” Calum straightened as a thought came to him—a very unwelcome thought that brought a burning sensation to his chest. “Are you fucking her?”
Zane’s eyes widened. “Of course I’m not fucking her. I’m in a happy relationship, remember?”
Calum shrugged. “Well, something’s going on, because your behavior is not normal.”
Zane launched to his feet, his nostrils flaring. He poked a finger in Calum’s direction. “It’s your behavior that isn’t normal. Ever since you came back, you’ve been picking fights with Laurella. Grow up. Find a way to get along with her, because I’m telling you now, Calum, she’s here to stay.”
Calum kicked up his chin and glared at the man who’d been his closest friend for almost ten years. “Well, maybe I’ll have to find alternative employment.”
He didn’t mean a word of it. He loved Necron. He had a vested interest in the company, both financially and emotionally. And he loved Zane as just as much as his brothers.
Zane folded like a balloon pricked with a pin. He sank into his chair, all the fight having left him. “That’s not even remotely funny.”
Annoyed at himself for upsetting Zane when he didn’t deserve it, Calum took the seat opposite. “I’m sorry. And you know I don’t mean a word of it. But there’s something about that woman. She infuriates me, and I can’t help behaving badly when she’s around.”
“Because she’s challenging you. Everything you believe in, everything you’ve done freely and without question over the past five years, she’s asking you to look at again, to maybe try a different way. And because you’re a hotheaded prick, you’re railing against her. Please, give her a chance. I’ve said this before, but it’s worth repeating to get it through your thick skull: she will help us take Necron places. I know it.”
Calum teased at his facial scruff and blew out a deep sigh. “Fine. I’ll apologize for not speaking to her about the report before I sent it to you. And I’ll try to get along with her a little better.”
“Good.” Zane reached into his desk drawer and took out a pair of airline tickets. He slapped them on the desk in front of Calum. “Because you and she are going to a conference in Chicago. You fly out Monday morning.”
Calum jerked his head back. “You have got to be kidding me.”
“Nope. It’s a sales and marketing conference. A lot of the contacts Laurella is targeting will be there. It makes sense to have the heads of both departments in attendance. So pull on your big-boy pants and try to make sure you don’t kill each other.”
“Does she know about this?”
Zane nodded. “And believe me, she’s no more psyched than you are. She just hides it better.”
With a sense of foreboding, Calum went back to his office. He started up his computer, immediately spotting an email from Laurella in his inbox. He opened it and read:
You really are a sorry excuse for a man, Calum Brook. Nasty, narcissistic, a complete and utter basterd—not a spelling mistake, but the real thing probably won’t get through the security filters, and darn it, I want you to see this email. Know this—I am furious. I hope you’re happy.
He sat back in his chair, expecting to feel a sense of exhilaration that he’d riled her so much. Instead, exhaustion swamped him. Work had always been the center of his world, a place he couldn’t wait to come to, but the last few weeks had taken their toll. He needed to build some bridges. He’d promised Zane. It was time to deliver.
He headed down the hallway to her office. He rapped once on her door and walked in.
She looked up, and her eyes hardened. “What do you want?”
He pulled up a chair and crossed one ankle over the opposing knee. “To apologize.”
Surprise flitted across her face, an emotion she didn’t try to hide. “Wow. I didn’t think your mouth was capable of forming the word.”
There was barely a twitch to his lips. “I thought your email was a little harsh.”
“Did you.” A statement, not a question.
He palmed the back of his neck. “Look, I know my faults all too well. I can be brusque, at times a touch too candid, even audacious. But I care about the success of this company. And if I tread on some toes in order to protect it”—he shrugged—“so be it.”
“My idea will make money,” she said doggedly.
“Okay, then, prove it. Review my findings, and see what needs changing in your proposal. I’ll happily take another look when you’re done, and if I’m wrong, then I’ll back you all the way.”
She gave a curt nod. “Fine.”
He got to his feet. “I’ll meet you at the airport on Monday morning.”
“He told you, then?” she asked.
Calum nodded. “And by the expression on your face, you’re as thrilled as I am.”
“I can be professional about it.” She cast a scathing gaze over him. “Can you?”
He set his jaw. “Don’t push me, sweetheart.”
Chapter 6
Laurella breathed a silent sigh of relief as the taxi pulled up outside their hotel in Chicago. It had been a tense flight in which she and Calum had barely spoken a word to each other. Finally, she’d be able to get some much-needed space. She unlocked the door and climbed out.
The bellhop wheeled his luggage rack to the back of the car and opened the trunk. “Are you checking in?” he asked politely.
“Yes,” Laurella replied as he lifted out each of their bags. “Separate tickets, please.” She pointed to her suitcase. “That’s my bag.”
He scrawled on a ticket and gave it to her. “Hand this in at the front desk, and they’ll make sure your luggage is sent up to your room.”
“Thanks, man,” Calum said, taking his own ticket. He slipped the bellhop a ten-dollar bill.
“Have a wonderful vacation,” the bellhop said, wandering off before Laurella could correct him.
“Wish I was on vacation,” she muttered, drawing a cocky grin from Calum.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll see to it that you have a good time.”
She gave him a sickly smile. “Oh, you’re going to make sure you stay the hell away from me? Then you’re right—I will have a good time.”
She spun on her heel and stalked into the hotel. Fortunately, a check-in assistant was free, and Laurella stepped forward. “I have a reservation—”
“We have a reservation,” Calum said, appearing at her shoulder. “Laurella Ricci and Calum Brook.”
Laurella bit down on her lip before she said something that would no doubt embarrass the lady serving them. But she did make sure to grind her heel right into Calum’s foot.
“Jesus,” he said, snapping his foot away.
Laurella allowed a small smile to creep across her face. “Oh, sorry. I really must be more careful where I step.”
Calum glowered as the check-in clerk tapped away on her computer. After a minute or so, she hit them both with a bright smile. “Ms. Ricci, you’re in room five thirty-three, and Mr. Brook, you’re in five thirty-five.”
“Well, look at that,” Calum murmured in Laurella’s ear. “We’re virtually sleeping together.”
“In your dreams,” she hissed, swiping her key card off the desk. Without waiting for Calum, she hastened across the lobby and managed to get into an elevator without him. The doors closed, and she sagged against the wall. As if the flight to Chicago hadn’t been bad enough, the next two days were going to be torturous. Zane had the best interests of his company at heart and thought that by forcing them together, they would find a way to get along, but Laurella’s view was quite the opposite. After two days spent in her company, Calum Brook would be lucky to leave with his teeth intact, not to mention his special parts.
The elevator doors juddered open, and Laurella strode down the hallway. She craved a shower and some rest. After that, she planned to order room service, go over her notes for the following day, and crash.
She inserted the key card into the slot, and the green light fortunately came on. Too often, these things didn’t work, which resulted in a trip back down to the lobby. The last thing she needed was to bump into Calum on his way up to his room.
She slipped inside and tossed her jacket on the bed. Poking her head into the bathroom, she flicked on the light and nodded her approval. A nice bathroom was a measure of a good hotel, and this one excelled, with a huge walk-in shower, twin sinks, and a deep tub that she would definitely be taking advantage of over the next couple of days.
Laurella switched on the nightstand lamp. A soft, buttery glow gave the room a relaxed feel. She perched on the edge of the bed and removed her shoes then massaged the soles of her feet. She loved her heels, but they definitely didn’t love her, especially when having to traipse through two airports.
When a knock came at her door, she wandered across the room and peered through the peephole. Excellent. Her luggage.
She opened the door. “Thank you,” she said, indicating for the bellboy to leave her bag by the entrance. Laurella handed him a tip and closed the door then flopped onto the bed. She lay back and closed her eyes. Exhaustion settled over her like a blanket. She’d rest for a just few minutes, and then she’d unpack and freshen up.
She began drifting off to sleep, so she forced herself upright. A shower would make her feel much better. She pulled her bag across the room and heaved it onto the bed, ready to open it, and paused. This wasn’t her bag. It looked similar, but hers was slightly larger and a deeper blue. She read the luggage label. Damn it all to hell. It was Calum’s bag, which meant he had to have hers. Wonderful. Just when she’d hoped to avoid speaking to him until the morning, it seemed fate had other ideas.
With a heavy sigh, she hauled his suitcase back onto the floor, dragged it into the hallway, and rapped on Calum’s door. When there was no answer, she knocked again, harder this time.
“Hang on,” he called from inside.
He opened the door, wearing only a towel slung low around his waist. His hair was ruffled and damp, and rivulets of water dribbled down his chest. As much as Laurella tried to focus on his face, her eyes seemed to have a mind of their own. Calum Brook might be the most frustrating and hateful person she’d ever had the misfortune to meet, but dear God, the man had the body of an Adonis: hard pectorals, broad shoulders, the most delicious deltoid muscles she’d ever laid eyes on… and tanned, smooth skin.
And as her disobedient gaze traveled farther south, she was treated to a set of defined abs that had her fingers twitching to explore, not to mention a too-sexy-for-words thin strip of hair that started at his navel and disappeared beneath the towel.
She forced a swallow past a throat that had narrowed considerably.
&nbs
p; Calum rested his arm high above the doorjamb. “Missing me already, Laurella?”
She schooled her expression into a bored stare and dragged her gaze to his face. “You have my suitcase.”
He raised one eyebrow then grinned. “Yes, I believe I do.”
He wandered over to the far side of the room, where her suitcase stood. The rear view wasn’t bad either. His broad shoulders tapered to a narrow waist. She’d bet he had a firm ass, too.
What the hell, Laurella? She tucked her chin into her chest and nibbled on her bottom lip. Something about seeing Calum in this setting, especially as he was barely clothed, unsettled her.
He set her case down in front of her, swapping it for his own. “Here you go. Get dressed. I’ll call for you in a half hour and take you to dinner.”
She scowled at him. “I’m having room service.”
“No, you’re not. We need to plan for tomorrow, and as you were morose on the flight over, you give me no choice but to put up with your scintillating company this evening. Believe me, sweetheart, I’d rather seek a more… willing party.”
“Fine.” She almost spat the word.
“Good. Thirty minutes,” he reiterated.
She wheeled her suitcase next door and opened her door.
“Oh, and Laurella?” he called out.
She stiffened her spin and reluctantly turned around. “Yes?”
“Wear the blue lingerie.”
She frowned and then figured out what he was getting at. She strode back to him, hands on her hips. “You opened my suitcase?”
“Of course.” He smirked. “Color me curious. I must say, you’ve got great taste.”
“You’re unbelievable,” she bit out, astonished at his invasion of her privacy.
He full-on smiled then, not a hint of embarrassment on his face. “I think that might be the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.” And without a backward glance, he kicked the door shut—right in her face.
Laurella let out a frustrated growl before entering her own room. She slammed her door so hard the frame rattled. How on earth was she going to survive the next two days with that man?
Against All Odds (A Brook Brothers Novel Book 2) Page 4