by Amy McKinley
My mind momentarily blanked at the sight of him behind his desk. He had on a charcoal suit that stretched across his broad shoulders, white button-down, and black tie. His hair was disheveled like he’d run his fingers through it, and his intense onyx gaze held a flame that licked over every inch of me. I swallowed back a sigh, and after a slow blink to re-center, tilted my chin up a notch.
“Why is Celia emailing me and complaining?”
“I’m handling it.” She would throw a fit, though, and I had to make sure he was still uninterested in the small details. “Just to clarify, you don’t want any contact with the design crew. I’m free to manage them?”
“Yes. All I care about is the design is executed to maintain the original old-world ambiance from the nineteenth century that fits well with Verona.”
“Great. And so that you’re aware, I plan to shift the lead in the team.”
“Fine. Where is the San Francisco report?”
“I’ll forward it to you.” I clicked through the files on my device and sent it through. “Your schedule is updated, the board meeting confirmed and moved back an hour. I have three documents that need your signature. They’re in your task folders, lined up in order of importance. Is there anything else you need?”
He leaned back in his chair, a small smile curving his kissable lips. Where had that thought come from? I straightened my spine and thought about the pending confrontation as a distraction.
“Tiffany thought I should take it easy on you this week, but you don’t seem to have any problem managing the workload.”
I loved challenges, and his workload fed my thirst for problem-solving. “No. If you need anything else taken off your plate, I have time.”
“I have several properties I’m thinking of buying. I’d like you to research them and get back to me with an analysis.”
“Of course.” I backed out of his office as the phone rang at my desk. Delilah walked in, and I waved to the couch on the side of the suite near the large windows. After transferring the expected call to Stone, I introduced myself. “I’ve gone over your employee file and see that you’ve worked for Stone Enterprises for the past five years.”
With jean-clad legs crossed, she nervously bobbed her foot while twisting her hands in her lap. “Yes. That’s correct.”
“And when Sally resigned, you were offered Celia’s position but declined?”
“I didn’t feel ready. I—I don’t have any formal training.”
“You have talent and dedication.” In the five minutes I took looking through her portfolio that was on record, her skill was crystal clear. “I’d like to move you up to team lead, should an opening arise.” I leaned back and smiled, hoping to set her at ease.
“I don’t think—”
“Delilah, don’t worry about not having the schooling. That’s not what I’m looking for, and Mr. Crenshaw will back me up on this. The question of when your promotion will happen is merely due to timing. I wanted to talk with you about it first.”
“Oh okay.” She cleared her throat. “Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.” I rose, signaling our chat was over. As we walked to the elevator, I placed my hand on her shoulder. “I don’t want you to worry. You wouldn’t be on your own. I’d be willing to help you with ordering or anything you need until you’re comfortable. We’ll probably implement the process in steps. For now, Delilah, let’s keep our little chat about your future between us.”
Understanding shone in her light-brown eyes, and she nodded.
My cell pinged, and a glance showed it was from Eileen. She was traveling through France then Spain and had sent several pictures. I sent a text commenting and telling her I missed her and that I’d call soon. After sending the text, my finger hovered over my contacts. I brought up Tommy and unblocked him. My phone flooded with unread messages, and my intent to answer was swept aside by the sheer magnitude of responding. I’d do it after work.
I set my cell on my desk. Five minutes passed since Delilah had left and I’d pulled up the properties Stone wanted an analysis on when Celia stormed in. The angry click of her absurdly high Jimmy Choos stopped when she halted in front of my desk. I scrolled through electronic faxes from her department, checking for a revised purchase order. Of course, she could’ve handled it over the phone.
My cell pinged, flashing Tommy’s name. Celia leaned toward it, the text message easy to see. I pressed my lips together as his texts lit up my locked screen. I cupped the phone and slipped it into one of the drawers, out of sight from her prying eyes.
“Who’s Tommy?”
“Thank you for being prompt, Celia.” I kept my voice neutral, my words brief.
“The handles are already being installed—”
“Which ones?” I had to make sure.
Defiance flashed across her features, evident in the devious tilt to her very red lips. “The brushed nickel.”
I ignored her and punched in the number for the foreman. “Steve, Adeline here.” After a quick greeting, I got to the point. “Please uninstall all the brushed nickel handles and box them for return.”
Celia crossed her arms and sneered. “Wait until Stone—”
“Mr. Crenshaw,” I cut her off. They knew each other, had some kind of history. Even so, I couldn’t let her have the upper hand. Besides, I knew he could hear her shrill voice.
Celia’s lips pursed. “It’s humorous.”
I shouldn’t do this but did. Making sure my tone sounded as tired of the conversation as I was, I asked, “What is?”
“You, with your silly aspirations of power. Thinking you have an eye for design when you wear cheap clothes, gaudy makeup, knockoff bags, and shoes with scuff marks. Once Stone hears of this—”
“I’ve heard all I need to.” Stone pushed off his doorjamb and moved to my side. “I’m well aware that your uncle is on the board, and out of respect for him, I’ve put up with your bullshit. But if you want to keep your job, then you’ll recognize that Adeline’s position is above yours. She is the one you answer to. Stop involving me with your petty problems. Do as Adeline said and fix the design issue. She knows what I want done.”
Celia huffed then twirled on her heels—without falling—and exited our office penthouse. I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. There could be an issue with demoting her. “Uncle on the board?”
“Yes. Celia is here as a favor to him.”
“She doesn’t seem to want to do the work, though. I’m confused why she’s here.”
“My guess is she wants to land a wealthy husband.” He pulled his wallet from his pants and withdrew a black credit card. “This has nothing to do with what Celia said, but you’ll need clothes for this weekend, specifically for dinner with the Mariucci’s.”
I pinched the metal unlimited-spending credit card between my fingertips. I held my head high, refusing to feel bad for being poor. “This contradicts what you’re saying.”
“Just buy some damn clothes, Adeline.” He ran his hand through his hair, frustration evident around the tiny lines bracketing his mouth. “Yours are fine, but as my fiancée, they’ll expect you to have a wardrobe that my income would allow for.”
“Fine.” I tucked the card in my purse. This was part of the contract and him getting what he wanted—the Bianca. I could compartmentalize it that way, rather than taking it as an insult to my situation.
Stone frowned. “I meant what I said.” His gaze traveled over my crossed legs. “I like how you dress.”
Heat flooded my cheeks, and I ducked my head, intent to get back to work, not letting my mind dwell on that he liked my formfitting pants. I had more pressing matters. “Will her uncle be a problem should I demote Celia?” What I wanted to ask was, would she?
“I’ll handle it.”
The phone rang twice before Eileen answered. I didn’t even let her speak—just jumped right into the mess I feared I was making of things. “Eileen, I wish you were here.”
“What’s wrong?”
Alarm infused her voice, raising it an entire octave.
I flopped onto my back on my bed and glanced out the window of my bedroom while dusk painted the view with red and orange sunset hues and lengthening shadows. “Everything. I don’t know what’s going on with me. I’m doing things that are so completely uncharacteristic. I mean, the way I acted in this meeting Stone and I went to. It was—”
“Wait, what? Stone? You’re on first-name basis?”
I cringed. “It’s a long story.”
“Lucky for you, I have plenty of time.”
The smile in her voice came through loud and clear, and I sighed. This was why I called. She would be able to talk me off the ledge. In an abbreviated version, I filled my best friend in about the coveted hotel Stone wanted and the obstacle that he saw in his way of achieving it. As well as his solution to even the playing field—me. I confessed about the credit card and my shopping trip before I had called her. When I got to the way I behaved in the meeting with Mr. Mariucci, she burst out laughing.
“I can’t believe you said Satan’s Mistress. Wow, I wish I’d been there.”
“You would have snorted Pellegrino and taken the heat from me.”
“That I would.” She giggled.
I could picture her lounging across her bed, too, talking to me like we had when we were roommates not long ago. “This is so out of hand, Eileen. It’s like I’m possessed. I mean, I’m so bold with him. And this is my ticket to a secure future. I don’t understand what’s going on. I’ve never behaved like this.”
“Addy—”
“Don’t start.” She called me that nickname when she was about to unload a whole lot of stuff I didn’t want to hear. It was why I called her, but…
“It’s clear you were staking a claim, defending him, at the meeting.”
“No way. You know I don’t behave unprofessionally when it comes to anything involving my career, my goals.”
“Yeah, I get that. But this is different. You didn’t act like this with Tommy. Ever. I swear he was more like your big brother than an on-again off-again boyfriend.”
“He texted me. I haven’t answered him yet.”
“That’s a separate conversation.” Eileen huffed. “What’s going on here is that you like your boss.”
The attraction I felt every time he was near burned like a brand in my mind. She was right. I just wasn’t ready to admit it for a very good reason. “I can’t. You know I need this job.”
“It’ll be okay. Let yourself enjoy this. You’ll never know if you missed out on something if you don’t.”
I understood what she was saying, but allowing the feelings I had for him could ruin everything.
Chapter 7
Adeline
Decadent silk from my new dress swirled around my thighs with each step as I linked my arm in Stone’s. There was something magical about Venice. While we walked to the Riviera to meet Vince and Margaret Mariucci for dinner, I soaked up the romantic moodiness of the old-world buildings that saturated the floating city with their stunning architecture and history.
The island didn’t allow cars, and after a water taxi, we walked, passing other couples and individuals along the way. We had already checked in at the Bianca’s front desk and collected the keycards for our room—singular—and they assured us our bags would be brought up. I wasn’t sure how I felt about sharing a room with Stone.
Preoccupied with our sleeping arrangements, my heel caught on a brick in the street, and my ankle buckled. “Oww,” I cried out as I fell against him—stupid heels.
Stone’s arm slipped around my waist, tethering me to his side as we crossed over a small bridge that connected to more charming but narrow streets. “You’re a little accident-prone, aren’t you?”
“Truth’s out.” I relaxed, letting him maintain my balance on these stilts. He could handle it, especially since he was so tall, which made me feel like a doll beside him. “I was more of a tomboy growing up. Heels aren’t my thing.” I glanced down at them. “Even if they are pretty.”
“Hmm. I pegged you as a girly-girl.”
His behavior changed as soon as we’d left Verona. Almost playful, and dare I say flirty? For the millionth time, I snuck a peek at him, unused to his much-improved attitude. We neared the restaurant, and I almost sighed with the prospect of getting off my feet.
Brushing my curiosity away, I addressed his disbelief of how I’d been when younger. “I used to throw around a football with my neighbor all the time. Looks can be deceiving. The fact that I have a brain seems to shock people too.”
Stone barked out a laugh, and I fought a shiver as his body hummed with mirth against mine. “I assumed as much since Tiffany hired you. She wouldn’t have let anyone in the door who couldn’t competently keep up with the workload, and I would have fired you.”
“Ahh, then you could have promoted Celia to work alongside you and fulfilled half of her dream.”
He grunted. “That would never happen. Is she giving you a hard time?”
I shrugged, or tried to, while squished between his arm and side. “She tries. I’ll give her that. But I’ve got a plan to manage her, so long as I can fire her if needed?”
“I’ll deal with her uncle. He’ll understand, if she’s given the proper warning and write-ups.”
“Of course. The door handle instance was the first. I expect a few more, and then I can move Delilah into Celia’s position.”
We spotted Vince and Margaret seated at a waterfront table and made our way over to them. Stone released me as I stepped forward to shake both of their hands. After he did the same, he pulled out my seat. With a glance over my shoulder, I winked at him. A girl could get used to having someone as dreamy as him wait on her hand and foot.
Once Stone was seated, and we placed our drink orders, Margaret turned to me. Her deep-brown eyes sparkled. Older by maybe thirty years, she was still movie-star beautiful, with a genuine warmth that radiated from her. I liked her immediately.
“I’ve looked forward to meeting you both. And you’ll be here all weekend?”
“Just for the night,” Stone answered.
Nope, that wasn’t going to work for me. I stretched my proverbial contract-granted power as his fake fiancée. “I’ve already cleared your schedule, honey.” I met Margaret’s gaze with a huge grin. “We most definitely will be staying the entire weekend. There is so much to see and do.” I patted his arm as he narrowed his eyes at me. “You’ll be glad we did.” I barely withheld my chuckle at blindsiding him.
Margaret laughed conspiratorially. “That’s the way to do it. Otherwise, we’d never spend time with our men.”
“Don’t I know it.” I thanked the waiter as he handed me a menu while catching the concerned pinch to Stone’s features before he wiped the expression from his face. “I have big plans for us. Starting with St. Mark’s Basilica, lunch in the piazza, and then take a gondola ride on the Canale Grande. Oh, we can’t miss the Gallerie dell’Accademia either.”
“Don’t forget Doges Palace, and you must cross over the Bridge of Sighs too,” Margaret added. “As for lunch, I’d recommend eating at Osteria All’Arco. It’s well-known by locals and is standing room only, unless you’re able to snag one of the seats on the small terrace.” Her features softened, and she gifted her husband with a blinding smile. “It’s our favorite place to go together.”
“That sounds lovely. We definitely will.” I couldn’t wait for tomorrow. I’d never left my hometown, and this was my chance to experience Venice, in addition to Verona. It wouldn’t be the first place I would travel to either. I’d make sure of that by having a well-paying, stable career.
The waiter returned a few minutes later, and Stone looked to me.
“I couldn’t decide. I’m so hungry I could eat everything they’ve got.” I hated relying on him, but I was overwhelmed at the moment. “Would you order for me, please?” Oh, wait… I narrowed my eyes on him, aware I probably wasn’t like the women he usually dated. “No
t a salad.”
With a raised eyebrow and the corners of his lips twitching, he rattled off several dishes to the waiter. I didn’t pay attention as I stole peeks at the tables around us. Their meals consisted of gourmet, pleasing-to-the-eye dishes, but for my appetite, small on the plate.
Once the orders were taken care of, Stone and Vince chatted about another hotel chain that had fallen into trouble and their thoughts about combining efforts and rescuing the European branch. I half-listened, interested that Stone had proposed going into business together for a project. From what I’d read, he didn’t take on business partners. Something about the Mariuccis must appeal to him.
I tapped my nail and wracked my brain about what to talk to Margaret about, doing my best to ignore the guys, even though I wanted to offer an opinion. “Stone tells me you have two children?”
“Grown.” She positively glowed. “Our oldest daughter has a two-year-old son and is due any day with a baby girl. Vince and I would like to slow down so we can enjoy our grandchildren and do some traveling too.”
My thoughts turned to my parents and all they were never able to do and how it seemed as if their dreams died with them. “You should do it. Life is short, and each day you’re together matters.”
“You sound like you speak from experience.” She reached out and squeezed my hand.
With my other, I took a fortifying sip of my wine. “My parents passed away before they could do the traveling they always talked about. They would have when I went away to college, but my mom left us long before then, and my dad lost the will to do anything without her. He wouldn’t stray too far from me either. He worried. I wished he hadn’t.” I shrugged. This was going deep, but opening myself up to her wouldn’t hurt Stone. If anything, I had a feeling this would sway Margaret more in our favor, and in turn, Vince. “He died during my fourth year at university with anxiety over how I’d be taken care of.” It was unnecessary; he knew I could take care of myself. But he was old-fashioned and wanted to see me settled to ease his conscience.
