“Might have to get this replaced,” he muttered.
“Hopefully you backed up your work.”
“I always do,” he assured her, bending to pick up the papers, and she did the same.
She picked up one and saw a roughly hand-drawn outline of a distillery. She looked over the rest of the papers that covered the floor. They were scribbles, notes, and hand-drawn charts and diagrams. “What are you working on?” she asked. “Are you expanding? Getting a new distillery?”
Before answering, he took the papers from her. “No. How do you know that?” She raised her eyebrows at his brusque tone, and he noticed. “I didn’t. I just guessed from your sketches. What’s with the tone?”
“Sorry,” he said.
“It’s okay. Not really my business.” She wouldn’t want him snooping in her private matters either. But Reid was so mysterious that she wondered what was behind it. She watched him as he straightened the papers and put them into his bag. “You have some real trust issues, Reid. What happened to you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“What happened to you that you’re so secretive, so unable to trust?”
“Nothing.”
“Come on,” Lila prodded. “I shared all of my painful history with you—my small-town life, my marriage. I know we don’t know each other well. But I can see there’s something dark brewing within you.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“That’s your choice, I guess. You don’t trust easily, and I know you don’t trust me. I’d just like to know why.”
He sighed and sat heavily in his chair. “It’s not just you,” he told her. “Except for my family, I don’t trust anyone.” His words were blunt, and she could see the pain on his face.
“Why not?”
He took a deep breath. “Fine. I’m like you, I guess. I too married the wrong person.” Lila sat on the edge of the desk, as Reid continued. “We met when we were young. We were in love. We shared everything. She even worked for the distillery. Life was good.”
“And then?”
“I didn’t know she came with a price. We were at convention, where she met John Cain, the founder of Cain Rum in New York, one of our biggest competitors. I didn’t know it at the time, but that was when their affair had commenced.”
“She cheated on you?” Lila was shocked. Lila abhorred cheaters. And a woman who would cheat on a man like Reid? The woman must be vile.
Reid laughed. “If that was all she did, it wouldn’t have been such a big deal.” Bitterness contorted his handsome features. “She took a lot of our recipes and gave them to Cain Rum Distillery.”
“What? How did she get away with it?”
“We didn’t pursue legal action. I didn’t want the press scrutiny or the spotlight. I screwed up. It was my fault—”
“You were the victim. She stole from you. What she did was corporate espionage.”
“It was an embarrassment. Despite what Quin, Gemma and my dad said, and how much they had my back. It was me who was weak. I let it happen. I trusted the wrong person. We rebuilt and moved on. I’m a lot more careful now.”
“What happened to Carolina?”
He let out a humorless laugh. “She ended up marrying John Cain.”
“Shut up.”
“It’s true.”
“Bitch.”
“I try not to think about it. It’s best to focus on work and building the best future we can.”
“You’re right. Getting married was my biggest mistake. But I know I wouldn’t have the life I have now without that asshole.” She shook her head. “You know, I’m glad you told me about Carolina, but let’s not talk about our exes anymore.” She stood and reached out for his hand. “Let’s just focus on us.”
The anger that had transformed his face smoothed, and he smiled up at her. “I like that idea.”
* * *
Reid held Lila’s hand as he led her to his bedroom.
After telling Lila about what had happened during his marriage to Carolina, Reid felt lighter than he had in years. It had been a secret, one known only by the members of his immediate family. He’d expected to be embarrassed, but he wasn’t. Telling her his deepest, darkest secret had been easier than he’d expected. She hadn’t laughed, she hadn’t blamed him for being an idiot. And what surprised him the most was that he trusted Lila.
When they reached the foot of the bed, he stopped, and turned to face her. Cupping her cheeks in his hands, he drew her to him and kissed her. Her lips were full, soft and waiting for him. Her mouth parted, and he took the kiss deeper. He stroked her tongue with his own, entwining, dancing, dueling for who could get the most taste from the other. He needed her again, didn’t think he’d ever get enough of her.
He lowered them both to the bed, each pulling at the clothing they’d just straightened only minutes ago.
He reached for a condom from the box he’d left on the nightstand and rolled the latex over his painfully rock-hard dick.
Lining up with her, he pushed inside her, and he was home. Each time with Lila was better than the last. It shocked him how quickly she’d managed to get under his skin. A serious voice in his brain told him that he should be keeping his feelings for her separate from the business. He shouldn’t want her. Especially since they would soon be collaborating in business. It was reckless. It was stupid. Somehow, when it came to Lila, he didn’t give a damn about anything but being with her. And he had no idea how he would give her up when she signed the papers agreeing to work with them.
Soon, she was pushing back on him, matching his pounding rhythm, her breaths were short, her movements frantic. He knew she was as far-gone as he was. His stomach tightened, and his heartbeat stuttered in his chest.
He looked down at the curve of Lila’s body, and he realized that he would do anything for her. She’d managed to awaken long-dormant feelings within him, and he wasn’t sure how she’d sneaked in past his barriers and gotten to him. Somewhere along the way, he’d developed feelings for her, and he knew there would be no going back. But he couldn’t help that now. He gripped her hips, stilling her as he buried himself deeply within her heat, taking what he wanted, bringing them both to a hard, powerful finish, as their satisfied cries mingled in the quiet of the hotel room.
* * *
The waiter removed their dinner plates and replaced them with dishes of chocolate mousse. It was their final night in New Orleans and Reid had insisted they go to dinner. Lila knew she would miss this time alone with Reid. In just a few short days, between exploring the city in the day and making love at night, they’d managed to get so close. But she knew that their time together like this would be short. He’d already made it clear that once she signed on to work with the distillery, they wouldn’t have any sort romantic relationship.
“How did you like dinner?” He looked across the table at Lila. They were seated on a balcony and the full moonlight cast a soft white glow over them, while the warm, night air surrounded them.
“Delicious,” she said, spooning up some of the mousse. As the creamy, chocolate hit her tongue, she closed her eyes in surrender, and hummed her appreciation. When she opened her eyes, she saw that Reid was watching her, stock still. His fork frozen halfway way to his mouth.
“What?”
“Nothing,” he said, and took his own taste of mousse. “Oh, that is good.” Watching pleasure cross over his face—whether in bed, or while eating dinner—was something to behold. But his expression grew serious when he put down his spoon and straightened. “I know you made me come on this trip to make me forget about the business, but can we talk about it now?”
“God, you’re so boring and predictable, Reid. But I guess it had to come up eventually.”
“It did. I need to know if you’ll agree to work on our social media campaigns.”
Of
course, Lila had already agreed to do it, a contract had appeared in her inbox that morning. She looked forward to working with the brand. She wanted to laugh, but Reid face was so serious. And then she remembered that he was only there to get her to sign on. It might feel like they were a couple, but that wasn’t reality. She’d extorted him to come on the trip.
“You’ve seen the offer. It’s very fair for the work you’ll have to do. Have you looked it over?”
“I have.”
“So, you know I’ve already put—literally—everything on the table, dinner included. Can we just put this to bed already?”
“Well, that sounds like a good idea.”
“Lila, what’s your answer?”
“I’m going to do it,” she told him.
His smile was broad. “That’s fantastic.”
“I’m going to LA tomorrow,” she told him. “I’ve got a few meetings and I’m going to talk to my agent about your offer.”
“You know, that’s a huge relief,” he told her. “There’s a real weight off my shoulders.”
He held his glass aloft. “To the beginning of a profitable, professional partnership.”
She clinked her glass against his and turned her attention back to her dessert. The Rexford deal would be amazing for her. The exposure, the money, the clout it gave her during her negotiations with the GO! Channel would greatly benefit her. Reid had been quick to remind her of their forthcoming professional relationship. That was what he wanted from her. It should be what she wanted, too.
She looked at Reid. He seemed happier than she had ever seen him. It served as a reminder that getting her on board with the distillery was his goal for the trip and nothing else. Mission accomplished.
“Lila, I know I was hesitant at first, but I have to say, I’ve had a great time here with you. Thanks for kidnapping me.”
“Anytime. I had a great time, too. It’s nice to have some company every now and again. But let’s not pretend you didn’t spend a lot of the time working remotely.”
“It’s baby steps,” he insisted. “But maybe you’re right, I don’t always get to enjoy what life has to offer.”
“You could have everything you could ever want, but you never leave the office.”
“If I don’t work, then I can’t afford all of the things I have no time to enjoy.”
“Why not? You should be able to enjoy the fruits of your success.”
“The fruits of my success are continued success. Unlike Quin and Gemma, I can’t take my eyes off the prize. Gemma creates an incredible product, and Quin ensures that people see it. But I’ve got to work behind the scenes to make sure it all comes together.”
“So, you work 24/7?”
“Gotta keep my eye on the prize, right?”
“Oh please. I know you guys have been successful for a while. You’re doing fine and were doing well before this recent boost.”
“You’ve done your homework.”
“I’m a businessperson, too, Reid. I wasn’t going to sign anything until I knew you guys would be good for my own brand. I’m not going to jump into bed blind.”
“Like you did with me?” he goaded with a smile.
She rolled her eyes. “I think we were both wearing blinders that first night.” She took his hand in hers. “Reid, you can have anything you want. There are so few people in the world who get an experience like this. You’re one of the lucky ones.”
“I know I am,” he said. “But I slipped up once. I took my attention from the distillery and it almost cost us everything.”
“You can’t hold on to that forever,” she told him. “you did nothing wrong.”
“It doesn’t matter. Still feels like it.”
“It’s in the past,” she told him. “Let’s focus on the future and everything we can do for each other.”
“I’ll drink to that.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
FINALLY, BACK IN Miami at the distillery, Reid was a ball of tension as he sat at the conference table with Quin and Gemma as they discussed what Reid had missed during his New Orleans trip. During his three days away, he’d stayed up to date on the happenings at the distillery, but Quin had moved forward independently, scouting new locations to set up and expand, which would give them the space they needed, and keep everything under one roof. But Reid disagreed, and he was starting his first day back with an argument with his brother.
“We’re not moving operations,” he told Quin. “This is where Rexford started. This is where we continue.”
“Reid, listen to reason. There’s no way we can continue and produce rum to meet the demand in our current distillery. Gemma, tell him.”
“I’m with Reid,” she said. “I can’t imagine not working in this building. It makes us who we are. But I do need more room.”
“Well, how about an expansion?” Reid suggested. “We build on and connect with the neighboring buildings that we already own. It keeps everything under one roof, but we stay here.”
Gemma nodded. “I like that. Does that work for you, Quin?”
“That could work. But I can’t help but feel it’d be a lot easier—and probably cheaper—to find a new place.”
Reid knew Quin was probably right, but Reid couldn’t imagine leaving the building that was as much a part of the business as he was. “Why don’t we get some quotes on what it would cost and we can come back to it later?”
“Fine,” Quin relented. “If you’re willing to consider an opinion you don’t necessarily agree with, you must have had a good time in Louisiana?”
Reid’s body tensed. He hadn’t seen Lila since they’d parted ways in New Orleans. He’d boarded a flight to Miami as she boarded one to Los Angeles. She’d texted him a couple of times but that was it. He missed her. “It was fine.”
“Just fine?” Quin asked, with a smirk that Reid wanted to punch.
“Yes.”
“Did you make things right with her?” Gemma asked.”
“I believe we came to an understanding,” he said vaguely. “She has the paperwork. She’s going through it and will get it back to us soon.” Gemma smiled. “And you guys had a good time together?”
“I think we did.”
“Well,” Gemma said. “I’m looking forward to seeing her tomorrow. I really like her.”
“What do you mean? Tomorrow?”
“She’ll be back in Miami.”
“How do you know that?”
“She told me on the phone last night.”
“You talk to her on the phone?”
“Yeah, we’ve been in touch.”
“Then why are you asking me if she’s signing the contracts? Why am I on the hook for being the one unable to convince her to work for us?”
“Because you’re the one with the obvious attraction to her. And we don’t generally discuss work when there are far more interesting things to talk about,” she told him with a wink. “What’s that supposed to mean?” “Oh, nothing,” Gemma said, standing from the table. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to head down to the distillery. Just do me a favor, Reid.”
“What’s that?”
“Make sure you call Lila tomorrow.”
“And why should I do that?”
“Because when I look at you—I can tell you’re relaxed, refreshed, you’re smiling. I think she’s good for you.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
BACK IN MIAMI, Lila sat on the bed in her hotel room and looked over the offer from Go! Channel production team. They’d been thoroughly impressed by her social media reach and by her screen test, so they gave the green light to develop her show. She still couldn’t believe their offer. The papers in front of her represented everything she wanted, but there was something about the deal that didn’t sit right with her. In her career, she’d always done what she wanted. And as she revie
wed the proposed itinerary that the travel channel had given her, the things she could and couldn’t do, she started to feel the control slip away from her. She craved the security that came from the network deal, but at what price to the life she wanted to live? She’d already lived one lifetime under the thumbs of her parents, and then her husband. Did she really want to do it again?
She had planned to stay in LA for a couple more days, but after seeing what the television execs wanted her to do, she panicked. She needed to get away. And she booked the next flight across the country to Miami. She hadn’t had a home in about five years—she’d spent her time traveling. But there was something that drew her to Miami, and she knew that something was Reid.
While she’d been in contact with Gemma, she hadn’t called Reid. Why would he want to see her? He’d gotten what he wanted and had made it clear they would only have a professional relationship from here out.
Her phone rang. When she picked it up, she tried to quell the rush of excitement that went through her when she saw Reid’s name on her screen. Well, speak of the devil.
“Reid Rexford,” she purred in greeting. “I didn’t think I’d be hearing from you so soon. Did you really miss me that much?”
“I heard you were back in town.”
“Yeah, just a short stopover.”
“How short?”
“It’s up in the air.”
He chuckled and the sound warmed her. “How do you live like that?”
“Easily. There’s no pressure to do things I don’t want to do,” she told him, thinking of the things the GO! Channel asked of her. “So, what’s up? Why are you calling me?”
A beat of silence was followed by a chuckle. “Okay, Lila,” he said, and she tried not to shiver at the way he said her name. Clearly, he had more control than either of them thought. “I was wondering if you had any plans for dinner.”
“I don’t. But I’d like to.”
“All right. Why don’t I send a car for you at seven? We can have dinner here.”
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