Robert knocked, and Cole heard the faint rasp of his boss’s voice through the closed door instructing his uncle to enter.
“Good morning, Shaun.” Cole could envision the serpentine smile slithering over his uncle’s face as he entered her office.
“Good morning, Robert,” she replied with an icy chill. “What can I do for you?”
“I won’t mince words,” was all Cole heard before his uncle shut the door.
Cole muttered a curse. He wanted to hear what his uncle had to say, curious about what topic would make him breathe the same air as the partner he was so desperate to be rid of. An idea popped into Cole’s head – he remembered the vents hidden along the garden border. He might be able to hear their voices through one if he got close enough.
Hoping his ass didn’t end up on the security feed, Cole crawled on his elbows and knees toward one of the glass walls of Shaun’s office. The wet soil felt cold against his skin, moistening the fabric of his suit at all contact points. Thank god he’d chosen the black pinstripe today. He refrained from thinking about what Chelsea would do if she came looking for him and caught him in his current position. None of that mattered so long as curiosity ironically kept him on all fours.
“Were you aware Myles has been taking meetings with Meyers Construct?” Cole inhaled a sharp breath at Robert’s muffled declaration. They’d both been focusing too hard on this project to have the client bail partway through.
“No, I was not aware.” Shaun’s voice remained level. She had to know that any information relayed by Robert needed to be considered with apprehension. “Myles canceled a lunch meeting yesterday for personal issues, but he mentioned nothing to the effect that he was displeased with our progress. I doubt he’d lie to me.”
“Don’t be so naïve, Shaun.” The condescending slight from his uncle was enough to raise Cole’s hackles. “Considering his connection to your father, he probably doesn’t want to hurt your feelings.”
“I’m not sure how things operate in your business relationships, Robert, but my colleagues know not to sugarcoat the truth to spare my feelings, regardless of personal connections.”
“Relax, Shaun. I came in peace and to help my partner out.” Cole could hear the fake smile in Robert’s voice. “You seem a little overwhelmed as of late, and I was a bit worried. You know, if you need me to relieve any of your workload, I’m more than happy to oblige.”
“I appreciate the offer and the information, but I know there is nothing to worry about. Is there anything else?”
“Now that you mention it, Chelsea said you had a meeting with Cole this morning.”
Cole inched his elbows closer toward the vent, but he recognized the distinct sound of sprinklers readying for their watering cycle. There would be no way he could explain a drenched suit. Scrambling out of view from the glass, Cole jumped to his feet and onto the path just in time to escape the deluge. He didn’t delay a moment further and hurried his ass toward the garden exit, knowing Robert could emerge from Shaun’s office any minute. He nearly crashed into Chelsea after throwing open the garden door.
“Mr. Jacobson,” she exclaimed, just as startled as Cole.
“Sorry,” he grunted, continuing toward the elevators, afraid to stop. “The garden is quite breathtaking.” He held one hand over his heart in dramatic adoration while he pushed the call button with the other. He couldn’t risk Chelsea suspecting the reason for his delayed departure. Or noticing the damp spots on his elbows and knees.
“Indeed, sir.”
Ready to abandon all hope and hit the stairwell, almost sure he’d get caught, Cole nearly leapt for joy when the elevator showed up. He hopped inside as soon as the doors opened and pressed the button for six, then collapsed against the back wall when the car started moving. He didn’t possess the stomach for any of this corporate espionage shit. Cole preferred meeting his adversaries head on. No sneak attacks. No sucker punches.
He arrived on his floor and glimpsed Violet sitting at her cubicle typing away furiously. He wondered if he should bother her, still hating that he had stood her up the night before. His feet made the choice for him.
“Hey, Vi.”
“Cole!” Violet jumped in her seat and reached forward to switch her monitor off. Cole found the gesture strange, but he figured Shaun gave the technician sensitive material meant only for her eyes.
“Did you get the cookie I left?”
She smiled that girlish smile of hers, turning in her chair and pushing her glasses higher on her nose. “Yes, thank you. That was unexpected. No one has ever bought me something so sweet before. Well, except my parents, but you know, they have to.”
Cole laughed, starting to enjoy Violet’s rambling tendencies. “I’m really sorry about last night, Vi. Let me make it up to you.”
Violet shook her head and frowned. “You don’t have to, Cole.” She poked a finger at the bobblehead Princess Leia sitting next to her keyboard, the oversized noggin wobbling frantically.
“No, but I want to. The restaurant smelled so good when I went looking for you, I ended up taking home a soup full of veggies and sliced beef. The hostess recommended it.”
“Beef pho?”
“Yeah. I think that’s what she called it. Damn good.” Cole rubbed his belly at the fond memory.
Violet giggled. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. They have the best pho in town.”
“Maybe another night, then? My treat.”
“Deal.” She looked over her shoulder at her blank monitor and gave her lower lip an anxious nip. “Uh, I better get back to work.”
“Oh. Yeah, me too.” Cole offered a lopsided smile, feeling awkward to still be standing there, and continued to his office. The exchange felt rushed, but it was pretty self-centered to think himself the only employee under the gun of a deadline.
Abandoning the subject altogether, Cole sat down at his desk and noticed the red blinking light on the top of his phone. After a few misfires, he remembered Henry’s instructions and managed to retrieve the message. Following a time stamp of just after nine that morning, Robert’s voice sliced through the receiver.
“Great job, nephew. Exactly what I wanted.”
His uncle’s words sank like a boulder in his gut. He had expected Robert to be furious with him when he saw the sketches. Cole had only managed a few alternate interior layouts of a main dining area using Robert’s directions before he had decided to abandon the effort and hide the botched drawings until he could throw them out. A knot of panic twisted his stomach further, and Cole yanked open the lower drawer of his desk. His papers were missing.
“Shit!” Hoping he might have just misplaced the sketches, Cole upheaved the contents of his desk, the small amount there was.
“Cole?”
Cole spun in his chair. Shaun stood just inside his doorway, looking as beautiful as she had earlier. But no trace of their kiss remained on her lips, and her expression was unreadable.
He wondered if his uncle had double-crossed him and shown her his drawings. Was that the reason for Robert’s meeting this morning? First hit her with the news that her primary client was browsing elsewhere, and then blindside her with the betrayal of an employee she put her trust in. One she had suspected to be a plant from the beginning. Cole started to push to his feet, preparing himself for the worst, thinking of how the hell he could explain not coming clean at lunch the day before.
She took a tentative step back. “Please, don’t get up. I’ll be quick.”
“Shaun, I didn’t mean–”
“Oh, no!” She grimaced. “That’s not what this is about. I should never have–” Cole failed to follow her train of thought, distracted when she wrapped her arms over her breasts. “I need you to accompany me to a cocktail party this evening. A black tie charity event my father is hosting.”
Definitely not what he had expected her to say. Was she asking him out?
Likely realizing his course of thought, Shaun added, “For business.”
�
��Oh.” Cole heard the disappointment in his own voice.
“I received some conflicting information regarding Myles and the restaurant. He’ll be there tonight, and I figure it’s about time you met.”
Cole wanted to be excited about the idea of accompanying Shaun to a party at her parents’ house, but the apparent lack of enthusiasm on her part sort of sucked out all the fun. Then he remembered how Robert had used the information about Myles like a well-honed dagger in his conversation with Shaun. She needed help, and Cole wanted to be there for her.
“Sure.”
“Great.” Shaun released a sigh of relief and dropped her hands to her sides. “The party starts at eight. I will send a car to pick you up, since I have to be there early. Just text me your address.”
“Or, you can text me the address of the party and I can find my own way there.”
Shaun gave a soft groan. “There is no hidden slight, Cole. Trust me. It’s just easier if you let me send a car.”
Cole laughed at her reaction and the reminder of the mini bitch fit he’d thrown earlier that morning. “Okay, okay. If you insist, Ms. Wright,” he said, the formal address coy.
“I do, Mr. Jacobson.” She returned a smile of amusement. “See you tonight.” Shaun left and for the first time in a while, Cole agonized over the idea of finding something suitable to wear.
CHAPTER 11
An onyx Bentley. He was riding in the backseat of a fucking Bentley, Cole boasted silently when the luxury sedan pulled away from the curb. He had flown downstairs in the last-minute tux rental anticipating an airport town car or the standard limousine sitting out front. Not quite. As if he should’ve expected anything less from a woman like Shaun. Cole and his family didn’t exactly pinch pennies to make ends meet, but they also didn’t surround themselves in indulgences for the sake of status. Cole still drove the beat-up Ford he had bought in high school with his own money. Old Bess, named after a neglected stock horse his parent’s had adopted when he was just out of diapers, never let him down and got him where he needed to go just fine.
The British jewel glided through the streets of mid-town with a soft purr. Cole relaxed against the buttery charcoal leather seats and tried to imagine the kind of life Shaun lived. How rich was she? Not that he cared for any of that shit. He found satisfaction and purpose in the simple life he had back in Sweetwater, and not even a Bentley could convince him differently. But he was more than willing to let it try.
The city lights disappeared from view, and the driver turned the sedan onto a quiet road sandwiched between high, dense bushes. They stopped in front of a pair of tall wrought-iron gates that separated once a laser beam scanned a card the driver held out the window. A circular driveway curved numerous cars around a cement fountain nestled in the middle. Statues of three maidens holding clay pots served as spouts for the crystal blue water.
When the sedan came to a stop, an attendant opened the car door for Cole. “Welcome, sir.”
“Thank you,” Cole replied, not sure if he should fish some kind of tip out of his pocket. The attendant didn’t give him a chance to decide, though, hurrying toward another car that had pulled up. Cole turned to study the mansion, the facade a mosaic of grayscale slate bricks. Matching stone steps led up toward two walnut-stained doors propped wide open. A distinguished-looking man and woman welcomed the arrivals filtering through with a handshake or a cordial kiss on the cheek. Cole figured them to be Shaun’s parents, but she didn’t appear to be with them. He glanced around at the small crowd of people waiting for their chance to greet the hosts, searching for his living, breathing ticket into the exclusive party.
A handsome middle-aged black man with salt and pepper hair reached out a palm. Discerning brown eyes scrutinized Cole’s features for recognition of his identity, then glanced sharply at the elegant woman standing next to him, who had a dark-blonde bob and eyes the same color as Shaun’s. Her delicate arm was wrapped around his elbow.
“And you are?” The man’s voice was deep and bordered on scary.
Cole shook his hand with a confident squeeze, even though his instincts told him to turn tail and run. “Cole Jacobson, sir. I was supposed to meet Ms. Wright.”
“And why would my daughter invite an unannounced guest to our party?” Mr. Wright still held onto Cole’s hand, which was beginning to perspire.
Cole slowly yanked his paw back, not knowing what to say. He could kill Shaun for leaving him to arrive alone without an invite or a head’s up to her parents. He felt like a complete idiot, once again, without her to vouch for him.
“I apologize for the confusion, sir. We came separately.”
“Oh, Preston! Don’t torture the young man. Shaun most likely got tied up with work stuff. You know, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” The woman smiled warmly at Cole.
For a moment Mr. Wright’s expression did not waver before it gradually joined his wife’s smile. “Welcome to our home, Cole. One can never be too careful.” He peered past Cole. “Since my daughter hasn’t arrived, I will take you out back and get you settled.”
Mrs. Wright pinched her husband’s side. “You’ll use any excuse to get out of welcoming our guests.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Preston chuckled low and gave his wife a chaste kiss on the lips. “Follow me, son.”
Preston led Cole through an ornate hall bisected by an ivory marble staircase. A few people dressed in gowns and tuxedos milled about and waved in greeting as the man of the house passed through. They walked to the open doorway beneath the stairs and out to the backyard, where Cole discovered a landscape that rivaled that of any botanical garden. The patio and paths were constructed from variegated bluestone, and the greenery was trimmed to resemble sculptures much like the fountain out front. Ambient light was provided by freestanding gas lamps scattered throughout, while soft music playing in the background added the final touch.
“What do you think?” Mr. Wright asked, noticing Cole had stopped.
“Amazing. You have an impressive home, Mr. Wright.”
“Please, call me Preston.” The older man grinned with satisfaction. “And thank you. I like to think of it as my sanctuary.”
Servers dressed in ivory waistcoats maneuvered through the pockets of people carrying trays loaded with delicacies. Cole’s stomach grumbled when a tray passed nearby smelling delicious. Mr. Wright motioned one of the servers without a tray over. “I’ll have a Tom Collins, and…” He glanced at Cole.
“Sam Adams, please.”
“Bottle or draft, sir?” the server prompted.
“Um, bottle.”
“Boston Ale, Cherry Wheat, Irish Red, or Cream Stout?”
Cole drew a blank.
“Bring him the Cream Stout,” Preston interjected.
“Right away, sir.”
“Thank you.” The server hurried toward the bar, and Mr. Wright’s attention turned back to Cole. “So, how do you know my daughter? She hasn’t mentioned you, and she doesn’t usually bring a date to our parties.”
Surprised by the revelation, Cole adjusted the collar of his shirt, feeling uncomfortable with this line of questioning. As if he was in high school and he had come to the Wrights’ to ask Shaun’s father’s permission to take her to the prom.
“I work under her.” He grimaced at the sexual implication. “At the firm.”
“I see.” The server returned with their drinks, and Cole enjoyed the small reprieve. He took a nervous sip of his beer, the much-needed swallow smooth and sweet. “Good, right?”
Cole nodded after another swig. “Yes, thank you.”
“My daughter has turned that investment around for the better, just like I knew she would.” Preston’s affirmation about Shaun appeared to be meant more for the universe than for her employee standing beside him. “Jacobson…” Preston let the name hang in the air while he drank from his cocktail. “Any relation to Robert?”
Obviously, Shaun didn’t discuss her job much with her fami
ly. “Yes, sir. He’s my uncle,” Cole replied, curious if Mr. Wright shared the same sentiment as Shaun regarding his blood relative.
“Interesting.” Not the reaction Cole had become accustomed to.
Cole snagged a conical leaf that held a scoop of shredded beef off a passing tray and shoved the whole thing in his mouth. He chased the unexpected spice of the Cajun seasoning with a generous swallow of his beer. The flavors married well on his tongue.
“What do you do exactly, Cole?”
Cole wasn’t sure how much longer he’d hold up under the one-man firing squad. He didn’t want to fuck up and say something he shouldn’t, but as the conversation dragged on, the chance for disaster grew. Preston seemed nice enough, but the business mogul exuded an innate power that would make the most accomplished man question his mettle.
“I’m one of your daughter’s senior designers. We’re currently working on a restaurant together.”
“Ciao Belleza?” Cole nodded. Maybe Mr. Wright wasn’t so out of the loop. “Now it all makes sense.”
Cole wasn’t sure what the comment implied, but he didn’t dare ask. “Your daughter’s very talented.”
Mr. Wright analyzed Cole with a calculating stare and drank from his glass. “Indeed, very talented.” The last word was directed over Cole’s shoulder.
“Good evening, Father.”
Cole spun around as he was about to take a drink. Unable to remove his eyes from the new arrival, he missed his mouth completely and spilled beer down the front of his tuxedo. He quickly brushed the drops away in an attempt to recover as he took stock of his boss.
Shaun stood out from everyone at the party, wearing a cream-colored, knee-length dress with a high neckline and long, sheer sleeves that ended halfway down her hands. A crystal flower print sewn into the delicate fabric sparkled in the flickering gaslight. The dress clung to her skin in all the right places. Cole’s palm itched against his beer bottle, aching to touch her.
“You’re late.” The surreal moment came to an abrupt end with her father’s derisive reply. His tone had changed from casual and almost friendly to downright coarse. “Mr. Jacobson arrived without prior notice, but he cleared up the matter.”
Drawn Through You Page 9
