Choice Matters (Southern Heat Book 1)

by Jamie Salisbury

  And so, at age twenty-six, I gave birth to Choice Enterprises. With a lot of hard work, determination and good luck, I was a billionaire by the time my thirtieth birthday rolled around. Not bad for a young man who had been told he needed to face the cold, hard facts that his life had changed and the best that could be expected would be, perhaps, a quiet desk job in my father’s firm.

  Chapter Two

  Caitlyn

  “He did what?” Isabel blurted out, half laughing, trying desperately to hide her misstep. Lucky for her, she had her back turned to me, pouring us each a glass of Cabernet.

  “He promoted me to replace Nick Jacobs. What the hell is he thinking, Izzie? I have no experience for that sort of position, other than managing mergers and acquisitions. And did I mention he’s a pompous, sexist ass?”

  “Yes, you did, several times. If I were you, I’d sit back and enjoy the ride. Do you know how many women would kill to be in your position? A hot boss, a hot promotion, and the possibility of hot sex all rolled into one?”

  “That’s just it, Izzie. The man thinks he controls everything around him, including me. His arrogance is grounds enough to keep him out of my bed.”

  “Ah, then you have considered ‘fucking’ him, as he so eloquently refers to the act?” Izzie passed me some wine across the small kitchen table we were seated at. “I believe I could get over his arrogance and pompous ass attitude for a roll in the hay with such a hunk of gorgeous.”

  “Well, yes, of course I have. What woman wouldn’t?”

  “I say just go with the flow, girlfriend. See where this train wreck takes you. Take advantage of the huge increase in salary I know you’ll get. Put it away. Then, if and when you decide to walk away, you’ll have a sizeable cushion to sustain you.”

  That was Izzie, always looking at all the angles. She was the youngest of eight children, raised in the Bronx. Isabel was street smart. She’d taught me a lot about life. She made me take risks I wouldn’t have otherwise taken. She was a small, petite, no nonsense woman with hair so brown it appeared black.

  I took a long sip from my glass as I digested what she had just said. She was right. I’d be a fool not to see where this all led. “Perhaps you’re right, Iz. I believe I’ve been looking at this from all the wrong angles.”

  “That’s my girl!” she replied, holding her goblet high in a mock salute.

  “Guess I’ll be finding out tomorrow just what he has planned. By the way, are you on for some shopping in the morning? Phipps or Neiman’s?”

  “Damn, Caitlyn, I’d love to, but I’m filling in for one of the nurses out on vacation. Otherwise, you know I’d be right by your side. Take lots of pictures. I want to see you in your new duds.”

  “I will! By the way, are you still going back to the three twelve-hour day weekend gig?”

  Before she could answer, my cell rang. It was Apolo Choice! I mouthed his name to Izzie all the while secretly fuming that the man had somehow managed to program his number into my phone when I wasn’t looking.

  “Hello?”

  “Caitlyn, I hope I’m not interrupting anything important. I simply wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed our lunch today.”

  “Yes, it was nice, thank you.”

  “I assume your new office was to your liking?”

  “Yes, it was.” Gad! What was his point here? Was he checking up on me, sniffing me out, or what?

  “I’ll see you tomorrow evening, then. I’ll be by to pick you up at seven fifteen. Oh, and Caitlyn?”

  “Yes?”

  “I will have you. It’s only a matter of time. Enjoy your evening, my dear.”

  With that, he hung up. Short, sweet, and to the point. Always about the point—sex. I sat there, cell in hand, staring at it. How could I be turned on by a man whose very presence made me furious?

  “Well, that was interesting,” I said.

  “What did he want?”

  “You want the entire conversation or just the juicy part where he told me he will have me, and that it’s simply a matter of time before he does.”

  Izzie laughed. “Have to give the man credit for being blunt and to the point. And I want all the sordid details of your activities tomorrow evening. Every single, hot detail.”

  “Can we change the subject? The man is relentless. I get that.”

  “Okay. Have you heard back from your mother?”

  “No, was I supposed to?”

  My mother, Susan Pickett White. Poor, pitiful socialite that she was. Self-made social butterfly. She sought out every important event in Atlanta, if not the southeast. Usually, she never had to look far.

  While not technically divorced from my father, Frank, my mother played the victim after he had decided to return to his native Ireland. He had done so simply to support the family with a position at a large tech firm that far out-paid anything he could find in the States. My mother was too Americanized by now to be forced—as she would tell anyone who would listen—to return to Dublin.

  I simply shook my head at the thought of what she would do when she got wind that I was accompanying Apolo Choice to this fundraiser.

  “Caitlyn! You know damned good and well she was going to let you know her travel plans to West Palm as soon as she had them.”

  “Yeah, so I’ll be sure to know exactly which rich folks she’s kissing up to. I know her game, Izzie.”

  “Well, her game plan will change in a heartbeat the second she finds out you’re dating Apolo Choice.”

  “I’m merely accompanying him to a fundraiser. He’s going to announce my new promotion. If you’d be so kind as to make sure that’s the only story my mother gets when she calls, and we know she will, I’d be forever in your debt.”

  “Not a problem. I just wish the two of you could be civil and enjoy each other’s company.”

  “We do, when we’re away from each other, or in the presence of her shrink.”

  “Caitlyn!”

  * * * *

  The apartment Izzie and I share is a newer one in what they call the ‘midtown’ section of Atlanta. While it is gated at night, folks can come and go as they please during daylight hours. No stuffy high rise, no doormen, none of the stuff I could only imagine Apolo Choice lived with.

  Knowing Jacob, his driver, would be prompt I made sure I was ready ahead of time. I was anxious to get this over with. Just purchase a dress and be done. I wasn’t in the mood for hours upon hours of shopping.

  I noted the black Bentley pull up as I stood outside the front door. I threw up my hand, ran inside for my purse, and headed down the stairs toward the car. Sheez, could he be any more conspicuous in his choice of vehicles?

  I made the decision to go to Neiman’s, figuring on a better selection. Little did I know, Apolo had it all pre-arranged. A saleswoman was waiting for me with a slew of designer eveningwear, and yes, she somehow had my sizing. Instead of fuming, I simply went along with what the day had in store.

  A long, elegant emerald green sheath caught my eye right from the start. I knew the color would be perfect, and staring at myself in the mirror a short time later, I was sold. Even my eyes popped with this dress. It was semi sleeveless, with only one sleeve, the other bared. A slit ran up the right side. Very elegant and very classy. The sales gal had been prepared for everything, down to the shoes.

  I couldn’t wait to see Apolo’s face when I showed up in this seductress outfit.

  My expectation of his reaction wasn’t far off from what I envisioned. As hard as he tried to keep his expression unreadable, I picked up on some subtle changes as he fought for control of his emotions. His body seemed to hum, a strong, male current running through him.

  “Caitlyn, you look stunning,” he said when I joined him at my front door later that evening. As I turned to lock the deadbolt from the outside, I happened to look down and caught what appeared to be a rather huge bulge protruding from his open jacket. I pretended not to notice, but Apolo immediately sensed what I had assessed and hastily buttoned his c
oat. I smiled to myself and said nothing.

  As we settled into the back of the Bentley, I made sure to scoot away from him. If simply seeing me dressed up did that to him, I didn’t even want to find out his reaction to having me seated so close.

  He pressed a button, closing the smoke-glassed window between Jacob and us.

  “I really don’t think that’s necessary, Apolo.”

  “Why? Does it make you nervous to be alone with me, Caitlyn?”

  “You wish!” I snorted, glaring at him as he sat a safe distance from me.

  “I told you, it’s going to happen, you and me. The sooner—”

  “What is it with you? Am I nothing more than one of your acquisitions? Do you have no emotions at all?”

  “Of course you’re far more than some acquisition. And yes, I do have emotions and feelings just like you.”

  “And another thing. What’s with this ride? I thought you prided yourself on being independent. Instead, you have a driver.”

  “I use the Bentley for evenings such as this one. I drive myself everywhere else, with Jacob bringing up the rear.”

  “Oh, so he doubles as a body guard and your chauffeur?”

  “Yes, among other things. Now, to get back to us—”

  “My point exactly. There is no ‘us!’ Not as long as you’re going to treat me as though I’m a piece of merchandise.”

  “I have a contract—”

  “Contract? You expect me to sign some contract to sleep with you? Pffftt! It’ll be a cold day in hell before I sign anything for you. Jeez, you really are one of a kind.” I shook my head and turned to look out the window, away from the gaze of those piercing gray eyes.

  “I told you I’d do anything, Caitlyn. I was looking to merely protect us both.”

  I swung back around to stare hard at him. “Well, if you want to get to first base with me, drop the contract, buster. I’m not some business acquisition. I’m a flesh and blood woman. Trust, Apolo, it’s all about trust.” Gazing beyond him, I noted the car turning in front of the country club where this soiree was being held. “We’ll discuss this later…much later. But bring up the idea of a contract again and you’ll be jacking off in the privacy of your own place without me. Got it?”

  A deep chuckle emerged from his throat. “Ah, Ms. White. You’re such a challenge. A formidable one, at that. I look forward to the chase.”

  Emerging from the Bentley with Apolo’s assistance, I stood next to him, trying to get my bearings. He smelled exquisite, a mixture of cologne, body wash, and the man himself. I forced myself to turn my head. He was doing it to me again.

  I wanted him, there was no doubt about that. I was going to have sex with Apolo Choice…on my terms. No contract, no business-like acquisition about it. I may not be able to change his thinking, or how he viewed sex, but I was damned sure going to force him to stop and smell the roses.

  He bent down and whispered in my ear, “Truce?”

  “I didn’t realize we were feuding.” I smirked as he gently guided me to the door. The place was abuzz with people and media. The camera flash coming from their predestined area lit up the attendees and the employees of the club. “Don’t forget to smile, Apolo.”

  By the time we reached the reception hall, everything was a blur. People called out to my escort by name. Some I recognized, some I did not. I so wanted to get away from the middle of it all, but he kept his fingers tightly wrapped around my upper arm, guiding me. I found it hard to breathe in the throng of people vying for his attention.

  Apolo steered me through the crowd, acknowledging and speaking briefly to individuals until we were in what I would guess to be the center of the room. A waiter appeared out of nowhere with a tray of champagne. Apolo retrieved two glasses, handing me one. I gratefully accepted.

  I knew this was nothing more than a reception. There would be no dinner afterwards, so I’d have to go easy on the drinks. It was a good thing I had thought to eat a few hours before.

  He introduced me around, never leaving my side. I wasn’t a stranger to a social scene such as this, just not a fixture, as my mother was. Out of the corner of my eye, on more than one occasion, I caught a glimpse of a few couples that I knew were friends of hers. The phone lines between West Palm and Buckhead would be lighting up later tonight.

  Suddenly, I became aware that he was about to make his announcement. The one I had been dreading. Apolo was using this benefit as smoothly as an old pro for his own agenda—introducing me as his new second-in-command at Choice Enterprises. The great business mogul has seen fit to hire a woman, something secretly whispered about behind closed doors or away from the office.

  I barely recall hearing Apolo’s words as he elegantly made his speech after the thunderous applause. I was aware of the sensual cadence of his deep, lusty voice, but nothing else. I thought for sure my knees would give out as I stood there beside him. As soon as he introduced me to the crowd gathered before us, something in my mind flipped on…call it a switch, training. Yes, call it years of training, years my mother put into making sure I was prepared for moments such as this one.

  I acknowledged and thanked Apolo. Outside of that, I have no clue what I said. Then, the deafening applause once again as he led me back through the crowd. Not to leave, but to a table situated at the side of the room. Eternally grateful to him, I sat in the elegantly covered chair.

  As he let go of his hold on me, I felt almost an emptiness. It struck me as odd. Before I could analyze the situation any further, he bent down and whispered in my ear, “You were top shelf, Caitlyn. Thank you. Now, if you’ll excuse me for a few moments, I need to speak to some folks. Stay right here. I promise I won’t be long.”

  With that he strolled away, but not before making sure a waiter brought me a fresh glass of champagne. Suddenly, I had an urge of wanting him close to me. Oh, I am so screwed!

  And as quick as he left, the vultures descended.

  One in particular, a young man I had seen for years at functions like this one. A young cub reporter, trying his damndest to fit in and not blow what he thought was a cover, trying to get that one killer scoop. Tonight, he thought I was that story. I watched as he came in for the kill, placing himself in the seat directly across from me.

  “Ms. White, you’re certainly a part of history. How does it feel?”

  I smiled at the various couples passing by, hoping someone would rescue me from this snake. No one would, they instinctively knew not to mess with anything within Apolo Choice’s personal space.

  “How’s that, Mr.…?”

  “Bob. Bob Secrest, ma’am.”

  “Mr. Secrest, how is it that I’m a part of history? Mr. Choice merely promoted me, nothing more.”

  “Oh, come on, it can’t hurt, you and him.” He stumbled. “I mean…you do make a handsome couple. Why not make it a more powerful union?”

  “Mr. Secrest, if you plan to make a career of being a journalist, and I use the term loosely with you, you might want to get your facts straight before you try to make nice with one of your subjects.”

  “But—”

  “You made an assumption, Bob. Never, ever assume anything. Never assume things are as they seem. Mr. Choice and I are nothing more than professional colleagues. I’m most grateful for the opportunity he’s presented me.”

  More people began to descend on us, leaving Mr. Bob Secrest and me no time to further our conversation. I was smothering again, as though the walls were closing in. I reached for my evening bag, and as I did, I felt a familiar hand on my shoulder. “I don’t know about you, but I’m famished. Let’s you and me get out of here,” Apolo said.

  Turning to look at him, I was drawn into his hypnotic, gray eyes. “We can do that? Just leave…so soon?”

  “Caitlyn, I’m Apolo Choice. I do what I want, when I want.”

  He oh-so-smoothly guided me through the throng of people still milling about us, until we reached the front door. A handsome, young man in a black jacket opened it to let us
pass.

  “Good evening, Mr. Choice.”

  I heard Apolo acknowledge the comment with a grunt of some sort as he scooted me forward, his hand pressed against the lower part of my back.

  * * * *

  Waiting for us at the curb was Jacob, standing next to a red Ferrari convertible, top down. He opened the passenger side for me. I slid into the black leather seat and looked around in awe. Apolo folded his frame in behind the steering wheel and took control of the sports car.

  “You asked earlier if I drove myself, so I had Jacob switch out the Bentley so we can drive ourselves for the remainder of the evening. Ready, Caitlyn?”

  I nodded my head slowly, knowing the power this automobile possessed. It certainly was his type of car—fast, furious, and dangerous. I leaned over toward him as he expertly maneuvered the powerful machine onto the main street. “What about Jacob? How will he get back to wherever it is you live?”

  “Don’t worry about Jacob,” he replied, loosening his tie with one hand, in between gear shifts. “He’s quite resourceful. Do you like oysters?”

  “Yes, they’re all right.”

  “Good. I know the perfect, out-of-the-way place to get some.” He turned the Ferrari onto the expressway, heading us north of the city.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Lake Lanier. My brother owns a restaurant up there…something new. I’ve been meaning to try it.”

  Reaching cruising speed, he reached inside the pocket of his jacket and pulled out his iPhone. Scrolling through the numbers, he finally punched one. He made last-minute reservations, or rather, announced that we were coming for dinner.

  I sat back in the leather seat and got comfortable. I had the feeling, as the saying goes, that it was going to be a bumpy ride. An enjoyable evening, but bumpy.