Sin

by Deborah Bladon

  “I wasn’t finished,” Mitchell whines.

  How old is this guy?

  After two shots of vodka, his voice got higher and his words slurred together.

  He’s a lightweight and a selfish prick judging by the way he’s monopolizing this meeting.

  “I get the picture.” I look in his direction. “You want to produce a commercial starring a couple of geriatric actors. Your suggestion is to not air it during football games. That’s your plan, right?”

  Mitchell nods and then shakes his head. “It might be better if we cast a couple of guys my age and showed it during games.”

  If I wanted to follow the same advertising path as Estey Vodka, I’d call his approach a win, but I’m looking for something fresh.

  I lean forward and glance across the table at Linny. “What have you got for me?”

  Her eyes meet mine, and I see a flicker of something; something that was there when I opened my hotel room door two months ago to find her.

  My cock swells at the memory of how beautiful she was that night and how devastatingly sexy she is right now.

  I want to clear the room and bend her over the table so I can finish what I started in Vegas. I need to touch her, taste her, fuck her.

  “If your target demographic is my age, your primary focus should be on social media.” Looking down, she brings the pen to her lips again.

  I stare in fascination at the way her plump lips circle it and the brief flashes of her pink tongue as she flicks it against the tip.

  This is a first for me. I’ve never battled a hard-on in a meeting, but that’s because I’ve never wanted a woman’s mouth on my dick more.

  “How old are you?” I blurt out.

  She stiffens. “I’m within what should be your primary target market. Consumers between the ages of twenty-one and thirty-five are gravitating toward flavored vodkas. If your marketing efforts aren’t appealing to them, you’re wasting your time and your money.”

  “She’s twenty-six.”

  I turn at the annoying sound of Mitchell’s voice. I expected him to be passed out with his head on the table by now.

  “My age isn’t relevant.” Linny’s shoulders go back as she straightens in her chair. “I was referring to what I believe is Rizon’s target consumer.”

  “Age is relevant.” Mitchell’s lips curl into a sneer. “With it comes experience and that’s a requirement to handle an account this important.”

  Ignoring his comments, Linny faces me directly. “I’ve had a look at Rizon’s social media accounts, and I see room for improvement, Mr. Weston. I’d strongly suggest you invest a good portion of your marketing budget in online ads. The people who will purchase your vanilla vodka use social media on a daily basis. You need to go where they are and create a buzz so they’ll feel compelled to try the product.”

  She speaks the truth.

  I’ve followed my grandfather’s rulebook for too long.

  He launched the company in an era where a billboard or magazine ad could sell hundreds of thousands of bottles of vodka.

  I’ve piggybacked off his success, but our new products demand an innovative approach.

  The time and attention we’ve devoted to social media have been extensive, but it’s not enough. We need to do more.

  “Also, I suggest we run a contest,” she goes on, her gaze shifting to the bottle of vodka in the middle of the table. “It would be an easy way to engage our target market.”

  Our target market.

  I know it’s a job to her, but working side-by-side with her for this launch is exactly what I want.

  “What will the prize be?” Mitchell asks.

  The urge to knock the smirk off his face with my fist is strong. It’s a wonder Faye & Sons has the reputation they do with this asshole as part of their team.

  Linny waits a beat before she answers. “I have two ideas that I’d be more than happy to expand on with Trent.”

  “With Trent?” I sit back in my chair. If she thinks she’s going to bypass me to work on the campaign with Trent, she’s mistaken. I give her credit for maintaining her composure for the past hour, but she won’t be able to keep it together once the hard work starts.

  I’ll get her to admit she’s the woman I fucked before the ink is dry on my contract with Faye & Sons.

  She looks at Trent. “I saw the contest you ran on your Instagram account when you were in Rio de Janeiro last fall. I suggest doing something similar on the official Rizon Vodka account. A bigger prize, and targeted advertising for a wider reach.”

  Rio de Janeiro? What the hell is she talking about?

  Trent’s expression says it all. Guilt mixed with embarrassment and something that borders on amusement.

  I’m not about to call him out in this meeting, but the smug son-of-a-bitch won’t make it out of this building without confessing what he did in Rio.

  “I like the way you think.” He shoots Linny a smile. “Drop those ideas in an email and Jeremy and I will go over them.”

  “All we need is your signature on the dotted line, Mr. Weston,” David chimes in. “I’ll have my assistant bring in the contract and we can get started on the campaign first thing tomorrow morning.”

  “Linny leads this.” I stand and button my suit jacket. “I’ll work with the rest of your team, but she’s our main point of contact.”

  I feel her gaze on me. I don’t turn to look at her because my cock has finally dropped to half-mast. I want out of here so I can breathe and think.

  “You’ve got yourself a deal.” David rounds the table. “You’re not going to be disappointed. Our firm will do whatever it takes to make Rizon vanilla vodka a success.”

  “Send the contract to my office.” I motion for Trent to stand. “We’re heading back there now.”

  “I’ll hand deliver it.” Mitchell pushes back from the table but stays seated. “Linny and I are a team. I’ll be available whenever you need me day or night.”

  The only person in this room I want available day and night is silent. I turn toward her. She glides to her feet.

  “It’s been a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Weston.” Her hand skims the waistband of her skirt. “I look forward to working with you, sir.”

  I look forward to fucking you. Again.

  I bite back the urge to say that. “I’ll be in touch.”

  She nods, parts her lips and lets out a soft breath.

  I have no fucking idea how I’m going to keep it together around her, but before the week is over, Linny Faye is going to confirm what I already know.

  She’s the woman I took to bed in Vegas and she’s as eager to finish what we started as I am.

  Chapter 16

  Linny

  “I know I’m not who you were expecting, but I hope I’ll do.”

  I smile at Jax Walker.

  I left my office as soon as the meeting with West and Trent was over. I promised Ivy that I’d drop by her store, Whispers of Grace, to discuss the fall promotional campaign that we’re set to launch next month.

  “Ivy isn’t here?” I ask the obvious question.

  “Can I tell you a secret?” He leans in closer to me even though the only other person in the store is the assistant manager. She’s in the stock room picking out new items for the bracelet display case.

  “I’m an amazing secret keeper,” I say honestly, holding up my right hand as if I’m taking a vow.

  “My birthday is next month and my beautiful wife is planning a surprise party.” His lips lift in a grin. “Right now she’s at the bakery down the street ordering the cake. When she gets back, she’ll tell you that she was at the café around the corner grabbing iced coffees for all of us.”

  I laugh lightly. “How do you know she’s planning a surprise party?”

  “Ivy is many things, but discreet isn’t one of them.” He chuckles. “I overheard her talking to my brother on the phone about it.”

  I’ve envied his relationship with his wife since I met them. He’s he
r biggest supporter. Even though she runs the jewelry design business, he’s always nearby if she needs guidance or another opinion.

  He defers to her when it comes to every decision about this store and the others that she’s opened. Jewelry may be Ivy’s passion, but the man standing in front of me is her everything.

  “I’m expecting you to act surprised when you’re invited.” He arches a dark brow. “Don’t let me down, Linny.”

  “I’m not sure…I don’t know if…” I fumble with what to say.

  We have an amazing working relationship, but I can’t tell if Ivy considers me more than a business contact or an acquaintance.

  She’s several years older than me and our shared interest is the ongoing success of her jewelry business.

  I may have had dinner at their apartment yesterday, but that doesn’t mean that she counts me as a friend.

  “You’re not sure if your name is on the guest list?” He finishes my question for me.

  I nod.

  “You remind Ivy a lot of herself.” He brushes a piece of lint from the front of his navy blue suit jacket. “You’re driven and determined. You won’t take no for an answer and you haven’t let this city change who you are.”

  I can’t say that all of that is true, but I am committed to taking over for my father once he retires. Ivy knows that and she’s been encouraging me to stay on course and keep my focus on my end goal.

  “I admire her,” I admit on a sigh. “She’s one of the most successful women I’ve ever met.”

  “She knew what she wanted and she kept after it until it was in her grasp.” He drags his left hand through his dark brown hair. My gaze catches on the simple band on his ring finger. “I’m grateful every day that she wanted me.”

  I look up and into his face. “The two of you are relationship goals.”

  “Relationship goals?”

  I tilt my head to the side. “It’s inspiring to see you together. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t want a love like you share.”

  He nods slowly. “I’m a lucky man. I’m happier than I deserve to be.”

  I flash a smile. “The rest of us can only hope that one day we’ll be as happy.”

  “I’ll let you in on another secret.” He narrows his gaze. “Technically, it’s more of a heads-up.”

  “A heads-up?” I inhale deeply, trying to calm my nerves. I’ve been trembling since I left my office. Seeing West today shook my entire world. Staying focused on work is the only way I know how to cope.

  If I think about the way he was looking at me in the conference room, I’ll come undone and reach out to him. I can’t do that. There’s no way in hell Mitchell can ever find out that I know West on a very personal level.

  My dad will have no choice but to pull me off the Rizon Vodka campaign and hand it over to my stepbrother.

  I need that account to help prove that I’m a better pick for CEO than Mitchell will ever be.

  Jax nods. “Ivy’s been dying to set you up with a friend of ours.”

  I should be used to it by now. Harmony isn’t the only woman in my life who has taken it upon herself to find my soul mate. My sister, Bethy, has done the same thing for years. Living halfway across the world in Australia hasn’t stopped her. She still texts me pictures of single men that her friends in Manhattan know in the hope that I’ll agree to meet one.

  I haven’t yet.

  “I’m kind of seeing someone,” I say because I don’t want to mix business with pleasure.

  If I agree to meet up with their friend and we don’t hit it off, I’ll run the risk of offending Ivy, Jax or both of them.

  It’s not worth it.

  “What’s his name?”

  West. A part of me is tempted to say that just so I can hear his name coming from my lips again.

  “Roland.” I opt for the safe choice since I’ll be seeing him again in a few days and it’s not a total lie.

  “The four of us should do dinner.” He glances over his shoulder at the door to the store. “As soon as Ivy gets back, we’ll set something up.”

  Dammit.

  I think I just arranged my third date with Roland Elgar, even though the man I can’t stop thinking about is Jeremy Weston.

  Chapter 17

  Jeremy

  I haven’t been able to get Linny Faye out of my mind.

  After I got back to my office earlier, I did what any rational man with a raging erection would do.

  I locked my private bathroom door and pumped one out to the vision of Linny on the bed in my hotel room.

  I’ll never forget the way that woman looks nude.

  I’m grateful for that since it’s been my sole source of masturbation inspiration since I got back from Las Vegas.

  After I cleaned up, I tore into Trent about the unauthorized contest he held when he was in Rio de Janeiro last year.

  He posted a selfie on Instagram offering a free drink and a year’s supply of our traditional vodka to whoever met him at a local bar first.

  According to him, the bar was overrun with customers. They pulled in more money that night than they had in years. To repay Trent, they offered to carry our vodka exclusively in all of their locations in Brazil.

  I wondered how he landed that deal.

  The free case of vodka sent to an address in Rio makes a lot more sense now too.

  “Why are you still here?” Blythe pokes her heard into my office. “It’s late. Go home.”

  I look down at my watch. “I’m the boss. I can stay as late as I want. You know I don’t pay overtime so why the hell aren’t you home with Harve?”

  She shrugs as she settles into one of the chairs opposite my desk. “It’s poker night.”

  “Harve plays?” I lean back. “I play with Rocco and a few of his friends twice a month.”

  She claps her hands together once. “You do? Are spectators allowed?”

  “Not if they’re dressed like that. You look like a candy cane, Blythe.”

  No exaggeration.

  She’s wearing a white dress with red diagonal stripes topped off with a green scarf around her neck.

  As usual, she ignores my critique of her wardrobe without batting an eyelash. “Harve could use some new poker buddies. He’s always beating the three he plays with now.”

  “He’s good?”

  “The best,” she answers proudly. “He has yet to meet anyone who can out -bluff him.”

  I point out the obvious. “Rocco is a former world poker champion. Harve wouldn’t stand a chance against him.”

  “I bet he would.” Her eyebrows dance.

  She’ll lose that bet. The same way that I almost always lose when I play cards with Rocco. I tell myself I’m doing it for fun and as a way to unwind, but every single time I leave his place with an empty wallet, I wonder where the hell I left my better judgment.

  “Invite Harve to your next game and we can set up a side wager,” she goes on. “If he wins, you give me an extra week off this year with pay.”

  Curiosity drives the next words out of my mouth. “And if Harve loses?”

  “I’ll bring you coffee every morning for a month.”

  I can’t help but laugh. “That’s in your goddamn job description.”

  “Is it?”

  I glance down at my watch again. “Text Conrad to pick you up. It’s time to call it a day.”

  “I can charge it to Rizon?” She skims her thumb over the screen of her smartphone.

  I nod. “Tell your grandson to take you to Crispy Biscuit. It’s a diner in midtown. Buy him a grilled cheese and fries. Order yourself some dinner too.”

  “You’re buying?” She looks up from her phone. “Why are you in such a good mood?”

  I found my Vegas angel today.

  I skip over honesty and settle on believable. “I locked down one of the best advertising firms in the city to handle the vanilla vodka campaign.”

  “That is good news.” She places her phone back in her lap. “Con is five minutes
away. I’ll grab my things and head down to the lobby.”

  I stand. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

  She’s on her feet too. “Don’t stay too late, Jeremy.”

  I won’t take her advice. I’ll order something in and focus on the budget projections for next quarter. “I’ll see to it Harve has a seat at our next poker game.”

  “I’m tagging along,” she says as she turns to leave my office. “I want to see the look on Rocco’s face when Harve wins.”

  I want to see that look too, but I doubt it’ll happen.

  “Enjoy your night, Blythe.”

  She turns back to face me. “She must be special.”

  I lift my chin. “Who?”

  “The woman you keep thinking about.” She shoots me a warm look. “I’ve been around the block enough times to know when a man’s mind is caught up with a beautiful woman.”

  I should deny it, but I don’t. “She’s very beautiful.”

  “Why don’t you take your own advice and get out of here? Meet her for dinner.”

  Because she won’t even admit that I know her.

  I could confess all of this to Blythe, but I’ve always kept my personal life out of the office. That won’t change now.

  “Don’t keep Con waiting. I’m footing the bill, remember?”

  She laughs. “You’re politely trying to tell me to mind my own business.”

  “Since when am I polite?” I lean against the edge of my desk.

  “Good point.” She tugs on the ends of her scarf. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

  “Bright and early, Blythe.”

  Chapter 18

  Linny

  I reread the cryptic text message that my dad sent me an hour ago.

  Dad: Be at Calvetti’s at noon. Urgent.

  I didn’t notice the message until ten minutes ago since I spent the morning at Whispers of Grace with Ivy working on the upcoming promo campaign.

  We were supposed to do that last night, but when she came back to her store empty-handed and in a panic about her daughter, Jacey, having a fever, she rushed back out with Jax on her heel.