Shane stood and shook hands, the older woman hanging on longer than necessary. “It’s my job.”
“Yeah, well, no one knows details like you do. Keep this up and I’ll have no choice but to make you vice president.”
“You won’t regret it.” His pulse turned a brisk tempo. Getting that kind of promotion at his age was unheard of. He wanted it. He wanted it bad. By some stroke of amazing luck, he’d found something he loved and excelled at. The townspeople of Cascade thought he was nothing but a flirt and confirmed bachelor, but he had another side, that of a dedicated employee who worked his ass off to keep Burke & Associates at the top of their field.
Belinda laughed. “No doubt.” She stepped back from Shane’s desk. “Mrs. Huston made sure I knew she thought you were a dream to work with.”
“Did she?” He smirked. Mrs. Huston, wife of hotel magnate Duke Huston, was “the duchess.” This afternoon Shane might have used his charm to alleviate a mistake that had left the hotel’s fifty-something namesake none too happy.
“She blushed every time she mentioned you.” Belinda shook her head and gave a closed-mouth smile in admiration. “The woman has a stick up her ass ninety-nine percent of the time, but you can get her to loosen up. And forgive a major slip-up.”
“What did you think?” Shane asked. As the project lead the error did fall on him. The second he’d walked into the hotel’s pool area this morning and discovered the umbrellas, couch and chair cushions, throw pillows, and cabanas were not white and coffee-colored as ordered, but lapis blue and pale yellow, he’d had two choices. Bawl out his buyer for the screw-up, which wouldn’t solve his problem, or spin it to his advantage.
“I think you’re a genius and it looks outstanding.”
As luck would have it, he’d done his research on the Hustons and knew they’d met at the University of Michigan. So when Mrs. Huston almost had a coronary upon discovering the outdoor colors were not what she wanted, Shane had quieted her by disclosing it as a surprise to honor her alma mater, whose colors were maize and blue.
Shane complimented her, mentioned how her eyes matched the blue of the décor, and guided her around the pool with her arm securely hooked in his.
Two minutes and she’d bought it, happy to be overruled and sharing stories about her college days.
“Thanks, Belinda.”
“Love that bachelor status of yours. You’ve got women young and old eating out of the palm of your hand. Mrs. Huston can’t decide if she wants you for herself or her daughter.
“A young, single guy like you is exactly who I need to pinch-hit for me when the occasion calls for it.” Belinda headed out of the office. “Keep up the great work and get out of here at a normal hour tonight.”
“Will do,” Shane called out. He sat back in his chair and ran a hand along his jawline. Belinda hadn’t just implied he flirt with clients, had she? Shit. He hadn’t meant for his reputation outside the office to seep into work hours.
Besides the inkling that he stay single to get the promotion, though, he’d planned on staying a bachelor. His reason always sat in the back of his mind, a constant reminder of the wrong he’d done. He’d never hurt anyone again because he’d never put himself in a position to be counted on again.
“Hey,” Drew said, poking her head inside his office. “I didn’t want to bother you when Ms. Burke was here so I took a message rather than put the call through.”
“No problem.” He waved in his part-time intern, grateful to get his mind on something else. “What is it?”
She took a deep breath and studied the notepad in her hands. “I’m sorry I didn’t catch her name. She spoke rather quickly. But she said that something had come up tomorrow night that she couldn’t get out of, so she wasn’t going to be able to make it to the party with you. She wanted me to tell you she was super, super sorry and she…”
“Yeah?”
Drew glanced up, then quickly back down. “She’ll be sleeping naked and dreaming about you.”
“Sorry about that,” Shane said, trying to suppress a laugh. He’d left an impression, at least.
“It’s okay.”
“You should take off now. Thanks for your help today.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll see you next week.”
Shane nodded and swiveled his chair to catch a glimpse of the descending sun out the window. Reddish orange stripes marked the sky, and relief that the day was over stretched across his shoulder blades.
It was a shame he wouldn’t have a date for tomorrow night, but now he’d be able to freely mingle and network at the hotel’s opening gala. Unless Mrs. Huston did bring her daughter, in which case he’d have no choice but to spend time with her. He’d caught a glimpse of her once—tall, easy on the eyes—but by the sounds of it, Mrs. Huston would have them married off, and he wanted no part of that.
Which meant interference wouldn’t be a bad idea.
A certain blond, green-eyed waitress popped into his head. Kagan. Ever since she’d arrived in town he’d been intrigued by her. He’d flirted, always made conversation when they ran into each other around town so he could hear her sweet, velvety voice. But she’d shrugged off his teasing and interest without a second thought. Almost as if she didn’t believe he wanted her.
Or didn’t notice.
He’d watched her at the Crown & Anchor and sure, she talked and joked around with her customers, but he’d noted no one got too close. Her natural beauty, easygoing demeanor, and sexy-as-hell smile got plenty of attention, yet she didn’t seem aware of the way she charmed everyone.
Last week they’d bumped into each other at Crem’s and the second her side brushed his it was like a speeding bullet crashed into his gut and fractured into hot bundles of nerves that bothered everything inside him. He’d stayed in a state of semi-arousal all day after that. Even when she wasn’t near, she affected him.
Okay, so it could be the sweater she’d accidentally left at the bakery that he’d grabbed to return to her, but still had sitting in the front seat of his car.
Or it could be he wanted to feel every inch of her and find those special spots that undid her.
Whatever it was, thanks to a pink sweater, he had a reason to see her now. He stood, flipped off the light switch, and caught the elevator down to the lobby.
She wouldn’t agree to go out with him.
He knew that.
She’d tell him no thank you.
He knew that too.
But he wanted her to be his date tomorrow night. Something about seeing her dressed up and out of her element yanked at his curiosity.
On the drive to her house he told himself no matter how soft and apologetic her voice might be, he wouldn’t take no for an answer. As far as he knew, she lived like a hermit and this was his chance to show her some fun.
He parked on the tree-lined street in front of her townhouse. The faint smell of the ocean mixed with the scent of red roses in full bloom along her walkway. He wondered not for the first time how she’d afforded to rent such a sophisticated place, then shook his head. Not his business.
His knock wasn’t quite as confident as he’d hoped.
And shit, was he sweating? What the hell was that about?
The door swung wide and a woman he didn’t recognize smiled in greeting. “Hello?” Her gaze slid from his face to his chest to his rolled-up shirt sleeves and continued down to his black dress shoes.
“Hey. Is Kagan here?”
“For you? Definitely. Come on in.” She motioned for him to enter. “I’m Charlotte. And you are?”
“Shane Sullivan. Nice to meet you.”
“Shane?” Kagan came into view wearing frayed jean shorts that showed off her smooth, tan, mile-long legs and a see-through, loose white shirt with barely there sleeves. Underneath, she wore a striped pink bra trimmed in black lace.
He concentrated on keeping his eyes above her shoulders.
Which wasn’t much better. Absent were the black-rimmed glasses she ofte
n sported and he was gifted with a clear view of amazing green eyes. If he thought the schoolgirl look he’d appreciated at the Crown & Anchor turned him on, this was—
“Um, what are you doing here?” Kagan asked, her eyes darting down the hallway. “Now’s really not a good time.”
“I, uh…” What was he doing there? Oh yeah. “I stopped by to return the sweater you left at Crem’s last week.” He held it up before lying it over the back of the couch. “And to see if you were busy tomorrow night?”
“Hold on,” Charlotte said, putting her palm up like she wanted to stop traffic. She looked at Kagan. “I can’t believe you’ve been holding out on me, Jelly Belly.”
“Jelly Belly?” Shane said, a grin overtaking his sloppy lead-in.
A gorgeous blush spread across Kagan’s cheeks. She narrowed her eyes at her friend and crossed her arms over her chest. Shit. He was looking there again.
Charlotte moved beside Kagan and put an arm around her. “She has an unhealthy attachment to them. Instead of a pie-eating contest, there was a jelly bean–eating contest in college and she wiped out the competition. Set a new record for the most Jelly Bellies eaten in ten minutes.”
“Good to know.”
“What I’d like to know is how you two know each other.”
“We don’t really,” Kagan said, shrugging out of Charlotte’s grasp. “Thanks for bringing me my sweater and it’s nice of you to ask about tomorrow night, but I’m busy.”
“You are?” Charlotte’s surprised tone told Shane that Kagan was lying.
“I’ve got that thing, remember?” Kagan raised her eyebrows.
Charlotte’s shoulders sagged like she was the one who couldn’t make it out with him. She swung her attention away from Kagan. “I guess she has a thing.”
A horn sounded from out front.
“Dammit. That must be my cab.” Charlotte peeked through the large bay window. “Yep.”
That was when Shane noticed the suitcase by the couch. He glanced around the room. It looked like they’d had a party on the dining room table. Guilt crawled up the back of his neck—he’d interrupted something.
“Where you headed?” he asked.
“Back to New York.”
Kagan wrapped her arms around Charlotte. “I’m going to miss you so much. Thanks again for coming.”
“You know I’d never miss your birthday.”
“It’s your birthday?” Shane asked.
“There might be a sliver of cake left if you want some,” Charlotte tossed over her shoulder. Then she put her mouth to Kagan’s ear. “You are so busted for not telling me about him. Forget your thing and go out.”
Excellent hearing ran in the Sullivan family. He smiled.
“So what kind of date are we talking?” Charlotte asked, stepping away from Kagan.
A sigh sounded from Kagan’s sexy mouth, drawing his eyes to its fullness. “It’s the opening for The Duchess,” he said. “Black tie. Food. Drink. Some music.”
“That’s the hotel you mentioned you’d been working on,” Kagan said.
“Yeah.”
“Sort of short notice to be asking me now.”
“My…” He paused. “My date just canceled on me.” He hoped she didn’t take offense.
Charlotte waved her arm in the air. “No biggie. Kagan—”
“Sorry about that,” a man interrupted, coming down the hallway and lowering a cell phone from his ear. He stopped in his tracks and his eyes narrowed on Shane.
Another car horn signaled the cabbie’s impatience.
“Dammit. I’ve got to go,” Charlotte said, reluctance in her tone. She glanced at the man and then back at Kagan. “Or maybe I don’t. I’ll catch the next flight.”
“No you won’t,” Kagan said. “I’m fine, Char. Go.” She linked arms with her friend, and they walked around him toward the front door.
Charlotte lifted her suitcase. “You sure?” Kagan nodded. “Okay. Love you, Jelly Belly. Call me over the weekend.” She smiled and like a tiny hurricane made her escape.
Once the door had shut, the guy glaring from the end of the hallway said, “This him?”
Kagan’s frown stretched across the room for a beat. Then her features softened and Shane found her sizing him up with sudden interest. She stepped closer but accidentally tripped over the knotted entryway rug. Shane caught her so that her hands landed on his chest. She took a steadying breath. “Yes, this is him.”
Him?
Before he could question what she was talking about, her sea glass green eyes focused on his with such quiet intensity that he pretty much forgot his own name. “So tomorrow night,” she said softly. “What time should I be ready?”
Her about-face confused him, and the guy across the room wouldn’t stop scowling, but he’d go with it.
“Seven o’clock.”
“Sounds perfect.” She leaned into him, her chest brushing his, and damn if he didn’t like the way that felt.
The guy cleared his throat.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Shane, this is Brett. Brett, this is Shane…my boyfriend.”
Chapter Three
Kagan walked into The Duchess on Shane’s arm and immediately regretted her decision to attend the event with him.
Actually, that wasn’t true. She’d regretted it the moment he picked her up, looking impossibly handsome in his black tux. Her heart had kickboxed her ribs at the sight of him. Perfectly combed dark brown hair, twinkling blue-gray eyes that shouted heartbreaker, and a light, cool, minty scent that had her wanting to crawl inside his jacket. The triple threat knocked her completely off balance.
His gift, though, plowed into the barrier she hid behind to stay safe from…feelings. “Happy birthday,” he’d said and handed her a large clear bag of Jelly Belly jelly beans tied with a curly pink ribbon.
The sentiment was the nicest thing anyone besides Charlotte had done for her in a very long time.
Shane had been speechless last night when she’d said he was her boyfriend. Being tongue-tied had worked in her favor, and she’d quickly asked Brett to leave. Once she’d explained—with fingers crossed for lying—to Shane that Brett was an ex who wanted her back and she’d just needed to say something to get rid of him, Shane had relaxed. And she guessed her boyfriend fabrication had worked, since Brett hadn’t made further contact. Kagan knew she’d have to deal with him eventually, but it would be on her terms and not until she was back in New York.
The least she could do after Shane had helped her out was actually be his date tonight.
He wove her through a hotel lobby decorated in gorgeous hues of brown and gold, where chandeliers glittered, and memories of a life she left behind bombarded her.
At the insistence of her father, she’d been to dozens of black tie affairs. God forbid Fred Donaldson’s daughter miss any of his social promotions. And that’s what they were—marketing blitzes to keep him at the top of the billionaire food chain.
She stumbled, remembering the fake smiles and insincere conversations that always made her tense. You’re here for Shane, Kay. Relax.
Shane slowed his pace. “Sorry. I’m walking too fast.” Muscles in his arm went rigid underneath her hands.
“You’re nervous,” she said. On the drive over he’d shared details about his work on The Duchess and filled her in on a few of the bigwigs who would be in attendance.
“No.”
“Shane.” She tugged him to a stop. “It’s okay if you are. This is a big night and the culmination of all your hard work.”
He regarded her, his focus touching her eyes, her hairline, the tiny chicken pox scar on her cheek. Her mouth. “A little,” he admitted with a nod.
Seeing this side of him, this more serious and genuine side, smoothed the nervous energy humming inside her. She wasn’t on display tonight. He was. And she wanted to make the evening as perfect for him as possible.
“Well you’re in luck because I know exactly how to calm your nerves.”
An unt
amable smile lifted the corners of his mouth and Kagan shivered. This time his gaze slid unhurriedly down her body and back up, and in a sexy, raspy voice he said, “There is absolutely nothing about you calming my nerves. Have I told you how gorgeous you look this evening?”
She bit her bottom lip. She felt his perusal and compliment like he’d traced a finger along every slope and angle of her body. “You did. But I’m speaking strictly as a professional.”
His eyebrows lifted as he leaned closer.
“I know exactly what type of drink to order for you. One Kamikaze and everything inside you will mellow.” She slid her hands down the long skirt of her white formfitting halter dress and stepped around him.
He mumbled something she couldn’t make out and fell in step beside her, leading them to the elevator. They rode in electric silence to the third floor, their bodies a safe distance apart. She reminded herself Shane may have looked at her appreciatively, but they had a platonic relationship, nothing more. She hated to admit she was curious about him, though. One night a few weeks ago his sister Sela had come into the bar and stayed after closing to chat. She’d told Kagan that Shane had had a serious girlfriend once, but that something had happened he wouldn’t talk about. Ever since then he’d gone back to playing the field, not the least bit interested in anything exclusive.
The elevator doors slid open and Kagan gasped at the beautiful display in front of her. With only the faintest whispers of August’s daylight remaining, the outside terrace and pool area sparkled. Tiny white lights adorned the trees, large pillar candles flickered on the tables, and tall wrought iron lampposts lit the area in romantic ambience. Bluesy music reached her ears, the smell of something yummy—sizzling beef maybe?—made her stomach growl. And dozens of people dressed in their finest attire turned their heads and watched them make their entrance.
Shane put his left hand on the small of her back and guided her through the crowd. He said hello and nodded, smiled, gave quick handshakes, all while keeping his fingers across her sensitive curve. Her body reacted in a most uncharacteristic way. Weakened. Needy. Her stomach tightened and she batted her eyelashes. Like she wanted everyone to think they were there together.
Her Accidental Boyfriend: A Secret Wishes Novel (Entangled Bliss) Page 2
