Venetia looked at Apollo. “You eat it when it comes. Now where were we?” he asked and then took position behind her chair and placed a hand on her shoulder. She moved, causing his hand to move.
“Focus, Venetia, do you think you have everything you need to check this out today?”
“Today?” she asked, sounding surprised. His brother was being awfully bossy and controlling. It was obvious that Venetia didn’t like that. She stood up.
“I didn’t make plans for this to start today. I need to gather a few people to do the video as I photograph and see what specifically I would like to showcase.”
“Nonsense. We will provide the videographer and whatever or whomever you need. Plus, we discussed what aspects I would like showcased.”
“If you don’t mind, sir, you’re hiring me to do this job to make an impact on sales and to promote this fine hotel you and your brothers have taken over. I would appreciate the discretion as to what may and may not be in the video and the photos.”
Roman saw his brother widen his eyes and his nostrils flared He and Venetia were bashing heads on numerous things because his brother was being controlling and Venetia seemed to not appreciate that. He had to give her credit for standing up for herself. Her attitude was a total turn-on. As she and Apollo began to banter back and forth, Garvan showed Roman his phone and an e-mail with information about Venetia. One look at him and he realized that Garvan was attracted to the woman, too, and already began an investigation. He smirked as Venetia threw her hands up in the air.
She walked over to her things. “I don’t think this is going to work out after all.” She bent over to grab her portfolio that fell onto the floor. The pictures scattered all over, and Roman bent down to help her.
“Apollo, remember that Vin is an artist. In order to get the high-quality work she showed in the PowerPoint presentation, we must allow her the freedom to create. Let her have free range here. If she screws it up, then we throw her some money for her time and she’ll be on her way.” Roman looked at Venetia, who widened her eyes and then looked down at the photos she dropped and pursed her lips.
He gave her a wink. “I suspect we won’t be disappointed. Call it a gut instinct, but I think we’ll be impressed.” Roman couldn’t believe how beautiful she was close up and her skin, perfection. It looked soft, smooth, and he wanted to caress it and see. Jesus, this had never happened to him before.
“I’m already impressed. My God, look at these.” Garvan was staring at a few photos that had fallen from the portfolio. One was of a sunset with the shadow of a couple holding hands walking in the sand. The other was a close-up picture of a construction site as workers gathered around taking a break, their bright yellow hard hats drawing him in and then the dirt on their faces and bright white smiles as they laughed, perhaps from some joke someone told. Roman held the picture in his hand and stared at it. He used to enjoy construction work so much. It was where he’d gotten started. He was lost in thought a moment.
“Roman?” When Garvan said his name, he snapped out of it and smiled then added the picture to Venetia’s portfolio.
“Nice work, Venetia. Please stay and have lunch with us so we can make sure you’re all set for whenever you’re ready to get started.”
“Okay, Roman, and thank you.”
“I hope the salad and grilled chicken is okay. Next time, when we know what you like, we can order something else?” Garvan said to her.
“The salad is okay, and I appreciate the offer.” She smiled. Roman did, too.
“You sound like you don’t like salads,” Apollo snapped.
“What woman doesn’t like salads?” Garvan asked and smiled.
“I like them, but I heard that Carlotto’s has a delicious penne alla vodka.” She then placed her things back down.
“That’s kind of heavy for lunch, or is it because we’re paying?” Apollo asked with his arms crossed, giving her a hard stare. Obviously Venetia’s refusal to allow their brother to boss her around had gotten under her skin.
“I’ll pay for my salad. I always pay my own way,” she replied to him.
“You eat like that all the time for lunch?” Apollo asked her.
“Fast metabolism?” Garvan asked before she could reply.
“Intense workout regimen,” she said and held the portfolio against her chest.
Roman gazed over her body and could tell the woman was super fit.
“That’s important for your health,” he told her as his brothers seemed to just stare at her, undressing her with their eyes.
“Helps with stress, too,” she said, and then Lisa came in.
“The food will be here in ten minutes, and Apollo, a Clarette called and said you were supposed to meet her for lunch.”
Roman noticed the immediate angry expression on Apollo’s face, but then he quickly recovered.
“Tell her another time. I’m busy.”
Chapter 3
Venetia was heading through the lobby of the hotel, hoping to get some last-minute shots outside of the property. She was still looking for the perfect shot.
As she made her way toward the doors, a tall thin blond woman stopped her.
“Are you the photographer working for Corb Enterprise?” she asked, and of course Vin replied yes because she knew the men told numerous people she would be taking pictures. This woman looked as if she had money and might be a regular.
“Stay away from Apollo. He’s mine,” she said and gave Venetia the once-over.
Venetia was shocked, but she laughed it off.
“No problem there, honey, he isn’t my type.”
“You surely aren’t his type. He doesn’t mingle with the help, and you certainly fit the bill. It must be your body.”
Venetia didn’t know what to say. It was so inappropriate, and she felt completely uncomfortable.
“Listen, I’m not interested in him. I was hired to do a job. Who are you anyway?”
“Clarette, and he cancelled our date because of you on Monday and then again today. I think he wants you, so stay clear of him. He’s mine.”
“Well, I’m not even seeing him at the office today, so your assumptions are way off. Perhaps you should confront Mr. Corbias with this, not me. As you mentioned, I’m just the help.” She then turned to walk away.
“You better be because I’ve been working hard to land him and his brothers, too. Stay clear,” she called after her.
What a nut. Land him and his brothers? Seriously? Some women were scum just like men. She was fuming still and couldn’t understand why she was so angry. She didn’t like being used to get some bimbo off Apollo’s case. She remembered the woman’s name from the first time she was in the main office at Corb Enterprise. Apollo had a lunch date with her he had forgotten about. Maybe a booty call? He seemed angry when Lisa said the woman called, but he did say he would call her back to reschedule. Her instincts were right. Apollo liked the bimbo types out for money, and stuck-up, too. What she didn’t like, as she thought about Clarette’s appearance, was the jealous feeling she had. She couldn’t possibly be attracted to Apollo. Well, and his brothers, but she was. God, what woman wouldn’t be? They were superhot, sexy, fit as could be, and big. Like enter a room and all eyes turned to check them out. She didn’t need that. She shook the thoughts from her head. Maybe she should just get through this job and decline further work. She might be setting herself up for trouble she didn’t need right now.
She thought about the phone call with Cherie earlier and how she was shocked at the series of events. But then Cherie, Gianna, Louisa, Pina, and Rose looked up pictures of Roman, Garvan, and Apollo Corbias, and they started carrying on about ménage encounters and getting over not having sex in two years with three hot rich stud muffins, as Cherie called them.
She had to smile even now. They were crazy.
As Venetia walked the grounds, she thought about Apollo, Garvan, and Roman. They could get any woman they wanted, and they knew it. This woman, Clarette whoever,
was after their money, just like they were after a piece of ass. All the power to them. That’s not my world. That’s a world I ran far from and will never associate with again.
She began walking around the perimeter of the hotel, taking more pictures. She already had the videographer adding some finishing touches, and she just needed a few more special pictures. When she rounded the corner of the building to head toward the pavilion where people could entertain, throw small gatherings, and where little concerts, put on by the hotel, took place on the weekends, she noticed four little girls all dressed up and ready to have a tea party. They had already set the table and were talking to one another with English accents as a group of adults gathered by the shaded tables, enjoying wine and food. It was the perfect picture of family fun, something inviting and natural. She began to shoot the scene, noting that this was the perfect ending to the video, which was due in Apollo’s office later today.
By the time she was finished, she would drive out to her cousin Cena’s for the barbecue and weekend boat trip. It would be the perfect ending to a stressful week. When she thought about gathering with her cousin and her three boyfriends, Ned, Ken, and Brian, she thought about how close they all had become and how they knew nothing about Conan or what had really happened. Brian was a detective and Ned and Ken cops, but she’d begged Cena to not reveal too much about what had happened to her. She gave them the same story as she’d given her friends. Abusive relationship and Conan had cheated on her. The end.
She swallowed hard and then pushed the thoughts away as she lowered the camera and then looked at the screen. She then went over to the family to make sure it would be okay if they were all in the video and other ads used for the promotion of the hotel. They loved the idea, especially when she showed them the pictures.
“Oh my God, they look so precious. Look, Jim,” one woman said to the man next to her.
Venetia took out her business card. “I can send you copies if you want them. They are so precious you could probably frame them.”
“You would do that?” the other woman asked her.
“Of course. They are absolutely adorable, and a lot of kids don’t get the opportunities to engage in such a fun, normal activity like a tea party. I love it, and it would be my pleasure.”
“Come join us for lunch,” one of the men said to her.
“Oh, that isn’t necessary, plus I have to get these to the studio.”
“Oh, just for a few minutes then.” He winked. He seemed to be one of a few men who weren’t married or with a woman. She said thank you as another woman poured her a glass of wine, and they toasted the pictures, tea parties, and making new friends.
An hour later, Venetia was leaving the gathering and saying good-bye, promising to send the copies when they e-mailed her for them. She noticed the man who had sat next to her and asked a bunch of questions took out his cell phone and then walked away from his friends. She immediately felt her gut clench. Conan came to mind, but then he didn’t know where she was. At least she didn’t think he did. She wondered about it only for the walk back to the hotel parking lot, and then she got the call from the videographer saying he was ready for the final shot.
“I’ll be there in twenty minutes, and I got the perfect set. Wait until you see them.” She hoped that Apollo and his brothers liked them. They’d each called her several items this week. Apollo made her nervous and put her on the edge. Roman and Garvan asked how she was doing and if she need their help, yet they were just as demanding in their tones.
Two hours later, she was in the main meeting room of Corb Enterprises. Her hands were shaking. The videographer had thought she was nuts to change the ending of the movie and also the main picture on the brochure until he saw her shots. Now she wondered if the Corbias men would like it as much as she did.
* * * *
Garvan sat right next to Venetia, who was dressed more casually today. She wore a sleeveless pink blouse along with a pale beige skirt that landed slightly above her knees. The low-heeled sandals revealed how much shorter she was than he and his brothers, as well as how feminine she was. His brothers were nearby, too, and as they watched the video and saw the pictures she’d created, he was utterly impressed. It all gave a more family-themed feel to the high-class hotel and invited families to stay, not just businessmen. He absolutely loved it, especially the end pictures and the family gathering and the little girls having a tea party. As the video ended, the lights came on, and they were silent.
“I’m so impressed, Venetia. It was perfect,” Roman told her, and she smiled.
“Thank you.” She looked at Apollo, and he nodded.
“Surprisingly, I loved it, too. I never thought of the family aspect of the hotel or the amenities and how they cater toward the family atmosphere as well as the business men and women.”
“Excellent job. I’m completely impressed. I love the ending, too. It draws in more attention to the family side of the hotel,” Garvan said next as they all stood up.
“I’m so glad that you like it. I wasn’t certain you would approve of the ending and the family route, but those little girls were just so cute and their family very nice.”
“They thought you were very nice, too,” Apollo stated, and Garvan wondered what he meant. Garvan noticed Venetia’s expression as she squinted and spoke to Apollo.
“Excuse me, what do you mean?”
“Guy Williams. He always stays at our hotel when he’s visiting. That was his family and grandchildren who were there playing. He told me he had a very nice conversation with you, too,” Apollo told her and then walked over to the portfolio.
“Wait, why would he call you?”
“I called him.”
“How would you know I was there talking with him?”
He gazed over her body, and Garvan watched her walk closer to his brother.
“I knew where you were. Had people watching you and available to assist you if need be.”
Her mouth gaped open, and she placed her hands on her hips.
“How dare you.” She raised her voice.
“I dare because I wanted to know where you were at all times so I could access you whenever I wanted.”
“Access me? Access me?” She got louder.
“I’m certain he doesn’t mean that in a degrading manner,” Roman said to her. She shot him a look.
“Wait a minute, I get it. You used me to make your snobby rich girlfriend get jealous. She knew exactly who I was when she approached me earlier today and threatened me. God damn it, I don’t believe this. You know what, Mr. Corbias, I’m not interested in working for you anymore. You can mail a check to my PO box.” She started to walk away. Apollo caught up to her, grabbed her upper arm, and turned her around.
“Threatened you? Who threatened you? What snobby rich girlfriend? I don’t even have a girlfriend.”
“Well, tell that to miss model Clarette. She basically told me to keep away from her man, that she was working hard to land you, and your brothers.” She looked at Roman and Garvan.
Garvan swore under his breath, and so did Roman.
“Really, Apollo? You go out on one date with that woman and she becomes our stalker? This is ridiculous. She threatened Venetia. That’s unacceptable,” Roman stated firmly.
“Just mail me the check.”
Apollo wouldn’t let her go.
“No, I’m not mailing you a check. I’m not letting you walk out that door believing that I’m involved with that crazy witch.”
“Well then, I’ll just leave knowing that you were spying on me, had people watching me, so I was accessible to you. What did you think, Apollo? That I would be like other women and throw myself at you? Sleep with you because, why? You have money, power, drive a damn Lamborghini? Everyone knows that Ferraris are cooler. Just leave me alone and don’t call me for additional work. I don’t need this.” She pulled away, and he reached for her.
“No. Don’t go. I was an idiot. I’m sorry.” He stared down into her eye
s and pulled her close. They stared at one another, and Garvan could see how upset Apollo was.
“I’m a big, fucking asshole.”
“Yes, you are.”
Roman chuckled, and Garvan placed his hand on her shoulder, and she gasped, tightened up, and looked at him.
Garvan held her gaze and reached up and cupped her cheek. He gently stroked her lower lip with the pad of his thumb. “My God, you’re so beautiful.”
Her lips parted, and Garvan inched closer.
“Oh, God. Don’t, Garvan. It’s already a mistake, me still standing here.”
“How can it be a mistake when we’re all feeling the same thing?” Roman added, and now he was next to her, too.
Garvan was shocked. He felt his body shaking. He never expected to find a woman they would all want, but damn it, it seemed they wanted Venetia.
Roman placed his hand on her hip.
“Need to go. Now.” She lowered her head and squeezed from between them. She nearly stumbled as she reached for her bag and the portfolio.
“Don’t go,” Roman said.
“Just mail me the check.” She hurried from the room.
“Holy fucking shit,” Roman whispered and then ran his fingers through his hair.
“Why the hell did you have people watching her? Why say those things to her and act so controlling? It’s obvious the woman doesn’t like to be controlled and handled,” Garvan said to Apollo.
“I wanted to be sure she was for real. Since the night I saw her in Carlyle’s, I couldn’t get her out of my mind.”
“Really, Apollo? Then why the date for lunch with Clarette?”
“I didn’t have a date planned with her. She texted me saying to meet her there, and I never responded. I was just being polite in front of Venetia and Lisa. Really, I was pissed off, and the moment we finished up with Venetia, I called Clarette and told her to quit it and that I wasn’t interested.”
“Then why was she at the hotel?” Roman asked.
“Her friend works there. She must have told her about my request of keeping eyes on Venetia when she was there and assumed I was involved with her.”
A Six-Pack & a Shot at Love [Love on the Rocks 1] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Page 4
