The Philadelphia Series: The Complete Collection Boxed Set

by Taryn Plendl

  “Come on, babe, let’s dance.” I gently pulled Ava toward the dance floor, stopping when Kyle grabbed my arm.

  “Ava doesn’t dance,” he said, a little too confident for his own good.

  I looked at my arm where Kyle’s hand was and then back up to the man. I could see Nick and Tom headed my way out of the corner of my eye, obviously preparing for this to go sour and ready to back me up. I flexed my forearm and looked him in the eyes, daring him to make another move. I guess the menacing look I gave him must have done the trick, because Kyle removed his hand before I even spoke.

  “She doesn’t, huh?” I looked at Ava who looked like she was almost in shock as she tried to figure out what was happening right in front of her. “Well, Kyle, maybe she was just waiting for the right partner.” Asshole! “If you’ll excuse us …” I turned Ava back to the dance floor and led her out, still holding her close.

  When we were far enough away for Kyle to not hear us, Ava whispered, “I really don’t dance.”

  I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close. “Follow my lead; he’s still watching you.” She trembled slightly, and I wondered if she was afraid of Kyle or me .

  She answered my question when she put her arms around me and allowed me to pull her against me. She let me lead her in soft, fluid movements, as I placed my hands on her hips.

  “You want to tell me what the hell that was about, Trevor? That is your name, right?” Ava asked, plastering a smile on her face for Kyle’s benefit. Ah, there is that confident woman I saw before.

  “I guess I just assumed you needed saving from that guy. Want to talk about it?” I smiled innocently down at her.

  “I don’t need saving from anyone, and besides, I don’t even know you. Why would I talk to you about my personal life?” Ava grumbled, even as she seemed to lean more into the safety of my arms.

  I sighed. God, I wasn’t doing the best job with her so far. I was thoroughly off my game with this girl. “Look, I’m sure you don’t need saving, but I saw him put his hands on you, and I guess I just saw red.” I wrapped my arms tighter around Ava’s waist, pulling her even closer, instinctively feeling mightily protective of her. I leaned down closer to her and couldn’t help but smell her hair as it lay across her shoulders. I swore she gasped, which made me almost groan out loud.

  “There is obviously a history there, and if you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine, but no man should put his hands on you, ever,” I growled. Her eyes widened. “I’m sorry, Ava.” I was scaring her now.

  “I need to go find Talia. It’s late. I really should go home,” she claimed, not sounding very convincing.

  Before she could pull back, I leaned down and covered her mouth with mine. She let out an involuntary moan. I ran my hand up her spine and wrapped her hair around my fist, gently pulling back to raise her face. My tongue moved lightly across the seam of her lips until it was able to slip gently between them as they parted. I made gentle sweeping, swirling motions inside her mouth, delirious by the sweet invasion.

  When I felt her tongue begin to mingle with mine, I groaned, nibbling and teasing and taking pleasure from the soft caresses of our lips and tongues moving in sync. Before I was ready, we were forced apart by an overzealous dancer. I steadied her before reclaiming her mouth with another quick kiss. God, she was stunning!

  Her lips were pink and swollen, and she was breathing in short pants. “Wow,” Ava whispered. Yeah, wow! Holy shit! I don’t think I’d ever had such a hot kiss. I smiled as I looked over her shoulder. “He left.”

  ***

  Ava

  I flinched when I came back to a painful reality. Are you kidding me? Undoubtedly the most breathtaking kiss of my life, just shared with Trevor, was no more than part of his game to make Kyle jealous. I had just allowed myself to be a pawn in a ridiculous cockfight between two arrogant men. Stupid Ava!

  Stepping back, I put some much-needed distance between us. Smoothing my shirt and tucking my hair behind my ear, I looked back up at him, working hard to restore my much needed self control. “Well, thanks. Glad you could give him a good show,” I retorted.

  I turned and grabbed Talia just as she moved by me on the dance floor. “Come on. Let’s go.” Thank God Talia was too far gone to put up a fight as she stumbled behind me.

  “Ava, wait!” Trevor shouted as he pushed his way through the crowded dance floor trying to get to me. I picked up the pace, practically dragging Talia now. “Slow down, girl! Where’s the fire?” she giggled behind me, gripping my arm so she wouldn’t fall as I dragged her through the parking lot.

  I looked back to see Trevor reach the door to the parking lot just as I was shutting my car door. Thankfully, the crowd slowed him down. He jogged toward my car, waving his arms, but I backed out and drove onto the road before he could stop me.

  I looked in my rearview mirror in time to see him punching the light pole next to him so hard that he left a dent. Well, this was an eventful night!

  “I suppose you don’t want to talk about it, right?” Talia giggled. I was thankful she was drunk. Hopefully she wouldn’t remember this in the morning.

  Chapter 2

  Ava

  “Oh my God, I am dying!” I heard Talia groan from her bedroom. I couldn’t help but smile, knowing how utterly out of it she had been last night, and quite frankly, I was shocked that she was even awake yet.

  I poured my hung over friend a glass of cold orange juice, put a couple of pieces of cinnamon toast on a plate, and moved down the hall to the bedroom. I had crashed at her apartment last night. After getting her to bed and calming myself down, I didn’t feel like driving back to my aunt’s place.

  “Good morning, sunshine!” I set the plate and glass next to the bed and headed into the bathroom in search of some aspirin, returning with the bottle a minute later.

  “Thanks,” Talia whispered as she tossed the two pills in her mouth and swallowed them with the juice.

  “Remind me why you think this is fun?” I laughed softly at my friend’s distress. I never understood the appeal of getting downright smashed. You always seemed to regret it the next day. Well, shit, who was I kidding? I was perfectly sober, and I was regretting last night, too. I can’t believe I allowed myself to fall for that crap. Here I was trying to regain control of my life, and I allow some stranger at a club to make me lose my senses. I am grounding myself from going out!

  “This is not the fun part, Ava,” Talia grimaced as she took a bite of toast. “However, last night was way beyond!” I giggled at the sparkle that appeared in her eyes. Talia was always the life of the party: amazing and caring ER nurse by day, spontaneous party animal by night!

  “Please, do you even remember any of last night?” I lay back on her bed closing my eyes and stretching my arms over my head.

  “As a matter of fact, I do.” She pushed her covered foot into my ribs. “Especially a certain friend of mine making out with a sinfully hot man on the dance floor!”

  Of course she remembers that. I groaned and rolled over to my side, propping myself up on my elbow. “It wasn’t like that.” Damn, I seriously wish it had been!

  “Really? ‘Cause it sure looked as if that was exactly what it was like.” She smirked as she took a bite of toast.

  “Kyle was there.” I knew that would get her attention. She hated Kyle.

  “Excuse me? How did I miss that prick?” Talia sat up, looking concerned. She was the one helping me pick up the pieces, and if she hated him before, she now looked as if she could kill him.

  “He caught me as I stepped out of the bathroom. I ignored him and tried to walk away, but he grabbed my arm.” I looked down, noticing for the first time the faint bruises he had left around my forearm.

  “That son-of-a-bitch! I’m going to kill him!” Talia pulled my arm toward her for a better look, running her fingers over my arm checking for … who knows. She was in a dreadful combination of mom and nurse mode.

  “Simmer down, tiger!” I laughed at th
e pint-size blonde, who I was almost positive could put even the most obnoxious doctor in his place.

  “Trevor, the sinfully hot man, saved me. He pretended he was my date.” I rolled back onto my back, remembering how safe and protected I’d felt in his arms. Stupid, stupid, Ava! There was no doubt in my mind that he could take on Kyle. Trevor seemed arrogant, but he looked like he could back it up. Kyle, on the other hand, was too arrogant for his own good. The bit of fear I saw on his face after he put his hands on Trevor was more satisfying than I could say.

  “That is what the kiss was about—just a show for Kyle.” I tried hard to keep the disappointment out of my voice, but it was impossible, and Talia noticed, too.

  “Ava, he may have pretended to be your date to get you away from Kyle, but there was absolutely nothing pretend about that kiss.” She fanned her face with her hand. “I almost came right there on the dance floor watching you two.”

  I sat up with my mouth hanging open. “Sometimes, I really wonder about you. You are so wrong on so many levels!” I stood up and walked to the door, trying my best to hide my smile. “I need to get home.” I blew her a kiss.

  I could still hear Talia giggling as I closed the front door, shaking my head.

  ***

  I crashed down on my aunt’s sofa and groaned. My feet were killing me!

  I’d spent the entire weekend looking at numerous apartments. My aunt had insisted that she didn’t mind me living with her, and we hardly even saw each other anyway because she worked nights, but after two years of living with Kyle, I was actually quite excited about having my own place.

  Out of the five apartments I had looked at over the last two days, I finally decided on one. It was close to work and Starbucks—in the Center City business district—very weighty things. It was also beautiful!

  The large apartment complex had been totally overhauled, and the unit I would be getting had not even been lived in yet! The floors were a gorgeous dark hardwood, and the walls were freshly painted a rich crème color. The kitchen was just begging to be used with its ample counter space, granite, and top of the line appliances. I had half a mind to take some cooking classes just so I could do it justice.

  It was going to set me back a little more than I had planned, but I could afford it, and I wanted it. It was time to think about my wants and needs for a change.

  Next weekend was moving day. I should let Talia know that she is helping me. Most importantly, I should probably let her know so she could tone down the hangover. She wouldn’t be any help if she was walking around like she was ready to shatter at any moment.

  I looked around, taking in my surroundings. I honestly didn’t have much to move anyway. After I had caught Kyle in the disgusting act, the thought of bringing any of the furniture with me made me sick. Who knows what and who had been on it? Gross! Nope, I would make a fresh start. That meant I needed to go do some serious shopping this week. I guess I would have to plan it for after work.

  As excited as I was about the new apartment, I was utterly exhausted. If I was going to be worth a darn tomorrow, I needed to get some rest.

  ***

  I juggled my coffee and cinnamon raisin bagel in one hand as I tried to maneuver my way through the glass door of the high-rise office building.

  The hustle and bustle of the city in the morning was something that never got old. I loved the energy of the people; if only someone would slow down enough to hold the door for me. Good thing for ample hips!

  I managed to make it to the elevator with only one coffee mishap. Hopefully I still had some of those Shout wipes in my desk still. The elevator doors finally opened to the fifteenth floor, and I fought my way to the front to exit.

  Monday mornings were always a bit crazy. They began with the usual morning meeting with the staff on the advertising floor. With so many new accounts coming in, I was hoping to head one of the projects for once. I had worked in the advertising field for almost four years. I had to be tough and tenacious. Driven. Focused. That probably had something to do with the demise of my relationship with Kyle. Somewhere along the line, my love life had taken the back burner, not to mention that Kyle was a complete ass to me. I see that now more than ever.

  “Good morning, Ava.” Chelsea, the cute red head receptionist, greeted me.

  “Good morning, Chelsea. How was your weekend?” I had always gotten along great with the young woman. She was pleasant to a fault and hardly ever riled, which wasn’t easy in this man-driven office.

  “Uneventful.” She shrugged. “The meeting is in ten minutes in the board room.” She handed me a folder and excused herself when the phone rang.

  I hurried down the hallway to my small office and tossed my purse in the desk drawer. I searched for a Shout wipe and went to work on the coffee stain on my chest. Great! It looked like I was lactating! When it was as good as it was going to get, I tossed it into the garbage, pulled my jacket tighter around me, and logged into my computer to check some final accounts before the meeting.

  My office was small and was actually supposed to be shared, but I had been there alone for the last four months after the other creative director left. I didn’t mind having it to myself. It was a delightful break to be able to work in quiet.

  I grabbed my folders and iPad for notes, smoothed my hair, and walked into the hallway.

  “Good morning, Ava.” Shit! I tried not to groan. Josh was one of the copy editors for the advertising firm. He was personable, but was always a tad too friendly and seemed to always be encroaching on my personal space. I mean, seriously, back the hell up!

  “Morning Josh.” I put on my best smile and then realized it might have been too much when I saw the way Josh seemed to be encouraged by it. Down boy!

  Thankfully, we arrived to the boardroom right then and found our usual seats, away from each other, at the large familiar dark table. I set my things down and focused on the folders in front of me, going through some last minute things in my head. I wanted to be ready to prove that I was capable of heading one of the accounts. I could hear bits and pieces of the various conversations, but I tried to block them out.

  The large oak door shut firmly. “Good morning everyone.” George Jameson was the CEO of Jameson and Cartwright Advertising. He was a natural leader who demanded 100% from his employees. He was tough, but fair. I had always respected him. “We have a lot to cover in a short amount of time, so I’m going to be brief. If something needs clarifying, come see me later.” He sat down as his assistant handed out papers to each of us.

  “We have several new large accounts, and you will all find yourselves with a bit more responsibility in the coming weeks.” My heart danced a bit, hoping that this was my time.

  “Ava, I’m going to give you the Daniels account.” WooHoo!

  I had to school my emotions so that I didn’t jump out of my chair and do a happy dance—especially knowing what I looked like when I danced. “Yes sir,” I said calmly, even as my knee bounced excitedly under the table. The Daniels account was for a group of new night clubs in the area. Talia was going to love this!

  Mr. Jameson continued, “They want a woman’s perspective on this, but I am going to pair you up with someone else, as well.”

  I should have known it was too good to be true. “May I ask who, sir?” Please, not Josh!

  Mr. Jameson smiled. “Of course. Please allow me to introduce you all to our newest Creative Director, Trevor Dawson.” Shut the front door! No! It couldn’t be. I looked up from my iPad slowly. I could feel it in my gut before I even had the chance to look.

  My world came to a crazy halt as I locked eyes—beautiful green eyes—with the same man I had spent the last two days trying to forget. Oh crap, it most certainly could be!

  Chapter 3

  Trevor

  I noticed her right away as she walked into the boardroom with the other man, who consequently, I already didn’t like. Her long dark hair was pulled back in a twist at the nape of her neck; wow, she looked fucking phen
omenal! I’m not sure I’d seen a business dress and a blazer look so sexy before. I smiled when I noticed the wet spot on her chest where she obviously spilled something. I could almost make out a bit of lace underneath.

  She took a seat several spots down from me on the same side and immediately lost herself in some papers, oblivious to her surroundings, so I took the opportunity to check her out. She was as breathtaking as I remembered, and I began to thank my lucky stars that someone was obviously looking out for me. Oh man, was I thankful!

  I’d spent the whole weekend pissed off at myself for the stupid mistake I’d made on Friday night. Nick and Tom and been ribbing me the entire time, too. I guess that kiss was good enough to catch their attention from the bar. That kiss! It was incredible—hands down the best kiss I’d ever had—and after my testosterone fueled moment, Ava thought it was just for show.

  Granted, that was what started it, but from the moment my lips touched hers, I was lost to it. Everyone around us had disappeared, and I was alone with her and engaged entirely in the kiss we were sharing. Then I went and opened my big mouth and totally screwed it up.

  After she had gotten away, I had no idea how I was going to find her again, but I knew I wasn’t going to stop until I did. I had plans to frequent every club looking for her again, but now she was sitting right in front of me. Nick and Tom are going to shit when I tell them this!

  I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard Mr. Jameson say my name. I looked around the table when I realized he had introduced me and saw smiles and greetings, and then I settled my eyes on Ava. Oh yes, baby, it’s me!

  To say she looked shocked would be down-playing it for sure. Was it so wrong that it amused me ever so slightly? I couldn’t help myself—I smiled brightly at her and winked, almost laughing out loud when her eyes got wide.