by Haley Travis
Checking Every Box
(InstaLove Lists 1 of 2)
By Haley Travis
Copyright 2020 Haley Travis. All rights reserved. Cover design by Lexie Renard.
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted or duplicated in any form whatsoever without express written permission of the author. This book is intended for sale to adults only. This is a work of fiction. Any similarities to actual people or specific locations or details is completely coincidental, or intended fictitiously. All characters are over 18, no sex partners are related, all sex is consensual. This is fantasy. In the real world, everyone practices safe sex at all times. Right? Right.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter One ~ Heather
Chapter Two ~ Steve
Chapter Three ~ Heather
Chapter Four ~ Steve
Chapter Five ~ Heather
Chapter Six ~ Steve
Chapter Seven ~ Heather
Chapter Eight ~ Steve
Chapter Nine ~ Heather
Chapter Ten ~ Steve
Chapter Eleven ~ Heather
Chapter Twelve ~ Steve
Chapter Thirteen ~ Heather
Chapter Fourteen ~ Steve
Epilogue ~ Steve
Other Stories and About the Author
CHAPTER ONE
* Heather *
I knew it was going to be a weird day when I was stuck on six across, “Four letter word for desire.” Tapping my pencil against the free newspaper on the subway, I realized it had been so long since I’d felt any desire at all. It couldn’t be “love” since the last letter was a T. Could it be “want”?
Dammit. I wanted to feel some spark, some desire. It had been far too long since I’d even considered it.
Yet now was not the right time. According to my life plan, I should start looking for a boyfriend next month, once I’d worked at my brother’s real estate brokerage for a full year. No distractions until I was settled. It was the only logical schedule, and I almost always stuck to my lists.
My older brother Joel had taken a chance by hiring me, and there was no way I would let him down. He knew that I was a good worker, but I was often a bit shy and skittish. Finally, after completing some administration courses, I found a way to hold myself together.
I just made lists, then checked off boxes. It was an incredibly simple concept, but somehow looking at everything in a tidy, linear format made me feel like I was in control. No matter how scattered or anxious I felt, once I saw everything in a row, I knew that I could handle it.
My schedule for finding a boyfriend could begin after I had a little financial stability, and could spend a bit more effort on my hair, my wardrobe, and going out to meet interesting men. Right now, my plain dresses and long, straight hair was a prim, quiet look that likely wouldn’t turn many heads.
Giving up on the crossword for now, I squished out of the subway with a crowd of people, and walked the block to the fancy blue glass building that held Highfield Real Estate Brokerage. Joel’s company was on the twenty-second floor, so I was glad I was running a few minutes early as I waited for the elevator.
I was accustomed to shuffling into the small space with a dozen people, but today everyone seemed a little extra aggressive. I found myself being shoved against a tall man in a perfect black suit. As I stumbled, I put my hands out to stop myself from falling, landing with my palms flat on his chest.
Instantly his arm slid around my waist, holding me. “Are you all right?” he asked. His voice was deep, but it was a gentle tone.
Looking up, I couldn’t believe that such deep blue eyes belonged to a man with such black hair and tan skin. “I’m fine, sorry,” I practically whispered. Snatching my hands away, I turned slightly so that we were shoulder to shoulder. Well, his was nearly a foot above mine.
“Everyone must be in a ferocious hurry today,” he said, shaking his head. “I thought we were all supposed to be mellow on Fridays.”
Looking up to smile back at his warm grin, I couldn’t believe how handsome he was. Tall, and wide through the shoulders with a sweet smile and piercing eyes. Although I hadn’t revised my list of most attractive qualities in a man lately, so far he was checking every box.
Feeling like I was blushing, I turned away quickly, slipping off the elevator and walking quickly to my desk. Pulling my phone and newspaper out of my bag, I set them down next to my water bottle, then turned to go to the coffee room. But there was a massive black suit in my way. He must have followed me straight off the elevator.
“Hello again,” he said. “I’m Steve Oxford, with a nine am appointment for Joel Highfield.”
Peering across the hall, I could see that my brother wasn’t in his office yet.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Oxford,” I said, channeling my best attempt at a confident tone. “Mr. Highfield had a breakfast meeting, but I’m sure he’s on his way in. If you don’t mind having a seat, I’d be happy to fetch you a coffee.”
“Lust.”
A shiver ran through me, as I realized that was indeed what I was feeling for this incredibly gorgeous man who was standing just a few inches too close to me. Could he sense it?
“Pardon me?” I whispered.
He pointed to my newspaper. “Six across. Four letter word for desire. Lust.” I breathed a sigh of relief, as he chuckled. “It seems like we both need a coffee. Let me help you.”
Despite my protests, he came with me to the break room, helping me put on a pot of coffee even though he was more in my way since he didn’t know where everything was kept. But he was quick to laugh, and very pleasant to stare at. The tiniest lilt of a British accent didn’t hurt either.
“How long have you been working here?” he asked as the coffee brewed.
“In three weeks it will be one year,” I said.
His thick eyebrows raised. “Very precise. I admire that.”
I reached up to the shelf to get mugs, but he stepped behind to reach right over me. “Allow me,” he said smoothly. “This is an important day, so I think we’ll need the larger mugs.”
He was a bit too close, a bit too friendly. It wasn’t inappropriate, it was just a little strange. I liked it, but I could not allow myself to get flustered.
One of the main rules of being a receptionist and assistant was to keep clients happy and comfortable. One way to do that was to keep them talking about themselves.
“Why is this an important day for you?” I asked, pulling both cream and milk from the fridge, but he waved it away.
“I’ve been searching for the perfect condo for several months, and Joel assures me that he has a few available that met every single one of my requirements.”
He poured our coffee, then flashed me a wink. “Feel free to call me fussy, but I actually had a very stringent list of criteria for my new home.”
Splashing just a little milk into my coffee I grinned. “Making a list is the perfect way to keep things in order. I have a list for nearly everything.”
He clinked his mug against mine, as I realized that having him so close to me in this tiny room was starting to do unusual things to my heart rate. “The more organized we are, the more efficient we are,” he stated. “That allows us to get our work done so that we can relax and enjoy our lives. Don’t you think?”
I nodded, taking a sip of blissfully rich, dark coffee. “Absolutely. Joel should be in by now. May I show you
to the conference room?”
“Certainly. Thank you.”
As we passed my desk, he picked up his briefcase again, and I led him to our conference room with a glorious view of other office towers and the water. “Thank you very much…” He paused. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”
“Heather,” I said. “Is there anything else I can get you?”
He paused, looking into my eyes as if he were trying to read me. “I’m fine for now. Thank you very much, Heather.”
I went back to my desk, immediately filling in six across. Lust. That wasn’t something I had any experience with. But with my strange heart rate and twitching fingers, I was certainly feeling something new around Steve. I opened my laptop, quickly skimming the day’s tasks, then saw that Joel was rushing in. “Mr. Oxford is in the conference room for you,” I said quickly.
“Right, thanks.” My brother dropped his shoulder bag behind my chair, squared his shoulders, then strolled into the conference room.
“Steve, how are you?” I heard him say before he closed the door behind him.
As I began to make my daily to-do list, I was distracted from trying to eavesdrop. Even though I couldn’t make out the words, it sounded like the meeting was going well. That was sort of a disappointment. A naughty little part of me almost hoped that Joel wouldn’t find Steve the perfect place for a few weeks so that he’d be dropping in several more times.
CHAPTER TWO
* Steve *
I’d never met a woman who was so beautiful that I completely lost my focus. For years I had prided myself on being analytical, logical, and direct. It worked well when I was buying and selling companies, tearing apart and putting together different corporations, and reconfiguring various teams.
But that girl. That sweet, adorable young lady who shifted everything and made me feel like a new man. She seemed a bit flustered, maybe even timid. But she tried so hard to focus on the job at hand that I was impressed.
It was also impressive that she wore a very modest dress, her long blonde hair falling in gentle waves around her shoulders. She looked timeless, in a way that was positively endearing.
Even as Joel was showing me five different properties, scrolling through endless photos, I couldn’t help picturing Heather sitting on the sofa of the beautifully staged living rooms. Heather at the window looking out over the breathtaking view.
I’d never wanted a woman this much in my life, and it was a bit unnerving. As if a part of my mind had been lying dormant, and was just waking now. Yet I tried to push it aside just a little longer.
Joel had taken my criteria to heart, and we quickly narrowed the list down to two properties that fit the bill. “That’s wonderful,” he said brightly. “We could have one of our agents give you a tour of both places tomorrow.”
“I’d rather hoped that I could see them today,” I said. “I’d like to get things sorted so that I can get my move sorted.”
Joel looked uncomfortable. “I’m terribly sorry, Steve, but we only have two other agents at this brokerage. Everyone is completely booked up today.”
A tiny glimmer of hope flashed through me. “What about your assistant?” I asked. “Perhaps she could accompany me?”
Joel instantly shook his head. “She’s not an agent.”
“She won’t be acting as an agent,” I said quickly. “She’ll just be security, so to speak. I’m certain that you can’t give the keys to anyone but an employee of your brokerage. Heather would simply be escorting me while I complete a self-directed property tour. I can take note of any questions, and email you. If all goes well, we can close a deal by the end of the day.”
His eyes lit up at the thought of closing today. I knew that sales agents always had weekly targets, and if you wanted to get something done fast, a Friday afternoon was the time.
“Well,” he considered, “She would be able to call me with any questions as well. Sure, just this once.”
“Excellent,” I said, gathering the paperwork and finishing my coffee.
Joel went out to explain the situation to Heather, who seemed a bit wary of the idea. Although I couldn’t make out what she was saying, I guessed from her tone that she was focused on doing a good job, which was tricky when you didn’t have enough experience.
After giving them a few moments to chat, I came out to stand beside them at Heather’s desk. “Heather, I’m truly sorry to trouble you with this, but I’m one of those terribly pushy men who like to get things done in a hurry,” I smiled as warmly as possible.
She looked up at me from her chair, nervous, but nodding. “Okay.”
My pulse actually quickened from the thought of spending more time with this little sweetheart. Although I knew I should maintain my professional demeanor, I also knew that I’d be asking her out before the day was through.
CHAPTER THREE
* Heather *
While Joel and Steve chatted in the conference room, I tried to release the twitchy, fluttery energy that was attempting to overtake me. Steve was so gorgeous that it was almost a bit uncomfortable to be too close to him.
As always, when I need to calm myself down, I made a list. Going through the emails and calendar events of the day, I saw that today’s workload would be fairly light.
Joel, along with Brad and David, the other two real estate agents at this company, all had off-site meetings for most of the day. This would leave me alone to answer the phones, respond to emails, and get super organized for the coming week.
I had just finished writing down a nice row of office tasks such as cleaning the break room and checking the office supply cupboard, when Joel appeared. “Heather, I’m going to need you to take a client on two property tours today.”
Instantly I shook my head. “I can’t do that. I’m just the assistant.”
He held up his hands, flashing that damn big brother grin that instantly told me everything was going to be alright. “You won’t have to do anything official,” he said. “You unlock the condo, walk around the space with him, tell him how fabulous it is, and leave. That’s it.”
“What if he has questions?”
“You write them all down, or you call me. If it goes well, we might be able to close today, and since the month-end is on Monday, this could be great for our numbers.”
It was physically difficult not to roll my eyes. Joel and his accountant always had some bizarrely complicated system of targets and goals to hit every month, and I didn’t understand a word of it. But Joel had built this place from the ground up, and obviously knew precisely what he was doing.
This was a big opportunity for me to help, and prove to him that I was ready to go further in this company and take on more responsibility.
I mentally ran through a quick list of why I’d be good at this, to give myself a pep talk. I could give him a woman’s view of the properties. I’d watched the agents working, and viewed so many property tour videos that I knew what to highlight and what to skim by. I was a visual person, so I could make suggestions for renovations if need be.
Taking a slow breath, I was about to agree when Steve came out of the conference room to stand over me. Listening to him explain how much he needed me to help him, I tried not to melt from the gaze of those piercing blue eyes.
“Okay,” I nodded.
Joel gave me the addresses, the keys, and I grabbed my purse. Steve escorted me through the lobby, and I was struck again by how tall he was. He was just larger than life. “I really appreciate this,” he said gently as we stepped into an empty elevator.
“Where are you moving here from?” I asked, trying to transfer the conversation to him immediately.
He shook his head. “That’s the thing. I haven’t had a home base in the past two years. I bounced around from New York to Chicago to LA, then spent the last three weeks in Dallas. “
As we walked through the lobby out onto the street, I said, “That’s terrible. I mean, I hope it’s good for your work, but it must be exhausting no
t having a place to come home to.”
He nodded. “Living out of hotels is amusing for about two days, then the shine wears off,” he chuckled. Steve looked up and down the street. “Shall I flag down a cab?”
“Sure, thank you.”
In just a few minutes we climbed out of the car in front of the grand entrance to a very prestigious condominium building. “Wow,” I muttered to myself.
Steve flashed a delighted grin. “Well, that’s a good sign. If the entrance impresses women, that might work out well for me, right?”
It was surprising how easily he made me laugh. It was shocking how comfortable I was with him, even as my belly fluttered with every glance and every little touch as he tapped my elbow escorting me through the door.
When we got into the elevator, it wasn’t just the high speed that made my stomach drop, but the way he stood close beside me even though we were the only people there.
