Her eyes narrowed at him calling her ma’am. “Now, Kurtis, you know I’ve told you again and again to call me Sky.”
“Sorry, Sky.”
“Can I call you Kurt?” she asked teasingly, obviously attempting to hold in the laughter.
“I prefer Kurtis.”
“Well, that is your name.” She eyed him. “Isn’t it?” She moved past him, and he turned his back to Genevieve and gave his sister a piercing look before she walked out into the hallway.
“I’ll be right back,” he told Genevieve.
He did his best to look calm as he walked out the door, even though he felt nothing of the sort.
“Sky,” he whisper-shouted after her.
She slowed her steps so he could catch up. “What are you doing, Bash?” she asked quietly.
He caught her up on all that had happened that morning. “Do you know how long it’s been since I really got to know someone, since someone got to know me, without the Schultz name getting in the way?”
“Sebastian.” Her voice held a warning.
“Never, Sky. Never.”
She looked down, sadly.
“She’s different. I can just tell. But I need to be sure she’s for real … before I tell her who I am.”
“Oh, Bash.” She squeezed his arm. “I understand what you’re saying, and I know what you’ve been through, but I don’t think lying to her about who you are is the right way to go about it.”
He hung his head a little. “It just happened. I promise I won’t let it go on for too long.”
Skylar shook her head. “This is so not like you.”
“I thought I was fine with being single, until she walked through that door. And then when she opened her mouth and started to speak, I found myself wanting to know more about her, wanting to hear every thought in her head. I’ve never felt like this before. Not even with … well, you know.”
Skylar nodded, and he knew she understood. Just the thought of her still made his blood boil.
“I know.”
“So, will you keep my secret for now?” he practically begged.
“All right.”
“Sky, thank you.” He pulled her in for a hug, knowing she was reluctant about this.
“But if she straight up asks me, I’m not going to lie to her, Bash.”
“Okay. Understood. It won’t come to that.”
“I hope you’re right.” She rolled her eyes. “I can’t believe you talked me into this.”
“Thank you,” he mouthed as he moved toward the office again.
She walked away, shaking her head.
Sebastian breathed a sigh of relief. With both of his siblings on his side, this could work.
He glanced down the empty hallway and entered her office again. She was standing beside her desk now, jotting something on a notepad.
“Sorry about that. I had to ask her a couple things. New product launch.”
Genevieve gave him her attention as she set her notepad down. “What are you doing here? Did Sebastian send you to work on the regatta?”
“The regatta? No, but he did mention it to me.”
“Oh, good. I’m excited to start working on it.”
“So am I.” He stepped closer. “But I actually stopped by to ask if you’d like to go to lunch.”
“Oh.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “That sounds really nice, but I already made lunch plans.”
“You did?” He tried not to let his voice betray how upset that made him. “With whom?”
“A working lunch with Sebastian.”
“Traitor,” he grumbled under his breath.
“What was that?”
“Uh, maybe tomorrow then.”
Her smile melted his heart. “I’d like that.”
“Okay, good. I’ll see you later then.”
She gave him a cute wave as he walked out of the office and headed straight for the exit.
I’m going to kill my brother.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Sebastian burst into Gus’s office.
Gus set his phone down. “Pretending to work.”
“You’re taking her to lunch?”
A smirk crossed Gus’s face. “Working lunch, brother.”
“Why didn’t you mention this earlier?”
“What’s the big deal? I just want to see what all the fuss is about. If you’re willing to change your identity for this girl, there must be something special about her. And I have to make sure she’s good enough for my big brother.”
Sebastian scowled. “That’s not why.”
“Sure it is.”
He set his eyes on Gus, waiting for him to admit what he already knew.
“Fine. She’s gorgeous.”
“Hands off,” Sebastian warned.
“It’s lunch, Bash. You think I’m going to seduce her in the middle of Cygnus?”
Sebastian’s stomach dropped at his mention of seduction. “I like this girl, Gus.”
“You like a lot of girls.”
His forehead scrunched up. “No, I don’t. But maybe you’re too wrapped up in your own life to notice anyone but yourself.”
“Harsh, Sebastian.”
“Truth hurts, Augustus.”
Gus narrowed his eyes at his brother. “Despite your less than kind comments, I love you, brother. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t think twice about wining and dining the lovely Genevieve.”
The sound that came out of Sebastian’s mouth was nearly a growl.
“I can’t promise she won’t fall in love with me, but I won’t try anything with her.” He held his palm open to Sebastian, revealing the tiny scar from their silly blood brothers ritual when they were kids—cutting a small slit until they drew blood, then clasping hands so their blood blended together.
Sebastian held his hand open showing his identical scar.
They clasped hands and squeezed as they had back then, only without the blood dripping, and pulled each other in for a hug and a pat on the back.
“Bros before—”
“Don’t finish that,” Sebastian scolded his sometimes crass brother.
Gus cracked up laughing.
“I expect you to report back on everything you talk about, especially relating to the fundraiser.”
“Have I mentioned this is a crazy, messed up scheme you’ve got going?”
Sebastian sighed. “I know, okay.”
“I approve.”
Sebastian rolled his eyes. “Of course you do.”
SIX
Genevieve felt out of her element, sitting across from Sebastian Schultz, dining at one of the nicest restaurants in town. The fanciest place she’d ever eaten was Charley’s Crab before her high school prom, but that felt a little more casual than Cygnus 27 in the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, where they were currently seated, looking out over the Grand Rapids skyline and the Grand River below.
“What’s good here?” she asked.
“What isn’t?” The waiter arrived just as Sebastian replied, bringing several plates. “I hope you don’t mind. I ordered ahead for us.”
“Oh, all right.” She did mind, actually, and she had the urge to tell him so, but she kept it to herself. He was probably used to people doing whatever he told them to do, and he was her new boss, so she politely accepted the food from the waiter—a juicy filet mignon with whipped potatoes. Neither of the items on her plate were what she would have chosen for herself. She had always been the kind of girl who put on pounds easily, something her mother was quick to point out, and she’d worked hard to keep them off. Over the years, she’d come to learn that she felt her best when she ate poultry or fish and plenty of vegetables and steered clear of red meat and starchy foods like potatoes. But she wasn’t going to tell Sebastian that.
“So, tell me, Genevieve …” He took a bite of his steak, letting out a satisfied groan. “Where are you from?”
“I’m from Nashville,” she answered. “Michigan, not Tennessee.”
“Where’s that?” he asked.
“I was born right up the street, but I haven’t always lived here. I spent a good part of my early twenties in California.”
“What was in California?”
“The beach and girls,” he replied with a laugh.
“I see. So you haven’t always worked for your family’s company then?”
“I had to figure out who I was first.”
“And did you?” She fixed her stare on him, and a strange look crossed his face. Had her question made him uncomfortable?
“Jury’s still out on that one.” The expression on his face changed in an instant, and he smiled at her. “Do you know who you are?”
“I think so,” she answered. “Most days anyway.”
He nodded as if he understood.
Genevieve chose that moment to taste the potatoes, which were delectable, melting on her tongue. “Oh my word,” she breathed.
He looked up at her. “Is something wrong with your food? We can send it back.” He scanned the room as if looking for a waiter.
“No, the opposite, actually. I’ve never had such delicious mashed potatoes.”
He grinned. “I told you. Everything’s good here.”
She took one more scoop. “Mmmm.”
He chuckled. “What do you like to do most?”
“On the job?” she asked.
“In your free time.”
Genevieve snuck another tiny bite of the potatoes. “What free time? Work is my life.”
“You don’t have to say that. I already believe you’re committed to your job.”
“I’m not just saying that. My last job had me working long hours. I was in charge of all the charity events and a lot of the behind-the-scenes tasks because they were low on staff. I can’t tell you the last time I went out to a restaurant—even for a work-related lunch.”
Sebastian sat back and shook his head. “That’s unacceptable. And I can promise you that will not happen while you’re working for me. Everyone who works at Schultz is like family.”
Genevieve nodded. “I’m getting that impression. I met your sister this morning, and she was so nice and easy to talk to.”
“That’s Sky. She likes to meet all the new employees and get to know everyone. Our dad always had all of us hanging out in the factory when we were young, chatting up the workers.”
“That’s sweet.” She thought about what he’d said. “All of you? Do you have other siblings?”
“A brother, Augustus.”
“Good to know. Will I meet him soon?”
“Uh, probably not. He’s not around the office much these days.” He leaned closer and smirked. “He’s sort of the black sheep of the family.”
“I see.”
“But we don’t need to talk about him. I’d like to hear all your ideas for the regatta. It sounds amazing.”
A little blush colored her cheeks. “Thank you. When I was thinking about this event, I tried to come up with something different. Regattas are fun to watch, and I think having all the events during the day rather than only a dinner and silent auction will make it a huge success.”
“You had me at different.”
She laughed and continued to share more detailed ideas for some of the contests and events throughout the day. Sebastian seemed to hang on her every word, listening intently, never interrupting. She noticed, though, that he went through several glasses of wine. When she was finished, he raised his hand to the waiter, who came to clear away their plates. She felt bad that most of hers had gone untouched, but he didn’t seem bothered.
“It all sounds perfect. And I have no doubt you’ll make this a year to remember.” He reached across the table and squeezed her hand.
She smiled nervously. “Thank you, Mr. Schultz.”
He took his hand away and shook his head. “Call me Gu—bastian.”
She made a face. “Gubastian?”
“Pardon my misspeak.”
She almost laughed, but considering how much he’d had to drink, she decided against it. “You’re pardoned … Sebastian.”
He had an indecipherable expression on his face as he stood and walked around behind her to push her chair in when she stood.
As they walked to the door, he laid a hand on her lower back to guide her out. He sure did seem touchy. She definitely found Sebastian attractive, and he seemed to like her well enough, but she got the impression that he’d taken a lot of the female employees to lunch. Not that she would ever consider dating her boss.
She wondered if the company had policies about dating a coworker, and she thought about Kurtis and smiled to herself. Those warm hazel eyes of his, his hair as deep brown as the dark chocolate truffle she’d eaten that morning, that neatly trimmed facial hair that had her fingers twitching to touch it. He’d changed out of his workout clothes and into a suit by the time he’d come to her office to invite her to lunch, and he looked more handsome than any man should be allowed to look. How could she be expected to get any work done with Kurtis around?
She wondered, though, if he was already involved with someone at the company. She’d wandered over to the door when Kurtis and Skylar had walked down the hallway outside her office earlier, and she’d seen them hug. It had disappointed her, but she didn’t let on that she’d seen.
The same dark car that had driven them to lunch pulled up out front and Sebastian opened the door for her. She climbed in and greeted the driver. “Hello again.”
“Hello, miss.” The man looked over his shoulder at her and smiled.
Sebastian climbed in next to her, and the car sped off in the direction of Schultz Chocolate.
“Thank you for lunch,” she told him.
He leaned in a little closer, and she could smell the alcohol on his breath. “If you had to choose between spending your life with a rich man or a poor man, which would you choose?”
She was amused, but also wondering if this was the drink talking. “Is this a proposal?”
He laughed a little too loudly. “I’m just getting to know you, Genevieve.”
“It wouldn’t matter to me … if I was in love with him.”
“Did you know lack of money is one of the top reasons for divorce?” he asked.
“Makes sense. Money can be a stressful topic. It’s hard enough dealing with finances when you’re single.”
“And you’d still choose a poor man for love?”
“Absolutely.” Her mind returned to Kurtis again.
“Good thing you won’t have to.”
“What does that mean?”
He shook his head as he rubbed his palm down his face. “Nothing.”
Genevieve didn’t know what that was all about, but his line of questioning seemed a little too personal. She was relieved when the car pulled up to the main Schultz Chocolate office.
“Oh, I work at the Foundation. Can you drop me there instead?” She directed her question at the driver.
“I have a surprise for you first,” Sebastian announced.
Genevieve was confused as Sebastian led her down a long hallway on the fifth floor, where marketing and public relations was located. They passed by several offices, rounded a corner, and he opened a door to reveal an office space four times the size of her office at the Foundation. Her eyes took in the large wooden desk in front of a giant leather chair, then turned to the wall of windows looking out over the city. She walked quickly to the window and stared out at the Grand River below.
“This is amazing.”
“It’s yours.”
Her head whipped around to look at him. “What? Are you serious?”
“So, you like it?”
She felt suddenly overwhelmed. Her hand lifted to lay over her heart as she fought back unexpected tears. Don’t cry in front of the boss.
“Are you okay?” He moved closer, and his voice softened and filled with concern.
She bobbed her head up and down. “M
ore than okay.”
“Good.” He tenderly touched her shoulder and smiled at her again.
“But I already have an office at the Foundation. Why would I need an office here?”
“The former head of marketing resigned last week, so this office is newly available. It makes sense for you to be here since you’ll be working closely with us on the regatta.”
“Us?”
“I’m inspired by your vision for this event. If you need me, I’m only an elevator ride away.”
“I appreciate that.” She took a seat at the desk and smiled contentedly.
A smile spread across Sebastian’s face as well.
“Where’s Kurtis’s office?” she asked.
“Kurtis?” The smile left his face. “Oh, right. Kurtis.”
“I’d like to talk to him and start working on a plan to get the word out as soon as possible.”
“I’ll let him know.” Sebastian seemed irritated as he walked out the door and down the hallway.
“Sebastian!” she called out.
He poked his head back into the room. “Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
He flashed her a killer smile before leaving again.
She didn’t know what she’d done to deserve an office like this. When she’d walked through the doors for her meeting this morning, she couldn’t have imagined she’d end up here. But she wasn’t complaining. Not at all. It was a dream come true after what she’d put up with at her former employer.
Meeting Sebastian Schultz had definitely been interesting, and she was happy to discover that Kurtis was right. Sebastian was a pretty great guy. And the rumors about him were wrong. Definitely not a cold fish. He was friendly and thoughtful, and he seemed to like women just fine. Maybe a little too much.
She leaned back in her comfortable leather chair, rotated toward the window, and looked out at the river below. “This will do.”
SEVEN
What is with that girl?” Gus came through Sebastian’s office door and plopped down in the chair opposite his brother.
Sebastian looked at Gus curiously. “Genevieve? What happened?” He’d been nervous at the idea of his brother having lunch with her. Gus was charming and handsome, always a hit with the ladies. He had no trouble getting women to fall for him, especially when he spread his wealth around.
Not The Billionaire Page 3
