After downing another shot of Scotch, Lance plopped onto the couch. He turned the television to a news channel and opened his laptop. He felt too restless to sleep. If it were earlier in the day, he would have gone for a run. Instead he’d settle for immersing himself in work.
An hour later his phone beeped with an incoming text message. He checked it absently, then sat straight up when he realized who it was from.
Sorry about tonight. I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful. Thank you for offering to help me.
Lance put the phone down beside him and pinched the bridge of his nose. He shouldn’t have gone to see her in the first place. If he were smart, he’d stay the hell away from her. He groaned. Ten years hadn’t changed much about how he felt about her. She was still a dangerous temptation. He picked up the phone and texted back, I shouldn’t have driven over without asking if you wanted company.
He guessed at her next words. She would smooth the situation over. Like him, she avoided emotional confrontations. That shared trait had probably been the biggest barrier to them working through whatever the hell had happened during that rollercoaster of a week in Nantucket.
That and the fact that we were so young.
Young and self-absorbed. Me, at least. I don’t know who the hell she was back then. She only let me in that one time.
I shouldn’t have ignored your calls. I’m interviewing for a job tomorrow, and I guess I’m nervous.
Lance swallowed hard. What kind of job?
Clay Landon offered me a job as his personal assistant. I’ve been trying unsuccessfully to find a job in the art world. This might be good for me.
Don’t do it. Don’t ask. I’m starting a new project for the city. They want to revive the area around the capitol building and make it into a place where the community feels comfortable gathering for events and leisure. I could always use someone who knows what regular people like.
When Willa didn’t immediately answer, he reread his last text to her. Shit, that came out wrong. Lance had meant it as a compliment. Willa wasn’t like the women in his social circle. She wasn’t living off Daddy’s money and spending her days deciding which diamond matched best with which outfit. She was grounded. Levelheaded. The longer she went without replying, the more he felt like an ass. I have time tomorrow morning if you’d like to meet and discuss any openings at my office.
The moment it took her to respond felt like an eternity. Thanks, but I have to pass on that one. Goodnight, Lance.
Fuck.
Goodnight, Willa.
Chapter Five
Willa stepped out of the taxi and onto the street. She clutched a folder to her chest and double-checked that she had her purse. After paying the driver she took a deep, fortifying breath and headed up the cement path that led to Dax’s Boston office building. Clay had told her it was easiest for him to have their meeting there.
Her phone rang before she made it inside the building. She paused, dug through her purse for the phone, and was instantly filled with a mix of irritation and relief that it was her sister. Lexi had successfully avoided her since their argument, and it was the longest Willa had gone without speaking to her sister. Lexi had come home each night, but it had been late, and she’d left earlier than normal every morning.
“You’ve got an interview with Clay Landon, you hot shit.” Leave it to Lexi to act as if nothing had happened between them.
Not wanting to argue and make herself even more nervous, Willa played along. “I do. Here’s hoping I get it. The salary he’s offering will make paying rent a breeze.”
“You don’t have to move out, Willa. Actually, Tessa is with Dean so much right now she said her apartment is always vacant. I might crash there for a while.”
Breathe. One thing at a time. “We don’t have to make any fast decisions.”
Instead of addressing her last comment, Lexi said, “Kenzi told me about your interview about five minutes ago, or I would have called you sooner. Tell me you’re not wearing one of your frumpy business suits.”
Willa looked at her reflection in the glass door of the building and smoothed her hand down the skirt of the very outfit her sister was referring to. “I am dressed to be taken seriously.”
“If you want to be taken seriously, turn your ass around, run back to our place, grab anything out of my closet and show him what he’d be saying no to if he turns you down today.”
Willa rolled her eyes skyward. “First, that would make me late.”
“He won’t care if you pick the right dress.”
“Second, I’m interviewing for a job, not a romp on his desk.”
With an impatient sound, Lexi said, “Do you know how many jobs I’ve gotten that I wasn’t qualified for simply because I choose the right outfit for the interview?”
“And how many of those jobs lasted?”
“Who cares? They paid me, didn’t they? My bank never cared if I had one employer or ten. The landlord never did either. You’re the only one who thinks that my way isn’t good enough.”
“It’s not like that—” Willa sighed. Maybe it is. Willa stepped out of the doorway when several men walked by in suits. They didn’t notice her at all. She gave her reflection another look. Her hair was tied back. She’d worn subtle makeup. “I’m not supposed to look like I’m going dancing. It’s a job interview, for God’s sake.”
“Be careful with a man like Clay. Don’t take anything he says seriously.”
“What does that mean?”
Lexi sighed. “I mean if he compliments you or asks you out say no. Don’t let him confuse you. I liked him when I met him, but I’m not so sure now. I don’t trust him, and I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“Have a little faith in me, Lexi. I’m not as naïve as you think I am.”
“Good. Then get in there, get that job, and get out the minute it becomes weird. You don’t owe him anything just because you agree to work for him. Remember that.”
“Okay.”
“And if you have your blouse buttoned up to your neck like a nun, please undo the top two.”
Willa touched the top button of her blouse, which was securely closed. “Why would I want to do that?”
Lexi sighed in disgust. “I give up. Good luck with your interview.”
“Thanks.” Not sure what else to say, Willa hung up and turned off her phone, placing it back in her purse. She raised her chin in determination and walked into the building. I’m going to get this job and not because of what I’m wearing.
Once inside, she entered the elevator with several businessmen and pressed the number for her floor. She fiddled with the button near her neck. I’m not the prude Lexi thinks I am.
Am I?
I button my shirt up this high because it’s more comfortable this way.
If I wanted to show cleavage, I could. It wouldn’t bother me at all. She undid the first button and then the second. With a touch of defiance, she spread the V of the neckline open and smiled. She glanced down. The edge of her bra was still tastefully concealed.
When she raised her eyes she caught a man next to her watching her with interest. He looked about her age, but pale and soft like a man who spent too many hours at a desk. She blushed and looked away. He probably thinks I’m stripping.
I don’t care. His opinion of me doesn’t matter either.
Willa undid the third button of her shirt. It brought the V of the neckline down to the very tip of her bra. If she leaned the wrong way, she’d likely give someone quite a glimpse of her—she made a face as she remembered she’d worn a practical white cotton bra.
She raised her eyes and caught the man across from her still watching her. She glared at him. He looked away. She refastened the third button, but left the top two undone.
I’m not a prude.
Willa was relieved to step out of the elevator when it came to the correct floor. She approached the receptionist and gave her name. “I’m here to see Mr. Landon.”
The young woman gave
her a puzzled look. “Do you have an appointment? He’s in with Mr. Marshall at the moment.”
“I have an interview.”
The woman’s eyebrows rose and fell. “I’ll see if he’s available.” She held a pen above a piece of paper and looked at Willa pointedly.
“Willa Chambers.”
The woman nodded, wrote the name down, then picked up the phone on her desk. “Mr. Marshall? I have a Willa Chambers here. She said she has an interview with Mr. Landon.” She hung up the phone and waved a hand in the direction of a circle of chairs. “He’ll be just a few minutes.”
Willa nodded and took a seat. While waiting she had time to look around. The waiting area was flanked by offices. Some of the doors were open. Others were closed. These were Dax’s people, and the atmosphere was fast-paced and intense. The people coming and going from the offices were all well dressed in outfits that put her department-store suit to shame. Some of the women were in outfits Lexi would have chosen. Some were dressed in slacks and blazers. They all reeked of success and money. Dax’s receptionist, however, was dressed conservatively.
The door to Dax’s office opened. Willa stood while Dax and Clay walked toward her. Dax smiled in greeting, but it looked forced. Clay ran a critical eye over her and made a face.
I’m not late. She looked down. Do I have toilet paper or something stuck to my shoe? No. She ran a hand over her hair to make sure it was still all in place and greeted them. “Dax. Mr. Landon.”
“Call me Clay.”
Dax sent what seemed to be a warning look at his friend. “I was just reminding Clay about how long you’ve known my fiancée and what a good friend you’ve been to her.”
Willa looked back and forth between the men. It was an interesting, protective brother type of comment.
Clay held out his hand and enveloped Willa’s in his. His smile was smooth. “He was threatening to disfigure me if I’m anything but a gentleman with you, but he doesn’t scare me.”
From Kenzi, Willa knew the two men were good friends. They probably bantered back and forth like this all the time. She tried to extricate her hand, but Clay held on to it. She pushed back a sense of panic as she remembered what Lexi had said about not taking him seriously. He might be testing me. Well, I’ll show him I’m not as timid as people think I am. With that thought, she gave his hand a hearty squeeze.
He gave her another once-over. “I’ve met plenty of twins in my life, but you and your sister are spot-on identical. That’s rare.”
With one sharp tug, she pulled her hand free. “It’s the whole ‘two from the same egg’ thing.” She held up a manila folder. “I brought my résumé and references. Although much of my previous work was cataloguing art for an auction house, I’m excited about the opportunity to take on new responsibilities. I’m a quick student of almost any computer program. People think artists can’t create spreadsheets, but I love them. You should see my grocery lists. They’re alphabetized.”
Clay pocketed both of his hands. “About the job I offered you.”
Willa searched both men’s faces. Neither looked happy. I don’t get it. Was I supposed to flirt back? It didn’t seem like Dax would have wanted her to. The whole situation was confusing.
Dax cleared his throat. “I have several entry level positions here. Kate will take you down to HR.”
Willa blinked a few times quickly. Dax doesn’t want me to work for Clay.
Clay shrugged. He was having trouble meeting her eyes. “I don’t even have an office in Boston. I asked you to interview before I thought the whole thing through.”
“Oh,” Willa said and hugged the folder to her stomach. She told herself it was for the best. A job was a job. She should be grateful Dax had something for her.
Clay shot Dax a sullen look. “You’re making me look like an asshole.”
“You are an asshole,” Dax countered.
“Is this better? Look at her, she’s about to cry.”
Thanks for making this less awkward by pointing that out. She could only imagine how her nose had reddened with emotion, and her eyes were probably all glassy with tears with a mix of embarrassment and disappointment. “I’m fine,” Willa said but took a step back. “I’ll come back later.”
Dax barked to his secretary. “Kate, call Kenzi.”
Willa shook her head and forced another bright smile. “No need. I’m perfectly fine. I just need a different résumé to apply here. I’ll go home, write it up, and come back to see Kate.”
Clay shook his head in amusement. “You’re in trouble either way, Dax, ol’ buddy. You should have let me hire her.”
Willa stopped. Now that it was out in the open, she couldn’t not address it. She pinned Dax down with look. “Did you ask him not to hire me?”
Dax glared at his secretary. “Now.”
Kate hurriedly picked up her phone and made a call.
Why? “Why don’t you want me to work for your friend?”
Clay smiled. “Yes, Dax. You’ve never been afraid to say it as it is. Why don’t you want Willa working for me?”
Dax frowned. “Don’t fuck with my family, Clay.”
Eyes round, Willa watched the two powerful men bicker.
“I won’t sleep with her,” Clay said as if he could have if he wanted to.
Okay, that’s offensive. Willa opened her mouth to say, “Damn right you won’t,” but neither man was paying attention to her so she swallowed her protest.
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it,” Dax growled. “Find something else to entertain yourself with.”
Ouch. Entertain?
There was a mix of defiance and sympathy in Clay’s expression. “Why don’t we let her decide what she wants? Willa, I’m a royal pain in the ass. I don’t make plans ahead of time unless I have to. I like to sleep until noon and work until three in the morning. There is no actual job description. All you have to do is make sure everything is where I need it to be when I need it to be there. In exchange, I’ll pay you a generous salary and,” he looked her over in a not so flattering way, “give you a wardrobe budget.”
Deliberately ignoring the reference to her clothing, Willa considered the job. It was a job description Willa normally would have run from. Saying yes didn’t make sense.
Kate called out, “Ms. Barrington said she’s on her way up. She hoped to catch Ms. Chambers while she was still here so you could all go to lunch together.”
With a meaningful look at his friend, Dax said, “We’ll talk later, Clay.”
Shaking his head in resignation, Clay said, “You’re no fun.” He had started to walk away when Willa found her voice.
“Wait.”
Clay turned back.
“You said I could decide.” She waved her folder around. It wasn’t at all the job interview she’d expected, and part of her wanted to turn tail and run, but staying suddenly felt important. Like Lexi, Dax didn’t think she could handle Clay. Like life, the interview wasn’t living up to what she’d hoped. In the past she would have crawled home and wondered where it all went wrong, but not this time. This time she wanted to prove something to herself. “I need this job. I deserve a chance to prove I can do it. Dax, I know you think you’re protecting me, but I’ll be fine. I’m taking this job.”
Clay smiled and raised his hands as if proclaiming his innocence. “What can I do? She hired herself.”
To his secretary, Dax barked, “Make a lunch reservation for four, Kate.” His eyes narrowed when he looked back at him. “Be careful, Clay. Very fucking careful.”
Willa stood there, hugging the unread résumé to her. There was definitely more going on than either man wanted to explain. Clay seemed to have an agenda for offering her the job, and it was one Dax didn’t approve of.
I don’t care. Like Lexi said, this doesn’t have to be forever. I’ll get in, make some money, get out.
Willa wasn’t worried that working with Clay would hurt her. In her experience, only people she loved had the power to do th
at.
The long run Lance had taken that morning hadn’t put him in a better mood. He’d been sitting at his office desk for a good fifteen minutes and had yet to turn on his computer. He was tired. Frustrated. Distracted. He’d spent a restless night telling himself to forget about Willa.
She didn’t want anything to do with him. Was it anger or indifference? Did it matter? He’d had his chance with her, and he’d fucked it up.
I was young and stupid.
I never meant to hurt her.
I said I was sorry. Tried to make it up to her.
Ten years. Who keeps a grudge that long?
Staring blankly at his dark computer screen, he let his thoughts drift back in time. He could remember exactly how his body had clenched with excitement when she’d taken her spot on the jet ski and wrapped her arms around his waist. Ten years. He shouldn’t be able to remember everywhere their bodies had touched. The feeling of her fitting herself against his back and holding on shouldn’t be vivid after all the time that had passed.
Hell, he’d forgotten the names of some of the women he’d slept with over the years. He wasn’t a horndog like some of his friends, but he’d been with his fair share of women. His relationships didn’t last long, but he didn’t expect them to, and he didn’t look back after things ended.
Except with Willa. He remembered every moment with her, every brush of her hands across his body. Everything was different with her. Better.
And worse.
Lance lived his life carefully. He didn’t make mistakes. He had nothing to regret.
Almost nothing.
Why can’t I forget her? Because she was a virgin?
No, it’s more than that.
He closed his eyes and let the memories come back to him.
It was a hot day, but the Atlantic waters were cold and rough. Every wave they crashed through drenched them both. Willa bounced behind him, her breasts moving up and down against his back. She lost her grip and cried out. He slowed and her arms wrapped around him even tighter. The back of one of her hands brushed over his hard cock. “Are you okay?” he asked.