The Only One Read online

  “An actress, huh?”

  “Yep!” she grinned ear to ear.

  I didn’t know if Valerie had any acting talent, but she definitely had the face for it. I could see her gracing the red carpets as one of the glamorous Hollywood starlets someday.

  “Well, it would be great to have you living here. I still can’t believe they let you come all this way alone.”

  Valerie’s family was extremely protective of her. I was a bit surprised when she told me she was flying out here and her mother wasn’t joining her for the trip.

  “I am eighteen now, Ava.”

  I gave her a raised eyebrow as I tilted my head, knowing her age didn’t make much difference.

  “Ok, they may have sent a chaperone with me,” she conceded and then changed the subject to me and my job.

  “Speaking of work,” I looked at my clock, “It looks like I better head out or I’ll be late. How long are you in town for?”

  “Just the weekend.”

  “Well, let’s meet up again before you go. I hate that I couldn’t take a longer lunch.”

  “Sounds good to me!” she smiled. “I’ll text you, later.” We hugged and kissed our goodbyes before I rushed to my car, leaving for my meeting.

  I cursed the highway Gods, when I got stuck in the Friday afternoon traffic on the way to the meeting. I looked at my GPS, and I was sixteen minutes out for my meeting that started in thirteen minutes. As soon as I made it to downtown and parked, I sent Tom a text apologizing and letting him know I was on my way up.

  As I made it through the revolving door of the massive glass and steel building I was entering, my phone chimed with a new text. I pulled it out, rushing to the elevator bank, expecting it to be Tom responding. Instead, it was Joce letting me know the time and place for drinks. I started to text her a response, running smack into a hard figure, sending my phone to the ground.

  “Crap, I’m so sorry!” I apologized, lowering my eyes to the gentleman that had already bent down to kindly retrieve my phone. I halted. Unable to continue my apology. Stunned silent as I saw the head and broad, muscular shoulders crouched below me. My heart dropped to my stomach. My lungs tightened in my chest. He stood back up with his smile that dripped sex-appeal.

  “Ava,” Rhett replied smoothly, handing my phone to me, smiling with his beautiful blue eyes that reminded me of the Pacific Ocean. I stood there paralyzed, unable to move or speak. His voice rendering me incapable of anything.

  “We really have to stop meeting this way,” he teased.

  I had no words as emotions bombarded me. I broke our eye contact, looking at my phone. I took it from him carefully, so that our hands didn’t touch. I knew if I touched him, this would be a losing battle for me. And I intended to win. I heard the elevator ding to open, and I thanked God for the escape.

  “Excuse me,” I said flatly, side-stepping around him, keeping my distance. I rushed into the elevator, repeatedly pushing the button, pleading the doors to close faster. Just as they started to close, a masculine hand stopped them, pushing them back open as he stepped into the elevator with me. Damn it. Just like the highway Gods, the elevator Gods were against me. And apparently, Rhett was determined to follow me.

  I scooted to the other side of the elevator, trying to put as much space between us as you could in a claustrophobic six foot by six foot box. But he moved to stand next to me where I could smell his sinfully good fragrance. I stepped backwards towards the rear of the elevator to regain some much needed space. He followed me like we were doing a square dance.

  I moved forward trying to once again get away from him. Before he could follow me, I turned around, glaring at him. “Stop it,” I scorned, pointedly before facing forward, careful not to look at him for too long.

  “Stop what?” I could hear the smirking in his voice from behind me.

  “You know damn well what,” I didn’t bother explaining. He has always known the effect he had on me, especially when we touched.

  I watched the numbers light up as we ascended into the sky, praying for the dreadful elevator to go faster. I could feel his eyes on me, and I suddenly wished I hadn’t chosen to wear my sheer cream blouse and form fitting, pale pink, pencil skirt that hugged all my curves.

  As if things couldn’t get any worse, we stopped halfway up to my destination. The elevator doors opened and a crowd of people got on, cramping the elevator just enough that there was only inches between everyone. I attempted moving to the side, hoping that the others would help be a barrier between us. Unfortunately, Rhett used the opportunity to move right behind me, so his front was to my back.

  I stood rigid with my hands to my side, praying he wouldn’t touch me. The elevator doors closed, and I felt the intense magnetic energy pulling between us. He lightly brushed the tips of his fingers with mine. That was all it took for the electric shock to course through my body, bringing every nerve alive.

  I held my breath and closed my eyes hoping, somehow, that would be enough to fight him away. As if knowing what I was doing, he leaned forward putting his lips near my ear where I could feel his warm breath.

  “Breathe, Ava,” he whispered.

  My knees weakened. I didn’t know if it was from him or the fact I was holding my breath. I let out the air I was holding in, trying to regain my strength. The elevators opened and closed a few more times as the other people made their way off the elevator, leaving us by ourselves, once again.

  Before I could step away from him, he turned us, pinning me against the elevator wall. His arms on each side of me, caging me in. He didn’t touch me. He didn’t have to. I felt the heat radiating from his body. He looked down into my eyes as we breathed each other’s air.

  “You know what you’re doing to me right now,” he gritted through his teeth. “I’m having a hard time controlling myself. It’s been too long, Ava… Too long, since I’ve been inside you.”

  I felt the throbbing between my legs from his words. My body responded to him like it always did. My lips parted, wanting to feel his lips on mine. The elevator door dinged open, breaking the trance I was in. I quickly ducked under his arms, running out of the elevator, not looking back. I hoped he wouldn’t follow me any further. I was panicked and breathing fast as I quickened my steps, walking up to the receptionist.

  “Ava Conner, with Willis & Associates,” I said in a rush, panting as I spoke. The nice lady behind the desk smiled sweetly.

  “Yes, the other man is waiting for you in the conference room, through the frosted glass doors on the left. No need to stress. The meeting hasn’t started,” she pointed me to where I needed to go.

  She was obviously aware of my stress from my rapid breathing, having no idea that it wasn’t because I was late to the meeting. I quickly made my way into the conference room to find Tom alone at a big, long, wooden table.

  “I’m so sorry, Tom,” I tried to catch my breath as I spoke.

  “Don’t worry, Ava. It’s fine. He hasn’t made it back from lunch, yet. They expect him any minute. Have a seat, dear. Catch your breath. You look like you just ran a marathon,” he patted my back.

  I sat next to Tom, trying to level my breathing and gain some composure. I needed to focus. We had a very important meeting, and I didn’t want to mess this up for Tom. We sat there for about five more minutes, waiting for our client to arrive. I had finally started to feel calm when the frosted glass doors opened. I looked up, plastering a smile on my face to greet our new client. My smile dropped, replaced by my mouth wide open as Rhett walked through the door.

  CHAPTER 2

  Rhett smiled his devilish smile as he strode confidently across the room to greet us. He looked sexy and poised, and I hated him for it. Tom stood, making his way around the table. “Mr. Blackwood,” he greeted him in a lower voice than normal, shaking Rhett’s hand. It was obvious he was trying to impress Rhett. “I’m Tom Willis and this is Ava Conner.” Tom stepped to the side to introduce me. I sat there, stunned silent as my boss stared at me expectant
ly. Shit. He expects me to shake his hand.

  Rhett took a step forward to where I was sitting, looking like the devil himself with his impish grin. “Ms. Conner,” he said smoothly as he put out his hand for me to grasp. I had no idea how he could stand there, greeting me impassively as if he had never met me and didn’t just proposition me in the elevator a few minutes ago.

  I eyed his hand as I cautiously stood. I needed to put the whole elevator incident out of my mind. I had a moment of weakness earlier, but that was only because of the initial shock of seeing him. Right? I could do this. I had to do this. If not for me, for my boss.

  “Mr. Blackwood, nice to meet you,” I took his hand in mine, pretending like he had no impact on me. As soon as I felt the tingling of nerves start to travel through my body, I abruptly tried pulling it away. But Rhett held my hand tight, just grinning at me. I yanked my hand away forcefully, hoping Tom didn’t notice. I heard Rhett chuckle under his breath. The man was insane. My temper was starting to flare. Did he think this was a joke?

  We took our seats, and thankfully Rhett sat across the table from Tom and me. Or maybe that wasn’t a good thing. I had a direct view of his delectable face and hypnotic eyes. I tried averting my eyes anywhere but at him.

  “So, Mr. Willis, tell me about your firm,” Rhett commanded with a confident smile, not taking his probing eyes off of me.

  Tom started blabbing his usual spiel that he gave to new clients. I could hear him talking, but I couldn’t focus on what he was saying. He was more animated than usual. I knew he was really trying to sell his credentials to Rhett. I wasn’t even sure, if Rhett was listening. I felt bad for my boss. I knew he really wanted the project.

  My phone vibrated with a new text. I looked at it below the table.

  V: Lunch was fun! I hope you made it to your meeting on time. ;) x

  The sly little she devil! Rhett was her chaperone, and she knew who I was meeting with. I quickly typed a reply as Tom carried on, boring us with his credentials.

  A: I can’t believe you didn’t tell me Rhett came with you.

  V: Just following your rules. You told me to never mention him to you.

  Damn it. She was right. I couldn’t very well be mad at her. I had that rule with all my family and friends. I put it in place to protect my heart, and now it looked like it was coming back to bite me in the ass. I had told her that after she tried multiple times to get us back together. She was like a kid between two divorced parents. I wondered if this was her attempt at pulling a “parent trap,” except for the fact Rhett was obviously in on it.

  “I have brought you a portfolio of some of my recent work. Ava, here, has been instrumental in many of these projects,” Tom passed his marketing portfolio across the table to Rhett, snapping me back into focus on the meeting.

  Rhett took the portfolio from Tom, breaking his gaze on me momentarily. “I would love to see it.”

  He spent all of thirty seconds looking through the portfolio before closing it. He looked up, ruthlessly smiling at me before turning his gaze on my boss.

  “Well Tom, it looks like this will be a great fit. Send me your numbers and the contract. I’ll review and sign it,” Rhett said decisively.

  He had barely looked at the portfolio. How could he possibly know it was a good fit? I knew he had alternative motives for hiring Tom, making me feel guilty. I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to tell Rhett that he needed to find another architect, but then that would be completely unfair to Tom. This was going to be a huge opportunity for him. I would just have to ask Tom to reassign it to Joce. There was no way I could work on this project with Rhett.

  “That’s great news! I’ll have the proposal and the contract sent over to you first thing Monday morning,” Tom beamed.

  “I would like to get started immediately, but unfortunately I have another meeting to be at. How about we discuss over dinner, tonight? You and Ms. Conner will join me,” Rhett demanded assertively.

  “I have plans!” The words came abruptly out of my mouth like verbal vomit before I could stop them. I immediately felt embarrassed and flushed by my outburst. Rhett raised a quizzical eyebrow at me. I didn’t even bother looking at Tom, who I am sure sat with a disapproving look. He was probably wondering what had gotten into me.

  Tom took control of the situation, thankfully. “I apologize, Mr. Blackwood, it seems that neither one of us can make it to dinner. I hope this doesn’t complicate things.”

  “Not at all. I am only in town for the weekend, though. Would it be possible for us to do lunch then, tomorrow? We could drive out to the site in Malibu, afterwards. I know it is a lot to ask for you to give up your Saturday.”

  I already knew what was coming. Tom didn’t work weekends anymore with Marie’s situation at home. “Do you mind giving us a moment, Mr. Blackwood?” Tom asked.

  “Not at all. I’ll just be over there, making a quick call.” Rhett stood, moving across the large conference room, pulling out his cell phone. He talked in a low hushed voice as he stared out the large windows, viewing downtown L.A.

  “Ava, I hate to ask you to work tomorrow, but is there any way you can meet with him?” Tom pleaded, keeping his voice low.

  I watched Rhett with his back to me, wondering how he could be so self-possessed while all the emotions were flooding my mind, unnerving me. He looked good. Better than good. He was sexier and more confident than before. The way he carried himself had me almost wanting to throw my resolve out the window. Almost. I wanted to tell Tom no way in hell. He looked so hopeful, though.

  “Tom, you know I don’t mind working the weekend, but I think maybe Joce would be better suited for this project than me.” He looked at me confused and a little distraught by my suggestion.

  “Ava, I’m a bit surprised you would give up the chance to work on this. I can give it to Joce if that’s what you really want. But I chose you, because I felt you had earned it. You have been doing excellent work for me over the last few years, and this is just as much a great opportunity for you as it is me. Plus, I would hate to switch points of contact after he has just met you.”

  He was right. If it were anyone other than Rhett, there would be no way I would pass up this opportunity. I smiled weakly at my boss. I couldn’t turn this down without telling him the whole sordid story. And there was no way in hell I was doing that. I would just have to figure out a way to keep Rhett at arm’s length and our time together strictly professional.

  “No. I’ll do it. And thank you for the opportunity,” I said sincerely.

  “Are we on for lunch and a site visit, tomorrow?” Rhett rejoined us, returning from his phone call.

  “Yes, but it’ll just be you and Ava. I apologize. I have other engagements, but I’m leaving you in good hands with Ava. She’ll be able to take photos of the site and take down all your specifications. She is more than capable,” Tom spoke like a proud father.

  “I am sure she is,” Rhett grinned knowingly at me. I wanted to roll my eyes at him and childishly give him the finger, but seeing how Tom was still present, I smiled sarcastically, instead.

  “Well, we won’t take up any more of your time. It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Blackwood. I look forward to working with you,” Tom offered his hand to Rhett.

  Rhett shook it. “Let me walk you out,” he extended his arm for Tom and me to go first. Tom moved ahead of me. I followed behind him, passing Rhett. Rhett put his hand on the small of my back as he guided me out behind Tom. My breath caught with his gentle touch, my body starting to respond. I immediately quickened my steps to leave Rhett’s torturous hand behind.

  He stayed close by, walking us to the elevator. We didn’t have to wait but a second before the elevator doors opened. Tom walked inside. I started to follow but was stopped by Rhett’s hand on my elbow. Tom turned, waiting for me to join him in the elevator.

  “I’m just going to keep Ms. Conner for a moment to go over the time and location for tomorrow.”

  Tom nodded his understanding.
“I’ll see you Monday morning then, Ava. Have a good weekend,” he waved as the doors closed. They were shut before I could respond or move to jump between them. Watching them close was like watching the last life raft leave without me, while I stood on a sinking ship.

  I jerked my elbow from Rhett, furious that he had trapped me here until I could call another elevator. As I reached to push the call button, he grabbed my hand, clasping it with his and pulling me along in the opposite direction. I tried planting my feet, ignoring my body’s excitement. But he was too strong, and my heels didn’t have any traction on the shiny wood floors.

  “Rhett, let me go,” I whispered angrily as he marched us past the nice receptionist who was watching us closely. His strides were long and determined. I had to walk quickly to keep up as he dragged me along with him.

  “No,” he firmly stated as he continued to pull me down the long corridor. He tugged me into an office, closing the door behind us. It was a large, modern executive office of steel, leather and glass with floor to ceiling windows, giving you a beautiful view of downtown Los Angeles. He strode forward, pulling me near a seating area next to a small wet bar located off to the side from the large, masculine desk that sat in the room.

  “Sit,” he demanded, pointing to the brown leather couch, finally releasing his hold on my hand. “We need to talk.” He walked across the room, starting to pace as he ran his hand through his hair and back down his face, deep in thought.

  “No,” I defiantly crossed my arms over my chest. “There is nothing to talk about. You can email me the time and location in Malibu, and I’ll meet you tomorrow. Lunch won’t be necessary,” I added.

  “That is not what I wanted to talk about,” he stopped his pace, watching me carefully.

  “I don’t care. That is all we will be talking about. Besides, I thought you had a meeting to get to.”