Chapter 2

Skylar lounged on a red chaise lounge with white trim while her partner, Kendra sat on a nearby ottoman inside the loft that was the Innovative Marking Solutions office. They worked all morning on a strategy layout for the ETI contract and she finally felt confident that everything had been settled to her satisfaction. She stretched her back and looked up at the brick façade all around, letting a small smile touched her lips. She always loved these old lofts and seeing her dream come true inside of one, was doubly satisfying.

“I’ll go to Chicago for the Educator’s Fair.” Kendra fingered the papers stacked between them and picked up the itinerary. “I’ve got friends there I haven’t seen in ages and I know you don’t want to go.”

Skylar nodded appreciatively because she really didn’t want to have to deal with Hunter for an entire week. He would be relentless in his efforts to get her into bed and she knew eventually she would have to turn him down flat because she didn’t do that, not with anyone. “You’re the best Kendra. You don’t know how badly I didn’t want to go.”

Kendra smiled sardonically and pushed her thick black hair off her shoulder. “I had an idea Sky. You don’t hide your feelings nearly as well as you think you do.” She knew her friend held back a few details of the meeting but she would get them out of her. Eventually.

Skylar blushed. “Yeah well, leave me to my delusions, will ya?” She planned to spend the week ironing out the details of their campaign with Ryder and Cressly. With their approval in place, she wouldn’t have a reason to spend much time at ETI headquarters and that was exactly what she wanted. Mostly. The social media campaign had already begun and she would show the numbers to Ryder later today.

Kendra wasn’t interested in any of that just yet. “So tell me Sky, are the brothers as gorgeous in person as they seem in the papers?” Ryder and Hunter appeared often in the gossip rags thanks to their publicized beef as well as Hunter’s active social life. Combine their looks, their wealth and prominence in the city, they were staples of the gossip and entertainment publications.

Skylar sighed, reluctant to remember the handsome men any more than necessary. But Kendra was nothing if not persistent. “Yes. They are both gorgeous as hell but in completely different ways. Hunter is blond and tall with lots of swagger. His eyes are so green I’m still not convinced they aren’t due to tinted lenses. He’s flirty, a total playboy I’m sure. Ryder on the other hand is…more intense. He’s got short dark hair and hypnotizing blue eyes, strong jaw and sharp cheekbones. He’s more serious and severe, the perfect opposite of his brother.”

Kendra squealed and stomped her feet. “Damn they both sound hot! You obviously have a thing for Ryder so if the opportunity arises, I’m going for Hunter.” She eyed her friend closely for a reaction. “What? Tell me.”

“Well Hunter already tried and I shot him down.”

“Why?”

Skylar sighed. “He’s a player and I don’t want to shit where I eat, for lack of a better phrase.”

Kendra frowned and shook her head in disgust. “Well any other phrase would’ve been better than that one!”

She laughed lightly. “This contract could turn into something big for us, for the company. If it were to go sideways with either brother you and I might find ourselves working for jackasses like Harper Crenshaw again.”

That thought sobered both of them. Their previous employer was stuck in his ways, had no problem taking everyone’s ideas and passing them off as his own and his hands ever met an ass they didn’t want to touch. “Yeah okay, amended plan. You leave them both alone but I may or may not make a play for Hunter.” At Skylar’s affronted look, she explained, “I can separate my need to get some from my need to get ahead and we both know you can’t.”

She nodded and agreed as she finger combed her hair back into a bouncy ponytail. “True enough. Just be careful, Hunter strikes me as the kind of guy who loves nothing more than the chase.”

Kendra waved off her concern. “Don’t worry, whatever happens or doesn’t happen will be done by the time I get back from the fair.” She stood and smoothed the silky shirt that had ridden up and showed off a sliver of her dark brown tummy. “That ponytail looks fine, so does your lips and skin so stop stalling and get to your meeting.”

Skylar frowned but couldn’t argue that’s what she had been doing. “Yes Mom,” she whined and stood to pack her bag. An hour later she was sitting across from a stiff and standoffish Ryder, unaware what she had done to cause such a swift change in his demeanor. Things had been fine with them over the past week, they had talked on the phone several times and exchanged several emails. All were friendly and professional. Today he was downright icy.

Ryder stared at Skylar, looking more beautiful than ever with her fresh-faced, girl next door appeal. She wore dark jeans with a deep pink cashmere sweater, her hair in a ponytail and minimal makeup. With a friendly, if wary, smile she looked like exactly the kind of woman Ryder wanted by his side. At least she would if he hadn’t already decided to give up on his attraction to her and their undeniable chemistry. Hunter had Skylar in his sights and she would probably succumb to his charms as most women did. So he had decided he would rather never have her at all than risk losing her to his charming step brother. Although it had never happened before—surprisingly given their extreme competition—things between them were more contentious than ever and he wouldn’t put it past Hunter to do it just because he could. “I’ve seen some of the ads you’ve used on social media and I have to say they are pretty good, even if they are a little offbeat.”

She smiled at the change in his demeanor. “That’s true but we’ve found that offbeat works well, especially in professional communities where people tend to take themselves a tad too seriously.” She handed him a document that outlined their reach over the past seven days. “You can see that the click rate is over ten percent, which is extremely good. I’m sure if you speak with Cressly he’ll tell you they’ve seen an uptick in interest.”

The force of his smile nearly knocked the breath out of Skylar. “Ah yes, his email this morning makes more sense now.” He chuckled and told her about the cryptic but effusive email from his Business Development president. “He’s ecstatic with your work so far and you’ve just gotten started.” He paused and looked up at her through thick dark lashes and then looked away nervously. “So I, uh, was wondering Skylar. Would you, I mean that is, if you like to. Have dinner with me, that is.” Ryder felt his face flush as his incoherent invite sank in. He watched Skylar’s hazel eyes widen in shock, her mouth open and shut like a startled fish. A look similar to mortification crossed her face and his heart sank. “Oh. Right. I apologize for that and withdraw my offer. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

Skylar still stared at him, unsure what had happened. She’d clearly opened her mouth to accept his invitation yet nothing but silence came out. She stood woodenly with a deflated heart at the humiliated look on Ryder’s handsome face. With tears bubbling in her eyes she packed up and left the Tompkins-Cross Building. Why had she stood there like a mute idiot when he was clearly asking her to explore the spark between them?

Truthfully she knew exactly why she’d said no. The spark between them was undeniable, their chemistry off the charts and that was exactly why her brain had intervened on her behalf. Chemistry that strong could, and would, spiral out of control quickly. It would turn into a raging inferno that required all of her time and energy until her business began to suffer and she no longer retained her own identity. She’d watched her parents’ love rage and rage until it had cost them both their lives. She didn’t want that, didn’t need chemistry and fireworks. She wanted a simple good time with a guy, no sizzle required. But she didn’t need to humiliate the man because of her own hang ups. When she finally reached the parking garage she held in her tears and ran up the six flights of stairs until she could seek safety in her car. With the doors closed she let herself cry for ruining what could have been something great, but never would because she couldn’t have that kind of passion.

Ryder sat in his office stunned and humiliated. Eyes closed, he replayed that awkward moment time and again until it was so ingrained in him that he could recall the feeling instantly. He hadn’t meant to ask her out, which is why it had been so awkward. That horrified look on her face though, was something he could never forget for as long as he lived. Well now Hunter could have her, he thought bitterly.

“Well that was awkward,” Mimi chimed in after too much silence had settled over his large office. “Tough luck, boss.”

He smiled at her but it didn’t reach his eyes and he shook off her words. “Don’t worry about it. I took a chance a she wasn’t interested. End of.”

Mimi scoffs and gives him a pitiful shake of her head. “Not interested? Don’t be a fool Ryder. That woman is interested in you, the chemistry between you two is insane, even I could see that. She’s holding back for some reason but believe me, it isn’t because she doesn’t want you.” She didn’t know why a woman would turn down Ryder, who was such a catch but Skylar was now on her shit list.

Ryder shrugged. “Her reasons don’t matter to me because I won’t be enduring that kind of embarrassment again. Can you imagine if you weren’t my friend and just witnessed that humiliation?” His fingers scraped against his short dark hair in frustration. “God what an idiot I am! Well now Hunter will go after her and she’ll fall at his feet like the rest of them so really Mimi, it doesn’t matter to me. Not anymore.”

She stiffened at his words and he apologized immediately when he realized what he’d said. “Don’t worry about it Ryder. When you’re right, you’re right.” He was the only one who knew about her long ago love affair with Hunter that she never really got over.

He nodded even though they both knew it was a lie. She cared about his hordes of women just like he cared that Skylar would now become one of them. But friends let friends have their delusions on occasion and this was one of them. “We’re a sorry pair, aren’t we? If only,” he began but cut off the thought as soon as he had it because it was a useless thought.

Mimi laughed but there was no humor it. “I know, right?” They always joked that life would be so much easier if they were in love with each other. “We can pick who we love Ry, believe me I know.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore Mimi, let it go. I have.”

“Liar,” she turned and stuck her tongue out at him, biting back a smile.

“Takes one to know one,” he replied and beaned her in the chest with a paper triangle he used as a stress-relieving football.

“Hey!” She picked it up and flicked it back at him, missing by a mile.

“Great job, Mimi. Don’t quit your day job, woman.”

She laughed. “And miss all the excitement here? Not on your life!”

They laughed together for a few minutes and then Mimi left, leaving Ryder alone with his humiliation.

***

Hunter strode into the office with his cocky saunter, green eyes alight with amusement. His week in Chicago had been a big success and he couldn’t wait to rub Ryder’s smug face in it. He was damned good at his job, despite what his brother thought. He may be CEO and technically Hunter’s boss but that did mean he could tell him how to do his job. He bypassed Mimi’s empty desk and opened one of the large wooden doors that led to Ryder’s massive office.

There his brother was, head bent over documents, the top of his dark head the only thing visible from his vantage point. Always the overachiever, he thought bitterly. “Hey there, little brother,” Hunter goaded. Three months separated them and Hunter never let Ryder forget it.

He looked up with a welcome smile. “Hunter, you’re back. Come in,” he waved him in and gestured to the chairs opposite his desk.

Taken aback by his brother’s friendliness he took several tentative steps in and flung himself into the soft leather chair. “I’m back. The trip went well,” he said in that smug tone that he knew would rile Ryder up.

“It went extremely well from what I understand. Three signed contracts, all new clients. Great job Hunter. I knew you’d come through.” Ryder was truly impressed his brother had been able to take advantage of the new opportunity in the state of Illinois. He still smarted from his ill-fated attempt to ask Skylar out but it wasn’t Hunter’s fault.

“You did?”

Why did Hunter seem so surprised? “Of course I did, why do you think I gave you such a hard time at the last meeting? You always come back with something and there hasn’t been a month in the past few years you haven’t brought in a new contract, I was concerned.” He blew out a tense breath and changed the subject. “So, how’d it go with Petra this year?”

Hunter smiled. “She was upset about my new girlfriend so she spent the week shooting us both death glares.”

“Girlfriend?”

He nodded lasciviously. “Skylar’s partner, Kendra.”

Ryder bit the inside of his cheek to keep from reacting. “Right. Speaking of, you need to speak with Cressly about reaching out to some potential new clients. We’ve received a good amount of inquiries from the social media campaign.”

“So it’s really working?” He thought his brother had been more dazzled by Skylar’s beauty than her skill. He should’ve known better, Ryder may be a man but he was CEO first and foremost.

Ryder assured him the first part of the campaign was going better than expected. “You will be very busy over the next few months. One of the clients is a private academy in the suburbs of London, they have schools all over Europe.”

Hunter smiled. “I do love when work takes me overseas.” He would hit up a couple of his old haunts and few of his more creative lovers while he wooed some middle-aged Headmistress. “I have to say Ryder, I’m impressed with those girls. Sexy as hell and smart too? I might be madly in love.” His green eyes sparkled with mischief.

“With which one?”

He laughed at Ryder’s crinkled dark brows. “Does it matter? I can have a bit of both, sweet vanilla and rich chocolate.” With all the flirting he and Kendra had done, he was surprised he hadn’t sealed the deal and he knew she was more his speed. But dammit if the redheaded Skylar had haunted his dreams and gave him some pretty uncomfortable wake up calls.

Ryder said nothing and schooled his face into a mask of indifference. It wasn’t Hunter’s fault that he was better with people—with women—than Ryder, that didn’t make it sting any less though. The truth was Hunter probably could talk both Kendra and Skylar, otherwise reasonable women, into a threesome. He reminded himself that it didn’t matter though, because he didn’t want anything from either of the women other than their professional expertise. In fact now that Hunter was back, he’d been thinking it was time to turn the marketing over to Cressly. He was ultimately responsible but he had no doubt Cressly was invested in improving numbers. His last bonus full of stock options, pretty much guaranteed it. “Just don’t break any heart and screw with our marketing. Please.”

Hunter’s green gaze went wide at the word. Please. He couldn’t remember the last time Ryder had said that word to him. Usually he issued orders he expected to be followed and that was that. He shook off the moment off warmth for his brother and slid easily into his playboy persona. “I’ll do my best, little brother, but can I help it if all the ladies fall for me?” He flashed that dimpled grin that had always been his get out of jail free, card.

Ryder didn’t respond because there was no response. They both knew the truth. He wore a serious expression that hid everything from the world, as he always did. “Good job again Hunter, with the contracts.”

So that was it, he was dismissed. Again. This time, Hunter could admit it was different. He wasn’t being dismissed, Ryder had simply grown tired of his cocky attitude, which is why he always gave it to him. “Yeah, uh, thanks.” Hunter stood and left the office feeling weird about it. So he stopped by Mimi’s desk to check in. “Hey, Mims. What’s up?” “Nothing Hunter, what do you need?” She didn’t even turn her attention away from the letter she typed for Ryder. Half of her face was hidden by the nearly white-blonde hair.

He tried not to feel disappointed that Mimi wouldn’t even look at him with those aquamarine eyes, so light blue they were nearly clear. But he was disappointed, dammit. “What’s up with Ryder? He actually complimented me, twice. And he said please.”

Mimi shrugged while she typed. “You did a good job and your boss and brother told you so, that’s what people who care about you do.” The constant tap of the keyboard stopped suddenly and she leaned in close to the screen to double check her work. “Is that all?”

He sighed, his body tight with tension. “Are you ever going to forgive me?”

Her head fell momentarily but she quickly regained her composure. “There’s nothing to forgive Hunter. The past is where it should be, in the past.”

“If that were true, you’d be able to look at me.”

“Don’t you have enough people happy to look at you,” she said without diverting her gaze from the extremely interesting screen. But his silence said it all and she pushed back from the desk and turned her face to him. “Is that what you want Hunter, me to look at you?” She didn’t want an answer but she stared at him until he grew uncomfortable under the weight of her icy blue stare.

Her gaze held no emotion at all, so unlike the laughing eyes she used to wear. The lack of emotion though, it was worse than the hurt that had colored her beautiful face for so long. “No, it isn’t. Not at all.”

“Well we can’t all get what we want, can we Hunter?”

He sighed, defeated. “I guess not. But seriously is Ryder alright? He’s not dying or anything is he?”

“He’s fine.”

Hunter knew there was no point in trying to talk to Mimi any further, just as he knew it was his fault. He’d pushed her enough for today so he stood. “Thanks Mims. Bye.”

She was already typing when he turned down the hall towards the elevator. It was for the best anyway, that she hated him. Hunter wasn’t the settling down type. He just couldn’t give Mimi, or any woman for that matter, what they needed. He gave what he could, a night or two of sexual pleasure, before moving on.

If he was capable of changing, he would have done it for Mimi.

***

Skylar stared at the words on the screen, unable to believe them as they sank in. Cressly emailed her to inform her that he would now be her primary point of contact for ETI. She would present him with ads for approval and if she needed input he would be the one to provide it. Cressly was a nice man and he seemed competent. From what she understood she owed this initial contract to him and she was grateful. Working with him wouldn’t be a hardship.

If pressed Skylar could admit that she felt cheated by Ryder. He hadn’t given her a chance to apologize for her behavior, just banished her from his life. It was immature of him and sadly, she was disappointed. She expected he would behave better than he had. It’s like the man had never been turned down before, she griped to herself. But she knew it couldn’t have been easy for him to be on the receiving end of her stunned reaction, which she imagined looked a lot like rejection.

He hadn’t reached out to her at all since that day. No calls or emails to inquire about how the campaign was moving along. He’d simply ignored her, pretended that the little hiccup had never happened and had gone out of his way to ensure he wouldn’t be reminded of it again. It stung because she couldn’t stop thinking about the sizzle between them, that would probably never be explored because she had reacted poorly.

“No daydreaming on company time, girl.” Kendra strolled in the office looking like a model in her fitted black leather pants and burgundy silk bow blouse and wine colored stilettos to match. Her bright smile quickly dimmed at the look on Skylar’s face. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she sighed, even though both she and Kendra knew it was a lie. “Well, Ryder isn’t working on our account any more. Specifically he won’t be dealing with me anymore.”

“Is the contract in jeopardy?” She knew it was a selfish question but this business was her baby too.

“No, but thanks for your concern.”

Kendra heard the dry tone and raised an eyebrow. “I am concerned and you know I am. But you said it yourself, this contract was important to the company.” She sighed heavily but reigned in her temper. “What happened?”

Skylar told her every detail about her last interaction with Ryder. “So I reacted badly but I was going to accept the invitation until he took it back. He took it back, Kendra.”

Arms crossed and perfectly sculpted eyebrows lifted skeptically. “Of course he did, you looked horrified at the idea of having a meal with the man.” She shook her head in sympathy. “I’m sorry it turned out that way, but you can’t blame him for not wanting to look at you. Just leave it alone.”

Skylar scoffed. “Would you leave it alone?”

“No, but I would have just said yes or no in the first place. I wouldn’t have turned my face up like there was a rotten animal in my panties.”

“Ugh, seriously Ken?”

She laughed. “Hell yeah, seriously. Why were you so surprised anyway, you said there was major sparks between you two.”

“That’s exactly why! I don’t have time for sparks and chemistry and passion. That way lies madness.”

“Then maybe you should have just made up an excuse about not making things complicated since you’re working together.”

Skylar rolled her eyes. “Hindsight, Kendra.”

She sighed heavily. “Common sense, Skylar.” She waited until Skylar’s hazel eyes were on her again before she contorted her face into an ugly scowl. “If a guy had that reaction to your dinner invitation, would you ever want to see him again?”

Her shoulders sagged. “No.” Dammit she hated when Kendra was right. She still didn’t like it. “Fine, whatever. I need to go there today and show Cressly the final ads before they go out. Wish me luck.”

“Good luck,” she waved to Skylar’s back.

When she arrived at the Tompkins-Cross building, she ran into Ryder’s assistant, Mimi in the lobby. “Hi Mimi, how are you?”

Mimi gifted the woman with a genuine smile. “Hi Skylar. I’m good, how are you?”

Skylar shrugged. “Busy in a good way.”

Mimi nodded thoughtfully. “I’m always busy and I can assure you there is nothing good about it.” She laughed and ran a hand through her nearly white locks. “Did you have a meeting with Ryder today because I don’t have it on the schedule?”

“No, I’m meeting with Cressly now.” Skylar saw something flash in Mimi’s eyes but she couldn’t identify it. “Is he on the same floor? I completely forgot to get that information.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take you up. Follow me.” They walked onto the elevator and silence reined for several floors. “How is the campaign going?”

Skylar smiled, always eager to talk about her work. “It’s going great, actually. There has been a ton of response from social media and online ads. I’m here today to get approval for print ads.”

Mimi’s brow crinkled in confusion. “Shouldn’t Ryder do that?”

She felt her face flush. “I thought so, but I received an email from Cressly saying he was now my point person.” She watched the realization sink in and saw the flash of anger in Mimi’s eyes.

“Stupid man,” she muttered and turned to Skylar. “I know I shouldn’t ask you this but can I see digital copies just to pass them along to Ryder? He’s being a stubborn ass right now, but he’ll kick himself if he hates the ads. Not that he will,” she quickly added.

“Sure, no problem.” She wasn’t sure how to broach the topic they’d both tiptoed around. “I don’t know what to say to him other than I’m sorry and he probably doesn’t want to hear that.”

Mimi let out a long breath. “You’re right he won’t want to hear it. Just give him time and do your job, that’s about all you can do. This is our floor.”

Skylar followed her onto a floor that looked remarkably like Ryder’s floor except the grey carpet was a dark blue color. They weaved through a maze of cubicles until they stood in front of large wooden double doors, where an kindly woman with grey streaked hair waved them in. She watched Cressly’s face light up in a friendly smile when he spotted her and motioned for her to have a seat.

He ended the call and turned to her. “Skylar, thanks for coming in today. Do you want anything to drink?”

A gin and tonic would be nice, she thought but she shook her head. “No thanks. But I do have something for you,” she teased and opened her portfolio. “Ads.”

“Ah, yes. Let’s see what magic you and Kendra have created.” He stood and she followed him to a large table off to the side.

Skylar laid out the print ads on the large table and went to stand on the other side while she explained where each ad would be published and why she thought it would work. “We have a series of ads for each level of education. Each add will focus on learning disabilities, teaching aids and learning aids. They’ll publish over time so the Edu-Tech name is always in their minds.” Skylar held her breath and waited as he looked over each ad.

“This looks incredible Skylar, truly amazing. I’m giving you the okay on all of them. Hang on,” he held up a finger and picked up the nearest phone. “Hey, can you come to my office? Yeah, now. Okay.” He turned back to her. “I’ve asked Hunter to come down to see if he has any input.” Cressly explained to her that it was Hunter’s job to bring in new business.

“Cressly, what’s up?” Hunter burst into the office and stopped when he caught sight of a shock of red hair. “Skylar, how wonderful to see you again. You’re looking lovelier than ever.”

She smiled at his flirtatious words even though she was completely unaffected by him. “Hunter. Good to see you as well.”

“What do you need me for,” he asked, his words purposely suggestive.

“Take a look at the ads and tell me what you think,” Cressly motioned to the table.

“Gladly.” His smile was predatory and he walked with purpose, stopping right behind Skylar. He stepped in front of her and looked them over, impressed with everything. Straightening his tall frame until he towered over her, Hunter flashed his dimpled smile. “These look great Skylar. You ladies have some serious talent.”

“Thank you.” As close as he was and as good as he smelled, she felt nothing, not an iota of desire. She thought Hunter was funny and charming but he didn’t make her heart go pitter patter and he didn’t make her stupid with lust.

“We should be thanking you.” Hunter turned his charm factor up to a seven. Now that he’d seen her again, he was certain he wanted her. “In fact, let me thank you tonight. With dinner.”

This time she schooled her face into a blank mask, unwilling to hurt or piss off another brother. Skylar thought about his handsome face and surface charm and how they produced none of the feelings his brother had and she knew her answer. “Sure, why not?”

Cressly cleared his throat, certain they had forgotten he was in the room. “Thanks for your help Skylar. I’ll double check with Ryder and call you in the morning. Let me walk you out.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Hunter held his hand up, “I’ll walk her out.”

Cressly nodded warily and watched them walk away. When he heard the elevator bell, he called Mimi and took the ads up to Ryder for review. Something strange was going on, but he didn’t know what it was and had no desire to insert himself into the middle of it.