I had tried on three different outfits. It was silly, but I wanted something that might catch Grayson Hawthorne’s eye. Not so short I screamed take-me-now, and not so stuffy I warned don’t-touch-me. I scrunched up my nose. Flirty professional was a hard look to pull off. I settled on a dress that was a soft pink. It had a scoop neckline that cut across my breasts. A belt that accentuated my waist and a hemline that hit my thighs at just the right height.

I pulled two rolling carts behind me as I walked onto the elevator. If he expected me to work out of the Hawthorne building, I needed to bring as many samples and swatches with me as possible. It would take me a few days to set up. I wondered if he had a designated office space for me, or expected me to work in a conference room. I had no idea what I was walking into.

Jennifer had been completely on board with the entire idea. I thought she would want me to split my time between the firm and this project, but she was so excited I had landed the account she didn’t seem to realize it meant I wouldn’t be working with our regular clients. She wanted to be able to add Hawthorne to our client list. That was all that mattered to her.

I stepped onto the brown carpet that lined the corridor and walked toward Grayson’s office.

I was met with a questioning look from his assistant.

“Can I help you?” Her words were clipped.

I smiled. “I have a meeting with Grayson Hawthorne. He is expecting me.”

She eyed my chest. “He didn’t mention it to me and it’s not on his calendar. I set his schedule.”

“Maybe he didn’t have a chance to tell you about it. He and I discussed it last night. It was late. I think you must have been gone for the evening.” None of that made it sound any better.

“Last night?” There was a flare of jealousy in her eyes. I would recognize that look anywhere. She didn’t bother to hide it.

“I’m the new designer,” I explained. “I need to take measurements for the remodel.” I wasn’t sure she was going to let me through the double doors. She was an unexpected hurdle this morning.

Suddenly the doors burst open and a man of Grayson’s stature and exceedingly good looks walked out. But his hair was lighter and his eyes were green.

He stopped. “Good morning.” He grinned. “You must be the decorator girl.”

I suppressed my irritation. It was a common misconception that I only picked out paint and fabric. I had a degree in design. “Yes, Sienna McKenzie with Bubble Designs.”

“My brother’s waiting for you.”

“Oh, you must be Oliver or Jackson, or ...” I had read there was a fourth brother who wasn’t involved with the family business, but I couldn’t remember his name.

He laughed. “I’m Oliver. Nice to meet you, Sienna.”

The receptionist cleared her throat. “I think I need to check in with Grayson before I just let you in.”

“Not necessary, Celia.” Oliver stopped her. “He’s been looking forward to this meeting for a while.” He winked at me and I felt the blush rush to my cheeks. It was as if he wanted to share an inside secret with me. Only, I didn’t know what it was.

“But I need to clear it with him.” She tried again.

Instead Oliver turned behind him and opened the door for me. “Go on in,” he urged. “Hope you two have a productive meeting. I’m sure I’ll see you again soon.”

“Thank you.”

I looked over my shoulder, but the door was already coming toward me. I turned around to find Grayson standing only a few feet away.

It was like last night, only more intense. My body instantly felt warm and nervous. I was overacting. He was hot and sexy, but this was insane. I was falling apart inside and I hadn’t started work yet this morning.

“Good morning, Sienna.”

Even the sound of his voice made me shiver. What was this man doing to me?

“Good morning, Mr. Haw—I mean Grayson.” I continued to pull the carts behind me.

“Coffee?” he offered.

I had a cup before I left my apartment, but I had this undeniable interest to share in whatever he was doing. “Yes, that sounds good.” I smiled.

He poured the coffee from a china pot and handed me a cup.

“Thank you.” I brought it to my lips. “Ready to get started?”

“Me? I don’t do curtains. I’ll leave that to you.”

“Curtains? Who said anything about curtains?”

He waved his hand toward the windows. “You can take care of it.”

I stared. “It doesn’t seem as if you take what I do very seriously.” I thought maybe after he invited me back and demanded I work with him, his mood would have changed. He had a way of being rough and demanding, while seemingly polished.

“I have a company to run. I don’t think our profit and loss statement hinges on whether my walls match my flooring. That’s all.”

“I have a degree in design,” I stated. “I graduated top of my class.” It seemed urgent that he understand I wasn’t trying to sell him on an assortment of throw pillows. I was talented beyond that, and really I hated throw pillows.

“I didn’t mean to offend you.” His voice was still gruff, but something had softened in his tone. “We have different lines of work.”

“We do. But it doesn’t mean what I do isn’t important.”

“Of course not.”

This morning wasn’t going as planned. I couldn’t tell if we were arguing or just dancing around the sexual tension that dominated the space between us. It was palpable. I couldn’t stop sparring with him.

Without warning Grayson’s assistant barged into the room.

“Do you need any more coffee, Grayson?” I could have sworn she batted her eyelashes at him, before shooting me a death stare.

He barely glanced at her. “No.”

Now that I saw her away from her desk I realized how short and tight her skirt was. I looked down at my own dress. Good grief. Is this what Grayson did to all the women who worked for him? I had the urge to pull my neckline up away from my breasts. I didn’t want to look as if I were competing for his attention.

I reminded myself I was here to work. I couldn’t forget that, no matter how smoldering his eyes were.

Celia tidied the drink cart and walked out of the room. She left the door open.

“I have a board meeting in ten minutes,” he announced. “Do whatever you need to do. Make yourself at home.”

“Oh, where did you want me to work?” I looked around his office.

“In here.”

“Here?” I gulped air. I didn’t know if I could manage sitting near him all day. Sharing the same space. I could barely handle morning coffee without stumbling through all my words and turning into a love struck teenager.

“My office is your top priority, isn’t it?”

I nodded. “It is. I’m sure I can work in here just fine.”

“Good. Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be in the meeting most of the morning.”

“Thank you. I think I’ll work over there if that’s all right.” I pointed to the opposite end of his office. It was the farthest spot from his desk.

“Whatever you need.”

I wondered how crazy it would sound if I said I needed him to stay just a little bit longer. Yet, at the same time there was something about Grayson that got under my skin. The need to banter with him. The instinct to poke him. Prod him. Spar just a little to fan the tiny flame I noticed between us. Could I actually put that into words?

“And tell Celia if you’re hungry or want more coffee.”

I took my time unloading paint books and setting up my laptop. I continued arranging my work space on one of the tables. I looked at him. He had no idea that Celia was ready to whack me with a stapler the first chance she got. The last thing she wanted to do was fetch refreshments.

“I think I can handle it. I have a lot of work to do.” I turned my back to him.

I heard the sigh from his lips travel across the room.

“Something wrong?” I asked.

He shook his head before he grabbed a folder from his desk and walked out of the office. The room was suddenly bigger and felt empty without him in it. There was a trace of his cologne. It was wild and minty smelling. I closed my eyes to make it last just a little longer. My eyes floated open and I stared at his vacant desk.

I didn’t know how I had become so distracted so quickly. It wasn’t even ten and I was already off schedule for the day. The only thing I could think about was Grayson Hawthorne.