Jace walked in at seven-thirty the next morning to find Shana sitting at the desk in the office she’d been given, already buried knee-deep in paperwork. He paused in the doorway a second and watched her read various documents. Even the pair of cute glasses perched on her nose did nothing to detract from her attractiveness.
And he couldn’t help noticing a few other things, like how smooth and creamy-looking her skin appeared to be and that instead of being tinted with lipstick, her lips appeared shiny with gloss. The strands of her hair were a lustrous black, and the few loose tendrils would have softened her features had it not been for the way her lips were pursed together. But even with that, she looked good enough to eat—at least as good as the hot bagels in the bag he was carrying.
He felt his gut contract and immediately thought it was way too early to be thinking such things, but then he reconsidered. A beautiful woman could be appreciated at any time and any place. He decided now was the time to let his presence be known. “Good morning.”
She glanced up and smiled. “Good morning, Jace.”
“We said eight o’clock, but I had a feeling you’d be early. I hadn’t counted on this early,” he said, walking in and setting down the bag on her desk. “Fresh, hot bagels from Jennie’s.”
A smile tipping the corners of her lips widened. “Ahh, one of my favorite places. Thanks.”
He had ordered a coffee machine be provided for her, and from the look of things, she’d already had a cup. “I hope this office meets with your approval.”
“It does,” she said, glancing around. “Almost too much. I had to fight to buckle down and get started instead of staring out the window.” Still smiling, she stood up and sighed in satisfaction. “This is such a beautiful view.”
“I think so, too,” he agreed, scanning his gaze over her and knowing they were talking about two different things. She was wearing another conservative business suit. This one navy. And, like the brown one, it was meant to make a conservative statement, definitely professional. It did, but he was capable of seeing beyond all that. He could imagine her in a halter top with her firm breasts barely contained and a pair of khaki shorts that showed off her gorgeous legs. He wasn’t sure why that image was stamped in his mind, but it was.
“What time is the meeting this morning?” she asked, cutting into his thoughts.
Since he’d agreed it was best that she work on the premises, she suggested that a meeting with his executive team and department heads was the best way to let them know why she was here. It was best to get it out in the open instead of having them speculate. He had agreed. “Around ten. My administrative assistant sent an email out yesterday afternoon.”
“She seems like a nice lady.”
“Who?”
“Your administrative assistant, Melissa Swanson.”
“Yes, and she appears rather efficient. The woman who worked for my grandfather and then for my father for thirty-plus years retired a couple of years ago. That’s when he hired Melissa. I understand she was promoted from a clerical position downstairs.”
He glanced down at her desk. “I see you’re busy already.”
“Yes. I hope to have my first report to you in a week. It will be a preliminary one, but one I feel would be the first step to get Granger back on track.” She paused a minute and then said, “But first, I believe I need to address something,” she said, walking from behind her desk. She strode to the door.
He could tell from her expression that whatever she had to say was serious. But that did nothing to deter him from catching her scent as it floated through the air, or the male appreciation he couldn’t fight as he watched her movements, a natural sway of her hips with every step she took. Inhaling a deep breath, he couldn’t recall when he appreciated a pair of feminine legs more.
After closing the door, she turned on her three-inch heels and walked back to him. She had removed the glasses, and he quickly concluded her eyes were even prettier today. In fact, he thought all of her features were more beautiful. That magnetic pull he’d felt yesterday was back and in full force.
“I believe we need to have a little talk, Jace,” she said, coming to a stop in front of him.
His arched brow rose inquiringly. “What about?”
“Your libido and my hormones.”
At his surprised look, she shook her head. “Don’t look so shocked that I would bring such a thing up, Jace. Normally I wouldn’t, but those two things seem to be working overtime with us and have no place here in the office. And since I have a policy never to get personally involved with my clients, they don’t have a place anywhere.”
Jace figured she couldn’t state things any clearer than that. There was no need to play dumb, since he was well aware of the attraction between them. But Jace hadn’t realized that Shana had been as aware of the pull between them as he was. And he definitely hadn’t expected her to address it. At least now he knew the attraction was mutual. He also knew it was something they needed to work on curtailing since it wouldn’t be going anywhere.
“Do I make myself clear, Jace?” she asked with that serious look back on her face.
He nodded slowly. “Very clear. And I promise to try keeping my libido in line.”
Lord, she hoped so, Shana thought, feeling more relaxed and letting out a relieved breath. And she would try to do her part, as well. In fact, she needed to do more than try, because anything otherwise wasn’t an option. But it wouldn’t be easy. No man had a right to look so doggone handsome that early in the morning. In the business suit he was wearing, he exuded power and displayed a male physique that actually made her mouth water.
First, she had glanced up to see him standing there, his tall, well-built, nicely proportioned body leaning against the doorjamb. And then he had moved closer to her desk, and she couldn’t help but appreciate such an impressive pair of broad shoulders and a well-muscled chest. And he walked with an easy grace and style lined with an air of confidence that she found commanding.
She’d known she’d be in trouble if she didn’t address what could become an issue. They were adults, but more importantly, they were professionals. And now that her concerns were out there, together they would deal with them in a way that was satisfactory to both. No need for pretending.
“Now that we’ve gotten that matter taken care of,” she said, moving back around to her desk, “I wonder if I can have a short meeting with you thirty minutes before we meet with everyone else. I’d like to go over the items I’ll be requesting from them.”
“That will be fine. Let me get settled in for today, and we can meet in my office.” He checked his watch and then glanced back at her. “Let’s say, in around a half hour?”
“That will be perfect. And your brothers. I’d like to meet with them afterward.”
“That can be arranged, as well. I’ll let you get back to your work.” He turned to leave, and she watched the well-muscled body move toward the door. He opened it, and without looking back at her, he walked out and closed it behind him.
* * *
Jace stood at the window in his office. Although he had agreed to Shana’s request, he knew mere words couldn’t block out the attraction he felt toward her. But it would be a start, because he did agree with her that it was an attraction that would not go anywhere. They had bigger, more important things to deal with than physical attraction.
He turned when he heard the buzzer on his desk and walked over to press it. “Yes, Melissa?”
“Your brothers are here to see you.”
He smiled to himself as he spoke. “Send them in.” Before leaving that morning, he had told them to be at the office at eight. It was close to nine, but at least that was a start. Neither of his brothers was used to keeping banker’s hours. And Dalton wasn’t used to keeping any hours at all.
The door swung open and Caden walked in smiling, but Dalton had a fierce frown on his face. “How are things going?” Jace ventured to ask.
“Fine.”
“Lousy.”
Both answers came simultaneously. Jace sat down after seeing his brothers head toward separate corners of the room. Caden stood to glance out the window to enjoy the view, and Dalton dropped down in a chair. Jace resigned himself that it would be one of those days and figured it best to start with Caden since he was smiling. “So, what’s going on with you?”
Caden’s smile widened. “I got a call from my manager. Cameron will use a few of the pieces off my last album as part of the music score for the movie he’s filming now.”
Jace’s lips curved into a smile. “That’s great news. Congratulations.” He had seen James Cameron and Caden speaking briefly at his grandfather’s memorial service. Afterward, Caden had mentioned that Cameron might be interested in using some of his music for a film soundtrack. Cameron and Richard had become friends over twenty years ago when Richard had been one of the investors for Cameron’s earlier films.
He then turned to Dalton and shot him a curious look. His brother’s frown had worsened. “And what’s up with you?”
“Not a damn thing.”
Jace glanced over at Caden, who merely shrugged with that I don’t know and really don’t care look. He decided to follow Caden’s lead and take that same approach. Dalton would unload when he was good and ready.
“I’m glad the two of you made it in at a reasonable hour. There’s an important meeting I’d like you to attend in ten minutes. Shana wants to meet with everyone.”
Dalton raised a brow. “Shana?”
“Yes, Shana Bradford of Bradford Crisis Management.”
Dalton rolled his eyes. “I know who she is, Jace, I just wasn’t aware the two of you were on a first-name basis.”
Jace leaned back in his chair and gazed at his brother intently. “She’ll be working closely with us for the next month or so. Any reason I shouldn’t?”
“No, I guess not.”
Dalton’s disdainful expression was unnerving, but Jace was determined not to let his brother’s foul disposition bother him this morning. Jace was about to brief them on his meeting with Freeman yesterday when his administrative assistant buzzed. “Yes, Melissa?”
“Ms. Bradford is here for your meeting.”
Jace stood. “Send her in.”
Dalton murmured as he and Caden stood, as well, “Can’t wait to meet the wonder-woman.”
Jace shot his brother a warning glance before the door opened. Afterward, his gaze became fixated on Shana, but he heard Dalton’s low whistle before he said, “Be still my heart.”
* * *
A nervous little shiver ran down Shana’s spine, and she forced it away. It was bad enough to have to confront one incredibly handsome man, but now she had to somehow deal with two more. It was easy to see that Caden and Dalton were Jace’s brothers. With the three of them in a room together, the similarities were striking. Although she was sure there were aspects of their personalities that set them apart, all three were ruggedly handsome and powerfully built.
Caden, she thought, appeared smooth and laid-back. Although it wasn’t obvious, she could tell he was sizing her up both physically, because he was a man, and then mentally, because he was curious about her. His preoccupation appeared more with the latter than the former.
Dalton, however, was another story. The flirty look in his eyes and the buttery smile told her everything. All three men were impeccably dressed, but this one’s suit had a designer touch. There was no doubt in her mind that he was a man used to getting whatever he wanted easily and he would try his moves on her. He jauntily tilted his head to the side and openly checked her out as his gaze roamed up and down her. His lips were full and sensual when he said, “I wish I had met you first.”
She smiled back. “It would not have mattered if you had. I’m here for business reasons and not entertainment purposes. It will behoove you to remember that.”
Jace stood on the sidelines, bracing himself for his brother’s response. Shana had put Dalton in his place and rightfully so, but he knew his baby brother. Dalton assumed that coming on to every woman was his birthright.
The beginning of a smile touched Dalton’s lips even after being put in his place, albeit in a diplomatic way. He wasn’t mad at her, just even more intrigued. And Dalton wasn’t stupid. Jace could claim indifference all he wanted, but there was an interest there, and Dalton would willingly bet it was on both sides. He had picked up on something he recognized as strong sexual tension between them. And it amused Dalton that Jace and Shana were evidently fighting it. He inwardly chuckled, thinking it was their fight and not his. But he didn’t have a problem shaking things up a bit. If he had to be stuck here in this city for a while, he didn’t have anything better to do.
“Are you sure that’s what you want?” he asked, taking a closer step.
She took one also and looked dead into his eyes. “Positive.”
Dalton’s smile deepened. She was as tough as she was hot, and he hoped like hell that Jace could handle her. He took a step back. “Then I concede.”
“You, Dalton Granger, have no choice.”
Dalton threw back his head and laughed, and it felt good to do so. He had awakened that morning pissed at the world in general, mainly because he preferred being anywhere other than Sutton Hills. Shana was a bright spot in his morning.
Vidal arrived, and Jace introduced him to Shana. She thanked Vidal for the recommendation that had brought her to Granger Aeronautics. “No problem,” Vidal said, smiling. “On occasion, Jerome Haler and I play golf, and he couldn’t stop singing your praises about how you were able to pull his company out of that slump. He said it would take a miracle, and in the end, you were it.”
“Thank you,” Shana said, smiling.
“Now that introductions are out of the way,” Jace said, “Shana and I will be going over a few things before our meeting this morning, and you’re invited to stay,” he said to his brothers and Vidal.
Jace thought that would be Caden’s and Dalton’s cue to quickly skip out, but to his surprise, both chose to remain. Caden wore a serious expression, but Dalton’s lips twitched as if he were amused by something. Shana took the chair in front of Jace’s desk. Over the next twenty minutes, she went over the items she would be requesting from each executive and department head and why. “Your company is paying each of these individuals a good salary to do their jobs, and I want to make sure they are doing so as efficiently as possible.”
“I have no problem with that, and they shouldn’t, either,” Jace said, checking his watch and then standing. He tightened his tie before reaching over to get his jacket to slide it on. “It’s about time for our meeting,” he said, gathering up the papers on his desk.
As much as she didn’t want to, Shana felt a stirring in her stomach when Jace had eased his jacket over massive shoulders rippling with virility. Then, of all things, her heart began pounding furiously in her chest. She knew what was bothering her, and it irritated her immensely that she wasn’t practicing what she had preached a couple of hours ago.
She drew in a deep breath while thinking that, okay, she had weakened and broken down her defenses this once, but it wouldn’t happen again. The thought that she was back in control sent her spirits soaring until she glanced over at Dalton Granger. He gave her a smile that sparked, revealing his amusement, before he flashed a huge grin. She had a feeling he was up to something but had no idea what.
Her gaze left Dalton and returned to Jace to find him watching her. “Ready?” he asked, and to her way of thinking, a huskiness seemed embedded in his tone.
“Yes, I’m ready.”
“I’ll go on ahead,” Vidal said, smiling. He moved close to Jace and whispered privately, “I told you she was good.” He then quickly left the room.
Coming around to the front of his desk, Jace escorted Shana out of his office with Dalton and Caden bringing up the rear.