THREE

If asked, Sadie couldn’t say when she’d first seen him. It had most likely been years ago, during her first event for D&A International. And certainly at any of the two dozen since. Jack Avery was co-founder of the company and an ever-present figure at their high-level functions. He and Mark always huddled together at the bigger events. Suits custom tailored, dark colors, jewel-tone ties that always complimented the other’s effortlessly.

Thinking back on it now, it would be wildly unfair to say that Jack didn’t stand out. In fact, Sadie was certain that Jack Avery garnered attention everywhere he went. He was too tall, too broad, too attractive to disappear into a crowd, however large. But she’d always been working, been focused on the fifteen tasks that pulled at her at any given time. That is what life was like for her. A constant staccato of next steps, next cues, next speakers, next meals, next problem, next day, next night.

But while Sadie didn’t remember the first time she’d seen Jack, she certainly remembered the last. It had been four months ago. D&A International had brought their sales team to Colorado to enjoy some early season skiing and pre-holiday festivities. A party before the party. Her team had known that Jack Avery was scheduled to attend, but, due to an unexpected travel change, he’d arrived a day earlier than expected. His assistant had called Sadie to give her the head’s up just as Jack had pulled his rental car into the drive. She’d raced to the hotel’s front desk even while she had the head of reservations on the phone, quickly firing off answers as the woman magically rearranged inventory so that Mr. Avery would be able to check into his suite a day earlier than planned.

As Sadie scrambled across the wooden floor of the hotel’s lobby, wishing she’d followed her own advice and stuck to flats instead of heeled boots, she reminded herself for the thousandth time that she wasn’t saving a life, she wasn’t solving a world crisis. She was getting a hotel room. For a grown man. Who could definitely take care of himself. Especially given his assistant. And his fortune. But this was the service that D&A International paid for, and this was the service they would get. So as Sadie skid to a stop in front of the check-in desk and caught the erratic gesture the front desk manager gave her, she quickly turned around, smoothed down her skirt, affixed a smile to her face, and walked to meet Jack Avery as he stepped into the hotel’s lobby.

“Mr. Avery. A pleasure to see you. I hope you had an easy trip.” Sadie extended her hand and after only the slightest hesitation Jack Avery reached out and wrapped it in his.

“Ms…?” He raised an eyebrow even as his lips curved upward into a small, friendly smile.

“Ms. Carter. Sadie. I’m part of the team helping to put on this event.”

“Well, Ms. Carter. Sadie. It is a pleasure to see you. Again.”

Sadie’s pulse had returned to its regular pace after her dash across the hotel. But even as she kept her eyes casually fixed on Jack’s, she realized that her hand was still clasped in his. And as the heat from his broad palm and strong fingers seeped in and spread up her arm, Sadie’s heart began to race for an entirely different reason. Perhaps Jack caught a glimpse of discomfort on her face. Or he felt the subtle shiver that raced across her fingers. Either way, he released her hand and took a step back, his smile easy, charming.

Sadie swallowed quickly, hoping her voice would come out at a normal octave. “I’m afraid the hotel is putting the final touches on your room and you won’t be able to check in yet.” She cast a glance back at the front desk clerk who was very helpfully pounding away on his computer. “I’ve given them fifteen minutes to rectify the situation. In the meantime, I’d be happy to give you a quick tour of the property, show you where everything is taking place over the next few days.”

Jack shoved his hands into the pockets of his suit pants and rocked back gently on his heels. “What a kind offer, Sadie. And though I’m sure you’d make a charming tour guide, I see some of my colleagues in the bar.” Just beyond the lobby Sadie saw a collection of Jack’s co-workers relaxing, rocks glasses balanced on the arms of leather chairs, dark rumblings of laughter catching between the cracking of logs in the fireplaces lining the lounge. “A scotch and a seat by one of those fireplaces is exactly what I need after today’s trip.”

“Of course, Mr. Avery. Please….” Sadie let her voice drop off as she gestured towards the bar. A bizarre motion, she realized, as if she was granting him permission to join his colleagues. But if Jack found it odd, he made no sign of it. Instead, he paused while he pulled a small square of paper from his wallet, scratched something on the back with a pen, and handed it over to her.

Sadie plucked the paper from his fingers, careful not to brush his skin with hers. If she’d been less distracted she’d have realized it was a business card before staring at it for a second. She also would have realized what he’d written on the back. And, most likely, why. But with her brain still skittering over her odd reaction to his handshake, she looked blankly between the card and his face several times before he took pity on her.

“My cell phone number.” Still, Sadie’s face remained blank. “If you pass it along to the front desk they can just text or call me. When my room is ready.”

Sadie closed her eyes, silently cursing her stupidity. It was, of course, the solution she would have proposed if her brain had been functioning even a little. But, no. It had momentarily abandoned her. And there she stood, mute, a blush creeping up her neck as she silently berated herself for being an idiot in front of one of her clients. She gave herself a small shake and hoped Jack didn’t notice.

“Certainly, Mr. Avery. I’ll be sure they contact you as soon as your room is ready.” Trying to regain some credibility, Sadie continued, “If you’d like me to bring you your keys just let the front desk know when they call. They have my number. I’d be happy to save you a trip back to the lobby. I can bring the keys to you at the bar.”

It wasn’t a peculiar offer. It was something her team did for their VIP clients all the time. Sadie had lost count of the number of times they’d checked guests in and met them at their cars, escorting them straight up to their rooms like they were foreign dignitaries. But Jack seemed startled by it, his head starting a steady shake before she finished speaking.

“That won’t be necessary, Ms. Carter. I’m perfectly capable of getting into my own room. I’m sure you have far better things to do than babysit me.” Catching the eye of one of his colleagues, Jack gave a brisk wave and headed their way. But as he passed Sadie he paused, dropping his head so that his mouth was inches from her ear. “Don’t worry, Ms. Carter. I’m a big boy. I’m capable of taking care of all sorts of things.”

If it wasn’t for the heat of his breath against her temple Sadie would have thought she’d imagined it. The implication, the innuendo. Which all but disappeared as Jack casually made his way over to the men scattered throughout the bar, tossing a drink order over his shoulder to a bartender, and lowering himself into one of the club chairs as if it had been left vacant just for him.

Sadie would have dwelt on it. Would have considered it odd. Would have fumed over how inappropriate it was. But her phone rang, the name of her second in charge flashing across the screen. Another crisis that required attention. Not a life threatening illness. Or the collapse of a nation. But a crisis that she was paid to handle. Which is what Sadie headed off to do.

Sadie didn’t know that Jack sat in his luxurious chair in the bar watching her contemplate his words. Watching that flush creep back up her neck and linger, before it dissipated under the demands of her job. That he rubbed his fingers over his palm again and again, remembering the heat that had settled beneath his skin where they had touched. That he had no clue what Sinclair from Acquisitions shouted across the bar, causing Todd from Finance to slam his drink down so forcefully that whisky splashed across Jack’s calf, the dark stain spreading along the expensive fabric. That it wasn’t until the next morning, when he picked his pants up from where he’d discarded them the night before, that Jack even noticed the heavy stain marring his favorite suit.

Sadie didn’t know that the only thing Jack paid attention to since arriving in Colorado was her.