Chapter 4

No way in hell his body should be so keyed up at eight thirty in the morning sitting across from Naomi Starr.

Two days after first meeting the woman, Reid swore under his breath and subtly uncrossed his legs, growing uncomfortable. He looked away from Naomi at her desk in her tidy little office and took a moment to glance around.

The place fit her. Frames of local businesses accented the slate-blue walls of her office. Bold, clean lines in her furniture and in the way the small room seemed to be so much bigger than it actually was indicated a woman who knew how to show her best side. And that was to say nothing of the woman herself.

Naomi sat in a navy jacket and form-fitting skirt that reached her knees. Personally, Reid wouldn’t have minded if she’d hiked the thing higher because damn, but she had some nice legs. The understated blouse she wore under the jacket covered her from the neck down while giving tantalizing impressions of the full breasts beneath.

Reid had always been a breast and leg man, and Naomi continued to tick off all the boxes on his “ideal woman” list.

Fortunately, a knock at the door interrupted them before Reid got caught staring.

“Sorry,” her assistant apologized. “Naomi, I need your help with something that’s urgent. It won’t take long.”

Naomi frowned.

“Take care of whatever you need to,” Reid said to her and held up the decadent coffee she’d offered him. “I’m just going to nurse this for a while.” Because he needed the caffeine. Who the hell scheduled appointments before nine if they didn’t have to?

She gave him a tight smile. “I’m sorry about this. I’ll be right back, and while I’m gone, take a look at my proposal.” She pushed a blue folder toward him.

He looked through her ideas, agreeing with the direction she intended. Yet his concentration remained on the woman who’d left as well as the amazing cup of coffee he’d been given upon arrival.

In his office, when Reid had asked if he could get her something to drink, he would have offered her bottled water or some crap coffee from the tiny refreshment station he’d insisted they add to the office. It was a step up from car-dealer coffee but several steps down from Storyville, one of his favorite coffee bars in the city. Naomi could give them a run for their money with her gourmet coffee, served in a fancy ceramic mug. He’d also noticed the spring water in the hallway in a water cooler she no doubt paid through the nose for.

Probably why her fees were a little on the high side. To him, at least. According to Evan, she had more than reasonable prices for what she offered. Her clients couldn’t say enough about all she’d done to help their businesses. The woman was a workhorse, no doubt about it. They had that in common. And, if he wasn’t mistaken, a mutual attraction.

Or that could just be wishful thinking.

She returned, appearing as poised and put-together as she’d been before the interruption. “I’m so sorry for that. A new client panicked about something we’d already agreed upon then wouldn’t speak to anyone but me about it.” Naomi shrugged. “But it’s no big deal. Now, back to you.”

He watched her saunter back to her seat, enjoying the sight. When she sat and faced him, he kept his gaze above her chin at all times.

She nodded to the folder open in front of him. “This is the proposal I’ve outlined for you. Like I said, we’ll do three months and revisit the terms. But I think this is what you need to get started.”

He glanced back down at it. “Looks solid. I wanted to ask what you thought about TV ads too.”

“They can be expensive but worth it. I’d definitely like to see your people on television. Cash and Hector stood out on the news because they sure as heck grabbed my attention. If I needed movers, I’d hire them from that segment alone.”

Of course she would. Cash had that kind of presence about him. Competent, protective, mission-oriented… So long as he kept his big mouth shut, they might make things work.

“Yeah, about that. I’ve had a request for an interview, a spotlight on our company.”

She grabbed a pen and pad of paper. “When did you schedule it for?”

“I didn’t, not yet. Thought I’d see what you thought.”

“Do it.” She stared at him. “From the small group I saw at your office, you’ll represent well. Now, if you’re all photogenic too, we’re golden. We know Hector and Cash look great on camera. Hector is much more charming than your brother. As appealing as your brother may be as the strong type, he’s not exactly silent. A lot of censoring in that piece the news ran on your company.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.” Her continuous stare made him a little uncomfortable. “Something wrong?”

“Hmm. I think we need to brand you as a family company first. You and your brother, together, would really work to sell Vets on the Go!”

“My cousin’s also a partner. We all kind of look alike, so you’d see the family resemblance.”

“Even better.” She made a few notes. “So we highlight you three, then pepper the interview with your brawny, good-looking employees. And bam, you’ve already made an impression on the thousands of single women needing to move.”

“Now we’re targeting women?”

“Yes. And families and veterans themselves. You have an original appeal, and not just because you’re handsome.” She flushed and hurried to add, “And by you, I mean your team and your business.”

“So I’m not handsome then?” he asked to tease her, loving that blush.

Naomi cleared her throat and said dryly, “I think you’re well aware of your looks. My point is we use every weapon in your arsenal. You have fit, appealing employees who’ve served our country. That’s three for three. Now looking at your rates…”

She swiveled her computer monitor so he could see it. “Leo, our data guru, sent me a comparison to see who your major competitors are.”

“We went through this before we started the company,” he said.

“Bear with me.” They went over more numbers, enough to make his head spin. In certain demographics, they seemed to hit the mark while missing entirely in others. “So you see, if you raise this rate but drop this fee, you’ll still come out even.”

“That’s if this marketing works.”

She gave him another of those penetrating looks that caused the sparks in his belly to start up and dance. “Oh, it’ll work.”

“Confident in your abilities, huh?”

“You know what, Reid? I am. Now, I’ve got the same issues as most women.” Her charming smile disarmed him. “I often wonder, does this outfit make me look fat? Is my hair the mess I think it is? Will he call like he said he would?” She turned uber-professional between one breath and the next. “But one thing I’m not is deluded about my professional abilities. I won’t promise what we can’t deliver. I know how to help businesses grow and flourish, and yes, I’m damn good at what I do.”

He believed her a hundred percent. “Okay then.” He studied her right back, noticing the plump curve of her lips. The sparkle in her blue eyes.

He took his pen and signed the contract, then pushed the folder back to her, irritated that he had to work to maintain control, aware of his racing pulse. Reid was man enough to handle being attracted to a beautiful woman. Didn’t mean he had to follow his dick where it led. “But for the record, the outfit is flattering, your hair is beautiful, and if he’s dumb enough not to call back, he doesn’t deserve you.” He stood before he made a bigger fool of himself. “I’ll set up the interview with the news station and let you know.”

“Ah, right. Good.” She cleared her throat. “Once I have that information, we can meet again to prep you for it. That, and I have a few more ideas I’ve been considering.”

“Great.” He just stared down at her.

“Any questions for me?” she asked, sounding way too perky.

“Yes.” He stared some more, until that bright smile dimmed. He let her see his attraction, let her know that yes, he did find her smokin’ hot.

“Your question?” she asked and licked her lips. Her gaze dropped to his mouth for a second before shooting back to his eyes.

Gratified to know she felt the same chemistry, he winked at her and saw her blush again. “My question is this… Where do you get your coffee? Because that cup I had was amazing.”

* * *

Naomi stammered out a response, not sure exactly what she said. Reid nodded and tapped his temple. “Making a mental note.” He glanced at his watch. “Oh crap. Look at the time. Gotta go. I’ll talk to you soon.” He left before she could pick up her jaw from the floor.

Good lord. That look he’d shot her had singed her ovaries. So it wasn’t just her feeling that connection between them. What a terrible thing to learn. Then again, the man hadn’t made a move. If he could remain strictly professional, so could she. So would she. Heck, she’d more than learned her lesson with Tanner.

Liz popped her head in the door. Thirty-seven, a frizzy blond, and a no-nonsense mother of five, the woman could manage a circus with one hand tied behind her back and one eye closed. “That’s our client? Hold on while I wipe the drool.” Liz exaggerated wiping the corner of her mouth. “And I thought the guys on TV were hot.”

“I’m thinking of telling Reid he should open up a modeling agency instead,” Naomi teased.

“No kidding.” After Naomi shared a brief rundown of her notes, Liz nodded. “Oh yeah, for sure. If I had to pick someone to help me move, I’d call them. You’re trusting a stranger with your prized possessions, you want to choose someone trustworthy. Good-looking doesn’t hurt either.”

“That’s what I was thinking.” She texted Leo and thanked him for his data, which had helped a ton. “Liz, after my talk with Natalie, did she calm down and let you help her?”

“Finally. You have the magic touch.” Liz sighed and flopped into the chair across from her. “We really need to hire more help. We’re getting busy, I mean, really busy.”

“I know.” Naomi felt the heat of excitement, the challenge to succeed driving her. For the first time in a long time, hope, not desperation, fueled her. She could feel it. Starr PR was ready to move to the next level. “I’ve talked to two possible candidates, friends from the old firm who want to jump ship.” And didn’t that give her the warm fuzzies.

“Best move I ever made,” Liz agreed. “I probably would have stayed at PP&R if Mike Rogers hadn’t kept taking credit for all my work.”

“He’s such an ass.”

“So is Tanner, I hear.”

Naomi sat straighter. “Oh?”

Liz laughed. “Don’t even try acting casual. You should hear what I’m hearing.” Liz leaned forward. “Tanner’s been having trouble with some of his new hires. The people there just aren’t as competent as you and I were. Rumor has it the real talent is fleeing since no one seems to advance in the company unless they’re related to the partners.”

“That’s too bad, and I mean that. PP&R was a good place to work. I blame myself for screwing up a good thing. Literally.” Since Liz knew about Naomi’s past, Naomi had no problem confiding in her friend and employee. Liz would have been a full partner had she been able to afford the buy-in. But then, she hadn’t wanted the responsibility for the firm either. More than happy to play her part assisting with the clients, Liz was right where she wanted to be and a godsend Naomi intended to keep as happy as possible.

“Look, we both know it wasn’t the smartest thing you could have done.” Trust Liz not to sugarcoat anything. “But Tanner should have been more professional too. So you had a relationship? You were both handling it just fine until you started outperforming him at work. Then he turned into a sniveling worm who couldn’t deal with a successful partner. Let’s say you’d left on your own, separating work from your relationship. Do you really think he’d have been happy if you made it big, still outshining him?”

“Sadly, no.” Naomi scowled. “But it’s such a waste of a man. He had so much potential.”

“Too bad he turned out to be a douche.”

Naomi stared at petite, businesslike Liz with her no-frills black glasses and wiry blond hair and had to laugh. “Yeah, a total douche.”

“Makes you wonder how a man like Reid Griffith would respond in the same circumstances though, doesn’t it?”

“Yes. No,” Naomi hurriedly denied. “I learned my lesson. No dating coworkers, clients, or bosses.”

“Ever?”

“Ever.”

Liz snorted. “Yeah, you keep telling yourself that. Good thing our new client didn’t see you staring at his ass as he left.”

“Hey, I can look. Just not touch.”

“So sad.” Liz shook her head. “And you, just squandering your best years. When’s the last time you went out on a date?”

“Yes, yes, I’m lame and miserable.” Naomi tapped her desk with her pretty red nails. “Now back to what’s really important—has Tanner put on weight? Who’s he dating? And who’s planning to leave? We need to start making some calls.”

Liz held up her phone and smiled. “Already ahead of you, boss. I have pictures too.”

“Oh, nice.”

“But one thing. That coffee you mentioned to Reid? Hate to break it to you, but that Jamaican Blue Mountain was nowhere near the Peet’s blend you told him about.” Liz gave her a sly grin. “Frazzled you, did he?”

“Oh shush and tell me Tanner got fat.”

“Sorry to disappoint you.” Liz showed her the phone with a picture of Tanner at a meeting. “But it’s funny, looking at him, then putting his picture side by side with Reid, I can’t tell who’s better looking.” Which was saying something, because Tanner, jerk that he was, had fine written all over him.

Naomi studied Tanner’s picture. “On looks alone, I might have to give it to Tanner. Let’s face it. He’s beautiful. But on sheer sex appeal and personality, it’s no contest—Reid. Then again, I’d award the Grinch over Tanner Michael Ryan.”

Liz shared more gossip, but Naomi was stuck on how much more attractive she found Reid, when she shouldn’t have been thinking about the man so much. And not when she had other clients to get to. Hmm. Maybe she should hand him over to Liz after all…

* * *

Reid met Cash at the gym for a workout. He’d tried several places when they’d gotten back to the States, but this one was run by a former Marine and it was close, in Green Lake. Cash liked it, and after turning in his membership at a pricier gym, Reid had signed on at Jameson’s.

The members seemed normal, not too affluent and not thugs rolling people for money on the way out. Plus most of the men working out seemed to want to get in shape. He didn’t notice a huge hookup atmosphere. Then again, Reid used the place to work out, not search for sex partners.

After sweating like a demon on a five-mile run that did nothing to cure him of the memory of Naomi Starr in that blouse, Reid moved to the free weights, only to find Cash arguing with some guy about training methods.

“Look, I know what I’m doing. We had this same argument a week ago,” Cash growled at the guy.

Not as large as Cash but just as fierce in his expression, the man, wearing a Jameson’s Gym red T-shirt, glared back. “I didn’t say you don’t know what you’re doing. I’m only trying to help you, moron.” Whoa, not great customer service at Jameson’s, apparently.

“Fuck you.”

“Back at ya, shit for brains. You’re doing it wrong, Old School. Get a clue.”

Cash took a step in the guy’s direction and clenched his fists. “Say that again.”

“Why? Need me to break down those small words into even smaller ones?” The guy smirked.

Reid hoped his brother wouldn’t get himself kicked out of yet another place. Because Reid liked it here. “Cash, what the hell?”

Cash turned, and Reid noticed quite a few women alternating looks between him and the trainer…and now Reid. A few guys gave them wary expressions, and someone bolted down the hall. Probably to grab security.

“Oh, hey, Reid.” Cash nodded to him, seeming not at all bothered. “Check out this asswipe. Thinks he knows more than I do about what I should be benching.”

The guy scowled. “Again, not what I said.” He turned and ignored Cash. “Hi. I’m Gavin Donnigan. I happen to work here, and I train people for a living.”

Reid took his hand. “Name’s Reid. I have no idea who this man is, giving you a hard time. I’m just here to work out.”

“Reid, seriously?” Cash crossed his arms over his chest, showcasing a sweaty T-shirt and ever-growing biceps.

Gavin grinned. “Your last name wouldn’t happen to be Griffith?”

“Nope.”

Cash glared at him. “Fuck you too, Bro.”

Gavin laughed. “Hey, man. I have a brother just like this one. Yeah, your best bet is to just pretend you don’t know him.”

Reid looked from Gavin to Cash, sensing he’d missed something. “You know Cash?”

“Met him overseas years ago. We hung out at some of the same shitty places.”

“Ah. I’m guessing Marine Corps?”

“Yep. 1stMARDIV. 1st Recon Battalion. You?”

They made small talk about their time in the service, ignoring Cash, who moved away to exercise without Gavin’s interference. Talk turned to Reid’s workouts, and Gavin suggested a few moves Reid hadn’t considered that would increase his mass without putting too much bulk on him. His shirts strained at the seams as it was.

“Yeah, that’ll totally help you get stronger and leaner.” Gavin nodded. “It’s great for runners. Your brother—sorry, I mean, that guy you don’t know—isn’t sticking to the workout I set up for him. The one he asked me for a month ago, the dick. He’s going to get even bigger than he is now.”

“Is that possible?” Reid said, loudly enough to be overheard by his brother. “I mean, his head is so fat he can barely fit through the door as it is.”

Cash grinned. “Ass.”

Gavin chuckled.

A large, muscular man with a military-short haircut and angry glint in his eye entered the room and made a beeline for them. “What’s the problem?” he barked. Reid looked from the guy to Cash and wondered who might come out on top if the argument turned physical.

Gavin held his hands up in surrender. “No problem, Mac. Just showing this talented Marine how to maximize his training.”

Mac relaxed. “Oh great. Another devil dog. Hey, man.” He introduced himself as the owner of the place and a retired Marine, though the guy didn’t look that old. He must have read Reid’s surprise because he said, “Medical discharge. Took a hit through the knee that never healed right.”

“That sucks.”

“Yeah.” Mac looked over at Cash and raised a brow. “Who’s that monster? Your brother?”

“Not according to rumor,” Gavin teased.

Reid sighed. “He’s all mine.” He winced at their grins. “Listen, if he gets a little, ah—”

“Argumentative? Surly? Obnoxious?” Gavin said, his voice rising with each word until Cash looked over at him and gave him the finger.

“Yeah, all that. If he’s a little much, just let me know, and I’ll talk to him. We like this place. Hate to get kicked out because of a bad day and some attitude.” He’d make sure to talk to Cash later, regardless.

“No problem.” Mac clapped Gavin on the back, and the big guy shuddered. “If I didn’t throw this guy out, I won’t toss your brother. And trust me, Gavin was a mess.”

Gavin gave Mac a sour look. “Thanks so much.”

“No problem. Nice to meet you, Reid. Anytime you want to stop in and talk shop, my office is down the hall.” Mac walked away, and Reid noticed a slight limp.

“He’d still be in if he hadn’t gotten shot.” Gavin shrugged. “What can you do?” The conversation turned local and to some people they both knew.

“Chris Jennings? He’s a member too?” Reid asked. “He gave me a helluva deal on the house we’re renting.”

“Yeah. Guy is loaded now that he hit big in the tech field. But when I knew him, he was a nerdy little grunt.” Gavin grinned. “I used to kick his ass on a regular basis on our daily runs.”

“So did I.” Reid laughed. “Hey, anytime you want to grab a beer, let me know.”

“I will.” Gavin paused. “Reid, you know, I think I saw your brother on TV the other night. Did he save some kid from getting knifed?”

“I did,” Cash boomed. “Vets on the Go! kicks ass.”

“Our moving company,” Reid explained. “We only hire vets and do local moves. It’s a win-win because I get to boss my big brother around and keep him in line at the same time.”

Cash laughed. “Right. We all know I’m in charge.”

Gavin leaned in and said, “Just let him think so. I do that with my brother all the time.”

They shared a conspiratorial grin, then Reid was tortured by both Gavin and Cash as he tried to follow the workout Gavin had given his brother, just to test it out. A tall redhead walked by in short shorts and a tank top, bringing Naomi instantly to his mind. But the redhead didn’t have the right color eyes or the right build. Didn’t keep Cash from looking though.

“Reid, that’s pathetic,” Gavin said. “Lift like you got a pair, man. Or do you want people to think you were in the Air Force?”

Next to them, an older man frowned. “Hey.”

“Sorry. I meant the Army.”

“What’s the difference?” Cash muttered, and Gavin did his best to calm a different older man down.

“And who said you could stop lifting?” Gavin asked.

“Ten more reps at this weight, Reid. Let’s go.” Cash watched with narrowed eyes.

Reid groaned. Nothing like getting heckled by Marines while trying to forget a certain PR professional’s appeal.

He worked harder. And pulled a muscle.