Big Dick Energy - Cindi Madsen Page 0,10

shit, that was definitely aloud and not in my head. Ellie and I had adopted the saying from Cat, all three of us now using it whenever our plans got shot to hell. I scratched at my suddenly itchy neck, doing my best to assure myself it’d be fine. I’d just explain I’d been in a bad mood the other night and tell him I was sorry that—

Don’t apologize. Catalina had sent dozens of links with list upon list of tips. No saying I could be wrong, just my opinion, it’s out of my hands, or I hope that’s okay. No using I think, feel, or believe X, Y, and Z. No guessing or supposing. It was just the way it was, end of story.

As looking people in the eye landed in the “musts category,” I leveled my gaze on Archer and Mr. Bishop and swallowed past the bitter lump of anxiety and regret lodged in my throat. “Nice to meet you. If you’ll take a seat, I’ll update you and the rest of the team on what the Pythons are looking for in their new stadium, as well as what the city wants us to consider.”

Archer lifted an eyebrow, a hint of a challenge gliding along the curve, and I reminded myself that he wasn’t the only one looking his best today. The belt I’d secured around my waist emphasized my curves, and my patent pumps not only matched my top but could do serious damage, coffee splattered or not.

I tapped my pen to my lip, and his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he tracked the motion. A whorl of victory catapulted my confidence to the next level. “Afterward, I’ll gladly answer any questions you have.”

There. Firm. A pinch cocky, too, but that was the point, right?

Er, it was.

Seriously, though. Of all the conference rooms in all the world, Archer York walks into mine.

5

Archer

I scribbled on the digital notebook I’d brought with me, jotting down the finer points of Penelope’s presentation, along with her name. My jaw had about dropped to the floor when I’d swung my gaze toward the front of room and recognized the woman who’d shut me down harder than I’d ever been shut down before.

I’d like to say I hadn’t thought about her since leaving the bar that night. If anyone asked, I’d stick with that lie, too.

As someone who prided himself on being a good judge of character, I couldn’t believe how far off I’d been about her the other night. Sweet—hah! With that giant chip on her shoulder, I was surprised she didn’t walk lopsided. I’d only seen her strut a couple steps across the front of the room so far, and each time I’d paid way more attention to the snug skirt that highlighted her ass.

Then I’d look down and find the words I’d written were illegible and ran off the paper. In order to show Doug he’d made the right call asking me to come work on this project, I needed to get my head right. Penelope sure thought she was a shark, but she was about to find out she was the tiger shark to my Great White.

“Any questions?” she asked, fidgeting with her pen, clicking and unclicking it on her jaw.

I rubbed my fingertips along my lower lip, volleying between throwing her off with a question she couldn’t possibly answer and biding my time. I didn’t want to look like an asshole in front of my new colleagues, as it was hardly the way to get the best from them. One of the many benefits of working as an independent contractor was that there were always opportunities around the next corner.

The soccer complex was different. I was far from sentimental, but the Pythons held a special place in my heart for a couple reasons.

“Awesome,” Penelope said, gathering up the folders and slim laptop from the podium. “Three members from the Pythons will come to the office later this week to discuss more of the finer details.” Her blue-eyed gaze returned to me, and damn that zing in my veins for being so eager. “I’ll make sure to catch up Arthur beforehand and show him the rough draft of my plans, so he’ll be ready.”

“Archer,” I said, not buying for a second she’d forgotten my name, and she flashed me a tight smile. I should’ve prodded her with difficult question after another, showing off my superior knowledge of the Pythons so her coworkers, boss, and I could watch