Love Triangle Six Books of Torn Desire - Willow Winters Page 0,186

meticulously organized mass of paperwork, folders, and office supplies. He wears a navy suit, and my eyes travel up the crisp, clean lines of his jacket and catch on the glinting silver tie tack holding his matching navy tie in place.

Navy, I muse. Interesting considering everything else I’ve seen in this office is black, white, or gray. It’s like he purposely chose to stand out, but he’s got this imposing presence about him that would allow him to stand out either way. He owns the room and everything in it just because he’s there.

From the way his eyes land on me, it’s clear he remembers me, too, and my mouth dries. I’m beyond grateful for the water the receptionist gave me. I unscrew the cap and tip it to my mouth to moisten my lips just as the woman who led me back here turns around and bumps into me.

Water splashes out of the bottle and onto my purple DLHS shirt.

The woman glares at me and smirks as she watches a small water stain start to spread over my chest. She’s definitely laughing at me without actually laughing at me—enough so I know, but not enough so her boss knows. She leaves the office before he can see her wide grin at my expense.

I draw in a shaky breath as heat creeps into my cheeks. I haven’t been this affected by a man since…well, since I met a rock star. Except for that one event that almost seems like a dream, I don’t think I’ve ever been affected like this.

I shake my head to clear it as I wipe at the water spot on my chest. It probably looks like I’m feeling myself up, but I’m just trying to get my shirt to dry faster. It’s not working.

“Come on in,” he says, his lips tipping up in that same cocky smile I remember from outside the elevator as his eyes connect with mine. He stands and extends an arm. “Brian Fox,” he says, and I reach out to shake his hand. His eyes dart down to the little water spot right over my boob.

“Reese Brady,” I say, smiling nervously. My voice squeaks as our hands connect, so I clear my throat and drop his hand before I sit in one of the chairs facing his desk.

“You know, Reese, I have to admit, I’ve thought about you several times since you literally ran into me. Sometimes I think of you as the elevator girl, or sometimes as the Mandarin girl. But, sadly for me, it’s always the girl who got away.”

My cheeks flush, but before I can respond, he says lightly, “It’s nice to see you with a smile this time.”

I cover half my face with my hand. “I’m mortified about the other morning,” I say.

He chuckles and waves a dismissive hand through the air. “Don’t be. We’ve all had bad mornings.”

“Thank you,” I say, sure there must be a more socially appropriate response that’s currently absent from my brain.

He levels his gaze on me for a few beats, and I half expect him to ask me why I was crying or what I was doing at the Mandarin Oriental early on a Sunday morning. He doesn’t, though. Instead, he clears his throat and asks, “What can I do for you today?”

His eyes penetrate me, and I avert my gaze to the window, drinking in the familiar view of the Strip. It centers me, calms me. This is my home turf. I’ve got this. I force myself to look at him—a big mistake considering those handsome eyes are still pinned on me.

“I’m here on behalf of Desert Lights High School.” My voice is shaky, but once I start the speech I’ve given in prior years to other companies, I’m sure it’ll calm.

“The appointment on my schedule said something about a fundraiser for the high school?”

“Yes,” I say, getting to the point of why I’m here. I focus on the matter at hand and ignore how hot he is, how much he unnerves me. “Every fall, we host a fundraiser and we ask local businesses for donations. It’s a huge event in our community and it takes place over Homecoming weekend.” I pull this year’s brochure out of my purse and slide it across his desk. Our fingers brush in the process, and the desire that fell asleep in my body as I left Mark’s place seems to awaken. I draw in a breath. It’s just an attraction. This man is gorgeous