Love Drunk (Complete Series), page 47
Hairs on the back of his neck stood at attention when her hand grasped his shoulder. Yep, he must not have been in horrible shape if all he could think of was having that hand on other parts of his body right about then. Just when he thought he’d escaped slipping further into that abyss. “Can you stand?”
“Yeah,” he mumbled, slowly rising, pinching his nostrils together. Blood rushed to his head but was a hell of a lot better there than all over his shirt. What the hell was Lisa doing at Blue Coat? Paul’s words rushed back. Holy shit, was she the analyst?
“It’s not bleeding, but you should rest a second. Sit over here. Darn it, looks like I really owe you now.” Lisa pushed him into a chair and bent to grab his phone.
As if on cue, the phone in her hand rang again. Fucking Paul, no doubt. He’d never hear the end of this one.
She grinned, teeth sparkling. Or maybe he really was delirious. Did she really have a halo of light surrounding her head? He blinked, his vision coming into focus. Nope, no halo but she was gorgeous, even more so than the last time he’d seen her. “So you’re a lawyer. Funny, the tabloids don’t usually reference your day job in their oh-so-glowing accounts of your extracurricular activities.”
“Are you hassling me right now? I’d have thought you might be a little more gracious, all things considered.”
A sly smile lifted the corners of her shiny lips. “So sensitive. I was just making an observation.”
“Sure sounded like there was judgment behind those words.”
“Is that a problem?”
“It is if you believe everything you read.”
A look of surprise flitted across her features. “Why shouldn’t I?”
“Because it skews the truth.”
“Should that matter to me, A.J.?”
Oh yeah. There wasn’t one single cell in his body that wasn’t turned on by hearing her raspy voice speak his name. Hell, she could have said chlamydia and it would have welcomed the same reaction from his groin. “I hope so.”
“Wow, all this from the most notorious bachelor on the West Coast. Can’t say I’m not flattered. Are you sure it’s not the head injury talking?”
“My brain is back to its normal size, although my nose is another story.”
“I guess I owe you double now, huh?”
“Heart attack, shoes, knife wound, crushed nose… how do you figure it’s only double?”
“So a simple thank you won’t suffice, then.”
“Not a chance. And you’d better believe I’m going to collect.”
“That’s pretty presumptuous of you. What makes you think I’ll deliver?”
“Because you’re still standing here.”
She sidled closer, the warmth of her breath fluttering against his cheek. “Don’t flatter yourself. You may be able to get exactly what you want from women when you flash that little dimple and your come-hither look, but it won’t work on me.”
A soft, floral scent wafted into the air around him as she pulled back, a guarded look shadowing her eyes. Barriers to her true feelings. What the hell hid behind them? Because he sure as hell knew he hadn’t made any of this up. Their connection was intense. She could play it off all she wanted but deep down, she knew it too.
“What are you afraid of?”
“There’s nothing to fear when you don’t have anything to lose.” Her eyes darkened for a split second, like a sudden black cloud that almost immediately dissipated. It was a mere glimpse, the threat of an impending storm. He knew he should run and take cover, but it was too late. Escape was futile. “Anyway, sorry your nose got in the way of the door.”
His eyes betrayed him, tracing a path down the smooth, bronze skin of her muscular calves, fingers longing for a touch. He rose from the chair. Thankfully the pain had dissipated and his sinuses no longer felt like they were on fire. “You’re a dangerous one. It’s kind of hot and petrifying at the same time.”
“Nobody is forcing you to stick around.”
“And yet, I’m still here. What does that tell you?”
“That you’re a glutton for punishment.”
Those eyes. That smile. Holy cow, was this guy swoon-worthy. No wonder women crumbled at his feet. Ugh! She wasn’t like them. A guy who had a longer list of conquests than ones most little kids sent to the North Pole for Christmas was one to be avoided at all costs. Forget whatever she thought might be lurking beneath the layers. A.J. had already crept under her skin and permeated her thoughts long enough. Danger alert! She needed to steer clear and focus on her job, the one source of security in her life.
“You came out here for something other than almost breaking my nose, didn’t you?” A.J.’s deep voice sent shivers down her back, and on her back was about the only place she’d like to be at that very moment. Better to focus on the physical than all the sappy bullshit that was certain to swallow her whole if she allowed it.
“Maybe I just needed a break from all the testosterone.” With an exaggerated swing of her hips, she strode ahead of him into the lobby. Just a little eye candy. It was hard to miss the way his eyes raked over her body in the foyer. Truth be told, she’d wished it was his hands doing the raking and berated herself for letting the thought percolate. “Not that I mind under normal circumstances, but listening to who’s got the bigger stick really doesn’t do much for me at this hour.”
He held open the conference room door for her. “Let’s see if the biggest stick is here.”
“A.J., so great you could finally join us.”
“And there he is,” he murmured, his breath hot against her ear.
She swallowed a giggle. Paul Emerson in the flesh. He must have just breezed in. Definitely the biggest prick… er, stick. One-half of one of the most infamous business partnerships in northern California. What girl in her right mind wouldn’t want to be part of that three-way?
“Doing some last minute analysis?” Paul smirked, raising an eyebrow in her direction. Heat singed her cheeks and crept down her neck. Fucking A yes.
A.J. dropped his briefcase onto the table. “I’d think you of all people would want to make sure we’re covering all bases with this deal, Paul.”
So sexy. Paul’s sarcasm didn’t seem to ruffle him at all, but by all accounts, they’d been working together since post-grad at Stanford. A.J. had obviously learned how to handle his reputed egomaniacal partner.
A quick wink made her knees wobbly, and she clutched the back of the chair before she melted into a puddle of goo under A.J.’s heated stare. Something was wrong with this picture. She didn’t react this way to guys; they reacted this way to her. One smoldering look and the upper hand suddenly shifted? Her clothes could be scattered all over the floor and she wouldn’t have felt as exposed.
The other “sticks” watched the exchange between Paul and A.J. with amusement.
“Okay, let’s get started. We’re all here to settle the terms of our joint investment in The InCrowd. You’re all aware Blue Coat doesn’t partner with other venture capital firms unless the deal is worth our while.” Paul paused. “And since we believe this absolutely is, consider yourselves privileged.”
It was going to be a certifiable gold mine, if the financials were correct. The CEO of The InCrowd was straight out of MIT, a brilliant and celebrated technologist who’d created a virtual public relations app powered by the masses. The InCrowd was a way for up-and-comers in the entertainment industry to raise awareness of their brand without having to pay thousands of dollars to a publicist. Aspiring entertainers could subscribe to a service that provided access to The InCrowd’s expansive social network of promoters. For an affordable monthly fee, entertainers could extend special discounts or perks to a select group of promoters who would then spread the word out about upcoming gigs. It was a small price to pay for a chance to have their dreams become a reality.
Working with A.J. was icing on the proverbial cake.
A cursory glance out of the corner of his eye made her pulse race. Dammit. She’d totally been caught staring. With a flip of her hair, she reached into her laptop bag and pulled out a leather-bound notebook. Don’t look, don’t look.
“The contracts look good. The terms are fair.” A.J. placed a folder on the table. “Now, let’s talk dollars. Our analysts had some questions about the data we were given. How accurate are these financial projections?”
Projections. That was her cue. Her head popped up from the notebook to find multiple pairs of expectant eyes focused on her. She was the senior analyst responsible for evaluating the viability of their joint investment, at least as of a couple of hours ago. Lisa met A.J.’s gaze. Tiny flecks of gold reflected in the swirling chocolate-colored pools and numbers faded to whitespace at the most inopportune time.
“Lisa?” Josh furrowed his brow. “Are you with us or what?”
“Of course.” She cleared her throat, forcing her mind to make sense of the black type littering the pages in front of her. “As you can see, the cost to acquire new clients is low. Because of its large social network, the company doesn’t need to do heavy advertising, which reduces their marketing expenses.”
Paul nodded. “What about the competition? Can we expect that membership won’t drop off after only a few months?”
“The InCrowd has no competition in this space, so it’s the sole virtual public relations alternative. Their clients have reported large gains in social media followings and name recognition is on the rise. Since there are no alternatives for this type of publicity service, I think membership will be sustainable.”
“The guy burns money like he’s a Kardashian,” A.J. mused. His eyes crinkled at the corners as that heart-melting smile flashed in her direction. “We’d need to cap the spending. He has a winning concept, but the debt will bury us before we get a chance to collect on our investment.”
Lisa smirked. “Agreed. If we can control the debt, The InCrowd will be well-positioned for a buyout or an IPO. And then we all make a windfall.”
“Good work. Let’s talk next steps.” Josh pulled out his iPhone. “Emerson, how much interest can we generate with this launch? You know anyone who can help with the media blitz? The more hype we can create, the more wannabes will get ready to sign up for membership.”
“My publicist will work her magic with the press to build some buzz. We’ll get the release out right after the contracts are signed.”
“Sounds like a plan.” A.J. tapped his pen on the table. “Are you guys good with everything?”
Josh nodded. “The contract is tight. If The InCrowd goes the distance, we’ll make boatloads, just as Lisa predicted.”
Paul stood, his lips curling into a sardonic smile. “One condition, we don’t bring in any more investors. I don’t do three-ways.”
So much for that salacious fantasy becoming a reality.
Chapter 13
“So, you sing, you maim, and you analyze. Pretty impressive skill set.”
Damn, that voice was like syrup drizzling down her spine... smooth, but not without the complication of stickiness. Loitering outside the elevator bank had proven to be a rewarding move after all. Lisa turned, her breath hitching before she was able to utter a sound. “Thanks. I’ve done pretty well for myself so far.”
“Does your daily itinerary include time to eat? Or are you just all work?”
“If you believed that answer was yes, wouldn’t you be off lawyering somewhere instead of not-so-subtly asking me to lunch?”
“Touché. Am I that transparent?”
“Something tells me no… unless it’s part of your game.”
“You think I’m playing you?”
“I wouldn’t give you that much credit.” She cocked an eyebrow. “But I am hungry.”
“And intrigued?”
Good Lord. This guy was brazen as all hell, and equally sexy. “Nope. Just hungry. But maybe you’ll get me to change my mind by the end of the meal.”
“Challenge accepted.” A.J. stabbed the Down button. A mischievous glimmer lurked in the depths of his dark eyes.
Ding!
He held open the doors. “After you.”
A small smile played at her lips. “I get it now. This was a ploy to get me onto another deserted elevator.”
“Unfortunately for both of us, these elevators are state-of-the-art and not about to stall mid-trip.” He leaned his muscular frame against the wall. “And I’m hoping next time, you won’t need me to be the diversion.”
Why was her heart hammering so hard? Just a few innuendoes and she was ready to spontaneously combust? “And what would you prefer to be?”
A sly smirk appeared, matching the smugness of his expression. “The focus, of course.”
Warmth massaged her insides, swirling in her belly. She wasn’t like all those other dippy girls who’d swoon because a few suggestive words and winks were exchanged, was she? Her head screamed no effing way, but her body was on a different chapter… in another book.
“What’s your pleasure?”
Oh God, did she have to limit it to just one? “Up to you. I’m open to anything.”
“I had that feeling. Sushi?”
The vibrations of his rich baritone rocked her core, her stable center now very much compromised. How was she supposed to choke down a meal sitting across from this guy while his mere presence unraveled all self-control, thread by thread? Maybe this wasn’t such a great idea since he’d reduced her barriers to sandcastles at high tide. “Sounds great.”
Sushi San was only a short walk from the Blue Coat offices. Under any other circumstances, her choice of footwear would have been an issue, but there were more than enough distractions from her pain. Like A.J.’s insanely hot ass. And his self-assured swagger. And the way women practically drooled all over their spring rolls outside the restaurant once they got a glimpse.
He held open the door. “Best sushi in town, but they’re lacking in real estate.”
Lisa’s throat tightened. There were way too many people sandwiched into the take-out section. Someone had already stomped on her brand-new peep toes, chipping her toenail polish. She clenched her fists. It felt like all the air was being sucked out of the tiny restaurant, leaving her breathless, anxious and in need of a paper bag.
A soft, strong hand squeezed hers, pulling her closer, yanking her from the impending panic attack. “Am I going to have to pin you against the wall again to get you to calm down?”
Her mouth fell open, but no words emerged.
The dimple in his left cheek deepened. “I’m getting mixed signals. Is that an invitation or…?”
“At least you asked this time instead of assaulting me in public.” Amazing that he could make her phobia dissipate like magic. Her voice was now calm, though her body hummed at the recollection of his sensual mouth plastered against hers. Delicious and deviant.
“I can be a gentleman.”
“A fact that remains to be seen.”
“I held open the door for you and I’m about to treat you to some very scrumptious sushi. Doesn’t that count?”
“I’m sure it’s all part of the foreplay.”
“In other words, a means to an end?”
“That is the objective of foreplay.”
“So you question my intentions.”
“Wouldn’t you do the same in my position? You’re not exactly known for your chivalrous and gallant persona.”
A.J. clutched his heart. “That’s very cold. And after I took a knife for you.”
“What can I get you today?” A young girl flashed a toothy grin at A.J., interrupting Lisa’s planned snarky retort. “The usual?”
His dimpled grin made her pulse race. “Do you trust me, Lisa?”
“Yes. This time.” Lisa eyed the girl behind the counter, who was still fixated on A.J. Damn, she was pretty. Had he… Oh, crap! Who cared if he had? This was lunch, nothing more, no matter what her quivering knees dictated.
“Yes, two please.” He plopped down a credit card and grabbed the two bottles of water she set in front of him.
They weaved through throngs of patrons waiting to pick up their orders. The crowds no longer had an effect, as long as A.J. was by her side. Moments later, they were seated at a window-side table. Miraculous, considering the place was well-beyond capacity.
“What do you think? Did I choose well?”
Lisa poked a piece of salmon with her chopstick. “You’re very lucky. I don’t usually trust strangers with my food.”
“I’m honored.” He picked up a piece of spicy tuna. “Now humor me. Why is it so hard to believe I may not have an agenda?”
“It kind of conflicts with your MO.” She popped a piece of the spicy tuna roll into her mouth. No wonder why this place was such a mob scene. The fish was so fresh, it was practically still moving.
“How can I convince you otherwise, since you need proof of my sincerity?”
She gnawed her lower lip. Even if it was genuine, it was temporary. A.J. Morgan wasn’t the kind of guy who’d keep up this whole white knight routine for long. All the tabloids in the world couldn’t be wrong. And rolling the dice wasn’t her MO.
“Your silence speaks novels.”
“So do your actions.” Dammit! How had she allowed those words to tumble out?
“You’re right. I’ve made a lot of bad decisions that have been smeared across the front pages of every tabloid known to man. But they don’t define me. That’s not really who I am.”
“What makes you think I even care? We’re just business associates working on a project together, and I don’t make it a habit of fraternizing.” Yeah, at least not since Danny. Was she really one to judge anyone else’s bad decisions?
“You’re here.” He tapped his chopsticks on the soy sauce container. “That tells me I have a shot.”
“Ever think I was just hungry?”
“I like to think my charm may have been a factor in your decision, so don’t ruin that for me.” He snickered. “Okay. Segue time. How long have you been singing? You have an amazing voice.”
“Thanks. I love music. I’ve been singing for years, since grade school. I play the guitar, too.”
