Page 12 of Masters of the Game: Colton
“And…usually, the second in command of a company doesn’t involve himself that much,” she said in a calmer tone, as if suddenly remembering his position…
and hers. “Normally, I work alone and then present my final recommendation to the corporate executives. That’s how most corporations operate when hiring a consulting firm. ”
Colton lowered his hands to his side. “Typically, we aren’t any different. However, with a business venture of this magnitude, Lake wants me involved every step of the way. Didn’t he explain that you and I would work closely together?”
“Yes, but I assumed he meant periodically; those times when I would return to Boston in between my trips to New York and LA to brief you of my findings.”
He nodded. “Well, now you know that isn’t the case. We’re to travel to those cities together.” He studied her for a moment and then asked, “Do you have a problem with that, Kelly?”
She shrugged. “Do you want a professional answer or a personal one?”
He studied her intently, taking note of her tense jaw. “The professional one first, please.”
“Your company hired me to do a job, and it shouldn’t matter how much time I spend with you. My main focus will be making sure whatever city Masters Unlimited selects as their third office location is the right one,” she said.
“Okay. Now give me the personal one.”
Colton heard Kelly release what he thought sounded very much like a disgusted sigh before running a hand through her dark brown hair.
The same hair that was pooling her face like a curtain of glossy silk and making her appear even more gorgeous today.
“For crying out loud, Colton, you know the reason. We’re like a keg of dynamite just waiting to explode.
Hot and raw energy crackles between us whenever we’re within a few feet of each other. ”
He wouldn’t deny it. “And you don’t think you can handle it?”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “I will handle it, Colton. You give me no choice.”
Her words ticked him off. “You do have a choice, Kelly. If traveling with me will make you uncomfortable, then I suggest that--”
“I will be fine, Colton,” she interrupted.
“You sure?”
“I’m positive. If nothing else, you made it clear two years ago that although you might be attracted to me, you don’t want me.”
Don’t want her ? He was tempted to tell her just how much he had wanted her that night, how much he wanted her right now.
Although he’d barely managed not to yield to temptation that night, it was time to address her misconception.
“I never made anything clear, Kelly. But now I will.
I was attracted to you then and I still am.
“You will never know just how hard it was to leave the hotel room that night without making love to you. At the time, I did what I thought was the right thing for both of us, the honorable thing. And I still stand by that decision.”
Her eyes were all but shooting daggers at him. Without giving her a chance to react or make a comeback, he said, “I have several meetings tomorrow, then I’m flying home to Savannah for my maternal great-aunt’s birthday party. I’ll see you on Monday in New York. Have a good weekend, Kelly.”
Then he walked out of the office.
**
Colton sat in the chair behind his desk.
The moment he had seen her, an arrow of liquid heat had shot straight to his groin.
She had looked so beautiful standing there with a ray of sun shining brightly behind her through the window.
She’d been wearing another pantsuit, this one red.
Similar to the one she’d worn last night, it was both professional and sexy.
As much as he’d tried to convince himself that sexual attraction was all he felt for Kelly, he had to admit that was a lie.
Had it been true, he would have taken her two years ago when he’d had the chance.
But he hadn’t. What he felt for her was different.
He knew without a doubt that he had fallen in love with her.
In a way, he wasn’t surprised by that. In fact, if he was totally honest with himself, a part of him had known the moment he’d seen her at the Bennetts’ double wedding.
And when they’d been introduced, it had been more than just sexual need that had drawn him to her.
It had been something way deeper and more profound than lust.
Nor had he forgotten about her in the last two years.
He’d asked her brothers about her, had bought his own copy of Monica and Landon’s wedding video just to watch her walk down the aisle.
She had been out of sight but never out of mind.
She was the main reason no other woman had interested him.
It was also the reason he hadn’t taken her to bed two years ago, although he had wanted to do so with every ounce of his being.
What she evidently didn’t know was that there were levels of wants and desires, and he was drawn to her on each one of them.
According to his father, there was a moment in every man’s lifetime when he’d meet the woman who was destined to get into his soul. And no matter what that man did, that woman would stay there, bound to him.
For him, Kelly was that woman. That was the reason he could not have a meaningless affair with her that night.
Tez had suggested that he come up with a plan regarding Kelly.
Maybe it was time he did that, since he now had a clearly defined objective--to convince Kelly to love him as much as he loved her.
He had always prided himself on his decision-making skills.
Now more than anything, he needed time to think, plan, and strategize what would be the most important decision of his life.
And he would do so this weekend while he was home in Savannah.