Right. Your dad, upstanding guy that he is, is gonna go begging help from the man he fired from a dream VP position and partnership in one of the primo hotel conglomerates in the U.S. The same guy his daughter ditched at the altar.
Exactly, Belle exclaimed, jumping up from her perch on the desk to throw her arms in the air. Given our sucky history, why would you think Mitch wants anything to do with me?
Sierra arched a brow, then gave a little shrug. Taking her time, she dusted the crumbs off her fingers, shifted in the plush chair and curled her long legs under her. Raising one brow, she tapped a manicured nail on her bare ankle.
This is the guy who refused to have sex with you before marriage. I figure he has some twisted belief in things like honor.
Sierra rolled her eyes at her own words. Always the cynic, she didnt understand the concept of selfless honor. Of course, neither did Belle. But it sure sounded sweet.
This would also be the same guy who, despite having the perfect opportunity to make your daddys life a living hell when you ruined their deal, simply shook hands and walked away.
Walked away and left her daddy holding a piece of investment property that, because of zoning and development legalities, was now taking his business down the toilet. But considering what Belle had done, that wasnt really Mitchs fault. Was it?
So hes freaking hero material, she muttered. So what?
Belle slid off her heels so she could pace faster. Nothing slowed down a good pace like four-inch Manolos. The way her luck was running, shed stumble and break the heel. And she needed to move around and try to shake off the nasty feeling that had settled over her when shed been reminded of how badly shed treated Mitch. That hed broken her heart was no excuse. She knew that now. But knowing it and being willing to do something about it were definitely two different things.
Exactly, Sierra agreed. Hes hero material. Which means hes hard-wired to ride to the rescue. Even after all that crap went down, Mitch never badmouthed you or your father. If he knew how bad things are now, maybe hed offer some advice. Or best case? Hell step in, checkbook at the ready, and save the company.
Belle grimaced.
Mitch definitely lived by his own code. Over the last six years hed developed a reputation as the man with the magic touch. Mr. Money, a real-estate developer with an eye for success, he was known in the industry as a fair man who played by his own rules, uncompromising, intense and dynamic. People appreciated his generous willingness to share his success, but behind the scenes, there were whispers of ruthless payback to anyone who crossed him.
Which didnt bode well for Belle, since she was the one seen as most deserving of Mitchs revenge. Mutual acquaintances still joked that shed better watch her back. She knew better, though. Shed never mattered enough to him to merit that much attention.
He wont deal with me, she assured Sierra, playing her trump card.
You dont know that. The way Sierra said it, as though she had some naughty little secret, made Belle nervous.
Yes, I do. Belle took a deep breath and, with the air of one confessing a mortal sin, dropped her voice to a loud whisper. I never told you, but I tried to see Mitch. Two years ago. Remember when I had that car wreck?
Eyes huge with curiosity, Sierra nodded.
I was shook up and had some weird idea that being hit in a head-on accident on a one-way street was a sign that I should make amends for all my wicked ways. She met her friends snort of laughter with a glare. I figured ditching Mitch topped my wicked list, so I sucked up my courage and went to apologize.
No way, Sierra breathed. And you didnt tell me?
There was nothing to tell. He was supposedly out of the country.
Supposedly?
Well, I went back a couple weeks later and his assistant said he was out with the flu.
So?
So isnt it obvious? He was avoiding me.
He left the country and got the flu to avoid you?
Belle rolled her eyes. No, that was just BS. He was probably there in his office telling his assistant to make something up so he didnt have to see me.
Sierras expression clearly said youve got to be kidding.
Dont give me that look. It could be true.
Only if the roles were reversed. Youre the one afraid of confrontation, Belle. Not Mitch. If he were in the office, Im sure hed have taken five minutes to personally tell you to kiss his ass.
And you want me to go chasing the guy for favors? Belle ignored the confrontation issue. It was true, after all. We both know he doesnt want anything to do with me.
Sierra hummed, then slid off the chair and crossed to the leather bag shed tossed on the credenza. She pulled out a file folder with what looked like a printout of an e-mail clipped to it.
Waving the file at Belle, she arched a brow and asked, Wanna bet?
Spill, Belle demanded, making a grab for the folder. Sierra whipped it out of reach with a laugh.
You really need to have more faith in your impact on people.
According to you, people are only out for what they can get, Belle shot back.
Exactly. So while Mitch might happily punish you when its convenient, the tune changes when he needs something.
And he needs us?
No. He needs you. This gig is right up your alley, Sierra claimed. Which meant it was totally social. Sierra handled the big corporate and studio events, the types of things that required juggling numbers, working with specific images or ground rules. In other words, the more traditional events that relied heavily on organization. Belles specialty was the over-the-top hedonistic fantasies. And since shed indulged in so many fantasies about Mitch Carter, the idea of having another shot at sharing a few with him sent her pulse racing.
Spill, she demanded. She tried to ignore the excitement dancing in her stomach, making her edgy and impatient. This was crazy. Mitch hated her. He had to. But maybe, just maybe, this was her shot at making amends. At fixing the past and helping her father. And maybe, just maybeat finally getting into his pants.
Shed blown it before, stumbling over that silly marriage idea. But she was older and much more experienced now. This time shed be smarter. If she and Mitch did find common ground, all she wanted was sex. That, and help for her dad.
She took the file from Sierra with a smile of anticipation. Belle read the e-mail. Then she read it again. The excitement curdled in her stomach.
A resort grand opening? Thats more your gig than mine, Belle said, trying to ignore the disappointment that settled over her like an itchy wool blanket.
Thats what they say they want. But check out the details I found.
Knowing her friends instincts were usually spot-on, Belle opened the file. It just took a glance, a quick flip through the papers and plans for her to see the perfect hook to turn his lush resort into the hottest, most exclusive getaway on the west coast.
Mitchs background was in development. And he was damned good at it. But he was thinking too traditionally for this resort. It wasnt a run-of-the-mill hotel and shouldnt be treated that way. Given the remote beauty of the location, yet its easy access to L.A., it could be the nice luxury vacation place he had outlined. Or it could be the chicest spot for decadence in southern California. Indulgent weekends, clandestine trysts, decadent fantasies. All there, for a price. All guaranteed to be unique, elite and, best of all, private.
Her blood heated, ideas flashing like strobe lights through her mind. Excitement buzzed, but she tried to tamp it down. There was nothing worse than getting all stirred up, only to be left flat. It was like foreplay with no orgasm. Amusing once or twice, but ultimately a rip-off.
This e-mail isnt from Mitch himself, she pointed out. And his assistant isnt offering us the position, shes only checking availability.
So? Since when have we waited for an engraved invitation to charm our way into a job?
Good point. The two women had spent their first year in business clubbing and hitting every social event they could wiggle or charm their way into on the off chance of finding clients. Once at a fashion show someone had mentioned a directors wife with a penchant for poodles and Motown. The next day Belle contacted the director and suggested he throw his wife a surprise party, with the musical dog theme. Such ball-siness paid off both in contacts and jobs as theyd built Eventfully Yours.
But this was different. Mitch probably hated her. Then again, why would he be willing to work with her if he was holding a grudge? Belle sighed, not sure if her reasoning was sound or pure bullshit.
We have an opportunity to kick ourselves to the next level with a job this exclusive, Sierra said quietly as she settled back in her chair. Better yet, you have a chance here to settle up some past debts, get some of that fabled closure. Are you going to let semantics stop you?
Was she? Belle glanced at Sierra, noting the assured confidence on her friends angular face. Sierra wouldnt push unless she thought it was really important. She might be a relentless nag when it came to the success of Eventfully Yours. But she was a good friend and would never sacrifice Belle to snag a client. Even one as potentially huge as MC Development.
Belle had spent the last six years regretting her screw-up. She should have faced Mitch herself instead of running like a wuss. Hell, she should never have agreed to marriage in the first place. Shed known better. Sex, as incredible as it might have been, was no reason to go off the deep end. But shed been afraid to push the issue, then after the altar-ditch, too hurt and upset to face his anger.
Ever since, shed tried to find a guy to replace him, both in her bed and her fantasies. None had stuck, though. Probably because shed never actually had Mitch. This might be her chance to get over him, once and for all.
She glanced back at the files, the panoramic photo of the resort and its welcoming lakeside forest. She wanted to see it in person. Even more, she wanted to do Mitch, right there on the edge of that lake. Outdoor sex in the woods, like something out of a fairy tale. The orgasm she was imagining was probably mythical, too. But she didnt care. She wanted to find out.
Despite the nerves clawing at her, she set the file down, slipped her shoes on and grabbed her purse.
Shopping? Sierra asked, sliding her feet into her shoes, too.
Well start with lingerie. I heard about this new place called Twisted Knickers. The designs supposedly take provocative to a whole new level.
FOCUSED ON his conversation, Mitch strode past Dianas desk with his cell phone glued to his ear. His assistant waved her hand, trying to get his attention, but he held up one finger, then pointed to his office door. Hed talk to her when he was done.
I dont want any more excuses, Mitch ordered his foreman. The electrical has to be finished by the first of the month. This damned week had gone downhill fast. Thered been even more building delays, his designer had gone into labor two months early, and now electrical problems. To top it off, hed talked to three event planners so far and none had come close to sparking his interest. He was wound so tight, he was ready to snap. The plumbing is already three weeks behind. If we lose any more ground, we wont open on schedule. If that happens, were screwed.
He listened to his foremans justifications with half an ear as, still ignoring Dianas increasingly frantic gestures, he opened his office door. As always, the view of the lush green woods through the window beckoned him. Maybe hed go for a run, shake off some of the tension. Hed rather have a long, sweaty roll in the sheets, but he couldnt afford the distraction. Not when everything was on the line.
One more step into his office and Mitch felt like hed been hit in the face. Maybe it was sex on the brain, but even the air shifted, turning sultry and suggestive. He breathed in, his lungs filling with a musky floral scent.
Instant turn-on.
Seated as she was in the high-backed leather chair facing the window, all Mitch could see were long, sexy legs ending in strappy black do-me heels. He tried to swallow, but his mouth had gone dirt-dry. Those were wrap-around-the-shoulders-and-ride-em-wild legs.
Damn. Talk about distraction.
Mitch flipped his phone closed, not sure if hed said goodbye or even if his foreman was still talking. He stepped further into the office, deliberately closing the door behind him. Two more steps into the room, and he could see around the high leather back of the chair.
Gorgeous. The impact was like getting kicked in the gut by a black belt on steroids. Swift, intense and indefensible. The first time hed seen Belle, shed been twenty-one. Hed thought then she couldnt possibly be more confident in her own sexual power. Hed obviously been wrong, since she was now a master of it. Or was that mistress? And why did that make him crave studded black leather shorts?
Six years had added layers of polish, maturity and assurance to her already powerful sexual charisma. Mitchs gaze reluctantly left those delicious legs to travel upward. He noted the flirty green skirt, the same shade as her eyes, ending a few inches above her knees. A wide leather belt accented her waist and emphasized her lush breasts in the gossamer soft-white blouse. Mitch let his eyes rest there for just a second, millions of regrets pounding in his head. He wished like hell that once, just once, hed tasted their bounty.
He was sure if he had, hed have easily kept her out of his mind. The only reason hed never found another woman to replace her was that hed blown the fantasy of sex between them all out of proportion.
He felt her amusement before he even looked at her face. Belle was used to being ogled, so he didnt waste time on embarrassment. He wondered briefly at giving her that much power this early in the game, but he couldnt seem to help himself. That there was a game afoot was implicit. The question wasnt who would win, either. It was how much it would cost him to play.
She arched one platinum brow, amused challenge clear in her eyes and the dimple that played at the corner of her full lips. Her hair was shorter now, angled to emphasize her rounded cheekbones and the sharp line of her jaw.
Well, well, Mitch drawled, moving around to lean on his desk while he faced the biggest mistake of his life. If it isnt my long-lost bride.
Chapter 2
LONG-LOST bride-to-be, if you please, Belle corrected precisely.
She had to work to keep her smile in place. As much as shed have preferred to avoid reference to their past, shed known Mitch, for all his gentlemanly reputation, wouldnt sidestep the issue. She took a little breath before she lifted her chin. Since she had to deal with it, shed face it head-on.