Rise - Part One (Rise #1)(9)

"I'd like to hear your proposal next week. Do you think that's enough time for you to formulate a plan?"

I smile. I have only a few logistical matters to clear before I present my idea to him. I want to make certain that my idea won't be greeted with any unforeseen challenges in California, so I still have a few calls to make and items to mark off my checklist. "I can meet on Monday morning. Does that work for you, Mr. Foster?"

He tilts his chin towards me with a quick cock of his left brow. "Monday morning is fine. I'll have my assistant call to firm up the time."

"That's perfect," I say as I straighten in my seat. "I'm looking forward to working together again."

He may not say a word in response, but the curve of his lips into a sly smile, says it all.

***

"Are you here on official business, Tess?"

I almost run him over as I exit the elevator in the lobby of the building that houses Foster Enterprises. My left hand lands on his chest which is covered by a light blue dress shirt. Even though he's wearing jeans with it, he looks polished and urbane. The man definitely knows how to dress himself which may or may not have something to do with the fact that his friend runs one of the most successful fashion brands in the world.

"Landon," I say his name although I quickly realize there's no reason to. I sound breathy and flustered which makes sense given that's exactly how I feel. As soon as I'd stepped into the elevator, my fingers began frantically skimming across my smartphone's screen. I was typing notes related to the event that I'd just discussed with Gabriel. When I heard the chime and felt the jarring stop that signaled the lift's arrival in the lobby, I'd followed the others who had occupied the car with me as they began to exit and that was when I heard his voice. It's deep, gruff and has an unmistakable growl to it.

"Were you here to see Gabriel?" He gestures towards the still open doors of the elevator.

I glance down and that's when I realize that I'm the reason the lift hasn't charged back up to the higher floors of the building at full speed. I'm standing right on the threshold of the elevator. The heavy steel doors won't close until the area is clear and the grumbled complaints of the few passengers who are now boarded and ready to get moving finally brings me back to reality.

I take a heavy step towards Landon who firmly stands his ground. The toes of my red pumps are now touching his black loafers. This is the closest I've been to him. I pull in a deep breath as I remind myself that this is the same man who took his hasty leave at dinner the other night when my pops couldn't stop calling me.

"How have you been?" Yes, that's my voice. It came out of nowhere. That's wrong. It came out of my desire to talk to him. "Have you flown any airplanes lately?"

If the man needed another reason to label me immature, inexperienced or way too young for him, I just handed it to him on a silver platter. I actually just asked a pilot if he's flown any airplanes lately.

Fuck my life.

"As a matter of fact, yes, I have." He flashes a wide grin as he leans down and closer to me. "I'd like to tell you all about it over lunch."

"Lunch?" I gaze down at my watch but once again, any sense of calm it may offer isn't there. "It's lunch time."

"That's why I suggested we have lunch." He runs the last word over his tongue with a slow roll. "Are you busy or do you have time for a bite?"

I have time for a bite, or a lick or whatever those full, moist lips and that tempting mouth that is hovering so close to me is offering. "I can eat."

"I noticed that the other night," he counters with a raise of both brows. "I know the perfect place. The food is delicious."

"Lead the way." I motion towards the main doors of the building. "I'm right behind you."





Chapter 7


"This is your apartment," I point out the obvious after he closes the door behind me.

"I'm going to make you lunch."

I look around the modest space. I'm not sure what I expected when we approached the building. There wasn't a ma?tre d' in sight. The tempting fragrance of overpriced food didn't greet me.

I didn't miss a step as I followed him through the lobby and watched him nod towards the doorman. I smiled sweetly when we boarded the elevator with several other people and I willingly got off on the sixth floor with him. Now, I'm standing in the foyer of his place, with no one else in sight. I either just walked into a trap or I'm about to find out if Landon Beckett possesses any skills as a chef.

"You can cook?" I blurt the question out with a smile. "I mean, a lot of people in the city don't cook."

"I cook." He reaches for my purse. "One of my closest friends is a chef. He taught me everything I know about food. You may have heard of him. His name is Tyler Monroe."

Everyone who knows food in Manhattan has heard of Tyler Monroe. He's one of the fastest rising stars in the culinary world. I caught my first glimpse of him two months ago when he was on one of the morning shows on television doing a cooking segment. Admittedly, it was the way he looked that first caught my eye. He's gorgeous, in a just-rolled-out-of-bed kind of way. I'd actually sat down with my coffee to watch the entire segment, even though I had every intention of getting to my office early to cold call some potential new clients.