Crave (Billionaire Bachelors Club #1)(31)
Welcome to the club. I’m nervous. And women don’t make me nervous.
With the exception of Ivy.
“This project is important. I want you by my side, Ivy, working with me.”
“I—I don’t understand where this is coming from. You’ve never come to Paxton before. You haven’t even seen my portfolio.”
“I saw samples of your work online.” Everything’s online, both a wonderful and scary thing. “Your portfolio is on the Paxton website.”
“Oh,” she says weakly, settling back in her chair, her shoulders sagging, her lips parted as if she wants to say something but can’t come up with the words. She looks like she’s in a state of shock. “Wha—what did you think?”
“Of your work? It’s amazing.” Giving into impulse, I reach across the table and grasp hold of her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I know we’ll be the perfect fit, that you’ll be the perfect fit for Crave. Your sophisticated touch is just what the suites need.”
“I—I don’t know, Archer. What you’re proposing is coming so out of left field, I don’t know how to answer. I don’t know if I can answer.” She presses her lips together and shakes her head. “I have to talk to Sharon and see what she says, but I can already guess.”
“What do you think she’ll say?” It won’t matter. I want Ivy on this project and I will pay and do whatever it takes to make that happen.
“She won’t let me work on the project. She’ll want it.” Exactly what Gage pointed out, not that I’m surprised. In fact, I’m fully prepared, having already called Sharon and proposed my suggestion.
I’m not quite ready to admit the outcome of that conversation.
The waitress magically appears, interrupting what I might’ve said next by setting our drinks in front of us and I release my grip on Ivy’s hand. We both thank her, our smiles polite and false. I see the way Ivy sneaks glances at me. Like she thinks I might’ve lost my mind.
I probably have.
The tension that has been brewing between us returns tenfold the moment the server makes her escape.
If I wasn’t so damn agitated I might find it amusing, how Ivy took such a big gulp of wine, nearly draining her glass before she leans across the table. “You just can’t come out of nowhere and demand I work for you, Archer,” she whispers. “I answer to someone else. I just can’t up and do what you want me to at the snap of your fingers.”
“I already have approval from your boss.”
Her eyes widen in shock. “What?”
I nod slowly. “I spoke with Sharon earlier. Explained my situation, how much I appreciate and am inspired by your talent, and knowing how busy she is, I would love to hire Paxton Design to work on this project for me. With the sole purpose of having you lead it.”
She sucks in a harsh breath. “So I’m working for you.”
“She cleared your schedule for the next two weeks. It’ll be an intense, rushed job, but I know you can do it.” I do. She’s smart. Her employer had nothing but wonderful things to say about her, not that I’m surprised. Ivy is amazing.
So amazing, I can’t stop thinking about her.
“What if I don’t want to be a part of this project? What if I don’t want to work directly with you?”
Damn, not the answer I expected from her. “Does it bother you?” Pausing, I study her, drinking in all that dark hair waving past her shoulders, her beautiful but shrewd gaze, her lips pressed together as if she’s afraid she’s going to say something she’ll probably regret. “We’ve already done this, Ivy, and we were pretty damn compatible. Would it be such a hardship, having to spend time with me?”
Her jaw drops open, and she glances around as if she wants to make sure no one’s listening before she leans across the table. “If you’re implying that I’m going to have sex with you, you couldn’t be further from the truth. Been there, done that, don’t want to go through with it again.”
“Ouch.” I rub my chest, surprised by her words. Why, I’m not sure. I asked for them for saying all that. “Harsh.”
“It’s the truth,” she retorts, draining the last of the wine in her glass. “God, I need a refill.”
“I’ve made some mistakes. A lot of mistakes,” I correct myself when she narrows her eyes, looking ready to blast me. “The biggest one is how I’ve treated you. I’m sorry I haven’t called or contacted you since we were last together. I’ve been—busy.” And too chickenshit to make the first move.
She rolls her eyes. “Like I was sitting beside the phone waiting for your call. Please, Archer. Don’t flatter yourself.”
She’s extra feisty tonight, which I assume means she’s extra mad at me. I need to tread lightly. “It’s not that I was purposely ignoring you, you know. I’ve been swamped trying to put this new resort together.” It’s the best excuse I have—and the truth, for the most part. Hopefully she believes me.
Thankfully she doesn’t acknowledge what I said. “Explain the new location. I’d love to hear more about your little secret,” she says, settling back into her chair as if she’s going to stay awhile.
Excitement rises within me. Her wanting to hear about it means she’s interested. And once I get her fully hooked, she’ll be on board to happily work with me. I know it. “It’s the ultimate in luxurious comfort. Every need will be taken care of at the Calistoga location. It’s a more intimate resort that caters exclusively to only a handful of couples at any given time. Couples that are looking to put intimacy back into their relationship. Even sexual intimacy.” I stress the last two words.