The Safe Bet (Hidden Truths #1)(5)

Unlike his sisters’ office, he didn’t have glass walls. He preferred his privacy. He sat behind his large walnut desk and loosened his tie. The tie didn’t usually make it past noon.

Before he had a chance to get situated, his office phone began ringing.

It was Cindy.

“I forgot to tell you when you came in, but you asked me to give you a heads up the next time Julia invited another event planner here.”

“And one’s here?”

“Yup.”

“Where is she?” Michael’s quads tightened as tension darted through him. He wasn’t in the mood to fire someone again. When would his sister finally get the message?

“I, uh—I don’t know. Sorry. She and Julia left ten minutes ago.”

“Okay. Thanks. Could you let me know as soon as they return?”

“Of course.”

Michael ended the call and leaned back in his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Julia,” he muttered under his breath. “What have you cooked up for me this time?”





CHAPTER THREE




“LET’S CUT TO THE CHASE. There’s not going to be an event. So, no event planner needed.”

Kate folded her arms and eyed Julia’s phone, which had rung the second they entered the office. Julia had put her brother on speakerphone so Kate could hear. “How did he even know I was here?” she mouthed to Julia.

“Would you just come down to my office so we can talk in person?” Julia pleaded.

Kate grimaced as her stomach muscles clenched. Don’t do that.

“I’m not wasting time on this,” Michael bit out. “No fundraisers.”

“Kate’s different. You’ll like her. Please, hear us out.”

“She’s an event planner, so no—I won’t like her.”

Kate stared at the phone, annoyance ripping through her, peeling back the nerves until only her confidence was left. “Actually, I’m a business owner, much like yourself, Mr. Maddox, and I do a lot more than plan events.”

Julia smirked. “Michael?”

“Dammit, Julia. Take me off speakerphone. The poor girl doesn’t need to hear this.”

Poor girl? “Mr. Maddox, I run a very lucrative company in both New York and Boston,” she explained, trying to keep her voice calm and polite. “I have an MBA from Harvard. I am by no means a ‘poor girl,’ and I’m certain that I can handle whatever you dish out.”

The line went dead.

“Well, he’ll never be able to fire you now.”

Kate smiled, although now that her anger had receded a fearful nausea was taking its place. “I think he already did fire me. He hung up.”

Julia moved her hand in front of her face as if she were swiping a fly. “Sure, but that’s only because he’s on his way here right now.”

Kate’s stomach lurched. Battling on the phone was one thing, but did she have the backbone to face him in person? After all, in his presence last night she’d become a puddle. Any longer and the bartenders would have had to mop her off the floor.

Michael pushed open the glass door of his sister’s office and stopped in his tracks when Kate turned toward him. He shut his eyes for a second, but even when he opened them, they betrayed the slightest hint of astonishment.

Kate smoothed a hand over her dress as she approached him, and his eyes captured hers, making her a little dizzy. Insecurity crept inside of her again. “Hi, I’m Kate Adams of Marissa Adams Events,” she said, her voice trembling as she extended her hand. “My stepmother is Marissa Adams.”

He remained in front of the door. With his sleeves, rolled to the elbows, exposing his strong forearms, it took her a moment to pull her gaze away from the ripple of flesh.

Michael finally reached for her hand. “Hi.” He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to insult you on the phone.”

She released his hand and took a step back. He somehow made her feel like she might lose her balance. Her pulse ticked at a high speed as she watched his eyes drift down her body. There was no way she could go head-to-head with this man. His chiseled features, well-sculpted nose—hell, his perfect face, who could deny it?—were like kryptonite to her. How could she stand up to him when she was short of breath?

“Maybe we could sit down and talk?” Kate suggested—because there was no way she could remain upright much longer.

Michael glanced at his sister and tipped his head in the direction of the nearby table, a silent way of agreeing to talk.

Kate waited for Julia to sit before taking her previous chair. She crossed her legs but took in a short breath when she realized his eyes were lingering a bit longer than necessary on her calf muscles.

“Listen, Kate, I’m sure my sister has explained to you my hesitations about having a fundraiser, and my opinion on the matter has not and will not change.” He walked closer to the table where his sister and Kate sat, but he remained standing and crossed his arms. He arched his shoulders back and stared down at them.

A power play. Her mind was spinning. The sexy tone of his voice rendered her speechless—again. She shifted in her seat and tried not to look at his strong, clenched jaw, which read: uncompromising. After a calming breath, she folded her hands in her lap and studied him for a moment. His blue eyes pierced through her.