Colton knew Sherelle was one of Lake’s junior executives at the Orlando office. Because of her seniority with the company, she’d been a top contender for the COO position. However, she’d come close to botching a really important deal--a deal Colton had ended up saving at the last possible minute. Lake hadn’t been pleased with how Sherelle had handled things and since then, she’d been working hard to redeem herself.
“I don’t foresee that I’ll need Sherelle’s assistance. But if I do, then I’ll contact her.”
“Good enough,” Lake said. “Now that Lakelyn and Shaniya are on the pro-tennis circuit, I will be away from the office more than usual and need to know I’m leaving the decision about the third office in good hands.”
“I look forward to working with Ms. Perkins to make sure the right location is chosen,” Colton said.
Lake glanced at his watch and then looked back at Colton. “Ms. Perkins is due to report to this office on Monday morning. Arrangements have been made for her to stay in one of our private quarters at the St. Laurent--Boston.”
Colton nodded his understanding. A partnership agreement between Lake’s brother and his wife, Grey and Brandy Masters,owners of the luxurious St. Laurent--Boston hotel, blocked off several floors in the east wing of the hotel to accommodate any Masters Unlimited employees who frequently traveled between the Boston and Orlando offices, as well as for any visiting business associates. A similar arrangement had been set up with the St. Laurent--Orlando. There were executive penthouses in both hotels, and Colton had permanent residency in one of those in Boston.
Lake stood. “Well, I’ll be going. Courtney accompanied me on this trip, and it’s our date night. We’re leaving first thing in the morning for the Netherlands. Lakelyn and Shaniya have a few matches scheduled.”
“When?” Colton asked, standing as well.
“Not for a few weeks. Their coach wants them there early to get familiar with the tennis courts.” Lake headed for the door and then stopped and turned back to Colton with a serious expression. “I can’t say enough about what a great job you’re doing, Colt.” He chuckled and then added, “But there was no doubt in my mind that you would.”
Colton smiled, again appreciating the vote of confidence. “What made you so sure?”
“You’re a Masters. You can’t help but go above and beyond in whatever you do. It’s in our blood.” Lake then left, closing the door behind him.
Colton eased down in his chair, taking time to let his brain cells absorb what Lake had just told him—that he and Kelly would be working closely together. How was he going to manage that? He hadn’t spoken to her since he’d walked out on her that night. However, he had caught a glimpse of her when he’d attended Sebrina Bennett and Parker Stanhope’s wedding six months later, on Christmas Day. She’d been part of the wedding party that time, as well. He intended to speak to her at the reception; however, each time he tried approaching her, she’dmade it a point to avoid him. Since she was making it pretty damn clear she wanted nothing to do with him, he kept his distance the rest of the evening and had left the reception before it ended.
He leaned back in his chair and absently began rolling his ink pen between the palms of his hands. His brothers called it his pensive move, something he did when his mind was occupied. Usually, they were right, but not this time. What preoccupied his thoughts now was a decision he’d made two years ago. A decision he still believed had been the right one.
He would admit, however, that he had regretted it a few times. Especially whenever he remembered the glare she’d given him just before he had walked out of that hotel room. The barely-there outfit she’d been wearing had been made for seduction, and not allowing himself to be seduced had been one of the hardest things he’d ever done. He could still remember the moment of awe he’d felt when he’d first opened that door and saw her, Temptation incarnate.
A bolt of desire had hit him, sliding down his spine, and almost obliterating his self-control. And that come-hither look in the dark depths of her eyes had nearly brought him to his knees.
It had been one of the hardest things he’d ever done, but he’d managed to keep his self-control intact. Even with the frosty glare he’d seen in her eyes before leaving, he had been acutely aware of the undeniably strong heat transmitting between them. But like he’d told her, she deserved better. And he still believed that.
Because he knew, as he’d told Cobra, that had he shared a bed with Kelly, he would not have been able to give her up. He believed she would have done something that no other woman had yet to do—gotten under his skin, and stayed there.
It had been two years. Had Kelly realized he’d made the right decision for them both that night? He knew for certain she hadn’t realized it at Sebrina and Parker’s wedding, which is why she’d avoided him. How did she feel about it now?
Sighing, he stood and walked over to the window, glancing out at downtown Boston. How would she handle it when they saw each other again? Had she already been told they would be working closely together? Would it bother her?
Then he shook his head. He knew Kelly was a professional and would do her job regardless.
Colton was determined to do the same.
**
“Did you hear what I just said, Monica?”
“Yes, I heard you, Kelly. Now tell me again, sister-dear, why you’re so upset when just this morning you were on cloud nine.”
“That was before I got a call from Lake Masters’ administrative assistant. She advised me that I would be going to Boston instead of Orlando…and that I’d be meeting with Colton. He’s the COO.” She sighed. “Usually, someone in his position would delegate one of his lower management employees to brief me on whatever I need to know. That’s how it’s normally done.”
“Not all companies operate the same, Kelly. You know that. I don’t know Lake as well as his brothers, Quinn and Grey, since they are married to my aunts. But I understand he’s a bit of a rebel, a CEO who doesn’t run his business in any particular way.” Monica paused and asked, “Does it matter that you’ll see Colton again?”
“Of course it matters. You know what happened between us two years ago.”
“You mean what didn’t happen, don’t you?”
“Same thing.”
Monica chuckled. “No, it’s not. When he’s standing in front of you, handsome as ever and wearing one of those expensive, tailor-made suits, you won’t be able to stop wishing you’d seen how he looked wearing nothing at all.”
