“Obligations?” She sat on the leather sofa across from him. There was a coffee table in between them.
“You have heard Cole and I discuss the Vegas trip this weekend. Launching the foundation is t
he pinnacle of our careers. It has to be flawless. The creator of the brand needs to be at the announcement. You are the vision, Abby. You can’t miss being on an international stage with something so critical for the foundation.”
“We agreed if I won, I could go.”
“Yes. We did. You won. You can go. I’m asking you to do this for the foundation. I’m asking you as the artist who created something beautiful, to see your vison shared the way it is supposed to be.”
Her chest prickled. Her blood rushed with heat. “You’re asking me to stay on?”
“I’m asking you to travel with Cole and me. Represent your art.”
“You’re going back on your deal, Deacon,” she fired.
He shook his head. “No. I’m not. You can get up and walk out of here if you want. I won’t stop you. I swear.”
She looked at the set of double doors over her should and the elevator to her side.
“But, now that you’re free, I’d like you to stay because you want to see the project finished. At least through the weekend, Abby.” He smiled devilishly. “I promise Cole and I can make Vegas fun.”
She felt more heat rush through her. It spread between her legs and rushed to her nipples. Shit. What kind of effect did this man have on her? Was this even legal what he could do to her body without even touching her?
“Vegas for the weekend?” she whispered.
He raked his teeth against his lip and she thought she might melt off the couch. Was it crazy she wanted to go? She could see it. Having drinks with Cole and Deacon. Dinner at a five-star restaurant.
“You won’t regret it,” he urged. “We do everything first-class. It will be a trip of a lifetime. By the time we leave everyone will want you to design for them. You can’t get exposure like this any other way, Abby. Think about your career.”
She laughed. “My career or you and Cole?”
He leaned forward. “Can’t it be both? Can’t you have it all?”
The flutter soared in her belly. She nodded. She could have it all. She deserved it all.
“I-I guess I could go.”
She didn’t have the willpower to tell him no. Not with those eyes and lips. Not with large hands that could hold her close. Her lips practically parted, begging for him to kiss them. She knew she had officially lost her sanity.
He was pulling her in with that look. She knew it, but there was no lifeline to drag her back to reality.
“I promise you’ll never forget Vegas, sweetheart.”
Deacon rose from the couch to escort her to the door. He pressed his hand into the small of her back. It was as if he seared her skin through her blouse.
“Congratulations,” he leaned to whisper in her ear before opening the door.
She looked up at him. She didn’t know whether to stay or to run. To say thank you, or screw you. She was filled with hope and regret. Confusion was pouring in from all sides.
The door closed behind her and Abby was in the foyer to Deacon’s office. She was free.
12
Cole
Abby was hunched over a drawing board in the corner of her office when he walked in the room.
“Hi.” It looked as if she wanted to smile.