Sugar

“Do you want to see Colton?” Boscoe lifted his big shaggy head and barked once. She smiled and reached down to scratch behind his ear. “Well, let’s get this over with.” She headed inside, the doorman holding the gold-framed glass door open for her.

When she was in the elevator and had his floor pushed, she leaned against the elevator railing and exhaled. Her heart was thundering at the thought of seeing him, knowing who he was. She felt like she was in that elevator for an eternity. Finally the ding indicated she was at her destination. The elaborately detailed doors slid open.

When she stepped out in the hallway she could see Colton indeed had the penthouse floor. Only one door could be seen on this floor and that was his.

Each step she took closer to his front entrance had her hands shaking and her heart racing. Stopping in front of it and looking down at Boscoe again, she licked her suddenly dry lips and wondered if he could sense how nervous she was.

“I guess it’s now or never,” she said softly to Boscoe. He gave her an answering whine. And then she brought her knuckles down on the wood, knocking three times before taking a step back, curling her hands at her sides, and holding her breath.

It was only a second later that the front door opened and Colton stood there, a thin, no doubt cashmere tan sweater covering his broad shoulders and muscular abdomen. His brown slacks were color coordinated with his shirt—of course—but his feet were bare of socks or shoes.

God, how could a man’s feet be so attractive?

She swallowed, this lump in her throat forming and refusing to go down, refusing to allow her to say anything. They stood there, staring at each other, neither speaking for long seconds. The air thickened and heated.

“Mr. Richmond,” she finally managed to say and then wanted to slap her hand over her mouth for being so formal. He lifted a brow and smirked, still unaware of who she was.

Feeling too nervous to say anything else, Sugar handed him the collar, scratched Boscoe behind the ear once more, and turned on her heel and left. She stopped in front of the elevator and pushed the button far too many times to seem sane. She knew Colton still stood by the front door, felt his gaze on her. Looking over at him, she saw he had one hand tucked in his front pocket, the other hand still holding on to Boscoe’s leash.

And he was smiling.

“And no, I’m not a dog walker.” The elevator doors opened at the right time and she stepped inside before he could respond. But before the doors could close she saw Colton standing there, his hand holding the elevator open.

He smirked. “You’re not a dog walker, but I am desperate for your help.”

She swallowed, knowing she should say no, that she should tell him who she really was, but the words lodged in her throat.

“Please,” he said in a sweet voice. “You’re so good with him.”

Glancing down, she closed her eyes briefly. “I’ll be by tomorrow.” She opened her eyes and looked up at him, getting lost in his dark eyes. She was a fool for doing this but she couldn’t help herself. He stepped back, smiling.

“Thank you.”

When the doors closed and she was alone again she leaned against the wall and breathed out.

She was embarrassed and still nervous, but most of all, she was aroused.

4

Instead of confronting Colton and letting him know she wasn’t walking his dog again, Sugar kept on doing just that. Several days had turned in to a week of seeing him daily, of wanting him, knowing that she had to get control of her emotions.

Of course, with her walking his dog and actually enjoying it, every time he called her office, she got her PA to make so many different excuses. She wasn’t entirely sure why she was holding off. Maybe it was that she got a feel for the guy when she took his dog. He could be a complete asshole, a total jerk, and yet, as far as she could tell, he cared a hell of a lot about Boscoe. He’d taken in his sister’s dog without thinking about the consequences. That had to mean something.

After a very long morning of dealing with a few more potential deals and problems, she sat back at her desk thinking about her dilemma. It didn’t sit well with her constantly telling him no, especially as this put a whole new spin on their first meeting. This merger was going to happen. She had no doubt about it.

Not only would this be good for business but it would secure both of their networks–a spot which needed to be filled.

“Mr. Richmond called again,” Amanda, her PA, said.