The Best Is Yet to Come (The Best Girls 0.50)

Chapter One

Steven was in the zone, pushing his body to its limit. Sweat was glistening on his bare chest, dripping from his face. At the end of a two-hour ride on his training cycle, he reveled in forcing his body to submit, despite the pain and fatigue. As the tone sounded, indicating he’d met his goal, he exited the bike, toweling off while his heartbeat gradually slowed to normal.

He noted a number of surreptitious appreciative looks from various females working out near him, all of them at least fifteen years his junior. He knew he was in remarkable shape for a forty-nine-year-old. Like everything in his life, his approach to exercise was total discipline. He was careful with his diet, kept alcohol to a minimum and exercised five days per week. Six months of every year his training became more intense as he prepared for the Ironman competition. As a result, his six-foot-three frame sported broad shoulders with a tapered waist, every muscle sculpted from a variety of training, including running, swimming, cycling, and climbing.

In the elevator his cell phone vibrated, and he fumbled with his gear to answer it, knowing his friend would panic if he failed to answer. “Hey, Gary. I’m on my way up to the apartment to shower, and then I’ll be ready to go.”

“Great! Pick me up at nine? The grand opening is at twelve, but the ribbon-cutting is at ten. And thanks to you, there’ll be plenty of press-coverage.”

“Just doing my part, buddy.”

“I’m still pretty nervous. I know it’s not much to you, Gherring, but I’ve sunk everything I’ve got into this climbing gym.”

“Come on, Gary. I’ve never made a bad investment. I wouldn’t be putting my money into Climbing High if I weren’t positive of the outcome. Quit worrying so much.”

He laughed. “I’ll be there in thirty minutes, and you can give me a pep-talk on the way. Oh, and my fiancée will be there, of course.”

“You mean, my personal executive assistant, Ms. Carson.”

“Not for long,” Gary reminded him. “She says you still haven’t hired a replacement, despite having two rounds of interviews.”

“There weren’t any good candidates.” Irritation crept into his voice, despite his efforts to keep it hidden. “It’d be much easier if Ms. Carson kept working for me and we found a secretary for you at the gym.”

“Steven... It’s not happening. Katie’s coming to work with me at the gym as soon as we get married, whether or not you find a new executive assistant.”

“This is the thanks I get for introducing you to her?”

“I refuse to feel sorry for you. You own Gherring Inc. You’re a billionaire. You can afford to hire any executive assistant you want.”

“I don’t want a new assistant.”

“Okay, Gherring. That’s the problem. You hate that for once in your life you’re not getting exactly what you want.”

Steven knew it was partially true. He liked controlling every detail of his life. He needed control. He seldom met a challenge he couldn’t bend to his will. But the truth was he enjoyed the challenge. He liked the stimulation of conflict and competition. But he also liked winning.

“We’ll see,” he said, dismissing Gary’s argument. “I need to take a shower now. We can talk about our options later.”

“Gherring!” Gary’s voice was annoyed. “This is not open for discussion.”

“Sorry, gotta go,” Steven said, disconnecting the call. He smiled to himself. Surely he could talk Katie into remaining at Gherring Inc. as his executive assistant. Maybe if he offered another raise. He had no intention of giving in on this one, even though Gary was his best friend. He planned to win, and he never failed.

As Gary predicted, a huge crowd had gathered in front of Climbing High, including a fair number of the press corps. Gherring was accustomed to media attention. It seemed the public was always enamored with news of the dashing billionaire’s activities, no matter how mundane. But this event had attracted the mainstream media due to the presence of other important officials, including the mayor of New York City, and Alicia Esparza, a rising young prosecutor who was currently running for District Attorney.

Gherring felt a touch on his arm and turned to see Alicia sliding in beside him, her hand nestling in the crook of his elbow.

“Good morning, Steven.” She flashed a smile toward the multitude of cameras.

“Morning.” Gherring gazed out toward the crowd even as he spoke from the corner of his mouth to the woman at his side. She was tall, standing only a few inches shorter than him in her four-inch heels. Her glistening long, almost black hair, framed huge exotic tawny eyes. Her sleek movements were almost feline in nature. She was also smart, driven, cold and calculating. With her fearless confidence, she would no doubt flourish in politics. At the age of thirty-two she was already a rising star in the New York City political machine.

“How are the polls?” he asked. “Have you taken the lead over Hastings yet?”

“Not yet.” Her eyes never left the cameras. “But I have a plan.”

Now she turned an adoring expression his way. “Are you going to the benefit for Mercy General Hospital tonight?”

“You know I am. It’s my fundraiser. But I’m escorting someone else tonight. My publicist always arranges those things for me.” He glanced at her and laughed. “Is that look for me or for the cameras? Are you trying to start a rumor we’re having some sort of affair?”

“Maybe I’d like it to be more than a rumor.” She put on a pretty pout. “And I talked to your publicist, but it seems you have some sort o

f silly rule against escorting the same woman to more than one event.”

“Yes. I’ve found that works best. A second appearance with a single woman leads to speculation and false expectations.”

“I totally understand, but I have a proposition for you.” Her smile was dazzling.

“I don’t think I’m interested.” He kept his voice bland, refusing to rise to her bait.

“And I think you’re lying. I think you’re intrigued. You’re at least interested in hearing what I have to say, even if you decide to turn me down.”

He considered this idea for a moment. “Perhaps I’m curious enough to listen to what you have to say. But know this... I will turn you down.” He pinned her with his most chilling stare, but she didn’t flinch. Her inscrutable expression fascinated him.

“We are so much alike, you and I.” She glanced at the cameras again and then turned her head to kiss him on the cheek. He barely managed not to draw back.

“I’ll talk to you tonight.” She chuckled as she slipped away to talk to the mayor.

Gherring hated these black-tie events, but at least tonight’s fundraiser was for a cause he cherished—a new children’s wing at the hospital. Although he detested the necessity for attending, he was completely in his element, making speeches, shaking hands, hobnobbing with the socially elite and powerful. Even as he mixed and mingled with the rich and influential, he knew he couldn’t relate to anyone present. He was likely the wealthiest person at the event, yet he didn’t really care about the power and prestige that came with that affluence. He never socialized with any of these people outside of public events. He had no interest in climbing social ladders or attaining political influence.

On the other hand, he did enjoy the luxuries his money afforded and the adrenaline rush associated with competition. But his business had grown to the point where he seldom had any true challenges at work. He found himself relishing the rare moments when he encountered someone who didn’t bow easily to his intentions. He seldom met anyone who would stand up to him, thus he was curious to hear Alicia Esparza’s proposition.