Page 4 of Reckless Encounters

His welcoming demeanor calms my nerves slightly, but the thought of all the interviews to come after me has doubt stirring low in my belly.

As he leads me down a long corridor, I try taking in the changes from the pictures I’ve researched online of how the inside of the building used to look.

“This was one of the first rooms we had them finish so we could conduct meetings in here, just no paint or décor yet,” he says, opening the door. “But that’s why we are calling in the experts, like you.”

Logan gives me one last reassuring smile as we walk into the room. Pulling the chair at one of the ends of the table out for me, he says, “Sit here so you can see everyone, as well as have easy access to the PowerPoint. The rest of the board should be in any minute.”

I dig into my bag for my laptop and remind myself to thank Logan. I’m so overwhelmed, I’ve barely spoken to him. “Thanks for your help, Logan.”

“Anytime.” He smirks like there is more he wants to say.

In another setting, I would probably be flirting with a guy like Logan. He’s handsome and well-dressed, plus he seems kind. No red flags yet… But right now, I need to focus.

Just as I get my pitch set up and turn back to look at the screen, the walking red flag himself waltzes into the room, causing a different type of feeling to stir inside me.

At the sight of one of his tattoos peeking out from under his suit jacket, I’m suddenly parched. From the very first time I met him, I knew he was an arrogant prick, but the way my thighs clench together whenever I see him is a testimony that the rest of my body doesn’t care what my brain thinks about the man.

Apparently, ridiculously sexy combined with broody asshole speaks to my vagina in a way nothing else does.

My mind drifts back to that first night at Kings Hideaway over a year and a half ago…

Immediate desire ripples through me at the sight of the man approaching my end of the table. His black tailored shirt opens just enough to show off the sexy tattoos he’s sporting under it.

Apparently liking what he sees by the sexy smirk that graces his mouth, his gaze peruses over me from head to toe.

When his tongue pokes out, licking over his bottom lip, a surge of tension forms between us. Like a string from his body to mine, connected in some unexplainable attraction to one another.

We continue staring, not speaking a word.

I try focusing my attention on Sloan, who was obviously not expecting to see the man she’s been in love with for eight years here tonight. But by the way Wes is looking at her, there is no doubt in my mind he’s head over heels for her too.

Eli, this man’s friend, and my best friend’s brother, breaks the spell.

“Parker, this is Ava, she went to college with the girls. You likely know her family, they are into investing as well. Pierce Corporation,” Eli says before turning his attention back to the other side of the table.

I notice a look slide over Parker’s face before he returns his gaze to me. “Ava Pierce?” His demeanor has completely shifted from what it had been less than a minute ago.

“Yep, that’s me.” I try to sound cheery, wondering what his deal is.

“An Upper East Side princess in my presence,” he sneers, then continues. “And tell me what do you do? Go to events for Mommy and Daddy?”

Woah woah, shut the fucking front door. Who does this asshole think he is? It seems like my last name offended him, but it’s not like he’s slumming it in his perfectly fitted Tom Ford suit.

“First off, I’m no princess. And for your information, I just started my own interior design firm,” I snap back. I don’t care how sexy he is; don’t accuse me of things you know absolutely nothing about.

His menacing glare bores into mine.

“Maybe not a princess, but a brat, nonetheless.”

Parker doesn’t acknowledge me as he walks into the room, but that doesn’t surprise me. What does, though, is that I even got the interview if he had any say in it. We may have mutual friends, but based on our history, that doesn’t mean shit to him. From the very first night we met, he treated me like a dumb socialite. And the one time I thought he saw more, he proved otherwise all too quickly.

The others who enter the room are friendly as they greet me, and shortly after, Logan speaks up and gives me the go-ahead to start.

I stand from my seat… Confidence, baby. Looking Parker directly in the eye to prove to him his asshole vibe isn’t going to throw me off, I address the board. “Thank you all so much for having me. I have prepared a presentation for today. First, I would like to show you a few projects I have completed recently.”

Along with the photos I click through, I explain what each project entailed, ending on my proudest venture. “Masqued is an exclusive club here in the city that I had the privilege of designing. I worked closely with the owner, who is a dear friend of mine, to make her vision come to life. This club is the epitome of sexy and mysterious, with privacy and hidden gems throughout the vicinity. Special details to make everyone’s experience even more memorable.”

Parker’s deep voice rumbles through the room, cutting me off. “But this isn’t an exclusive club… It’s a hotel that people are going to be paying no less than a grand a night to stay at.” The dickhead finally speaks, and I want to shove my heel down his throat.

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