Page 8 of Brooke
There was too much at stake with this project for her insides to go crazy over the one man who held the power to open the door to her dream.
CHAPTER
TWO
“Good morning, everyone.”
Brooke heard Axel’s first words on a physical level. His deep voice was so low in scale it felt like it came from the ground itself, rising only to strike an answering chord in her belly, which tightened, almost purely in desire. If a voice could be likened to a fabric, his would be the best worn-in denim. She was breathless as she waited for his next words.
His large hand rose and pointed to the man standing transfixed beside her. “I love your end-of-the-world boxers, Mr. Harris.”
He was complimenting Dean’s boxers? This was so not good, she thought, and it grew worse when Dean gestured to his front.
“Thanks! Call me Dean, Axel, especially since you’ve seen me in my morning attire. Like my boxers say, if we’ve reached the end, thisisthe best place to be. At least my lady thinks so.”
“I like a man with confidence,” Axel replied with a wry smile. “We will do well together.”
She continued to grip the counter to keep from slidingdown to the floor, beyond speechless. They were bonding over Dean’s humorous boxers?
“That’s a relief, Axel, since Dean is known for his unique sense of humor.” Kyle shot her a puzzled look before crossing the room to shake Axel’s hand. “I see we don’t need any pretense here. Welcome to the fun house, Axel. Never a dull moment. Would you like a café?”
“Thank you, I would.” His deep baritone voice had a slight accent. English was his second language, she knew, as his parents had moved from Norway to Manhattan when he was a teenager. She’d lived there, too, of course, and socialized with and worked with some of the same people, but there were circles within circles. While she had been in homes he’d decorated and met people who knew him, their paths hadn’t crossed.
Which wasn’t to say the stories of him hadn’t piqued her interest. As one of the top interior designers in the world, he had few equals. His vision for each project was unique, functional, and natural, something his unexpected visits to clients helped him better design.
She’d told everyone over and over again that he was going to show up like this. She’d forbidden forgotten shoes in common spaces. The random trail of personal items like wallets or phones left scattered about. And now this…
A drop of water ran down her temple, making her panic as she remembered she was dripping. She tried to dry off without calling attention to herself.
God, why was fate so mean to her? He was supposed to see her as a professional. Yet here she was dripping wet from bathing a parrot! Who suddenly gave a loud squawk ofBonjourfrom his jasmine-scented bubble bath on the countertop, making Dean chortle.
Madness was descending. Maybe Axel would change his mind. Maybe he’d realize here be lunacy!
She couldn’t let that happen. Everything in her revolted at the possibility.
“Axel, I’m sorry for the craziness this morning.” Shoulders back, she strode over to him like she was wearing a Chanel suit, ready for a presentation to shareholders, hoping she wasn’t dripping on the kitchen floor. “We’re thrilled to have you working with us.”
“Don’t give it another thought,” Axel stated. “Many clients feel the need to impress me, which is why I show up when they are simply being themselves. I cannot create a space without knowing who my clients truly are, can I?”
Thea gave an awestruck gasp. “I think that’s a wonderful perspective!”
“Besides, Brooke, I was already impressed with you and the others before I arrived this morning.” Axel gave her a slow smile, one that transformed his face from a Viking god into someone more approachable, the kind of man she could see enjoying a drink in at a low-lit bar with soft music in the background. “Otherwise, I would not have taken this project on. But I confess, seeing you giving a parrot a bath was both surprising and enjoyable.”
“Glad we scored on the pet bathing,” Dean said, coming over. “Like Kyle said. Welcome to the fun house.”
They shook hands. She wanted to roll her eyes at the masculine display, especially since Dean was in boxers and Axel was wearing Armani, but she couldn’t take her eyes off the designer. Axel had runway model good looks—although too tall for fashion—and possessed the kind of magnetism and composure that went hand in hand with genius.
And she was going to get to work with him! Her light-headedness returned.
“Let me officially introduce you to the rest of the Paris Roommates,” Kyle said, taking the reins as their ever-capable leader. “Chef Thea Rogers is the one wearing the pink apron.Chef Madison Garcia is giving our parrot mascot a jasmine-scented bath.”
Thea gave a playful wave, Madison inclined her chin in that tough way of hers, and Dean snickered.
Kyle shot him a warning look before he continued. “And I take it you’ve already met Dr. Sawyer Jackson.”
Sawyer pushed his gold-rimmed spectacles up the bridge of his nose, smudging purple paint in its wake.
“Yes, Dr. Jackson informed me hisatelierwas completely off-limits.” Axel folded his massive arms across his equally majestic chest. “I told him I have worked with artists all over the world with great success, but he seemed unswayed.”
