Page 3 of Mister Cowboy
“Lyle. January Lyle,” she said in a quiet, breathy voice.
He put the card back in his wallet, dropped a stack of bills onto the signed receipt, and nodded his thanks. Before she’d noticed that his lips were only millimeters from her neck, his breath tickled her skin, sending shivers down her spine. All the air vanished from her lungs as she sat frozen, both afraid and hopeful that he might kiss her. “Happy birthday, January Lyle,” he whispered with a low laugh before disappearing into the sea of cheap suits and silver trays.
January stared after him for a second before turning wide eyes back to Michael.
“I’m mortified!” she said quietly and stole one last glance into the room where Blackstone Software was gathered. “Why didn’t you tell me who he was?”
Shaking his head while he loaded dirty glasses on a tray, Michael held his mouth in a tight line that she knew meant he was biting back a laugh. “I thought you knew! I mean the guy stands out in a place like this.”
“I’m pretty sure he stands out everywhere,” she said before draining her glass. “I should get home. I need to get up early and make some call backs. If I don’t get a new client soon, I’m going to have to apply at Taco Bell to make ends’ meet.”
“Did Mrs. Charlaine’s boss come through with her aunt’s place?”
She sighed and made a pouty face. “No. She wrote a nice recommendation but said her aunt wasn’t ready to let anyone rifle through her stuff.” She rolled her eyes. A common misconception that she found people had when hiring a professional organizer was that she was going to come in and throw everything out or snoop through their stuff. For January, it was a way to bring order—one space, one home at a time.
“We’ll be okay. I’m pulling enough here to keep us afloat until you find your next gig. You only need one big client, and then those snooty, rich people will hear how fabulous you are and you’ll be organizing Louis Vuitton’s and kinky sex closets all over Denver.”
She smiled and nodded, determined to find more work tomorrow. There was no way she was going to allow Michael to feel like he needed to support the both of them. He’d worked too hard opening the bar not to be able to enjoy its amazing reputation and loyal customers.
“I’m heading home. See you in a couple of hours.” She pulled out some cash from her clutch, which Michael waved off as usual.
“Save your money, gorgeous. See you in a bit.”
Reaching over the bar, she shoved the money into the tip jar, stood, and allowed herself one last look. He really was too handsome to be something as incredibly dull as a CEO. A workaholic, no doubt, he probably had his women scheduled in. Although, if she’d learned anything during their brief conversation, it was that Brecken was nothing like he appeared.
Outside, she pulled her wool coat tight around her. The walk to her apartment was only a few blocks, and she was hopeful the cool air would help clear her mind. Despite her birthday shenanigans being a total bust, she walked with a smile on her face.Brecken Blackstone. Saying his name over and over in her head, she smiled bigger each time and decided that he probably wasn’t the boring CEO type she originally thought him to be and that she should have taken him up on his offer.
She could easily picture him commanding an entire boardroom in the same way he had so easily commanded her attention tonight. Still, even knowing he was far out of her league and comfort zone, there was something authentic and unnerving about him. That man was nothing like the rich and powerful men her father rubbed elbows with. The kind that made you constantly guess if they were sincere or blowing smoke to keep everyone happy.
2
Brecken
“This was a good idea.” Tina motioned with a tilt of her chin to his employees mingling in front of them. “Especially since, starting next week, they’re going to have to work twice as hard to keep up with the release schedule.” She twirled a full wine glass in her other hand, smiling in acknowledgement as people waved hello from around the room.
“Can I leave yet?” Brecken asked. “Nobody wants to drink with the boss.”
His vice president and the most hardworking employee he’d ever hired tossed a sideways look his way.
“Absolutely not. They want to see you hanging out and having fun. Be a normal guy for one night. Smile and show them you’re approachable. I mean, look at them, they all dressed up in their suits tonight. It’s adorable.” Tina bit back a laugh.
Beer in hand, he glanced around the room and grimaced when he realized Tina was right. His engineers were indeed in suits. Bad suits.
Wishing he’d handed out bonuses instead of agreeing to a company party, he only half-heartedly picked apart Tina’s words. A normal guy? He’d never been one of those. He’d worked tirelessly every day of his adult life to be anything but normal.
“Where’s Nadia?” Tina’s head swiveled, adjusting her thick-rimmed glasses as she scanned the room. “I think she’s the only one not here.”
“She had a doctor’s appointment this afternoon and wasn’t feeling up to it.”
Tina raised her eyebrows, and he smiled. Nothing got past her.
“She had lip injections, I think. I didn’t ask for a lot of details. Apparently, looking like a duck is all the rage.”
Tina chuckled quietly, and he turned, smiling and shaking his head as he stepped into the center of the room. His movement didn’t go unnoticed, and the conversations quieted as everyone turned their attention to him. “Thank you all for coming tonight. We are here to celebrate allyourhard work that has led to the signing of another big client. As I was on my way here, I was also informed that Blackstone Software has been named one of the top five information technology companies in Denver for the third year in a row.”
Applause and hoots echoed through the room, and he took the moment to truly appreciate the people who shared his drive and vision and helped to make his own dreams a reality.
“Enjoy the food and drinks. Monday we get back to work.” He raised his glass and flashed his white smile. “Cheers.”
