Page 1 of Steamy Dunk
Chapter One
Violet didn't care that she was going down to pick up her packages on a Saturday morning in her pajama pants. It had been that kind of week.
She loved her job designing interiors for restaurants. Really, she did. It was fun to create the design for the walls or how the bar area would look. There were also the accent pieces she had so enjoyed searching out, finding some unique art for the walls or a specific fabric for some booths that would really catch a diner's eye.
But this current project she was working on was a nightmare. There were advantages to working for a company that would send her out to consult in all different places across the country. She wasn't even disappointed when they told her the next project would be in Kansas City. After all, Violet had never been there before.
She also hadn't worked with this particular restaurant owner before. But after only a week, she was convinced someone in her company had a grudge against her. The owner had a very particular view of exactly how his restaurant should look and he clashed with Violet all week about every idea she gave him.
She wondered why he even hired her as an interior design consultant if he knew exactly what he wanted.
Luckily, she got weekends off, which is how she ended up here in the lobby of her building in her pajama pants waiting at the front desk for her package.
"I see you dressed up for your trip downstairs."
Violet tried not to roll her eyes at the man making a snide comment about her clothing this early in the morning. Instead, she figured she would pull out her Midwest nice and give him a polite smile that would be holding back daggers.
But when she turned, her eyes landed on a man's chest and then her eyes kept going up and up until she finally saw his face.
That's when Violet remembered the gossip from someone she was on the elevator with the other day that a basketball player had moved into their building. This must be the guy. Would it be wrong for her to give him more than just a polite smile?
"I'm wearing my ball gown down here later."
He gave her a teasing smile. "I'll make sure to keep an eye out."
"Violet!" Charlie bellowed as he stepped out of the concierge storage area. "You had two packages, not one."
He set them down in front of her at the desk and then turned, his eyes lighting up when he saw the person standing next to her. "You're Parker Blakeman, right?"
"Yep, and I didn't get your name yet."
The concierge stuck his hand out for Parker to shake. "Charlie. Weekends and some nights. Let me know if you ever need anything. Ever. I can always help you out."
Violet was trying hard to hide the confusion on her face. Suddenly, this was not her usual desk guy. He had been transformed into some flustered teenage boy or something. She didn't realize Parker the basketball player had that kind of pull in this city. Perhaps she should pay a little more attention to basketball or whatever.
"I was supposed to have a courier drop off a tuxedo for me. Has it arrived yet?"
"Let me go check," Charlie said hastily.
The tall guy was hot, and maybe Violet would stay here a bit longer if she wanted to chat up the new guy. But he did live in her building, which could complicate things, and her packages contained her candle subscription box and two thrillers she was craving to read. She didn't need to be here anymore and it was probably in her best interest to not be here anymore. Self-preservation and a good book and all that.
So with a polite wave, she told Parker whatever to have a nice day and walked away. And no, Violet wasn't going to pretend that she saw a flash of disappointment on his face. Better to just move along. She was a consultant and worked somewhere that wasn't Chicago during the week. She had learned already that most men couldn't handle her travel schedule. It was better to not get involved than to get involved and be disappointed later on.
Violet headed to the elevator and pressed the button. She loved this building for its old-world charm and some more traditional features compared to the modern glass and steel buildings further down the lakeshore of Lake Michigan in Chicago. There was something unique and special about this place.
But the elevators were also unique -- and not in a good way. They took forever. She would even consider taking the stairs aside from the two unwieldy boxes in her hand.
"Hey, can you wait up?"
Oh no. Hottie basketball player again.
"That won't be a problem." She turned and gave him a smile. "You know how these elevators run at a glacial pace."
He gave her a sheepish smile. "Actually, I just moved here so I'm still learning about the building."
"Ah, gotcha. Well, welcome."
He smiled and turned to look at the old-fashioned elevator indicators to tell them what floor the elevators were on. "Can I ask you a question?" he said without looking away.
