Page 51 of The Innovator

I pushed all my concerns aside and took a deep breath. The scent of honeysuckle and roses snuck up my nose as I walked behind this modern tree house that was a secret villa in the woods. The tree house was an innovative fortress, indeed. The wooden stairs spiraled around the oak tree that stood like an ancient god. There were several balconies and wide decks that sat on top of sturdy tree trunks. I could imagine myself sitting on the balcony sketching my next collection. There wouldn’t be any city noises to distract me, but only the peaceful birdsong to soothe me.

As I stood glancing up at the magnificence, I felt small and insignificant compared to the wise oak tree with the extensive thick branches, looking like arms and limbs welcoming every patron.

How old was it? What had it seen in all its years? Did the visitors treat it well? Did it enjoy the squirrels running up its trunk and across its branches? Did the animal’s feet tickle it? Did bird poop annoy it?

I smiled as I entertained myself with silly thoughts.

As a fashion designer, I often tried to put myself in the position of inanimate and animate objects, seeing from their perspective. It made the design process more interesting. What would a tree see if it looked at me?

The thought made me itch to finish my private collection—something no one knew about. It was my meditation, a way to indulge myself while still following my responsibilities. It helped me survive the transition from working in Paris to working in a water and sewer department in a foreign country.

Two different worlds, yet somehow, I belonged in both. There was an underlying connection somewhere here, but I didn’t see it yet. I laughed at the contrast of my life, and the noise echoed through the woods.

“What’s so funny?” The deep, rich voice was wine warming my stomach after a long day of work.

My heart skipped as I turned to face Grayson, looking stunning as usual. He wore a fitted blue T-shirt that hugged every muscle in his body. I could see the outlines of what appeared to be a six-pack. His shorts revealed muscular legs that reminded me of the sturdy tree house.

When did he get here? I didn’t hear a car arrive. I’d been so wrapped up in the beauty of the tree house and my thoughts that I didn’t hear him come. I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing.

Shock slammed into me, but I was also annoyed. I wanted time alone to think and reevaluate my current situation. I didn’t need or want the man who had contributed to my confusion to be present, muddling my emotions.

Was God joking with me? Did he think it would be interesting to toss a few more obstacles my way?

What was I supposed to do? Go somewhere else? Nope. This was a private retreat that couldn’t be booked easily. He wasn’t going to chase me away.

Maybeheshould go elsewhere. I was here first. The bet between us hung in the air, wanting me to acknowledge it.

Not right now. Not here where no one else was present to help reduce the sexual energy between us. My body was fully aware of his presence.

That annoyed me too. I just wanted to be alone to think.

Despite that, I wondered if his appearance was an opportunity to resolve my issue with him—the undeniable attraction.

My skin heated and tingled when his eyes raked up and down my body. I wasn’t wearing anything provocative. A tank top with a low V-neck and jean shorts with frayed edges.

If he were a model, he’d be hotter than any I’d encountered. The fashion world was full of beautiful people, but appearances were deceptive. Was Grayson a man who only had a gorgeous exterior?

My feelings toward him had changed from when we first met. The undeniable attraction between us begged to be dealt with, especially after that unforgettable kiss in his office. My body had been dying for more, but I needed to win this bet. I had to persuade him to buy any other property for Three Point Park instead of The Prism. I hadn’t gotten far in terms of finding out information on the building, but I could only move one step at a time.

“I’m just thinking about where I’ve been and where I’m at now. Isn’t this tree house spectacular?” He would appreciate this creation. Maybe that was the reason he came to the retreat as well. I didn’t ask Kiera how many rooms were available, but from the look of it, it could probably fit twenty people.

Grayson walked up to me. “It is.”

His closeness made it difficult for me to breathe, but I couldn’t make myself step away. He had a magnetism that gripped me like the ribbon on a corset. Every time our eyes connected, the corset tightened, wanting me to release something I was afraid to acknowledge.

We stood there gazing at the tree house, and his overwhelming presence combined with the summer heat, got to me. “I need some cold water.”

CHAPTERTWENTY

GRAYSON

Work, frustration, exhaustion, and confusion had crammed into my brain when I was at the local market. But somehow, Natalie’s face snuck through the cracks, making her presence known.

She wouldn’t leave me alone. I’d come to my tree house to clear my head of everything—including her.So seeing her in my sacred space was a taunt from the universe. Maybe I should be more open to unexpected coincidences and not focus on controlling everything.

She gulped down the bottle of water she’d retrieved from her car.

“Feeling better?” I asked, watching her tongue catch the water droplet clinging to her bottom lip.

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