Chapter Two
I opened the door to my office and sat at my desk. Hank sat in the chair in front of my desk, still reviewing my agenda on his iPad. “It looks like the dinner tonight got cancelled, so you’ll be able to go home once this next meeting is over.” He looked at me with a smile. “Unless you want to come over for dinner today. I can call Sasha up so she can have your favorite ready.”
I shook my head. “No, thank you for offering, but I just want to go home and rest. It’s been a long day.”
Hank nodded understandingly and got out of the chair. “I’ll be out front finishing up some reports. I’ll buzz you when your guest arrives. Make sure to take a look at the reports I placed on your desk earlier.” He walked out and closed the door behind him, leaving me to my thoughts.
I sighed heavily as I pushed the papers around on my desk. Reports, spreadsheets, supply requests, new stories, these were all what could be found in the pile of “things I should be doing that I will put off until the last minute.” I pushed my chair away from my desk and walked over to my window to look out on the world. The sun was bright on this lovely spring afternoon and I was stuck in this suffocating building until my meeting was over. The people on the street looked like they were enjoying the warm weather and I envied them for it.
I adjusted my tie and walked back over to my desk. Maybe I would be able to get through one of the reports before my appointment. I had just started looking through the pile when Hank buzzed me to let me know that my 2 o’clock had arrived. “Let him in,” I told him.
I stood up, adjusted my tie and jacket, and walked out from behind the desk as my door opened and two men walked into my office.
The first man walked up to me and threw his arms around me in a tight embrace. My arms instantly wound themselves around the delicate waist in front of me, the familiar scent of the man surrounding me. When he pulled away from me, my breath was caught (as it always was) at his beauty. His beautiful green eyes, ever so captivating, held mischief and his blond hair was swept up in a perfect ponytail. The perfectly tailored suit he wore was grey, the shirt he wore underneath was as green as his eyes. He always dressed to accentuate his best features.
“Paris, you can’t throw yourself at me like this.” I told my ex-lover. “What if someone sees?”
Paris laughed prettily. “I’m not too worried about people seeing me embrace my future brother-in-law. They should be happy that we get along so well.”
Before I could utter a response, the other man walked up to me and said, “I don’t mean to interrupt such a happy reunion, but my cousin doesn’t seem to have any manners.” He raised his hand to me and I shook it. “I was the one who called for this meeting, Mr. Daniels. I’m Chris Rollins. I came to speak to you about the marketing of my book.”
That took me aback, I had no idea that the new author I was promoting was Paris’s cousin. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Rollins. I didn’t know you were related to Paris. Please sit down.”
I walked over to sit behind my desk while Paris and his cousin both sat down in the chairs in front of my desk. I took this opportunity to assess my new author, and the difference between him and Paris was astonishing. Where Paris was ethereal and beautiful, Chris was just handsome and breathtakingly so. From the brown hair that he brushed to a side (though a few strands were on his forehead), to those dark, brown eyes that could stare a hole into someone’s face, to the perfectly chiseled jawline, there was no doubt that this man was perfect.
“Not many people know that we’re related,” Chris told me, bringing me out of my musings. “I’m technically not part of the main family due to an extramarital affair.”
I nodded my understanding. “I see. Not to worry, we always prioritize the privacy of all our authors.”
The smile that I was given admittedly took my breath away. “That’s really good to hear. When Paris told me about your relationship with him, I was a little nervous.”
Paris laughed at this point, bringing both of our attention to him. “You never needed to worry about our relationship, Chris! We broke up six months ago and we’ve stayed good friends. Plus, we’re going to be family now.”
My heart felt like it had shattered to a million pieces. While it was true we had been broken up for six months, my brother had been courting Paris for five months. It had not been an easy break up for me.
“I can also assure you that personal relationships will never get in the way of my work. We will publish your book and promote you as our new rising star and I think we will see great success from you. I read your manuscript and I am already a huge fan.”
A small blush appeared on his cheek and a modest smile appeared on his lips. “Thank you, I’m really glad to hear that.”
We discussed the schedule of editing and publishing, I told him all the promotion opportunities our company offered, and then he briefly explained what he planned for the sequel of his book. Paris chimed in with opinions and seemed to mostly be there for moral support for his cousin, and I wished that he hadn’t shown up for this meeting. I didn’t need to be reminded of him while working.
Once we were finished discussing everything, we all stood up together. “Well, I think I can say with confidence that it will be truly amazing to work with you. I look forward to our partnership.” I walked around my desk and walked over to my door to hold it open for them. “Please don’t hesitate to contact me or my assistant if you need anything.”
Chris nodded at me and shook my hand as he walked by. “I also look forward to working with you. Paris told me you were capable, and now I’m confident that you are.”
It was my own turn to blush as he gave me a final captivating smile and walked by me. Paris stopped in front of me as he was about to walk behind his cousin. He raised his eyebrows at me, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“You go on ahead, Chris. I’ll meet you in the car. I need to speak with Kevin really quick.” Chris nodded and headed toward the elevator. I got a brief glimpse of Hank looking at me with worry as Paris closed the door so we could be alone in my office.
I took a deep breath, nervously. “What do you need, Paris?”
Paris pushed me against the door, making my heart jump in my chest. “I saw the way you were looking at my cousin.”
I gulped in a breath. “I have no idea what you are talking about. I was completely professional this whole time.”
Paris’s laugh trilled prettily as he leaned in closer, placing his knee between my legs. My face turned bright red, the mischief in his eyes grew. The air became thick with his pheromones, the only indication of which I could tell (because I can’t sense omega pheromones) was the sweat forming on his forehead. I could, however, sense the heaviness in the air and knew that he was trying to dominate me. If only I could fight back with my own pheromones and bring him to his knees… and he knew I couldn’t.
“I think you know what I’m talking about, especially our little friend down here knows what I’m talking about. You must really like my cousin.”
I felt my anger rise. “Even if that were true, why does that bother you? You broke up with me and are now engaged to my brother. Why do you care?”
Paris laughed, stepped away, and finally stopped bearing down on me. “I’m just trying to give you a hard time. I think that you and Chris would make a great match, honestly. Did you know he’s a dominant alpha?”
That took my aback. “Really?”
Paris nodded. “He doesn’t like to flaunt it because he comes from a family of dominant omegas, but his pheromones are on par with your brother’s.”
I shrugged. “You know that that means nothing to me. Besides, why would an alpha want to be with another alpha.”
Paris walked by me and placed his hand on the doorknob. “You know you’re no ordinary alpha.” With that he opened the door and walked out, waving to Hank on his way to the elevator. I stood at the doorway, breathing heavily and thinking, What is Paris planning?
Hank walked over to me and asked, “Interesting meeting?”
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