Read Online Worth the Challenge by Karen Erickson - Free Book Online
Authors: Karen Erickson
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white shirt, fitted black skirt and the highest heels Ella had ever set eyes on. She walked with ease in those intimidating shoes, her long dark ponytail swinging as she turned her head this way and that, smiling and waving at people they passed by.
Ella glanced down at her simple black flats, a step up from the sandals she’d worn yesterday, but that wasn’t saying much. She wore plain khakis with a pale blue button-up shirt and a thin black cardigan, looking like she walked straight out of the Gap, which she had. If she was being truthful, she lacked polish, especially for an important meeting at a luxury fashion house in the middle of Manhattan.
How could the Worth brothers take her seriously when she looked like this? Dowdy and uninspired, completely untrendy, she’d probably look a mess to these men with impeccable—and rather discerning—taste.
She really should’ve rethought her outfit choice this morning but she’d woken late, her head pounding from last evening’s wine consumption. Regret over that stupid too-brief kiss, her behavior, all of it.
What if Rhett backed out? What if he’d told his brothers she was a wanton—albeit failed—seductress who was too much trouble to deal with? She’d be devastated to get so far only to be sent packing.
“Here you go.” The secretary stopped in front of an open doorway and waved a hand, indicating Ella should go inside. “Would you care for anything to drink? I can bring you some water or coffee if you’d like. Maybe tea?”
“I’m fine, thank you.” Everyone was so solicitous, so kind. It almost made her uncomfortable.
She walked inside the room, her steps faltering when the three men who sat at the table turned to look at her. Alex, Hunter and Rhett Worth watched as she approached, power exuding from them in tangible waves. All three of them were clad in expensive designer suits. Colorful silk ties by Worth Luxury circled their necks.
Alex sent his brothers a measured look before he stood, the other two following his lead, and he came toward Ella with his hand extended, a polite smile curling his lips. “Alexander Worth. So glad you could join us today, Miss Durand.”
“Thank you.” She took his hand, marveled that she didn’t feel a thing when he touched her. “It’s nice to meet you.”
She turned to Hunter, who introduced himself with gracious charm, his blue eyes twinkling when it was his turn to shake her hand. Again, she wondered why she felt absolutely nothing when he touched her.
Then she found Rhett standing in front of her, that lazy smile of his in full effect, making her knees weaken. He took her hand, gave it a more intimate squeeze versus the formal pump of a firm handshake. “Good to see you again, Gabriella. I trust you slept well?”
Heat sparked where their hands connected and his intimate question had her insides quivering. Their brief kiss came to mind and she was thankful he didn’t act awkward or try to ignore her. “I did, thank you.”
He released her hand, his fingers sliding over the top of hers and she barely restrained the shiver that overtook her at his simple touch. The smile grew, his eyes darkened as if perhaps his thoughts were the same as hers. Talk of sleeping well made her think of beds, which made her think of Rhett in her bed. Keeping her awake long through the night while he touched her, kissed her everywhere…
She wouldn’t be complaining of lack of sleep if that were the case.
“Have a seat.” He placed his hand at the small of her back and escorted her to a chair, pulling it out for her before she sat. Settling in beside her, he rested his arm on top of the table, his hand splayed, fingers rubbing against the shiny surface of the tabletop. His large watch drew her attention to his wrist, the fine dark hairs that grew there.
That hand had touched her last night. It had slid along her thigh with smooth, calculated precision, sending every nerve ending screaming with delight.
“Our human
Ella glanced down at her simple black flats, a step up from the sandals she’d worn yesterday, but that wasn’t saying much. She wore plain khakis with a pale blue button-up shirt and a thin black cardigan, looking like she walked straight out of the Gap, which she had. If she was being truthful, she lacked polish, especially for an important meeting at a luxury fashion house in the middle of Manhattan.
How could the Worth brothers take her seriously when she looked like this? Dowdy and uninspired, completely untrendy, she’d probably look a mess to these men with impeccable—and rather discerning—taste.
She really should’ve rethought her outfit choice this morning but she’d woken late, her head pounding from last evening’s wine consumption. Regret over that stupid too-brief kiss, her behavior, all of it.
What if Rhett backed out? What if he’d told his brothers she was a wanton—albeit failed—seductress who was too much trouble to deal with? She’d be devastated to get so far only to be sent packing.
“Here you go.” The secretary stopped in front of an open doorway and waved a hand, indicating Ella should go inside. “Would you care for anything to drink? I can bring you some water or coffee if you’d like. Maybe tea?”
“I’m fine, thank you.” Everyone was so solicitous, so kind. It almost made her uncomfortable.
She walked inside the room, her steps faltering when the three men who sat at the table turned to look at her. Alex, Hunter and Rhett Worth watched as she approached, power exuding from them in tangible waves. All three of them were clad in expensive designer suits. Colorful silk ties by Worth Luxury circled their necks.
Alex sent his brothers a measured look before he stood, the other two following his lead, and he came toward Ella with his hand extended, a polite smile curling his lips. “Alexander Worth. So glad you could join us today, Miss Durand.”
“Thank you.” She took his hand, marveled that she didn’t feel a thing when he touched her. “It’s nice to meet you.”
She turned to Hunter, who introduced himself with gracious charm, his blue eyes twinkling when it was his turn to shake her hand. Again, she wondered why she felt absolutely nothing when he touched her.
Then she found Rhett standing in front of her, that lazy smile of his in full effect, making her knees weaken. He took her hand, gave it a more intimate squeeze versus the formal pump of a firm handshake. “Good to see you again, Gabriella. I trust you slept well?”
Heat sparked where their hands connected and his intimate question had her insides quivering. Their brief kiss came to mind and she was thankful he didn’t act awkward or try to ignore her. “I did, thank you.”
He released her hand, his fingers sliding over the top of hers and she barely restrained the shiver that overtook her at his simple touch. The smile grew, his eyes darkened as if perhaps his thoughts were the same as hers. Talk of sleeping well made her think of beds, which made her think of Rhett in her bed. Keeping her awake long through the night while he touched her, kissed her everywhere…
She wouldn’t be complaining of lack of sleep if that were the case.
“Have a seat.” He placed his hand at the small of her back and escorted her to a chair, pulling it out for her before she sat. Settling in beside her, he rested his arm on top of the table, his hand splayed, fingers rubbing against the shiny surface of the tabletop. His large watch drew her attention to his wrist, the fine dark hairs that grew there.
That hand had touched her last night. It had slid along her thigh with smooth, calculated precision, sending every nerve ending screaming with delight.
“Our human
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