“Porter? Porter? Did we get disconnected? I think you’re frozen.”
Riddle’s words snapped me back to reality. “Sorry, yeah. Just trying to figure out how quickly I can get Ms. James up to speed on the project. I already introduced myself this morning.” And probably saw a good bit of her tits, twice, but who’s counting.
“Excellent! Well, I’m glad you’ve introduced yourself to Ms. James. She’s bright and the opportunity to hire someone of her caliber that used to work at Leland, Stokes and Brandies was heaven-sent. Make a good impression and please, don’t be all awkward because she’s our latest female hire. We can’t have any more...situations.”
“That means keep her away from Greer,” I said, half joking, then cleared my throat. Besides being a colossal dick, Greer also ran off all the female architects we’d hired by either undermining their work or trying to lure them into bed. If it wasn’t for his talent and his unapologetic ass-kissing, Greer would have been out of a job a long time ago.
Mr. Riddle’s laugh was interrupted by a cough. “I’m glad you caught my drift. See you back in Atlanta by the end of the week. After you give us a design that’ll knock their socks off, we’ll start the request for tender for construction firms. You’ll have at least a year to get it done. Good day, Porter.”
I ended my call and looked at the computer screen. Pfft. I knew women. I mean...at least I think I did. Now wasn’t the time for a new relationship unless God and the Pope himself intervened. Right now, the focus was designing a world-class stadium and getting my name on the building as partner.
But Ari? Was seeing her twice in one day divine intervention?
I shook the thought out of my head as I looked at myself in the mirror, adjusted my tie and smoothed my jacket. I checked my breath and popped one of Ms. Gayle’s mints into my mouth, trying not to look nervous. This was my first time having a co-designer on a project of this magnitude. I couldn’t get distracted. I made it a rule to never date coworkers. Since I worked mostly with men, it was a rule I never had to employ. Until now.
I opened my door and paused before walking across the hall. Ari’s door was closed, but she was sitting at her desk, typing away on her computer, diving headfirst into work. I studied her profile; the curve of her jaw, the fullness of her cheeks, how her hair was sticking to the nape of her neck. She was, in a word, stunning. Rules, Porter. You have rules.
Realizing I’d been standing there looking like a creep, I nervously rapped my knuckles softly against her door.
Looking up from her computer, Ari smiled, her lips mouthing “come in.” My body involuntarily shivered.
“Hi,” I said, sheepishly. A beautiful bouquet was on her desk. I hadn’t noticed those earlier. Had they been there earlier? Then again, my eyes may have been elsewhere.
“Hi,” Ari said, smiling widely. I’d never tell a woman she should smile more, but Ari’s smile was too incredible not to want to see every minute of every hour. I made a mental note to get her to smile at me more.
I finally noticed Ari’s new blouse. It fit her beautifully, hugging every curve tastefully. Ms. Gayle had evidently spared no expense. I was in for a surprise next month on my credit card bill.
I diverted my eyes to the fragrant bouquet nearby. “Lovely flowers. Someone must really be excited about your first day here.”
Were they from a boyfriend? Girlfriend? I wasn’t exactly subtle with my fishing expedition. Women as fine as Ari usually aren’t single. And if they were, they wouldn’t remain single for long.
Ari smiled as she nodded toward the flowers. “Oh. Thanks. These are from my mom. She sends me flowers anytime I start a new job.”
I relaxed my shoulders. So, not from a partner. That’s good. I mean, not good. It was just...surprising.
I eased myself closer to her desk, sitting in the chair next to it. “So, how about you show me more designs for the new soccer stadium? I only saw a few in your portfolio. I know you have more.”
Ari’s right brow rose. “And what makes you think that?”
I leaned back in the chair. “Because you seem like a woman who comes to the job prepared. Even doing her homework ahead of time. Am I right?”
Ari laughed. “You may be right, Mr. Har... Porter.”
“Cool! Maybe I can show you what I have been working on. I’m doing some 3D renderings.”
She perked up at her desk. “That would be totally cool. I mean, I’d love to see what you’ve done so far.” The excitement about the project in her voice was palpable. I appreciated her enthusiasm. It felt like Riddle partnered me with the right person for a change. Maybe he knew what he was doing.
“Why don’t we work in my office? I have a large drafting table. We can spread out.”
As soon as the words spread out were uttered from my lips, an image of Ari, legs spread open across my drafting desk, popped into my head. The image solicited a twitch in my slacks. Settle down, fella. I clasped my hands in front of myself, reminding my penis to act like it had a reasonable amount of fucking sense.
“Sure thing! Let me gather my stuff.” Ari stood up, picking up her portfolio. I got a better look at those black pumps I’d paid for. They looked amazing and made her legs—supple, shapely legs—look even sexier. That skirt, which was tight in all the right places, failed to conceal what Senior would call “baby-making hips.” I resisted the old-Uncle-at-a-cookout-urge to bite my lip and say “lord, have mercy!” Thank God she couldn’t hear what I was thinking.
“After you, Ms. James,” I said, trying my best to focus on anything other than Ari’s ass. It was a very nice ass, though.
“Like I said, it’s Ari...” she said, looking back at me with that smile again. Seems like my goal of getting her to smile more at me was on target.
“Right! Ari... Let’s get to work, partner-in-design!” Wow, Porter, real smooth, brother.
Ari laughed. “Partner-in-design. That’s funny! Are you always this funny?”
I shrugged, embarrassed. “Not always.” Funny isn’t a word people would associate with me. But a woman who laughed at my jokes, despite them being corny? Be still my beating heart...
I watched as Ari walked across the hall into my office and began laying her designs on my drafting table.
Porter, you don’t date coworkers. You don’t date coworkers. You want to be partner. You don’t date coworkers, Porter.
I closed the door to my office. We had work to do.
Chapter Three
Ari