Redeeming The Billionaire (The Sherbrookes of Newport Book 5) (6 page)

Addie took a seat in one of the leather chairs, crossed her legs and watched as the woman behind the desk reached for the phone. Her appointment wasn’t for another fifteen minutes and Shirley, the secretary behind the desk, had informed her that Mr. Sherbrooke was just finishing up a conference call and would be with her shortly.

All week she’d been both dreading and looking forward to this appointment. During her time in Boston she’d worked on projects for some wealthy clients, but she’d never been in charge. Others at the firm brought in the clients and doled out the work. Before any of her designs or ideas could even be presented to clients, her supervisors needed to approve them. This time she was on the front line. Nothing stood between her and the client. She’d started her own company for that very reason. However, in the two years since she’d started Designs by Addison, she’d never had a client of Trent Sherbrooke’s stature. The idea of working for him thrilled and terrified her at the same time.

She gripped and ungripped the strap of her bag. His status as a high profile client wasn’t the only thing that had her stomach in a knot. The picture from the paper remained a worry as well. While he was by no means a stranger to tabloid headlines, he may think twice before hiring her because of it. In truth, ever since the picture appeared she’d expected a phone call from his secretary canceling today’s meeting.

At the sound of a door opening, Addie looked toward the office door behind Shirley’s desk. “I emailed you a list of construction proposals. Please make sure they get to Sherbrooke Enterprises.” When Trent finished speaking he turned his gaze on her. “Ms. Raimono, sorry to keep you waiting. Please come in.”

She gripped the straps of her bag tighter and a spasm of pain shot through her hand as she stood. “No need to apologize. I was early.” She walked past him into his office, the scent of his musky aftershave teasing her. Inside the office her eyes swept around the room, ideas emerging before she even sat down.

“Please have seat.” Trent stopped near the conference table by the window. “As you can guess, this office wasn’t decorated for me.”

Addie pulled out one of the upholstered chairs at the table and sat. “No, this office was decorated for a woman. But we can change that.” She reached into her bag and pulled out her laptop while Trent took the seat next to her. Then, before he could make any comments, she pulled up her standard client questionnaire. “Before I do anything else, I like to get to know more about my clients. What colors they like, types of fabrics or patterns they prefer. That sort of thing. After that, I can get measurements and input them into my design software. From there I can generate possible 3-D options for you to review.”

Trent didn’t respond right away. Instead, he placed his forearms on the table and clasped his hands together. “Ask away.”

As if her eyes had a mind of their own, she looked over at his tanned hands with their long fingers and short nails.
He’s just another client. Think about how you teased him the other day.

Clearing her throat, she dragged her eyes back to the computer. “Okay, to start with what colors do you prefer?”

“Silver, red.” Trent paused for a moment. “And green.”

As he answered, she typed. “Can you be more specific? For example, do you prefer a darker red like crimson or more of a fire engine red? Forest green or more of a lime green?”

“I’d say more of a fire engine red and green similar to the beads in your necklace.”

She glanced down at her necklace and then up again at Trent, her eyes locking with his. “Forest green,” she mumbled like an idiot unable to look away from his intense eyes. A beautiful shade of sapphire blue shared by many of the Sherbrookes.

“A shade or two lighter is nice, too.”

His comment reminded her they still had more questions to get through. “Okay, what colors do you dislike?” She focused on the blinking cursor on the screen.

“Yellow,” he answered with no hesitation. “And that brown coffee becomes after you add cream to it.”

The amusement in his voice had her looking over at him again. When she saw the smile on his face her own lips curled upward and some of her anxiety washed away. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Quickly, they went through the remainder of her questions. “I’d like to get some measurements of the office now, if you don’t mind.” She leaned over and pulled an electric tape measure from her bag. As she straightened back up, a hand settled on her arm causing her stomach to flip flop.

“No, of course not, but before you do that I’d like to apologize.”

Nothing he had said or done since the start of their meeting required an apology.

“The picture in the paper,” he said as she continued to think over their meeting so far. “I don’t know who sold it to the paper, but I hope it hasn’t caused you any problems.”

Oh, why did he have to bring that up today? The whole idea that some reporter had linked them together embarrassed her. “It shocked me, but it hasn’t caused me any problems.”

As he moved his hand, he gave her a smile and once again her stomach did a little shimmy. There was no mistaking why women around the world threw themselves at him. Not only did he have an overabundance of money and charm, but he was drop dead gorgeous to top it off. In many ways it struck her as unfair that one man would have so much going for him.

Holding up her electronic tape measure she pushed back her chair. “Once I get some measurements I can create some models based on your preferences.”

Next to her, Trent stood as well. “Excellent. How long does that generally take?”

“It varies. Did you have a specific time frame in mind?” She crossed to the opposite side of the office to measure the width between the office door and the windows.

While she took measurements, he remained near the table, but his eyes followed her. Or at least she thought they did. The hairs on the back of her neck said they did.
You’re imagining things.
While she waited for an answer, she returned to her computer and typed in the measurements.

“The sooner the better, Addison.” The sound of her name in his deep sensual voice washed over her like a warm caress.

“I could have some preliminary designs for you by Friday.” It would require a late night or two, but she could get it done.

“Friday, my day is booked solid until about six o’clock. Would that work for you?”

She’d have to ask Chloe to cover her shift at the bakery, but that shouldn’t be a problem. She’d covered for her cousin more than enough in the past. “I’ll have some ideas ready for you by then.” She powered down her laptop prepared to leave.

Trent smiled. “I look forward to seeing what you come up with and perhaps we can discuss another project then.”

It took all her will power to push down the excitement surging forward. He’d not even seen her work yet, but already had another project in mind. She couldn’t screw this opportunity up.

“I understand you do interior design work as well as decorating,” he began.

Addie nodded. “Yes, although lately I’ve done more decorating and staging.”

“Last year I purchased a home in Newport. I’m interested in having it redesigned. If you’re interested I’d like to get your ideas for it as well.”

Her hands shook as she slid her laptop into her bag and she bit down on her lip to keep from blurting out an answer. While she wanted the project he proposed, she didn’t want to come across as too eager.

“I’d need to see the home first, but I’d be happy to come up with some designs. I have some agreements with contractors who do fabulous work. Just so you know, a project like that involves much more than this one. There are building codes that need to be adhered to and structural attributes that come into play sometimes making certain things impossible.

Trent nodded when she finished. “When we meet on Friday we can agree on a time for you to see the house.”

Trent saw her eyes light up the moment he mentioned his home in Newport, but much to her credit she didn’t overreact. Rather, she remained polite and professional, if not a bit restrained. Perhaps a bit too restrained. He’d enjoyed her sense of humor the other day in the bakery and hoped to see more of it today. He’d tried to coax it out of her, but all he’d managed was a smile from her. He figured that made sense. This was a business meeting not a casual conversation.

With her bag packed up, she slipped its straps over her shoulder and pushed her chair in. “I’ll see you on Friday night.” She crossed to the door, but he got there first and opened it for her.

“I’ll walk out with you. I need to grab a quick lunch before my next meeting. Would you care to join me?” Only twelve o’clock, he figured she’d not had a chance to eat yet either.

She fiddled with the strap of her bag. “Thank you for the offer, but I have an appointment in Warwick at one.”

He walked alongside her and into the elevator. “Some other time perhaps.”

She gave him a small tentative smile as the elevator doors closed behind them and it began its decent. When they reached the ground floor he allowed her to exit first and then followed her outside.

“Enjoy your lunch. I’ll see you on Friday,” she said before heading down the sidewalk, the sun glittering off her chestnut-colored hair.

For a moment he remained in place, his eyes following her as she walked away. When she turned the corner and disappeared from view, he crossed the street toward the Indian restaurant, which, in his opinion, served the best Indian cuisine he’d tasted outside of New Delhi.

“Mr. Sherbrooke, it’s so good to see you again,” the restaurant owner said, his voice heavily accented. “Please follow me.” The restaurant owner led him to a corner table and handed him a menu.

Trent didn’t bother to look at it; he already knew what he wanted. As he waited for his waiter, he mapped out his plan for winning over Ms. Addison Raimono. From their few meetings so far he’d learned much about her. She had a witty sense of humor but strived to maintain a professional appearance. She didn’t seem taken by his family name or reputation. Despite the invasion of privacy the pictures in the paper had caused, she hadn’t lashed out or pointed fingers in his direction.

His instincts told him a subtler, gradual approach was the way to go with her. On Friday after their meeting he’d invite her out for dinner. That would be a good way to start his pursuit in earnest. Then he’d invite her to visit his home in Newport on Saturday or Sunday. The more time they spent in each other’s company, the better.

***

Addie reached for the bottle of cola on her desk and took a sip. Although she preferred flavored seltzer water to cola, this afternoon she wanted the extra pick me up the caffeine and sugar would give her. The previous night she’d spent a few hours putting together the final touches on the project proposal for the Burleys and worked on the models for her meeting with Trent tonight. By the time she’d crawled into bed, the clock read three. Despite the hour, her mind refused to cooperate and turn itself off. Instead, it had raced with thoughts of her upcoming appointment with Trent. If he accepted her ideas and hired her, he’d be her first high profile client. The mere thought made her as giddy as a child on Christmas morning. But would her ideas be good enough? She’d spent hours agonizing over them, but what if he didn’t like them? Then not only would she not get this project, but he’d also withdraw his offer regarding his home in Newport. While her company wouldn’t collapse if she lost those projects, she knew she might never get another chance at such a client. At the same time, if he hated her designs she may never see him again. As much as she hated to admit it, that fact had just as much to do with keeping her awake. If he didn’t hire her, she’d have no reason to see him again.

That’s the least of your concerns
. She took another sip from her drink and checked the time. If she left now, she’d get to his office five minutes early. She’d read somewhere that was an acceptable amount of time to arrive before a meeting.

After tossing the empty soda can in the trash under her desk, she grabbed her bag and headed outside. Although the weather channel claimed temperatures today were lower than yesterday, the air remained thick and muggy. The only real difference she noticed from the rest of the week was the dark clouds in the sky. The meteorologist on the morning news warned that heavy showers and thunderstorms would pass through the area tonight, and from the looks of it, she’d gotten it right. With any luck, however, the storms would hold off until she got home.

Just as Addie stepped inside the building, which housed Sherbrooke Enterprises and The Helping Hands Foundation, the first rumble of thunder filled the air stopping her in her tracks. She hated thunderstorms. As a child she’d hide whenever a storm came through. She’d grown out of that habit, but the rumble of thunder and the flashes of lightning still set her on edge.

There’s nothing to be afraid of.
In the elevator she pressed the button for the tenth floor and repeated the statement over in her head. Thunder was nothing more than noise caused by changes in the weather. As for the lightning, the worst that could happen was that the power would go out for a short time.

When she stepped out of the elevator and into the reception area, Trent’s secretary remained at her desk, her eyes focused on her computer screen oblivious to the flashes of light outside the windows. “Excuse me. I have an appointment tonight at six o’clock.”