Choice Matters (Southern Heat Book 1) (7 page)

“Yes, of course. That’s why his name is so familiar to me.”

“He’s in my office. Shall we? Oh and dinner tonight?” He
extended his arm. I caught a whiff of his cologne. It wasn’t the same as what
he’d had on the other night. This was much more subtle. More musky, more
masculine, more raw.

I didn’t have a chance to respond to his request. No sooner
than we left my office, we were at his threshold. He pushed open the door and
seated in front of his desk was Don Turner. Ah yes, I did remember Mr. Turner.
Prick, male chauvinist, and from the look on his face, I should probably add
none too happy that he was passed over for this promotion. Passed over for a
woman. This ought to be interesting.

“Caitlyn.”
Apolo
proceeded to the
other side of his desk. “I’m sure you remember Don Turner from when you were
down in acquisitions. Don, Caitlyn.”

“Ah yes, nice to see you again, Ms. White. And
congratulations on your promotion. I’m sure you’ll be fantastic at whatever it
is Mr. Choice has in mind for you.”

Oh wow! Let’s cut to the nasty, sexual undertones right out
of the gate! Yep, still the same prick, and one I wasn’t going to be able to
let my guard down around. If my instincts were right, Don Turner would be
trying to oust me before I got my seat warm.

The next hour was spent pouring over a project left behind
by my predecessor. When
Apolo
wasn’t adding his
concerns or comments to the conversation, I noted he was quietly observing how
Don and I interacted with each other. If I were a betting woman, I’d have to
say Don had the losing straw. His snide comments did not go unnoticed by either
Apolo
or myself. As soon as he left, I let out a deep
breath. It had been a while since I’d dealt with a man so obviously jealous of
a woman. I silently noted by the clock on the wall that it was well after five.
Since
Apolo
had followed Don out of the office, I was
curious as to whether he was quietly confronting Don. Maybe dismissing Renee
for the day? She had been there since early this morning.

“You handled Don very well, Caitlyn. That was a side I haven’t
seen.” He walked over to the credenza. He slid open a door and pulled out a
liquor bottle of some sort. I couldn’t tell what it was from my vantage point.
He collected two crystal glasses from the top and strode over to his desk
again. “I think we’ve earned this.”

He unscrewed the bottle and poured two good shots, one in
each glass before handing one to me. It was Scotch. Very expensive Scotch.
Bowmore
single malt.

I graciously accepted the snifter from him. I needed it
after the long, grueling day I’d had. “Thank you.” Taking a long swallow, I found
the whiskey to be smooth and mellow, not biting. “If I can be a little bold, I’d
say that Mr. Turner is not too thrilled that I got the promotion.”

Finishing off his Scotch, swallowing the last as though he
were enjoying liquid gold, he placed the glass on the desk in front of him,
cocking his head. “The problem with young pups like Don Turner is that they
feel because they go to college and get their Masters in business before they’re
thirty, the world owes them the moment they hit the job market. He’s still wet
behind the ears, Caitlyn. He needs to pay his dues, first.”

“And if he doesn’t?”

“If he wants to stay here, he’ll have to. The under-thirty
billionaire’s are few and far between. The quicker he learns that, the more apt
he’ll be to move up the corporate ladder.”

“And how old were you when you made your first million?”

“Million. That’s so yesterday. I was a billionaire by the
time I was thirty. I won’t even tell you what they’re predicting my worth will
be for my fortieth birthday this year.” He snickered. “Now, enough about
business. I want to show you something now that we’re alone.”

He rose from his black, leather executive chair and moved in
the direction of the wall that separated our two offices. He beckoned me with
his hand. “Come.” By the time I reached him, he had opened a hidden door.
Lights automatically came on as I stepped inside the room.

At first, I was quite uneasy with what was going on here.
Was what my mother said true? Did
Apolo
have some
hidden kinks I knew nothing about?

“What is this place?” I cautiously asked. I looked about,
and it dawned on me what this place could be used for.

“It’s not what you’re thinking, Caitlyn.”

“And what am I thinking?”

“The expression on your face gave you away the moment you set
foot in here. This is my safe room…yours, too, now.” He chuckled, low and
lustful. “What did you think you were in, some sort of hidden play room?”

“As a matter of fact…”

“No, it’s not that. It’s a safe room. You’ve heard of them
haven’t you?”

“Yes, of course, I have.” He was standing in my personal
space now. I could feel his breath on my neck as he stood beside me. “Who?”

“Who knows about this? Just me, Jacob, and now you.”

“Renee doesn’t know it’s here?”

“No, Jacob and I felt the fewer people who knew of its
existence, the better. I also have one at my home here in Atlanta.”

“But why?”

“I’m a powerful, rich man, Caitlyn. The two can be a dangerous
combination in the hands of the wrong people. Better safe than sorry, I always
say.”

“I didn’t realize…”

“There’s enough food and water in here to sustain up to four
people for up to a month. It also runs on its own generator and has its own
communications system, just in case the power to the main building is cut. I
could go on about all the safety features, but I don’t want to bore you.”

“This is amazing,
Apolo
. Have you
ever had to use it?”

“No, thank goodness. But it’s here just in case. Remember
that. Memorize the access code.”

I walked around the room. While it wasn’t huge, it was big
enough that a small group wouldn’t get on each other’s nerves too fast.
Naughty, erotic thoughts crossed my mind as I glanced over at the large
mattress situated in one corner. My entire body tingled as
Apolo
pulled me back into reality.

“Well, I think I’ve kept you long enough. How about we call
it a day?”

“Yes, that sounds like a good idea. My mind is still
swirling with everything that’s gone on.”

A low, lustful chuckle escaped his throat. “Come, get your
things. Let’s go get something to eat. I’m starving.”

* * * *

Maneuvering his black BMW through the busy Atlanta streets,
Apolo
dumbfounded me when he pulled into the parking lot of
one of the most iconic fast food establishments in the city. He drove around to
the car service area, found an open space, and parked.

Shaking my head in disbelief at his choice for dinner, I let
out a giggle. “Of all the places to eat in Atlanta, and we come here? I like
your style, Choice.”

“It might surprise you to know I’ve been coming here for
years. No chance of someone recognizing me or us together. Marvin here has been
taking care of me for a long time.”

A tall, rail thin, white haired elderly gentleman approached
the car, a huge smile on his face. “
Evenin
’, Mr.
Choice. What’ll you have—the usual?”

“Yes, the usual for both of us, Marvin. Oh, and a helping of
chopped onions, too.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll have it out to you in just a couple of
minutes,” he replied before turning to walk back toward the building.

“I hope you don’t mind me ordering for you.”

“No, but pray tell, what is the usual,
Apolo
?
No chili dogs, I hope.”

“No chili dogs. Not at this time of night. Just
cheeseburgers, cheese dogs, and onion rings, with a coke to wash them down.”

“You had me with the onion rings,” I quipped, flashing a
grin at him. God, this man could make greasy fried food seem erotic and sexy.

Having removed his suit jacket before getting behind the
wheel,
Apolo
rolled the sleeves of his pale gray, oxford
shirt up his forearms. While I’ve always had a thing for men’s forearms,
Apolo’s
unhinged me completely. They were tanned, muscular,
and strong. And forceful, attached to those hands. I quickly looked away,
afraid he would be able to read my thoughts.

“Like what you see?”

“
Apolo
, please…”

“What? It’s after normal office hours, and we’re not at work.
I was simply making a harmless remark. Look at it this way—we’re getting to
know each other first before having sex. We both agreed the other night,
remember?”

“Yes, I remember. It means a lot to me that you care enough
to shield me like you are.”

“I care for you more than you realize, Caitlyn. I want you
to enjoy our relationship and feel safe and comfortable. There’ll be plenty of
the media in due time. Like I told you, we’re going to be a powerful couple
together.”

Before I could respond, Marvin headed our way with a tray
packed full of food. “Here comes dinner, Choice. Go easy on the onions, will
ya
? They tend to make kissing a little less romantic.”

He chuckled as one hand reached into his pocket. He pulled
out a roll of cash.

Marvin set the tray down. It smelled wonderful. “Will that
be all, Mr. Choice?”

“I think we’re set.”

Apolo
handed the older gentleman a
fifty dollar bill. No wonder he was so good. Mr. Choice was an excellent
tipper.

“Thank you, sir. I’ll check back on ya’ll in a little while.
Enjoy your dinner.”

Accepting my drink and onion rings, I settled in and enjoyed
every bite. We sat in comfortable silence as we ate. Every now and then between
mouthfuls, one of us would make some off the cuff remark about nothing in
particular.

“You know, feeding me all this stuff, you’re going to make
me have to hit the treadmill for an extra half hour.”

“But it’s worth every bite, treadmill be damned.”

“Easy for you to say. You’re a man. Food doesn’t seem to
have the same effect on you.”

“Perhaps on a younger man. I have to watch what I eat and
exercise.”

“Where do you work out? A gym?”

“No, well, yes. I have my own gym at home.”

“Of course, you do,” I teased feeding him an onion ring from
my dwindling stack. I was very near my limit.

“I have a personal trainer as well. He’s on call…because of
my schedule. If you’d like, I could set you up with him. He could recommend
someone for you, if you’re not comfortable with him.”

“Baby steps, Choice. I’m not big into the whole gym thing.
My treadmill does just fine.”

“Oh, but it’s so different in the privacy of your own home.”

“We’ll see, okay?”

“Fair enough.”

“I don’t know about you, but I’m stuffed.”

“As am I. But I see neither of us left any leftovers.”

“No chance of that happening.”

A few minutes later, he headed the BMW back toward the
office to my vehicle. We sat silently, trying not to recognize the sexual aura
in the car. It was there, no doubt about it. Pulling into the space next to mine,
he shut the engine off before turning to me.

“Thanks for dinner. I enjoyed it.”

“You’re more than welcome, Caitlyn.”

His lips slanted over mine in an instant. What started out
as a slow, passionate kiss turned into something bordering on erotic as we both
explored the depths of each other’s mouths. Finally breaking free, he pecked my
cheek and ear. “This is the hardest thing I’ve had to do, but I will do it,” he
whispered.

“Thank you, and by the way, Choice? It’s no easier for me,
either.”

“Well, come on, let me see you to your car so that you can
get home. I’m sure your roommate is wondering where you are.”

“Oh, she knows, but I do need to get going. HR gave me a ton
of papers I know they want yesterday.”

* * * *

According to the clock in my dash, it was nine forty-five
when I shut the engine of my Honda off in front of my apartment.
Izzie
was home. I caught a glimpse of her as she scurried
away from the sliding glass door. Grabbing my purse and briefcase, I groaned as
I bent back up.

Izzie
opened the front door, a
glass of wine in one hand and a smirk on her face. “Rough first day, dear?”

“You have no idea,” I joked. “Is that for me, or are you
going to pour me one while I grab a shower.”

“Oh no, you’re not getting off that easy. I didn’t figure
you’d keep normal hours, but I’ve had to deal with your mother. So, sit your
ass down and spill, girlfriend.”

I kicked off my heels and let them fly where they may. My
briefcase and purse got dumped next to a chair as I sat my butt down and waited
for my drink. “Was my mother here before she barged into my office, or after?”

“She did what?
Izzie
stuck her
head around the kitchen corner. “No, it must have definitely been before,
otherwise she would have been ranting a lot more than she was. And she’d
probably still be here, waiting on you.”

Handing me some Chardonnay, she sat down on the sofa. I took
a long swallow before recalling the events of the misfortunate visit.

“I tell you,
Izzie
, she’s going to
have to back off. Especially now. I get that she wants me married—we’ve been
through it a million times—but dammit this is my career, my future, and I don’t
need her causing a scene like she did this afternoon.”

“So, she went all postal on you?”

“Oh you know how she acts, like she’s the queen of fucking
Sheba.”

“How did
Apolo
take to her
rudeness?”

“Cool as a cucumber, like it’s happened before. I suspect
his mother is a lot like mine, so the two of them ought to be two peas in a pod,
if they ever get the opportunity to meet.”