Worth the Challenge (8 page)

The Worth family was nothing if not direct. They cut right to the point, every one of them. “He found nothing glaringly wrong with it, though he did point out the six-month term was a bit short.” She thought so too but believed six months would be more than enough time to prove she was the right person for the job.

Rhett shot Alex a pointed stare before he turned his attention to Ella. “I’m hoping that you’ll agree to the terms, then, Gabriella?”

He seemed to prefer calling her by her full name, though she’d permitted him to call her by her nickname. But she didn’t protest, liking the way he said it. “I would be happy to work for Worth Luxury.” Her father’s lawyer hadn’t advised against it. And it really was like a dream come true.

“Wonderful.” The grin that broke out across Rhett’s face stunned her stupid. “I hope you realize this means we’re going to be working very closely together.”

She nodded weakly, also realizing she didn’t find that a problem.

Though something deep within her said she probably should.

“Got her where you want her, don’t you?” Hunter stabbed his index finger directly into Rhett’s chest. “Don’t screw this up by screwing her.”

Rhett backed away from his brother’s abnormally sharp finger. “I have no plans on screwing her.” Rubbing his chest, he glared. Damn Hunter for somehow seeing into Rhett’s mind.

Screwing her was exactly what he wanted to do to Gabriella, but knowing how his brothers would act, he’d done the right thing last night. Set her away from him before that kiss got too out of hand, no matter how much it pained him.

He’d been left with his racing thoughts the rest of the night. What might’ve happened if he’d continued that kiss? It was ridiculous, dwelling so much on such a chaste kiss.

But her lips had been soft, damp and plush. The catch in her breath when he pulled away, as if she hadn’t wanted that kiss to end, as if she wanted more…

It got to him when, really, he shouldn’t give a damn.

Anticipation rode him hard all morning and now that he’d finally seen her, he couldn’t help but think she looked a bit of a hot mess. Her long, wavy hair was unruly, as if not a drop of product had ever touched it and again, not a lick of makeup on her face. No jewelry, not even earrings dotted her ears, and her clothes were rumpled, a little faded, like they’d seen the inside of a washer and dryer more times than he could count.

He felt like a conceited ass, mentally ruminating over her fashion faults, but damn. The woman was the epitome of the pretty-but-naïve country girl come down to the big city. Left alone in Manhattan, she’d be eaten alive in minutes.

Seconds.

He saw the pitying smile Becky had shot in Gabriella’s direction earlier. He could practically read her mind as Becky drank her in.

Poor, pitiful thing.

He’d thought much the same. So he couldn’t blame Becky. Hell, they were all snobs at Worth. They lived and breathed fashion. Glamorous, jet-setting lives, that was the message Worth Luxury portrayed and all three of them tried to live as close to that message as possible. His brothers were most likely the biggest snobs of the bunch, even worse than him.

“Don’t worry, she doesn’t come close to Rhett’s usual type,” Alex said to Hunter in reassurance.

Case in point.

Becky had escorted Gabriella out of the meeting the moment Alex gave her the signal. They were most likely sitting quietly in Becky’s office at this very moment, someone from legal with them as they went over the contract yet again and had Gabriella sign all the paperwork that came along with working for Worth Luxury.

“He does like blondes,” Hunter said, shaking his head.

“Yeah, fake ones,” Alex added.

Rhett was starting to feel insulted. “You two talk like I’m not here standing in front of you.”

They all seemed reluctant to leave the room. It was a Friday afternoon and they had weekend fever. “We’re just giving you crap,” Alex said. “We know you won’t mess around with her.”

Hunter snorted. “Yeah, right.”

Rhett shot Hunter a death glare before he turned his back on him. “I’m tired of defending myself. Besides, the both of you met your wives at work. So the constant ‘don’t screw around with the help’ message is pretty damn hypocritical.”

“He has a valid point.” Alex clapped him on the shoulder, sending a pointed look in Hunter’s direction. “We need to lay off and let him do his thing.”

“I can’t help my concerns,” Hunter started, but Rhett cut him off, turning to face him once more.

“Why are you so damn hard on me all the time? Do you really think I’m that big of a jackass? Would you rather I leave so you wouldn’t have to see my face every single day? Push me out of the city like you did before?”

“I had nothing to do with you going to California. You brought that all on yourself,” Hunter pointed out.

“Right. As usual, thanks for the reminder.” He was sick and fucking tired of Hunter’s mouth, the constant turbulence that made up their relationship. Gracie had tried her best to be the mediator between the two of them. It had even worked…for a while.

But just like that, Rhett showed any signs of weakness and Hunter was all over him. Getting his digs in, he was never afraid to voice his concerns whatsoever. In fact, he took great pleasure in pointing out what a giant screwup Rhett was.

“The way you handle yourself for the next six months while you work with Gabriella will be telling,” Hunter said, his voice, his expression serious. There was no anger there, just brutal, honest truth. “I want to believe in you, Rhett. I really do.”

“Then do it. Don’t stand there and insult me like you’ve always done. Support me.” Rhett shook his head, trying his best to fight off the wave of disappointment that threatened to crash over him. The battle had grown old and he was weary fighting it. “Believe in me.”

Alex rested his hand on Rhett’s shoulder in a show of support. “Give Hunter time. He’ll come around.”

“I doubt that,” Rhett muttered, wishing like hell he
didn’t
doubt it.

“Hey, now you two are talking like I’m not here.” Hunter frowned.

Alex glanced at the clock on the wall. “It’s only three, but I need to leave. We have plans to go to the country this weekend.” He’d bought a small farm an hour outside the city, for the love of God, wanting to give his family a taste of sprawling green grass, trees and cows mooing in the nearby pasture. Visiting there made Rhett realize what a city boy he was.

And how much he preferred it that way.

“I should go too. Gracie’s getting restless being cooped up with Michael all day.” Hunter smiled. That same goofy look he always got when he talked about his wife and son crossed his face. “She wants to go out to dinner.”

“You should come out to our house,” Alex suggested. “Spend the weekend there.”

“I don’t want to impose…”

“You’re never imposing. Tessa would love it.” Alex turned to Rhett. “You can come too, if you’d like.”

“No thanks. I have too much to do. I’m hoping we’ll leave first thing Monday.”

“Use the jet,” Hunter suggested.

“I don’t want to waste so much fuel. Carbon footprint and all.” That one woman he’d dated for about a month late last year had gone on and on about carbon footprints. An environmentalist who’d taken everything to the extreme, she’d harped on Rhett enough to push him away.

But he’d never forgotten her impassioned speeches about protecting the environment.
 

“Check the schedule. If no one is using it, you can take it and leave it there,” Alex said.

“What about the crew?”

“You think they’ll protest spending a few days in Hawaii?” Hunter chuckled. “If I wasn’t so busy, I’d insist on accompanying you.”

Christ, the very last thing Rhett wanted, his irritating brother constantly looking over his shoulder the entire trip. He had a vision, a plan for when they went to Maui and he didn’t want to explain it to Hunter. He’d probably laugh at him.

That wouldn’t build his confidence. More like Hunter’s taunts would tear it down and rip it to shreds.

“Use the jet,” Alex said. “You can leave and return when need be and it really won’t cost that much extra. Just do it, Rhett.”

Just do it, Rhett.
The words could be applied to so many things, including exploring his unusual interest in Gabriella Durand.

He didn’t get it. And there was no use in trying to get it either. He was attracted to her. Her straightforwardness, the way she spoke, the sound of her voice. Beneath the lackluster outfits was a stunning, lithe body. He could tell. He’d eyed enough women in his lifetime to recognize a shapely figure when he saw one.

Well. She wasn’t what he would call curvy. Willowy, slender, small breasts, gently flared hips and long legs, Ella was built like a fawn. Sweet and inquisitive, shy and undeniably alluring, she called to him.

And he was taking her to one of the most romantic spots on earth. He’d never taken a woman to Maui. Oh, he’d met plenty of them when he’d visited there in the past, but taking one was a whole different level of commitment—one he never messed with.

Regardless that this trip was for work, it still felt…heavy, going to Hawaii with her. Especially when he considered what was in store for them while they were on the island.

A sensual, intimate experience with the five senses is what he planned. Evoking the various scents of the islands, he wanted to capture all of it. And he wanted Gabriella to see that, smell it, experience it.

He would be right beside her, accompanying her every step of the way.

Chapter Six

Sunday afternoon, and Ella was a bundle of nervous energy. The frenetic rush of the city set her on edge, made her feel almost guilty for lounging around a hotel room, doing absolutely nothing. But she had no choice—where would she go? She’d spent most of Saturday on the phone, making arrangements for her father. He definitely needed someone to check in on him, make sure he hadn’t set the house on fire or buried himself under a pile of mulch while she was gone.

She’d ended up on the phone with him over an hour last night. He’d gone on and on, claiming he was worried about her. Was she prepared for this job she’d so rashly taken on? Did she understand what she was getting herself into?

His worries insulted her, cut her like a knife. That he had no faith in her hurt more than she cared to admit. Not that she would ever tell him.

He also complained about being alone. That he needed her home as soon as possible. He was old, but he wasn’t an invalid, she knew this. It was his absent-mindedness that worried her so.

After wasting too much time placating him, reassuring him that yes, indeed, it would all be just fine, he became inconsolable. Raving, insulting the Worths, the fragrance industry in its entirety. His tirade was baffling. Only after she became firm with him did he finally calm down.

The guilt that still clung to her hours later for taking this job was almost unbearable.

Turning off the TV she wasn’t watching anyway, she went to the window, staring at the bustling city below. Things were happening. People were doing things, living their lives, having fun, making experiences happen whether good or bad. She, on the other hand, was stuck in a hotel room, watching life pass her by.

It made her sad. And she definitely didn’t want to feel sorry for herself.

Her cell phone rang, startling her from her thoughts, and she went to it, saw the unknown number flash on the screen. Picking the phone up, she answered it, fully prepared for a wrong number.

“Is this Gabriella Durand?” a friendly female voice asked.

“Yes,” Ella said cautiously. Great, it was a telemarketer call instead.

“Oh, I’m so glad I got a hold of you! This is Tessa Worth.”

Ella was stunned silent. Why in the world would the wife of the CEO of Worth Luxury call her on a Sunday afternoon? “Um, hi.”

Tessa laughed, a pleasant, tinkling sound, and Ella couldn’t help but smile in response. “I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m calling you on a Sunday afternoon.”

“The thought did cross my mind.” Literally.

“Listen, we just got back into the city. I talked to Rhett this morning and he expressed some concerns.”

Worry gnawed at her. Was he putting up his sister-in-law to fire her?

Ella frowned. Well, that made absolutely no sense.

“Concerns about what?” She was almost afraid to hear the answer.

“Oh, nothing to worry about. Though I must confess, I think it’s rather sweet, how worried he is about you.” Tessa said this as if she were sharing a juicy confidentiality.

“Is he afraid I’m going to do a terrible job?” Ella couldn’t help it, the question slipped out before she could even think.

“Of course not. He’s excited to start working with you.” Tessa paused. “You did receive the itinerary yesterday, correct? It was supposed to be delivered by courier to the hotel.”

“I did, thank you for checking.” This was getting surreal.

“Sorry. I used to be Alex’s assistant. Sometimes I find myself slipping into that old role.” Her voice became crisp. “I’m prattling on when really I’m wasting time. What are you doing this afternoon?”