Venture Forward (14 page)

She walked into reception, cringing at the expression on Mia’s face. “Are you okay? You look a little frazzled.” That was putting it mildly.

“Sure, call it that. In reality, I’m freaking out about keeping the funds profitable. The press is killing us, and it’s gone way beyond
Venture Scope
. I’m afraid we’re going to lose more prospects. Companies are pulling out of pitch meetings, and word is they’re entertaining other options.”

“How’s Paul handling it?” Good Lord, what had she done?

“Oh, he’s just been a pure joy to be around these days.”

Avery’s
attempt to right a misconceived wrong was ravaging the livelihoods of so many. Everything was a mess. Peoples’ careers were in jeopardy. And she was falling for the guy who didn’t even know about her failed pitch, the same guy whose life was about to be decimated by a wrecking ball, otherwise known as T.A. Powell.

Her eyes darted around the lobby
.
Alison was focused on her laptop monitor, showing no sign of listening to their terse exchange. “I’ll take a look at these and give the guys my feedback.” She nibbled her thumbnail, chipping the nail polish, hoping for an escape, but it was too late.

“Ali, I’m taking off. Can you give these guys a call and set up time for us early next week? I’m out of pens too. Just leave a box on my desk, okay?”

Avery jumped, meeting Paul’s surprised gaze.

“Hey, I didn’t know you’d be stopping by today.” That sexy grin was back to torment her.

A hot flush crept up her neck. “Mia asked me to stop by for some paperwork. You know, for SportSensor. The engineers. She said, um, that you guys wanted my take on their credentials.” Christ, could she stop babbling for two seconds?

A look of disappointment clouded his handsome face. “Oh, right. The engineers.”

God, she wanted him so badly. Karma really sucked.

Mia folded her arms, a tight smile on her face. “Thanks for stopping by. We need to get this right. It could be our salvation.”

Paul sighed. “You’re being very dramatic.”

“Let’s just hope none of it comes to fruition, okay? Enjoy the launch party.”

Avery swallowed hard. “So, you have an event tonight? What kind of launch?”

“A book launch party.”

Definitely poetic justice.

“Really
.”
Beads of perspiration popped up all over her body. Way too close to home.

“Have a good night, Ali.” Paul led Avery out of the office. “Yep. Fortunately it’s a completely different genre than the one plaguing me lately.”

“Ahhh… self-help?”

He laughed. A pathetic attempt to diffuse the situation she’d created, and he found it humorous. What the hell?

“Legal thriller, actually.”

“Who’s the author? That’s one of my favorite genres.”

“Steve Fuller. Ever read one of his books?”

She stopped in her tracks, mouth agape. “Are you kidding? You know Steve Fuller? I
love
his books! I’ve read them all.”

“He’s my stepdad. I’m headed over now. It should be a pretty fun time. Do you want to tag along? I’m sure he’d love to meet such a devoted fan.”

“That would be amazing. Except, well, I don’t want to interfere, you know, if your family wants to celebrate alone or—” Or any other freaking reason why she should steer clear, even though the prospect of spending the next couple of hours with him made her insides melt.

“It’s not a problem. In fact, I think I’m being a really good friend by offering you a chance to rub elbows with your favorite author. Now we can add Steve’s books to our potential topics of conversation.”

“Are you sure I won’t be intruding?”

“I’m positive. But if you don’t want to go, I guess I can get you a signed copy or something…”

“If I go, can I still get a signed copy?”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

This was such a bad idea. Keeping her distance should be the objective, not finagling her way into his personal life. Enough damage had been caused already.

They walked together in silence as her internal struggle ensued. Walk, run, do something, but get away — fast. A sidelong glance at his profile made her knees tremble.
Sure, blame the nonresponse on faulty leg muscles.

“How big is your family?” It was an innocuous-enough question. She slid into his gleaming black Bentley. The interior was draped in a rich, pebbly leather, and there was no indication it hadn’t been driven out of a showroom that very morning. So he was slightly OCD. Interesting, though not really shocking.

Paul sank into the driver’s seat. “It’s my mom and Steve, and then I have a brother and sister. Well, half-sister.”

“Oh. When did your parents get divorced?”

“A long time ago.” His lips formed a straight line as he maneuvered the car down Sand Hill Road toward the interstate.

“It sucks, huh?”

“Yeah.”

Avery stared out the window as the car zipped past lush green foliage lining the freeway. Paul Emerson was quite a complicated guy. Each layer revealed something new and completely unanticipated, making her fall harder with absolutely nothing to cushion the landing. She swallowed, finding her mouth was bone-dry. “Hey, do you have any gum?”

He pointed to the glove compartment. “Sure, in there.”

Avery let out an audible gasp as she surveyed the contents. “So this is where you hide the mess, huh? You’re a glove box hoarder!” She poked around for a pack of gum. “Not to mention a serious sugar addict. I never would have guessed.” More layers…

“What can I say? Candy’s my thing. You should feel honored I shared my biggest vice with you. It’s not something many people know.”

“So you’re aware of your problem.”

“You have no idea.”

She popped a piece of Bubblicious into her mouth and continued rifling through the bags and plastic wrappers. “What’s your favorite?”

“It’s a tie between Twizzlers and Starburst. How’s my stash looking?”

She dangled a bag of Twizzler Cherry Bites in front of him. “Do you have an issue with the Nibs?”

He hit the brakes and looked at her like she had three heads. “Yeah, what they say about good things coming in small packages? Doesn’t apply at all.”

Avery laughed as he popped a handful of licorice into his mouth. She rifled through the wrappers. “Are you afraid there’s going to be a global run on pens, too?”

“I only write with blue ones, so I keep them handy.”

“What’s wrong with black pens?” Yet another layer… OCD with a side of assorted quirks.

“I sign contracts every day. I like my signature to stand out against the black print.” He turned with a mischievous glint in his eye, another piece of licorice in hand. “Sugar’s not my favorite way to take the edge off, but I guess it’ll have to do for now.”

INVITING AVERY TO THE
launch had seemed harmless enough until it dawned on him that there would be four pairs of very curious — okay, maybe astounded was a more apt description — eyes on him and the stunning girl at his side.

He opened the door to the restaurant and anxiously scouted the foyer. “Listen, I have to give you fair warning before you meet my family. I don’t bring women around. At
all
. They’re going to be all over you like a cheap suit.”

“Wow. So I’m the first.”

“Yep.”

“I’m flattered you’d open yourself up to interrogation on my behalf.”

“I’d be more nervous than flattered if I were you. They’re relentless.”

“I can handle it.”

“Are you sure?” Because he sure as hell wasn’t. Wanting what he couldn’t have… shouldn’t have… never ended well. Bringing her into this part of his life would only make things harder. She deserved more than he was capable of giving, and constant hints about his social agenda made her stance painfully obvious.

He spotted Steve first, then the almost imperceptible nudge to his mother, Pamela, who visibly lit up at the sight of her son accompanied by a woman. The fact that said woman looked like a supermodel was just an added bonus. She was pure catnip, and they were ready to pounce.

“Hey, you look beautiful, Mom.” He pulled Pamela in for a bear hug. “You’re going to steal all the attention away from the book.”

Steve grinned. “I think she’s trying to show me up at my own party.”

Here goes nothing. “Guys, I’d like you to meet a friend of mine, Avery Hunter. She’s a diehard fan, so I figured I’d let her tag along.” He swallowed a chuckle. The bright smile on Pamela’s face lit up the entire restaurant. She was clearly over the moon about their unexpected guest and on a very determined mission to make a positive first impression. “Avery, it’s such a pleasure to meet you. I’m Pamela Fuller. We’re thrilled you could join us.”

“Thank you. It’s great to meet you as well.” She turned to Steve. “Mr. Fuller, it’s an honor. I’ve read all your books, and I think they are just—”

“I was wondering when you’d make your entrance.” Out of nowhere, Evan appeared, a smug grin on his face. “I didn’t realize this invitation included a plus one, Steve.”

His back stiffened. “Ave, this is my brother, Evan. Evan, this is Avery. We’re working on a new project together.”

“Mmm-hmm.” Evan grinned at Avery. “It’s always great to meet one of Paul’s
colleagues.”

“Nice to meet you.” Avery reached out to shake his hand, brushing against Paul in the process. His muscles tensed, the sultry perfumed scent enticing his senses way more than he wanted to admit. Sitting would be a good move right about then, anything to hide evidence of his growing arousal, like maybe a tablecloth.

“Oh my gosh! Avery Hunter!” Kearney swooped down on them, and Paul stifled an inward groan. Both of them? It was going to be a long night. “This is so ridiculously coincidental. Avery just gave a guest lecture at Berkeley, and I had to meet her afterward to tell her how brilliant she is.” Kearney pointed to Paul. “Did you come together? Are you dating or something? Evan, I’m not imagining this, right?”

“I think our brother has a lot of questions to answer, but we should probably grill him later. We wouldn’t want to give his
friend
a bad impression of us.”

Avery’s cheeks turned bright pink. Christ, if that embarrassed her, what would her reaction be to the X-rated images swarming his mind right then? The ones where she was stripped down to nothing, sprawled across his bed, screaming out his name?

“Hate to disappoint you, but we’re just business associates. Paul told me about the launch and invited me when I professed undying devotion to my favorite author.”

“Well, we’re so happy you’re here. And no more Mr. Fuller. Call me Steve.” Steve led Avery to a table covered with crystal flutes and hardcover copies of his new book. Not a moment too soon, either. Time to put the mental porn flick on pause until much later.

“Really subtle, guys. Thanks a lot.” Paul glowered at his brother and sister.

Kearney clapped her hands together. “I can’t believe you know Avery
Hunter
! I’m dying to get an internship with her company. Can you put in a good word for me?”

“Don’t hold your breath. As if I’d do you a favor now, after you’ve rejected all
my
offers for employment.”

“Yeah, but this is different. Avery is a rock star in cyberspace. I have such a lady-crush on her. Don’t be jealous. I won’t make a play for your girlfriend.”

“We’re friends, nothing else. And don’t bug her about work, either.”

“So touchy.” Kearney and Evan exchanged amused glances. “Methinks he doth protest too much.”

Paul caught a glimpse of his mother chatting with Avery. Animated exchanges accompanied by a lot of hand gestures. Great, she thought they were together, too. It seemed like
everyone
wanted what they couldn’t have.

He met Pamela’s excited gaze. Thank God she was too diplomatic to give him the third degree in front of Avery. Unlike the rest of them. Maybe it hadn’t been such a great idea to bring her after all. Then peals of that melodious laughter rippled through the air, her blue eyes sparkling as she recounted her favorite scenes from Steve’s new book. At that moment, a startling realization consumed him. He was falling for Avery, but she had no interest in him, and he had no idea how to convince her otherwise.

Steve pressed a glass into Avery’s hand. “Okay, guys, I need to do some mingling. Save some of this for us.”

Fantastic, alone with the Gestapo.

Kearney flashed a wicked grin. “Let’s get back to how you guys met.”

“Um… we were at the beach. Not a very exciting story.” Avery toyed with the stem of her champagne flute, arousing interest of their very riveted audience.

“Sure had the potential to be,” Paul mumbled under his breath. If only the other part of that bikini had come undone…

“What happened?” Kearney looked at Paul. “Did you wipe out or something?”

“Not
me
.”