A Matter of Trust: London Calling Book One (7 page)

He eyed the sterile solitude. Cool marble and stainless steel surrounded him as he gathered ingredients for a simple salad and omelet. His mobile phone lay on the counter, full of female contacts.
 

He tore romaine with more vigor than necessary. As he lined up ingredients for vinaigrette, his thoughts were of two women in particular. Combined, they were enough trouble for any man.

First, Natalie was moody.
 

They’d worked together, seamlessly, for over five years. She was integral to his success, both personally and professionally. He winced, thinking of the times he’d joked about her being his other half.

It had been too easy to begin partnering with her at occasional social engagements. They’d never progressed to being lovers, but he realized now she had feelings for him that he didn’t share. Sighing, he admitted it was another miscalculation on his part.
 

Because that was all before Devon.

He drizzled olive oil into the dressing while he whisked. Since that first, fateful day, Devon Sinclair had enchanted, enraged and consumed him. He absently rubbed at the tension knotting the muscles in his neck.
 

He needed to take back control.

The kitchen door opened behind him, admitting a tall, silver haired man. Wiping his hands on a towel, he embraced the older man.
 

“Granddad.” He fielded his coat, hanging it on a nearby peg. Handing his grandfather a spoon, he said, “Taste this. Tell me if it needs anything.”

Charles Sterling pronounced the vinaigrette superb while perching on a stool at the large work island. He reached for the open bottle of Chablis sitting nearby and filled the two glasses Bennett slid toward him.
 

“I’ve been thinking of paying you a visit. You beat me to it.” Bennett raised his glass, acknowledging the older man.

“I can still beat you at most things, despite my age.” Laughter brightened his grandfather’s dark-blue eyes. “I’m certainly better at socializing. So tell me what you’re feeding me, then catch me up on everything else happening with my favorite grandchild.”
 

Bennett lit the burner under the small omelet pan, watching as a pat of butter sizzled into foam. He rolled his neck and chuckled, realizing all the tension had gone.

“You’re getting wine, salad, and an omelet, in that order. Maybe a brandy later since you think you’re so funny.” He turned, sliding a perfectly rolled, airy omelet onto a warm plate before passing it to his grandfather. “I’m your
only
grandchild.”

***

Later that evening, Bennett sipped cognac in an overstuffed armchair situated at a right angle to another containing his grandfather. Fire flickered in the fireplace close by. “I’m glad you stopped by.”
 

Charles swirled his brandy, examined, and then breathed it in before taking a drink. With eyes closed, he said, “Mm. As usual, you have excellent taste. Of course, you come by it naturally.” Eyes crinkling with humor, he enjoyed another swallow. “Now tell me what’s bothering you. Business or pleasure?”

Bennett briefly considered prevaricating. However, he knew his granddad would see through him and dig his heels in further. Bennett pinched the bridge of his nose, choosing his words. “I suppose it’s both. There
is
a woman.
And
she works for me. She’s smart, beautiful, dynamic. She’s also driving me out of my damn mind.”

Charles listened, completely relaxed in his chair, cognac lightly clasped in one hand.
 

Bennett continued. “Obviously we can’t have a relationship. You know how I feel about dating within the company,” he broke off at his grandfather’s puzzled look. “You must know I never do after Olivia. That was a disaster.” He took a breath then said, “This would be worse. Olivia was a mistake, there’s no disputing that.” He met his grandfather’s kind eyes and said, “But Devon Sinclair would be my downfall, Granddad.”

Years ago, Charles Sterling had founded and built Sterling Enterprises into an empire that his grandson later expanded. He was as sharply astute as ever.

“I never realized how profound Olivia’s effect was on you.”
 

“I’m not jaded,” Bennett explained. “But it was a hard lesson and I prefer to learn from my mistakes. Olivia only did what was natural. She decided I wouldn’t be her best bet, took a better offer.” He shrugged; the pain from that old betrayal still stung. “I haven’t been angry with her for a very long time.”

“No, but you’ve let it dictate every relationship since. It’s shaped you and how you see people.” Charles paused then said, “Bennett, you were hurt. You made rules to avoid that same situation. But rules don’t really save you from pain, and you might miss out on a person that makes it all worth it.”
 

Bennett wrinkled his brow, thinking. “Was Gran worth it? Even knowing you’d lose her too soon, would you do it all again?”

“I’d do it a thousand times again. A day with Rose was worth a hundred without her,” Charles replied firmly.
 

Bennett was awed by his grandfather’s devotion, even after all this time. He raised his glass, signaling a toast. “To Gran,” he intoned, clinking the crystal.
 

His granddad eyed him over the rim. “Now tell me about Devon Sinclair. Would Rose have approved?”

Bennett frowned. “I’m not so sure about that.”

Charles questioned, “Why?”

Bennett ran a hand around his jaw. “She threw a damn shoe at me,” he confessed.
 

His granddad burst into gales of laughter. When he showed no signs of stopping, Bennett ruefully shook his head, refilling their glasses.
 

He should have kept that to himself.

CHAPTER FIVE

“O
NE
MIGHT
BE
forgiven for thinking this is a kidnapping.”

Devon good-naturedly teased Bennett while secretly enjoying the excitement of being whisked away in an Aston Martin by a sexy six-footer with midnight eyes and ebony hair. The sun was shining, it was a gorgeous spring day, and she was in London. She decided to ignore the fact that he was her boss.
 

He flashed a grin before turning back to his driving. His strong hands were capable on the wheel of the low-slung car that effortlessly devoured the miles to their destination. Of course, she had no idea what their destination was, but couldn’t drum up any real curiosity. She surveyed the intimate luxury of the car’s cockpit, wide-eyed.
 

Absentmindedly, she caressed the smooth leather of the seat and armrest while eyeing up the man next to her.
Could he be any more gorgeous?
Dark hair curled just to the collar of a navy suit that nearly perfectly matched his eyes. He’d left off a tie today, wearing a pristine white shirt with the first few buttons undone to reveal tanned brown skin with the suggestion of curling dark hair. Swallowing, she took a deep breath and inhaled the woodsy cologne he favored. A sucker for such things, Devon exhaled on a sigh.
 

“Everything okay?”

Bewildered, she looked over into concerned blue. “What?”

“You made a sound. Like a groan. You’re not ill are you?”

How humiliating.
Never one to dodge a bullet, Devon faced the squad. “Oh. No, that was just me embarrassing myself.” At his inquiring look, she explained, “You smell really good. I mean, I love scents. Cologne, perfume, flowers, candles. You name it. Whatever.” Rambling to a finish, she sealed her lips and looked out the window.
 

The silence was oppressive. Devon risked a glance and Bennett was face forward, seemingly focused on his driving. Miserably, she apologized. “That was awkward. I’m sorry but you asked and I was just being honest.” When he remained quiet, she added, “I’m not being forward or flirting with you. You smell good. That’s all.” She looked down to inspect her manicure, her face flaming.

After several long moments, he finally spoke. “It’s okay, Devon. I’m flattered. I have it on good authority that I have a beautiful nose, too.”
 

Relieved, she looked over to return his smile but faltered, seeing that his didn’t reach his eyes.

Changing the subject, he said, “Tell me how things are going. You’ve been with us for a while now, mainly working with Aidan. How goes it?” He was cool, like when he spoke to staff in a boardroom meeting.
 

The small confines of the car no longer felt intimate but restraining. Devon looked out the window, not seeing the bright sunshine any more. Nerves made her voice a little higher. “Things are going very well. Aidan has been a dream.” She spoke rapidly, trying to dispel an odd ache in her chest. “He’s supportive, but gives me the autonomy I like. I couldn’t ask for a better managing director.” She stumbled to a halt.

“Birmingham.” He sounded tense.

“Excuse me?”
 

“We’re headed to Birmingham. We have a site there and I want to show you what they do.”

He launched into an explanation of the scope of Sterling International, its sites, and brief outlines of each division. “Besides,” he tagged on, “you could be based in one of the satellite offices rather than London, eventually.”

“Oh, but—”

“Yes?”

“I assumed I would stay in London. That’s where the financial economics team is based, yes?”

“Well, don’t. You could be at any one of our offices, depending on the needs of the business. Is that a problem?”
 

Her brow creased before smoothing back out. “No. There’s no problem.”
 

There would be a big problem if he wanted to toss her out into the countryside away from everyone else on the economics team. She was a world class professional, for God’s sake.
 

But for now, she’d let it rest. He was trying to get a rise out of her. Something had triggered his mood and the resulting atmosphere in the small car was oppressive. Of course, it never hurt to remind him that she wouldn’t be bullied. He didn’t have all the leverage.
 

And she wasn’t John Sinclair’s daughter for nothing. She knew how to play games, how to play people.

“In fact, I can’t remember any other companies offering me a country or smaller town setting. Sterling International certainly keeps things unique.”

She smirked out the window, watching the countryside as it flew by. She’d seen the muscle bunch in his jaw, knowing she’d scored a direct hit.
 

Suddenly, everything was brighter again.

***

The sky streaked inky indigos with mottled purples by the time Bennett pulled his Aston Martin curbside to Devon’s flat. Arrogantly double-parked, he cut the engine and turned in his seat to look her straight on. “Can I offer you dinner?” Seeing her hesitation, he added, “I kept you later than intended and I know you haven’t eaten.”

The words were out before he fully decided to say them. All day, she’d alternately frustrated and entranced him. In the car earlier, he’d nearly weakened. She’d been so charmingly direct, stumbling over herself when she’d basically told him how attractive he was. She’d eaten him up with those foggy gray eyes, nearly making him pull the car over to return the favor. He shifted, uncomfortable.
 

She interrupted his fantasies of her lush mouth and memories of their kiss with rejection. “I’d best not. But thank you.”

He stared, willing his body under control. Was he wrong? Was she more interested in Aidan? She’d leapt to sing his praises earlier. He inwardly cursed himself. She was driving him insane and this was exactly what he meant to avoid. This
madness.

What was it about this woman that made him forget every rule he’d ever made? Every lesson he’d ever learned? An image of Olivia intruded on his thoughts. Desire was abruptly and immediately vanquished.

He didn’t really know Devon. He’d certainly known Olivia very well and she’d still managed to devastate him with her utter and absolute betrayal. He didn’t want to be used and manipulated ever again.
 

With a curt nod, he said, “Then I’ll see you to your door.”

He was up and out of the car while she awkwardly fumbled to grab her bag, “Really, that’s not…”

Holding her door open, Bennett patiently waited for her to alight. Ignoring her objections, he followed her to her apartment on the ground floor. He waited while she unlocked her flat, crowding close on the small stoop. As the lock gave, her head fell back with a quiet exhale. But Bennett was already headed down the stairs, waving a hand.
 

Looking back, he ordered, “Lock that door. And be early tomorrow.”

He was gone before he could hear her curse.

***

Devon eyed up the sleek helicopter sitting atop Sterling International’s London headquarters. She looked over at the man standing beside it, waiting for her to join him. “I had no idea this was even here.”

“Well, I hardly fly it in to work every morning.” Bennett smirked, patiently holding the cockpit door open.

Over the past weeks, they’d established a fragile but friendly rapport. She’d worked and traveled beside Bennett almost exclusively, learning the man and his mind. He was always demanding, and often rude. Sometimes like today, he was funny and charming.