Instant Attraction

CHAPTER ONE

The first thing Alexander Sterling noticed about Adrian Blake was his mouth.

The second was the way he smiled at a woman carrying a box of Christmas decorations, as though she were the most important person in the room.

The third was the utterly inconvenient realization that Alexander wanted to know what that mouth would feel like against his.

He stopped halfway down the staircase.

Below him, a stranger stood in the middle of his entrance hall, wearing a dark green sweater beneath an open black coat. His brown curls were slightly disheveled from the snow outside, and a few stubborn strands fell across his forehead. He had warm eyes, a straight nose, and a mouth that looked entirely too tempting for a man Alexander had never seen before.

He was also laughing.

Not the polite, carefully measured laughter Alexander heard at business dinners. This was genuine amusement, accompanied by a slight tilt of his head and a smile that transformed his entire face.

Alexander forgot what he had been about to say.

The stranger turned to accept a clipboard from the estate manager. As he reached for it, his sweater pulled slightly across his shoulders, revealing a build that made Alexander's imagination take an immediate and deeply unprofessional detour.

Oh, I want him.

The thought arrived with such startling clarity that Alexander nearly laughed at himself.

He was thirty-two years old. He ran an international business empire, negotiated multimillion-dollar acquisitions without blinking, and had spent years mastering the art of getting exactly what he wanted.

He did not stand on staircases staring at strangers.

He certainly did not look at a man for five seconds and immediately imagine pulling him close, kissing that smile off his face, and discovering whether the confidence in his eyes extended to the way he kissed.

And yet, here he was.

The stranger looked up.

Their eyes met.

For one brief moment, the man stopped smiling.

Alexander felt the impact of that attention somewhere beneath his ribs. The stranger's gaze traveled over his face, taking in his dark suit, his watch, and the expression that had intimidated board members twice his age.

Then he smiled again.

"You're Alexander Sterling, I presume?"

Alexander descended the remaining stairs.

"I am."

"Adrian Blake. Your event planner."

Alexander knew that.

He had reviewed Adrian's proposal twice that morning. He knew the man's professional history, his company name, and the details of the Christmas celebration he had been hired to organize.

What Alexander had not known was that Adrian Blake would walk into his house looking like the answer to a question he had never thought to ask.

Alexander extended his hand.

Adrian took it.

His palm was warm, his grip confident. He didn't hold on too long, but he didn't rush to let go either.

Alexander became embarrassingly aware of the contact.

"Welcome to Sterling Estate," he said.

"Thank you. It's beautiful."

"The estate or the decorations?"

Adrian glanced around the enormous entrance hall.

"The estate. The decorations are a different matter."

Alexander raised an eyebrow.

"Already criticizing my Christmas decorations?"

"Your Christmas decorations?" Adrian looked at the single wreath hanging above the fireplace. "Mr. Sterling, unless that wreath has an extraordinary personality, I think you're being generous."

Alexander stared at him.

Then he laughed.

It was a short, surprised sound that seemed to startle them both.

Adrian's smile widened.

"There. That's better."

Alexander's amusement faded into curiosity.

"What's better?"

"You look less like you're preparing to fire someone."

"I haven't decided whether I need to."

"Well, try to hold off until you've seen my proposal. I'd hate to lose a job before I've even unpacked."

Alexander looked at him again.

He should have been irritated. He had spent the morning dealing with an investor who believed deadlines were suggestions and a director who had managed to turn a simple meeting into a three-hour argument.

He had no reason to find Adrian's mouth entertaining.

No reason to notice the way his eyes brightened when he smiled.

No reason to imagine what expression would cross that handsome face if Alexander stepped closer and quietly told him exactly what he had been thinking since the moment he appeared at the bottom of the stairs.

But he did.

And the longer Adrian stood in front of him, the less interested Alexander became in pretending otherwise.

"Have you eaten?" Alexander asked.

Adrian blinked.

"What?"

"Lunch. Have you eaten?"

Adrian glanced at the clock.

"Not since breakfast. Why?"

"Because I haven't either."

"Congratulations?"

Alexander almost smiled.

Almost.

"Come with me. We can discuss the event over lunch."

Adrian studied him for a moment.

"Is this a business lunch?"

"Of course."

"Good. For a second, I thought you were asking me on a date."

Alexander held his gaze.

The joke had been delivered lightly, accompanied by a teasing smile. Adrian clearly expected a dismissive answer.

Alexander could have given him one.

Instead, he found himself wondering what Adrian would do if he said yes.

"Would that be a problem?" Alexander asked.

Adrian's smile faltered.

Only slightly.

But Alexander saw it.

And for the first time in years, he experienced the exquisite satisfaction of knowing he had managed to surprise someone.

"That depends," Adrian replied carefully. "Are you always this forward with your employees?"

"No."

"Then I'll assume you're having a difficult morning."

Alexander smiled.

"Assume whatever makes you comfortable, Mr. Blake."

"Adrian."

Alexander paused.

"What?"

"You can call me Adrian. Mr. Blake makes me feel like I'm about to be called into the headmaster's office."

He should not have enjoyed hearing that.

He enjoyed it anyway.

"Adrian, then."

The name settled naturally on his tongue.

Too naturally.

Alexander gestured toward the dining room, and Adrian followed him inside.

Alexander had absolutely no intention of telling anyone that his Christmas had just become considerably more interesting.

---

Adrian had expected Alexander Sterling to be intimidating.

The man's photographs appeared in business magazines often enough, usually accompanied by articles describing his ruthless negotiating style and remarkable ability to transform struggling companies into profitable enterprises.

In person, he was worse.

Not because he was rude. He hadn't been rude yet.

It was the way he watched people. Alexander possessed a steady, assessing gaze that made Adrian feel as though every word he spoke was being weighed against some invisible standard.

And then there was the inconvenient fact that the man was breathtakingly handsome.

Adrian had eyes. He wasn't going to pretend otherwise.

Alexander's dark hair was neatly styled, his shoulders were broad beneath his tailored suit, and his face had the sort of sharp, elegant features that belonged on the cover of a luxury magazine.

But Adrian had worked with wealthy clients before.

He knew that an attractive face could conceal a dreadful personality.

He was determined not to be distracted.

"So," Alexander said as they sat at the dining table, "tell me about your plan."

Adrian opened his portfolio.

"The Christmas celebration will take place on December twenty-third. We'll have approximately eighty guests, including your investors, senior executives, and their partners. I propose a formal dinner followed by a more relaxed evening in the conservatory."

"Why the conservatory?"

"Because people are more likely to remember a place where they feel comfortable than one where they're afraid to touch anything."

Alexander's gaze remained on him rather than the documents.

"Do you always speak so confidently?"

"When I'm prepared."

"And when you're not?"

"I make sure nobody notices."

Alexander laughed again.

Adrian found himself smiling before he could stop himself.

This was unexpected.

He had prepared himself for a difficult client who would question every decision and demand changes simply to remind everyone who held the power. Instead, Alexander was asking thoughtful questions, listening to his explanations, and occasionally making remarks that suggested a surprisingly dry sense of humor.

He was still intimidating.

He was also becoming difficult to dislike.

That was dangerous.

Adrian needed this contract to save his business. The last thing he needed was to become distracted by the man signing his checks.

He turned a page in the proposal.

"For the decorations, I'd like to use deep green, gold, and burgundy. Nothing too bright. The estate already has beautiful architecture, so we should complement it rather than overwhelm it."

"Agreed."

Adrian looked up.

"Agreed?"

"Is there a reason you're surprised?"

"I expected more arguments."

"I can arrange some if they'll make you feel more comfortable."

Adrian laughed.

Alexander watched him.

There it was again.

That smile.

Alexander had spent years surrounded by beautiful people. He had attended charity galas, private parties, and exclusive events where everyone seemed determined to become the most interesting person in the room.

Adrian wasn't trying to impress him.

He was simply being himself.

And Alexander was beginning to suspect that this was precisely why he couldn't stop looking at him.

"Something wrong?" Adrian asked.

Alexander realized he had been staring.

"Your proposal."

Adrian glanced at the papers.

"What about it?"

"It's good."

"Thank you."

"I was looking at the proposal, Adrian."

"Of course you were."

The amusement in his voice made Alexander's mouth curve.

Adrian knew he was teasing him.

Worse, Alexander was enjoying it.

He couldn't remember the last time a conversation with someone he had just met had felt this easy.

He also couldn't remember the last time he had wanted to kiss someone this badly.

The desire was becoming a distraction, and Alexander Sterling did not tolerate distractions.

He closed the folder.

"You're hired."

Adrian stared at him.

"Just like that?"

"Your proposal is excellent. Your experience is relevant. And you seem capable of telling me when you disagree with me."

"That last quality might become a problem for you."

"I suspect it already has."

Adrian laughed, and Alexander had to resist the urge to smile like an idiot.

This was absurd.

He had known the man for less than an hour.

He didn't know Adrian's favorite food, whether he preferred mornings or evenings, or what he did when he wasn't working. He didn't even know whether Adrian was interested in men.

Yet Alexander was already considering ways to extend their time together.

He needed to get a grip.

"There's one condition," Alexander said.

Adrian's expression became cautious.

"Here we go."

"You'll stay at the estate until the event is completed. The roads become difficult to navigate during heavy snowfall, and I don't want you losing hours traveling back and forth."

Adrian considered the arrangement.

It made sense. The estate was remote, and the preparation schedule was demanding.

"All right. As long as I have access to the kitchen."

Alexander frowned.

"The kitchen?"

"I need coffee. Good coffee. If I'm expected to work miracles before Christmas, I'm not doing it without caffeine."

Alexander stared at him for a moment.

Then he laughed so unexpectedly that Adrian grinned.

"I'll inform the kitchen staff."

"Thank you. I knew we could reach an agreement."

Alexander extended his hand across the table.

Adrian shook it.

This time, Alexander was the one who held on a fraction longer.

Adrian noticed.

Their eyes met.

Something shifted in the silence between them, something neither man was prepared to name.

Then Adrian withdrew his hand and began gathering his papers.

"I should start contacting suppliers. We have a lot to do."

"Of course."

Alexander stood as Adrian approached the door.

"Adrian?"

He turned.

"Yes?"

"Join me for dinner tonight."

Adrian blinked.

"Didn't we just have lunch?"

"That was a business meeting."

"And dinner?"

Alexander could have invented an excuse. He could have mentioned the event schedule, the investors, or the need to discuss logistics.

Instead, he looked directly at Adrian.

"Dinner is because I'd like to spend more time with you."

For once, Adrian had no immediate response.

Alexander watched surprise cross his face, followed by a cautious amusement.

"You don't waste time, do you?"

"Not when something interests me."

"And I interest you?"

Alexander's gaze dropped briefly to Adrian's mouth before returning to his eyes.

"Very much."

The room became quiet.

Adrian's cheeks warmed, but he didn't look away.

"You're my client, Mr. Sterling."

"Alexander."

"Alexander," Adrian corrected. "And I'm here to organize your Christmas celebration, not become part of it."

"Then we'll discuss Christmas over dinner."

Adrian shook his head, smiling despite himself.

"You're unbelievable."

"I've been told."

"I'll think about it."

Alexander knew that wasn't a yes.

He also knew it wasn't a no.

For the moment, that was enough.

"Seven o'clock," he said.

Adrian laughed as he left the room.

"I said I'd think about it!"

"And I look forward to your decision."

The door closed behind him.

Alexander stood alone in the dining room, staring at the empty doorway.

Then he exhaled slowly and loosened his tie.

He was in trouble.

Not the kind of trouble he could solve with a phone call, a business strategy, or a generous financial offer.

This was considerably worse.

He wanted Adrian Blake.

He wanted to hear that laugh again. He wanted to discover what made him smile, what made him angry, and what it would take to persuade him to stay a little longer whenever they were together.

And, God help him, he wanted to find out what it would feel like to kiss him.

Alexander picked up his phone.

His assistant answered immediately.

"Yes, sir?"

"Cancel my dinner meeting tonight."

There was a pause.

"With the investors from London?"

"Yes."

"May I ask why?"

Alexander looked toward the door Adrian had disappeared through.

"No."

He ended the call.

Then he glanced at the clock.

Seven o'clock suddenly seemed very far away.

For the first time in years, Alexander Sterling was impatient for something that had absolutely nothing to do with business.

And he hadn't even kissed the man yet.