Let It Be Me (Let It Be Me #1) Read online

  “I would love to,” Kayla replied happily. He understood that she was treating the project like her own baby. She didn’t keep it a secret from him how much she enjoyed working on this project. “Thank you.”

  Kayla passed by Jenny’s table on her way back to her office.

  “How did it go?” Jenny asked.

  “Good,” Kayla said. “I’ll round you guys up in a bit to discuss the revisions, but I think they’re quite minimal.”

  “Great!” Jenny exclaimed.

  “And it was Bobby who had to remind me about the party this Saturday,” Kayla said, laughing. “I’ve been so caught up with work that I forgot we’ve already bought our dresses!”

  “Oh Kayla, I’ve been talking about it while working on this project!” Jenny said, shaking her head.

  “I know, I’m sorry,” Kayla said, grinning. “You know me, I sometimes have a one-tracked mind when it comes to work.”

  “Maybe a bit too much?” Jenny scolded lightly.

  Kayla laughed. “Fine, how about this. I go to your house Saturday afternoon so we can prep for the party together.”

  Jenny clapped her hands. “That would be fun!”

  “For the number of years I’ve known you, I never got to ask you, but were you a cheerleader in high school?” Kayla kidded.

  “Of course I was!” Jenny replied grinning, but it was obvious she was telling the truth. “Not sure if I could still do all those cartwheels and splits though!”

  Chapter 3

  “I’m so happy about the dresses we got. My favorites to date,” Jenny gushed that Saturday night. The ballroom was filled with the firm’s employees, consultants, and some clients. The ballroom was at the top floor of one of the hotels in the city, and had a stunning view. Music from a live quartet was playing, and people were already dancing. The party started a couple of hours ago and it was already in full swing. Bobby set aside a generous budget for these celebrations.

  “I know. We did get good finds,” Kayla agreed. She was in a gold one-shouldered fitted dress that billowed out past the knees. The dress looked regal when she and Jenny saw it on a mannequin last month. She felt confident wearing it, and it was luckily within her budget.

  Jenny wore a royal blue strapless dress that flattered her curves.

  For the past four years, both Jenny and Kayla enjoyed dressing up for the party more than the event itself. Jenny has influenced Kayla to dress to the nines for these functions especially since she had to face clients.

  Seeing their other colleagues all decked out was pretty fun too.

  “Do you want anything to drink?” Jenny’s husband Ryan offered. He was looking quite handsome also that night, wearing a tailored suit – quite different from the ensemble he would usually wear as a high school teacher. Kayla had been teasing them that afternoon as they prepared for the event. After finding out Jenny was a cheerleader, she asked Ryan how he was during his high school days. Ryan admitted he was the math geek. Kayla had a laugh teasing him that he got to marry the popular girl. Flushed, Ryan declared that he was indeed a lucky guy.

  “A glass of white wine please,” Kayla said, smiling at the memory. “Thank you.”

  “Me too, hun,” Jenny said.

  As Ryan left them, they were approached by Dave Connor, one of their colleagues. He was also one of the head designers, like Kayla, having his own team.

  “Hey ladies,” he greeted. “Both of you are looking gorgeous.” He had a glass of wine on one hand and his other hand in the pocket of his pants.

  “Dave,” Kayla greeted casually, then peered at Jenny who gave her an eye roll. Dave wasn’t exactly their favorite person. Their teams have worked together in a large resort project three years back. Kayla wished it wouldn’t happen that often – or better yet, never again. Dave was known around the office to be quite pompous and vied to get all the high-profile projects of the firm. She pitied the architects assigned to his team.

  He was one of those men who have tried to ask Kayla out but hasn’t succeeded. At first glance one would think Dave was good-looking with his chiseled features and a body he seemed to be taking care of. But once he started talking, people easily got turned off. He was a pretty good designer though, Kayla would give him that.

  “So how’s the charity project?” he asked, looking at Kayla.

  Kayla cringed by the way he phrased his question. It was no secret that the apartment project was one of Bobby’s pro bono projects since he was supporting the foundation of the clients. Kayla was pretty sure Bobby waived the professional fees, and that the foundation was only paying for the direct expenses. But by the way Dave spoke, he made it sound like Bobby just gave Kayla the project as a charity case.

  “It’s going great,” Kayla said, managing to play it cool. “We’re ready for the presentation this coming week.”

  “Good, good,” Dave said, though Kayla didn’t really sense any sincerity.

  Ryan came back just then with their flutes of white wine.

  “Hun, I think you’ve met Dave before,” Jenny said. “Dave, this is my husband Ryan.”

  “Ah yes, hi, Ryan,” Dave said, shaking Ryan’s hand. “Looks like you have one too many pretty ladies with you right now. Maybe I can steal Kayla away for a dance?”

  Kayla was quick to reply. “Sorry Dave, I don’t dance.” She hardly did. She just didn’t like making a spectacle of herself. And dancing with Dave made the offer much less appealing.

  Dave shrugged. “Your loss,” he said, walking away.

  Kayla’s eyes grew wide. Even if she was quite familiar with how much of a douche Dave could be, he would sometimes still shock her.

  “Jerk,” Ryan muttered, as Jenny used a more colorful term. Ryan has heard stories from both Kayla and Jenny about Dave, but hasn’t seen it for himself until that night.

  “Don’t mind him, Kayla,” Jenny said, “The apartment project is pretty exciting.”

  “I know,” Kayla concurred. “He’s just jealous. I really hope the presentation goes well.” Even if it wasn’t her money, designing the apartment complex would practically be fulfilling one of her dreams.

  “It will. You deserve it, Kayla,” Jenny said in a soft voice. Kayla was aware of her friend’s enlarged eyes, probably because of Kayla’s overenthusiasm.

  “Thanks. I wouldn’t have done it without all your help of course,” Kayla exclaimed, oblivious to the whispers and giggles around her. Even Ryan cleared his throat.

  “Kayla, there you are,” she heard Bobby Flanders speak from behind her, cutting her off. She slowly turned around and grateful for the years of dealing with high-profile clients, she managed to keep her cool. It was not because of the sight of her boss, but because of the man standing next to him.

  She found herself face to face with the same movie star she encountered just days before. This time he was wearing an Italian suit that just made him more alluring.

  Her heart started pounding.

  “Kayla, I don’t think you’ve met Alexander Stone. Alexander, meet Kayla Richardson… one of the firm’s prized possessions.”

  Kayla couldn’t believe it. No wonder he was in their building that day. One of the other teams was probably designing his house. It just felt so surreal seeing Alexander Stone standing in front of her.

  “Call me Alex. Nice to meet you, Kayla,” he said, offering her his hand. He flashed his dazzling smile.

  “Nice to meet you, too, Alex” Kayla found herself reply, taking his hand. She couldn’t believe his arms were around her waist a few evenings ago. Or that she just had a wild dream about him. And now she was in first name basis with him – a movie star that broke box office records with his summer blockbuster last year.

  Just then Bobby’s mobile phone rang.

  “Excuse me,” Bobby said after reading on his phone the name of his caller. “I better get this.” Then he left the two of them.

  “So we meet again,” Alex said, giving her that disarming smile of his.

  Kayla raised an
eyebrow, surprised he remembered her.

  “Yes,” Kayla replied, suddenly self-conscious. She looked around to look for Jenny and Ryan but couldn’t find them. They must have slipped out when Bobby introduced Alex to her. She noticed a handful of people looking their way, interested in the movie star she was chatting with. She turned back to him.

  “I had a meeting with Bobby that night,” he explained. “I was already in the car out front when I remembered I forgot some documents in the meeting room. So I had to run back up to get them.”

  Kayla wondered why a movie star didn’t have someone to do it for him. She must have said it out loud because Alex started laughing. “We’re still normal people, Kayla. We could still practically do anything so long as there aren’t any paparazzi bothering us. With the help of some disguises, of course.”

  Kayla laughed. She remembered the cap he was wearing when they collided. That must have been his disguise for the night. “It’s quite embarrassing that your first impression of me is being such a klutz,” she admitted. Playing that scene in her mind again, she knew she wasn’t herself then.

  ”Nothing to be embarrassed about,” Alex said quickly. “Just hope you won’t be hurrying home tonight.” Again, that dazzling smile.

  Kayla sipped on her wine to distract herself, as she felt her reddening cheeks.

  “So you’re having your house designed?” she asked, to make conversation.

  “Something like that,” he replied, mysteriously, with an eyebrow raised and one side of his mouth curled up.

  “You must have a great view,” Kayla replied. She can practically imagine a modern house with an infinity pool where he can have his scantily clad models loitering around.

  “I can bring you there sometime,” he invited, charmingly. “Then maybe have dinner afterwards?” His smile was showing his dimple.

  Kayla was astounded. Did he just ask her out? Why? She was staring at his dimple when she stammered, “I’m sorry. No. Umm, no, thank you.”

  Alex’s eyebrows shot up. “Are you dating anyone?” he asked. “Married?” He looked at her fingers to check for any ring.

  Kayla frowned. She wasn’t sure why, but his question suddenly irked her. She found herself clenching her fist.

  “Is that the only reason why anyone would turn you down, Mr. Stone?” Kayla found the courage to shoot back. She didn’t want to be one of his women. Alexander Stone was from a different league, and she didn’t want to play.

  His smile turned into a full-on grin. Kayla could almost read in his eyes, “Challenge accepted.”

  Uh-oh.

  “Would you care to dance?” he tried again.

  That caught her off guard. “I’m sorry, I don’t dance,” she automatically said for the second time that night. But her mind betrayed her and suddenly started playing an image of her being in Alex’s arms again, swaying to a slow song.

  “That’s a pity,” he said, moving closer. “I was hoping I could hold you in that lovely dress.”

  Kayla almost dropped her wine glass. His face was just a few inches away from hers, and his nearness sent a thrill down her spine. She was suddenly hyper-aware of the man in front of her. She could smell his subtle perfume.

  It wasn’t the first time a man would drop a line like that. Dave has tried several times no matter how many times Kayla has turned him down. Some of the other bachelors in the office have also tried, but she never conceded to any of their advances. A couple of her former clients have also asked her out, but she refused.

  But from Alex it actually sounded tempting. She felt slightly light-headed, and she felt her stomach tighten. Kayla blamed it on the dream she had of him nights ago.

  Alex ignored her reaction, trying one more time, “It’s fairly easy, you know.”

  “Let’s get one thing straight here, okay?” she said through clenched teeth, ignoring how her body was reacting. She had to say something before their conversation would get out of hand. She quickly looked around and hoped no one could even guess what their conversation was about. She’s never played that role in or out of the company. The firm had a certain image of her and her as an alluring seductress wasn’t it at all. She took one step back, and looked at him. “I think you’ve got me all wrong. I know you are one of our clients but I don’t want to be part of the deal.”

  She must have gotten her message across because Alex’s face changed to a confused yet a bit arrogant look.

  “Okay, I’m sorry,” he said, after a pause. “But you really do look lovely in that dress,” he added.

  Kayla bit her tongue. “Thank you,” she finally said.

  “Kayla,” Jenny interrupted, lightly poking on Kayla’s shoulder. “Bobby needs you in the other side of the room…”

  “Oh okay,” Kayla said. She noticed her friend’s expectant look. “Jenny, this is Alexander Stone. Turns out our firm is working with him on his mansion. Mr. Stone, this is Jenny, one of my colleagues.”

  “Alex will do,” he repeated, shaking Jenny’s hand. Kayla peeked at her friend, and it looked like her friend was about to faint.

  “Okay, Alex then,” Kayla said slowly. “Jenny can bring you around to introduce you to our other colleagues.”

  “That would be lovely, but I should be making a call now,” Alex said, quickly checking his watch, before flashing Jenny his Hollywood smile. “Maybe later?”

  Jenny nodded enthusiastically and Kayla was silently telling her to quit it, since Alex’s ego was huge enough.

  Turning to Alex, Kayla said, “Well it was nice to meet you, er, Alex.”

  “Yes Kayla, it was definitely nice,” he said, emphasizing on the adjective that seemed like such an understatement. She didn’t catch the twinkle in his eyes.

  She walked away with Jenny, willing herself not to look back.

  “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God,” Jenny gushed when they have gone beyond earshot. “I can’t believe I just met him! He’s gorgeous!”

  “I guess,” Kayla stammered. If only her friend knew what a cliché he was. She wondered if she should warn Jenny of Alex, but decided against it. Jenny would just have to discover for herself what kind of a man Alexander Stone was. She didn’t want to burst the bubble for Jenny.

  Kayla hoped Alex got stuck working with Dave. Having Dave work on Alex’s house would be perfect. Dave would give Alex a dose of his own medicine.

  The rest of the evening seemed like a blur. She had to entertain some clients on the projects she was working on or have worked on. It helped her not cross paths with Alex again. She caught him looking her way a couple times, but she didn’t give him any more time or attention. She didn’t even notice him leave.

  It was around twelve when Kayla decided she wanted to leave, as she has done more than enough entertaining for the night. These office parties were more work than leisure for her.

  She thought of sharing the cab back with Ryan and Jenny as they did take the same one getting there, but Ryan and Jenny had to leave earlier to pick up Trey from Jenny’s mom. Kayla couldn’t leave that early since she knew Bobby expected her to mingle some more with the clients.

  She made her way to the elevator lobby. One of the hotel’s popular bars was on her way, and it was still alive with people enjoying the weekend. She scoffed at herself, thinking how much of an anti-social she was.

  She was alone as she waited for the elevator to reach the top floor. She stepped in as the elevator car arrived and the doors opened. As soon as she entered though, out of nowhere, someone familiar quickly joined her. She tensed and stepped to one corner of the elevator, as far away as possible. With just the way her body was reacting, she knew instantly who it was.

  “Why are you doing this?”

  She looked to her right to see Alex Stone, all gorgeous and confident. He must have come from the bar, and she didn’t notice.

  “Excuse me?” she asked, trying to be as polite as she could. She had to remind herself that he was still a client of the office.

  “Why are you d
oing this?” he repeated. His voice was patient and soft.

  “Doing what?” she threw back, trying her best not to swoon with the way his voice was an ingredient for any girl’s fantasy. She tried to stow away the dream she had of him a few nights ago.

  “Why are you lying to yourself?”

  Kayla knocked herself back to reality. “You have your illusions, Mr. Stone. We’ve just met a while ago yet you already think you know me.”

  “Maybe I know more than what you think – or hope – that I know,” he answered mischievously, taking a step closer to face her. She instinctively tried to take a step back, but she was already trapped at the corner. “And I thought we already agreed on calling me Alex.”

  “Mr. – Alex, you’re speaking in riddles and I’m a woman who wants everything straightforward.”

  “Is that so?” he asked, with an eyebrow raised.

  “Yes,” she bit out, no longer concealing her frustration.

  “Then you’d appreciate this.”

  Kayla had no time to understand what he just said when he suddenly had his arm around her waist as he pulled her closer and brought his lips to hers.

  Kayla was too dumbfounded to react. She wasn’t able to pull away because she was suddenly caught up in the heat she felt as his lips massaged hers – he tasted like scotch and mint.

  She had her palms on his chest, ready to push him away, but she didn’t find the strength to do so. Instead, she clung to his coat. Damn, it’s been too long since a man kissed her. And what a kiss it was. Every part of her body that touched his felt like it was burning, and the fire was spreading quickly.

  But once she felt Alex’s tongue probe her mouth, she knew she had to stop it, no matter how difficult it would be.

  She moved back and slapped him on his cheek. Hard.

  Astonished both by the kiss and her reaction, she raised the hand that slapped him and touched her lips that were still sensitive from his caress. Her other hand had a tight grip of her purse.

  Alex had his palm on his cheek a second after, rubbing it. He seemed surprised. “Okay, maybe I deserved that,” he said. “I’m sorry if I crossed the line – no wait, I’m not sorry at all,” he said, suddenly arrogant as he took his hand away from his cheek.