Sinclair Duet

Chapter 5

Gabriella

I wasn't certain how Damien had done it, but the flight to LAX wasn't awful. If anything, it was pleasant. The flight attendant whom I'd asked to move my seat made a point to check on me. The truth was, in a matter of hours, I'd fallen back under his spell.

That didn't mean the negative didn't exist. It did, but after a few drinks and hours of talking, I was remembering the good. I wasn't about to let my heart get broken again. Instead, as I grabbed my carry-on, satchel, and dress and made my way out of the plane, I thought just maybe we could be friends.

It would be better than enemies.

Now, in my hotel room, as I checked my hair and makeup, my thoughts were filled with memories that weren't terrible. There were good times and exciting times, things I'd blocked out to concentrate on the negative.

I removed the four-inch heels from my carry-on, wishing I'd chosen a more comfortable pair. Slipping my feet into the open-toed sling-back shoes, I stood before the full-length mirror.

By the grace of God, my dress had survived the small closet on the plane unwrinkled. A deep shade of navy blue, it fit my curves well. The neckline plunged to between my breasts, a long golden zipper ran over my spine, and the asymmetric hemline was longer in back than in front. Adding a long gold necklace and dangling gold earrings, I tried to convince myself my attention to my appearance wasn't about the man who would be sitting at my table.

Part of my job was wining and dining. It seemed that most of the donors were ancient. Contrarily, the biography I'd read about Donovan Sherman said he was in his forties. I knew Damien was a bit younger.

One last look in the mirror and I began to second-guess myself.

The thing about packing for one event was that my carry-on wasn't a magic bag. I had no choice but to wear what I brought. There was no time to run to a boutique for a new outfit. I looked good, but would Damien think it was for him?

Of course he would.

That was the kind of man he was.

Placing my room key in my clutch, I left my room, and headed toward the ballrooms. The elevator door opened and immediately the small hairs on the back of my neck stood to attention. The boisterous group of men within appeared to be in their twenties and based on their volume, in the middle of a celebration.

As I came into view, a few whistled.

“Hey, sweetheart," one called, reaching out to keep the door from closing. “Come on in. We'll make room."

I feigned a polite smile. “That's okay. I'll catch the next one."

“Oh, don't be shy," another said.

“I'm good." I took a step back as the uncomfortable feeling that every woman has felt surged through me.

The men shuffled around, creating a space. “Look. Plenty of room."

As my hands began to tremble, I took another step back, bumping into a wall.

There wasn't a wall.

A strong hand came to my hip as the men in the elevator looked to one another and fell victim to a sudden curiosity in studying their shoes.

“I'm glad you waited," Damien said, tugging me to his side. He looked toward the elevator at the now-wide-eyed men. “Go on. Like the lady said, the grown-ups will catch the next one."

I stood in Damien's grasp as the elevator door closed. “Thank you."

He reached for my hands. “You're shaking."

“It's the air conditioning." Taking a step away, I scanned him up and down. No longer wearing rolled-up sleeves, Damien was dashingly handsome in a custom-tailored dark blue suit, similar to the shade of my dress. Grinning, I said, “I see you read the memo."

His gaze was like melting lava as he scanned from my head to my toes. “No wonder those boys wanted you in the elevator. You're stunning, Ella."

“I don't know why I let them bother me."

“Because they're drunk assholes. If I had to bet, I'd say bachelor party."

“That's no excuse," I said.

“You're right."

“I can take care of myself."

“No doubt."

The elevator door opened to an empty car. “Much better," he said, holding the door open while I stepped inside.

My skin warmed as I realized we were alone.

In the bar, plane, and airport, other people had been around.

The inside of the elevator was shiny, reflecting our image in all directions. “I guess," I said, “my luck hasn't completely run out." I curled my lips into a smile. “I appreciate your chivalry."

“Purely selfish."

I turned his way. “How was helping me selfish?"

Damien's smile quirked. “If you happen to decide to be ravished tonight, I want it to be by me."

“If I decide?" I asked with a smirk. “I don't think they were asking."

“I am."

Oh s**t.

And just like that, my n*****s drew tight.

Before I could respond, the elevator came to a stop. As the doors opened, Damien reached for my hand. “I'd rather you didn't go up to your room alone. No telling where those boys may be."

“I'm a capable woman."

“Yes, Ella, I know that."

“Gabriella," Niles, a good friend and associate from the Carmel office, called as we stepped off the elevator.

“Niles." My friend looked as handsome as ever in his gray suit and his long brown hair tied back in a ponytail at the base of his neck. The suit pants were narrow, and the jacket fitted, accentuating his toned body. The black shirt and white tie popped in a classy as well as metro way.

Niles turned to Damien and extended his hand. “Damien Sinclair. I'm Niles Watson. It's a pleasure to meet you. Beta Kappa Phi would love to have an association with Sinclair Pharmaceuticals." Niles looked from Damien to me. “Do you two know each other?"

“Old friends," Damien answered, shaking Niles's hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Watson."

I took a step forward. “Niles and I have some work to do before the fun begins."

Damien's deep timbre resonated through me as he spoke with a grin. “The offer stands."

With a nod to Damien, I began walking with Niles toward the ballroom where the dinner and presentations would be held. As we did, I contemplated the offer Damien mentioned.

Was it to walk me to my room or r****h me?

Niles lowered his volume as we walked among other patrons. “Ella, shame on you."

Were my thoughts that visible?

“For what?"

“You've known Damien Sinclair—you're old friends—and you never mentioned him. Wait until I talk to Kevan. He's been wanting to land Sinclair Pharmaceuticals for years."

Despite our friendship, I wasn't ready to open that part of my past to Niles. “Damien is only here because he's a friend of Donovan Sherman."

“There will be so much money in that ballroom tonight."