RIVALS

PART ONE

Ella Adams

Contents

Copyright

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

About the Author

Copyright © Ella Adams 2015

The right of Ella Adams to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the author. You must not circulate this book in any format.

All characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental.

1

It was a harsh change in environment and I didn’t know how I would deal with it. Lots of people said I would fail, but that only made me more determined. I accepted a job as an event coordinator for a very prominent event company. This meant I had to move to New York City.

I lived in sunny Miami, and I loved the water and the sun, so it was a very drastic change indeed. But it was a change I desperately needed. I was an adventurer at heart so I was excited for a new opportunity.

A few weeks ago I finally took the leap and applied for a job as an events coordinator. I didn’t think I would get it, but I did. I was excited but nervous too. The work didn’t seem that hard because I was trained well and I was feeling very determined to make something happen in my life.

I needed to break out of the humdrum and take chances. New York seemed like a good place to make that happen.

I was a month into my new event-coordinating job and tonight’s event was for my first client. It was a fundraising bash with an A-list guest list and a very large budget. I had spent the last week transforming this raw Chelsea art gallery space into a festive party environment. I had chosen an indoor forest theme with wild flowers and sprawling twigs and trees. I knew New York’s elite were used to the more elegant white roses and garlands with sleek modern touches, so I wanted to do the opposite. I wanted to make them feel like they were in the woodlands. For my first event I had to make a splash, take chances and really make a name for myself.

“Eva, where do you want the sunflower bouquets?” Sara asked. She was my new assistant.

“All along the back wall. I want it to be flooded with sunflowers. In that area only and nowhere else, okay?” I replied.

“Got it.”

In just a few hours this event would be officially kicking off and I was proud and confidant that everything was going as scheduled. Crates of champagne came in through the front door and I directed them to the makeshift office and storage room in the back of the gallery.

Catering would be arriving two hours before the event started, but no one was around yet from that team to deal with the drinks.

A few hours later we were almost done. I left some minor things to my assistant and rushed home to shower and change.

I brushed out my long dark brown locks and piled them high on my head in a messy tousled bun. Dark mascara framed my brown eyes and red lipstick was the perfect shade for my all-black outfit. Dressing for this job was not easy. You needed to look elegant at the events, but you didn’t want to outshine the attendees, and you also wanted to look professional.

I found that a little black dress and some sparkling diamond earrings typically did the trick. The dress hugged my curves in an elegant way that was not too tight. I wore opaque black stockings and patent leather kitten heels. There, I was done.

The event would be starting in two hours so I rushed back to see to catering and the finishing touches. I was nervous.

When the evening was fully under way I was able to relax a little more. Now it was just a matter of keeping an eye on things. I walked around taking in all the glamorous wealthy guests and eavesdropping anytime I heard them talk about how the space was decorated. Everyone seemed to be pleased and I hid a smile as I floated around the room trying to be a fly on the wall.

Until something caught my eye, and my breath.

He wore a dark suit with the confidence and style of a man who was used to being worshipped. I stared at him from across the room and walked slowly towards him with out even realizing it. This man was like a magnet. He was talking to a beautiful woman, a model possibly. His smile was vibrant and he spoke with passion in his voice. His lips were moist and soft and he licked them a few times during his conversation. Unbidden, I suddenly imagined that tongue and those lips on my body. The thought made me feel flushed, not to mention unnerved. His bright blue eyes and thick blonde hair were a striking combination.

I stopped and hid behind a sculpture to get a better look without being noticed. I watched as he moved and dominated the room with his presence. He made eye contact with people and smiled; this man knew the effect he had on women, and he owned it.

“Eva? What are you doing?” My assistant asked suddenly. She held a tray with champagne glasses.

I felt silly. “Nothing, just looking at this … piece.” I said distractedly pointing to the sculpture in front of me. “Does it seem crooked?”

“Not that I can see. But we’re almost out of champagne.”

“There’s a case in the office. I’ll grab it.”

I walked down the hallway to the back of the building, unlocked the office and turned on the lights. I sat at the desk for a few seconds just to give my feet a rest, and once again my thoughts strayed to the gorgeous man at the party.

I was deep in contemplation when I heard someone clear their throat at the doorway. I looked over to see him; the gorgeous man I had been thinking about, leaning against the doorway.

I jumped out of my seat, “Oh, hello. Can I help you?”

“Absolutely. That is if you want to,” he said. His voice was deep and gravelly and it resonated through the office. I immediately felt aroused by it and desire instinctively welled up inside me. Then he continued, a slight smile playing about his lips. “You know, I don’t normally do this.”

“Come to a fundraiser?” I asked. I felt silly the moment the words left my mouth.

“Come to a fundraiser and seduce a sexy woman,” he responded, and my heart skipped a beat.

I stared up at him in disbelief. He was tall, very tall, at least 6’4 and as I was barely only five feet, he towered above me. Was he seriously hitting on me? My pulse raced through my body at the very idea.

“What are you talking about?” I swallowed hard.

“I assume you’ll be discreet…” he went on with the arrogance of a handsome wealthy man used to getting exactly what he wanted whenever he wanted it. Despite myself, I was aroused even more.

He walked across the room and stopped inches away from my body. The energy between us was magnetic and I could sense that it was building up to something. Something unstoppable, like a moving train.