Page 2 of The Hook Up
“Likewise,” she said and took his hand.
Her grip was firm, but her palm felt warm and soft. Ty caught a whiff of something flowery and did a quick reshuffle in the part of his brain that expected the owner of a bowling ball company to smell like sweaty shoes and beer. Holy shit. He’d pictured a balding guy with a paunch, not a stunning blonde with eyes the color of the ocean.
You are officially a presumptuous, sexist asshole,he told himself.There’s one more trait you got from your old man.
“Thanks for coming by, L.E.,” Ty said when he finally gained control of his mouth. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“No, thank you. You’re very kind, but if I start chugging water, I’ll just have to pee, and then—” She grimaced.“Sorry. I don’t usually talk about pee within seconds of meeting someone. Did I mention I’m nervous?”
Ty laughed, utterly charmed. It wasn’t the first time he’d had a client confess shyness in the presence of so many video cameras, or even the first time in the last fifteen minutes that someone in his office had talked about peeing.
But it was the first time he’d felt so undone by a client. “No need to be nervous,” he assured her. “The cameras aren’t on, and I promise I don’t bite.”
Not unless you ask me to,he thought, then wanted to kick himself again.Get a hold of yourself, Hendrix.
“Have a seat.” He gestured to the chair Miriam had just vacated and tried not to stare at her legs as she settled herself and crossed one lush calf over the other.
L.E. rested her hands in her lap, glancing around the room. “This is a nice space. I hope you don’t mind, but I peeked around a little. The restrooms, the conference room—all the décor in this place is amazing.”
“That’s all Miriam and Holly,” he said. “The co-owners of First Impressions. I’m just here to run the new offshoot video studio and visual media lab.”
“Speak Up, I know,” she said. “I’ve heard all about it. It’s an impressive endeavor, growing the business like that.”
“It’s a lot of work, but we’re up to the task.” Ty cleared his throat and commanded himself not to stare at her like some love-struck teenager. God, L.E. Birmingham would look terrific on camera. His brain started whirling in a hundred new directions, thinking about video marketing strategies and whether she’d be game for being a public spokesperson for the Pin Action brand. What a great angle to add oomph to a fairly dull-sounding product line.
“Let’s talk about your business,” he said. “How long have you been running it?”
“Let’s see…” Her brow furrowed, and she lifted a hand to sweep a few strands of golden hair behind one ear. “I started the company with just a small online presence when Henry was five. That’s my son—he’s six now and in first grade. Anyway, the company sort of took off several months ago, and sales have been going crazy.”
“I heard about that,” he said, ordering himself to stop having lewd thoughts about her. The woman was a mother, for crying out loud, which probably meant she was married. Even if she wasn’t, Ty had a strict policy against dating single moms. No way in hell was he opening that can of worms.
Still, he dared a glance at her ring finger, surprised to see it bare.
Focus on her face, jackass.
Ty met her eyes again and cleared his throat. “You’ve got some impressive numbers.”
“Thank you.” Her expression was surprised and pleased all at once. She settled against the back of her chair and relaxed. “I’m very passionate about the business,” she added.
“I can see that.” Ty did his best not to consider what else she might be passionate about. He was a professional, dammit. One who stayed the hell away from single mothers for their own damn good.
He rested his hands on the desk and did his best to focus on bowling balls. Not sea-blue eyes or mile-long legs or beautiful blondes who smelled like flowers.Bowling balls.
“Tell me more about the company,” he said.
* * *
Ellie Sanders crossedher legs and tried to focus on this business meeting instead of on the stupid-hot video guy with brawny arms and eyes so dark he must have ordered them from a catalog to match his jet-black hair. Her new dress itched like crazy, and she wasn’t sure whether to play it cool or to dive in and talk about dildos.
Because that’s what she needed to do. Her brother’s wife had arranged for Ellie to rent the conference room for her after-hours parties, but she’d also urged Ellie to pick Ty’s brain.
“He’s one of the sharpest visual marketing experts I’ve worked with,” Miriam had told her over dinner. “Super straightforward and no-bullshit, plus he’s got tons of experience getting a new business up and running. You’ll love him.”
The fervor in Miriam’s voice had made Ellie nervous. “You’re positive he won’t mind talking about a sex toy business with a total stranger?”
“Positive,” Miriam had assured her. “The guy doesn’t faze easily.”
So here Ellie was, feeling more than a little awkward. It was the first time in weeks she’d worn anything besides yoga pants, and it was clear she’d gone way overboard in her effort to dress like a professional. But at least she’d made it here, and Ty seemed willing to talk business strategy. She’d only planned to pop in and introduce herself, maybe check out of the space. Miriam must have asked him to give Ellie some special treatment.
