Just One Spark: A Black Alcove Novel Read online

  The crowd that enters in front of me veers to the left, claiming the table nearest the door. I take a quick scan of the room. I’m meeting my sister, Tiffany, for drinks, possibly two. She wants to talk about what happened. Not as head of human resources but as my sister.

  I spot a jukebox out of the corner of my eye and head that direction. I press a few buttons and ponder my choices of music: country, rock, rap, and more. It’s a basic selection. I settle on some oldies. A rack of pool balls breaking rattles behind me. A round sounds like a great distraction, considering my sister is going to jump right into the discussion of what she thinks I should do when I get to the office on Monday.

  I look over my shoulder to see if there is an empty pool table, but I don’t get a chance to find a free table before a solemn woman with fiery red hair who’s seated at the bar grabs my attention. She’s staring right at me and doesn’t even flinch once I send her a wink and grin. All things considered, finding a random hookup isn’t the best choice to make right now, but hell, I may as well go all out tonight if I’m going to be all business for the rest of the summer.

  Red’s expression doesn’t change before she twists back around. The bartender braces his arms against the bar top before saying something to her.

  She flips her hair over her shoulder where it ends gracefully at the middle of her lower back. She wearing black shoes that could easily be mistaken for socks. Her dark blue jeans are ripped at the knees and her black t-shirt barely meets the waistband of her pants. She looks over her shoulder once more and I barely catch the spark of emerald in her eyes before she reverts her gaze forward again.

  My type has always been suits and success, but something about this woman won’t let me pull my eyes away.

  “Can I get you something?” a blonde waitress in a navy mini skirt asks.

  “No, I’m all right. Thanks. I’m just going to have a seat at the bar,” I answer. She nods and passes me to her next table.

  There are about ten empty barstools at the bar, but I head straight for the one beside Red.

  The bartender shifts away from her to greet me. “What can I get ya?” he asks.

  “I’ll take a Coors Original, please,” I say and steal a glance at the woman next to me.

  She makes a gagging gesture with her finger before she turns to me. “Of all the beers you could pick, you pick the most repulsive one available.”

  I chuckle. “And what would you have recommended?” The bartender hands me my beer and I take a swig, waiting for Red’s answer.

  “Maybe a Sam Adams or something else not so boring.”

  “Boring,” I repeat. “I’ve actually never been told that my taste of any kind is … boring.”

  Her lips twitch right before she licks them and narrows her eyes at me. I hadn’t been expecting her to be so quickly responsive to my comment.

  “I take it we’ve moved past talking about beer,” she says.

  “Well, did you want to continue small talk or get right to point of why I sat next to you?”

  Her gaze flashes between me and the bartender, who is now at the other end of the bar and not paying attention to us.

  “I’m going to step outside for some air. Would you like to join me?” she asks, spinning on her chair and standing.

  I chug the remainder of my beer and rise. “I’d love to.”

  Ninety-five percent perfect success rate.

  I follow behind her, catching the moment she glances back to the bartender, again. I do the same and am struck with arms folded across his chest and a glare. Perhaps I should be worried that I’m about to steal another man’s woman for a bit, but if they were actually together, he would have been over the bar top by now with his fist in my face. I mean, if I had a girl who looked like the one with the swaying hips in front of me, I’d work overtime to make sure men knew she was mine.

  We step outside and Red heads straight for the side of the building. The second I turn the corner she pushes me up against the faded red brick. I expect her to dive right into kissing me, but she doesn’t. The way her sultry eyes roam over my body makes the decision of what to do next for me.

  My lips capture hers and my tongue invades her mouth before she can protest. Bracing my hands on her hips, I spin us around. I lift her and she wraps her legs around me before it’s her turn to be pressed against the wall.

  Her hands rest on my face as she kisses me harder. Her fingers curl in my hair, and the way the tips massage my scalp each time her tongue collides with mine sends a newfound sense of desire from my head all the way to my toes. The evidence of how much I’m enjoying this presses against her stomach, only fueling her kisses. We’re basically rubbing against each other where anyone can see us. A splice of jealousy that someone could see her like this when it should be meant only for me runs through my body. No woman has ever given me a single thought even close to that one, and I pull away.

  Warm eyes gaze up at me. I lean down to kiss her once more and then release her legs till her feet are planted back on the ground.

  Red bites her bottom lip and the action makes me dip to take over for her. I could kiss her all day long.

  “Your place or mine?” she says before I get the chance.

  A woman who knows what she wants. Man, this one just keeps getting sexier and sexier.

  “If we exchange names, that might—”

  “Make things complicated,” she finishes for me. “Look, if you don’t want to do this, I don’t care.”

  “No, I do,” I say a bit too eagerly. I take her hand and start to lace our fingers so I can lead her back to my place—probably the worst idea I’ve ever had—a couple blocks away when she jerks her hand away from my touch.

  “Sex. Just sex. No hand holding or anything else.”

  “It was an innocent move,” I say, holding back a laugh.

  Instead of taking off for my place, I press my body into her, my legs parting hers as I lean forward, kissing just under her ear.

  “I don’t want commitment. If you’re looking for one night with a guy who will treat you right and put all your needs before his, I’m your man. I’ve never been arrested and I have a clean bill of health. I’m twenty-six and my name is—”

  “Stop.” She holds up a hand and smiles. “The less we know about each other, the better.”

  A smile tugs at my lips. “Really, no names?”

  “No names,” she repeats.

  She full out wants to have a complete one-night stand. I’m not sure whether I should be appalled or impressed.

  A growl comes from deep in my throat as my lips devour hers again. Her head falls back the best it can as I kiss down her neck to her chest. I lift one leg to my side, allowing myself to grind into her, a preview for later.

  Later must not be something she wants, because her hands glide under my jacket and before I know it, she has unlatched my belt and pulled down my zipper.

  “You can’t be serious!” Both Red’s body and my own freeze at the high-pitched shrill behind us. “I’m ten minutes late and you’ve already moved on to new plans for the night.”

  I immediately twist my body to shield Red and the display of my very pronounced erection.

  “What are you doing? Oh, my god!” My sister yells one more time as she observes me and Red with a furious gaze.

  “Tiff, stop yelling” is how I start but am immediately cut off from saying any more.

  “You have a girlfriend!” Red scolds and shoves me back.

  “What?” I ask and jerk my pants back into place. “No … I—”

  “You’re a pig,” Red snaps, yanking her shirt back down.

  “Wait,” I call out just as she is almost around the corner. “I don’t have a girlfriend. That wasn’t—”

  “Yeah, clearly you don’t now that she caught you.”

  “No, I mean, can we just try this again?”

  My sister lets out a huff as she crosses her arms, glaring at Red while she watches our interaction. That certainly doesn’t hel
p.

  “You’re kidding, right? One-night stands are supposed to be easy. This was a train wreck, and thank fucking god I never have to see you or your girlfriend again. All girls deserve more than what your sleezeball ass has to offer.”

  With that, she marches back inside the bar.

  I slouch back against the wall. Well, that was a disaster, but I can’t say it was the first time that’s ever happened to me. It is, however, the first time I want to tell my sister to fuck off.

  “Mav, you can’t be distracting yourself with a woman right now. Might I remind you that’s how you got yourself into this mess?”

  I press the heel of my palm into my eyes. “It was just sex, Tiff.”

  “I’m sure it was,” she says, placing her hands on her hips as she glares at me. “You want the president spot, you need to be focused.”

  “If I want sex in my life, Tiff, no one is going to tell me I can’t.” I push off the wall and look down the street. I’ll need another bar if I want some drinks.

  “Mav,” she says, her tone laced and ready for an argument.

  “Tiff.” There isn’t anything she can say about this entire situation at work that I haven’t already told myself.

  We have one of our typical brother sister stare downs that usually end with her winning. Not this time.

  “Fine,” she snaps. “You’re right.”

  “I know I’m right,” I say. She shoves me as we walk away from The Silver Tap.

  “You might be a little right, too,” I say. “I’ve let Dad down enough this last week. I don’t plan on doing it again.”

  “Ever the family man, that guy,” she replies. “He just wants what’s best for you, Mav.”

  It’s true, Dad is all about running a successful business, but he’s even more about having a family. He wants it for both of his kids, but neither of us have made that commitment yet. And I sure as shit haven’t been going about it the right way.

  I take a look over my shoulder as we make our way down the street. I could go back, explain Tiff is my sister, and probably get back to where I left off with Red, but that’s a lot of work for one night of sex. And besides, I need to focus on developing an approach to the next three months. I’m not letting this job slip out of my hands. That’s what I should be worrying about, not thinking about how the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever met now thinks I’m the world’s largest scumbag. I should probably just pretend this evening never happened and feel lucky that the chances of ever seeing her again are slim to none.

  Chapter Two

  Maverick

  Day one is off to a complete shit start.

  I step off the elevator onto the third floor where the firm is located and everyone who is within sight is gaping at me. A few are looks of pity, a few look irritated, and only one looks happy. Ann, the company’s receptionist who used to work out of the Colorado office, has a bright smile on her face as she greets me. She also dated my father for a year or so. When they broke up she transferred here. Hence why my father is against a relationship that involves anything to do with the workplace.

  “Maverick, how are you this morning?” she asks, her tone laced with a hint of curiosity. I glance around at the cubicles and offices in the quiet room. Almost everyone has resumed their focus on something other than me.

  “I’ve been better, and yourself?”

  “I’m well, thank you. I’ll be honest; it’s really nice to see you, but I wish it were under better circumstances,” she says.

  I give her my best smile and nod. I couldn’t agree more. Starting over is not what I had planned for the next three months. “So, where am I going first today?” I ask. I don’t want anyone to think I’m going to take to the easy way out. There isn’t one, even if I were searching for it.

  “Your uncle asked me to show you to the office you’ll be using while you’re here. He’s in meetings all morning and won’t be able to visit with you until this afternoon.” She adjusts her skirt as she rounds the side of her desk.

  “At least I still have an office,” I say, a lame attempt at a joke that only gains me a look of sympathy from Ann instead of the laughter I was aiming for.

  “It’s a joint office,” she says, keeping her focus in front of us. “You’ll be sharing with one of the other temp hires.”

  It doesn’t surprise me that my uncle Bart would put me in a joint office. But with only one of the two of my new coworkers is odd.

  “Why not both?” I ask.

  She pauses in front of a door and waves me in. The gray walls are cold and empty aside from a couple pieces of art, the desk, and the three chairs around it. The blinds aren’t open, so I move to change that. A little sun through the windows will help.

  “Your cousin, Austin, is the third new hire,” she says.

  I spin around from adjusting the blinds. She can’t be serious. Austin has been riding his trust fund for years. He’s never had any intention of working in the family business. Like my uncle, it may have been a few years since I’ve actually spoken with him directly, but I can’t imagine much has changed.

  My face must say enough of what I’m thinking because she adds, “Your uncle says it’s because he’s ready to straighten up. But between you and me, I am certain Bart didn’t give him much of a choice.”

  “And if he doesn’t?” I ask.

  She shrugs. “I have no idea.”

  “Well, this summer should be interesting,” I say.

  “Oh, I have no doubt about that, Maverick. The young woman who is also working with the two of you was the top of her class. She came with very high recommendations. We are all very eager to see what she can bring to the table.”

  “So was I,” I say with a smirk. Anyone who loves what they’re learning and what they want to do can make it to the top of their class.

  “I know you were.” She laughs. “How could I forget the excitement in your father’s face the day he watched you graduate from CU?”

  She squeezes my arms as she heads out of my office. “Don’t get into too much trouble before the meeting. I’m rooting for you, you know.”

  I take my seat behind the desk. The black leather chair is chilly under my suit. I open a few drawers; there isn’t even a pen included. From the sound of it, I’ll have enough time to head down to the supply room and get everything I need. I glance at the adjoining door to the next office. Working with someone who sounds like she wants this job as much as I do will either make it easier to get through the next ninety days or harder. Either way, between her and my cousin, it’s safe to assume she might be my only competition.

  “Knock, knock,” my cousin, Austin, says as he does exactly that against my door. “You’re getting rusty on showing up early in the morning, cousin,” he says.

  “It’s not even eight yet,” I say, already frustrated just by his presence. “I’d say I’m fine.” His overly highlighted blonde hair that appears as if it’s glowing from the light through my shades makes me wish I hadn’t opened them.

  Working with my cousin should be great, but it’s not. I went to college and graduated with a degree in marketing. My cousin … well, I’m not sure what he did in college. He was only there because my uncle made him go or he would revoke his trust. I have landed more deals than everyone at the company except my father and my uncle in just the two years I’ve been here. I’m made for this job and I have no idea why my cousin would be interested in a career after all the years he’s spent without one.

  “Dad and I were here before everyone. You know that’s what it takes to make it as boss here, Mav. If you’re not going to fill the part, I think it’s time you let your father and mine know you can’t handle it.”

  He may be family, but fuck if he isn’t the most conniving little shit I’ve ever met. Chances are, he was here early only because my uncle has threatened something he wants once again. Bribery is the easiest way to get Austin to do anything.

  “Is there something I can help you with?” I ask.

  “I’m
serious. You’re not doing anyone any favors by sticking around when you don’t want to be here,” he says.

  “Are we talking about me or you?” I ask. Without me here, he’d actually have a chance. With me in the running, it’s just going to prove how wrong he is for this business.

  His eyes match my own glare as he flips his jacket back on one side and sits on the edge of my desk. “Should we talk about this girl who is starting today? I mean, can you even handle her being in the office next you?”

  “Austin,” I warn him.

  “Hey.” He stands with his hands up. “I didn’t force you to get involved with the last one who landed you here. So don’t get an attitude with me.”

  “I’m not going to discuss this with you.” It’s not up for argument. I won’t let the same mistake as last time happen. My eyes flash to the door with a small tick of my head, hinting it’s time for him to leave.

  Austin’s departure is like watching a kid leave the room after his parent just confiscated his toy.

  “Just don’t screw it up again. My father’s company can’t afford for you to make us look like fools the way you did to your father’s branch. My grandfather didn’t build this place just for you to show the world you can’t work side by side with a woman.”

  Our grandfather, I want to correct him, but I don’t. He doesn’t even know what he’s talking about.

  My chair bounces off the wall behind me as I stand with a rush. He thinks he’s doing right by this company, but he’s not. He’s wasting our time and money by being here.

  I don’t have time to deal with Austin and the drama he has decided to bring to work.