Yahrah St. John - Lost Without You

In school, Gabrielle Burton had steered clear of him, which had only intrigued him more and made him curious to get under that layer of cool reserve. He’d watched her date Preston, a pretentious yuppie with a moneyed background who was clearly a boring dud. Yet, she’d acted as if he was the catch of the century, when in fact the relationship hadn’t lasted much longer than a few months. Perhaps she liked stuck-up men who wouldn’t know fun if it was staring them in the face.

Either way, Shane was not too happy about her presence, which is why he left his lab to go to Kayla’s office. He had a bone to pick with his traitorous sister.

“Hi, Myra.” He smiled at Kayla’s assistant before heading straight into his sister’s office.

Kayla was on the phone, but she waved him inside. Shane plopped down in the plush chair in front of her desk and glared at her.

Several minutes later, Kayla hung up the line. “So did you come in here to give me hell?”

“As you knew I would,” Shane returned. “How could you not have given me a heads-up on what you and Ethan were discussing? I’m your brother, for Christ’s sake!”

“Shane…” Kayla sighed. She knew her brother would be upset, but she’d hoped that once he’d had time to cool down he’d see the rationale behind their decision.

“Don’t ‘Shane’ me,” he responded, jumping to his feet. “You knew I wouldn’t be behind this—” he pointed to his sister “—so you and your hubby blindsided me. And I don’t appreciate it.”

Kayla took offense to Shane’s tone. She knew the family still didn’t completely trust Ethan, but she wouldn’t abide Shane bad-mouthing the father of her child. “We did what was best for this company, and you might do well to remember that.”

Shane’s eyes narrowed. “Are you pulling rank on me?” Although Kayla was president of Adams Cosmetics, he was vice president and they’d always shared the same vision of what was right, until now.

“Of course not.” Kayla sighed wearily and rubbed her belly. “But even you must see the logic.”

“I see my territory being intruded upon by an outsider.”

“Ah, now we get down to the heart of the matter,” Kayla said. “It’s not that we brought on some help. It’s who we hired.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Kayla smiled at her brother’s outright lie. He wouldn’t be in her office right now if Gabrielle Burton hadn’t rubbed him the wrong way. “What did she do?”

“She had the nerve to tell me what note to add into my fragrance. Can you believe that?” Shane asked.

Kayla chuckled. “She is there to help you.”

“I don’t need her help. I have been making fragrances long before she got here.”

“But haven’t you said something is missing?”

Shane narrowed his eyes. “Don’t use my words against me, Kay.”

Kayla rose from her chair and walked over to her brother and gave him a punch in the shoulder. “Then don’t be a Neanderthal. Let the woman help you. That’s what we hired her to do.”

* * *

Gabrielle was on her way back from HR, with her head still focused on the mountain of paperwork she had to complete, when she bumped into someone coming out of the elevator. The papers in her hand went flying through the air and onto the floor.

“I’m so sorry,” Gabrielle gushed as she bent down to pick up the papers. She glanced up to find a statuesque beauty staring down at her in what was no doubt a white designer pantsuit. Gabrielle had seen some gorgeous models in Paris, but this woman was different. She was nearly six feet tall with a short, sleek bob and arresting green eyes. Even though her makeup was immaculate, she didn’t need it. She was stunning already.

“No worries, I was texting,” Courtney said. “And you know what they say, you shouldn’t walk and text.” She bent down to help Gabrielle gather the papers strewn across the floor.

Courtney rose and handed the pile to the woman, who appeared a little bit frazzled. And what the heck was with the ponytail and drab pantsuit she was wearing? Didn’t she realize what industry they were in? “By the way, my name is Courtney. Courtney Adams.”

“Adams,” Gabrielle said, staring back at her. “You wouldn’t be any relation to Shane Adams, would you?”

Courtney smiled broadly. “Yes, he’s my brother.”

Gabrielle’s mouth formed an O. She extended her hand. “Great to meet you. My name is Gabrielle Burton.”

Courtney’s eyes widened. “Ah, so you’re Gabrielle Burton.” She accepted the handshake.

“I see my reputation has preceded me.”

“Something like that,” Courtney said and laughed. “Where you off to?”

“Back to the lab,” Gabrielle said, pressing the elevator call button, “where I’m sure your brother is waiting for me and ready to give me the riot act. HR took a little longer than expected.”

“Is Shane giving you a hard time?”

Gabrielle gulped. She hadn’t meant to speak so openly. Although she wasn’t working directly with Courtney, she had done her research and knew she sat on the board of directors and was spokeswoman for the company. “No…uh…I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Don’t backpedal now,” Courtney responded. “I respect a woman who can speak her mind, and I know Shane wasn’t too happy to add you to his staff.”

The elevator arrived at that exact moment, and Courtney joined Gabrielle on the way down to the lab.

“Good. Because I know Mr. Adams isn’t happy to have me here, but I promise I will do the job to the best of my ability.”

“I’m sure you will,” Courtney replied. “But might I give you a word of advice?”

“Hmm…what’s that?” Gabrielle glanced up at Courtney, wide-eyed.

“The first step would be to change your appearance.”

“Excuse me?” Gabrielle was taken aback. “What’s wrong with what I have on?”

Courtney’s brow rose. “Do you really want me to go there?”

Gabrielle couldn’t help but laugh, which immediately eased the tension she was feeling over Courtney’s overzealous tongue.

The elevator announced Gabrielle’s floor and she moved toward the exit, but Courtney touched her arm. “Listen, I have to get to a meeting,” Courtney said, “but why don’t we talk more over lunch?”

“Really?”

“Sure. I’ll meet you in the lobby at 1:00 p.m. We’ll go someplace special.”

And with that comment, the elevator doors closed, leaving Gabrielle to marvel at how nice Shane’s sister was compared with him.

* * *

Shane wasn’t in the lab when Gabrielle arrived, so she had a few minutes to check her cell phone. She was surprised to see she’d missed a call. The voice mail was from her father, who indicated he’d heard she was back in town and wondered if she intended to come and say hello. The tone was accusatory, as if she wouldn’t have come by to visit. And how the heck had he “heard” she was back in town?

She didn’t have time to ponder the thought because Shane came sauntering into the lab. He strode purposely toward her, and Gabrielle couldn’t help but be mesmerized at just how attractive her boss truly was. Shane had a way about him that commanded attention.

“Listen, we probably got off on the wrong foot this morning,” Shane began once he reached her desk. When Gabrielle didn’t stop him, he continued. “So how about we call a truce and get along? There is a lot of work to be done. You ready to roll up your sleeves?”

“Lead the way,” Gabrielle said.

* * *

Over the next couple of hours, Shane introduced her to the other staff members whom she would oversee, but made it clear that the buck stopped with him. She was second in command.