Chapter 1
I whip around quickly the chill of the sudden frost setting in stinging my rosy cheeks. I hadn’t been expecting to get caught in the middle of an oncoming snowstorm that much was obvious by the short red mini dress and heels I had decided to put on before leaving the house, there was no time left to change now or I would be late.
Rubbing my hands together I breath into them trying to create some warmth, the taxi was taking forever, at this rate it would be faster to walk. Finally, I feel warmth envelope my frost-bitten skin as I slide across the seat of the suburban yellow taxi giving the driver directions.
My phone dings in my purse a message from my best friend pops up on the screen.
‘Have a great night, be naughty not nice x’
I giggle at her holiday humor and tuck my phone back into my purse. I have been waiting months for this night, working hours of overtime to organize the annual charity gala for my department, it was kind of a big deal with all the firms around the city coming together for the one night to discuss business while sipping overpriced egg nogg under the twinkling lights of more than a hundred perfectly decorated Christmas trees.
Initially I hadn’t wanted the task of organizing the event not with all the extra work involved and I had only taken the position to please my boss, the man of my absolute dreams. Cliché I know, but what can I say I’m a sucker for cheesy romance stories and hoping to live out my very own real-life version starting tonight.
I had been hyping myself up all week I was certain that we had chemistry, a small elbow touch here a sweet smile there. He had even been bringing me coffee and cake during my late nights at work, we had spent the better part of the last few weeks sitting together until 2am joking and laughing just generally talking about ourselves and our lives in between the event planning. The taxi pulled up at the destination and I felt my nerves kick in, this is it I told myself grabbing my bag off the back seat and tapping my card on the eftpos machine in the impatient driver’s hand.
“Thanks” I mutter stumbling out the door barely given the chance to close it behind me before it took of down the bustling street disappearing into the web of traffic.
’Hold the elevator please” I call out rushing towards the closing door in a hurry to get to the party as fast as I can. Not realizing the floor had become slippery I lose my footing my feet giving way and sliding out from beneath me, bracing for impact I close my eyes hoping the ground won’t be to hard upon impact.
“You can open your eyes it’s alright, I’ve got you” A whisky smooth masculine voice rings in my ears, slowly I open my eyes and realize that instead of laying face first on the floor in a bloodied pile of mess I’m wrapped tightly in a pair of strong arms against a broad chest the smell of cedar and tobacco assaulting my senses. Regaining my composure, I move out of his arms slightly straightening my dress, an embarrassed blush spreads across my face as I realize my savior is still holding onto one of my wrists.
“Thankyou” I reply moving my gaze across his body and up towards his face and what a handsome face it is.
Trying not to stare too long I shift my gaze to anywhere but his face. A slight chuckle escapes him, and I see his hand reaching out in motion of a handshake greeting. Nervously I place my hand within his own much larger one. “Ouch” I cry jumping back slightly at the small electric jolt that bit through my skin upon contact with his own.
“Sorry about that” he mumbles grabbing hold of my hand again while I awkwardly stand there.
“I’m Ace” He introduces himself; I nod in acknowledgement as I introduce myself in return.
“Avery” I reply with a friendly smile. He reflects “It’s been a pleasure meeting you Avery”. We both share a slightly awkward moment until the sound of the elevator arriving in the background releases us from the sudden tension.
“Likewise, and thanks for rescuing me from my own clumsiness” I jest before moving towards the elevator.
“Avery over here, what took you so long?” I hear someone frantically call out to me as I’m ushered from the elevator into the large room filled with people. I spot the person I’m looking for our company’s secretary Julie signaling me over. My heart pounds as I muster the courage to approach the small gathering by the bar. Among them are a few notable figures, but my focus is fixed on only one person, my boss. Even though he has his back turned to me I recognize the shape of his shoulders and distinctive laughter that escapes him anywhere. I’m so absorbed in the sight that I fail to properly take in the rest of the group.
“There she is, the star of the show” James proudly announces, his eyes filled with admiration as he boasts about my hard work in organizing the event. It feels like an overwhelming ego boost with my head threatening to burst from the numerous compliments showered upon me by those in attendance.
The party seemed to be unfolding flawlessly, with the food and drinks delighting the cities elite and their partners. The decorations have earned unanimous praise and James has spent the better part of the evening lavishing me with gratitude for being apart of his team.
I feel like I’m on cloud nine.
“There are a few people id like you too meet” James informs me, guiding me through the smiling crowd his hand moving from my shoulder to rest on the small of my back. My heart races within my chest due to his proximity, making me feel like it might burst from my body at any moment.
Realizing I need to gather my courage and put my big girl pants on I stop and turn towards him, our bodies so close they are practically pressed against each other. I think to myself ‘This is it’ as I reach for his hand, positioning myself to whisper in his ear.
I can vividly picture the upcoming moment in my mind, where I will confess my deepest feelings expressing how I’ve been eagerly waiting for this moment for a long time. Then he’ll grace me with one of his captivating smiles, clasp my hands within his own and admit he feels the same way. His arms will encircle my waist and we’ll share the perfect holiday kiss beneath the shimmering Christmas lights while the surrounding crowd erupts into cheer.
I barely have a moment to register what’s happening before I’m thrown from the montage playing in my mind back into reality. I’m no longer stood close to James as he has taken a few steps away from me, his hand outstretched towards me in a questioning stance his face a mask of concern.
“Avery are you alright” He queries.
“Yes, yes I’m fine I uh just remembered I er forgot to feed my cat” I say fumbling my words earning a slight chuckle from both James and the men who had come to stand beside him. In that moment I felt like I could shrink into a miniature version of myself and die of embarrassment.
“Anyway” He speaks clearing his throat, meanwhile I’m looking everywhere except for at the small group due to my utter embarrassment.
“Avery I would very much like you to meet these two brilliant knuckleheads” He chimes gesturing towards the broad-shouldered men. I give a quick glance over the first he’s your typical tall handsome blonde haired blue eyed straight off a magazine cover type. I learn his name is Dash a shortened nickname stemming from his surname Dashwood and that he and James went to school together. Before James can introduce me to his other comrade a hand is reaching for my own my voice caught in my throat as I stare up into a pair of twinkling green eyes.
“We meet again” he speaks barely above a whisper.
“Ace” I breath out not realizing we are both stood there our hands lazily touching until someone clears their throat to the side of us.
“You two know each other” Questions James, his eyes locked on our lingering touch. I pull my hand away gaining my composure, what are you doing I think to myself.
“We met briefly” Adds Ace his eyes never leaving mine, a shiver running down my spine at his intense gaze. “Wonderful” throws in Dash trying to dissipate some of the tension that had grown thick in the air around us.
I learnt that the three of them had been long time friends, that they had known each other as children through their obviously wealthy parents and had stayed close throughout their school years and into adulthood. I found Dash to be the comedian of the group always cracking jokes keeping the mood light, Ace was somewhat an enigma unlike James who I knew almost everything about and Dash who had no issue talking about himself he chose to remain quiet only chiming in when the questions were directed away from his own personal life.
“Excuse me gentlemen I’m in need of a drink” I cut into the conversation hoping to make my way towards the bar. After indulging in some more liquid courage in hopes of resuming what I had initially wanted to start with James I made my way back towards the group who were now stood outside on the balcony their backs facing me.
“What did you think of Avery?” I heard James ask unaware of my approach. “She sure is something” Replied Dash chuckling, I could see the side of Ace’s arm lift his glass towards his mouth as he let out a slight snort. “You weren’t impressed?” questions James a slight hint of something I can’t quite place underlying his tone. “I didn’t really see much to be impressed with” comes his snide reply, Dash laughs hysterically his arm reaching around to clap Ace on the back.
“Never thought I would see the day a gorgeous blonde wouldn’t catch your attention” Comments James. My heart swells at the offhanded compliment yet sinks at the same time a feeling I am uncertain about why I care what this guy thinks of me, did I want him to think me special…surely not I barely knew him other than our brief interactions throughout the night.
Taking a step closer to them I clear my throat alerting them of my presence, the three men turn slightly Dash with a cheeky grin on his face, James looking mortified at the idea I had heard their conversation and Ace an unreadable expression as his eyes once again catch my own.
“Thankyou for your company tonight, James, it’s been wonderful I will see you at the office” I speak quickly leaning in to lightly wrap my arms around him in a friendly embrace. He grabs me his hand resting lightly on my shoulder his deep brown eyes searching my own “Would you like me to drive you home?” He asks me, my insides do a little backflip at the possibility of what could happen were we to leave together. I’m about to scream with happiness inside at the possibility of spending time alone with him outside of a work setting when my joy is suddenly crushed by the ghost of Christmas scrooges himself.
“You’ve been drinking all night as well James, you can’t drive her get the front desk to call a cab” Remarks Ace.
After a swift exit and rushed goodbyes, I couldn’t wait to leave my night had started out so wonderfully only to be crushed by a specific someone.
“What a jerk” I repeat my frustrations repeatedly to my black and white cat Mr. Mittens who was curled up next to me in bed. “Who does he think he is, he wasn’t even THAT good looking” I complain aloud to the feline companion who yawns and moves his head back to allow my fingers access to his chin for a quick scratch.
Sighing, hopeful that I hadn’t missed my chance with James I close my eyes visions of his hands on the small of my back sending me into a pre sleep state of peace, my face scrunching in annoyance as they slowly turned into a pair of unmistakable green eyes.
