Worth the Challenge Read online

  And what was with the bossy way he just spoke to her? If she was being truthful, the firm tone of his voice aroused her.

  Just the slightest bit, though she pushed that odd realization aside.

  “Oh, no. We’re not done.” His lips curved into a slow, breathtaking smile and she squeezed the chair arms so tight, her fingers ached.

  “We’re not?” she asked stupidly, closing her eyes briefly when she realized what a ninny she sounded like. But what could he want?

  “We’re definitely not. I have a proposition for you, Miss Durand.” Rhett Worth leaned across the table, his gaze locking with hers. “And I’m hoping you’ll say yes.”

  Chapter Two

  She was pretty, Gabriella Durand. Not his usual type, but attractive nonetheless. She had a much more natural vibe going on, what with the honey-colored hair pulled back into a casual ponytail, minimal—if any—makeup on her face and the simple black dress she wore. No jewelry adorned her ears or neck, no flashy rings on her fingers, and she wore flat black sandals that looked more suited to the beach than an office.

  Clearly, Gabriella didn’t live in the city.

  She was also nervous, had appeared disappointed once he started talking. The little line that formed between her delicate dark blonde brows gave her away. He had a feeling she thought he was going to send her packing once he offered his regrets that her father wouldn’t work for them.

  He’d be an absolute fool to let her go. If he couldn’t get Michel Durand, he’d get the next best thing: the prodigal daughter.

  “What sort of proposition are you talking about, Mr. Worth?” she asked softly. He liked her voice. It was sweetly husky, if there was such a thing. A little dark, a lot sexy, what with that subtle French accent he detected.

  Smiling, he shook his head. “There’s no need for such formality. Please, call me Rhett.”

  “All right.” She nodded, rested her clutched hands on the edge of the table. “Explain to me what kind of proposition you refer to then. If you want me to speak with my father in regards to him coming to work for Worth, I’m afraid I’ve already tried to do so. And I failed miserably.”

  Good to know she tried to encourage her father to work here. At least she saw the merit in the merger. It would’ve been the talk of the fashion industry. Hell, there’d already been a few low-key murmurs buzzing amongst their competitors. Mentions of a new perfume and Michel Durand being the one who would create it. The PR reps at Worth—led by Hunter—had never discouraged the rumors.

  Announcing Gabriella Durand as their new perfumer would really turn the industry on its ear. She was a relative unknown most big players in the industry wouldn’t give a chance, which had to discourage her. He knew he could certainly relate since his brothers were reluctant to give him a chance, though he gave them reason to be.

  Underdogs should stick together. Now if he could get her to agree…

  “I understand. And honestly, I don’t want your father any longer.” Rhett paused, letting his words sink in before he delivered what would surely be shocking news. “I want you.”

  Her eyes went wide and her lips parted before she pressed them together again, as if she searched for something to say and couldn’t quite muster the words. “Are you sure?”

  He couldn’t help it—he began to laugh. She looked so damn surprised, sounded so incredulous that he wondered if anyone had ever made such a declaration to her before. Perhaps he was the first.

  And why did that give him such a possessive streak?

  “You’re laughing,” she pointed out after he still hadn’t answered her. “If this is some sort of joke, I don’t think it’s funny.” She started to stand and he shook his head, holding his hands out in front of him.

  “No, no. This isn’t a joke. I’m dead serious.” He composed himself, feeling every bit an ass for making her so defensive. Women were sensitive creatures. No wonder he wasn’t any good at keeping one around longer than a day. “Worth Luxury is very interested in having you take the helm and lead us into the women’s perfume industry.”

  “B-but I don’t have a lot of experience, you know,” she started and he cut her off by holding up a single finger, silencing her.

  “Don’t ever admit your faults. Your lack of experience, your uncertainness, none of it should ever be revealed.” He studied her, the too-expressive face, how it revealed everything. She’d make a terrible negotiator. “Don’t give me a reason to agree with you and withdraw my offer.”

  Gabriella clamped her lips shut and nodded, those pretty sky-blue eyes still wide as she stared at him. She didn’t say a word, which pleased him to no end.

  “I believe you have more than enough experience to create a fragrance for Worth that is unlike any other out on the market today. Something unique yet universal, fresh yet exotic, familiar yet different. You’ve studied with your father, worked close with him your entire life. You have a perfumer’s nose and that is something that cannot be learned. You were born with it.”

  Her cheeks colored becomingly. She had an air of innocence about her that he found thrillingly refreshing. And dare he think it—infinitely arousing. “Thank you,” she murmured. “Not many will take a chance on me. They declare I don’t have enough experience. Or they’re afraid I might be as flaky as my father.”

  “Your father is old and tired. He’s been an eccentric for years.” He leaned forward, ready to drive his point home. “Don’t let him control your life. Don’t let your father’s reputation hold you back. You’re on the cusp of breaking out and becoming a star. And I want to help you do that.”

  “You do?” she whispered, disbelief lacing her voice.

  He nodded in agreement. “I do. We do, all of us here at Worth. If you agree to join us as our in-house perfumer, though, we need you to start right away. As in yesterday, Gabriella. Can you do that?”

  “Oh yes, I can.” She nodded emphatically, her ponytail sliding along the front of her dress. His gaze zeroed in on that spot, her exposed collarbone, the delicate lines of it, the creamy smoothness of her skin.

  His skin prickled, arousal washing over him in a luxurious, slow wave, riveting him in place. He wanted her.

  Scratch that, he was merely attracted to her. There was a distinct difference. The air of innocence, the wide-eyed wonder she had going for her, it was unusual. Normally he wanted to drag a woman into his bed, spend the night with her until the both of them were spent, before he went on his merry way by the early morning light.

  Gabriella Durand, though, intrigued him. He wanted to know more, coax it out of her, learn what she wanted out of life, what she believed in, what she’d experienced in her past. Spend time with her, seduce her slowly, until the both of them could resist no longer and fell into bed together. She would be naked and willing, and he fierce and ready to take what she so generously offered.

  Rhett frowned. Ah hell, he was attracted to a woman he wanted—hell, needed to work with. This couldn’t be good.

  Panic replaced arousal swiftly, making him break out in a damp sweat. Look at what happened to his brothers. They became involved with women they worked with and now they were settled down, supposedly happy in their domestic roles.

  The very last thing Rhett needed was a wife or a fiancée or a freaking baby. Just because Gabriella Durand was pretty and sweet and had lips ripe for kissing, it meant absolutely nothing. He was working with her, which made her off-limits. Untouchable.

  Irresistible…

  Excitement flooded her, made her want to leap up and scream with joy. But she held it together, just barely, sitting in the plush leather chair that was far more comfortable than any piece of furniture they owned at home. Listening to Rhett Worth spell out in no uncertain terms just how much he wanted her to work for him and for Worth Luxury.

  That he really wanted her and not her father felt like a dream come true. Doubt had filtered in at first, it couldn’t be helped. Was he settling because he couldn’t get her infamous father?

  Ma
ybe…but she wasn’t going to let that fact get her down or start second-guessing herself. He was right. Talking down her accomplishments—or lack of them—wasn’t going to get her anywhere. She needed to be strong, positive and believe in herself.

  That Rhett wanted her to work for Worth Luxury was the boost of confidence she’d been looking for.

  “…I’ll talk to our legal department, have them draw up the contract and then forward it to you. Where are you staying?”

  She shook her head slightly, still a little dazed. Did he just say he wanted to send her a contract agreement today? “Pardon me?”

  He smiled patiently, the sight of it making her heart flutter just the slightest bit. “I asked where you’re staying so I can have legal send over the contract to your hotel. You are staying at a hotel, correct?”

  “Yes, I’m not from here.” That was probably obvious but oh, well.

  She gave him the name of the hotel she’d checked in to late last night and he frowned. “Pardon my language, but that place is a shit hole.”

  Shrugging, she bit back the laugh that wanted to escape. He didn’t mince words, did he? “It’s all I can afford.” Her father may be one of the most celebrated perfumers of all time, but the last job he worked, really worked, was years ago. And while she had picked up jobs here and there, the income hadn’t amounted to much. She’d spent it all to keep them afloat.

  She desperately needed this job for financial reasons alone.

  “No.” He shook his head and pulled his cell phone out from the inside pocket of his jacket, tapping away at the screen until he brought it up to his ear. “I can’t let you stay there. Let me make some arrangements.”

  “But I couldn’t ask you to do that. I’m perfectly fine where I’m at.” She started to get out of her chair, but he held up that finger again, silencing her, stopping her in her tracks.

  “We have a hotel where we keep rooms on hold for matters such as this.” He paused, and she could tell whoever he’d been calling answered. “Yes, this is Rhett Worth. We’re in need of one of the rooms you hold for Worth Luxury.” He paused again, listening to whatever the person on the other end had to say and Ella blatantly studied him.

  Oh, he was smooth. Easy on the eyes, very pleasant to listen to, with a voice like butter and a commanding yet devilish air about him she found vastly appealing. It wasn’t smart, thinking like this, but she’d never been one of those women who everyone said was so intelligent, so strong.

  She was more on the whimsical side. Creative and usually quiet, but so full of exuberance when she found something she was passionate about.

  Like scent.

  And she knew it would be extremely easy to become passionate about Rhett Worth…

  “Perfect. You can expect Miss Durand there within the hour.” He ended the call and slipped his cell back into his pocket. “I’ll send you to the hotel with a car and driver. I assume your luggage is where you’re currently staying at?”

  She nodded mutely.

  “I’ll have someone pick it up and send it over to the Warwick. I reserved a suite for you.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “A suite? I can’t afford it. Even with the pay you’re offering, which I’m sure is more than generous…”

  “You won’t be paying for it,” he interrupted, clearly irritated. Maybe even a tad insulted. “Worth will comp you for your stay. It’s the least we can do, considering how quickly we must get to work on this project.”

  Well. Didn’t he have a way of taking over her life completely and arranging it to suit his needs? Not that she was complaining, oh no. But she’d never had a man take such total charge of her before. Her father was definitely more the spontaneous type, which unfortunately, was a kind way to say he was a bit of a pushover. Her past few boyfriends, not that there had been many, were all the suffering artist-types who never had enough money to pay for lunch, let alone try to tell her what to do and how to do it.

  This man commanded her as if he had every right to do so. Once she signed the contract, linking them together, perhaps then he would hold that right. But for now…

  For now, he was a very attractive man with alpha-male tendencies she couldn’t help but find appealing.

  “I’m sure you’d like some time to relax, maybe freshen up a bit. I’ll call for a car to take you over to the Warwick right now. Watch for the contract soon after you arrive. We can meet for dinner and discuss the terms. I’ll try my best to answer any questions you might have. How does that sound?”

  “Um, it sounds…” Crazy? Too fast? Unbelievable? “Fine. That’s all fine.”

  He smiled again, looking every inch the dazzling young prince of Manhattan, which he was. And she was about to become his bedraggled little servant. “I’ll pick you up at seven. Meet me in the lobby of the hotel?”

  “A-all right.” She nodded, overwhelmed by the entire process. He spoke so fast, expected no argument and when he flashed that smile of his, her brain seemed to switch off completely.

  Rather disconcerting, all of it.

  He stood and she followed his lead, watching in disbelief as he rounded the table so he stood directly in front of her, his hand thrust out. She took his proffered hand, shaking it, all the while in a semi-daze at the whirlwind that had just swept her up and changed her life completely.

  “I look forward to doing business with you, Gabriella.” The words were offered warmly, as was the smile. His dark blue gaze locked on her face, his too-large, too-warm hand still wrapped around hers.

  “It’s Ella,” she said faintly, clearing her throat when his dark brows drew together. “My friends, my father call me Ella.”

  “Well, then, I would be honored to call you Ella.” The smile grew and only then did he finally release her hand. “I’ll see you later this evening.”

  “Rhett,” she said to his broad back after he turned and started toward the door.

  Stopping in his tracks, he glanced over his shoulder, his gaze meeting hers questioningly. “Yes?”

  “Thank you so much. You don’t know how much this means to me,” she said softly, giddiness making her heart light, her stomach tingle with nerves. “You’ve changed my life all in a few short minutes.”

  “I should thank you. You happened to save mine.”

  And with that, he walked out of the room without another word.

  Rhett strode down the hall, his steps determined, his mind awhirl with what he needed to do before close of business today. He almost had Gabriella Durand where he wanted her. Now all she needed to do was sign the contract and she belonged to him—well, Worth Luxury, for the next year.

  He’d just left legal after going over the initial twelve-month contract, making sure the terms were firm but not too firm. Light but not too light that she could take advantage of him. And he certainly didn’t want to take advantage of her.

  She was too damn sweet to play games with.

  If the relationship worked, they would extend the contract at least another year, possibly three total. It was something he’d dreamed of having since he’d initially been given this project. Hire an in-house perfumer that worked for no one else, an absolute rarity these days in lieu of the ease of licensing agreements.

  But Worth Luxury didn’t want to just slap their name on a bottle and call it done. They wanted artistic input. Everything produced by Worth had a similar aesthetic. They didn’t want to change their approach just because they were venturing into new territory. They had a brand to protect, after all.

  “Rhett.”

  He stopped when he heard his name softly called, saw his brother lurking in a short corridor just to the right of him. Frowning, Rhett stepped forward. “Are you all right?”

  “I’d like to talk to you.” Alex went to a closed door and opened it, indicating he wanted Rhett to follow him inside with a wave of his hand. “It won’t be but a few minutes.”

  It was a small room, with only a tiny round table and three chairs around it. Alex didn’t bother sitting and
so neither did Rhett. He watched warily as his brother closed the door.

  “What’s up?” Rhett asked when Alex faced him.

  “You can back out of it now if you want.”

  “Back out of what?”

  “The perfume deal. You don’t have to take it on if you don’t have a firm-enough handle on it. I know how hard it is, trying to make this sort of thing work. I get it.”

  “What…what the hell are you saying?” Emotions surged through him, dark and ugly and he tried to quell the swift rise. Did his brother have no faith in him whatsoever? He expected it from Hunter. Their relationship had been based on that lack of trust for years. But Alex?

  It hurt more than he cared to admit, what Alex was doing.

  “Durand dumped Worth without a word and I’m not blaming you for that. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. Maybe we should go the licensing route after all. It would be a hell of a lot easier and they would still allow us some sort of creative control, I know this for a fact,” Alex explained. “It would take this mess out of your hands and you could pursue the licenser instead. Hell, they’d pursue you. I can name at least four companies off the top of my head that have been dying to get their hands on a fragrance with our name on it for years.”

  “I don’t want to give over the Worth perfume to a licensing company,” Rhett said firmly. “I already hired Gabriella Durand.”

  Alex frowned. “You hired Durand’s daughter?”

  “You gave me creative control over this project, yes?”

  “Well, yes, but I didn’t think you were serious in your pursuit of her. I didn’t even believe you’d made the appointment with her. I had a feeling she just showed up.”

  “When it was clear her father wasn’t going to respond to my endless inquiries, I went in pursuit of her. It just so happens she showed up on the very day we were discussing the project.” He was such an excellent liar, he amazed himself sometimes. He felt like a shit, saying such things to Alex but he had to save his ass.

  Had to look like he knew what the hell he was doing.