The Way You Tempt Me. Elle Wright
beyond her? Three children back-to-back: Larissa, Zara, and Ezekiel. The thought of her brother, Zeke, once again caused a familiar pang in her gut, one that hadn’t gone away in the four years since he’d died.
“Zara, look at me.”
She met her sister’s concerned eyes.
“I’m worried about you. Not because you quit your job, not because you’re moving, but because you cried.”
It was true. She’d phoned her sister to tell her the news earlier and could barely get it out through the uncontrollable sobs and hiccups. Which was so unlike her. “Don’t remind me.” Zara closed her eyes and prayed that she wouldn’t cry another tear over this situation.
“Seriously.” Larissa scooted closer to her. “I think you’re reacting to the stress of losing the promotion, and Larry, and... not having sex for so long.”
Zara’s eyes popped open. “What?”
“It’s been a long time. Did you know that sex has many health benefits?”
“Oh, my God. Shut up, Rissa!”
“It counts as exercise and it lowers your blood pressure. It’s a natural stress reliever.”
“What does my sex life have to do with losing my job?”
Larissa placed a hand on Zara’s knee and squeezed. “You’re so tense. I wonder if you would have chosen to walk away if you were getting busy with someone.”
“I’m not having this conversation. Again, why are you here? Because you’re certainly not helping me feel better.”
“Okay, fine. I’ll just sit here and watch this crappy show with you and eat. But if you need any assistance in the orgasm area, I can hook you up.”
Zara threw her pillow at her sister. “You’re not pimping me out to one of your little friends.”
“No, I wouldn’t do that,” she said with a giggle. “I was talking sex toy.”
Shaking her head, Zara sat up and poured a healthy glass of wine. “And I’m not calling Paityn.” Especially since she’d already purchased a few products from their childhood friend, who’d recently launched a very popular sex product business.
“You’re so stubborn.”
“Rissa, can you just be a sister and hug me?” she said with a grunt and a pout. “That’s what I really need right now.”
Strong arms wrapped around her in an instant, pulling her close. And Zara let her sister hold her. “I’m sorry, sissy. I know you had your heart set on making partner. But there is a bright side.”
“What’s that?”
“You have a chance to step up your game and work under your mentor to expand his company. Talk about résumé builder. You’re only making yourself more marketable.” Larissa worked in human resources for a Fortune 500 company in the area. “That’s something in itself.”
“I don’t want to move.”
“I know. Trust me, the thought of you not being ten minutes away is stressing me the hell out. But you will take your ass to Atlanta and you’ll rock this job like you’ve done everything else in your life. Of that, I’m sure.”
Zara pulled back and gave her sister a wobbly smile. “I guess you are my friend.”
Larissa giggled, then wiped a tear from her cheek. “I guess I am. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Chapter 4
The Pure Talent offices were as beautiful as any Zara had ever seen—floor-to-ceiling windows, open meeting spaces, state-of-the-art equipment, and a gym. And that was just on the first floor. Jax and Ana Starks valued work-life balance and had created a workplace that people wanted to go to in the mornings. Generally, employees could work from anywhere in the building, and there were several shared spaces and plenty private “cubbies” to accommodate them. Every floor had a patio, where staff could relax, and on the fifth floor, there was a “cloud” room, where people could nap. There was a café on the lobby floor and a heavenly coffee kiosk that served the best coffee smoothie she’d ever tasted. People greeted her with smiles, welcoming her to the fold with offers to show her around or help in any way they could.
The hiring process had been smooth and hassle-free. Jax and his team provided a list of condos and apartments in the area the day after she accepted the offer. It had taken three weeks for Zara to find a rental, located within walking distance of the Peachtree offices, near Midtown. Her only requirements were lots of windows, outdoor space, and a private entrance. She didn’t want it to feel like a stuffy high-rise condo, but more like a home.
It had taken five days for her to drive to Atlanta from California, because she wanted to take her time. She’d shipped most of her things ahead, and just wanted time to unwind before she had to move in and unpack. Larissa had insisted on riding with her, so she wouldn’t be on the road alone. Initially, Zara had balked at the idea, because... hello, alone time! But she’d enjoyed the time with her sister. No telling when they’d be able to see each other again. Zara’s schedule always remained jam-packed with meetings, games, phone calls; she didn’t expect it would be much different at Pure Talent. The job was the same.
“Hey, Z-Ra!”
Zara smiled at Skye. Her best friend was the only one in the world that called her by that name, and it was only because Zara had insisted she would be the next She-Ra, Princess of Power. “Hey, boo.”
Skye hugged her. “I’ve been waiting on you to finish that tour, so I can show you to your office.” She pulled back. “Let me look at you. You look fine and fabulous, as usual.”
“Girl, it was a struggle. But speaking of fine and fabulous, you are wearing that dress.”
Skye had always marched to the beat of her drum as far as fashion. The black tie-neck shift dress fit her slender body like she’d had it custom made. A pair of black pumps showed off her long legs. Zara had always considered her best friend one of the most beautiful people she’d ever met, with her smooth mocha skin and dark brown hair. Her mother was Marisol P, top Filipina fashion designer. And Marisol had definitely influenced Skye’s distinct sense of style. Even when her friend went simple, she looked glamorous.
“I’m glad you didn’t go with blue,” Skye told her.
“Really?” Zara smoothed her hair back. Navy blue was her go-to color, other than black. But she’d decided to shake things up. After trying on a dozen outfits set out by Larissa, she’d chosen a burgundy pencil skirt paired with a beige loose-fitting cowl neck sweater and beige pumps. “I was thinking I should have worn a coat.” Although it wasn’t cold in Atlanta, it wasn’t the sixty-nine-degree weather she’d left behind in Los Angeles.
Her friend waved a dismissive hand at her. “You’ll be fine. Fifty-eight degrees isn’t freezing cold. We’re not in Michigan.”
“You’re right.” She fiddled with her watch. “I haven’t been nervous to start a job ever. Not sure why this is different.”
Skye motioned for her to follow her. A plethora of paintings lined the walls leading to the bay of elevators. Zara couldn’t help but stop and admire a few of the pieces along the way.
“What time is your meeting with Uncle Jax?” Skye asked, typing something on her phone. “I wanted to take you to lunch.”
“He mentioned he would be in touch, once I settled into my office.”
“I made sure IT hooked you up with three monitors and a new laptop. We’re phasing out Dell and moving to HP. Oh, your assistant will start tomorrow. I was hoping Bethany would come with you. But I get it. It’s a big move. Anyway, you’ll love Patrice. She’s one of the best.”
Zara