“Lucas…Chandler,” he said, adding his last name as an afterthought as he reached out to shake my hand.
Oh my God. Even his voice was sexy. Low with a subtle gruffness, it sent a shiver through me. When his palm closed around mine, his touch was a hot shock. It traveled up my arm and radiated through my body. His grip was strong and firm.
“Sophia Dawson. Nice to meet you,” I managed, thankful he didn’t know me well enough to know my voice didn’t usually sound breathy.
“Likewise,” he said with a nod. “Have a seat.”
Chapter 2
Lucas
Sophia Dawson sat across from me. I’d expected to hate her on sight. Instead, I found I could look at her all day. Her auburn hair hung loosely around her shoulders. Her wide brown eyes held mine, her expression careful. I sensed she wanted to look away, but she wouldn’t. I’d seen the stupid ad Danny drafted, so I knew she must assume she needed to hold her ground with me. The moment my thoughts spun in that direction, annoyance flashed through me.
“Danny tells me I should call you Lucas. Is that so?” the tempting Sophia asked.
I leaned back in my chair and nodded. “Yes. I find it obnoxious to have the people I see daily call me Mr. Chandler.”
She swallowed and crossed her legs. I had to force my eyes away from her legs. I considered what to say. I hadn’t the least interest in PR. In fact, I’d have been content to tell the media to go straight to hell.
I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “I'm sure it's been made clear to you that I don't really want you here,” I said.
I wasn’t one for wasting time dancing around uncomfortable topics.
Sophia didn’t miss a beat. “I’m aware of that,” she said smoothly.
Danny shook his head and rolled his eyes. “I told her I wrote the ad. She was crazy enough to apply, so obviously she's aware,” he said with a grin.
I didn’t know what I’d do without Danny. Not only was he a fantastic personal assistant, he was a friend and had been for years. I trusted him completely. I couldn’t help but smile at his comment. “You made me sound like an asshole.”
“Well, you can be when it comes to the press,” Danny countered quickly. “That's why you need Sophia.”
I glanced to Sophia and leaned back into my chair. “So I do. Need you, that is. My board doesn't appreciate my attitude with the press. I keep trying to tell them we have plenty of money, but they're greedy and they want more. Normally, I would ignore them, but I’m starting to realize perhaps it might be better if I had someone else take care of the media for me.”
Sophia watched me quietly. I could’ve lost myself in her eyes. A rich, chocolate brown, her gaze was almost hypnotic.
Restless, I stood abruptly. “I'll send you the details of an upcoming interview. I'd like a summary of your recommendations. I'd also like you to vet any interviewers in advance and ensure certain questions are off-limits. My personal life and that of anyone in my family is completely off limits.”
I started to turn away, but her voice spun me back.
“Excuse me.”
When I turned, she was standing. “You do understand that your refusal to discuss your personal life only creates more curiosity about it, correct?” she asked.
I beat back the anger rising inside and nodded sharply. “I do, but I don't like it. If you can’t manage that, then what’s the point?”
She didn’t back down, although I could see a flicker of anxiety in her eyes. “No one likes it, but perhaps if you let me help, you can control the narrative rather than allow the press to spin their own.”
“Perhaps. But I don't want to talk about my former fiancé and that's the only thing anybody ever asks about. That and my father. I’m sure you’re aware we don’t speak,” I explained, not caring that my words came out sharp and staccato.
“I understand, but perhaps if you answer a few questions, people will stop asking them,” she added.
I was momentarily distracted at the sight of her blouse stretching across her breasts when she took a deep breath. So distracted, my cock twitched.
It was like a hitch in a step for my brain before it kicked into gear again. That annoyed the hell out of me. Focus wasn’t one of my problems.
I stared at her for a moment before spinning around and stalking to the windows. I fixed my gaze on the ocean in the distance, its waters ruffled by the breeze. Despite the fact I had enough sense she was probably right, I didn’t care to answer just now.
Danny murmured something and then started to escort her out.