Layer by Layer (Riggins Brothers Book 1) Read online

  “Good.” He nods. “I’m not near as needy as my brother, but we will work together from time to time. However, that goes both ways. If I can ever do anything for you…” His eyes sweep over my body, head to toe before his eyes collide with mine once more. “I’m your guy.”

  “All right, Casanova, the tour must go on. You”—Gail points at him—“behave.” His deep throaty chuckle follows us out of his office and down the hall to the next. “This side of the hallway houses three conference rooms.” Gail motions to the right as we continue down the hall.

  “This is Conrad’s office. He’s the CIO, the Chief Information Officer. He oversees all aspects of IT. He’s the one who set up all of your log-ins and passwords. He’s on the phone, so we’ll catch him later today. Conrad is the second to the youngest brother,” she explains as she peeks her head through the doorway and waves.

  A few more steps and we reach the end of the hall. “This is Marshall’s office. He’s the youngest of the five and is our CMO. As Chief Marketing Officer, he handles marketing for all of our locations. He’s out meeting with a new vendor for marketing materials this morning. We’ll catch up with him later as well.”

  “You know all of their schedules?” I ask her.

  “Yes. But not because it’s my job. Only because I’m the one who’s been filling in for Sam. You will have access to each of their calendars, and they will often request for you to schedule or reschedule meetings for them. That’s the majority of the work you will do for everyone except for Royce. He’s constantly meeting with potential franchise owners and current owners as well. He will lean on you heavily.” She must see the apprehension in my eyes. “Don’t worry. It’s not near as overwhelming as it sounds. I’m always a phone call away, and so is Sam. In fact, I’ve set up a meeting with the three of us tomorrow. We’re having a virtual lunch since she’s on bed rest.”

  “Tomorrow, lunch with Sam. Got it.” I nod, taking a mental note.

  “It’s already on your calendar.” Gail grins.

  “I have a calendar?”

  She chuckles. “Definitely. Come on. Let’s go get you settled in.”

  The next four hours fly by. I’ve already taken a few pages worth of notes and learned to operate the phone system. Thankfully, since it’s just me and the five brothers on this floor, there are only three lines that are inbound lines, with an additional six lines that are outgoing. Surely I can handle that.

  “Are you about ready for a break?” Gail asks, standing and stretching. “Lunch is on us today. It should be here any minute. I ordered it yesterday.” As if her words summoned the delivery, the elevator pings, and the whooshing sound of the doors sliding open fill the silence of the floor.

  “I have a delivery for Gail Hines,” a young woman says.

  “That’s me.” Gail stands and signs the credit card slip and takes the three large bags from her. “This way.” She motions for me to follow her as she leads us down the hall to one of three conference rooms on this floor. This is the largest if I remember correctly from my earlier tour.

  “That’s a lot of food for just the two of us,” I comment as she sets the bags on the large conference room table.

  “That it is. It’s a good thing the boys are joining us.”

  It’s hilarious that she refers to them as boys. From what I’ve seen, there isn’t anything boyish about them. The Riggins brothers are hot as hell. Speaking of the Riggins brothers, I hear a rumble of deep voices that grow louder as they get closer to the conference room. I busy myself pulling the boxed lunches from the bags. I’m nervous about being face-to-face with Royce again.

  “They’re all the same. Just set them around the table and the boys will follow.”

  Doing as she asks, I begin to place a box in front of each chair. My heart races as I think about me in a room with Royce and his hot-as-hell brothers. I’m not sure my lady bits can handle all that hotness in one room.

  I should have googled them before today. Then I would have had time to process the fact that my bosses are all drop-dead gorgeous. All five of them. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. That would have also helped me with Royce. I would have recognized him, surely. Hindsight is twenty-twenty, right? There was so much to do in Seattle. Gail wanted me to start right away, and since I didn’t need to give notice, I packed up my things, broke the lease on my apartment, which cost me an arm and a leg, shipped my belongings, and got on a plane, all in a matter of days.

  “Have a seat.” Gail pats the spot at the long conference table next to the one she now occupies.

  Grateful to be sitting next to her, needing her as an ally, I take the seat beside hers, and we begin to unpack our boxed lunches. “This looks great. Thank you,” I tell her. I’m starving, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to eat, knowing that I’ll have five sets of sexy eyes on me in no time. Speaking of those five sets of eyes, their deep voices are growing closer by the second.

  “I swear those boys are a rambunctious bunch when they’re all together.” Gail chuckles. “Always have been. Their momma, Lena, she’s a saint of a woman raising those five.” There is nothing but fondness in her tone. It tells me that she’s not only been with the company for years but the family. I can tell they are more than just an employer to her.

  I don’t have time to comment before the first one steps into the room, followed by the other four. I stop what I’m doing and stare at each of them as they take seats around the table. My palms are suddenly sweaty, and my chest is rising a little faster as my breathing accelerates. I was nervous for today, starting a new job. Not once in any of my scenarios did I imagine myself sitting across from Royce and his brothers. All five of the sexy, suit-clad, gorgeous men. It’s more than I bargained for.

  Turning, I look to Gail. “Thank you for lunch,” I say politely. I know I’ve already thanked her, but I need to focus on something other than the panel of men who are sitting across from me.

  “Of course, we’re going to feed you lunch on your first day. Anytime you order for these guys”—Gail points across the table—“add something for yourself as well.”

  “Oh, that’s not necessary,” I tell her.

  She waves me off and turns her attention to the men in the room. “Your formal introduction. This is Sawyer Gibson. She’s taking over for Samantha. I sent you all an email this morning, briefing you that Sam has agreed to train her remotely. Something I’m sure you are all grateful for.” I can hear the smile in her voice.

  The guys all mumble their agreement that they were aware of my existence and the fact that Sam will be training me. Royce stares at me for a few seconds longer than the others before busying himself with his lunch. Oh, how I wish I would have done a little research. Maybe then, I wouldn’t be so intimidated by the line of Adonis-looking men staring at me. I would have known who he was on the plane, and I would have known that there were four others just like him.

  “Now, let’s go down the line, shall we?” She looks at me, and I nod my agreement. “Royce, Owen, Conrad, Grant, and Marshall.” She points out each one as she says their names.

  The pictures in the folder that she gave me don’t do justice to the real thing. How am I going to work with all five of them every day, all day long? I wipe my sweaty palms on my skirt. I don’t know if it’s nerves or the fact that five very attractive men are watching me intently.

  “So, Sawyer, what’s your background?” one of them asks me. I have no idea which one he is. The only name, and face I remember is Royce. I chance a look at him, and he’s watching me, waiting for my reply. I think it’s Grant. Damn, I wish I would have been more prepared.

  “I worked at a law firm in Seattle as an administrative assistant.”

  “What did you do there?” another asks. I think this one is Owen, but I can’t be sure.

  “Everything,” I say with a small nervous laugh. “Answered the phone, scheduled meetings and appointments for ten attorneys. Prepared meeting rooms, filed depositions, coordinated hearings with
the courthouse, got lunch, coffee, snacks. You name it, I did it.”

  “I’m surprised you left with that kind of responsibility. I’m Conrad, by the way.” He winks. My confusion as to who is who must be apparent. “Don’t worry. You’ll learn all of us eventually.”

  “Sorry,” I say sheepishly. “Gail gave me a cheat sheet, but we’ve been so busy today, I didn’t have time to study it.” I give him what I hope is a confident smile. “As far as the job, there were… issues. Things I didn’t agree with, and I felt it was time that I leave the company.”

  “So you weren’t prepared for your first day?” This comes from Royce. “What kind of issues?” he adds.

  Sexy, brooding, and 100 percent the alpha CEO I’m sure he’s known for. Good to know, I think, as I take mental notes about each brother. He’s nothing like my Royce from the plane. “I knew that Riggins Enterprises was family-owned and operated, but I did not know to what extent. I felt it was important to learn the company and the owners firsthand, not read and fall into what very well could be false from the internet.” I keep my shoulders straight and maintain eye contact.

  “Our company website would have been a good place to start,” he counters.

  I nod. “You’re right. I did skim over the website, but your pictures are not there.”

  “They are.”

  “No, I’m sorry, but they’re not,” I counter. I’ve been steamrolled enough by men in power. I won’t do it here. No matter how bad I want or need this job.

  “She’s right,” Conrad chimes in. “We agreed it was time to update the pictures of each of us. The last one was when Marshall still looked like a baby right out of college.” He smirks at his brother. I make another mental note that Marshall is the youngest.

  “Fu—” Marshall starts. “Forget you,” he quickly corrects, making Conrad throw his head back in laughter.

  I ignore both of them and keep my eyes locked on Royce. I raise an eyebrow waiting for him to say I was right. He doesn’t.

  “What issues?” he asks.

  I watch as he leans back in his black leather chair and crosses his arms over his chest. His brown eyes stare at me intently, waiting for an answer. This time I do break eye contact to glance over at Gail. She gives me a nod and a comforting smile that tells me I should be honest with him. “I hate to talk ill of my previous employer.”

  “As your current employer, I demand it,” Royce counters.

  I nod, take a deep breath, and slowly exhale. “I was tired of my boss making passes at me. I was tired of the sexual comments that would fly from his mouth daily. I was tired of feeling objectified as a woman.” I watch as Royce’s jaw tightens, just the slightest bit. He otherwise seems unaffected by my confession.

  “How long did you work there?” Marshall asks.

  “Four years.”

  “Enough interrogation,” Gail speaks up. “Let’s just enjoy the rest of our lunch. Sawyer and I have lots of work to get through this afternoon.” That’s an excuse, and we all know it. I pull my focus from Royce to the boxed lunch in front of me and begin to eat. I don’t make eye contact with any of them as they start to talk amongst themselves. I just hope I didn’t screw up and lose my job.

  Gail and I make small talk about the programs I’ve used in the past, and the job duties that I held at the Sanders, Bower & Green Agency. This is all stuff that we discussed in my interview, but as we talk, she correlates each task to something similar here at Riggins that I will be responsible for. It helps weld my past experiences into my new position. It also helps me relax and let the conversation with Royce settle in the back of my mind.

  I’m thankful for both.

  Royce is the first to stand. “I have to get back to work.” He nods at Gail. “Thank you for lunch,” he tells her, tossing his trash, and walking out of the room. He doesn’t even spare a glance at me.

  One by one, each of them agrees, and thank both Gail and me for lunch, and disappear down the hall.

  “I’m sorry,” I say as soon as it’s just Gail and me. “I didn’t mean to talk that way to him. I’ll be sure to apologize.” I let my emotions get the best of me. I have to let the Royce I thought I knew go. Besides, none of these guys are my slime ball of an ex-boss. At least not that I know of. I was out of line.

  “You’ll do no such thing. Royce was being an ass. He knows it, we all know it. He needs someone who’s going to stand up to him. That’s why he and Sam got along so well. She didn’t take his snide comments to heart, and she gave it back to him. He needs someone strong-willed and trustworthy. I believe we’ve found that in you. Just don’t go falling in love and getting knocked up by any of his friends.” She laughs. “He’s been even more of a grumpy bear ever since. As soon as the two of you get into a routine, it will all work itself out.”

  I’m not sure I believe her, but I nod and clean up my trash, tossing it into the now full trash can on our way back to my desk. The afternoon passes by in a blur of information. It’s a lot to learn, but I’m up for the challenge. On the drive home, I think about how I acted and vow that tomorrow, no matter what happens, I’m not going to let Royce or any of the Riggins brothers get under my skin.

  I’m a professional. I can do this.

  I think.

  Chapter 2

  Royce

  I’m exhausted. I barely slept a wink last night, and for the first time in years, it wasn’t because I was too buried in my work to bother to go to bed. No, this time, it was the blonde beauty that has done nothing but consume my thoughts since the moment I met her. The same blonde beauty that is my new assistant. I spent hours running every scenario over in my mind. Did she know who I was on the plane? Was she faking her fear? I quickly determine that no way could she have done that. I’d felt the panic coming off her in waves. It was real. No matter how I spun it in my mind, I still came to the same conclusion. Sawyer didn’t know who I was. Fate is a motherfucker like that. Send me a woman who enthralls me, and then surprise, she’s your new assistant.

  Fuck my life.

  Stepping into the elevator, I hit the button that will take me to the top floor. I watch as the numbers climb, thinking about everything on my schedule and everything that’s not but still needs to get done today. I’m already feeling Sam’s absence and Sawyer’s presence. To say that I was flabbergasted when I walked off the elevator and saw her with Gail is an understatement.

  In my mind, Sawyer was going to be mine. After years of not being interested, she lit a spark inside me. I waited all weekend for her call, the one that never came. I was surly to her yesterday, unintentionally. However, at work, I can’t be the sweet guy who helped her overcome a panic attack. I have to be a leader. Not to mention, I was already in a sour mood because she never called.

  Fucking Jase. I blame him for this. He had to relentlessly pursue Sam, and eventually knock her up. He’s lucky that she’s in love with him, and he with her, or I’d have to make his life hell. Who am I kidding? I’ll do that anyway. That’s what best friends are for, right? Besides, he did this. He put Sawyer in my path, on the plane, in the seat next to me. He made me push a few bricks from my sturdily constructed walls and open up to her. This is all on Jase.

  That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.

  The elevator doors slide open, and I step off. I make my way around the corner and freeze. There in front of me is an ass shaking in the air. Not just any ass, no, this one is spectacular. Round and tight, an ass that makes a man want to fall to his knees and worship. Before I can speak a word, the owner of the ass stands and turns to face me.

  “Oh, Mr. Riggins, I mean, Royce, good morning.” A red-faced, flustered Sawyer stumbles over her words as she greets me.

  “Sawyer.” I acknowledge her and stare down at the floor to a potted plant. “What are you doing?”

  “The plant was dying. I took it down to repot it.” She points at the corner of the desk where the plant used to be. “I noticed it was too big for the pot, but now I can’t seem to lift it ba
ck up there.” She bends over again, giving me another grand view of her fine ass.

  “You came in early to repot a plant?” I ask, needing clarification.

  “Yes. I’m always early, and I noticed that this thing needed some love, or it was going to die.”

  “So, you what? Lugged up a new bigger pot and potting soil?” Again, I need to make sure I understand the situation I just walked in on. She’s a little thing to be lugging all that around. I don’t like the thought of her struggling, but I push it down.

  “Yes, well, not exactly. Harvey at the door helped me. He had a dolly, which made it so much easier,” she explains, and then leans over the pot and tries to lift it.

  “Move.” My voice is deep, and the one-word command is taken as such as she huffs and stands, stepping out of the way. With ease, I bend down and lift the potted plant. “Where do you want it?” I ask her.

  “There, on the corner where it was.” She motions toward the corner of her desk.

  “Isn't this thing too big to be sitting there?”

  “Am I allowed to move it?” she asks.

  “Now you ask permission?” I shake my head.

  “Well, I think it would look nice there, by the seating.” She points to the small row of chairs where guests wait to meet with one of my brothers or me.

  “Are you sure that’s where you want it?”

  “Isn’t that… heavy?” she asks. Her eyes rake over me as if she sees under my clothes. My body heats and my cock twitches. Just days ago, I wanted nothing more than those green eyes to devour me. And those soft hands, I wanted them everywhere. I still do.

  “No.” I carry the potted plant with ease to where she pointed next to the guest seating.

  “Perfect. Thank you, Royce.”

  Is it just me or does my name seductively roll off her tongue? Did I forget to mention that in addition to a great ass, my new assistant is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid my eyes on? It sounds like a good problem to have, right? Beautiful woman at my beck and call. It’s not. Trust me.