Chapter One
Sebastian
“This was a great idea,” Logan says as I sign the papers for our parents’ present. Their thirty-sixth wedding anniversary is coming up in one month.
“It’ll make them happy,” I agree, nodding at my brother. Handing the papers to my assistant, I rise from the chair, pacing my office to stretch my legs. From the seventh floor of the building, I have a great view of San Francisco. One of the perks of being the CEO of my own company is that I get the best office. The second one is that no one dares to contradict me. It gets boring once in a while, but my family is always around to shake things up and remind me they don’t care much about my title.
“So, how many times did Mom ask you if you’re bringing a date?” Logan asks, leaning back in the chair in front of my desk.
“Nine.” My face breaks into a grin. “You?”
He gives a long whistle, crossing his fingers on top of his head. “Only four times. I should consider myself lucky.”
“She’s not giving up, is she?” Shaking my head, I glance at the family photo resting on my desk. Dad looks at Mom with the same loving expression I remember seeing my entire life. Since she’s been happily married to my father for so long, and they raised nine kids together, my mother believes all of us must follow in their footsteps. So far, building a business empire from almost nothing has proven easier than finding what my parents have.
“No, Mom isn’t giving up. And I’m afraid Pippa’s becoming Mom’s right hand. She actually calls us San Francisco’s most eligible bachelors.”
I snort, jamming my hands in my pockets. If my sister Pippa were the only one calling us that, I wouldn’t have a problem. As it is, every damn magazine running an article on Bennett Enterprises mentions most eligible bachelors at some point. That has the unfortunate effect of drawing women to us like moths to a flame. The wrong kind of women—mostly gold diggers and social climbers. I can’t remember the last time I’ve met a real woman.
“Pippa set me up with a hottie last week,” Logan continues. “Hottie turned out to be a bimbo. That dinner was so boring I wanted to poke my eyes out.”
My brother’s tone is even, but his eyes harden when he mentions our sister. Pippa is the only Bennett sibling who was brave enough to marry, and she’s now divorcing. I want to punch that bastard. By the look of Logan, that makes two of us. I suspect her matchmaking attempts for Logan and me are her way of coping.
“Back to Mom and Dad’s present, are you telling them about it now, or do you want to wait until the party?”
“Let’s wait.” Wiggling my eyebrows, I add, “You know, for dramatic effect.”
Thirteen years ago, I asked my parents to sell the ranch where we grew up and hand me the money. I needed capital to start this business. They agreed on the spot. We were piss-poor, and the ranch was everything they had, but they trusted me blindly. It paid off. Bennett Enterprises became one of the world’s major players in high-end jewelry. I’ve taken care of my parents, but I know that giving them back the ranch my father built with his bare hands will be the best damn thing I could ever gift them. The minute I found out it was up for sale, I made an offer on it. Can’t wait to let the rest of my siblings know.
“Sebastian,” my assistant interrupts us, “Ava Lindt has arrived. Should I bring her in here?”
“Yes, bring her in. Let’s meet our new marketing consultant.”
As my assistant leaves the office, Logan says, “I bet Mom will nag you at least two more times about bringing a date.”
“No bet,” I reply. “I know she will.”
Chapter Two
Ava
I enter the office with my chin high, shoving a strand of my blonde hair away from my face. My little navy suit fits this place perfectly. The two men inside greet me with smiles.
Well, damn.
I’ve seen photos online of the Bennett brothers, but I was convinced their looks were at least partly due to some photoshopping. I was wrong; they’re just two very fine specimens of the male variety.
One of them walks up to me and extends his hand. “Ava, I’m Logan.”