Jack
“Everly.”I nod and smile at her again. She still looks flustered by our exchange, and I can’t say that rattling the steel reserve that she portrays, at least in business, based on her reputation, definitely turns me on. But I’m fucked up like that. I wonder how often someone catches her off guard? My guess is practically never.
Righting herself, she takes on an entirely new stance, as if she’s ready to strike. Her body language changes, standing taller, her expression blank. She doesn’t say anything else. Instead, she grabs an apple from the oversized refrigerator and takes a bite, leaning back against the counter next to it. With still reddened cheeks, she lifts her eyes and gives me a tight-lipped smile. She’s going to try and knock me down now, and I’m watching as she readies to go full alpha on me.Bring it, beautiful.
“Jack. The photographer.” She says it accusingly. Almost disrespectfully. Unaware of the level of success I’ve achieved, I’ll let her have her moment. Gain her footing.
“Among other things, but yes. The photographer,” I say right back.
“I know my brother has high expectations for what you’re able to do with our brand.” Lifting her left shoulder, she takes another bite. “I’m not so easily convinced.” She leans forward to speak more softly, just to me. “I’m also not interested in flirting, Mr. Deacon. Keep it professional, and we’ll be good. ’Kay?” Her voice kicks up more cheerfully, and she smiles widely.
I nod. “It’s your show, Miss Riggs.”
The truth is, I know as much as there is to know about the Riggs family. Luce is a cross between an agent, personal assistant, and detective. She does thorough research on all the businesses before I sign any contracts. Riggs Outdoor Sports and Adventures has a board of directors that encourages the company’s growth and approves big moves. Asher Riggs, however, holds fifty-one percent share. That means he can veto when the board tries to take his legacy in the wrong direction. He hasn’t let it happen yet. I sayyetbecause, at some point, most if not all companies fall off their proverbial cliff.
It started as a little storefront, renting and selling winter sports gear, but over the past decade, it has more than grown, it’s flourished. Now, with all four of the kids taking hold of different seasonal sports and departments, the company has expanded into multiple categories, far beyond where it first started. Part of the company’s appeal is that it offers extreme sporting adventures all year long. And there is also an indoor facility at Riggs headquarters for prep and training.
On top of that, the company sells a unique clothing apparel line, with new styles for each season, all with the Riggs name attached. The apparel is a hot commodity, and it’s completely original from an unknown source. Riggs stopped selling competitor clothing and accessories altogether, and now they only sell their own brand. And the brand sells wildly. It’s made a splash with a ton of professional, elite-level athletes, giving the big brands a nervous tick. A disruption I haven’t witnessed before, and it has the industry buzzing with anxious excitement. I know most of the athletes who swear by the Riggs brand. I’ve seen the goods up close. Hell, I have a pair of their sweats and they’re nice, better than nice, if I’m being honest.
The fact of the matter is, Riggs Outdoor is on the cusp of being the hot ticket, and it’s the name on everyone’s lists as a business to mimic. When Law reached out to Luce, I was already half sold on the job just by hearing their name. Needless to say, its projection for growth is on track, but it needs a visual and branding upgrade to keep that momentum. That’s why I’m here. Elevating what a company is already good at is an area in which I’m well-versed. Most of the time, it’s why I’m hired. Law knows it, but without ruffling too many feathers internally, he asked for that evaluation and plan discreetly. As far as the rest of the Riggs team knows, I’m simply a photographer and designer, here to amplify their appeal.
The internet only provided surface-level details about each of the Riggs siblings. The details mostly listed well-curated public relations, including some charity items the company participates in annually and collaborations with sponsored athletes. And because it’s a family business, with a handful of thirty-somethings who are all very good looking, the social media chatter was heavy. Even heavier with pictures of the Riggs men. Ranging from their countless dates to working out, and even more on slopes, rivers, and hikes, doing what they do best. Playing in and selling the fun of the outdoors. It’s done well, but I can help them do it better.
The brunette standing across from me, squared off as if she’s about to either climb me or kick me, had the least personal information to find. She didn’t have many pictures available, and the ones that were posted didn’t do her much justice. Most of the pictures were headshots for the business and an old resume profile, a random few of her climbing or skiing with her brothers, and then a couple with her father at industry events. I have a feeling even if there were more to find, I still wouldn’t have been prepared to face off with this kamikaze of a woman. She’s pure confidence and fire. But I’m just arrogant enough to know that I set her off-balance, and now I can’t help but think about pushing the kinds of buttons that might just make her keep her attention in my direction.
She’s impressive, to begin with, but also knowing that she’s been at the helm of this business for the past handful of years is intimidating. Everly is the one in the driver's seat, moving it all forward. They don’t cut corners. Anyone who has done business with Riggs Outdoor raves about their ethics and the return, and because of that, she’s widely respected. There aren’t many people who can remain well respected within their company, have a high retention rate, and still procure the kind of growth she has. She’s a force.
I can’t stop looking at her. I keep noticing small things that emphasize her beauty, like the fullness of her mouth, with a perfectly shaped bow making it look like a plump heart, and the dip of her waist that tells me her hips and ass are bite-worthy. If you add the physical to all that I know about her professionally, I’m left with a hard-on and a blooming crush.Not my style.
And it’s only been about five minutes. I’ve already imagined what it would feel like to rub my hands along her body. Explore what kinds of things she likes. How her voice would change when she’s turned on. Does she get breathy, or more talkative? Is she shy, or would she tell me what she wants?
She knows that I can’t stop looking at her and she’s trying incredibly hard tonotlook at me now.Cute.
She clears her throat, knocking me out of my head. “Where’s Michael?”
Law doesn’t turn or even respond to her right away. Instead, he concentrates on making our drinks. “He’s around here somewhere. Here!” Law places two scotch glasses in front of us. “Tell me if this isn’t the best Old Fashioned you’ve ever had.”
She mumbles, “Almost,” before taking a sip.
“Everly!” another voice yells from somewhere else in the house. Maybe from upstairs? I haven’t figured out how many people actually live here. Apparently, a few of them. Maybe all of the Riggs siblings?
“We are set for the gym after dinner. I’ve got our climbing gear in my car.” A succession of thumping sounds comes barreling down the main stairs from the other side of the house. A tall, lean guy with a top-knot charges into the kitchen without acknowledging that I’m in the room, then continues. “You blew me off, so I decided you’re also going to go back to the gym with me again today to make up for making me worry.”
“Dude, don’t be rude.” Law stares at him. He doesn’t look at Law, only at Everly, but Law keeps talking. “Jack is the brand guy, the photographer. He had the proposal for the new look that we all really liked. He’s staying in the pool house. Remember, we talked about this.”
Michael continues to ignore Law. I don’t know why, but it makes me laugh. Instead of responding to his brother, he stares at Everly and says, “Ev, I can’t answer Law until you confirm that you’re not blowing me off again. Gym. Climbing. You had yoursextime. Now, back to business. Why aren’t you answering me?”
Her eyes widen at him. And then she glances at me with flushed cheeks. “Michael, you know better.”
He just looks at her, tilting his chin up.
She lets out a harsh breath. “Fine! I’ll go. You’rebuying dinner. And what are you, a teenager? Who says sex time?”
I’m trying so hard not to laugh. The awkwardness of this entire discussion makes the elusive Riggs family much more human. Not at all what you’d expect in a business meeting, but exactly what you find between siblings. I can tell this isn’t how Everly does business. She’s very clearly pissed off and trying to mask her discomfort.
Michael doesn’t smile, but the change in his tone is obvious, now more pleasant than annoyed, as he turns to me and says, “Jack. Nice to meet you.” He holds out a hand to shake. “Michael. Most of what you’re shooting next week is in my arena...” Ticking off on his fingers, he goes on. “Hiking, climbing, base jumping, fishing, and ATVs. I don’t like spending my personal time with people I don’t know, so I’d like to keep things professional. I’m sure Law can keep your social time busy when we’re not at the office. No offense, I just like to do my own thing. I feel like it’s better to lay that out instead of you wondering if I just don’t like you.”
“All good. I’m happy to keep it professional.” I flick my eyes over to the gorgeous brunette who has my pulse ticking up. “I appreciate you opening your home to me, but I’m here to work. I won’t be in anyone's way.”
Everly clears her throat, and I think I even hear her scoff. Likely at my comment about being professional. The noise draws my attention back in her direction. Damn, she’s beautiful. Her hair is a wild mess on the top of her head, but it allows me to take in her big hazel eyes, swirling with browns and greens, and that plush mouth. She has a small beauty mark above her lip that screams sexy. The tight black skirt, which seems like it's leftover from the night before, frames the lower half of her hourglass shape. Her calves are toned and...Shit. She catches me raking my eyes down her body.
With her gaze now locked on mine, she says, “I use the pool house apartment as my home office too, so can you let me know if you’re not going to be there for long stretches?”
“Not a problem.” I smile. She drags her eyes from my lips down my body and back up again, almost as a response to my obvious gawking. She smirks and leaves the kitchen. Touché.
Law claps me on the shoulder. “Let's give you the tour, and then I can help you get settled. Oh, and we should definitely grab drinks after dinner tonight. It’s the best time to go out. The film festival is in town, which means fresh faces.” He wiggles his eyebrows.
“I’m in.”