Choice Matters (Southern Heat Book 1) Read online

  CHOICE MATTERS

  Southern Heat 1

  Jamie Salisbury

  Erotic Romance

  Secret Cravings Publishing

  www.secretcravingspublishing.com

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  A Secret Cravings Publishing Book

  Erotic Romance

  Choice Matters

  Copyright © 2014 Jamie Salisbury

  E-book ISBN: 978-1-63105-277-4

  First E-book Publication: August 2014

  Cover design by Dawné Dominique

  Edited by Tabitha Bower

  Proofread by Renee Waring

  All cover art and logo copyright © 2014 by Secret Cravings Publishing

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  PUBLISHER

  Secret Cravings Publishing

  www.secretcravingspublishing.com

  Dedication

  My "muse" for Apolo Choice, Mackenzie Kennedy, who left us far too soon. There are many people I should thank...Liam, C-boy, DC...the list goes on and on. You know who you are, my faithful warriors who beta read and make suggestions, or in some cases rip it apart. Without all of you and your feedback, none of this would be possible. Thank you.

  And a huge Thank You to my readers!

  The Cravings Ebook Club

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  Have you heard about the newest idea in ebooks, the ebook club? Secret Cravings Publishing has two ebook clubs, The Cravings Ebook Club or the Cravings Paranormal Ebook Club, and we invite you to become a member.

  As a new member, you will receive Trouble With a Cowboy* by Sandy Sullivan and Blood Kisses** by H.N. Sieverding FREE, just for joining!

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  *Trouble With a Cowboy, a western, erotic romance:

  18 wheels had her heart until one hard-up cowboy found her kickin' up her heels and propositions her to take his bull to Vegas.

  Jacie Hawkins drives big wheelers for a livin'. Something not a lot of women do. Littleton Oklahoma is just a dry stopover for a few hours of rest and relaxation at the nearest bar. Jacie needs to find a hot cowboy to release some of her pent up frustrations on for the night, but wannabe's aren't her style.

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  Can some slashed tires and an ornery bull bring two hard-headed people together for some fun in the sun and a little more?

  **Blood Kisses (Nightwalkers 1), paranormal erotic romance:

  Ashleigh Brown, the author of the popular Nightwalkers series, lives a quiet life free of the limelight. She keeps her real identity secret by writing under the pen name, Victoria Allure. She soon finds herself in a bind when she's kidnapped by a group of handsome vampires seeking Victoria. She then agrees to meet their Master, who's a huge fan of her books. But instead of meeting him, she accidentally crosses paths with her rock star crush. He is the sexy muse behind Nightwalkers and the man she based the hero in the series upon. She would do anything to meet him but little does she know her crush has a secret…

  We will try to match your books to your preferences, however, if you’re a major paranormal fan, we suggest you join the Cravings Paranormal Club. Everything is the same except that three of your four books will be paranormal. The remaining book will be of a different genre.

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  CHOICE MATTERS

  Southern Heat series 1

  Jamie Salisbury

  Copyright © 2014

  Chapter One

  Caitlyn

  It was bizarre to say the least, how random the interviews were. No one knew who would be next, and everyone was fair game. I’d heard plenty about Apolo Choice in the four years since I’d come to work at Choice Enterprises. Rumors, innuendos…I was never sure where the stories left off and the real man began. Oh sure, he sat in on many a merger and acquisitions meeting.

  Our interaction though has been merely professional. A handshake, perhaps some words of praise. As far as the man himself? That’s as close as I’ve ever gotten.

  Apolo Choice owns half of the city of Atlanta, if not more. Or at least that’s how the story goes. His reach spreads far into the surrounding cities and counties that make up the rest of Georgia.

  Still, I’d never met him on a personal level. Oh I’d seen photos, plenty of them. He was a regular in the tabloids as well as the Atlanta society pages. Apolo Choice was, after all, one of most eligible bachelors in the world. He was, as they say, a hot commodity. All the women wanted him, but none had him. Mr. Choice, it seemed, kept his private life deep undercover, dark and mysterious.

  The interviews were rumored to be for that of his right hand man or woman, as he had promoted Nick Jacobs to run the London branch. As soon as Nick was out the door, the search began. It was said that Apolo Choice knew talent mere seconds after speaking with a person. He was aware he had an entire building full of it, and this was where he would go first. Al
l outsiders’ sparkling resumes were tossed aside into a file. Just in case.

  Now, here I was, seated in his outer office, waiting to be summoned by one of the world’s premier business moguls. I smiled nervously over at Renee, his assistant of more years than I had been at Choice Enterprises.

  “Are you sure I can’t get you something, Caitlyn? A bottle of water or a Coke? Coffee, perhaps?”

  “No, I’m fine. Thanks, though.” I glanced up at her. She was older, in her early forties. Her hair was thick, highlighted blonde, and hung at her shoulders. Her dark brown eyes accented her face. It would be hard to guess she wasn’t a natural blonde in one fashion or another. The navy suit she wore probably cost half what I made in a week.

  Meanwhile, I was decked out in my black pencil skirt and white blouse with matching black pumps. I was quite sure they had come from stores Renee hadn’t stepped into in years.

  A moment later, one of the lights on her phone lit up. Taking the handset in her elegantly manicured hand, the woman spoke softly. In the next instant, she returned the receiver to its place and stood. “If you’ll follow me, Mr. Choice will see you now.”

  I followed her to a closed door that appeared to be at the start of a long hallway. She knocked lightly before opening it, standing against the dark mahogany as she gestured to the two seats situated in front of a large chrome and glass desk. The occupant, Apolo Choice, had his back to us, his attention focused on whoever he was speaking with on the phone.

  The door shut behind us, and I stared out at the downtown view of Atlanta skyscrapers through the windows.

  “Good afternoon, Ms. White.” The chair swung around, and before me was the most perfect looking man God has ever made. Apolo Choice did indeed live up to his name. Dark, dangerous, and handsome, if those qualities are possible all in one. Piercing, graphite colored eyes jumped out at me. His mink brown hair lay perfectly on the collar of his crisp, white shirt.

  He stood, unfolding his lean, muscular frame from his seat. It was obvious the man worked out and enjoyed the outdoors. He had a perfect tan. Everything about him seemed to be perfect.

  I stood, making sure my pencil skirt was as straight and professional looking as possible. I extended my hand in his direction. “Good afternoon, Mr. Choice.” I stumbled over my words a little, trying not to make an idiot out of myself.

  His handshake was firm and professional. I noted his hand was well manicured, but then I imagined he was that way all over. I took his cue and sat, staying upright in the middle of the chair, not wanting to look too uncaring.

  “So, Ms. White, I see you’ve worked for us for the past four years in mergers and acquisitions and that you were made the assistant department head recently. I take it you’re comfortable with that?”

  “Yes, yes, I am. It seemed like a natural fit, bringing recently purchased or acquired firms and blending them into Choice Enterprises.”

  “But not so natural for some folks. You can’t have a soft heart, as you well know. There is a not-so-pleasant side to it all. But you seem to make people feel at ease through the process. I admire that.”

  I tried not to appear too shocked by his off-the-cuff compliment. From what I had found out about Apolo Choice through internet research was that he rarely, if ever, gave out praise. Still, I hadn’t a clue as to why he had sought me out. But the man was not one for small talk, apparently.

  “Ms. White…Caitlyn. May I call you ‘Caitlyn’?”

  I nodded my head absentmindedly in agreement. Who was this man? What powers did he possess? Because he certainly had me under his spell, whatever it was.

  “Caitlyn, I’m sure you’ve heard the gossip and rumors going around about the position I’m looking to fill.” He stopped, leaning back in his seat, eyeing me. Both elbows rested on the arms, and he tapped his index fingers together.

  “I don’t pay attention to gossip or rumors, Mr. Choice. I do know that you promoted Mr. Jacobs to head your London operations and are seeking someone to fill his position. Am I close?”

  “Yes, that’s right. Nick’s talents are best used in London right now, and yes, I’m looking for someone to fill his shoes. I’ve been interviewing for about three weeks,” he replied, his posture still unchanged.

  There was something primal about this man, something animalistic.. I tried to concentrate on what he was saying and not the acute awareness I found myself having over his body and his movements. It made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. “If you don’t mind my asking, Mr. Choice, exactly what does the job consist of?”

  “Please, call me Apolo, and no, I don’t mind your questions. The position is really more or less one of being my assistant. It comes with the title of Executive Vice President, if that matters. I need that person to be able to accompany me to various functions and meetings, both here and abroad, as needed. Or go in my place if I’m not available.”

  “I don’t know—” I started to say I had no idea on earth why he would remotely think I was qualified for the position, but he cut me off in mid-sentence.

  “If you can work in acquisitions, you can easily handle this.”

  Without any further discussion, we were finished. He rose from his chair and extended his hand once again. In Apolo Choice’s world, everything was black and white. There was no room for chitchat or shades of gray. I shook his hand and allowed him to lead me to the door. His palm settled on the small of my back as he did. At his touch, I felt my body light up in ways it hadn’t in eons.

  “Thank you for your time, Mr. Choice, um, Apolo.” I peered over at him, trying to get a read off him, but his face gave nothing away. He was not a tall man, six foot I thought, but he cut a menacing figure, every inch of him.

  “I’ll be in touch, Caitlyn.”

  * * * *

  “Caitlyn! Caitlyn! Where are you? You look like a deer in the headlights,” Isabel called out. Isabel Kelley was my roommate and best friend. Unlike me, Isabel was far more practical, having recently finished her Master’s program in nursing, all while working full-time, I might add. Her goal was to become director of nursing at a prestigious hospital, or better yet, hospital administrator.

  “I’m sorry, Izzie, just lost in thought, I suppose.” I made my best attempt at a laugh, trying hard for it not to sound forced.

  “You looked stressed,” she replied, handing me a glass of Chardonnay. “And you never get stressed out at work.”

  “Did I tell you that Apolo Choice is looking for a replacement for his assistant, who is now in London?”

  “Hmmm, I vaguely recall something. Why? What’s up?”

  “He’s been interviewing in house.” I lifted the glass and took a swallow of the chilled wine as I glanced in Isabel’s direction.

  “No! You?”

  “Yep, he called me in this afternoon. Why, I haven’t a clue.”

  “You went, right?”

  “Of course. I’m sure it’s some unwritten offense to turn Apolo Choice down if he summons you to his office.”

  “Then, what is it? Did he offer you the job? What?”

  “Oh hell, Izzie. The man looks as though he just stepped out of the pages of some fashion magazine. He’s a god, just like his name.”

  “Well, he does own a mega business empire.”

  “Oh no, he looks like nothing or no one I’ve ever seen. He’s gorgeous, Izzie. Sex oozes out of his pores, his very essence. He’s dark, dangerous, and makes my body act in ways it shouldn’t.”

  “Sounds like he needs to be cloned, girlfriend.”

  “No, I have a feeling one Apolo Choice is all this world can handle. There’s something about him. I can’t put my finger on it.”

  “Well, drink your wine and grab a shower. I think we need to discuss the mysterious Mr. Choice over Chinese…my treat.”

  I started to hedge, but knew Isabel wouldn’t take no for an answer. She never did, not when it came to something that shook me up as much as this entire interview. Interview, hell, it was Apolo Choice that rocked me
to my core, and Izzie knew my vulnerabilities.

  By the time we made it back home from dinner, neither of us felt any pain. Thank goodness our favorite Chinese place was well within walking distance. The two of us, a couple glasses of plum wine later, had solved the ills of the world and the fate of Mr. Apolo Choice. He would never choose me out of all the better-qualified candidates he had.

  A bad boy was something I certainly didn’t need in my life. Not after Alexander Vanderbilt and the drama he’d left behind when he walked out of my life.

  The following morning, Friday, I awoke with a searing headache. Groaning, I forced myself out of bed and into the kitchen, led by the smell of fresh coffee. Isabel, gone an hour or so earlier, had left her signature brew, along with a note to take the headache powders and drink the bottle of water she had so thoughtfully and strategically placed for me.

  I sucked down the medicine with a long swig before I picked up a coffee mug off the counter and poured myself a hot, steaming cup. When would I ever learn? Never on a work night. Oh well, it had almost gotten my mind off Mr. Bad Boy.

  Somehow, I managed to make it into my office unseen, just as I wanted. If I could be left alone to vegetate for another hour until the throbbing in the back of my head lessened, I’d be fine. Smooth sailing. But that was not to be. Chuck Lewis, my immediate boss, stuck his head around the doorframe.

  “Good morning,” he said cheerfully, ignoring the signs that I’d been out and consumed a few too many the night before. “You must have made quite an impression on Mr. Choice.”