Wyatt arrived to work an hour late since he had to stop at City Hall first to get the needed documents and naturally Griffen met him at his desk. “Just because you’re the boss’s kid doesn’t mean you can be an hour late.”

  He decided not to engage or explain if his father had a problem; he would tell him. Wyatt nodded, acknowledging his presence, but did not respond otherwise. "Do you have the documents for Mr. Cabot?"

  “Yes.”

  “You should get that to his office as soon as possible. Why are you hanging around here you should be on your way.” He was in a special mood this morning probably because he was taken to task for not reaching a deal yesterday. Holden Grey never took responsibility for failure he always managed to put it upon someone else and in this case, it was Griffen Humbolt.

  "Whatever you do remember do not talk to Samuel Cabot just give the paperwork to his assistant and leave. Samuel Cabot is the nephew of Emmanuel Cabot and is in line to take over the Cabot empire when the old man retires, so don't embarrass yourself by trying to speak to him." Griffen was just talking for the sake of talking now.

  Wyatt stopped and turned back to stare at him for a moment. “Why would I speak with Samuel Cabot?” Griffen looked a little taken aback by Wyatt’s look of bewilderment.

  “Just don’t.” He stated firmly and then walked away. Wyatt headed out to drop off the paperwork. That's who he was now, just a glorified messenger boy with a master's degree in business.

  The Cabot offices occupied the entire building, so he went to the top floor where Samuel Cabot’s office was to drop off the package. He approached the main desk and was directed to the office of Marc Wellman, Mr. Cabot’s assistant and the man who requested the material.

  "Good morning." Mr. Wellman met him and ushered him into his office. Introductions were made, and Wyatt handed over the material. The office was quite warm, so he removed the scarf he was wearing and stuffed it into his coat pocket.

  Mr. Wellman offered him a cup of coffee, but Wyatt turned it down, knowing he needed to get back to work before he was accused of some business faux pas or overstepping his bounds in some manner. Mr. Wellman thanked him for the documents and for delivering them personally as if he had any choice in the matter.

  Wyatt was soon on his way back to the office when his phone rang while in the elevator. “You should be done, get out of there right now before you ruin everything.” Griffen was becoming certifiable, or he was building a case to blame everything on Wyatt if things break down. Wyatt decided to record the call.

  "I dropped off the package to Mr. Wellman, Mr. Cabot's assistant, and no conversation took place." He said, just as flat and lifeless as he was feeling. "I saw only the man at reception and Mr. Wellman. I am in the elevator and will be returning within the next ten to fifteen minutes." The way Wyatt responded seemed to catch Griffen off guard for a moment.

  "Okay, well, just don't talk to anyone, or you'll screw this whole thing up for us." He reiterated the danger.

  “Goodbye.” Wyatt could tolerate no more and closed the call. He would have to start keeping notes on Griffen’s behavior in case this all started to turn on him. He had a strong suspicion that he was being fitted to become the patsy for this potential fuck up.

  It was just before lunch when Marc told him that they’d received a new proposal from Holden Grey. It arrived sooner than expected and Sam hoped it at least addressed his concerns from yesterday.

  The minute he stepped into Marc's office, he felt something. Whatever it was, it was on a different level than simply an aroma or a feeling. It was a fragrance that possessed an entire bouquet of smells and brought Sam up short for a moment as he looked around for the source of the beguiling scent.

  “What’s that?” He asked as he continued to eye the room.

  "What?" Marc, too, looked around the room.

  “That smell.”

  "I don't smell anything." Sam could see he was telling the truth but couldn't understand why he wasn't smelling that heavy, heady, wonderful scent. He walked over to a chair by the wall and looked down at the seat. A scarf lay there off white loose knit stylish and masculine.

  “Is that your scarf?” he asked.

  "No, it belongs to the man who dropped off the new offer this morning. Believe it or not, the messenger was none other than Wyatt Grey, the son of Holden Grey. I was surprised that he would be lowered to such a minor task." He walked over and stood next to Sam. "I was going to drop it back at their offices during lunchtime."

  Sam picked up the scarf and pressed it to his face, taking a deep breath and drawing in all the power that was contained in that rich, potent smell. He drew back, stared at the softness of the scarf, and smiled. He turned and looked at Marc with a subtle yet enthusiastic smile. Marc's eyes widened in shock, and then he shook his head.

  “Wyatt Grey?” He croaked.

  “It would seem so.” He chuckled, not able to keep the surprise and the joy he was feeling inside. “I’ll return the scarf.” He said and quickly left the room. The offices of Holden Grey were not far from the Cabot building.

  Sam entered the main doors and took another deep breath of the scent on the scarf so scintillating and alluring it brought a burning desire to meet the owner. It was a desire so deep that nothing was going to stop him from finding Wyatt Grey.

  "May I help you?" The receptionist asked as he approached her desk.

  “I’d like to see Mr. Wyatt Grey.” He asked formally.

  “Do you have an appointment?”

  "No, ma'am, but I would appreciate it if you would check to see if he might be free to meet with me." Sam's stomach was tied into knots as he waited for the young woman to make her calls. He wasn't surprised when Griffen Humbolt met him at the front desk. The guy was pushy, which was obvious during their previous meeting.

  “May I be of assistance Mr. Cabot?” He began. “Wyatt is with a client at present, but I’d be happy to help you.”

  Sam recognized the lie and wondered as to the motive. “No, I’m sorry but I need to see Wyatt.” A flash of panic crossed the man’s countenance for a split second and then it was gone, and the smile returned.

  “Yes, of course.” He stuttered a bit and turned to the receptionist. “Margorie, would you take Mr. Cabot to Wyatt’s desk please?”

  "Yes, sir." She answered, stood, and waited for Sam to follow. Sam wasn't sure why he said desk and not office. Surely, the son of the CEO had an office. That question was answered immediately as he was led into a room packed full of cubicles and people. The son Holden bragged about non-stop was relegated to a cubicle; it didn't make sense.

  Sam could scent his powerful presence in the room, and he could barely suppress the rising excitement. This would be the moment he’d remember for the rest of his life. Just as his uncle remembered meeting Taylor in the vineyard, he would look back at meeting his Wyatt for the first time.

  He recognized him immediately, even from the back, as he was hunched over his computer working while simultaneously handling a phone call. Sam felt his heartbeat sync with the sounds in the room and the pound of his footfalls as he approached.

  Marjorie came up behind Wyatt and spoke, and it was then that Wyatt ended his call and turned in his seat to greet her. "Mr. Cabot is here to see you." That statement had the man immediately jumping to his feet. Sam couldn't tell if it was caused by interest or upset.

  "Me?" He asked, and she nodded and glanced back over her shoulder, letting Wyatt follow the direction of her gaze. It was then that their eyes met, and the universe exploded.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Sam was overwhelmed by the beauty that stood before him and all he could do was stare for the first few seconds, taking in everything about him. Wyatt was about five foot eight inches which was perfect for Sam’s six-foot four frame. He was thin but not skinny with light brown hair and eyes that were scorching so blue and held such depth they touched Sam in the deepest regions of his heart.

  He hesitated for a moment upon seeing Sam and seemed to be assessing him as well, and by the look on his face, he was not disappointed. Sam stepped forward and reached out his hand, eager to connect physically with his beloved. His uncle's words from last night were now ringing in his ears, and everything he told him was absolutely true.

  The moment he took Wyatt's hand in his hand, he knew that he would never let him go. The contact was electrifying, and Sam held on for longer than usual, but Wyatt didn't seem to mind, for his grip was not lessening.

  "Pleased to meet you, sir. What can I do for you?" He was a bit confused by the call-out, but he was handling himself well. Sam could see Humbolt off to the side, observing the scene and listening.

  "Can we go somewhere and talk?" He said it at first and then changed that request as he needed to get Wyatt out of the office atmosphere. He wanted him to relax and talk, but that wasn't going to happen here, as he noticed all ears were on their conversation. "Rather, let me take you to lunch."

  “Okay.” Wyatt glanced around nervously and then grabbed his jacket from the back of his chair.

  “You left this in Marc’s office.” Sam placed the scarf around Wyatt’s neck.

  “Thank you.”

  "Of course, now come, I'll drive." Sam reached out and took Wyatt by the arm to keep him from slowing down under the pressure of the stares in that room and possibly changing his mind. There was a strange dynamic going on at Holden Grey's company, and it would appear that Wyatt was far from the top of the pecking order.

  Wyatt had recently returned from the Cabot building and was still recuperating from the debriefing he received from Griffen. If he was that upset about what he might say or do, why did he give him the job?

  He could have sent anyone to drop off that paperwork. He gave it to Wyatt as a way to insult him and let him know that in his father's eyes, Wyatt was no better than an errand boy. Griffen didn't have to come up with schemes to drive that reality home because Wyatt was already fully aware of his father's opinion.

  He'd been working at his desk on a nothing project just to keep busy and out of the way of Griffen when that gorgeous, model-perfect man showed up and asked him out to lunch. He'd never met Samuel Cabot, although he'd seen a picture that did him no justice whatsoever. He was tall and built with jet black, perfectly styled hair and dark mysterious eyes. His look was handsome and lethal. He was a man not to be taken lightly.

  The fact that Samuel Cabot wanted to speak with him privately filled him with trepidation since he’d had nothing really to do with the proposed sale and purchase apart from dropping off paperwork. He followed him out to his car a very stylish sports car and soon they were on their way. Wyatt stole a few glances over at Mr. Cabot appreciating the fine cut of his clothing and the attention to detail apparent in his accessories.

  “Why is Mr. Humbolt handling this sale and not you?” He spoke casually as he put the car into gear and pulled away from the curb.

  “He felt Griffen was a better fit for the job.” Wyatt didn’t know how else to put it and didn’t want to get into the dynamics of life in the Grey family.

  “How long have you worked for your father?”

  “I started a little over a year ago.”

  “He’s very proud of you.” Wyatt didn’t know where to go with that one. Sure, he talked of him in positive terms to outsiders but anyone who worked for Holden Grey. knew better. Wyatt was there for looks of it all and nothing more as he was slowly discovering. They drove further downtown before pulling into the LaBelle Bistro. He handed the valet his keys and waited for Wyatt to join him before heading into the restaurant.

  Wyatt was impressed with the man's manners, so attentive and courteous. He really hadn't expected such treatment, but he hadn't expected lunch with Samuel Cabot either. They were seated immediately, which spoke to Cabot's growing clout among the business professionals there in Eastport.

  Samuel was the nephew of one of the more influential men in the area and was treated as such, whereas Wyatt was treated as a joke. Wyatt tamped down his resentment, recognizing that it was not appropriate in this setting. Sam was a good man and was treating him well. He didn't deserve Wyatt's petty jealousy.

  Their winery was always considered top shelf in the business world but now that Samuel Cabot had been branching out in other areas their influence and power was expanding. His uncle put him in charge of most of the Cabot empire with Emmanuel Cabot putting his focus primarily on the winery and their recent expansion into California and Washington.

  Why couldn't his father trust him the way Emmanuel trusted Samuel? Maybe in a few more years, with more work under his belt and a track record, he would see him as worthy, but Wyatt wasn't going to hold his breath. Samual held the chair for Wyatt and then took his seat across from him at the small, intimate table for two. He also ordered for them both, but Wyatt wasn't sure how he felt about that.

  When dinner arrived, Wyatt was pleased with Samual’s choices of shrimp salad, bread with sweet butter and a fruit plate. It was light and refreshing but also filling and delicious. It was the perfect choice.

  "Did you read the latest counteroffer that your father sent over?" Samual asked, and Wyatt figured this lunch was to pick his brain and see if he could get any worthwhile information. It would appear that Wyatt was seen as a joke well beyond the walls of the Holden Grey company, and Mr. Cabot, although kind and courteous, was going to try and use that to his benefit.

  Little did he know that Wyatt had no information because his father didn't trust him enough to share. Everyone had an angle, and it would behoove him to remember that, but at least he got a nice lunch out of the deal. He wasn't even angry about it since it's all part of the game.

  "I'm not involved with the sale, so I am not privy to the paperwork or discussions," Wyatt responded but avoided eye contact and focused on his salad.

  “I’m not looking for inside information just making conversation.” If anyone else had made that statement Wyatt wouldn’t have believed it for a second but there was an innate truthfulness about Samual that made you want to believe every word out of his lovely mouth.

  "I work in the pool, Mr. Cabot, and primarily do research for the executives." He had some information on the sale and the negotiations, but not enough to matter.

  "Call me Sam." That was shocking, and Wyatt wasn't sure if he could honor that request, for it felt disrespectful, but regardless, Wyatt nodded. "Are you happy working for your father?" Now that question was loaded, and Wyatt set his fork down and leaned back from the table, suddenly suspicious.

  "I don't mean to be rude, but why do you care if I'm happy?" Wyatt didn't know what was happening, but he was certain his happiness, or lack thereof, was not the point. "I probably shouldn't be here. I'll just fuck up whatever discussions are taking place. Why did you bring me to lunch? You should have brought Griffen Humbolt. He's working closely with my father, and I'm sure could answer all your questions." Wyatt said much more sarcasm than he'd intended, and his attitude turned sullen, making him wish he could just leave.

  “Finish your lunch and relax.” Sam told him in a tone that was firm but not angry or upset. “I invited you because I wanted to meet you and I wanted us to get acquainted.” Sam leaned forward and his eyes seemed to look right through him seeing all his insecurities and weaknesses. Wyatt looked away not able to maintain the scrutiny.

  "I don't care about the business I have with your father. That was just a means to an end." He looked sincere, but Wyatt had difficulty understanding why someone like Samuel Cabot would be interested in someone like him. Sure, he was Holden Grey's son, but everyone knew he was not the heir to the kingdom. His father was proud of Wyatt's education, but that was the limit of his interests and expectations.

  "Again, why?" Wyatt wasn't born yesterday, and based on the heated level of the business between their two companies, it was doubtful that his interest was genuine or born out of a good place. Wyatt recoiled when Sam reached out his hand to him, and he tried to look away, but for some reason, it was impossible. Wyatt could not tear his eyes away from Sam.

  Sam watched him for a few seconds with those dark eyes that saw everything, and Wyatt was gradually beginning to feel awkward and wished he'd behaved better. Whatever was happening here, Sam did not deserve an emotional reaction to his every word. After a few seconds of indecision, Wyatt reached out his hand, and Sam took it and held it in his. He held him like he didn't want to ever let him go. Wyatt accepted that he was reading too much into it, but it was how he was feeling.

  "We will not talk business; this is a lunch date, just you and me. I'm sorry I made you uncomfortable with my questions. I promise you there is no ulterior motive at work here." He then let Wyatt's hand slip free, and they both took a deep breath.

  "I'm sorry I was rude." Wyatt began, but Sam cut him off before he could say more.

  “You weren’t rude.” He said with such a kind expression. Wyatt wished that he could start this lunch all over again. “You had every right to react as you did.”

  “The answer to your question is no. I am not happy working for my father.” He decided to give Sam some home truths. It was probably a mistake, and he would probably pay dearly for it, but it was too late to take it back.

  "Are you applying elsewhere?" Sam just took it in stride; he didn't look shocked, just interested, as would any lunch companion.

  “I am, yes.”

  “Have you applied with us?” Wyatt shook his head.

  “I didn’t want to cause my father or his company any embarrassment.”

  "Give me your number, and I'll text you our openings, and you can decide whether or not you would like to apply." He said, Wyatt couldn't fault that idea. His father had no qualms about embarrassment and humiliating him, so why was he being so careful. He gave Sam his number and watched as he put it into his phone, and seconds later, his phone indicated a text message.