Redeeming The Billionaire (The Sherbrookes of Newport Book 5) by Christina Tetreault Read Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Christina Tetreault
of her calzone and wrapped the rest up. She’d never understand her cousin. If she and Dustin were already friends, that seemed like a great start for a relationship. And after meeting Dustin and hearing him talk about her cousin, she suspected that he was already half in love with Chloe. Perhaps next time she saw Chloe she’d press the matter. She’d have to be a little subtle about it of course, but her cousin wasn’t the only one that could play cupid.
Chapter 5
Addie took a seat in one of the leather chairs, crossed her legs and watched as the woman behind the desk reached for the phone. Her appointment wasn’t for another fifteen minutes and Shirley, the secretary behind the desk, had informed her that Mr. Sherbrooke was just finishing up a conference call and would be with her shortly.
All week she’d been both dreading and looking forward to this appointment. During her time in Boston she’d worked on projects for some wealthy clients, but she’d never been in charge. Others at the firm brought in the clients and doled out the work. Before any of her designs or ideas could even be presented to clients, her supervisors needed to approve them. This time she was on the front line. Nothing stood between her and the client. She’d started her own company for that very reason. However, in the two years since she’d started Designs by Addison, she’d never had a client of Trent Sherbrooke’s stature. The idea of working for him thrilled and terrified her at the same time.
She gripped and ungripped the strap of her bag. His status as a high profile client wasn’t the only thing that had her stomach in a knot. The picture from the paper remained a worry as well. While he was by no means a stranger to tabloid headlines, he may think twice before hiring her because of it. In truth, ever since the picture appeared she’d expected a phone call from his secretary canceling today’s meeting.
At the sound of a door opening, Addie looked toward the office door behind Shirley’s desk. “I emailed you a list of construction proposals. Please make sure they get to Sherbrooke Enterprises.” When Trent finished speaking he turned his gaze on her. “Ms. Raimono, sorry to keep you waiting. Please come in.”
She gripped the straps of her bag tighter and a spasm of pain shot through her hand as she stood. “No need to apologize. I was early.” She walked past him into his office, the scent of his musky aftershave teasing her. Inside the office her eyes swept around the room, ideas emerging before she even sat down.
“Please have seat.” Trent stopped near the conference table by the window. “As you can guess, this office wasn’t decorated for me.”
Addie pulled out one of the upholstered chairs at the table and sat. “No, this office was decorated for a woman. But we can change that.” She reached into her bag and pulled out her laptop while Trent took the seat next to her. Then, before he could make any comments, she pulled up her standard client questionnaire. “Before I do anything else, I like to get to know more about my clients. What colors they like, types of fabrics or patterns they prefer. That sort of thing. After that, I can get measurements and input them into my design software. From there I can generate possible 3-D options for you to review.”
Trent didn’t respond right away. Instead, he placed his forearms on the table and clasped his hands together. “Ask away.”
As if her eyes had a mind of their own, she looked over at his tanned hands with their long fingers and short nails. He’s just another client. Think about how you teased him the other day.
Clearing her throat, she dragged her eyes back to the computer. “Okay, to start with what colors do you prefer?”
“Silver, red.” Trent paused for a moment. “And green.”
As he answered, she typed. “Can you be more specific? For example, do you prefer a darker red like crimson or more of a fire engine red? Forest
Chapter 5
Addie took a seat in one of the leather chairs, crossed her legs and watched as the woman behind the desk reached for the phone. Her appointment wasn’t for another fifteen minutes and Shirley, the secretary behind the desk, had informed her that Mr. Sherbrooke was just finishing up a conference call and would be with her shortly.
All week she’d been both dreading and looking forward to this appointment. During her time in Boston she’d worked on projects for some wealthy clients, but she’d never been in charge. Others at the firm brought in the clients and doled out the work. Before any of her designs or ideas could even be presented to clients, her supervisors needed to approve them. This time she was on the front line. Nothing stood between her and the client. She’d started her own company for that very reason. However, in the two years since she’d started Designs by Addison, she’d never had a client of Trent Sherbrooke’s stature. The idea of working for him thrilled and terrified her at the same time.
She gripped and ungripped the strap of her bag. His status as a high profile client wasn’t the only thing that had her stomach in a knot. The picture from the paper remained a worry as well. While he was by no means a stranger to tabloid headlines, he may think twice before hiring her because of it. In truth, ever since the picture appeared she’d expected a phone call from his secretary canceling today’s meeting.
At the sound of a door opening, Addie looked toward the office door behind Shirley’s desk. “I emailed you a list of construction proposals. Please make sure they get to Sherbrooke Enterprises.” When Trent finished speaking he turned his gaze on her. “Ms. Raimono, sorry to keep you waiting. Please come in.”
She gripped the straps of her bag tighter and a spasm of pain shot through her hand as she stood. “No need to apologize. I was early.” She walked past him into his office, the scent of his musky aftershave teasing her. Inside the office her eyes swept around the room, ideas emerging before she even sat down.
“Please have seat.” Trent stopped near the conference table by the window. “As you can guess, this office wasn’t decorated for me.”
Addie pulled out one of the upholstered chairs at the table and sat. “No, this office was decorated for a woman. But we can change that.” She reached into her bag and pulled out her laptop while Trent took the seat next to her. Then, before he could make any comments, she pulled up her standard client questionnaire. “Before I do anything else, I like to get to know more about my clients. What colors they like, types of fabrics or patterns they prefer. That sort of thing. After that, I can get measurements and input them into my design software. From there I can generate possible 3-D options for you to review.”
Trent didn’t respond right away. Instead, he placed his forearms on the table and clasped his hands together. “Ask away.”
As if her eyes had a mind of their own, she looked over at his tanned hands with their long fingers and short nails. He’s just another client. Think about how you teased him the other day.
Clearing her throat, she dragged her eyes back to the computer. “Okay, to start with what colors do you prefer?”
“Silver, red.” Trent paused for a moment. “And green.”
As he answered, she typed. “Can you be more specific? For example, do you prefer a darker red like crimson or more of a fire engine red? Forest