Worth the Challenge Read Online Free PDF Page B

I’ll impress everyone at Worth, I promise,” she said firmly.
    He chuckled. “I have no doubt that you will do just that.”
    They spoke of general banalities before they finally hung up, Ella promising she’d call him first thing tomorrow. She carefully set her cell phone on the bedside table, staring at it unseeingly as worry gnawed at her.
    She had no one else to turn to, no one else to count on but her father, which meant he had no one but her. Her mother had died in childbirth and she’d never known her, though she knew she looked like her. She had no siblings, no cousins, nothing. Her father had been the baby in his family and now at the age of seventy-two, his older brother and sister were long dead. He hadn’t stayed close to his nieces or nephews and they were all still in France.
    Her childhood had been isolating. But she’d never minded then. Had simply thought it normal and besides, she’d had her vivid imagination to keep her company. All of the people who’d come in and out of her father’s life had seemed to adore her, including her in their social events. Of course, they hadn’t had a choice. When a company hired Michel Durand, he was a package deal. And Gabriella Durand had always been a part of that package.
    Only in the last few years had she realized just how abnormal her childhood was. Isolated and lonely, she’d never really gone to school, having been tutored during her father’s travels.
    For once, she wanted to do something on her own. Something that belonged only to her.
    Frowning, she tore her gaze from the phone, taking in the stack of papers that sat beside it. Just looking at that contract gave her a headache. And okay, maybe it hurt to think that she didn’t necessarily get this job at Worth on her own merits but by gosh, she was going to prove to them she was capable of being a master perfumer. Perhaps almost as good as her father once was even.
    She lay back down on the comfortable bed, her head cradled by the plush pillow. The sheets were soft, the comforter thick, and she closed her eyes, willing herself to drift off into sleep. A little nap would definitely help and she had time. After traveling and all the excitement the day brought forth, she was exhausted. A little overwhelmed.
    And a lot excited.
     
     
    Rhett had gone home and changed before he went to the Warwick Hotel to pick up Gabriella. At first he’d thought it best if he stayed in his suit, wanting to convey that he meant business, even if they were discussing it over dinner.
    But then he feared he might intimidate her and considering she seemed a tad skittish, he decided it best to keep his approach as simple and friendly as possible.
    Hence the jeans and simple button-up shirt, understated and casual. He’d made reservations at a favorite restaurant that wasn’t too trendy or expensive. He wasn’t necessarily trying to impress her and this definitely wasn’t a date.
    It was strictly business. And that was exactly how he wanted to approach it.
    Frowning, he stood in front of her hotel room door, unsure how to greet her. If this really was a date, he’d lay on the charm and flirt his way into her panties by the end of the night.
    There would be no flirting and no getting into her panties this evening—or ever.
    Rhett frowned. What a disappointing realization.
    Knocking on the door, he shoved his hands into his front pockets, waiting patiently for her to arrive. The door swung open in seconds and Gabriella stood there, wearing a different dress, this one navy blue yet cut similarly to the one she’d worn earlier. Her damp hair hung around her makeup-less face, the scent of fresh soap clinging to her skin, and he wondered since when did the scent of a clean-smelling woman become such an aphrodisiac to him.
    “Hello.” She had the slightest French accent, one most people probably wouldn’t notice if they weren’t aware of her background. It was sexy as hell. “You’re early. And you said we would meet