Crave by Monica Murphy Page B

that I’ll do anything to see her again.
    Prove to her that maybe I am worth being put back together again.
    “I’m sure she would,” I say. “I’d rather have Ivy.”
    Gage is quiet for a moment before he finally asks, “Do you have a thing for my sister?”
    “Not at all,” I say easily. “Hell, we argue most of the time when we see each other.”
    “Then why would you want to work with her if all you do is argue?”
    Valid question. Shit. “I trust her. I’ve known her for years. She’s your sister. She’ll do a good job and not try and screw me over.”
    “Huh.” Gage doesn’t sound like he believes me so I push forward.
    “This project, this location, it has to be handled delicately. Discreetly. I can’t hire any designer off the street. I need someone I can trust to keep their mouth closed and not leak what I have planned.”
    “You haven’t even told me what you have planned,” Gage points out.
    “Exactly, and I’m not going to either. That’s why I think Ivy is the perfect fit.” This part is true. I do want her to work for me. I trust that she won’t blab what I have planned for the remote location. An even sexier, more intimate resort than Hush, it will cater to wealthy couples that want an indulgent getaway with their significant other.
    Private gourmet meals, couples massages, the small hotel will be exclusive to only eight couples at any given time. The location will be the ultimate in intimate, quiet luxury.
    “Well, good luck. Give her a call. I’m betting she’ll say no.”
    “Why does everything circle back to a bet?” I ask irritably, not needing the reminder. “And how do you know she’ll say no?”
    But she doesn’t count toward the bet, right? Didn’t Gage and Matt count her out? After all, she’s just Ivy.
    “She doesn’t particularly like you, Archer. You know this.” Gage makes it sound like common knowledge. “And besides, I’m going to guess her boss won’t let her take on the project. Sounds like it’ll be over Ivy’s head.”
    “I want her. Only her.” I clear my throat, realizing how that sounds. “For the project,” I add weakly.
    “Good luck. I doubt you’ll get her, but more power to you.”
    Gage’s words are just the challenge I need to hear.

 
    Chapter Nine
----
    Ivy
    “C HICKEN, I NEED your help.”
    Icy shock moves through my veins at the first sound of Archer’s familiar, deep and sexy-as-hell voice. The very last person I expected to call me at my office on an early Wednesday afternoon—and just how did he get my work number anyway?
    Duh, your brother.
    Freaking Gage.
    “No, ‘Hello, Ivy, how’s it going?’ And I really, really wish you wouldn’t call me chicken.” I’m trying to joke. Or more like trying to figure out if he really does need my help. I mean, come on. Like hearing from him out of nowhere nearly a month later, after what happened between us, is no big deal.
    It’s such a big deal.
    “So nice to hear from you, Archer. What’s it been, a couple days?” Almost twenty-five days, not that I’m keeping count.
    “Very fucking funny, Ivy. I’m not kidding,” he growls irritably. “I need your help, and I needed it yesterday.”
    “And you’re calling me? Why? How exactly can I help you?” Wow, I sound remarkably cool and calm, but deep within my insides are trembling. And for whatever crazy reason, my nipples are hard. All from his gruff, commanding tone. So ridiculous, but it’s like the second I hear his voice, my body reacts. I haven’t been able to get that night out of my mind. Images of a naked Archer above me, kissing me, buried deep inside me are burned on my brain.
    “You’re still single, right?” he asks, knocking me from my thoughts.
    “How is that any of your business?” My heart lodges in my throat. As if he would care. “And who told you that?” Fine. I so am. I haven’t talked to Marc, the jerk, since I broke it off with him. And I haven’t talked to any other guy either, let