One of a Kind: Kind Brothers Book 1 Read online

  “Sure. I guess.”

  “Great. How is tomorrow morning at ten a.m.?”

  “That’s good. Can you text me your address?”

  “Of course. I’ll send it when we hang up. I look forward to meeting you.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Peterson.”

  When I pulled up to the Hart home, I climbed out of my car and stepped inside where I found Gina in the living room staring at the portrait of her and Steven that hung above the fireplace. I made my way through the crowd of people who were talking, drinking, and eating the catered food Gina had arranged. Walking over to her, I placed my hand on her arm and she turned her head while a small smile graced her face.

  “Thanks for coming, Julia.”

  “You know I would never miss this. Can I talk to you for a moment?”

  “Of course.” I followed her into the library.

  “On my way over, I got a call from Grayson Peterson from Kind Design & Architecture wanting me to come in for an interview for a personal assistant position.”

  “I was going to tell you about that, but with everything going on it slipped my mind. Steven had me send your resume and the recommendation letter over to them the morning after you visited him.”

  “Why would he do that?”

  “You know Steven, Julia. He always had to have all his ducks in a row.” A smile crossed her lips. “Including his funeral. Right down to the last detail. He didn’t want you to worry about a job. You know he loved you and we always considered you a part of this family. He was just looking out for you the way you always looked out for him.” She took hold of my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.”

  Chapter 4

  Julia

  Traffic wasn’t as bad today for some strange reason which in turn had me arriving thirty minutes early for my interview. I had one of two choices. I could sit in my car and aimlessly scroll through Facebook or Instagram, or I could walk across the street to the Starlight café and grab a coffee and pastry.

  I climbed out of my car and headed across the street. When I stepped inside the café, I stood in the short line and patiently waited my turn.

  “Hi there. How can I help you?” The cute guy behind the counter smiled brightly.

  “Hi. Good morning.” I grinned. “I’ll have a medium hazelnut coffee. Also, I’ll take that apple turnover.” I pointed to the case.

  “Coming right up.”

  “Excuse me.” A deep voice came from behind. “Do you have any more of those apple turnovers.”

  “No. I’m sorry. That’s the last one.”

  “It’s only nine thirty in the morning. How is it the last one already?”

  Turning around, I gasped when my eyes locked on the man with the irritation in his voice.

  “It’s yours.” I gave him a wide smile.

  “Excuse me?” His bright blue eyes stared into mine.

  “The apple turnover. You can have it.”

  “It’s fine. I’ll get something else.”

  “Nope. I insist. I don’t need the sugar or the carbs anyway. I’m really not sure why I even ordered it.” I cocked my head.

  “Well, it looks to me like you could use a few carbs.”

  “Thanks — I think.” My brows furrowed. “Anyway, take the turnover.”

  “Thank you. Let me buy your coffee then for being so kind.”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “I know I don’t have to. I want to. As a thank you for surrendering your turnover.”

  “If you insist.” The corners of my mouth curved upward.

  “Here’s your coffee, miss. I hope you have a good day!”

  “Thank you. You, too.”

  I turned and looked at the dreamy man in the expensive suit who stood six foot two with broad shoulders, short dark hair, a well-trimmed five o’clock shadow and the bluest eyes I’d ever seen. Damn. Just damn. My heart wouldn’t stop racing.

  “Enjoy your turnover and your day.” I grinned before walking out of the café.

  “Same to you.”

  When I stepped outside the café, I let out a deep breath. He was one hell of a sexy man. I had to stop for a moment and think if I’d even seen a man so handsome in my life. I had, and he was the second one in my lifetime.

  Looking at my watch, it was nine fifty. I took a few more sips of my coffee and threw it in the trash can outside the building.

  * * *

  “Miss Benton, Mr. Peterson will see you now. Follow me.” The tall slender woman with auburn colored hair smiled as she led me down the hallway.

  When she opened the door to Mr. Peterson’s office, the look on his face when he saw me struck me as strange.

  “You must be Julia. I’m Grayson.” He extended his hand.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Grayson.”

  “Please, have a seat.” He gestured to the black chair across from his desk. “So, tell me why you left your position at Hart Industries.”

  “Mr. Hart passed away last week.”

  “I’m sorry. I had no idea he’d passed away. I see you worked for him for the past three and a half years and prior to that you were an assistant manager at a coffee shop.”

  “Yes.”

  “The letter he sent along with your resume was very enduring. He must have really liked you.”

  “He and his wife, Gina, considered me part of their family.”

  “In his letter, he stated that you were extremely flexible, trustworthy, have excellent communication skills, organized and proactive. He also goes on to say that you are a master at multitasking, you’re very smart and a hard worker. In all honesty, Julia, Steven Hart makes you out to be a godsend of an employee.”

  “I take pride in my work, Grayson.”

  He leaned back in his chair and stared at me for a moment. Something told me he was hesitant about what he was going to say next.

  “You are by far the best candidate I’ve interviewed. If you came to work for us, you’d be the personal assistant to Mr. Sam Kind, the president of the company and architect division.”

  “May I ask why his other personal assistant is no longer working for him?”

  He inhaled a sharp breath and shifted nervously in his chair.

  “Well…there were some personality conflicts.”

  “I see. Is he a difficult man to work for?”

  “Not really. The person who works for him will need a strong personality. Kendra, his last personal assistant didn’t have one.”

  “So, he is a difficult man?” I cocked my head. “It doesn’t matter. I can handle anybody, and I can work with anyone even under strenuous situations. I don’t let people get to me, Grayson. No matter their personality because there’s always some deep-rooted issue behind the scenes in their personal life.”

  “Wow. I really like you, Julia. Here is the pay structure and the benefits package.” He handed me a folder.

  Opening it, I looked over the paperwork inside.

  “This looks good. What about raises?”

  “At the end of ninety days, you’ll be issued a review and if all the boxes are checked and you’re exceeding expectations, you’ll get a raise and a bonus. I’d like to offer you the position if you’re interested.”

  “Well, I do need a job. So yes, I would love to work for Kind Design & Architecture.” A bright smile crossed my face.

  “Excellent! Can you start first thing Monday morning?”

  “I’ll see you then.” I smiled as I stood up from my chair and extended my hand.

  Chapter 5

  Sam

  “Is that an apple turnover from across the street?” Stefan asked as he stepped into my office.

  “It is.” I broke off a piece and handed it to him.

  “Thanks, bro.”

  “I almost didn’t get it,” I said before taking a sip of my coffee.

  “What do you mean?”

  “There was this woman in front of me and she took the last one. When she heard me ask if there were anymore and there weren’t, she let me have it.”

  “Why? Did you hypnotize her with your dreamy blue eyes?” He smirked.

  “Shut up. She just told me to take it. I don’t know. She was nice. Like, really nice.” My brows furrowed. “But being nice wasn’t the only thing about her.”

  “Do tell, brother.”

  I let out a sigh as I leaned back in my chair.

  “She was stunningly beautiful.”

  “And? What did she look like?”

  “She was about 5’6, maybe 5’7. She had long dark wavy hair, and her eyes,” I paused, “they were like a smoky blue but more of a gray if that makes sense. I’d never seen eyes like that before. She was just sexy as hell. Especially in the tailored pant suit she was wearing. Damn. What I wouldn’t give to see what she was hiding underneath. My imagination really went into overdrive.”

  “Did you get her number so you could properly thank her for giving you the last apple turnover?”

  “Nah., I paid for her coffee.”

  “What?” He laughed. “Why didn’t you ask her out or for her number?”

  “I don’t know. It all happened so fast. Plus, there was this innocence about her. I can’t explain it.”

  “Well, you blew your chance, bro. Anyway, I’m heading out. I have to pick up Lily. She has a half day of school today.”

  “Nanny Kate still has jury duty?”

  “Yeah. She got picked for a case. I’ll talk to you later.”

  While I was sitting at my drafting table putting the final touches on a building design, my phone rang. When I looked over at it, I saw Sebastian was calling.

  “Talk to me,” I answered.

  “Do you have plans for tonight?”

  “Not as of right now. Why?”

  “There’s a
new bar that just opened up on West 6th Street. Simon and I are both off tonight and we’re going to check it out. Come with us.”

  “Sounds good. I’m in.”

  “Great. I already talked to Stefan and he’s in too.”

  “What time?”

  “We were thinking around seven thirty. Just meet at my house and we’ll all drive together.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll see you then.”

  Just as I ended the call, Grayson walked into my office.

  “Hey, Sam. Do you have a second?”

  “Sure. What’s up?” I turned my chair around and looked at him.

  “Your new personal assistant starts Monday morning.”

  “Great. Tell me about her.”

  “Her skills are impeccable, and she came highly recommended by her previous employer. She was by far the best candidate for the job.”

  “And?” I narrowed my eye at him.

  “And what?”

  “Age, looks, etc.”

  “She’s twenty-eight—”

  “Oh, come on, Grayson.” I interrupted him mid-sentence.

  He put his hand up. “Just listen to me. She’s not your type at all. In fact, she’s a very mousy looking girl. Very plain. Totally not your type. But she has everything else you’re looking for in a personal assistant.”

  “Okay. I trust you.”

  “What’s her name?”

  Suddenly his phone rang and when he looked at it, he quickly answered.

  “We’ll talk later,” he mouthed before walking out of my office.

  * * *

  My brothers and I arrived at Untapped. A new bar that had just opened a couple days ago. The place was packed, and we were lucky enough to get the only table available.

  “Damn. Look at this place,” Simon said.

  “Hey, boys.” The cute blonde waitress flirted. “What can I get you?”

  “I’ll have a single malt scotch, 17 years,” I spoke.

  “I’ll have a bourbon,” Stefan said.

  “I’ll have a single malt scotch as well,” Sebastian spoke.

  “17 years?” The waitress asked.

  “Yeah. That’s fine.”

  “And for you?” she asked Simon.

  “I’ll have a crown royal.”

  “Coming right up. There are menus right there if you want to place a food order. I’ll be back with your drinks.”

  A few moments later, the waitress walked over with our drinks and took our food order. Sitting at the table across from us were four women who wouldn’t stop staring as they whispered to each other. We were used to it. It happened every time we went out together.

  “We still need to go get our tuxes for the wedding,” Sebastian spoke. “We should all just set a time and meet there.”

  “You know, I’m getting a little tired of standing up in Dad’s weddings,” I spoke.

  “No shit.” Simon shook his head as he picked up his drink.

  “I need another scotch. Where is our waitress?” I spoke with irritation.

  “It’s busy. She probably can’t keep up,” Sebastian said.

  “I’ll go up to the bar and get the drinks myself. Refills?” I looked at my brothers.

  I was heading up to the bar when my eyes caught sight of the beautiful woman from this morning sitting on one of the stools with a drink in her hand.

  Chapter 6

  Julia

  Pulling my phone from my purse to check the time, I saw I had a text message from my friend, Mandy.

  “You’re never going to believe it. My car broke down on the expressway. I called Todd and he’s on his way to get me. I’m sorry, Julia, but I won’t be able to make it.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. I told Todd we’re going to the dealership first thing tomorrow morning and buying me a new one. This is the third time it broke down this month. I’m sorry. I know you’re waiting for me.”

  “It’s okay. Things happen. Don’t give it another thought. It’s a great bar and we’ll come check it out together next week. I’m just going to have one more drink and head home. You be safe.”

  “I will, my friend. You, too. Don’t be talking to any strange guys.”

  “Who me?” I sent her the wink emoji.

  Suddenly, I heard this voice next to me.

  “Twice in one day. It must be fate.”

  Looking up from my phone, the corners of my mouth curved upward when I saw the handsome man from this morning.

  “I bet you say that to all the women.”

  “Only the ones I find incredibly attractive.” A sexy grin graced his face.

  “Can I buy you another drink?” he asked as he looked at my empty glass.

  “You already bought my coffee this morning.”

  “Is there a rule or a law that says I can’t buy you another beverage in the same day?”

  “I don’t think so.” I laughed.

  “Is that a martini?”

  “A lemon martini.”

  “Bartender, another lemon martini for the lady,” he spoke. “And a single malt scotch, 17 years, for me.”

  “Coming right up.”

  “Please tell me you’re not here by yourself, or worse yet, with a man.” He smirked.

  “I was supposed to meet my friend, but she is currently broken down on the expressway.”

  “She broke down or her car broke down?”

  “Her car.” I couldn’t help but laugh and the smile on his face widened.

  “I’m Sam.” He extended his hand.

  “Julia.” I placed my hand in his.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Julia.”

  “Sam what’s taking you so long? We’re getting thirsty over there,” a handsome man asked as he walked over.

  “Stefan, this is Julia. Julia, my brother, Stefan.”

  Good God. There were two of them.

  “Hi, Stefan.” I extended my hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “The pleasure is all mine.” He smiled as he shook my hand.

  “If you don’t mind, Stefan.” Sam shot him a look.

  “I’ll just flag down our waitress.” He turned and walked away.

  “Sorry about that,” Sam said.

  “It’s totally fine. Do you have any other siblings?”

  “I do. I have two more brothers and they’re sitting at that table right over there.” He pointed.

  Turning my head, it wasn’t hard to miss the table with the three sexy as sin men sitting at it.

  “Those are your brothers?”

  “Yes.”

  “You all look the same age.”

  “That’s because we are. We just turned thirty-two a few days ago.”

  “You’re quadruplets?” My brows raised in shock.

  “We are.”

  “Wow. I have a twin sister, but I’ve never met quadruplets before. Who’s the oldest?”

  “I am. Stefan was born two minutes after me. Then Sebastian was born two minutes after him, and then there was Simon who took a little longer by four minutes.”

  “That is really amazing.” I grinned. “Your mom must have had her hands full with four little boys running around.”

  “She did.” His lips gave way to a smirk.

  “Here’s the fried mushrooms you ordered. Sorry it took so long,” the bartender spoke as he set the plate down in front of me.

  “That’s okay. I know you’re busy.” I gave him a smile. “Fried mushroom?” I asked Sam.

  “Sure.” He smiled as he took one. “Be careful. They’re hot.”

  “Trust me. I know. I’ve burnt my mouth one too many times on these.”

  After I ate a couple, Sam lightly ran his thumb down the side of my mouth.

  “You had a crumb there.”

  I swallowed hard because this man was way too sexy and the only thing going through my mind while we talked was his naked body on top of mine or from behind.

  “Thank you.” My eyes stayed locked on his.

  “You’re welcome.” The corners of his mouth curved up into a sexy grin that sent shivers down my spine.

  This was the moment. The moment where I knew sex with him was inevitable. I didn’t know this man from Adam, but his extreme Adonis looks, confidence, and masculinity captivated me and sent my ovaries into overdrive. I’d had plenty of one-night stands the past four years. It was a way for me to enjoy the pleasure of a man when I needed it without any attachment. But I was always careful whom I chose to have a one-night stand with. I’d never had one when I was completely inebriated, because to me that qualified as the walk of shame. I wasn’t in control. But if I chose the man and he fulfilled the desire inside me, I considered it a victory lap. And somehow, I knew Sam would fulfill every desire I wanted and needed right at this moment.