The Falcon Ridge Series Book 4: Art of a Girl

(Chapter song ‘Blue Monday' by Orgy)

SAMMY

“Sammy. Are you even listening to me?”

“Hm? Yeah. Oh, yeah.” I say as I go through my design books for my latest clients. The ones I managed to land by the skin of my teeth.

As a decorator, you have a certain standard. Some decorators are more lax than others. I’m definitely not lax. I know my creative talent. I’m not conceited or anything, but I worked hard for the level I’m at and unfortunately, that comes at a price that many aren’t being able to afford lately.

I’ve had to take contracts out of the territory which only makes the price that much more, but the odd person out there has the money for it. It’s just not as consistent as some would like.

My business partner, Eric Dalton, has been trying to talk to me for the last 20 minutes. I'm tuning him out because it’s the same complaint he’s been having for several months now. I just want to do the jobs I have in peace.

Eric and I have been friends forever. He's a really nice guy, he’s just high strung when it comes to business and money. Today is not one of his good days.

He takes the book from me and runs his fingers through his dark brown hair. His rugged, stubble covered jawline ticks a little bit. “If we don’t get another job soon, we’re going to fold. Is that what you want?” He leans his muscular arms on my desk.

“Of course not, Eric, but what can we do? The money’s just not flowing like it once was. People aren’t able to afford the luxury of a professional decorator. We just have to be patient. Things will look up. You’ll see.” I take my book back and lean back in my chair.

He sighs and paces the floor until my office door, or should I say, my parents garage side door, opens.

I drop my book and Eric stops pacing to avoid my brother, Dylan, who rushes in.

“Have I got some good news for you.” He glides across the floor with a big smile on his face.

He fixes his dirty blonde hair and his blue eyes shine as he approaches my desk. He doesn’t look anything like me. I have brown hair and brown eyes and there’s a reason for that, but I’ll get into that later. Right now, I need some good news.

“What?” I ask as he drops a paper on my desk. I pick it up and read it as he vibrates in his spot with excitement. Eric walks over and leans on my chair and desk to read with me. I raise my head in complete shock. “Get out!”

He crosses his arms and grins. “Oh, yes.”

A big toothy grin spreads across my lips as I read the paper again.

“Damn, that’s a lot of zeros.” Eric blows out a breath. “15000 square feet is a lot of space.”

Dylan nods. “And he’s overpaying. That’s double the bid I came in with.”

“So, this is what he’s been building all year.” I breathe.

“Must be nice to have that kind of money to blow.” Eric shakes his head and leaves to sit in a chair.

I feel that. I maybe a talented decorator, but my office certainly doesn’t look like the ones in New York. My business, Sam's Designs, is run out of my parents garage. They converted it to a studio when I proved I could do it. Eric is a friend from design school and he’s also a business major. When I told him about my ambition, he joined me. Dylan is also a business major and he didn’t want me working alone, so he signed on, too. If it wasn’t for both of these men, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

One thing I have to do is keep my expenses down, so no fancy office. My garage is nice though. Light hardwood floor. White shelves and desk filled with design books and a small round table for creating. It’s not much, but it’s mine.

Dylan leans on my desk. “Right?” He side eyes Eric. “At least he’s sharing.” He smirks.

“Ok. So, what’s the deal here?” I drop the paper and fold my hands on my desk.

“It’s simple. Go in. Decorate to his specifications and collect the cash.” Dylan supplies. He stands and stuffs his hands in his pockets almost puffing out his large chest.

“His specifications? No creative leeway.” I raise a brow.

“Sorry, sis. Not this time.” He shrugs.

I blow out a breath and look over the bid. “So when does this close?”

He leans on my desk. “That’s the best part.” He leans further. “I already closed it.”

My brows shoot up. “No way!”

He stands and holds his hands out. “It’s all ours, baby.” He gives me a showboat grin as my mouth falls open.

"I love you so much right now.” I pick up my phone and start to dial the number on the paper. “Eric, clear my calendar for next week. I want to meet the Alpha as soon as possible.”

“That’s the other part of the deal…” Dylan scrunches his nose.

I hang up phone and blink at him. “What?”

“He wants you to drop everything and go over there like right now.” He informs.

I furrow my brow and cross my arms. “That’s a little egoistical. To expect me to drop everything?”

Eric scoffs. “Are you new to this pack? You've seen the man, right?”

“No, actually. I haven’t.” I admit. I’ve lived in Black Rock most of my life and not once seen the Alpha. I just never paid attention to politics and things being what they are, I don’t get out much. I just work and sleep.

“That house isn’t the only thing that’s huge. His head needs it’s own zip code.” Dylan laughs and Eric snorts.

“Really, you two.” I scold. “He's a client.”

“So.” Dylan smirks.

“Where’s your ethics?” I look him over with disappointment.

Dylan waves me off. “Like he’s ethical. He has a mountain of money and we’re struggling to make ends meet. Dad should be retired, but he has to work two jobs to pay the bills.”

“It’s the economy, Dylan. It’s not just here.” I eye him.

“Either way, the guy shows off and I bet he’s clueless to what goes on with us.” Eric rocks back in his chair. “He's like an emperor in his pearly white castle shouting let them eat cake.” He shakes his head.

“Ok. I don’t have time to sit here and listen to you two bash a client who’s paying us a lot of money. My travel box, please.” I stand and Eric heads to my cabinet. I turn to Dylan and point to his nose. “And you. Keep your opinions of the Alpha to yourself until this job is done. The last thing I want is for him to hear he’s being bad mouthed by us.”

“You’re the boss.” Dylan puts hands up in surrender.

“When I get home tonight, we'll celebrate.” I walk around the desk, Eric gives me a cardboard box filled with swatches and books. I spin to Dylan and smile. “How do I look?”

Dylan laughs. “Like you’re going to a barbecue.”

I look down at my white tank top, cut off, jean shorts, and my toes wiggle in my flip flops. I really wasn’t prepared to see a client today.

I sigh. “Well, I don't have time change according to him. It's not professional, but this is really just a get to know you meeting anyway.”

Eric chuckles. “It'll make for a great first impression.”

I shrug. “First impressions? What are those?” I chuckle and take my box to my old 1995 Toyota pickup I have in my parents’ driveway. It’s rusted out. Chugs a bit, but me and this old girl have been through a lot. I’m not ready to give up on her yet.

I jump in and roll down the window. “I’ll call you from the job once I know what I’m dealing with.”

“Have fun!”

They both wave as I start the engine and back out of the single car gravel driveway that belongs to my parents little white house in the east end of the city.

If everything goes good, this ballroom will be the highlight of my portfolio. If I can do this successfully, no one will question my worth as a decorator and it should unlock the doors of opportunity. Finally.

****

The pack house sits on the south side of the city at the edge of the town line. I’ve only drove past it a few times and never really gave it a second glance. Today, I’m driving up to the gates. The excitement is excruciating.

As I drive along the tree covered road that leads to the pack house, it starts coming into view. My eyes glue to it as I get closer. It’s a huge, white house with a lot of windows. There’s got to be at least 100 rooms in there. From what I hear, it was built before Black Rock was anything and each generation of Alpha added to its size. So, I guess this ballroom shouldn’t really be a shock.

The security at the Iron gates tells me to park at the rear of the house. That’s when I get the real scope of it all.

Large manicured lawns, fabulous gardens and the ballroom is clearly the largest addition. Holy crap! So much creative space. I’m gonna have a blast here, I can feel it.

My head swims with ideas as I drive around the ballroom to the rear of the house. I park the truck and grab my box from the passenger seat.

I slowly walk across toward the house wondering where I should go to ring the bell. I was just about half way across the 10 car parking lot when a large, muscle-bound man with long black hair greets me with a friendly smile. He’s wearing a black t-shirt and jeans, so I don’t feel too out of place. He also has cool looking tribal like necklaces around his neck and his skin is darkly tanned. I also found his grey eyes to be very interesting.

“Hello, you must be Samantha.” He extends his hand.

It's so big it almost swallows mine. “Please. Call me Sammy.”

“Well, Sammy. I’m sure your anxious to get started, so I’ll show you in. I’m Anton Soto. The Alpha’s Delta.” He takes my box and walks with me to a back service door.

“Nice to meet you, Anton.” I grin.

As we walk in, my eyes wander around in awe of the place. The high ceilings, the décor, the stone and marble. Whoever decorated this place had a good eye.

“Wow! This house is beautiful.” I exclaim.

“It’s home.” He shrugs. “Though, I think with you here, it just got a little better.” He looks over his shoulder and winks.

I feel my cheeks heat and I get all fluttery at his obvious flirt. “Um…Is the Alpha here?” I can’t let myself get excited. This is a job.

“No. He’s at a council meeting, but he’s excited to work with you. I’m sure you can understand how important this job will be.” He leads me through a kitchen with a bunch of storage rooms and a staircase that spirals up to the second floor.

We exit at the back of a foyer behind an amazing staircase. He walks me down one side and past a room filled with couches. Just past the entrance to that room is a hallway filled with the reminisce of construction. At the end is a set of wooden double doors trimmed in gold paint.

The richness of everything is starting to make me nervous. He seems to know what he likes and I’m hoping I can measure up.

Anton opens a door and walks in. As I slowly enter the room and take the space in, I can’t believe it.

“Oh my God.” I gasp as my breath is taken away.

Grand ballroom isn’t even the best description. He definitely went all out. I’m going to have to take my time with this. A room like this is not rushed.

“It’s not much right now, but I’m sure someone as talented and beautiful as yourself, could do something with it.” I turn to him as he flashes a charming smile.

I can’t help but smile back and blush again. “I’ll certainly try. I love a blank canvas.”

He drops my box on a table and heads for the door. “Great. I’ll leave you to it. You’ll be alone in here, so feel free to do whatever it is you do.”

“Thanks.” I chirp.

I wrap an arm around my waist and tap my chin as I turn around in the space. Once I think I know what direction I want to go in, I pull out my paint swatches.

“Ok Sammy. Time to get to work.”

Plopping my Bluetooth speaker on the table, I turn on my Spotify. I like to work with music. It gives me inspiration.

I’m not sure how much time had past, but after a while the wall I was in front of was covered in color swatches and I was in the height of coordination’s and compliments. I was getting right down and dirty. I got lost in textures, space usage, stripes and solids. The whole nine yards.

As the ideas flowed, so did I. I’m dancing away, ripping off swatches and put new ones up when my speaker is shut off.

I turn with a yelp and my eyes widen at the sight of the most gorgeous Adonis of a man I’ve ever seen. Blonde hair that’s pulled back in such a way that makes his features so sexy and prominent. His tanned skin is flawless and… oh God, he’s wearing a sharp suit that shows off his amazing muscular body and I… look like I’m going to a barbecue. I internally whine as his angry eyes stare at me.

“WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?!” His cheeks turn red and I’m a deer caught in the headlights.

I flinch at his yell and the bubble gum bubble I had blown up in front of my lips, deflates. All I can do is choke it back and swallow it.