Lydia raised an eyebrow and bit her lower lip, finding it a great mission to remain composed as the red head opposite her tip toed through the nature strip. The three inch heels she wore were no joke, how Taylor had not ended up in ICU from a fall was beyond the brunette. Finally, Taylor reached Lydia, with a loud dramatic exhale and fanning of her face she held out a dripping bottle of water. The Australian summer ran hot, it reflection against the glass building opposite the two women did no favours to Taylors pale skin and Lydia's once frozen bottle of water.

The brunette slipped her hand free of its gardening glove and took hold of the outstretched bottle, taking sips of it gratefully. The chilled bliss slipped down her throat, giving her a small reprieve from the heat. Taylor rolled her eyes at the moan that slipped from her friends mouth, the sound bordered scandalous and if not for the fact that they currently stood out in the literal weeds, you would've been fooled.

"My hero," Lydia breathed while trying not to take note of the sweat that had accumulated in places only the heavens knew.Taylor cringed while taking back hold of the soil cover container. "Tee, it's just a little salt and H20... this is why I call Ben out, I'm afraid you'll sue the company if those heels received any more abuse."

Lydia squatted back down and tugged on the stubborn roots while Taylor rolls her eyes at the lame joke. Perching herself beside the other woman, Taylor assessed just close her skirt was from touching the soil... she decided it was safe. "He's been sooking all morning about Jacinta, I could not listen to another minute of his whinging," She mocked disgust.

"Hmm... Green doesn't suit you."

Laughing Taylor spread her arms, "babe we are basking in it today... she'll hurt him, besides his worth ethic has reduced by at least forty-seven percent," the noncommittal response too did not suit her best friend.

"Such accuracy for someone who isn't interested." It was time to call it a day, her back was straining and she felt a cramp coming along her calves.

Taylor snapped up straight, brushing non-existent dirt of her thighs. "On to more important matters, your father called. He said it was important and to give him a call back when you've a moment."

"Did he just." Packing up her equipment, Lydia nodded towards the exit. Taylor practically raced through the garden and back out to the front, she followed at a steadier pace. Though she had to give credit where it was due, she has respect for Tee as the woman manoeuvred through without so much as a tilt in her step.

Reaching her Landcruiser she disposed of the equipment into the carrier and then nodded at Taylor as she passed, heading in the general direction of town. Lydia made quick work of removing her overalls, underneath she wore biker shorts and a t-shirt. Then she keyed the ignition and called her father.

His greeting came through the speakers.

"Hey dad." She responded, merging onto the highway.

'It's been a while since you've called me, kiddo.' He scolds.

Lydia laughed because it had been all of twenty-two hours, "I've been busy! Taylor said you had something important to tell me?"

'Yes, I almost forgot. Tonight for dinner we will be having company...' his tone dropped far too many octaves, the words came out mumbled and rushed.

Her father was more a hermit than anything else so she was surprised to hear the man had visitors for dinner, "will this company require me to dress up... because I'm honestly so sore right now." She took the exit.

'It wouldn't hurt,' She imagined the older man shrugging.

With that response she finished the call, "you don't sound convinced and thus I will be arriving in my jeans and boots. Love you, old man. See you around six."

'Sure thing, kiddo.' His deep chuckle followed.

Lydia pulled up along side the curb in front of her store, and killed the engine. She walked through the large glass sliding doors and met Taylors gaze, "Ben?" The innocence was a ruse that neither women believed. "You must be guttered..." Then she ducked as a ruler sailed past her head, laughing she hurried through to the back room before and more stationary became airborne.

The back room was more of a open spaced living area, it had a fully functioning kitchen and a large sofa with a plasma in front of it. Ben had somehow convinced them to move a pool table into the space and Taylor had demanded a mini bar follow otherwise she'd resign. All in all, Lydia adored it. She snagged a energy drink before heading towards the locker room.

The twenty six year old had lucked out with the premises, housing the historical features with modern renovations. The locker room border onto two bathrooms, male and female. Each had sky lights and green herringbone tiling, they'd added a bunch of potted greenery and it became an oasis. Placing her can on the large marble counter, she stripped off and stood under cold water.

Her body shivered as the heat left her skin. Three days if hard labour but it paid off, the contract was complete, with the minor cost of her crying muscles. Stretching she washed her body free of the earth.

All too soon she felt her stomach rumble and she turned off the faucet. Drying her body, Lydia pulled on panties, a pair of denim shorts followed by a oversized shirt. Then she slipped into a pair of ankle boots and head back out to the open area. Blonde hair and crystal blue eyes flashed to her deep brown ones, "How's Mrs. Jacinta fairing?"

"Not you too, she is in the process of a divorce, Lydia." Benjamin huffed in expiration before snagging her drink and downing it entirely.

"Anyone would think you're the boss... "

Benjamin pouted while faking a painful grimace, "well, as my boss I'm demanding you take into consideration how overworked I am, what will I tell my future children when I'm on my seventh joint replacement!"

Pursing her lips she replied, "that you knocked up their mother in client homes, back of company cars and on that very couch just there..."

"Lydia!" Ben's eyebrows hit his scalp, "that mouth needs some soap, I'm appalled."

Simultaneously the two broke out in a laugh, only to be interrupted by Taylor's head booking into the back room. "You two sound like hyenas, please maintain some professionalism, the Silvetti's contract has just showed up."

Instantly Lydia sobered up, Ben jumped to his feet. "Are you taking the piss..." But Taylor spoke no word of a lie, she could feel their hard, cold stare in her spine as she announced their arrival. "Holy shit boss, time to shine. We need this contract to expand just like you've always wanted. It's time to go corporate."

Swallowing hard, the brunette forced herself to locate bravado from somewhere deep within, "I was expecting them next week. Shit... okay, have them take a seat in my office, Taylor. I'll be out shortly." Then she proceeded to run her sweaty palms down against the denim of her shorts. "You got this, Lyd." Making her way to the back of the room where a large marble table sat, she grabbed a silver USB with the detailed mock ups of the contract and a cylinder container that held laminated 95 inch copies of the landscaping plan. "Make yourself look useful, Ben." She teased exiting the back room.

Lydia had run background check on RSSConstructions, she'd done her fair share of investigating. The company was founded by Royce and Sofia Silvetti , having been established just over 15 years ago it made significant indent in the architecture world, known globally for its designs. They were big money, the kind of money that changed lives for generations and she was about to meet the man that started it all. She wasn't sure how this was real and not just some illusion from heat stroke.

The Silvetti's original landscapers had been embezzling funds so the tabloids say. Once that had been broadcasted the well known Australian company fell of the face of earth, naturally this meant a contract with the company was available. She had spent weeks of sleepless nights designing the grounds of a new hospital build. Least to say, Lydia had not expect a call back, let alone a meeting with the CEO's for a tentative acceptance.

Taylor crossed her fingers under the table as Lydia passed her and walked towards her office, her steps faltered slightly as she took in the two defined, wide shoulders that faced her. Who was that? She wondered. Maybe Royce Silvetti and his assistent... but she could've sworn the man had more salt than pepper hair,

Stepping into the room, she walked around the large glass table with a greeting, "good afternoon, Mr. Silvetti. It's a pleasure to even be considered for this opportunity." Then she looked up...

"The pleasure is ours, Ms Payne." Seductive, deep and captivating in a way that had her instantly dropping into the large office chair behind her. Sharp and intense green irises followed her every movement, she felt like she was on trial. But not the kind that caused fear. No this hearing had her on edge for a completely different, completely inappropriate reason.

They were twins, that much was obvious; identical chiselled jaws and unnaturally beautiful features that were somehow masculine, one set of green eyes slightly deeper than the other. Fuck they were absolutely breath taking... She estimated their were in their early thirties, tall and dominating. Somehow they made the eight by eight metre room feel like a child's play pen. But all that did not compare to the intensity in their gaze, the intimidation that was only enhanced by sharp navy suits and matching dark brown leather oxfords.

The one closest to the door held himself ridged, his suit jacket buttoned at the waist with a matching navy tie tucked under it. The other seemed controlled and relaxed, like she was the one walking into his office, his suit jacket rested on the chair behind him, and the crisp white sleeves of his dress shirt was rolled up exposing intricate colourful illustrations. Finally it occurred to her that the men before her were most definitely not who she was expecting.

Without thinking she blurted out, "You're not Mr. Royce Silvetti?"

"No Ms Payne... Let me introduce myself, Nikolai Silvetti, and my brother Cosinno Silvetti." Nikolai leant back crossing his ankle over his knee, waiting for her next move. He met his brothers dark gaze and knew one thing was for sure; they both wondered if the flush coating the brown eyed, curvy woman's cheekbones matched a more intimate part of her body...