by Ciana Stone
“No, we don't.” She stuffed the phone into her purse and grabbed her briefcase.
“Yes, we do.”
“I'm tired of arguing with you.” Cici stepped out of the car and looked at the driver. “Thanks. See you in the morning.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
She headed for the entrance of the building, listening to him speak. “I haven't been arguing,” he said
“Sure sounded that way to me,” she smiled at the doorman who held the door for her.
“Maybe because you won't give me five minutes to have an actual conversation with you.”
“We don't have anything to talk about.” She punched the elevator call button, and the door opened almost instantly.
“No? What about you accusing me of poisoning the water supply to Heritage?”
She didn't know how he could have heard about that. Aside from her family and the investigators, she hadn't discussed it with anyone. Of course, anytime someone started asking questions, tongues started to wag.
Cici stepped onto the elevator, more annoyed than she'd been since the call first started. “Who said I had? Accused you, I mean.”
“Are you saying you didn't?”
She didn't respond and after a few seconds heard his voice again. “Did you hear me?”
“I heard you.”
“And?”
“And what?”
“Don't play obtuse, it doesn't become you.”
Just then the elevator doors opened to reveal Kal standing outside the door of her penthouse. “How did you get up here?” She asked, already thinking she was going to carve someone a new asshole for this.
“I bought the place across the hall.”
“You bastard.” She opened her door and stopped when he took a step in her direction. “I didn't invite you in.”
“Then invite me.”
“Why would I want to do that?”
“What the hell is wrong with you?”
Cici turned toward him, trying to rein in rage that threatened to erupt. “That's the second time you've asked me that question, and my answer is the same. Nothing.”
“I beg to differ.”
“Go away, Kal.”
“No, we're going to talk, and by that, I mean have a civil conversation.” He took a step closer, making it necessary for her to either back up or tilt her head back to look at him.
“Why can't you just let it go?”
“One conversation, Cici. Just one.”
Damn the man. Being so close to him brought a rush of longing she didn't want to feel. There was reason to strongly suspect that Kal was guilty of having the stream that fed a portion of Heritage pasture, poisoned with pesticide. She couldn't afford to let him get under her skin any more than he already had. If he was guilty, she'd have no choice but to go after him with a vengeance.
And if there was one thing she was good at, it was exacting vengeance on anyone who'd wronged the Walker family.
“Please.” That one word swayed her. Not because he pleaded, but because of the tone of voice in which he spoke the word.
“Fine. Come in.”
Cici put her briefcase and purse on the table in the foyer and continued on into the penthouse. She walked to the bar, selected two glasses and placed them on the bar's polished surface. “Drink?”
“Sure.”
“What's your poison?”
“Whatever you're having is fine.”
“Have a seat.” She poured them both three fingers of whiskey and carried the glasses to the seating area near the wall of glass that looked out over the city.
“Thanks,” he accepted the glass.
Cici took a seat across from him. “Okay, so let's talk.”
Kal set his drink aside. “I didn't poison that stream, Cici. I wouldn't do that, and I think your father should know better than to think I would.”
“Evidence leads to the contrary.”
“Evidence can be made to lead to wherever a person wants it to go. I have no reason to poison the water, and I certainly wouldn't do something that would jeopardize not just my business standing, but my entire reputation.”
“Then who did it?”
“I don't know, but I intend to find out.”
“How?”
“Same way as you. Hire a team of investigators and start digging. Sooner or later we'll find someone who knows something.”
“Nice speech and I'd like to believe it, but the pesticide was put into the water on your land. We obtained permission to test water from the stream three miles north where the stream meanders onto your property and there it wasn't contaminated. So, the source of the contamination has to be from your land.”
“Then someone is out to hurt me as much as you.”
Cici considered it. Kal was right. If she were able to pin the blame on him, it would deal a blow to his project and his reputation. How strong a blow could not be determined, but he definitely could suffer damage.
“Who would want to hurt you?”
He snorted and picked up his glass. “That's like asking who would want to hurt the Walker family. There are always people out to try and take down whoever has achieved more than they.”
“On that I can agree, but it doesn't alter the fact that all roads lead to Burton right now.”
“No, it doesn't but God as my witness, I had nothing to do with it.”
Cici turned her glass up and drained it. “You know, I'd really like to trust that you're telling the truth, but when I trust you, I tend to get slapped in the face, so you'll have to excuse me if I'm a bit gun-shy.”
Maybe she shouldn't have chugged that drink because she didn’t react nearly fast enough. Before she could move, he'd risen, marched over, put both hands on the arms of her chair and leaned over so that his face was even with hers.
“I'm going to say this just one more time, so listen up. I was one hundred percent honest about why I didn't sleep with you that night and believe me, that was one of the hardest things I've ever done because I don’t know that I've ever wanted a woman as much as I want you.
“And I'd make the same decision today because I meant what I said, Cici. I want more than just a night of hot sex with you, and I think you're putting on your world class bitch act because you want that too and it scares the living hell out of you.”
“You wish.” At that moment Cici was grateful she'd grown up with Russell Walker as a father because learning to lie to him and be convincing was the hardest thing she'd ever mastered and if she could fool him, she could sure as hell fool Kalvin Burton.
Kal straightened and looked down at her. “You don't lie nearly as well as you think.”
“Why don't you just go away and leave me alone?” It wasn't a witty comeback, but she was a little taken aback by his apparent ability to read her. Or had he? Was his comment not a statement but a guess? Was he just trying to throw her off stride?
And why in the name of all that was holy was she feeling so sexually aroused by the way he was looking at her.
“Do you really want me to leave?”
“Yes.”
“Without hearing what I have planned for that land adjacent to Heritage and why your organic status is so important to the success of my project?”
Cici did the mental equivalent of slamming on brakes. “Pardon?”
Kal smiled at her. “Do I finally have your attention?”
There was no reason she had to pretend otherwise. In fact, his statement had delivered an unexpected result. Excitement. If what he said had merit then she could drop her I don't give a shit about you act.
“You do. Please, sit.”
“Thank you, but I'll stand. In fact, could we walk outside? It's a nice evening.”
“Fine.”
Together they walked out onto the balcony. Kal chose a seat on a deeply padded sofa, and Cici sat down beside him.
“My city in Texas is going to be a bit different,” he began. “Until now, I've focused on catering to the wealthy, the top
two percent who are elitist enough to want a place where they can be with others of their ilk, and financial status. The rich and the famous flock to the cities, gobbling up properties like it's the newest drug and maybe it is.”
“I can understand the appeal strictly from an aesthetic point of view. Burton Bay in California is the only city I've visited, and it's truly magnificent, like something out of a movie. A utopic city, if you will.”
“Yes, that's exactly what it's supposed to be. And I'm quite pleased with it and the others. But I want something different from the project in Texas.”
“Like what?”
“Green.”
“Green?”
“Yes. No dependence on fossil fuels, powered by clean, green energy and constructed with recycled material such as aluminum, glass and plastics.”
“Plastics?”
“Yes. Think about it. This planet is overflowing with plastic waste. What if someone built an industry to not recycle, but retool in a manner of speaking. Take all the plastic waste, melt it down and reform it into building blocks. Use hemp to create carpet and fabrics and flooring and a host of other things. The same for scrap metal. Collect and refabricate for use in building. There are a thousand ways to take what we all throw away and turn that trash into something usable. And beautiful.”
Cici was shocked. “Are you serious?”
“You better believe it. This is what I've been working towards for the last decade. Think about it, Cici. We all talk about turning things around, but we don't do anything but talk. I've been damn lucky, thanks to people like your father who helped mentor me, to friends like Edward who believed in me and invested in my ideas, and to my family for steering me toward sound investments.
“I have more than I can spend in five lifetimes and I'm not yet fifty, so now's the time for me to start on what I want to be my legacy.”
“A green city?”
“Yes. I want to prove to the world that not only can it be built, but it can be operated and maintained without harming the environment, and it can be self-sustaining.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning that land has to be allocated for crops and raising animals, and the people who live in the city are all involved in the production of everything needed to live – food, clothing, furniture – the whole nine yards. I'll construct factories that run off solar and wind power, water if we can make it work. Cici, think about it. A place that does no harm to the planet.”
She nodded, trying to grasp the enormous scope of it. Had she heard it from someone else, she'd have dismissed it as a fanciful notion. With Kal it was different. He was a doer, not a talker.
“And my family's organic status is important because?” She decided to lead him back to his initial claim.
“Because I can't afford contamination. I'm trying to buy more property, to build a type of natural buffer around Burton Texas to protect against contamination, but that's another hurdle we'll overcome in time. Right now, what you need to know is that it would be suicide for me to do what you've accused me of. Professionally, speaking.”
Cici was well aware that she had a temper, that she could fly off the handle when provoked and that when it came to dealing with Kalvin Burton, she let her attraction for him be an issue. All that aside, she also was capable of being clear-headed when the occasion demanded, such as now.
What Kal said made perfect sense and she knew beyond all doubt that he'd not take the risk of dooming a project he had so much invested in. Just the cost of the land alone stretched into the millions, and unless he could develop his city, he'd end up with thousands of acres sitting fallow.
Thankfully, her clarity was restored, at least in regards to his project. She believed him, and that opened the door to another problem. Her feelings for him and what to do about them.
“Well?” he asked.
“I believe you.”
Her answer was barely past her lips before he had hold of her, pulling her close.
“Can we please start over?”
“Is that really what you want?”
“Cici.”
Dear Lord, she'd never heard her name spoken in such a manner, like a man uttering a prayer. It slayed her. So much that she looked away, suddenly nervous and unsure, feelings that were not common or comfortable for her.
“Cici, look at me. Please.”
She couldn't remember ever feeling so cowardly, but she was literally scared to look at him, afraid that if she did, she'd lose herself to a man who just might possess the ability to emotionally destroy her.
Cici resisted, without success and finally turned her head to meet his gaze. Kal didn't speak, he simply raised one hand to take hold of her chin gently and lean over to graze her lips in a soft kiss.
“I'm not going to fall for you, Kal.” Cici hated herself for the words, but couldn't stop that part of her nature that refused to admit she'd been bested, with gentleness no less.
Kal just smiled and pushed her down on the sofa, but she pushed him away and scooted back. “I meant what I said. I'm not looking for love.”
“I know. You've made that plain. You're not interested in love.”
“Correct.”
He regarded her and a smile rose slowly on his face. “Fine, what about passion?”
“Now you're talking my language.”
“Then get naked, baby and I guarantee I'll take you there.”
Cici knew the lightness of his tone and the boastful words were a smokescreen, something for her benefit, to make her believe he was game to a sex for fun relationship. She'd already figured out that he wasn't a friends with benefits kind of man.
Was he pretending because he was sincerely interested or because he couldn't stand losing and so far, he hadn't won in this game they were playing? More importantly, would he accept that passion and a short-lived affair was all they'd have?
They were about to find out. “I'm a charter member of the show me club.”
His smile lit a fire inside her. “Baby, my promise comes with a money back guarantee.”
Cici knew without a doubt they were both playing now, pretending for the sake of remaining in control and perhaps also to protect themselves from whatever power kept them circling back into one another's orbit.
She was honest enough with herself to admit that she was as guilty of playing the game as he because she was doing her best to pretend that all she wanted from him was sex. She didn't know that she'd have the courage to admit she found herself wishing this could be more. Kal inspired feelings she'd never experienced, and she'd found herself wondering more than once if maybe they could be more, have more with one another.
Not that she'd admit that for all the land in Texas.
Kal watched, taking note of how her expression changed and the look in her eyes. There was something she wanted, or needed, to hide. What was it and was it strong enough to scare her away? He hoped not. Even though this game of “just sex” was not a game he wanted to play with her, he'd do it for the chance to prove to her that they might be capable of more.
And to prove to himself it was possible because she might be right and he could be fooling himself, thinking she might be the one for him. He was starting to think she was going to tell him to take a hike when she gave him a sexy smile.
“Well, damn, Kal. How can a woman refuse?”
Before he could react, she was pushing him back and climbing on top of him. Cici ripped his jacket open, literally sending buttons flying and made short order of undoing his tie and tossing it aside.
The shirt he wore was one he'd not wear again since she grabbed it in both hands and ripped it open. Buttons flew as she snatched the shirt loose from his pants and bared his chest. Kal barely had time to catch a breath before her mouth was on his chest and her fingers were working on his belt buckle.
Hunger overrode his intention to take it slow. He pulled her to him, and their lips met in a kiss that was almost furious it was so filled with need. Cici paused in the task of un
fastening his belt, snaked her arms up around his neck, fisted her hands in his hair, and returned the kiss with unbridled passion.
Desire flared hot enough that the blaze burned south of the belt way too quick for his comfort. Kal wasn’t accustomed to instant heat, the kind that made you lose your mind and revert into a primitive male with only a single thought. Get in and stroke hard. But that’s where he was and try as he might he couldn't beat it.
So, he gave in. Still locked in the kiss, he flipped them over so she was beneath him. As her fingers worked at his belt and zipper, he made short work out of undressing her. When nothing was barring her skin to his touch, he ran his hands down her sides, traveling over the curves, feeling the reaction in the tightening muscles of her thighs.
Holy hell, she felt good. There was steel beneath her smooth skin, firm muscle that quivered in response to his touch. Cici's hands loosened in his hair when he tore away from the kiss to let his lips roam down the length of her neck to the hollow of her throat where her pulse hammered through the soft skin against his tongue.
More potent than a drug he thought with a quick smile when he reached her breasts. Soft, round mounds that filled his hands, topped by a perfect pair of nipples that screamed to be licked, sucked, bitten.
Cici released a soft moan, and her fingers tightened again in his hair when he captured one of those perfect nipples in his mouth, flicking his tongue across the taut nub then sucking it into his mouth. His erection jumped in excitement when she arched up and pressed against his mouth with a small exhalation of pleasure escaping her lips.
That sound stirred a side of him he wasn’t nearly ready to reveal. He'd not shown that side of himself to many of his lovers, his need to possess and dominate. He'd not felt that strong a passion with many, but with those he had, he'd demonstrated his desire clearly.
Kal needed to know that the woman was his to pleasure at his leisure. When he was certain, he was all too eager to propel her to the edge of madness with wanting then stop her from crossing so that he could carry her toward release time and again until at last she achieved pleasure beyond her dreams.
Would Cici be open to that? Hell, could she even submit to the kind of desire inside him? She was aggressive and dominant in her own right. His mouth traveled down her body toward that final bit of clothing, the lacy triangle that covered her sex.