Strategic Seduction

by Cheris Hodges

  She pulled a napkin from the dispenser and dabbed her top lip. “It’s a little warm in here,” Alicia said as she looked toward the counter. “We’d better order and get out of here before someone snatches this table from us.”

  It wasn’t long before the trio was chowing down on crisp fried chicken, fresh cabbage, and cornbread.

  After finishing his plate and Kandace’s cornbread, Richmond patted his stomach. “I’m going to have to spend about three hours in the gym tonight to work this off. Maybe if my ex could cook like this, I wouldn’t be divorced now.”

  Alicia inhaled sharply as she thought about sweat dripping down his chest. Did he wear compression pants or gray sweatpants? And he said he was divorced. Was the universe giving her a green light?

  What in the hell is wrong with me? Alicia turned away from Richmond and rose to her feet. “We’d better give up this table before we get thrown out.”

  “Wouldn’t be the first time,” Kandace muttered as she and Richmond stood up.

  “Don’t tell me you ladies were rowdy college students,” he said with a smirk.

  My God, this man has dimples. Why have I never noticed this before? Oh, he never smiled before. Who knew Richmond Crawford was human? Alicia thought as they headed for the exit and Kandace recounted the time that Serena had cursed out a waiter at the café because he’d had the nerve to ask her for her phone number.

  “And Alicia didn’t help the matter,” Kandace said, breaking into her friend’s thoughts. “She tried to help Serena assault the man with chicken bones. We were so young and silly.”

  “That’s not what happened!”

  “Don’t try to rewrite history now.”

  “So, you’re forgetting that you were tossing cornbread?”

  Richmond laughed. “Is that why you didn’t have a problem with me eating yours today?”

  Kandace shrugged. “All right, whatever. You messed with one of us, you messed with all of us.” Then she looked from Richmond to Alicia. “And that hasn’t changed.”

  Chapter 2

  Richmond caught what Kandace was throwing his way when she said her friends looked out for each other. The hint was taken, but Alicia was fine as hell. Kandace didn’t have anything to worry about because his focus was on work and building the hotels. Though it would be nice to . . . Stop it, he thought as he turned his attention to the traffic signal in front of them.

  “This neighborhood is going through a revitalization, huh?” Richmond said.

  “Gentrification is more like it,” Alicia muttered. “It’s happening all over the city. Hipsters are moving out of their parents’ basements and into the city.”

  “I’m wondering if this might be the best spot for the first hotel,” he said as he folded his arms across his chest. “It would be a great way to pay homage to Mom and D-Elliot’s vision for the Crawford hotels. They started in the community and look how our empire grew. I think I can do the same in Atlanta.”

  “Things aren’t like they were in the sixties,” Alicia said. “Image and location is key to everything now. Hell, you have people hiding who really owns things just to keep a buzz going.”

  “That isn’t how we’re going to do business. But giving back is always a good way to get in good with the right people.” Richmond smiled. “Don’t you think so?”

  Alicia stared into his eyes, not really remembering what they’d just been talking about. Marketing. They were talking about marketing. She couldn’t give him all of her knowledge for free. Maybe if she took him on as a client, she would be able to push her growing attraction to him deep down. One thing Alicia never did was mix business with pleasure.

  “Umm, when are you moving to Atlanta?”

  “Did that last week. I’m renting a place in Dunwoody until I decide where I want to live, or if this is going to be my new home. It’s interesting how everyone out here wants to be outside of the city limits. I’m not sure I’m ready for yard work.”

  Alicia nodded. “I’m thinking that I’m going to live in midtown, that way I can take that MARTA.”

  “A woman who actually wants to take public transportation. That must be a Southern thing.”

  “Well, the moment you get caught in that traffic on I-285, you will learn to love the MARTA as well.”

  Richmond shrugged. “Or I can just get a really good car service and just read the paper while my driver deals with traffic.”

  “Guys,” Kandace said. “Can we speed this along? I want to get back to the hotel and relax a little before this mixer tonight. And these shoes have to go.”

  Alicia laughed as she gave Kandace’s heels a cursory glance. “Scared you’re going to break it?”

  Ever since famed photographer and Richmond’s other sister-in-law, Dana Singleton-Bryant immortalized Kandace in her photo book with a broken shoe and a smile, Alicia and the girls always did a shoe check for her when she wore heels.

  “I don’t see how you and Serena march around in these things without breaking your necks.”

  “Practice makes perfect,” Alicia said as she kicked her leg out. “Besides, these shoes make my legs look good.”

  “Yes, they do,” Richmond muttered as he gave her outstretched leg a long glance.

  Alicia dropped her leg and turned away from him as her cheeks heated. “Well, we’d better get back to the hotel.”

  Kandace shook her head as she glanced at Richmond and Alicia. “Let’s go, people.”

  * * *

  Walking in silence, Richmond tried to keep his focus on everything except Alicia’s ass and those shapely calves. He failed. Every time they stopped at a crosswalk or for a traffic light, Richmond couldn’t tear his eyes away from her.

  “Atlanta’s a really clean city,” he said after getting caught looking at Alicia again.

  Kandace crossed over to Richmond and nudged him in the side. “Whatever you’re thinking, stop it.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Alicia isn’t your rebound chick.”

  “I’m not trying to make her my rebound anything.”

  “Make sure you remember that. Because I’d hate to have to kick your ass if you hurt my girl.”

  “Kandace, we’re adults and there is nothing going on. But you can’t deny that having her on my business team would be a win for the hotel.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “Keep it that way. As tough as my girl tries to pretend she is, she’s not and . . .”

  “What are you two whispering about?” Alicia asked.

  “Nothing,” Kandace said as she pulled out her phone. “I’m calling an Uber, I’m tired of walking.”

  “Such a privileged New Yorker,” Alicia quipped. “You guys go ahead and take your Uber. I’m going to walk on.”

  “I’ll keep you company,” he said.

  “You two be careful. This is still southwest Atlanta. Crime is down, but y’all look like tourists right now.”

  “See you in a few hours,” Alicia said as a black car pulled up in front of her friend.

  Richmond jogged over to the car to make sure the U symbol was visible. “All right, sister-in-law, text me when you make it to the hotel. I’m going to walk with Alicia. If that’s all right with you.”

  “Funny. You just remember what I said. Don’t play the rebound game with her. I know that you and . . .”

  “Kandace, just let me know you made it back to the hotel safely so that Solomon won’t keep texting me about what you’re doing.”

  “Is he really doing that?” She dug into her purse and pulled out her iPhone. “He should’ve come down here with me.”

  “And who was going to keep my beautiful niece?” he said with a smile.

  “Adrian and Dana had volunteered. Richmond, remember, you two are just taking a friendly walk.”

  “Be safe, Kandace,” he said as he closed the door. When Richmond turned around, he noticed that Alicia was standing inches behind him.

  “That was a first,” she said with a smile on her lips.


  “What are you talking about?”

  “Normally, my friends are trying to make me believe that every single man they know is the perfect guy for me.” She laughed. “Richmond, do you know how many blind dates these women have tried to set me up on in the last six months? You just wait, you’re going to get that same treatment from people now that you’re single. I really want to jump in that car and kiss Kandace for not falling into the Jade and Serena trap.”

  He laughed, pretending that he didn’t want to be one of the men sitting at a table across from her to be that blind date. “I guess your friends just want you to be happy.”

  She sucked her teeth. “People act as if single folks can’t be happy alone.”

  “You’re right. Now that I’m officially single, I’m starting to understand why my brother enjoyed those years of being a playboy.”

  “How long were you married?”

  “Eight years. Vivian and I married right after college and . . .” Richmond stopped talking about why he married his ex. Everything started with a lie. He knew that now, but at the time he’d overlooked what everyone said Vivvy was, because he thought that he loved her and would have a marriage like his parents.

  Too bad he hadn’t known how big of a lie their marriage had been at the time. When Vivian said she was pregnant, Richmond knew he had to do the honorable thing and marry her. He thought, at the time, that he couldn’t be the one to bring shame to the Crawford name. However, two months after their marriage, Vivian said she’d suffered a miscarriage. With their child gone, he’d had his way out, but he’d wanted to try again with his wife and have a child in wedlock, but it had never happened.

  “Richmond? Are you all right?” Alicia asked, breaking into his thoughts.

  “I’m fine, I was just thinking about where to break ground on our first hotel,” he covered quickly.

  “All right, but I think this isn’t going to be the right place. And I can’t believe you, of all people, are acting on emotion and not research.”

  “I’ve been doing business that way for a long time, and you know what? I’m about to try something new.”

  “What? Losing money?”

  “No. Making business personal. I could come into this city as just another businessman looking to make a profit or I could become a part of the community and make a difference.”

  “That’s a novel idea. But what happens if you don’t become a part of the community? After all, you’re a New Yorker and things work differently in the South.”

  Richmond placed his arm around Alicia’s shoulders and heated shivers rushed up and down her spine. What in the hell was happening? She eased closer to him, inhaling his masculine scent and feeling heady with desire. When his fingers brushed across her lips, Alicia smiled. “Richmond, what’s going on here?”

  “Just two people walking and talking about Atlanta. I’m new to the city and you know this place like the back of your hand, right?”

  She sighed and told herself that she would buy his logic. They were simply walking and it was just her imagination that the warmth of his body wasn’t turning her on like a light switch.

  “What do you think of Atlanta so far?” she asked, needing to cut the tension between them. She inched out of his embrace and pointed to an old building. “That spot right there is where we originally wanted our first business. At the time, we had no idea what that business would be. After Devon and Kandace broke up, a restaurant wasn’t in the cards.”

  “So, how did it happen? You ladies own one of the most successful restaurants in the Southeast and you’re telling me that it wasn’t your plan?”

  Alicia grinned. “It all started with a newspaper article and humiliation.”

  “Huh?”

  “Stephen Carter was dating Jade at the time and she was working as his bookkeeper. They seemed to be an Atlanta power couple, but he was going to marry someone else and planned to expand his restaurant into Charlotte.”

  “So, you all acted on emotion and not a business plan?” Richmond quipped as they crossed the street.

  “If you want to say it like that, yes. But the principle behind all of that was that Jade deserved better and she’d invested in a man who treated her like crap. And look how it all turned out. Stephen is dead broke and our restaurant is everything he wished his could have been.” She winked at him. “Never underestimate a woman with an investment plan.”

  “Let me make note of that,” he replied.

  “Things worked out for us for a number of reasons, but if we had to do it again, I’m sure we would do things a little differently.”

  “Or maybe the way you guys did your business is a new blueprint.”

  She tilted her head and looked up at him. “Really?”

  “I’m not trying to have an experience like your friend Jade, but I’m looking to do things differently. Maybe we can work together on this,” he said. “This project is really important to me and I’m looking to make sure this hotel will be one of the most successful in the Crawford chain.”

  “Means a lot to you, huh?”

  Richmond nodded. “You have no idea. I’m definitely trying to make sure I’m surrounded by people who know how to be successful.”

  “As long as you know I don’t work for free.”

  He stroked her forearm. “Now, you know I wouldn’t insult you like that. I need a consultant, and since you’re someone who knows this city, I want to hire you.”

  “Really?”

  “How much of a businessman would I be if I didn’t hire an insider?”

  She smiled. “That’s a good idea, and I’d be glad to help you.”

  “Thanks. Why don’t we get together next week and have dinner? A business dinner,” he said as he held his hands up. “You bring your contract and we’ll go from there.”

  “All right. Where do you want to meet?”

  “You know the city better than I do, so you tell me where and when.” Richmond’s smile made her heart skip a beat.

  “Restaurant Eugene is a nice place, so I’ve heard. Keep in mind, it has been a while since I was a resident here. I don’t want you to think that I have all the answers, but I do have most of them.”

  “Why are you coming back when you guys have such a great thing going in Charlotte?”

  Alicia sighed. “I’ve never been the kind of person who wanted to take the easy route, and that’s what Charlotte is starting to feel like. I know I’m good at what I do, but everything can’t be this easy. I want to strike out on my own and see if I’m as good as I think I am.”

  “So, the lady likes a challenge?” Richmond smiled. “I should’ve had you by my side in New York this past year.”

  “Were things that bad?”

  “Let’s just say I missed the days when Solomon was tossing supermodels out of his bed and making Page Six every week.”

  Alicia folded her arms across her chest. “That’s cruel.”

  “I didn’t say I wanted him to go back to those days, but his headlines allowed me to stay in the shadows for a long time. Not a fan of that New York spotlight.”

  She nodded. “It can be hard, I’m sure. But you just jumped into another fishbowl. You’re in reality-show central. Just wait until the right woman gets a look at you and finds out that you’re those Crawfords, then it’s going to be on.”

  “I doubt that’s going to happen,” he said. “From what I understand, Southern belles don’t take too well to New Yorkers.”

  “Someone told you wrong,” she said with a wink. “We’d better get back before they send a search party out here.”

  Richmond closed the space between him and Alicia. “You know, you’re a beautiful woman and I can’t believe I never noticed that before.”

  “Well, at least you’re paying attention now.” She flashed him a smile and walked a step ahead of him. “Make sure you get a good look.”

  Richmond laughed as he caught up with her. “You’re funny, but it was a great look.”

  Afte
r they arrived at the hotel, Alicia saw that her friends were sitting in the hotel bar. “I guess they have questions,” Richmond said with a wink. “I’m going to see if I can figure out the MARTA. See you later.”

  She almost leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek, but knowing she was being watched, Alicia decided against it.

  “Well, well,” Serena said as Alicia walked into the bar. “Looks as if you and Richmond were pretty cozy.”

  “That was about business, thank you very much.”

  “Keep it that way,” Kandace said as she took a sip of her merlot. “I love my brother-in-law, but he is dealing with a lot right now and I don’t want you caught in the crossfire.”

  Alicia raised her right eyebrow at her friend. “I’m a grown woman and I can handle myself. Besides, you guys know that I don’t mix business with pleasure. Richmond and I are going to work together on the marketing for the new hotels; that makes him off limits. Besides, I’m going to show him around Atlanta, introduce him to some people who can help with finding the best locations for the hotels and whatnot.”

  Jade cleared her throat. “I said something like that once.”

  “You slept with that man in Las Vegas, so when we started doing business with him, you were already hooked.” Alicia shook her head.

  Jade rolled her eyes. “Whatever. I’m just saying, we all have eyes and saw the way you two were looking at each other.”

  “We were sharing a joke about MARTA. Now, can y’all stop seeing things that aren’t there?”

  “We just want to make sure that you aren’t getting into something that’s going to break your heart,” Kandace said.

  “I’m a big girl and I’ve been through worse, including blind dates at Jade’s house.”

  Serena laughed and Alicia shot her an icy look. “And that coffee ambush the other week.”

  “It really was Jade’s idea,” Serena said.