Strategic Seduction

by Cheris Hodges

  “I think he drugged me,” she blurted out.

  “Okay, call the police. But leave me and Alicia alone.”

  Vivian snorted. “You think that . . . She’s only with you because you’re the new shiny thing in town. Richmond, women don’t want you. They want what you can do for them. That’s why I married you.”

  “I thought it was for the baby. And it’s so good to know that all women aren’t as trifling and conniving as you are. You made your bed, time to get comfortable in it.” Richmond turned to the door and headed out of the room.

  Now, he was going to find his woman and clear everything up.

  Chapter 21

  Alicia stripped down to her boy shorts and bra, then hopped in the middle of her bed. Though she would have loved a real dinner, she was going to settle for a bowl of popcorn and a glass of dry chardonnay. Of course, drinking the cheap hotel wine made her think about the wine she and Richmond shared. Then she thought about Paris and making love to him, and finally, Vivian’s text.

  Downing her glass of wine and shoveling a handful of popcorn in her mouth, Alicia decided to do some channel surfing until she went to sleep. She paused on a classic movie and smiled. Maybe her night could be salvaged.

  About twenty minutes later, her phone rang and Alicia nearly jumped out of her skin. “Okay, this better be good, because What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? is on,” she said without looking at the caller ID.

  “So, Baby Jane is more important than I am?” Richmond asked.

  She sucked in a deep breath. “I didn’t realize it was you,” she said. “I thought . . . What’s up?”

  “I need to see you.”

  “Richmond, I’m—”

  “I’m outside of your hotel in the parking lot. I’ll stay here all night if I have to, because we need to fix what’s broken between us.”

  “Come on up,” she said as she looked around the bed. A few popcorn crumbs littered the bed and her half-empty bottle of wine was on the nightstand. Sprinting to her feet, she cleaned up the popcorn and stuck the wine in the refrigerator. Then she grabbed the plush robe and wrapped it around her body. Seconds later, there was a knock at the door. Alicia closed her eyes and walked over to the door. When she opened it and saw Richmond standing there, she wanted nothing more than to fall into his arms.

  “Can I come in?”

  “Sure,” she replied as she stepped aside.

  Richmond closed the door behind him and drew Alicia into his arms. “I don’t like fighting, especially when we’ve been set up.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Can we sit down?”

  Alicia nodded and led him over to the bed. “Am I going to need a drink for this?”

  “Probably so,” he replied. “Plan on sharing?”

  “Depends on what you have to say,” she said as she crossed over to the refrigerator and pulled out the wine. “What’s going on?”

  “Vivian came to Atlanta because she wanted me to give her a million dollars. Somehow, she spilled her guts to Felix Thompson.”

  Alicia tilted her head to the side as she filled her plastic cup with wine. She poured the rest in a cup for Richmond. “How do they know each other?”

  “Random meeting in a bar. When he found out she was getting this big windfall, he took her to his house or they went to her hotel room and had sex. He filmed it and is now holding it over her head.”

  “That slimy bastard. Not that she doesn’t deserve to have a house dropped on her like the wicked witch she is, but that is the lowest thing he could’ve done to her. I wonder how many other women he has done that to.”

  “Why does it matter?”

  “He works in education and he obviously trolls hotel bars for victims. Hell, he was here tonight. He has to be stopped. Maybe Vivian should go to the police.”

  “Good luck on that. She doesn’t want that tape to get out, and I’m willing to bet she’s not going to stick around to see the case through.”

  “So, we’re just supposed to ignore this?”

  “Yes,” he said. “What are we supposed to do? That woman tried to blackmail me for a million dollars. And let’s not forget that she almost cost me you. She is just as guilty as he is.”

  Alicia downed her wine and shook her head. “That’s not the point,” she said. “Felix is a—”

  Richmond grabbed her chin. “Let’s not talk about them right now. I want you to know that I’m all yours. Totally yours.” He brushed his lips against hers. “But if you ever give me a cheap chardonnay again, I’m going to have to reevaluate how much I love you.”

  Alicia froze in place. “What did you say?”

  “No more cheap chardonnay,” he said.

  “Stop it.”

  “Oh, you mean the I-love-you part? Alicia Michaels, I love you.”

  * * *

  Alicia felt faint and wanted to fall into his arms. Love? Could she say the same thing? She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him slowly. They fell backwards on the bed. Richmond slipped his hands underneath her robe and smiled. “This is beautiful,” he said as he slipped the robe off her shoulders.

  “Great, now I can stop buying lingerie.”

  “Don’t you dare,” he said, then kissed her shoulders. He slowly moved down her body using his tongue as the tour guide. Pulling her boy shorts off, Richmond spread her thighs and stroked her wetness until she purred.

  “Richmond,” she moaned as his tongue replaced his fingers. Alicia arched her body into his kiss, feeling every bit of pleasure that his tongue provided.

  Pulling back from her, he looked into her eyes and smiled. “You’re simply amazing.”

  “Takes one to know one,” she said. Richmond rose from the bed and stripped out of his clothes.

  Alicia ran her finger down his chest as he got back into the bed. “I don’t like to fight with you.”

  “Me either, but the making up is always fun.” He took her hand in his and kissed it slowly. “Believe me when I say this, you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

  “Richmond.”

  “You’re sweet, smart, beautiful, and kind. I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but trust me, I won’t be letting you go.”

  She pushed him on his back and mounted him. “I like the way that sounds.”

  Richmond dove inside her and Alicia moaned in delight. She rode him slow, as if she was breaking in a wild mustang. He gripped her hips and fell in rhythm with her. “Yes, yes, yes,” Alicia cried.

  “You feel so good,” Richmond groaned as she ground against him with zest.

  She leaned forward and kissed his neck. Richmond shivered and Alicia felt as if she was about to explode when he thrust his hips forward.

  Richmond sucked her hard nipples and pushed her over the edge. She collapsed against his chest and buried her lips in his neck.

  “I hope you don’t plan on telling me to go home, because I can’t move,” Richmond said.

  “I don’t want you to leave, but I do have a question,” she said.

  “And I have an answer.”

  “Do you want to look at a couple of places with me tomorrow? I can’t do the hotel living anymore.”

  “I told you that you could stay with me until you found a place of your own, or forever, whichever comes first.”

  “And I don’t want to put that kind of pressure on us. Living together and working together could be too much,” she said.

  “Just admit it, you’re afraid,” he said.

  “I’m . . . a little afraid. Are we moving too fast? Do you want to explore what’s out there for a single man, and would I be standing in your way?”

  “If I wanted to date every woman who crossed my path, then I wouldn’t be here with you. You’re the only woman I want and the only woman I love.” He stroked her cheek. “Alicia, you’re my everything. Don’t ever forget that.”

  She smiled and let his words wrap around her. Maybe she could have it all and have her happily-ever-after. But why
did she feel as if she was waiting for the other shoe to drop?

  * * *

  Two weeks later, Alicia had moved into Richmond’s place while she waited for her condo in Midtown to be ready. They’d also set up the interview with Atlanta Scene. Alicia was particularly proud that they’d gotten the cover, and the photo shoot was going to be at the office and his home. Alicia was going to have to make sure that none of her belongings were visible.

  And Richmond had found the perfect location to build the first hotel in Midtown. The land had been cheaper than he’d expected and Solomon was 100 percent on board with purchasing the land as soon as possible. Solomon and Kandace were going to come to Atlanta in the next day or two to see the property. But Richmond was sure that Kandace was coming to make sure he was taking care of her friend. Glancing over at Alicia, who was on her iPad, made him wonder, who would the babies look like, him or her?

  “Why are you staring at me?” she asked when she looked up and caught his gaze.

  “Because when you’re in the midst of beauty, you stare at her.” Richmond crossed over to her and took her face in his hands. “You’re simply amazing.”

  “Remember that when you get my bill,” she said with a wink.

  He laughed, then captured her lips in a slow kiss. Alicia melted against him and lost herself in the sweetness of his kiss. Richmond pulled back from her. “Before we start something that we can’t finish, I do have a meeting, and if we kiss one more time, I’m not going to make it.”

  “If you kiss me again, I’m not going to let you make it,” she said, then stroked his cheek. “Besides, I have to get across town to do a soft launch of my client’s online boutique and whatnot.”

  “Damn this work,” he said. “If we were unemployed, we could just climb into bed and spend the day making love.”

  “And then be out on the streets in a month with no money to pay the rent. Not the life for me, darling,” she quipped, then kissed him on the cheek.

  “I know,” he said. “It’s fun to dream, though. But let’s keep in mind that of all the problems I’ve ever had, money has never been one of them.” Richmond looked at his watch. “We’d better get going.”

  As they headed out to their cars, Richmond watched the sway of Alicia’s hips. She was the definition of beauty, and no one filled out a pair of gray slacks the way she did. He couldn’t wait to peel them off later tonight.

  “What are you thinking about for dinner?” he asked. “Because I know exactly what I want for dessert.”

  “Goodbye, Richmond,” she said with a smile. “And I’ll pick up dinner tonight. I’m going to be near the AUC, so I can get us something from the Busy Bee Café.”

  Richmond nodded as he opened his car door. “You’re the best. See you tonight.”

  Heading to the office, Richmond was ready to get his day started. He’d expected it to be a good day until he saw Vivian waiting for him in the parking lot.

  “Shit,” he muttered. Richmond parked his car and slowly walked toward his ex. “Thought you were back in New York.”

  “He’s threatening to release the video, Richmond. Please, let’s pay him off. You don’t even have to worry about me and what I need.”

  “I’m not,” he said as he walked up the steps and headed for his office. Vivian grabbed his elbow.

  “Please, if you ever . . .”

  He turned around and faced her, angry and frustrated that she was singing the same song about a video he didn’t believe existed. Vivian was a lot of things, but he didn’t think she was this naïve and stupid.

  “Sing another song because this one, like your begging, is played out. Find a way to deal with your own demons, because I’m done with you and your bullshit.”

  Vivian narrowed her eyes at him. “Typical. I’m not going down alone. So, if he releases this video, I’m telling all of your secrets.”

  Richmond stroked his chin. “Have you thought about going to the police? That way you could make sure he goes to jail and you won’t have to worry about your goodies being shown to the world.”

  “Going to the police makes all of this public, and I don’t want that to happen,” she said as tears poured down her cheeks.

  Shaking his head, Richmond couldn’t help but remember how he’d been fooled by those tears too many times before. But not today. “Cut the waterworks,” he said. “It’s not working and I’m not giving you money, but if you want to call the police, I’ll help you out.”

  “You just want me to be embarrassed,” she said as she wiped her eyes.

  “No, I don’t. You shouldn’t be his victim. Do you think one payment is going to end this?” He placed his hand on her shoulder. “Don’t open yourself up to being blackmailed for the rest of your life. He committed a crime and should pay for it.”

  “And you think he should pay for it because I could be hurt, or is this about Alicia? How long has this dalliance with her been going on?”

  Richmond laughed and shook his head. “You have some nerve. How long were you sleeping with Robert McFaul, Thomas Greene, Damien Parker, and the artist with the name no one can pronounce?”

  Vivian brought her hand to her mouth. “You knew?”

  “Did you think I was a fool? I chose to look the other way and tried to keep it a secret that my wife was behaving like a whore. For a while, I thought I could live with that, but I deserve better and I have better. While you’re trying to stay in my pocket, I’ve moved on. Time for you to do the same, because if you show up here again—without being invited—I’m going to be the one calling the police.”

  “You son of—”

  Richmond held up his hand. “Two choices. You can call the police and report what Felix did to you, or you can go back to New York and leave me the hell alone.”

  She rung her hands, then nodded. “Fine, I’ll call the police. But—”

  “But nothing, Vivvy. You’re not my problem anymore. You need to learn how to budget the settlement you received, because I was more than generous with you.”

  She wiped her eyes. “What if we could give it another—”

  “Not even if hell froze over tonight. Let me know when you and the cops need a meeting room and I’ll get one prepared for you.”

  He headed into his office and slammed the door. Six months ago, he would’ve fallen for her tears and her sob story. But after knowing what real love feels like, there was no way in hell he’d return to being manipulated.

  * * *

  Alicia shook hands with her client as they wrapped up their business. The launch of the online boutique had been a success, over ten thousand hits and five thousand sales. “Alicia, you have to pick out one of these dresses, because without you, I’d still be doing trunk shows in the West End,” Royal Jonathan, the designer, said.

  “I can’t do that, you’re about to sell out,” she said with a huge grin.

  Royal walked over to the closet where he kept his newest designs. “I haven’t even put these online yet. And with your figure, you would be the best advertisement ever.” He held up a sea-green strapless dress with a wide yellow belt. Alicia was in love with the design and shape of the dress, but she wasn’t sure that she could pull off the color combination. “I don’t know,” she moaned.

  Royal crossed over to her and draped the dress in front of her. “Honey, this is beautiful and so are you. Imagine you and your boo, ’cause I know you got one, dancing at a rooftop restaurant and people snapping pictures of you with their camera phones. You’ll be on Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr and YouTube.” Royal gave her the dress. “You have to try it on.”

  “All right, I’ll try it,” she said as she took the dress into the fitting room and tried it on. As she looked at her reflection in the mirror, Alicia felt as if the dress had been made for her. It fit perfectly and the color actually looked good on her. “Never argue with a designer,” she muttered as she spun around to get a 360-degree look at the dress.

  “Come on out, let me see it!” Royal exclaimed.


  “All right,” Alicia said as she stepped out of the room.

  Royal clapped his hands and jumped up and down. “Yes, yes, yes! This is the perfect dress for you. I knew it was going to be amazing. Knew it! Oh my God, oh my God, I have the perfect purse to go with this dress and you have to get some gold sandals, the strappier the better!”

  “You’re amazing, Royal,” she said as he handed her a yellow clutch. “You designed this too?”

  “Eh, I wish I could say that I did, but this is the work of my ex-partner. The only thing he was good for was accessories. But that’s a whole other story.”

  Alicia patted his shoulder. “Well, you can best believe that your phone is going to be ringing off the hook with exes and friends who’ve lost touch with you.”

  “And I’m charging those bitches double,” he said with a laugh.

  “That’s a great business plan! I’m going to change, and I’ll see you next week to go over your SEO rankings.”

  Royal shook his head and smiled. “I’m glad you know what all of that stuff means, because I have no clue.”

  “Oh, you need to start using the hashtag Royal-Designs, every time you post about your clothing line. And we’ll put a plan together to get you trending.” Alicia snapped her fingers. “We need a celebrity to wear one of your dresses. I have a great idea of who would give you a big boost.”

  “Please don’t say one of those damned housewives. I don’t want my clothes associated with that trash,” he said.

  “What do you think about Marie Charles-Harris? The Mocha Girl in Paris blog author.”

  Royal tented his hands around his mouth. “Are you serious?”

  Alicia was sure that everyone in Atlanta and Decatur heard him scream. She nodded. “I went to college with her husband, and she loves fashion. I know she’ll be perfect.”

  “That would be the best thing ever!” He pulled Alicia into his arms and gave her a tight hug. “You just made my day, honey!”

  “Let’s hope she says yes,” Alicia said, then looked at her watch. “I have to go, but thanks for the dress. I can’t wait to wear it.”

  “Pictures, make sure you take a lot of pictures.”