She forced her gaze away just as another man approached her table.
“Care to dance?”
“No, thanks.”
He held up his hands in surrender. “Sorry. I didn’t mean any harm. It’s just when I see a beautiful woman sitting all alone, I figure I can at least attempt to cheer her up by asking her to dance.”
“I don’t dance,” she said, shifting her attention to the dance floor to see if she could spot her grandmother.
“You don’t dance?” The man laughed and then eased into the chair next to her. “Then what are you doing at a club?”
“Minding my own business and trying to set an example for others.”
“Ooh, that’s a good one.” He held out his hand. “My name is Bennie. What’s yours?”
Diana finally looked at him and was shocked to see the man with shiny finger waves and his two front teeth capped in gold. She cleared her throat. “Look, Bennie. I don’t mean to be rude but I’m really not interested.”
“Surely you’re not going to shoot a brother down like that. At least allow me to buy you a drink.”
Her patience held on by a thin thread. “Look, I came with someone.”
“You mean the old lady and the gay guy?”
She frowned.
Bennie’s smile slid wider. “I’ve been watching you all night. You don’t have a man.”
“Actually,” a smooth familiar voice cut in, “she’s with me.”
Diana glanced up at the man behind Bennie and she blinked in surprise at seeing Marcel Taylor smiling down at them.
Chapter 7
The world melted away as Diana stared up at her boss. Once she realized what she was doing, embarrassment burned her cheeks and she glanced away.
“Mr. Taylor.” Bennie jutted out his hand. “My main man. Whatcha doing here? Man, I love your work.”
“Is that right?” Marcel smiled, but ignored the offered hand. “I’m always glad to meet a fan.” He swung his sparkling gaze in Diana’s direction. “Good evening, Diana.”
“Hello.”
“So, you really know this chick?” Bennie asked in awe.
Marcel nodded and maintained his brilliant smile. “We’ve been together for the past two years.”
Bennie’s beady gaze returned and raked over her. She could hear the man wondering why Marcel Taylor would be interested in such a plain “chick.”
“All right, then,” he said, backing away. “I didn’t mean no disrespect.”
“I appreciate that,” Marcel said.
Bennie grabbed a napkin off the table and then reached inside his eggplant-colored suit for a tape. “Uh. Do you think that maybe I could get you to listen to this tape? My cousin’s wife’s nephew does a little rappin’.”
“You probably should try to get that to one of our scouts,” Marcel said kindly.
Diana sighed and shook her head. A few seconds later, the man stumbled out another apology before he finally left the table.
“I thought that he would never leave,” Diana said.
Marcel laughed. “Mind if I join you?” he asked, gesturing to the vacant chair next to her.
She’d rather he didn’t, but shrugged instead. “It’s a free country.”
He frowned at her answer as he sat down. “You’re still mad at me about something.”
Before she had the chance to answer, two scantily clad women rushed up to Marcel. Her ever-accommodating boss was only too happy about the attention. He answered their questions about auditioning for his label and then turned his attention back to Diana.
“So what did I do?” Marcel asked once they were alone again.
Diana sipped her drink. “I told you earlier that I’m not mad. I just have a lot on my mind.”
“And Michael Jackson really is Peter Pan,” he joked and finally wrangled a smile out of her. “Ah, now we’re getting somewhere. Come on, I can’t fix something unless I know it’s broken.”
There was no way Diana was going to tell him the truth: that she didn’t like finding him and Nora huddled together in the elevator. Admitting something like that would be the kiss of death.
Marcel reached over and turned her chin in his direction so she would meet his gaze. “You’re important to me. If I did something, please tell me.”
Sweet words, she thought, even though he meant them professionally.
“Oh, Diana,” Louisa shouted, returning to the table. “Who’s your friend?” She laid her hand against Marcel’s shoulder and smiled brightly at him. “My, you’re handsome. I bet you’ve been told that before.”
Diana rolled her eyes. “He’s not my friend, Nana,” Diana said. “He’s my boss.”
“Ouch.” Marcel straightened in his chair. “That hurt.” He draped an arm around her. “I’d like to think that we’re friends as well.”
Awareness jolted through her body, but she pretended not to notice. “Grandma, this is Marcel Taylor. Mr. Taylor, my grandmother, Louisa Styles.”
“Friends call me Lou,” she said, batting her lashes again and offering him her hand.
“Lou Styles.” Marcel rolled the name around a few times as he removed his arm from Diana’s shoulder to shake Louisa’s hand. “Catchy. Ever considered show-biz?”
“Actually, I used to be a dancer.”
“Really? Professionally?”
“Yes, I—”
“So how long have you been here?” Diana jumped in before her grandmother regaled them with tales of her glory days as a stripper.
“A couple of hours. You brought your grandmother out to a club?”
“Brought—no. Supervise—yes.”
He laughed. “That’s certainly different.”
“I’d like to see how you handle a mentally insane senior citizen,” she deadpanned.
Marcel’s body continued to tremble. “You’re funny, Di. I like that.”
“Ahem.” Louisa cleared her throat. “Just in case you forgot, I’m still standing here.”
Diana caught the casual use of her nickname and the way his tone softened as he said it. Then again, she could’ve just imagined it. Probably did.
“Why don’t you and your grandmother join me in the VIP room?” His smile beamed at Louisa. “I’m sure I can get everyone to be on their best behavior.”
“That’s all right,” Diana answered before Louisa raved about how wonderful or how much fun it would be. “We’re fine down here.”
Marcel’s dark gaze shifted back to her and entrapped hers. “There’s that cold chill again.”
“You’re imagining things,” she said, forcing her eyes away. “I’m not angry with you.” Though she wasn’t looking at him, she could feel his stare.
“Do I have your word on that?”
His hand brushed against hers and a delicious warmth rippled through her. “You have my word,” she said, once again lifting her eyes.
“Yo, Casanova.” A large hand pounded on Marcel’s back. “Spread the love.” Tee Bo laughed before looking at Diana. “Ms. Guy, what are you doing here?”
Working for Marcel, Diana knew just about everyone in the entertainment business and that included nightclub owners.
“Hey, Tee Bo. I’m just hanging out…with my grandmother.” She gestured to Louisa.
“Oh, snap. You brought your granny in here?”
“My goodness, you’re tall,” Louisa said, tilting back. “You must have giantism in your family or something.”
“Nana,” Diana hissed.
“What?”
Tee Bo’s massive arm dropped around Louisa’s shoulders and Diana feared her grandmother’s knees would buckle. “To tell you the truth, Granny, I’m the only one in my family this size. My father was the tallest at five-eleven until I came along. Ain’t that something?”
“Excuse me, Mr. Taylor.” A honey-coated, feminine voice interrupted them.
Marcel turned toward a Caribbean goddess with large doe-shaped eyes and a Colgate smile. The men’s eyes bulged and then slowly traveled do
wn the woman’s curvy frame.
Diana watched fascinated at how the woman playfully batted her eyes and leaned in close to give a better view of her cleavage. Did she and Diana’s grandmother go to the same school of flirtation?
“I was wondering if I could pass you this demo tape.”
“Are you a singer?” Marcel asked, accepting the tape.
“Well, I’m actually a singer-slash-rapper-slash-dancer—”
Slash-ho. Diana glanced away and wished that she were anywhere but here.
Before long, a crowd gathered, each person vying for Marcel’s undivided attention. Even Tim and Alan returned and stood around her boss like starry-eyed puppies. What made things so bad for Diana was the realization that she was no different than any of them. Marcel, too, fascinated her. She was just determined not to show it.
“Waitress,” Diana called, lifting her glass. “Can I get a refill?” She refrained from asking for a splash of alcohol. When she returned her attention to her boss, she caught the punch line of a joke before everyone erupted into laughter.
Louisa ducked out of sight and tugged Tim along with her.
“Is something wrong, Lou?” he asked.
“No, no. I’m fine. I have a plan,” she whispered. “Do you know whether this Mr. Taylor drove here himself?”
“What?” He had trouble hearing over the loud music.
Grabbing a corner of his shirt, she tugged him down to her level. “I have a plan. Now, pay attention…”
Diana watched how Marcel handled the growing crowd of women with ease. She was even beginning to admire the way he’d mastered the art of flirting without being obvious. Casanova Brown, indeed.
“Diana,” Louisa said, inching her way over to her. “Do you mind if we go home now?”
“What’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?”
“I’m fine,” she said, pressing a trembling hand up to her temple. “I’m just very tired all of a sudden.”
“Of course, sure.” Diana jumped up from the table and glanced around. “Tim?” she called several times, scanning the people around them. “Where did he go?”
“Diana?” Louisa said.
“Just a sec, Nana.” Diana grasped her hand. “We have to find Tim.” She forced calm into her voice. “He was just here a moment ago.”
“Is there a problem, Di?” Marcel asked.
“You didn’t happen to see where Tim went?”
He, too, looked around. “I could’ve sworn—”
“Diana, I need to lie down.”
Marcel frowned. “Is she all right? She doesn’t look too good.”
“No, she’s not. I have to get her home but it looks like our ride has disappeared.”
“Your boyfriend left you?”
“He’s not my boyfriend,” she said, impatiently. “And if I ever get my hands on him, I’ll kill him.”
“I can take you home,” Marcel offered and then glanced at his watch. “I’ve put in enough time.”
“No, that won’t be necessary.”
“Diana,” Louisa moaned.
“I don’t mind,” Marcel pressed as he leveled his concerned gaze on Louisa.
“But Tim—”
“He can see his own way home. I want to make sure nothing happens to your Nana.”
Tee Bo tuned into the conversation. “Is something wrong with Granny?”
“She’s not feeling too well,” Marcel informed him. “We’re going to head out.” They slapped hands in a friendly handshake and gave each other a one-shoulder hug. “I’ll catch ya later.”
“No doubt,” Tee Bo said and then leaned down to plant a kiss on Louisa’s pudgy cheek. “You take care of yourself, Granny. I want to see you back in here soon.”
Louisa’s face blushed burgundy. “You can count on that.”
“Well, I wouldn’t,” Diana said sternly before looking back at her boss.
“The offer is still good,” he said.
She cast another futile glance around and relented at her grandmother’s obvious exhaustion. “Okay. If it’s not too much trouble.”
His full lips captured her attention when they eased into a wide smile. “It’s no trouble at all.”
Chapter 8
First Marcel welcomed any excuse to leave Club Secrets. His heart just wasn’t into smiling and posing for the cameras, though he’d put on a good show. Making appearances at the hottest clubs was just another part of his job.
Stepping out of the loud club and into the night’s cool air was an instant relief. Despite the hour drawing near 1:00 a.m., a crowd remained outside trying to get into the packed club.
“You really are popular,” Louisa commented. “It’s like you’re a movie star or something.”
“Not quite,” he said, waving to the crowd. “But you’d be amazed at how many people in this town are trying to break into the music business.”
“It’s awfully nice of you to take us home,” Lou said, smiling.
He grinned. “Don’t be silly. It’s my pleasure.” His gaze slid to Diana and it seemed that she made a conscious effort to avoid his stare.
When a stretch limousine pulled up in front of them, Lou gasped. “Is this yours?”
Marcel nodded and enjoyed the look of excitement plastered on the older woman’s face. “My job comes with a few perks.”
Lou clapped her hands. “I’d say. Diana, isn’t it gorgeous?”
“Yes, Nana. It’s very nice.”
There was that tone again, Marcel noted. What the hell had he done? Maybe he should take a page of his own advice and apologize for any and all things.
Charlie Lopez, Marcel’s driver for the past eight years, jumped out of the limo and rushed around to open their door.
“Ah, Ms. Guy,” Charlie said when his gaze landed on Diana. “A pleasure to see you this evening.”
“Good evening, Charlie. I see you’re back from vacation. How was it?”
“Great. We’ll have to get together again so I can tell you about it.”
“Sounds like a date.”
She smiled and Marcel was painfully aware that her attitude toward Charlie was a hell of a lot friendlier. And what did she mean by date?
“We’re taking Diana and her grandmother home,” Marcel said.
“Grand…Louisa?” His eyes widened as he recognized the woman standing beside Marcel. “Well, I’ll be damned. Tonight is just full of surprises.”
“You can’t keep a wild tiger caged for long,” Louisa singsonged.
The men laughed and helped her into the limo.
“Don’t worry, Charlie,” Diana said, patting him on the arm. “I’ll tell you the whole story later.”
Charlie smiled. “I look forward to hearing the details.”
When they laughed, Marcel felt excluded from their obvious friendship. It was odd to be bothered by that, he realized, but he was.
Once inside, Marcel continued to be amused by Lou’s fascination with her surroundings. However, Diana looked bored. Limousines were nothing new to his secretary. In fact, seeing them was nearly an everyday event. Still, he wondered what it would take to impress her. Was she the kind of woman who lit up for diamonds and pearls or was she the kind who was blown away by the little things?
Charlie pulled out into traffic and Marcel reached for the intercom button. “What’s the address?”
“Charlie knows where it is,” Louisa said before Diana had the opportunity to speak. “He’s been to the apartment several times.”
“Oh?” Marcel’s gaze sought Diana’s. “I never knew you two were such good buddies.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me,” she said softly and then returned her attention to the view outside her window.
Her words socked him in the gut and the unexpected blow startled him, probably because there was a ring of truth to them. Hadn’t their conversation this afternoon proved that fact?
“There’s champagne in here,” Lou marveled, finding the icebox.
“Don Pe
rignon Brut Rose Champagne; the best,” he boasted proudly. “Would you like some?”
“I’d love—”
“No.” Diana’s stern look silenced any protest her grandmother contemplated.
“Sorry,” Marcel felt obligated to say. “I didn’t mean to…uh, get anyone in trouble.”
Lou dropped back against the seat and crossed her arms. “No need to apologize. It’s not your fault my grandbaby is a fuddy-duddy.”
Diana’s jaw slacked and then tightened. “I’m only trying to look after you since you don’t seem to be up for the job anymore.”
Lou simply waved off the comment.
There was nothing like being caught in the middle of a family feud, Marcel thought. And this one had the markings of bitterness.
As he glanced between the two silent women, questions filled his head about exactly what was going on. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the right to ask or expect an answer.
Silence encircled the small group and made the long ride feel more like the final walk down death row. As he turned to stare out his own window, he caught sight of a single tear escaping from Diana’s glossy eyes.
“What’s wrong, Diana?”
She shook her head and wiped her face dry. “Nothing.”
Marcel blinked at the obvious lie. Why wouldn’t she tell him what was bothering her? Why wouldn’t she consider him a friend as well as her boss?
He glanced out his window, glad that her reflection showed in the tinted glass where he was free to watch her without being obvious.
Lou leaned forward and reached for her granddaughter’s hand.
Diana seized the hand and gave it a reassuring pat. “Are you feeling better?”
“A little. I’ll be fine once I crawl into bed.”
Diana nodded and looked somewhat relieved. “Maybe we should have left a note on Tim’s car, telling him we’ve gone home or something. I don’t think we should have just left him there like that.”
“Oh, he’ll be fine. Trust me.”
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