Wrapped In Shadows

by Eugene, Lisa

  I nodded. I’d promised Tom that I’d keep Glen on as well as find a place for his key employees. It had been the only thing he’d insisted on in our negotiations.

  “Bruce has already gone through all the personnel files with our HR specialist and the integration team. You have a great group of people. Glen is a real asset. I think I’ll be able to find a management position for him with a comparable salary to what he’s making now. He does need to understand, though, that although there are people here I depend on, I and I alone run this company.”

  Tom nodded his understanding. “Honestly, Glen is as thrilled by this new opportunity as I am. He’s worked for me for a long time. He used to run the marketing department at Universe Magazine.”

  I nodded, impressed. Universe Magazine was a top fashion and lifestyle publication that targeted an elite audience. Roslyn had done some modeling for the magazine before she got pregnant with Livy.

  “I’m sure Glen understands that things will change,” Tom continued. “My entire staff does. The alternative would be a future that is very uncertain.”

  “My attorney said we should have the final purchase agreement in a week or so and then we can go to closing. My accountant is still waiting for a few follow up expense reports from the last quarter, but other than that, we’re ready to move forward.”

  Tom visibly relaxed. “I don’t handle that part of the business. Glen takes care of that, but I’ll make sure you have everything you need.”

  “Great.” I stood and shook Tom’s hand, noting how his condition had changed him in just a few short months. “I’m truly sorry about your diagnosis. If there’s anything you need, just ask.”

  Tom smiled. “You’re already doing it. Thank you.”

  I walked Tom out of the office. I could understand Tom’s feelings. I’d feel the same way about Davenport PR if things were reversed. If anything, the situation underscored my view on the transiency of life. Learning to appreciate each moment as a gift had been a lesson I’d learned the hard way.

  I said goodbye to Tom at the door of the conference room. We had a formal meeting with attorneys scheduled for next week. Now knowing Tom’s motivation for selling, he knew it wouldn’t be long before they had a done deal.

  My mind strayed back to the park, trying to unravel the thoughts of a beautiful blonde woman who’d left me scratching my head. I could tell she wanted me. That sweet blush staining her cheeks whenever she looked at me reflected the desire I felt for her. I wanted her. Badly. It wasn’t that complicated. I guessed I’d been a bastard to just show up at her office. It wasn’t as though she’d expressed a desire to ever see me again. In fact, she’d made it clear she wanted to put the night at Sensations behind her. What was her deal with Wilkinson? She was no longer engaged to him, yet she’d hedged questions about the wedding during her interview. Why not just say the wedding was off?

  I walked down the hall toward my office and my jaw hardened when I saw Josh hovering at Maria’s desk. I immediately thought of Katie and couldn’t help wondering if Josh knew where he’d been that morning. Had she told him that I’d visited her? Was that the reason for his presence? But Josh was leaning close to Maria, a lascivious smile on his face as his eyes devoured her cleavage. Anger caused me to reflexively open and close my fist as Maria tittered coyly at something Josh whispered into her ear. I drew closer and she looked up, startled and coloring red. I ignored my secretary, instead pinning my gaze on my visitor.

  Josh stood to his full height when he saw me.

  “I need to speak to you.”

  I clenched my jaw, guarding my expression as I silently ushered Josh into my office. I closed the door firmly and faced him.

  “I know what’s going on,” Josh said immediately.

  I folded my arms across my chest and stared. A restless unease edged up my back. I could tell Josh was angry and I wondered if Katie was alright. Josh had a rash temper that frankly worried me at times. I’d seen it directed at his co-workers and had had to intervene on more than one occasion.

  “Is that so?”

  “Yes, Bruce stole the Kotobuki account. He set me up, picked a fight with me at the party, then fucking stole my account.”

  I started shaking my head even before Josh had finished his tirade. This was the way Josh operated. He blamed everyone else for his fuck-ups. He never took responsibility, and my patience was quickly wearing thin.

  “Listen. You lost the Kotobuki account all on your own.” I circled him and walked behind my desk. I needed to put some distance between us. Anger was starting to tighten my muscles and I didn’t want to do something stupid.

  “I had it under control. I was going to re-approach him this week and get the account back. We had a rapport. But Bruce—“

  My palm shot up. “Don’t blame Bruce for this. I was the one who contacted him, and frankly, he’d had it with you!”

  “You contacted him! You didn’t even give me a chance.”

  “I’ve given you more than enough chances! I even tried to call you to tell you about the meeting, but you were nowhere to be found! You’re lucky you’re still working here, Wilkinson!”

  I felt hatred wafting from Josh like a foul odor. The other man’s fists curled tight and his legs braced as he assumed an openly aggressive stance. I had to take a deep breath and remind myself I was the employer because I was itching to take a hard swing at this man for reasons other than the apparent.

  “It’s not fair! That account was mine!”

  “You blew it! You fucked up!”

  “That’s—”

  “Just get out of my damn office!” I sneered, unable to look at him any longer.

  I dropped into my chair and shuffled papers on my desk, my eyes turned down in abrupt dismissal.

  Josh stood smoldering and I wondered if I’d have to physically remove him. I actually relished the thought, but a moment later I heard my office door open and slam shut. I drummed my fingers on the mahogany desk top.

  What the fuck did she see in him?

  Taking a moment to clear my head, I leaned back in my chair. The writing was on the wall. I had to fire Josh. Promise or not, I could no longer tolerate the man’s incompetence. Even if my personal feelings weren’t involved, I was certain I would’ve arrived at the same decision. Out of respect, I’d let Matt Wilkinson know.

  I dug my cell phone out of my pocket and dialed Matt’s number.

  “Hi, Luke! Good to hear from you! It’s been a while,” the scratchy voice instantly bellowed through the phone.

  I sighed. “We need to talk.”

  “This doesn’t sound good. What’s my boy done now?”

  “It’s not working out, Matt.”

  A weary breath came through the phone. “Can we talk about this?”

  “What’s good for you?”

  “It’s a little crazy right now.” I heard some papers shuffling. “But I’ll be in New York on the twenty first for a holiday party. How about we meet for dinner that evening, before the party?”

  “Fine. Sounds good.”

  I signed off and stared at the wall, feeling a growing need to pull this thorn out of my side.

  *************************

  Katie

  My phone chimed and I looked down at the text marked ‘urgent’ from my broker.

  COVETED TWO BEDROOM IN PROTECTED BUILDING. LOTS OF PERKS. JUST GOT LISTING. MUST SEE TODAY. WILL GO.

  I sighed. As usual, the cryptic message from my broker left much to be interpreted, but dealing with the Manhattan market for weeks now, I knew the codes. Coveted meant somewhat spacious, probably about one thousand square feet—a number that drew a lot of interest in a market of closet-sized apartments. At least she didn’t say charming retro, that would mean it was an old dump. Protected meant part-time doorman. Lots of perks meant the apartment had windows, but not necessarily a good view. In fact I could be staring at a brick wall.

  I started a reply text, my fingers hop-scotching over the screen. I knew there
was nothing cryptic about must see today or will go. Thus was the nature of this cutthroat market. I got a few more details and scheduled a time to meet with my broker. Wondering if Michelle could slip out of work to accompany me, I quickly called her.

  After telling her about the apartment, Michelle had one question.

  “Elevator?”

  I grinned. “Yes.” I’d asked the broker when I’d texted her.

  “Well, this at least seems better than the last one. I almost had a heart attack trying to get up to the fifth floor. You know I wouldn't have visited you there unless you had me airlifted through the window.”

  I laughed. “Come on, your extracurricular activities are a hell of a lot more strenuous.”

  “Yes. But there I’m highly motivated.”

  I chuckled. “Are you coming or not?”

  “I should be able to take my lunch a little early. Josh is here so I’ll come down. Just call when you’re downstairs.”

  The floor of my stomach bottomed out, but it wasn’t the mention of Josh that caused the sudden tumult. The thought of possibly running into my friend’s boss had pinpricks jumping on my skin. My attempts to filter Luke Davenport from my dreams had been regretfully unsuccessful, and imagining those intense emerald eyes trained on me had my heart flipping in my chest.

  “Uh…I was hoping you’d meet me there.”

  “No way. Just pick me up. It’ll be quicker. Gotta go. See you soon.” With that, the phone went blank and I sighed.

  An hour later, I was standing in front of the skyscraper that housed Davenport PR on the thirtieth floor. The streets were busy this time of day and pedestrians parried and criss-crossed with an innate set of rules that required no eye-contact or conversation. I seemed to be the only one standing around idly, wringing my hands nervously and craning my neck to peer into the building’s lobby. I’d been waiting now for Michelle for eight minutes, and as time passed, I grew more and more anxious.

  Finally Michelle emerged from the building and I let out a sigh of relief. It was only when I spotted the tall man with wavy dark hair who’d held the door, that my stomach flip-flopped the remnants of my last meal. Michelle smiled and waved, but Luke just stared as he approached, his gaze boring into mine. If he was surprised to see me, he didn’t show it.

  “Katie, you remember my boss, Luke Davenport.”

  I was trying hard not to…

  “Uh…ye—yeah,” I stammered, hating his slow smile. My tongue never seemed to work around him. Why did he have to be so freaking gorgeous? The edge of the colorful tattoo was a tease just above the neckline of his dress shirt. I turned over a few possibilities as to what it could be, my imagination taking flight as it did so easily around him.

  Afraid he’d notice me staring, my gaze drifted to the lapels of his coat. He wore the same blue jacket from Sensations, and I couldn’t help examining the sleeve. He’d had it cleaned.

  “Oh, shit!” Michelle slapped her forehead. “I forgot my purse upstairs.”

  I turned to her, suddenly alarmed. “It…it’s okay. Don’t worry about it!”

  “I’m sorry. I’ll just run up and get it. I’ll be right back.”

  “No, no!” I grappled my friend’s arm, feeling foolish, but not liking the turbulence in my stomach. “Don’t go! I have money! I’ll buy you a new one!”

  Michelle laughed, shaking me off like a bad habit. She wrung her face up at me, not understanding my absurdity.

  “Don’t be ridiculous. I’ll be just a minute! Wait in the lobby where it’s warm.”

  At that, she took off, running back into the building.

  Completely ruffled, I turned back to Luke, who was still planted where he’d been, but now he had a small smile on his gorgeous lips. Lips I refused to let my gaze linger on. Lips that I knew tasted like heaven. Oh God…he probably thought I was nuts. We both stood without saying a word, pretending this chance meeting was insignificant. The awkward moment was filled with just the sound of my heart drowning out the noise of the city streets. I had no idea what to say to this man, and was honestly afraid of what confessions might spring from my lips.

  Luke leaned toward me, that ridiculously sexy smile still lingering. “You don’t have to be afraid of me.”

  “I’m not afraid of you.” It was an automatic response. Not necessarily a true one.

  He nodded and scanned the street. “I actually think that you are afraid of you.”

  Hmmm…was he trying to trick me with psychological mumbo jumbo? Because I wasn’t going to fall for it.

  I looked at him then, head on, absorbing the power of his jade eyes. “What?”

  “You are afraid of your feelings for me.”

  “That’s awfully presumptuous. Who says I have any feelings for you at all?” I snorted, suddenly out of breath. Deny! Deny! Deny the mumbo jumbo…

  “Am I right?”

  “I just have a lot going on in my life right now.”

  His smile widened. “You didn’t answer the question, so I must be right.”

  I chuckled, but it rang hollow. Damn him! He certainly got to the point. My heart fluttered wildly at the teasing light in his eyes.

  “Listen, I just—”

  “I’d like to see you tonight.”

  I took a deep breath, clamping down every impulse to agree.

  “Say yes.”

  “You don’t give up, do you?” I breathed a slight chuckle, my words more of a statement than a question. My heart was racing.

  He shook his head, holding my gaze. “Not on something I want this badly.”

  Oh, God… I stared back, realizing my desire for him hadn’t diminished at all in the week since he’d come to my office. If anything, my acknowledgment and ownership of it only fueled my need until it burned like a blistering fever. He was so deliciously tempting. Tall. Gorgeous. Solidly male. And I wanted him. A pulse already beat steadily in my groin, throbbing in response to his presence.

  Just one more time…

  No one had to know…

  Just get him out of your system…

  Mine! Mine! Mine! You stay out of this! I scolded my vagina.

  “Tonight, Kay.” His deep voice revved low. “We’ll have a quiet dinner. I know a great place—”

  I shook my head. We couldn’t take a chance at being seen out at dinner. It would be too risky.

  “No, it would have to be my place.”

  I saw his brief look of surprise, one that in all honesty matched my own. Then he smiled and his dimpled winked at me, again inciting a slew of internal havoc. My heart rate soared. I tried hard not to think, not to listen to the voice screaming like a mad woman in my head. Damn his mumbo jumbo! My inner self was in serious need of a straight jacket and a padded room.

  “Tonight. Nine o’ clock,” I whispered quickly, seeing Michelle come through the door.

  Luke said his goodbyes, giving me a long meaningful look before he left. I followed Michelle, trying to talk myself off a ledge as a cab pulled up to the curb.

  What the fuck had I just done?

  The elevator opened into my expansive living room and I marched straight to the gym at the back of my apartment. Stripping off my coat and clothes on the way, I sent them flying across the room. I flipped a switch and Eminem’s 8 Mile blasted through the penthouse. Fuck yeah! I needed to lose myself. Because I was certain I’d already lost my mind. I just needed the rest to follow suit. By the time I reached the gym I was totally naked, bopping my head to the throbbing lyrics.

  Lose yourself in the music, the moment, you own it, you better never let it go, you only get one shot, do not miss your chance…

  I grabbed a pair of shorts and a tank top from a rack and yanked them on. Restraining my hair with a band, I hopped on the treadmill and pumped it to an insane speed. I ran and ran until the breath was bursting from my lungs and my muscles were picketing. Twenty-five minutes later, a musical chime sounded, signaling someone was in the elevator and I cursed under my breath. I’d told the doormen to le
t up the delivery guy with my Chinese food order, but had been hoping to get in a good run before dinner came. Stepping off the conveyor belt, I glanced at my watch. It was almost six. I still had plenty of time to get ready, plenty of time to think about the time bomb I was building—that is, if I’d allow myself to think. But I wasn’t going there.

  Swiping a towel across my face, I made my way down a long hall, past a huge chef’s kitchen that was shiny with steel and granite, and back to the living room with panoramic views of Central Park. It was already dark out and lights twinkled in the distance. I’d decided that later I’d turn off all the lights. Maybe light a few candles and recreate the atmosphere at Sensations—a dreamy state that would distort reality. Tonight I would not let reality in.

  Last week in the park, I’d planned to tell Luke I wasn’t looking for a lover. I’d wanted to make things clear to him. Today had been another story. How could I deny my attraction to him? He knew. He’d called me on it. And yes, damn right I was afraid. Because try as I might, I couldn’t scrub the scent of sandalwood from my skin.

  Just one more time. Just tonight. I just needed to get him out of my system.

  Then I’d get my life together. Perhaps it wouldn’t even be as good as I remembered. The mind had a way of embellishing things, of sweetening the memory.

  The Notorious B.I.G. was now chomping out a rap about nasty girls that would make my mother faint dead to the ground. I pressed a button, allowing the elevator doors to slide open, and froze stiff as Luke stood smiling and offering a bag that wafted the delicious smell of Chinese food to my nose.

  “Your order, ma’am.”

  My mouth fell open. I closed it, but my jaw loosened again as my vocal cords malfunctioned. To my embarrassment, I was sputtering and grunting again.

  Why did he always do this to me?