Cole couldn’t argue the truth. And his twin knew firsthand. Zach had a marriage that didn’t get much past the “I do’s” before the bride took off with another man. But Cole didn’t want love. He wanted Walter Stevens to see he was strong enough to be paired with his precious company and daughter. The merging of companies on this project was priceless. In fact, it was just the opportunity he’d been waiting for to show Walter Stevens he was just as powerful, if not more so, than the old man.
“What are you going to do?” Zach asked, leaning against the corner of the desk. “Are you finally going to tell her you were threatened by the old man?”
“No. She wouldn’t believe me and that was so long ago, we’ve both moved on.” So many thoughts and ideas bounced around inside his head. “Granted, I can’t avoid the fact she’s still the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen. Who knows? Maybe that sexual chemistry is still there. It would sure make for an interesting few months.”
Zach let out a chuckle. “What if she’s just a typical spoiled little rich girl who’s stepping into shoes she can’t even possibly fill?”
Cole considered the possibility. “That may be, but I don’t want anything from Tamera other than a good partner on this project. Besides, she still seems sweet and innocent. Nothing like Walter.”
“Sweet and innocent was probably shot straight to hell when you trampled her heart without giving her cause,” Zach said, as if Cole needed the reminder. “I don’t know about you, but I think a multimillion-dollar deal is far more important than lust. Will you be able to concentrate?”
The Stevens Group was one of the top design firms in the country, which made her a complete professional. They could do the job, and hopefully if that sexual attraction still existed…well…
Not that he wanted anything remotely like what they’d had. Hell no. He only wanted to see if she tasted the same, if her skin still shivered beneath his touch. What hot-blooded male wouldn’t want to explore that body again?
Tamera Stevens was a typical Miami bombshell with long blonde hair, blue eyes and a body that was centerfold material. He’d be interested in her even if they’d just met. The fact that they shared a past only made the situation more intriguing.
As for love? No thanks. Any feelings remotely resembling love had died along with their dreams of a life together. Love didn’t have a place in his world…not when his life consisted of nothing but his scale, butter paper and the art of design. Love was a lost emotion that Walter Stevens had personally sucked right out of him.
“I’m concentrating,” Cole said with a grin. “Believe me, I’m concentrating. Tamera has no idea of the man I’ve become.”
Zach raised a brow. “This competition isn’t between you and Tamera. It’s between you and her father.”
Walter Stevens had never liked Cole, but when Cole proposed to Tamera the summer between their senior year of college and right before graduate school, Walter pulled out the threats.
If Cole didn’t let Tam go, Walter would get Cole’s scholarship taken away. Walter Stevens had connections everywhere and Cole knew the man wasn’t just blowing hot air.
And because Cole, Zach and their baby sister Kayla were raised by their grandmother and basically had to scrape to get by, Cole had to give in. He had no connections and his only ticket out of near poverty was his scholarship.
Choosing between the future of his career and the future of his heart was the hardest decision he’d ever had to make…and one he’d questioned every day for a long time after the breakup. But he firmly believed everything happened for a reason and Cole was just fine with how his life had turned out.
The next few months would certainly be a challenge. But Cole was up for anything. Especially if it meant making millions—and exploring Tamera’s seductive curves once again.
Two
The contracts were signed. There was no turning back.
She could do this. Working with Cole would be just like back in college at the University of Florida when they’d worked on designs together in her off-campus apartment or his dorm room.
Except now they were dealing with millions of dollars and not grades…or feelings.
Okay, so they were dealing with feelings, at least, she was. But any emotions she had were just remnants from what they had before.
What they had before? Tam rolled her eyes and shut down her computer, thankful to be going home. Anything they’d had before had been strictly one-sided or Cole wouldn’t have been able to walk away without looking back. She’d gotten over the fact that he’d walked away, but what she hadn’t recovered from was his reasoning…or lack thereof.
When he’d called their engagement off, Tamera was sick. She’d taken her father’s advice and transferred schools so she could break ties with Cole and start new. But even though she’d moved on, she never forgot the man she’d loved with her whole heart.
The man who currently stood filling her office doorway.
“Cole.” Erratic heartbeats and instant jellylike knees made her thankful she was seated behind her desk instead of standing. “What are you doing here?”
“We need to talk.”
He made his way across the plush, white carpet. Even at the end of a long business day, the man still looked amazing. He’d shed his tie and jacket, leaving him in black pants and a baby blue dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up onto his tanned forearms. A bit of dark shadow around his jawline made her catch her breath.
Past or no past, this man was sexy as all get-out and she couldn’t deny the fact. Why couldn’t he at least have gotten an unsightly beer gut after all these years?
“I was just heading home,” she told him, trying to ignore his pantherlike eyes. “If you’d like to call tomorrow, I’d be happy to discuss the initial planning of the design.”
Instead of taking a seat across from her desk, like most visitors, Cole came around the side and propped a hip on the corner, mere inches from her. That same masculine cologne he’d had on during their meeting with Victor tickled and teased her senses. His broad shoulders filled his dress shirt and his lips were just as full and kissable as they were the day he’d asked her to marry him.
Mercy. Day one of…how quick could they finish this project?
“I’m not here to discuss the design.”
Did the man blink? Why was he staring? Was he really that unaffected by their reunion? Surely the crackle of tension in the air wasn’t only vibrating around her.
Tamera cleared her throat and scooted back a bit in her chair. She didn’t pretend to misunderstand the topic he was approaching. Did he honestly believe he could barge into her office and pick up where he dropped her?
“Cole, this isn’t professional. Rehashing the past won’t do a thing toward getting these designs done, so why go there?”
His gaze traveled over her, making her feel even more heated than before. When his eyes roamed back to her face, he seemed to study her. Tamera hated being under a microscope.
“Are you really okay working with me?” he asked in a low, steady voice. “That’s the real reason I’m here. We should discuss this arrangement without Victor or our staff present.”
Damn the man for being so cool and controlled. And how dare he think she’d be withering at the thought of working with him? If the only reason he came was to make sure she was “man” enough for the job, she’d show him who would dominate this situation.
Tamera came to her feet, causing Cole to look up from his half-seated position. “This is a dream job, Cole. Brainstorming with the devil won’t make me back down, so there’s no need to coddle me and pretend you care about my feelings.”
He smiled, but remained perched on the corner of her desk. “Zach offered to take my place, but he’s normally the on-site guy.”
Even though the ache hadn’t moved from her chest since she’d seen Cole a week ago at the initial meeting with Victor, she pasted on a smile and moved toward her fourth-story window and looked out onto the city lights of sultry, sexy
South Beach.
“So, you two have discussed my well-being? How thoughtful. I assure you, I’ll be fine. The question is, will you?”
She turned back to see his reaction and was surprised when the muscle in his jaw ticked. Cole came to his feet, closing the space between them.
Didn’t the man know how to read body language? Hadn’t she given him the not-so-subtle hint that she wanted space? And why did her body have to betray her by reacting to this enticing man?
“To be honest,” he said, looming over her, backing her against the cool glass, “I may not be.”
How did she lose control over this situation and in her own office, for crying out loud?
She moistened her lips and cursed herself when his eyes darted to her mouth. Now he chooses to read body language. Surely he wasn’t going to kiss her.
“Why is that?” she asked, thankful her voice didn’t crack.
“Because you’re even more alluring and vivacious than you were in college. I’m intrigued.”
“Good for you.”
She tried to be nonchalant, but God help her, she wanted to kiss him. She wanted to feel his lips on hers again. She wasn’t even going to try to lie to herself.
When they’d been together, they’d been good. For nearly two years, they’d been inseparable. Nothing and no one had come close to filling her heart the way Cole had back then. Kissing Cole would only catapult her back in time and ruin any hopes of being professional on this project.
Sanity prevailed as she shoved him back.
“No.” She moved around him and went to her door, gesturing for him to leave. “If you think you can charm your way into my life again, you’re even cockier than I thought. I’m surprised you’d let your hormones override the biggest business deal either of our firms has ever seen.”
In his slow, easy manner, Cole moved across the room, hands shoved into his pants pockets. “You’re right. But, I just had to know.”
She hated to be predictable and ask, but she had to. “Know what?”
“If the sparks were still there.” Cole stood squarely before her, leaned to her ear and whispered. “They are.”
Without another word, he walked from her office. Whistling.
Tamera resisted the urge to slam the door. Could he be more maddening?
Whistling? Ugh! If he thought for one minute he could play around with her emotions, business, personal or otherwise, she’d show him. Nothing, absolutely nothing would come between her and this project.
Especially not an ex-fiancé who looked even sexier now than he had when she’d been head over heels. Too bad he had a cocky attitude and an overinflated ego.
Tamera was still seething that evening when she drove her silver BMW through the wrought-iron gates of her father’s Coral Gables home. But by the time she’d pulled up in front and walked up the concrete steps, she’d forced herself to calm down.
Her father didn’t need to know she was working with another firm right now. He especially didn’t need to know it was Cole’s firm. All he needed to do was concentrate on having pain-free days…if such a thing existed at this point.
She was certainly glad she’d calmed herself when her father’s nurse came from his room with a grim face.
Panic coursed through her. “Danita, what is it?”
The elderly lady gripped Tamera’s arm and led her to the living room. “I’m afraid it’s time, Miss Stevens.”
Tamera knew this day was coming. The day when remaining at home would no longer be a possibility for her father. Hospice was, of course, her next step.
She nodded. “I’ll do what needs to be done, then. I just want him as comfortable as possible.”
Danita offered a sad smile and squeezed Tamera’s arm. “I’ll talk to the doctor and see if there’s any way we can keep him sedated here until the time comes.”
For him to die. The sentence wasn’t completed, but the words hung in the air just the same.
“I’d rather he be home,” Tamera thought aloud. “But, if the hospice center can take him now, I will make those arrangements myself. I just signed on with a huge project at work, so I won’t be able to take time off, but I will get him whatever he needs. I want him to be as comfortable as possible.”
Two months ago her father was running one of the top architectural firms in the country and now he was struggling just to hang on. For her.
Tamera knew he had no reason to go on other than to make sure she was happy. And knowing how stubborn he was, he was probably hanging on to make sure she didn’t screw up his company.
The idea made her smile through the pain. She wouldn’t put it past him.
Seriously, though, she had to get this project drawn up. She had to contact Cole and make this happen sooner rather than later so she could give her father one last gift.
He could go in peace knowing she’d carry the torch that was passed down to her. He could rest assured she would go on to build amazing structures, and live up to the reputation her grandfather had fought hard to achieve for the company.
Tamera eased the door open to her father’s room, careful to be quiet in case he was sleeping. No such luck.
She pushed the door open and stepped into the sunlit room. “I thought I’d find you asleep.”
Walter Stevens turned his attention from the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the bay toward her. “I didn’t expect you today.”
They went through this at every visit and every time she just laughed. The doctors said his mind would slip with this disease, but she didn’t believe so. He was still just as sharp as he ever was. He was only testing her because he felt she should live in her office…as he had.
“What can I get you?” she asked, coming to stand beside the high-backed headboard of his bed, which was full of plump pillows. “More water or a snack? Danita is making dinner, but it won’t be ready for another hour or so.”
He waved a frail hand in the air. “You two worry too much about me. Tell me about what’s going on with the firm.”
“We’re moving forward and so far, so good. No one has asked too much about your absence because they’re satisfied with the explanation that you’re not fully retired, just practicing to see if it fits.”
Once upon a time, he would’ve picked up on the fact that she’d danced around the question and eased into another topic. But that was when he was on his game and not fighting for every day he had left to live.
There was no way she was going to talk to him about the deal with Victor Lawson. He would only worry about details she had under control instead of his own health. She didn’t want him to worry about anything.
Added to that, if she went into the details of the Lawson project with him, she’d have to add that they were paired with Cole’s firm. She didn’t want to have to explain that. Considering Tamera had cried herself to sleep for months and her father held her hand most of those nights, she doubted Walter would want to hear anything about Cole Marcum.
The project was best left out of the discussion. At least for now.
“I’m sorry all this is on your shoulders, Tamera. Work must be stressful,” he told her, studying her face. “You have dark circles under your eyes. You’re not taking care of yourself.”
Offering her father a smile, she patted his arm. “No worries. I’ve got it all under control. I’m just getting used to filling the big shoes you left me.”
He didn’t chuckle at her half-hearted attempt to lighten the moment. “What aren’t you telling me?”
She shook her head. “Nothing you need to worry about right now.”
“I’m going to worry as long as I’m drawing breath,” he assured her. “We haven’t lost any clients, have we?”
“Of course not. All the clients, old and new, are pleased with the work we are providing. Now, quit worrying and just concentrate on yourself. I’m in charge now.”
Finally, he smiled. “I bet you’ve waited a long time to say that to me.”
“I have.” She gr
inned back, though she hated that he was more like the child now and she the parent. “I’m going to go so you can rest before dinner. I’ll call or come back later.”
She kissed her father good-bye and let herself out of his Coral Gables estate to head toward her condo in South Beach.
SoBe was such a beautiful, tranquil setting. Maybe one day she’d get to enjoy the fashion shops and nightlife like she used to. She missed dancing, having fun with friends. But priorities came first, and going out mingling in celebratory style seemed inappropriate these days. No wonder she didn’t have a love life or someone to support her during tough times. She hadn’t been anywhere in what seemed like forever.
A stab of envy jabbed her as she passed the people milling about in and out of the specialty shops, strolling along the beach, laughing. Their lives seemed so carefree, so full of joy.
Tamera allowed the tears to fall, considering she was alone. She figured she was more than entitled. Her emotions had taken hit after hit today.
With the beginning of this project and the ending of her father’s life, Tamera didn’t know if she could take on an attack from Cole. But, if she could get her crying jags out in private, maybe she could put up a steelier front in public. Vulnerability and weakness had no place in her professional life.
When she pulled into her garage, Tamera pulled her cell from her purse. She dialed Cole’s office line, fully expecting to get voice mail, but his strong voice came through the receiver.
“Cole Marcum.”
She closed her eyes, rested her head against the leather headrest and swallowed the tears. “I didn’t expect to get you this late.”
“Tamera.” His surprise, and smile, came through the phone. “Then why did you call?”
“To leave a message. I’d like to meet first thing in the morning to start on this design.”
“Wonderful. My yacht is at Bal Harbor.”
Her eyes flew open as she jerked upright in her seat. “Your yacht?”
“Yes, that’s where I do my work. It’s a place I can clear my thoughts and stay focused without interruptions. I will inform the staff they have the day off.”
From Boardroom to Wedding Bed? Page 2